Scenes an Aspiring Writer wants to see

by Apofis

Rating: mature
Tags: Adventure, Anthology, Gore, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Other, Original Character
Length: 35357

A collection and variety of short scenes, plots and stories.

A series of short, independent scenes that I felt like writing and collated for your reading pleasure.

I hope to showcase a variety of scenes and stories that I wanted to explore and compose, hopefully get a little feedback along the way and develop my skills as a writer. One day I might even leverage those skills to publish one of these little ideas that got the better of me and took on a life of thier own!

(Although keeping the little buggers contained here will hopefully prevent any others from trying to become stories in thier own right.)

As such be prepared for potentially anything and everything, I sincerely hope you find something you can enjoy. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!

Tags will be expanded and rounded out as and when needed, naturally the "story" is rated as mature.

Story List:

A Grand Escape: A lone pony makes for the safety of the desert. CW: Detailed desciption of pre-existing wounds.

A Profitable Pegasus Pilfering: A young thief returns home with her latest haul.

A Restaurant Rendezvous (Royalty Recommended): A fast food employee has a chance encounter with a particular customer.

An Unfair Trade: An exiled noble strikes up a trade deal. CW: Mild description of violence, death.

A Little Bit of Moral Support: An everyday pegasus helps her good friend through a difficult ordeal. CW: Intense depictions of extreme phobia.

A Reformation Reprise: In which Chrysalis gets trapped between a rock and some introspection.

A Time for Something Bigger...: In which job hunting can really take you places... CW: Ridiculously long chapter.

A Trip Around Town: In which a trip around Trottingham takes its toll.

An Overdue Rest: In which Feather Touch heads home.

Published 2022-03-24 18:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-04-21 02:53:48 UTC

3 - A Restaurant Rendezvous (Royalty Recommended)

"ORDER UP!"

Quick Snap heaved a sigh, sliding the tray of food over the counter and picking up the attached ticket.

"Order number 87!" Leaning over the counter he carefully slid the tray toward a small filly, the little unicorn reaching up to take it in her mouth. "There you go, sweetie." Quick Snap turning back to face the new fry cook/bagger.

"For the last time, Deep Fry, you're not in the taco cart anymore. You can't just scream across the restaurant!" The portly pegasus simply gave a shrug in response. Quick Snap rolled his eyes in amusement, looking forward and smiling to greet the next customer.

"Hello! Welcome to-"

"You got my order wrong! I asked for a Hayburger with-"

Snap quickly put on his best customer service smile, reaching under the counter and flashing a small board painted blue at his colleagues, all of whom were looking over at the increasingly loud mare opposite the counter.

Snap could feel the thump of his heart starting to pound in his ears, he had joined several customer service roles over the years to try and improve his social anxiety. He could proudly say that it had worked, however, when someone caught him off guard it could still flare-up.

Quick Snap took a deep, slow breath and gently pressed a hoof to his chest.

"Become the mask... Become the mask..." Opening his eyes Quick Snap was waiting for the mare to reach the end of her tirade, and as she finally wound down, he struck.

"I am terribly sorry about that madam," Quick Snap's hooves moved in a flash as they flew under the counter, a ripping sound accompanying a coupon being pushed across the counter toward the customer. "Please accept this coupon for a free meal on your next visit to Hayburgers and a complimentary drink!" The beverage levitated into his hoof, courtesy of one of his unicorn co-workers. The deep blue earth pony slid it over to the rapidly calming mare.

"We'll remake your order and have it brought right over to your table, once again I apologise for any inconvenience we may have caused you today. Is there anything else I can help you with, madam?" He flashed her his sincerest smile... Well, his fakest sincerest smile, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"Oh... Right, well, thank you..." The mare took the coupon and drink in her magic and walked back to her table. Quick Snap breathed a sigh of relief, turning toward his colleagues he got a wink Swift Hoof, his supervisor, she was mouthing the words "Nailed it!" at him.

Quick Snap carried on serving customers and calling out orders, at one point he leaned sideways to get a better look down the line, swearing blind that he saw Princess Twilight walk in. Shaking his head he dismissed the notion, that was ludicrous.

"Ok, one more customer then I can go on break." Snap took a quick breath before returning back to the counter, quickly glancing down at the latest order and calling it out.

"Hello! Welcome to Haaaaayyyyyy-" Quick Snap felt his heart pounding again, was it supposed to skip a beat like that?
The mare in front of him was talking but all he heard was a growing ringing in his ears, her light blue fur shining with a brilliance he had never seen, her mane was a shimmering blonde, smooth and curling over her right eye. Even when speaking she was carrying a soft smile, though the words were lost he could still hear the melody of them, and the eye he could see? Oh, Celestia, he could gaze into its amber depths forever...

"Wow..." The whisper came out like a passing wind, the unicorn in front of him drawing her head back with an amused smirk.

"Excuse me?" She gave a chuckle, Quick Snap's usually blue coat rapidly turning crimson.

"I-erm- Er... Wh-what I meant was... Um... I-I-I-"

"Smooth." Snap jumped as he realised Swift Hoof had snuck up on him unawares, a chorus of chuckles coming from the kitchen. "Don't worry hun, I got your order." Ringing up the order she looked over at Quick Snap.

"Isn't it your break now, Cassanova?" Ignoring Snap's snap of his head toward her, she turned her focus back to the mare. "Is that to eat in or to go?"

The mare in question glanced between the two of them, her smirk growing as her eye settled on Quick Snap, the blue earth pony still sporting a two-tone coat.

"I'd like to dine in, please." Using her magic to pick up a plastic table number, she turned away to the nearest table, glancing back at Snap a little longer than he expected.

"Ooooh, she's got that hip sashay down!" Swift Hoof jabbed him playfully with her elbow.

"Shut up, she's beautiful!" Quick Snap whispered to her harshly, his embarrassment rising tenfold as he realised what he said. Swift Hoof collapsed into a rather unprofessional laughing fit, even by Hayburger's standards.

Quick Snap rolled his eyes, ducking out from under her hoof and heading back toward the small staff room. Quickly divulging himself of his uniform he couldn't help but let his mind drift to the mare he had just seen. He could feel his heart beating faster just picturing her smile; was it wrong to be so utterly enraptured by somepony he didn't even know the name of?

Snap slammed his locker shut with a hoof, turning toward the door and heading out through the staff exit. Had she actually been interested in him or was she just amused by how he had made a fool of himself? She had looked back at him but that didn't mean anything, maybe he should just ask? If she was interested she would make it pretty clear one way or the other.

"Hey Snap, wanna take this order over to the table as you're going?" Swift Hoof slid a tray over the counter to him. Snap gave a quick nod as he balanced the tray on his back.

"Where's it going?" He asked, only getting an eye-roll in response.

"Where do you think? The pony who decided to eat in because you were going on break, duh!" She jabbed a hoof in his direction, looking behind him Quick Snap could see the mare watching him with a smirk.

Quick Snap flushed and moved quickly over, his hooves trembling slightly as he sidled up to the table.

"Hey, got your order." He carefully slid the tray off of his back and smoothly onto the table. The mare slid it in front of her and glanced up at him.

"Thanks, so is your name actually Cassanova or...?" She started unwrapping her hayburger as Quick Snap's fur only turned redder.

"Oh- erm, no. It's Snap, Quick Snap. That's just my boss having a laugh." He raised a hoof to scratch the back of his head awkwardly.

"Nice to meet you, Quick Snap. Are you going to be joining me?" The unicorn gestured toward the seat opposite her, Quick Snap quickly sliding into it.

"Y-yeah, sure! I-" Quick snapped his mouth shut, about to say "If it's alright with you?" before realising she probably wouldn't have offered if it weren't. The lighter blue mare took a bite out of her burger and swallowed.

"So do you always greet every customer like that or was that just for me?" She teased the pony sat across from her, enjoying seeing his blush leave his cheeks and start to spread down his neck.

"N-no, I mean I have uh-" Quick Snap coughed into his hoof to buy himself a moment. "I have social anxiety-"

"Oh, and there was me thinking I was special.." She took another bite of her burger, Quick Snap seeing her smile falter a little.

"Well, I got that under control a few years ago. I can do customer service no problem." He looked down, his brain working overtime to try and carry the conversation and find a way to get it back on track. "It's just when I saw you I got a little flustered." Her smile returned a little brighter than before.

"Just a little?" She smirked, polishing off her burger as Quick Snap laughed nervously.

"Ok, a lot flustered." He smiled as the unicorn reached out for her drink, she swept her hoof across it, nearly knocking it over, only recovering when her other hoof shot out to steady it. Quick Snap reacted too, his hooves catching hers and helping to steady the renegade beverage. It was her turn to blush this time.

"Sorry about that, depth perception isn't really my strong suit." She glanced away from Quick Snap, the other pony tilting his head curiously.

"Oh?" The unspoken question hung in the air as the mare sighed, she turned her head and gave it a sharp jerk, sending her mane away from her face. The sudden motion revealed a large brown patch where her right eye should be. She watched Quick Snap's expression, shifting from comprehension, to awkwardness before settling back on his gentle smile; she blinked before breaking out in a genuine smile.

"Wow, it took you less than a second to get over that..." Quick Snap simply shrugging in response.

"Why should it matter?"

Her expression melted into a heart-felt smile, before gazing down at the table.

"Erm, could I maybe get my drink?"

Quick Snap followed her gaze, seeing both of their hooves still clasped around her soda.

"Oh, sorry!" Releasing her hooves quickly, he let her take possession of her drink.

"My name is Sweet Song." Her warm grin was infectious, she took a hold of her straw in her magic and jabbed it into the lid of the soda, before bringing it up to her lips.

"That's a really pretty name." Quick Snap blushed as his eyes went wide, panic flooding him at how forward he was being, to his relief Sweet Song only giggled.

"Thanks, so who is Quick Snap when he's not getting flustered over pretty mares?"

The pair sat in the booth, Sweet Song having long since finished her meal and Quick Snap having long since lost track of time. The pair were discussing everything that new friends did, their hobbies, favourite music, books, jobs. Sweet Song was a singer who did a little bit of modelling on the side; Quick Snap being an amateur photographer, supplementing his income with a few minimum wage jobs.

"So yeah, it's not really glamorous work, but rent and bills aren't going to pay themselves and new cameras are expensive-"

"Ahem!" Quick Snap and Sweet Song looking up to see Swift Hoof standing over them, the pegasus glancing at him with a knowing smirk.

"Hey Cassanova, your break finished half an hour ago." The supervisor fixed him with a very convincing mock glare.

"Oh shoot, I'm sorry Swift I'll get-" She raised a wing to cut him off.

"Don't worry about it, you wanna take the afternoon off? The staff were having a wager on whether or not you were going to strike out." Quick Snap glared at her as Sweet Song snickered into her hoof.

"You were betting on me?!" The indignant earth pony frowned as Swift Hoof shook her head defensively.

"Take it easy, you just won me a hundred bits! I had faith in you." She gave Quick Snap a wink and a grin, bumping him in the arm with her hoof.

"Get out of here, I'll put it down as a half day's holiday so you still get paid." Without another word she swept back to the kitchens, leaving Quick Snap and Sweet Song alone again.

"Well I was going to go and see a movie in about half-hour, did you want to come with?" Quick Snap nodded quickly, Sweet Song's smile widening in response. They both turned as they heard a loud squeal from the next table over, looking toward it they saw a bright pink unicorn with a very lumpy green hoodie watching them with wide eyes, clapping her hooves together excitedly. The lavender alicorn sat across from her glanced between the exited unicorn and the two ponies sat across from them, she shrugged before using her magic to seize her dining companion's forgotten hayburger in her magic and started wolfing it down.

"Sure, what are we going to go see?" Quick Snap turned back to Sweet Song, casually ignoring the strange unicorn. The two got up, making their way out of the restaurant and trotting down the street, chatting happily.

Author's Note

This narrative was brought to you by the question "How would you portray love at first sight?" Now I know that actual love at first sight isn't really a thing, but it was a fun concept to write/play with. But I wanted to try and actually do something with this story so I made an attempt to write it in the present tense. Boy, was that way more difficult than anticipated. As nice a challenge as it was I believe I'll stick to past tense for the time being.

4 - An Unfair Trade

High on the snowy peaks of Mount Everhoof, nestled amongst the cracks and crevices of the treacherous mountain; sheltered from the howling gales and icy winds sat a weathered fortress. Its strong stone walls were worn smooth by an endless torrent of snow.

In spite of the horrific blizzard swirling above the walls, the ponies below were safe, warm, and unafraid. Guards patrolled the ramparts in masked silence. The enchantments of their cloaks kept them shielded from the elements.

Inside the towers and barracks yet more ponies went about their business. Checking armour and armaments, counting rations and supplies, sharpening blades, and imbibing fine drinks by the fire.

Inside the former commander's quarters, a comfy room distinguished by its fine drapes and robust furniture. Dawn Star looked himself over in a ceiling-high mirror. While the pristine golden armour stoked his pride, his eyes narrowed as he assessed its fastenings and buckles for any weaknesses.

Satisfied, Dawn Star turned back to the massive oaken table. Gazing upon it he briefly saw a similar table, surrounded by high marble walls and Canterlot's sunny skies. Pulling himself back to reality he stretched out a hoof and picked up a small black stone, weighing it carefully in his hoof.

A loud resounding knock came upon the sturdy door. Dawn Star smirked as he stowed the stone beneath his armour. He stepped in front of the table and faced the door.

"Enter."

The door shut as quickly as it opened. A slim, slightly short unicorn made his way into the commander's quarters. His armour and cloak obscured most of his features. However, Dawn Star recognised him as one of their newest recruits by the patches of mint fur and his deep yellow eyes.

"Welcome, Night Shine, what do you need?"

Night Shine bowed his head, averting his gaze from Dawn Star. The older unicorn stood tall, his pristine white fur shining in the firelight, his blonde mane shimmering like a flame. He waited with an expression born of patience and pride.

"Lord Dawn Star, I-I... I wanted to ask something of you." Dawn Star raised an eyebrow, the only thing audible in the silence being the quiver of Night Shine's hooves. "The village we are about to approach, it is my home... M-my family-"

"You wish me to spare them." Night Shine winced at Dawn Stars' cold indifference, the commander stepping toward him. "Night Shine, as I have said time and time again. I have no desire to inflict harm upon my little ponies."

"But they have something that we need." Dawn Star placed a hoof upon Night Shine's shoulder. "I will allow them every opportunity to cooperate, but if they defy us, or take up arms against us. There may be bloodshed, there may be death. Are you prepared for that eventuality?" Night Shine heaved a haggard breath, silence stretching onward.

"Remain here, you are-"

"Yes, my apologies, my Lord. I-I am ready." Dawn Star held Night Shine in his gaze, testing his resolve.

"Good, we must avoid sacrifices; but be prepared to make them when our hooves are forced. Come." Dawn Star swept over to the door, pulling it open in his magic. Night Shine falling in quickly beside him. The pair descended the great steps of the fortress, ice cracking beneath armoured hooves. As they entered the large courtyard their comrades in arms slowly filtered in, their eyes following their commander with a shining reverence.

Dawn Star moved toward the centre of the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the ponies gathering around him. As their numbers grew he nodded, withdrawing the black stone from his armour and holding it aloft. The stone thrummed with power as a wide portal shimmered into existence before them. Its writhing purple surface reflected in the surrounding snow.

"Move out." At the simple command, a legion of armoured ponies marched into the portal.

In the far south, beyond the boundaries of Equestria and its peaceful inhabitants stretched a vast and unforgiving desert. Sands and sunbleached skeletons as far as the eye can see. Yet settled within the barren wasteland was a small village, its scant population carving out a peaceful if challenging survival.

Milling about the sandstone houses the ponies carried out the tasks required to sustain their existence. Drawing water from one of the two wells in the village, tending to the sparse fields, or weaving the long cloaks that shielded them from the harsh sun.

However, the gentle peace was not to last as a great, shimmering purple disc ripped itself into existence where the dunes met the flats. The villagers froze like statues, not a sound to be heard before the silence was rent by the march of armour.
A legion of ponies emerged from the great portal, cutting a slow yet inexorable path toward the village. Dawn Star lead his group toward the gathering crowd of ponies, his armour dazzling all who looked at it. He marched unfalteringly toward the crowd, stepping toward an older pony that was marching out to meet him. The stallion's jaw was set firm, his eyes darting over the army marshalled upon his tiny village.

The stallion focused on Dawn Star's approach. Dawn Star was able to see his tired eyes settled against his deep green coat. He stood devoid of wings and horn. What was once surely a lustrous mane was now a shining grey.

"Do you lead these ponies, sir?" Dawn Star inclined his head toward the elder pony. The stallion nodded in turn, he stood tall but the quiver of his voice betrayed him.

"I do. Who are you and what do you want?" Dawn Star's features pulled into a smile, drawing himself up to his full height.

"I see you are not one to stand on pleasantries. I appreciate a pony with a mind for the task at hoof. I am Prince Dawn Star, second-born son of Princess Celestia. Third in line to the Solar Throne, you may have heard of me." Dawn Star's eyes swept over the crowd before him and the buildings behind them, trying to discern his prize among them. "As for why I am here, you have something I need. You would have my sincerest gratitude if you were to surrender it to me."

The older stallion gave a sigh, his shoulders slumping as he shook his head at Dawn Star.

"I cannot do that, what you seek will not bring you the power you desire."

Dawn Star sighed.

"I promised one of my soldiers that I would try to conduct this business without hostility. I would very much like to keep that promise." He stepped up to the stallion, meeting him nose to nose. The earth pony met Dawn Star's stare, some might have called him stubborn, but Dawn Star called it pride. "Give me the stone and I shall leave you and your village undisturbed. However, I will not allow you to keep me from my prize."

"Please, we are a peaceful-"

"And you shall continue to be so. Give me what I want and continue to lead those under your care."

Both sides waited, the stallion looked back to the crowd of ponies behind him. He closed his eyes, his features twisting before he turned back to face Dawn Star, matching the commander's posture.

"No."

"So be it."

With a flash of magic and ringing of steel, the stallion collapsed; his lifeblood spilling onto the desert sands. A scream of anguish echoed from amongst the villagers.

Dawn Star wiped his blade against his cloak. He stepped carefully around the motionless body and walked toward the villagers. They stepped back at his approach.

"Who leads you?" Dawn Star's question was met with silence, he raised an eyebrow at them, eyes panning slowly over the crowd. "Well?"

The sound of shuffling hooves commanded his attention, a young stallion stepping out to his left.

"I-I stand for the ponies here." The young pegasus felt his mouth run dry at Dawn Star's approach. The armoured killer moved toward him with barely a shift in his polite demeanour.

"What is your name, sir?" Asked Dawn Star, looking the stallion up and down.

"Wind Runner."

"Well, Wind Runner. I trust you shall be more amenable than your predecessor. Do you know of what I seek?" Dawn Star smirked, Wind Runner drawing his head back at the sight.

"I believe I do." Dawn Star let silence reign once again. Wind Runner gulped, his eyes darting toward the body in the sand. Blood seeped into the ground around it.

"Fair Wind... Go and get the Sunstone."

A stocky earth pony stepped forward from among the crowd, his hackles raised.

"Are you cracked boy!? He-"

"He will kill us all and take it anyway! We change nothing by throwing away our lives!" Wind Runner didn't break his gaze from Dawn Star's magenta eyes. Dawn Star however slowly turned his head, baring a wide smirk for the outspoken Fair Wind.

"Heed the boy's words well, friend. He is smarter than you." Dawn Star kept his gaze levelled at Fair Wind. The stallion's eyes flicked between Wind Runner and Dawn Star before he turned and vanished into the crowd.

Dawn Star straightened and turned back toward Wind Runner. His eyes made a slow circle, watching the whirls of sand caught in the desert winds, listening to the quiet muttering of the crowds and the occasional shift of metal from the soldiers behind him. Dawn Star's eyes drifted toward a weeping mare who had collapsed into the hooves of one of her fellows. Dawn Star shook his head.

"Has that mare somepony to care for her, Wind Runner?" The pegasus' features hardened into a scowl.

"She did."

Dawn Star looked at him with a frown.

"Does she not still, in the ponies of this village? Would you all abandon her to grief and struggle?" Dawn Star's eyes darted down to Wind Runner's hoof. The appendage raising with a tremble, as though poised to strike. It lowered again as Dawn Star's eyes narrowed.

"None are abandoned here. We will care for her where Ardent no longer can." Wind Runner said, stepping toward Dawn Star; who remained still.

"Good, then she does have somepony to care for her." Dawn Star spoke calmly. "You should consider your words carefully, Wind Runner. Too often do we speak lies with no intention of doing so. Such miscommunications can have many ramifications."

Whether or not Wind Runner found this lesson agreeable was not discovered. At the sound of hoof steps, everyone present turned to see the returning Fair Wind. He carried a small box on his back. No sooner had he stopped his approach did Dawn Star seize the box in his magic and pull it over. He raised a hoof and opened it, his eyes shining at the yellow stone inside, polished and pristine.

Dawn Star closed the box and raised his hoof, gesturing behind him. The armoured ponies turned and headed back toward the still swirling portal. A few remained behind. At another twist of Dawn Star's hoof, one of them cantered over, a large box borne on his back.

"I respect your elder's dedication and his commitment to defending this Stone." Dawn Star didn't take his eyes off of Wind Runner, the smaller pegasus snapping his attention back to the Prince.

"As I also respect your wisdom and your willingness to put the lives of your people above your pride. As such I have a gift. A token of my gratitude and reparation for that which I have taken from you." Dawn Star used his magic to lower the chest from his soldier's back. Kicking it open with a hoof he revealed a small pile of black seeds.

"Dragongrass Seeds, from the Firelands; robust, hardy, resistant to the heat and edible. These will make a fine crop for such an inhospitable environment."

Wind Runner stared down at the box of seeds, his eyes flickering back up to Dawn Star.

"And as promised"- Dawn Star inclined his head -"we go in peace." Without another word, Dawn Star and his soldiers turned and left, Sunstone in tow. Once again Dawn Star moved carefully around the former village leader and strode quickly to meet once more with Night Shine. The pair walked quickly toward the portal.

"I trust this outcome is acceptable." Dawn Star turned his head toward Night Shine, who nodded in response.

"Yes... You kept your word. It is unfortunate that blood was spilled, but you took no more than you had to. Thank you..." Night Shine inclined his head, Dawn Star returning it.

"Come, let us leave these ponies to their peace and their mourning. We have yet greater tasks ahead."

Author's Note

Oooh, this one was fun to write!

This exercise was motivated by the desire to write a pragmatic villain. I also wanted to exercise two particular areas of my writing. I really don't need anyone to tell me that the two most glaringly weak aspects of my writing are setting the scene and the art of "show, don't tell" (Suprise, it's frickin' hard). So I decided to try and kill two birds with one stone.

I am desperately trying not to get too attached to Dawn Star. I can't have another story draft just because I want to explore a single character. Despite many stories exploring Celestia's past/family, this piece didn't have any particular inspiration.

5 - A Little Bit of Moral Support

Nimbus woke with a start, a rush of adrenaline coursing through her. As her brain caught up with her sudden awakening she lunged out of her bed, tackling the alarm clock off the nightstand. As the blankets and the clock tag-teamed her she smashed her hoof down onto the snooze button. Not a moment too soon as the time ticked over from seven twenty-nine to seven-thirty.

"Phew..." She breathed a sigh and wiped her hoof over her forehead. She untangled herself from the blankets, shrugging them off of her wings, and deposited them back on the bed. She replaced the demon clock onto the nightstand; she also took a moment to nudge the nightstand back into place as well. As she walked to the bathroom she ruminated on why she had ever brought that Tartarus-damned clock, all it had ever done was terrorise her every waking moment.

Now, why did I want to get up so early?

Nimbus shuffled her way into her immaculate bathroom, every surface polished to such a mirror sheen that it wouldn't have been out of place in Canterlot Castle. She reached out with a hoof and snatched up her toothbrush. Sparing a gaze up at a photo tucked into the mirror frame, she started to brush. Nimbus uses the photo of herself and her two friends to widen her smile and make the task at hoof a little easier.

As she polished her teeth her eyes drifted to a violently pink sticky note slapped onto the other side of the frame. Her brushing drifted to a halt as she read it.

FLASH SPARK, HOSPITAL, 9AM.

Nimbus heaved a long-suffering sigh, she finished up her brushing and took in the appearance of her red coat and silver mane. Deciding that she could use a shower.

Oh yeah, that's why...

Flash Spark was not having a good day. The green-furred pony gulped and continued staring at the sterilised white floor. If his head dipped any further he would probably have buried his muzzle into his chest.

She said she'd be here... She promised she'd be here...

Flash's eyes darted up quickly to the clock in the hospital waiting room. Barely registering that it was now eight thirty-seven. He resumed his floor-bound vigil, scrunching up his eyes and desperately trying to control his erratic breathing.

"Wow, you've only made it to the waiting room and you're already a nervous wreck." Nimbus Racer sank into the seat next to him with a heavy thump. If Flash had recognised the arrival of his friend he didn't show it.

"Nothing new there then," she offered her hoof with a small frown, Flash nearly snatched it off her arm with how fast he took it. Nimbus winced as he squeezed it far too tightly.

"Ow," she said pointedly. Flash eased up his grip a little and Nimbus breathed a sigh of relief. Having a firepony latch so tightly onto one of your extremities was not a pleasant experience.

"Heard the next Bridleway musical is going to be Les Triste, do you wanna go see it?" Nimbus offered an encouraging smile. Flash nodded enthusiastically at the floor, his miserable expression not shifting. Nimbus leaned over and nuzzled at his cheek, trailing her nose up to flick at the tip of his ear.

"Come on, bestie! You're going to work yourself up into a tizzy before you even get into the Doctors office," Nimbus held Flash's hoof tighter. Flash glanced up at her, their eyes meeting briefly. Flash took a large shaky breath.

"Th-thanks for being here with me."

Nimbus snorted, rolling her eyes and chuckling.

"You don't have to thank me, Spark. You've done the same for me." Flash did a double-take, finally losing his staring contest with the floor.

"No, I haven't."

"Excuse me. How many spiders have you evicted from my apartment?" Nimbus bumped him with her shoulder. Flash tilting sideways with the force of it.

"Not the same," mumbled Flash. Earning a reproachful smirk from Nimbus.

"Pfft, not to you maybe," Nimbus leaned back in her seat, her wings twitching. "I can barely think about those creepy little things without squirming." She gave him another reassuring nuzzle. "Least I can do is try and return the favour."

"Thanks, Nimbus."

Nimbus switched up the rest of the wait with gentle encouragement and reassurance before switching to light-hearted needling. Managing to keep her friend off guard enough to keep him from getting stuck in his own head.

"Mr. Spark?" A yellow furred nurse with a two-toned blue and white mane called from the other side of the waiting room. Flash gave a nervous gulp and stood up, Nimbus following right behind him. The nurse led them down a long corridor, the same dull and identical design as every other corridor in Canterlot Hospital. Nimbus couldn't help but frown as she watched Flash's hooves tremble with every step.

The nurse showed them to a small office and bade them wait a moment. Flash scurried in and took a seat, Nimbus uttering thanks on his behalf. Nimbus pulled a regular seat in her wing and dragged it over to sit next to Flash. She made herself comfortable before focusing on her friend again.

"So, you're going to be an uncle, huh? Must be pretty exciting. And after this you can go and see her whenever you want," Nimbus waited for a response, however, Flash's focus was locked onto a small tray of instruments. Nimbus brushed his side with her wing to no effect.

"Don't look at them," Nimbus frowned. Flash nodded but his gaze didn't break. Nimbus gave a sad sigh, her heart breaking a little to see Flash like this. Mercifully, the door to the small office opened and a nurse walked in. A mature mare with a tan coat and a blonde mane with kind eyes.

"Good morning, I'm nurse Summer Gale and I'll be seeing you today. Just to confirm you're Mr. Flash Spark?" She smiled at him, her expression faltering at seeing his intense stare.

"Yes, he is," Nimbus tilted her head with an overcompensating smile. Nurse Gale's glance flicked between Nimbus and Flash.

"Are you alright, Mr. Spark?" Despite his current state, Flash managed to barely shake his head.

"Trypanophobia," Nimbus helpfully supplied, Summer Gale's expression morphing into one of morbid understanding. She turned her attention to Nimbus.

"Oh, very bad?"

"Worst you've ever seen!" Nimbus swung her hoof across her chest with far too much enthusiasm.

"And you are...?"

"I'm his emotional support pegasus," Nimbus jerked her head toward Flash. "Can you believe he's a firefighter? Saves lives, run's into burning buildings for a living!"

"I don't think that's helping," Summer Gale sat down on the other side of Flash, watching him carefully.

"I've said worse to him. Besides, he's my bestie so he's used to it," Summer Gale smirked, she carefully picked up and opened an antiseptic wipe in her magic. She used the small cloth to wipe down the fur on Flash's forearm, her brow furrowing as he almost flinched out of his seat at the contact.

"Vitriolic best buddies?" She asked, keeping the conversation going. Summer used her magic to pick up and start preparing the syringe. As she exposed the needle Flash snapped backward in his seat, almost toppling out of it. Only Nimbus catching him stopped him from tumbling onto the floor.

"Hey-hey, it's alright Sparky! You've got this!" Nimbus gently pushed Flash back into his seat, balancing him carefully as Flash reached desperately for her hoof. The seasoned firefighter breathed as though he had just run a marathon. Nimbus offered her hoof and stroked her other one down his back.

Summer Gale waited for Flash Spark to calm down, taking a moment to compose herself as well. She briefly met Nimbus' eyes.

Wow, you were right.

"Flash, we're going to try again, ok? Just close your eyes and take a deep breath, it won't hurt a bit. I promise." Summer Gale glanced over his shoulder as Nimbus snorted and tried to bite back a snicker.

"Seventeen."

"Pardon?" Summer Gale graced her with a stern glare.

"Oh sorry," Nimbus coughed into her shoulder. "Little game I like to play," she refocused her attention on Flash. "You alright to try again, big guy?"

The two mares watched as Flash gave a shaky nod, forcing himself to sit up straight and presenting his hoof to Nurse Summer. She quickly readied the syringe once more and guided it toward Flash's forearm; with just a fraction of an inch to go Flash gave a terrified yelp and launched himself out of the chair.

"No!" Flash gave a strangled cry as he flung himself at Nimbus. The startled mare was going to offer him her wing and wait for him to take shelter under it, instead, she just wrapped it around him. Summer Gale watched the display hopelessly, Nimbus quickly shifted her wing and exposed Flash's rump, jerking her head at it. Summer Gale quickly grabbed another sterile wipe and went to work.

"It's alright Flash, look at me-" she seized his head in her hooves, forcing him to meet her eyes "-look at me! It's ok Flash! Think of your baby niece, alright. You're doing this for her!"

Flash nodded, closing his eyes and burying his head in her chest. Tears ran down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Nimbus could feel her chest fur growing damp. She glanced over at Summer Gale as she stroked Flash's back with her hoof. Summer looked back at Nimbus with a nod and a grin, one that quickly faltered as she picked up the second syringe in her magic and glanced pointedly at it. Nimbus gently unfurled her wing from around Flash and pulled back from him to get a better look at her run-down friend.

"You still with us, Flash?" Nimbus smiled as Flash nodded, using his hoof to wipe his face. He took a deep, ragged breath and fixed Nimbus with a steely gaze. Nimbus draws back at the change in her friend. Flash sat himself up with a grunt, once more offering his hoof to Summer Gale.

"Alright, do it!" He breathed out through gritted teeth. Summer Gale quickly swabbed his forearm again and raised the needle. As it approached Flash screwed his eyes shut and slammed his hoof into the table, grinding it into the hard surface.

"Don't-think-about-it-don't-think-about-it-don't-THINK-ABOUT-IT-" Flash muttered under his breath. "Don't-think-about-"

"Done!" Summer Gale called out a little too loudly. Flash almost collapsed in his chair, shaking violently. He opened his eyes to look at Nimbus, only to find her staring at him wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

"That's it, you're all done." Summer Gale picked up the medical detritus and disposed of it in the designated bin.

"Erm... Isn't there another one?" Flash asked, already Summer could see his nerves threatening to overwhelm him again.

"Errrmmm..." She quickly grabbed the clipboard in her magic and looked it over. "Nope! The two vaccinations you needed were condensed into one a few years ago. So you're all set! I'll leave you to calm down then you can both go when you're ready. Take as long as you need," she said with patient kindness, Summer Gale quickly excused herself and left the room. Breathing a heavy sigh once the door had closed behind her.

Flash gave a shaky laugh, his voice trembling. He turned to look at Nimbus and his brow furrowed.

"N-Nimbus? You ok?" Flash drew back at the massive grin that spread over her face.

"Flash! That was amazing! How the buck did you do that?!" Nimbus wrapped him in a massive full-wing embrace. "I never thought I'd see you do that!"

"I dunno... I just... Thought of my niece, like you said... I don't wanna be the reason she catches something-grk!" Flash found his windpipe suddenly constricted as Nimbus wrapped her hooves tightly around him.

"You brave, brilliant pony! I'm so proud of you! Mwah!" She planted a massive kiss on the top of his head. Flash pried her off of him and pushed her away with a deep flush.

"Come on, Nimbus. I don't think a brave pony would have needed all that drama-ow!" He recoiled as Nimbus bopped him on the nose.

"Don't be stupid, you nump! You totally did something amazing today, you were terrified and you powered through anyway! Who cares if you needed a little build-up to do it?" Nimbus wrapped a wing around him and pulled him close, mushing her cheek against his. "You ready to get out of here?" Flash nodded quickly in response.

"Please."

The pair left the hospital behind them, stepping quickly onto the busy streets of Canterlot.

"Alright, so you wanna go out and grab a bite to eat like we planned?" Nimbus bumped Flash with her wing. Flash shook his head quietly in response. Nimbus rolled her eyes to the sky, looking up thoughtfully.

"Wanna go back to your place and chill out? Relax and see what's on?" She smirked as Flash's ears perked.

"Little bit, yeah." Flash leaned against Nimbus as she flung a wing over him.

"Alright, you go home and find something good to watch. I'll go and grab some ice cream; I'll swing by Vogues' on the way and let Sweet Song know she'll have to get hayburgers by herself," Nimbus raised a hoof to cut off Flash's rebuttal. "She's a big pony and she's our bestie, she'll totally understand why you need some relax time."

"Now get going!" She shoved Flash forward with her wing and followed up with a swat to his rump, Flash jumped slightly as he started to head toward his apartment.

"I'll get you back for that!"

"Would love to see you try, Sparky!"

Author's Note

This little gem (which I very much enjoyed writing) was brought to you by the prompt "Let's try that age old piece of advice: Write what you know." With a dash of platonic best friends thrown in for sugary good measure.

I tried to exercise the little bits I've learned so far, not to excess but enough to hope I didn't leave anything behind. Still a looooong way to go but I feel good about this piece.

6 - A Reformation Reprise

Queen Chrysalis could only look on in abject horror as, one by one, her subjects, her children, shared the love within them. As she watched her kingdom slip through her hooves, Chrysalis felt the build-up of magical energy from the changeling's transformations. She looked down to see cracks of shimmering energy travelling up her throne. The crescendo of magical energy was about to reveal its terrible explosive glory.

Oh no-

The explosion of magic could be heard in every corner of the Badlands. Chrysalis, her throne, and the great dome of her throne room were blasted away from its epicenter.

Great chunks of rock hurled themselves into the lands surrounding the hive. Smaller fragments were blasted clear across the Badlands. The great throne was obliterated into tiny chunks and Chrysalis found herself violently thrown from the blast, travelling at speeds she had never felt before.

She had no choice but to close her eyes. The pain of the explosion and the speed of her travel left her with no recourse but to curl up reflexively in agony. She could only feel as she smashed into something hard and unyielding. She imagined it was one of the hive walls. After a seemingly endless moment, she began to fall, still unable to open her eyes. She slammed hard into the floor of the hive.

Before she could even begin to think about trying to right herself, Chrysalis felt a great weight smash into her from above, settling on top of her and pinning her down. Followed by another and another.

Chrysalis waited until the sensation of crushing weight had finally decided enough was enough, she took in a deep shuddering breath. She tried to shift her body, finding only the smallest amounts of give in any direction. The pressing darkness didn't help her rapidly cracking composure.

Ow...

She drew in what was meant to be a calming breath and tried to take stock of her condition. A sharp pain coursed through her left leg and she was fairly certain that her wings had been crushed against her back. She tried once again to shift the weight pressing against her, only to be rewarded with a lance of pain and the discovery of yet more injuries.

Chrysalis gave a frustrated cry and forced her eyes open.

Oh.

The darkness abated, Chrysalis was able to see shafts of light filtering into her stony prison. Her breathing quickened, she was used to tight spaces but being trapped in them was an entirely different sensation. Her eyes darted around what little she could see. Clearly, that explosion had decimated her hive; honestly, she was amazed that she hadn't been killed outright; or launched directly into the Badlands.

Several large slabs of rock were pinning her down, the cause of most of the pressure pressing down on her. Surprisingly the bigger problem was the smaller stones that were pinned under those rocks and on top of her. The unyielding stones pressed down on her body, scratching her carapace with every shift and squeezing her painfully against the floor.

The worst of it seemed to be her left leg, the rear appendage was completely immobilised. The pain radiating from it told her that her carapace was severely cracked, or the limb might be entirely crushed...

Chrysalis tried once more to shift the rocks around her, for a moment it seemed like she would succeed before several smaller shards of stone collapsed down on top of her. She gave a strangled gasp of pain before settling down again. Her diminished strength was wiped out in the attempt.

Is this what I've come to...?

Trapped in this cramped and torturous prison, Chrysalis retreated into her own thoughts. Her own subjects had abandoned her at her moment of triumph. All too easily swayed by the promise of a unicorn who could provide them what she could not.

Her kingdom and power, undone, in an instant...

There was a time once when the Changelings thrived, silent hunters; effortlessly blending into society and taking what was needed.

Then it all started to decline... What was taken was never enough, the hive started to suffer; Changelings becoming more and more ravenous. Her own powers fading. There simply wasn't enough to go around during the fear and anxiety caused by Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Sombra...

And of course the wedding...

That wedding...

Another moment of triumph, salvation for her children. Snatched away, her hive devastated once more.

Now, once again she lay battered, bleeding, and broken. Defeated by those she had sought to conquer.

We were never meant for this...

I did this...

Every decision she had made had led them from bad to worse. Yet what had happened now? She hadn't been killed in the explosion, but it had been absolutely massive; her subjects were not Queens. They were small, resilient, and...

Gone?

She couldn't sense them in the hivemind, the connection that let her hold sway over all of her subjects... It was empty... Was it only herself and the Alicorns who survived?

It-it wasn't over. Even if she had lost her children, she could start again. Establish a new hive!

But to what end?

She had nothing and no one. Except for a world that knew of her existence and would never provide her with what she needed to take back what she had lost.

Chrysalis let her head sink to the stone floor, a scraping along the rock above told her that at least her horn was intact.

Are those voices?

Muffled by the debris atop of her, Chrysalis could swear that she could hear just the slightest snatch of conversation.

"Starlight? What happened?"

So she survived too...

Did that mean some of her children survived also? Then why couldn't she sense them? Why hadn't they come to her aid?

I wouldn't if I were them...

If they had all become like Thorax, then they no longer needed to prey on the love of ponies when they could feed on each other. They no longer needed her, the Queen who had led them to starvation and ruin... Who allowed them to suffer.

I never wanted this... I don't even know what I want anymore...

But it isn't this...

"Well done, Starlight Glimmer. It seems as though you've learned a great deal since we last spoke."

As loathe as Chrysalis was to try again, she felt as though this were her last chance. That if she were to lay down and accept this fate, she might not try anything again. Chrysalis set her teeth, braced her body, and dragged out every scrap of strength she could call upon.

On shaking legs she began to rise, rocks fell and bounced off of her carapace, but she paid them no mind. Agony beyond her imagining surged up her leg, forcing a cry of pain from her lips. With an insufferable slowness, the slabs parted and sunlight kissed Chrysalis' carapace. She could see the sky.

With a final shove, pushed on by the primal need to survive. Chrysalis threw off the foundations of her prison, giving a loud, drawn-out hiss of pain as her leg threatened to give out beneath her.

She refused to show weakness to the eyes of those watching her. She didn't look at them but she could feel their collective gaze. Some vestige of her pride dragged itself up from the depths of her mind. She would not collapse from pain in front of them.

Exhaustion, however, was perfectly acceptable.

She stumbled forward, finding herself once again prone on the floor. The fatigue coursing through her muscles finding the change in circumstances most agreeable. To add insult to injury she had landed heavily on her injured leg. Biting down a pained groan, she could at least admire the silver lining that her breathing was now unobstructed.

She turned her neck, glancing back at her body, and immediately regretted the decision.

The carapace of her rear leg was completely split open.

No wonder that hurts so much.

It would take months to heal properly, assuming it would be permitted to do so. She winced as she saw the blood dripping down from it; starting to form a small pool underneath her leg.

Her second suspicion was also proved correct, her wings were crushed beyond use and recognition. She'd need to shed her carapace to have them grow back functional. But that would have to wait until her leg had healed enough.

Her ears perked at the sound of hoof steps.

Finally pulling herself away from her own thoughts, Chrysalis looked up to behold the approaching form of Starlight Glimmer. She tilted her head to look past the unicorn, every eye was set on her, expressions stern and magic readied.

Even the foal wants to blast me?

Chrysalis looked once more at Starlight Glimmer, steadying her breathing as Starlight stood over her. She looked down on Chrysalis with a small frown.

"When Twilight and her friends defeated me, I chose to run away and seek revenge. You don't have to! You can be the leader your subjects deserve."

The leader they deserve...

Chrysalis smirked as Starlight extended her hoof, the Changeling Queen putting her head in her own hoof and chuckling. A slow, sad laugh. Rooted in despair.

Chrysalis composed herself and reached out to take Starlight's hoof. Starlight pulled herself backwards, expecting Chrysalis to stand with her. She gave a yelp of surprise as she pulled herself forward, Chrysalis remained as she was. Starlight and Chrysalis bumped heads.

Chrysalis briefly saw those who stayed behind take a step forward, horns glowed brighter and the Elements of Harmony seemed as though nothing would hold them back. Chrysalis' hoof held Starlight firm as her gaze fell back down.

Her eyes found Starlight's, Chrysalis let her head droop forward and meet Starlight's once more. She closed her eyes.

Laughter, Loyalty, Honesty... Could she be honest, if even for a moment?

...Even with herself?

I don't want-

"-to do this anymore."

Chrysalis opened her eyes, the spike of worry and anxiety from Starlight had hit her before she looked into Starlight's shrunken pupils.

"D-don't want to do what anymore?" Starlight stammered, Chrysalis sighed, closing her eyes once again.

"Starving... Struggling, hiding, running, fighting... Fighting ponies... I just don't want to do it anymore..."

"Then don't," Starlight offered her a hopeful grin.

Even after all I've done to you? You can look at me like that?

There was a crack, a short, sharp, crack.

Chrysalis felt her body tumble downwards as the rock beneath her fell away. She gave a shocked cry as she was dragged back over the newly formed cliff edge, her forelegs scrabbling for purchase.

Her upper body smacked into the rock beneath, only her forelegs and head staying above the ledge. Her rear legs scrabbled uselessly against empty air.

"I've got you!" Starlight hurled herself forward, throwing herself onto Chrysalis' forelegs. She pinned them down and used her weight to keep Chrysalis in place.

Chrysalis swallowed, unable to help herself, she looked down at the abyss. Blood dripped from her injured leg and fell silently toward the ground that may as well have been miles below for all the good her fatigue and crushed wings would do her.

Chrysalis became still, her efforts to stay clinging to the cliff face halting as she looked down.

Could I-

"Don't you dare! Don't even think about it!" Chrysalis' head snapped forward, meeting Starlight's angry gaze. Chrysalis released a breath she didn't realise she had been holding. She managed to free one of her hooves and wrapped it around Starlight.

For one horrifying second, Starlight thought the Changeling Queen meant to drag her down with her. But as she felt herself being pinned down to the cliff, Chrysalis used her as an anchor, getting a firmer grip on the cliff edge with her free hoof. Starlight's fear ebbed away as she wrapped her hooves tightly around Chrysalis.

Suddenly Chrysalis found herself rising upwards, suspended in a maelstrom of magic. Starlight scurried backwards, following as Chrysalis was settled well away from the unstable ground. Released from the magic of three alicorns and one changeling.

...Thank you.

Chrysalis stood on three hooves, her left leg twitching just above the floor. She looked up at her rescuers, managing to glimpse sight of Twilight, Celestia, Cadence, and Thorax through the veil of her mane. Her eyes settling on Thorax, the young changeling-

Prince? King?

-flinched under her gaze. Chrysalis threw her head back and shook her mane from her face; she still had her pride after all. As her eyes tracked between the five creatures in front of her, they fell between the gaps; affording her the first real chance to see her children. All of them alive, whole, transformed...

She felt a hoof press on her shoulder, following it back to its owner she saw only a shaking Thorax. She smirked but didn't shrug him off.

"...Where shall we go from here?"

"We were hoping you would tell us," Celestia regarded Chrysalis quietly, the others remaining silent for Chrysalis' response.

She looked once more between them, spotting a hoof full of changelings approaching from behind Thorax.

The leader they deserve...

The words echoed in her mind. She had failed them, her leadership had set them on the path to destruction time and time again.

I am no leader...

Her gaze fell to the changelings, her children, she held eyes only for them.

But perhaps something more, something I always should have been...

Chrysalis closed her eyes, letting her thoughts dwell on her children. Despite all she had done, her malice, her cruelty, her incompetence... She had only ever wanted one thing for them.

Those assembled watched in stunned silence as Chrysalis began to rise into the air. Her forehooves held close to her chest, her left leg dangling limply beneath her. Between her hooves, a pink light began to coalesce on her carapace.

Chrysalis held onto only one thought, one feeling that resonated within her very being.

Her love for her children-

I am Chrysalis.

Mother of the Hive.

-and she let it flow.

Author's Note

This idea is brought to you by the question: "Do I rely too much on dialogue in my story telling?" and is sponsored by the trope "~~Talking~~ Self-reflection is a free action."

Another exercise I had a lot of fun with, it was written quickly but I don't think the quality suffers too much for it. Any and all feedback is always appreciated!

This story was partially inspired by Inherited Crown, Obligatory Trauma by TundraStanza a short story but one I enjoyed immensely.

7 - A Time for Something Bigger...

The sun shone brightly over Ponyville with barely any clouds to hold back its radiant light. If some creature were to wander onto the market street of Ponyville today, they would find a veritable river of eager creatures flowing in and around each other. Each one eagerly moved between different stalls and dived headfirst into different conversations with the ponies behind them.

However, instead of bargaining for produce and valuable goods, every creature present was gathering information from the Ponyville Job Faire.

While it is true that most ponies pursued a career, or leveraged the talents of their cutie marks to make their fortune. Some ponies were not blessed with talents that were marketable. Not to mention that non-ponies didn't receive the blessing of an innate talent. So once a year employers from all over Equestria would visit towns and cities, advertising their trades and businesses to attempt to attract new employees. Whether some creature was looking for a more accessible way of making a living or simply wanted a change of pace.

So it was that trade ponies, entrepreneurs, caterers, medical ponies, police ponies, fire ponies, enchanters, jewelers, ghost hunters, farmers, mane stylists, accountants, show ponies, and hundreds of other eager employers were barking out their trades. In amongst it all strode a trio of fillies, all of them looking every which way as they chatted amongst themselves. Their flanks recently stamped with the symbols of their talents.

"So why are we here again?" Asked Scootaloo. "We already know what our special talents are!"

"Because helpin' colts and fillies find their cutie marks ain't exactly profitable, Scoots," replied Applebloom, Sweetie Belle leaning forward to look over at Scootaloo.

"And it's a really narrow demographic to appeal to," Scootaloo and Applebloom both looked at her, Sweetie Belle rolling her eyes. "We can only help colts and fillies, non-ponies and adults aren't going to need us."

"Yeah, that," Applebloom gestured to the crowds around them. "Come on girls, we gotta at least have a look around and see what's what. We could find somethin' we really like!"

"Yeah! Hey, maybe there's a buncha stunt ponies looking for new recruits. That would be totally awesome."

"Maybe there's some musicians looking for ponies who can sing? I might be able to get an audition."

"Eh, Ah think some of those booths might be a bit crowded..." Applebloom pointed to the booths nearest to them. Most of the more appealing career options were inundated with interested passers-by.

"Shoot," Scootaloo kicked a stone across the market floor. "How are we gonna find anything out with all these ponies in the way?"

"We should probably look at some of the less busy stalls. We can at least learn something about what kind of jobs there are." Sweetie Belle took the lead, heading toward a less crowded part of the market.

The three fillies wandered between the different stalls. Making polite and eager conversation with anyone who would give them the time; although Applebloom insisted that they avoided a stall for a pest extermination company. By the time mid-day had rolled around, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had managed to walk away with enough information to make Twilight Sparkle proud.

"Hey, what about that booth over there?" Scootaloo jabbed her hoof to whatever booth had caught her interest. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle followed the direction of her hoof. The three of them saw an empty stall, save for the earth pony sat behind it. It was made of wood with a very simple construction. It reminded them of their Cutie Mark Crusader's Lemonade Sellers (Yay!) stand; only if it had been made by somepony who was actually half-competent at building. The sign along the top bore the words "Equis Time Agency (E.T.A)".

The trio of fillies walked toward the stall, it had not a single visitor. In fact, every creature seemed to be actively avoiding it, some looking back and smirking at their friends as they passed. The stallion sat behind the stall was leaning back in a chair, his rear hooves resting on the stall desk. His muzzle was buried in a copy of Equestria Daily, the paper obscuring his features. However, the three fillies could at least make out his deep oak brown mane and his gentle yellow coat. The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked between each other as it became clear he wasn't going to notice them.

"Ahem-" Applebloom cleared her throat "-excuse me?"

The stallion dropped his paper and glanced over at the empty space in front of him. He sat up quickly with a puzzled frown. Setting aside his paper he looked about before glancing down. His expression broke into a friendly smile.
"Scootaloo, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle! How are you three doing?"

"How do you know our names!?" Scootaloo pointed an accusing hoof at him, the stallion rolling his eyes in response.

"Well duh, you're the Cutie Mark Crusaders! Everypony in Ponyville knows you three," he leaned on the desk with a smirk, resting his head on one hoof. "So what can I do for you girls?" The three fillies looked between each other, still a little unnerved. Applebloom spoke up though.

"We were wondering what the "Equis Time Agency" was?" She looked up at him with a frown, the words sounding ridiculous even just saying them casually.

"Oh, right!" He rubbed the back of his head with a smirk. "It's been so long since anypony actually came over and asked.

"Well, the Equis Time Agency, or the E.T.A for short, is a group of creatures that work together to safeguard the flow of time and relative causality around Equis. I'm Feather Touch and I'll be happy to answer all of your questions!" He beamed at them, ignoring their unimpressed looks.

"That sounds made up," Scootaloo frowned.

"No offense, but Feather Touch doesn't really sound like a time pony name," Applebloom observed.

"Are you playing a prank?" Sweetie Belle asked, tilting her head to the side. Feather Touch only smirked and looked at each of them in turn.

"Yes, it does sound made up," he agreed, turning toward Applebloom. "My cutie mark and talent aren't related to time in any way. That's the great thing about the E.T.A, any creature can work there," he smirked as the three of them perked up at that little tidbit. "And no, this isn't a prank."

"Prove it!" Scootaloo reared up, planting both hooves on the booth. "If you're some kind of "Time Patroller" then do some kind of fancy time magic or something!" She met his eyes with a challenging stare, smirking as Feather Touch leaned back and put his hoof to his chin.

"Hmmm... Oh! I know, Applebloom-" he turned and reached down underneath the stall, he pulled out an apple and placed it on the stall in front of them "-I believe you have an apple that is incredibly similar to this one in your saddlebags?" Applebloom blinked at the apple in front of her. As odd as it was to say, the fruit did look vaguely familiar.

"Ah... Ah think so. Well, Ah have an apple at least," she turned to rummage in her saddlebags. She pulled an apple from it and set it on the stall next to Feather Touch's apple. Feather Touch reached out and took up Applebloom's apple in his hoof. Before anypony could object he lifted it to his mouth and took a massive bite out of it.

"Hey!" Feather Touch raised his free hoof to forestall Applebloom's complaint, before using it to point down at the apple on the stall. The fillies all turned to see that the apple was now sporting a massive chunk taken out of it, ringed with teeth marks. Feather Touch chewed and swallowed the apple. He chuckled at the sight of their wide eyes.

"Keep an eye on that apple," he raised his hoof back to his mouth and chomped down on the rest of the apple in one bite. The Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped loudly as the half-eaten apple in front of them simply winked out of existence. One moment it was there, and the next it wasn't.

"Whoa!" Scootaloo stared up at Feather Touch, mouth agape.

"How did you DO that!?" yelled out Sweetie Belle.

"...That was mah lunch," whimpered Applebloom. Feather Touch lowered his hoof down to where the apple had been, and a light blue runic pattern appeared on the stall. He raised his hoof and the half-eaten apple blinked back into existence. A moment later and the bite mark vanished, the apple whole and untouched one more. Feather Touch pushed it back toward Applebloom with a kind smile.

"Yeah, that was pretty awesome," he smirked at Scootaloo, flicking his gaze over to Sweetie Belle. "But how do you think I did it?" He watched as the little unicorn's brain went into overdrive.

"Well... If you ate mah apple... And the one you had disappeared... Does that mean it was mah apple from the future?" Applebloom didn't want to believe a word of it, but she had seen it all transpire with her own eyes. Then again, despite being an earth pony, Feather Touch evidently had access to some kind of magic.

"Bingo! And if-"

"Hold on! None of this makes any sense!" Everypony turned their attention to Sweetie Belle, she was rubbing her hooves on her temples. "If you had Applebloom's future apple, then you ate that apple; then the apple wouldn't have existed for you to go and get it in the future! That's a paradox!"

"Very good, Sweetie Belle," Feather Touch clapped his hooves together with a genuine smile. "That would absolutely be a paradox, except that I reversed the apple's timeline, so now I can just give it back to her. I didn't need to have messed around with causality to resolve a paradox," he grinned at the other two Crusaders. "Don't worry, I've been doing this a while."

"Wait, so if you're still gonna grab that- I mean this apple from the future, does that mean Ah'm still gonna lose mah lunch!?" Applebloom glared at Feather Touch, he shook his head.

"Don't worry, I already will have taken care of that," he waved off her concern with a smirk, chuckling at their perplexed expressions. "Sorry, little time-travel tense humour, you learn to appreciate it.

"So, now that you girls know that I'm not pulling your legs, do you wanna learn a little bit more about the E.T.A?" He leaned toward them with a hopeful grin.

"Yeah! That was amazing!" cheered Scootaloo. "You say anypony can do this?"

"Yup!" replied Feather Touch. "But I'll have to tell you more about it in a little bit, alright?"

"How come you can't tell us now?" Applebloom asked with a small frown.

"Because..." Feather Touch trailed off, reclining in his seat once more. He gave them a small smirk and started to mouth silently.

Three... Two... One...

"Hi girls! Are you out exploring the Job Faire?" the three fillies looked up to see the smiling face of Twilight Sparkle.

"Hi, Twilight," they chanted in response. Feather Touch chuckled at the scene before inclining his head toward the Princess.

"Afternoon, Twilight." Twilight gave a nonplussed blink, her expression morphing into a warm smile.

"Usually I have to tell ponies to drop the Princess title," she bowed her head toward Feather Touch before glancing up at the board, her expression shifting yet again.

"Equis Time Agency? What's that?" she glanced back down at Feather Touch, who fixed her with his best welcoming smile.

"The Equis Time Agency, or the E.T.A for short, is a group of creatures that work together to safeguard the flow of time and relative causality around Equis," he said with nary a hint of practiced repetition.

"That sounds made up," Twilight frowned.

"Yeah, it does," Feather Touch shrugged in agreement. He reached underneath the stall with practiced ease, producing a slip of paper and holding it out to Twilight. "Pamphlet?" he could see her skepticism arguing with her love of literature.

"No, thank you," replied Twilight with an unnatural stiffness. She turned her attention back to Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle. Feather Touch went to stow the pamphlet, only to have it gently tugged out of his grip by Sweetie Belle's magic.

"Have you girls found anything that piques your interest? Applebloom, there are some engineers from the Manehatten Mechanics Institute. Their booth just opened up," Twilight smiled as Applebloom's ears twitched forward.

"Oh, they're really good. I studied there," Feather Touch sat up a little straighter. "My cutie mark is for repairing small devices and complex machines, but the Institute really helped me up my game. You should totally check them out if you get a chance," Twilight glanced over at him with a favorable smile.

"The nice stallion is right, you girls should definitely make the most of the Job Faire," she glanced up at the E.T.A sign with a small frown. "I have to go, I promised Fluttershy I'd lend a hoof with some of her animals. You girls take care," with a friendly wave of her wing and a nod to Feather Touch, one that the stallion politely returned, Twilight departed the booth and headed toward the edge of the Everfree.

"She's nice," said Feather Touch with a sincere smile, once again turning his attention to the three fillies in front of his booth. "So, would you like to know more?" Feather Touch leaned forward with a massive salespony grin.

"Well... It sounds interestin', I don't think yer lyin' and you clearly know some kinda fancy time-magic. But Twilight's right, we should try and get as much out of the Faire as we can."

Feather Touch frowned, glancing up at the sky, looking back down as Applebloom finally took her apple and stowed it in her saddlebags. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo seemed to share her sentiments.

"Alright! Tell you what, since time is no issue; how about I come and see you all sometime in the week? I'll take each of you onto an actual job and you can see for yourselves whether the E.T.A is for you or not.

"Nothing dangerous or time-breaking, promise. I don't want to imagine what three of the Elements of Harmony would do to me if any of you got hurt. Or what Eternia would do to me if I let three fillies run rampant in the timeline."

"Eternia?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Read the pamphlet," replied Feather Touch with a knowing smirk. With a small stretch, Feather Touch leaned back in his chair, once again scooping up his paper.

"You girls go enjoy the rest of the Faire, I'll catch you later. Have fun!"

"Bye, Feather Touch!" the fillies replied, the three of them setting off in unison, Sweetie Belle's muzzle buried in her newly acquired literature.

"Do yah think he's fer real?" Applebloom asked her two friends, Scootaloo shrugging in response.

"I dunno, but let's worry about that later. We've still got a load of stalls to visit before the Faire ends."

"Yeah, but it's a two-day event, we can always come back tomorrow," Applebloom noted, but her attention was quickly drawn to the Manehatten Mechanics Institute booth. "Alright, how about we get back to explorin' and we'll worry about everythin' else later?"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, dragging herself away from the pamphlet in her magic, both nodded in agreement.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders job seekers! Yay!" The three fillies collapsed into giggles before parting ways, each going to investigate the different stalls and careers on offer. They whiled away the afternoon, occasionally meeting up and investigating a few potential careers that they had a shared interest in.

By five o'clock, shortly before the Faire was due to pack up for the day. The Cutie Mark Crusaders headed out of the market row, just about to split up for their individual homes.

"Alright, I thought a day looking at different jobs was gonna be a drag, but that was actually kinda awesome," Scootaloo declared with a buzz of her wings. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom nodded their agreement.

"I didn't know that there was a Canterlot Academy certified music tutor based right here in Ponyville!" Sweetie Belle gushed.

"Or that the MMI offered mail-in courses!" Applebloom added with a twinkle of excitement, her happy step was interrupted when she almost ran into a stallion, pulling up just short of colliding with him.

"Heh, sorry about that. Enjoy the Faire, girls?" Feather Touch was smirking down at them, an apple balanced on one hoof. The three fillies stared up at him with wide eyes.

"Erm, Scootaloo?" Applebloom didn't take her eyes off of Feather Touch.

"Yeah?"

"Is Feather Touch still sat at the E.T.A booth?" She didn't turn to look, but she heard Scootaloo shuffle as she looked over her shoulder.

"...Eeyup."

"Could be a changeling?" Sweetie Belle looked nervously between the three of them. Feather Touch chucked, if he was annoyed his expression didn't show it.

"Sure, I could be a shapeshifting rainbow bug-moose. But what would we have to gain by pranking you like this?" he countered, the three fillies remaining silent.

"Anyway, I believe you have something I need. Trade ya?" he held out the apple to Applebloom. She stared back at it before shrugging and taking her forgotten lunch out of her saddlebags. She took the apple from Feather Touch before replacing it with her own.

"Thank you, honestly, you have no idea how much time this is going to save me," he blinked before giving a small groan. "Can't believe I just said that."

"So now you're going to go back to the past and give yourself the apple so he-" Sweetie Belle pointed her hoof over her shoulder "-can use it to demonstrate time magic to us?"

"Well, I might do that," Feather Touch smirked. "But if you want to work that out, you need to ask yourself: Am I his future, or his past?" Feather Touch couldn't help but giggle as he saw Sweetie Belle's brain start to break in real-time.

"Anyway, disjointed time streams aren't going to complete themselves. I'll see you girls next week. Toodles!" Without another word he turned on his hoof and walked away, a bright white doorway of swirling energy appearing in front of him. Feather Touch quickly walked into it and the portal vanished behind him. Leaving two startled and (one very stressed out) fillies in his wake.

The second day of the Ponyville Job Faire was in full swing. The commandeered market row was just as busy as the previous day, albeit filled with a mostly different sea of faces making up the crowds.

Feather Touch once again sat behind his humble booth, reclined in his chair and reading a copy of tomorrow's paper. Occasionally when some creature drew close he would flick down the paper and glance in their direction. But they always either passed on by, laughed at the sign, or just ultimately ignored him. Feather Touch didn't mind this in the slightest.

Any other pony might have been bored with nothing to do all day but sit and read. However, Feather Touch was always able to appreciate a nice change of pace.

Well, at least I won't have to water the plants...
"Excuse me, sir."

Feather Touch blinked at the familiar voice. Slowly folding down his paper for dramatic effect, Feather Touch leveled a wide-eyed stare at Twilight.

"Good afternoon, Twilight! What can I do for you today?" he was sat up in his seat in an instant, the perfect image of a helpful receptionist.

"I'd like to ask what you're doing here," Twilight met his gaze with an unamused frown.

"Recruiting! It's kind of what we do at the Faire," Feather Touch spread his hoof wide, gesturing to the crowds that were completely ignoring them.

"And how do you recruit for a made-up organisation, exactly?" Twilight raised an eyebrow, Feather Touch was impressed at how easily his mind conjured an image of a certain white alicorn.

"Just because it sounds made up doesn't mean it is made up," replied Feather Touch with a good-natured eye roll. "Well, I suppose it is. Technically everything was made up at some point, although if you want to be tech- Sorry, I'm rambling," he rested his head in his hooves. Twilight gave an exasperated sigh.

"Look, I can appreciate a good joke as much as the next mare, I'm friends with Pinkie Pie after all. But you're taking up a booth location that an actual employer could be using to help others. Have you considered how many creature's futures you could be affecting?" Twilight stepped back quickly, not prepared for the other pony's thousand-yard stare.

Every day of my life...

"Every day of my life!" Feather Touch beamed happily, Twilight couldn't help but grimace at his sudden shift in demeanour. She only had a moment to consider it though as he quickly pointed to her saddlebags. "What's with the broken watch?"

"Oh?" Twilight looked down at the object in question, hanging out of her saddlebags so she wouldn't forget it was there. "It's my friend Rarity's, she asked if I could take it to the repair shop for her."

Feather Touch reached over the booth and took the watch from the bag, placing it delicately on the booth in front of him.

"Forget that, old Cogsworth will take a week to fix it and it'll probably break again in six months. Lemme fix it for you," before Twilight could object, Feather Touch reached beneath the booth and pulled out a small sheathe of leather, unfurling it to reveal a surprising number of tools.

"Let me guess, the "Time Pony" can't bear to see a broken watch?" she asked with a good-natured smirk. "How did you know it was broken anyway?" Feather Touch tilted his gaze upwards without moving his head.

"It wasn't ticking," he looked back down at the watch, taking up a small hook and using it to pry off the back of the watch. "And no, it's not a "Time Pony" thing. It's an engineer thing," he gestured down toward his obscured cutie mark.

"If it's small or delicate, I can fix it, no questions asked," he smirked as he quickly located the source of the problem. He swapped out a number of tools and rapidly made adjustments to the inside of the watch.

"If this were an emergency or we were in a hurry, I could just use magic to revert it back to how it was," he explained far too matter-of-factly for Twilight's liking. "But doing that doesn't let you know why it broke in the first place, then it's only a matter of time before it happens again in the exact same way." With a swish, a smirk, and a flick he closed the watch. Picking it up in a hoof he flicked it open and adjusted the dial on top.

"There! Fixed, set, and correct." He held the watch out for Twilight to take back. "Cogs came misaligned. I reset them and tightened up the assembly. And set the time for you," he offered her a wide smile, one that Twilight couldn't help but return.

"Thank you, mister...?"

"Feather Touch," he replied.

"What do I owe you?" she reached toward her saddlebags before Feather Touch laughed.

"Forget about that, I'll fix anything for fun. Or for the challenge," he smirked, adjusting himself in his seat with a stretch.

"But, back to crushing her highness' original point. Do you really think that Mayor Mare would have let me set up a Job Faire booth without the proper documentation?" Feather Touch rested his chin on his hoof, his free hoof packing away his tools with a far too massive grin.

Twilight blanched, having a passing knowledge of how the town organised events told her that Job Fair attendees could only set up at the Faire with a thorough background check; including proof of least two years as a legitimate business.

"What information could you have possibly provided to convince the Mayor that the "Equis Time Agency" is real?" she met his smug gaze with one of equal incredulity.

"Why don't you go and find out? I'm sure the Mayor's office would hoof over the applications to the Princess," Feather Touch shrugged, reclining back in his chair once again.

"I am going to get to the bottom of this," her eyes narrowed suspiciously, Twilight turned away from the booth and headed toward the Mayor's office. Feather Touch let loose a good-natured chuckle.

"I'm sure you will! Hey, make sure you take an umbrella with you tomorrow!" he called after her. Once the Princess of Friendship had departed, Feather Touch moved his hoof to his neck and extracted a necklace with a tiny jewel from the depths of his fur.

He held it up and focused on the jewel, as he did the jewel glowed with a soft blue light. Feather Touch's eyes lit up with the same glow. Suddenly the shadows of hundreds of ponies and a few other creatures blinked past him. Their arcane outlines went every which way, yet none approached his booth. Eventually, the number of passing shadows dwindled to zero and Feather Touch ended the spell. He smoothed the necklace back into his fur, concealing it once more.

"Welp, I guess I'm done for the day," he stood up and whacked one of the support beams of the booth with his hoof. The sign at the top came loose and Feather Touch stretched upwards to take it down, starting the long process of disassembling the booth.

The door to Sugarcube Corner opened quickly, Twilight Sparkle trotting inside and wiping her hooves down on the welcome mat.

"Oooh, Twilight! You're here early! What can I getcha? A breakfast bagel? A breakfast doughnut? A breakfast muffin with extra breakfast sprinkles? A break-"

"Just a bagel, thanks, Pinkie," replied Twilight with a wide smile, her friend's antics never failing to set her at ease.

"So whatcha up so early for? Is it a friendship mission-" Pinkie gave a loud gasp "-do we have a friendship mission!? Wait, my cutie mark isn't glowing. Phooey!"

"It's not a friendship mission, Pinkie. The Princesses have asked me to go to Canterlot to meet with them. It's a little bit unexpected, but they insisted that it's not an emergency," Twilight pulled back slightly, suddenly finding a paper bag under her nose.

"Well here's one breakfast bagel with daisy, hay, and topped with cream cheese! Good luck with your not an emergency princess meeting!" Pinkie beamed, Twilight chuckling at her friend's infectiously good nature. She slid a few bits over the counter and wrapped a hoof around Pinkie, getting a full-fledged hug in return.

"Let us know how it all went when you get back!" Pinkie waved after her. Twilight returned the gesture with her wing, levitating her breakfast bag up onto her back. She pulled open the door once more and took a moment to recast her rain shield. Stepping underneath the purple disc she made a beeline for the train station.

A short walk, a purchased ticket, a brief argument, and a reluctant seat in a private VIP carriage later; Princess Twilight settled into the plush, comfortable seat of the carriage. She levitated the package from her back and placed it on the small table in front of her seat.

Twilight flipped open her saddlebags and once more pulled out a slightly creased envelope. She opened it quickly and took out the letter inside. Using her magic to hold both letter and bagel, she laid down on the carriage bench and started to re-read the letter.

Dear Twilight,

I hope this letter finds you well, we have much to discuss that cannot be properly conveyed here.

As such I must request that you come to Canterlot immediately, whilst I assure you that there is no significant threat to Equestria; it is-

"Anything for breakfast, your highness?"

Twilight jerked her head up, turning around to come face to face with a mare pushing a large cart; laden with a variety of food, snacks, and drinks. Including a small fridge and a hot water dispenser for tea and coffee.

Twilight gave a flat look at her breakfast bagel, before returning her attention to the mare.

"A tea with two sugars, and please, just Twilight will do."

The mare nodded and set about making Twilight's tea. Twilight turned her attention back to the letter in front of her, taking a bite out of her bagel.

-imperative that you come to Canterlot. Please can you meet with us at the palace at ten o'clock tomorrow; I will be happy to arrange transport if you require it.

Luna and I are very much looking forward to seeing you again.

Celestia

Twilight refolded the letter and placed it back into its envelope. What could possibly be so important as to require an urgent audience, yet not be a threat to Equestria? Twilight accepted her tea with a grateful smile and her thanks. At least she would be able to ponder this latest concern in comfort and with a full belly.

Twilight sighed and pulled a heavy book out of her saddlebags, flipping it open and finding the spot she had left off. She spent the remainder of the train journey trying to take in the text in front of her; however, the thought of her impending meeting was always lurking at the edge of her mind.

With a slight lurch, Twilight was jerked back to reality. She glanced out of the window to see that the train was slowing down to pull into Canterlot station. Twilight quickly sat up and stowed her reading material back into her saddlebags. Grabbing a hold of her cup and empty wrapper, she headed to the end of the carriage, hurling the wrapper into a bin and placing the cup down for the cleaners to find. With a flourish of magic, she teleported directly onto the platform.

Twilight looked around a moment to gather her bearings, she found the nearest exit in the sea of ponies and trotted toward it.

"Princess Twilight!" Twilight turned her head toward the familiar voice, smiling as a grey-furred pegasus in royal guard armour approached her. She nodded her head as he bowed.

"Zephyr, it's good to see you again."

"Likewise, your highness," Zephyr allowed himself a small smile before straightening up, assuming his royal guard demeanour once more.

"Princess Celestia asked us to escort you to the castle, we have a carriage waiting," Zephyr stood to the side and gestured toward a quiet exit. Twilight fell into step beside him.

"How is little Soaring Star?" she asked, Zephyr's expression morphed into a small grin.

"She's amazing, she's going to turn two in a few weeks," Twilight let loose a happy chuckle.

"It sounds like fatherhood really suits you," Twilight moved around to the back of the royal carriage, stepping up onto it and settling into the seat.

"Thank you, your highness," Zephyr called back, moving to the front and harnessing himself next to his fellow guard. After a brief moment, they took off at a quick pace, double-timing it to the castle. Twilight jerked backward at the unexpected momentum. She used her magic to fix her crown back into place and pulled her wings in tight so that they wouldn't accidentally catch the breeze.

The carriage rolled up to Canterlot Castle in record time, not counting Twilight's own teleportation. She stepped down from the carriage and offered her thanks to the royal guards. Zephyr and his companion snapped smartly to a salute. Twilight turned and made her way toward the palace. Approaching the towering, white stone structure with a smile as familiarity set in.

Twilight trotted into the castle foyer amidst a sea of salutes and bows. Her tension at the stiff formality melted at the sight of a familiar white unicorn.

"Raven! It's so good to see you!" Twilight moved toward Princess Celestia's personal secretary, who greeted her with a short bow.

"Hello, Princess Twilight," Raven offered a welcoming smile. "The Princesses are expecting you," Raven started walking toward one of the foyer stairs, Twilight moving to follow her.

"Do you know what this meeting is about?" she asked, hoping to have her curiosity sated, Raven, however, simply shook her head.

"I'm afraid I don't, your highness. Nopony seems to know apart from the Princesses. I'm sorry."

"It's alright-" Twilight shook her head "-no need to apologise. It's just so unusual for Princess Celestia to ask for me so abruptly."

"I'm sure she will explain everything momentarily. They're in here," Raven nodded toward a door that Twilight knew led to one of the castle's function rooms. Raven used her magic to open the door and let Twilight walk through it, the door closing behind her.

Twilight stepped into the room and spared it a brief glance, it was similar to many of the other such rooms in the castle. Sporting some simple (if high quality) furniture and commanding a nice view of Canterlot. The main difference was that this room was occupied by Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, and-

"Cadance!" Twilight exclaimed, a smile gracing her muzzle as she approached her old foal sitter.

"Twilight!" Cadance trotted forward to meet Twilight halfway.

"Sunshine sunshine,
ladybugs awake!
Clap your hooves,
and do a little shake!"

The two princesses shared their laughter, bringing each other into a close embrace. Behind them, Luna smirked into her hoof as Celestia gave a lighthearted chuckle.

"Sister, why do we not have a ritual greeting? It seems most enjoyable," Luna asked with a smirk. Celestia shook her head.

"Because we see each other all the time, Luna. And such a thing is hardly suitable, save for in our own privacy," Celestia smirked as Luna huffed, folding her hooves over her chest.

"Hmph! Well, I shall devise one forthwith, and I fully expect you to co-operate."

"Princess Luna, Princess Celestia," Twilight stepped forward, offering the two a small bow.

"Welcome, Twilight." Celestia inclined her head toward her former student. "It's wonderful to see you again."

"You too, but why are we all here? Is something the matter?" Celestia shook her head as Luna stood once more, she moved closer to Twilight.

"We have been summoned."

Twilight blinked.

Summoned?

"Erm... Not to sound like an arrogant, stuck-up pony; but we're the Princesses of Equestria, who summons us?" Twilight looked between the two of them, Celestia clearing her throat.

"Summoned might be too strong of a word, our presence has been requested by Princess Eternia."

...

"Who?"

"Princess Eternia is the Alicorn of Time," said Luna, her wings fluttering briefly. "I cannot remember the last time she stepped into Equestria proper. But she is powerful, wise and both she and her subjects safeguard the flow of time throughout Equis; so we afford her the respect she deserves," Luna smirked as she could see the gears turning in Twilight's head.

"Alicorn of Time!? How have I never heard of her!?" Twilight glanced between the three other Princesses. Cadance placed a hoof on her shoulder, Cadance brought her free hoof to her chest and pushed it outward; encouraging Twilight to do the same.

"Princess Eternia's existence is a secret known only to the four of us and her subjects. I've only met her once," Cadance explained, lowering her hoof once Twilight had gotten over her shock enough to start paying attention again. "She calls the Princesses together every once in a while to share her understanding and what she's learned about events past and what is yet to come. We often play bigger parts than we realise, for obvious reasons," Cadance fluttered her wings and flared her horn. "And now that you're a Princess, she's asked to meet you too."

Celestia turned her gaze up to the room's clock, the seconds ticking away.

"And unless I am mistaken, our escort should be appearing any moment now."

The clock struck ten and a large, shimmering, white portal spiraled into existence. The four Princesses turned to it and watched as a light pink furred pony stepped through. She had a two-toned light purple and blue mane, soft, light blue eyes, and had both wings and a horn.

The newcomer stepped through the portal and stood up straight, her eyes fell on the ponies before her and immediately shrunk into pinpricks. She made a small squeaking noise as her wings tensed against her sides.

"Oh no," she gave a soft whisper, her eyes darting rapidly between the four princesses; who looked back in concern as the latest alicorn in the mix started to sweat. Several tense moments of silence slipped by before Celestia decided to voice her concern.

"Are you alright, miss...?" Celestia graced her with the most reassuring smile she could muster.

"Y-yes! Fine, thank you! J-just questioning the wisdom of my seniors, quietly, in my head..." the nervous mare took a deep breath, raising a hoof to her chest before thrusting it outwards, repeating the gesture several times.

"Do... I know you...?" Cadance stepped forward, only to flinch back as the mare's attention snapped to her.

"Nope! Never met you! No idea why Princess Eternia would ask me to come escort you all to the Convergence of Time- I mean what could possibly go wrong with that? We should go, these portals are expensive after all! Please- come, come! Adventure awaits!" she stepped to the side of the portal, gesturing to it with her hoof grandly; an effect that would have been far more impressive were it not for her hyperventilation.

There was a collective decision not to delay further if only to spare this newcomer from whatever was distressing her. The four Princesses walked past her and stepped into the portal one after the other. Once Twilight had stepped through, the mare brought her hooves to her head and let out a shuddering gasp of anguish.

What the buck was she thinking!? "Oh, by the way, could you go and pick up four important ponies for me?" I thought she was some kind of mythical genius!

Deciding to pick up a brown paper bag once she got home, the mare stepped quickly into the portal. The gateway swirled into nothingness and left the room still once more.

Twilight gasped as she stepped out of the portal. She had walked into what looked to her to be an endless void, a white horizon spreading as far as she could see. Rather than being completely empty, there were several buildings dotted here and there. Dominating the scene was a large palace, a series of connected spires and towers reaching into the void.

The centerpiece of this new plane of reality was a large, swirling, shifting path beneath her hooves. A maelstrom of colours swirling and competing with each other, collapsing on top of one another. The whole path surrounded and held in place by solid borders of golden light.

She heard the sound of hooves behind her, the light pink alicorn stepping through the portal. She glanced nervously at Twilight before averting her gaze, she stepped quickly toward the front of the group.

"T-this way, please! Princess Eternia is just up ahead," she practically scurried ahead, the four Princesses following behind.

"What is this place?" Twilight asked, looking around in every direction. Now that she wasn't so distracted by the sheer magnitude of the place, she could see any number of various creatures moving around. Some going their way, others back the way they came, while others flittered and flew between buildings without discernible rhyme or reason.

"All will become clear in time, Twilight Sparkle. Princess Eternia will see that you are properly informed, I am sure," Luna too was looking about, although far more calmly than Twilight. "Truly this place never ceases to amaze."

"Indeed," Celestia nodded in agreement. "Sister, do you think Princess Eternia might be working on her sense of humour?"

"It would appear so, Celestia, though why she has chosen to torture the poor dear I cannot fathom," Luna smirked as the sisters watched the alicorn in front of them. Any further considerations were put on hold as they approached the foot of the palace.

Before the group could draw any closer, their path was crossed by an earth pony mare with a wine-red coat and a dark grey mane. She glanced over at the Princesses, about to wave her hoof in greeting when she froze. She gave a strangled gasp and flung herself to the floor. Instead of flattening against it, she phased right through it and vanished out of sight.

Twilight had several questions, and she opted to address the most readily available for discussion.

"Is nopony else concerned by how every creature here seems to be so on edge?" she asked, turning toward her fellow alicorns.

"It is most unusual," Celestia looked about with a small tilt of her head before turning to Twilight. "Normally those who pass through here are friendly and welcoming. I hope nothing sinister awaits us," the group fell silent as they finally reached the base of the stairs.

"Thank you, Loftwing, as you go would you please deliver this missive to Ms. Belle?"

A gryphon bowed low to an alicorn at the palace steps, taking the furled scroll offered in her magic. With a quick salute and a flap of his wings, he soared toward one of the smaller buildings.

As Twilight and her company approached, she could see the new alicorn, Princess Eternia, turn to greet them. She stood as tall as Celestia, her fur a shining silver, her large mane was heavy and seemed as substantial as Twilight's and Cadance's; however, the very tips of it seemed to swirl and vanish, the light yellow-brown colour seeming to travel down her mane like rivulets of falling sand. Her eyes were deep, shining gold. Around her neck hung a heavy bronze peytral, set with three gems; a ruby, an emerald, and a sapphire. Save for that she wore no other regalia. She stood tall and proud, but as the small group approached, her expression shifted to a warm smile, her wings fanning out in greeting.

"Welcome, my dear Celestia, Luna, Cadance," She bowed to each of them in turn, the Princesses returning the gesture. Eternia turned to Twilight, a twinkle in her eye.

"And welcome to you, Princess Twilight. It is a pleasure to finally meet you," Eternia bowed once more, Twilight bowed in kind. Despite Celestia's insistence that the Princesses were equals, Twilight couldn't help but return such a gracious greeting.

Eternia straightened, her eyes narrowed and her smile became a playful smirk. They travelled over to the fifth and final alicorn.

"Thank you for indulging me and collecting my esteemed guests; I am most grateful to you, Flurry Heart," Eternia's smirk widened as the alicorn in question tensed to the point of becoming statuesque. Her head slowly turned toward the four who stood next to her, Twilight and Cadance both stared back with mouths agape.

"Flurry Heart!?" they both cried in unison.

Flurry didn't respond, instead, she turned her head back toward Princess Eternia, her voice strained and squeaky.

"No problem, Princess," there was the first lie. "Happy to do it," and there was the second.

"Will you still be visiting for lunch in a week's time?" Eternia smiled warmly, enjoyment written across her face.

"Oh yes," Flurry laughed. "Of course, then maybe you can explain to me why you decided to ask me to go and pick up my aunts and my mother from a time during which I was a baby!" Flurry's smile was strained and manic.

"That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger, my dear," Eternia bowed her head. "Sincerely, thank you, you may take your leave if you wish."

Flurry Heart didn't need to be told twice, all but bolting over to the swirling path of colours, surprising every visitor when she dived into it as seamlessly as diving into a pool.

"That was my daughter!?" Cadance gave an exasperated cry, Eternia nodding in response.

"Yes, I assure you she is most helpful to my work here, and a cherished friend," Eternia gave Cadance a reassuring smile. One that was not returned.

"Will I see her again...?" a dark blue wing fell over Cadance as she spoke, offering a little comfort to the distressed mare.

"I can guarantee that you will see her this evening when you return to the Crystal Empire; where you will play together, then you will tuck her into her crib," Eternia's focus shifted as Celestia stepped forward.

"Perhaps we should move on to why we are here, is everything alright, Eternia? You don't normally call us again so soon."

"Yes, all is well," Eternia spread a wing to gesture to her realm. "I simply thought it better to meet with Twilight sooner, rather than later. It also never hurts to keep all of you up to date on the ebb and flow of time."

Eternia stepped politely around Celestia and moved toward Cadance, extending her wing and stroking it along Cadance's barrel.

"Please forgive my impishness, dear Cadance. I meant you no harm, truthfully there was little to be done for the situation. Remember that you live in the normal flow of time, your foal is still at home. And you will see her again as well, in the natural flow of time or should you return here sooner."

Cadance took a slow breath, raising her hoof and using it to gently lower Eternia's wing.

"Truthfully, I was more shocked than anything. It's not every day you get to see your foal as a grown mare," she tilted her gaze up at Eternia, her expression becoming a small smirk. "I am absolutely getting you back for that though."

"Fair is fair," Eternia chuckled, turning back to the assembly at large.

"I believe we should adjourn for refreshments and discussion," however, she turned back to Cadance with a sheepish grin.

"Cadance, unfortunately, I have need of you. Your presence is necessary elsewhere-" she flushed as Cadance blanched "-nothing strenuous, I promise. But things could unravel if you aren't there." Cadance sighed but nodded her acquiescence.

"Thank you. Bruford! Would you be so kind as to show Princess Cadance to the Grand Dining Hall?" Eternia called across the void, despite the ethereal nature of the place, the ground still shook as a yak stomped over to them.

"Bruford is happy to escort pretty pony princess! Yaks make best tour guides!" Bruford stopped and turned to Cadance, his face completely obscured by his hair. "Bruford is honored to meet pony princess, only pony princess Bruford has met is Princess Eternia."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bruford," Cadance offered her hoof, receiving a hefty bump in return.

"This way, pony princess! E.T.A food best food in world," he leaned toward Cadance, speaking to her in what would be historically recorded as the world's loudest stage whisper. "Tell no one, but is even better than yak food!"

The colour slowly drained from Twilight's face.

E.T.A?

Cadance managed to stifle a small giggle, she bade her fellow princesses farewell and followed Bruford across the path. The other princesses watched them go; another white portal spiraled into existence and Cadance stepped out of it. She blinked at them in quiet surprise.

"Oh, you're all still here? Are you done already?" she looked between them quizically. Eternia smirked to herself as Twilight raised a hoof.

"Cadance, you're still leaving," said Twilight, Cadance turned her head to look behind her, seeing her retreating form walking alongside Bruford.

"Oh, that is weird..." she groaned, rubbing at her temple with a hoof.

"You get used to it," Eternia chuckled, she moved over to Twilight, looking down at her kindly.

"Forgive me, Twilight. I am not excluding you, however, there will be little point in sitting in on these discussions if you do not have a thorough understanding of how the Convergence works and what we do here. Feather Touch?"

"Yes, Princess Eter-"

"GAH!" Twilight jumped, staggering away from the pegasus that was stood next to her. "How long have you been there!?" Feather Touch sat down, raising his hooves in a shrug.

"I'm not sure, I wasn't really keeping track. I saw Flurry Heart leave," he smiled widely at her. "Nice to see you again, Twilight."

"Pleasure," came the deadpan response, Twilight trying to steady her breathing and keep her heart in her chest.

"Feather Touch, would you be so kind as to show Princess Twilight around the Convergence, and explain how the E.T.A works and operates?" Eternia was still smiling, however, Feather Touch flushed at her tone.

"Of course, Princess Eternia. But Twilight doesn't like to be called "Princess", I guess it goes with the whole "Princess of Friendship" thing. Hard to be friends with some creature if they're always dancing around titles," Feather Touch scratched at the back of his head.

"Well, who am I to argue with the Princess of Friendship? Now if you would be so kind?" she stretched out a wing to gesture to Twilight, Feather Touch nodded and moved over to Twilight. He offered her his wing, she gave an exasperated sigh and slipped under it, Feather Touch leading her back toward the massive path that dominated the floor.

Twilight glanced over to Feather Touch, seeing him sporting the largest, smuggest grin she had ever seen. She sighed as she gave him a level glare.

"Go ahead, say it."

Feather Touch's smirk only grew wider, he opened his mouth slowly and dramatically.

"How about I show you around?" his expression collapsed into a warm smile, he gestured toward the path with his hoof. Twilight couldn't help but return his smile.

"I'm sorry if I was a bit of a- wait..." something finally clicked in Twilight's brain.

"You were an earth pony yesterday!"

Feather Touch blinked in confusion before looking down at the wing he had draped around her.

"Oh, right, yeah-" he lifted his hoof to his neck, pulling a small necklace out of his fur. He took it in his hoof and moved it slowly in front of him from left to right. As he did his wings shimmered out of existence.

"How... How did you do that?" Twilight stammered, a small part of her regretted the absence of warm feathers held around her. Even though Feather Touch was effectively a stranger, she could still appreciate the gesture.

"I'll explain it, I promise. Foundations first, advanced stuff later; gotta crawl before you can fly, right?" Twilight gave a reluctant nod, her hunger for knowledge threatening to take a chunk out of her if it wasn't soon satiated.

"I am an earth pony though. Baltimare born and bred, both my parents were earth ponies too." Feather Touch walked a little taller, smiling proudly. He leapt in front of Twilight, turning to face her.

"But enough about me! Welcome, Twilight Sparkle, to the Convergence of Time!"

He reared up onto his hooves, striking a dramatic pose as his shout echoed through the void. A pony on the other side of the path looked over and rolled his eyes.

"At least that's what it's actually called, or what Eternia told us it was called. However, we in the E.T.A call it The Path, with a capital P."

"The Path?" Twilight tilted her head.

"The Path!" he smirked, stepping next to her and gesturing with his hoof to the floor beneath them. The swirling road of colour stretched off into the distance beyond seeing.

"To put it simply, the Path. Is. Time. All of it," he spread his hooves to the floor, looking down at it. "Every moment of the history of our world, from start to finish, beneath our hooves."

"Everything?" asked Twilight in a hushed whisper.

"Everything," Feather Touch raised his hoof and pointed off into the distance. "This is what we call 'The Path Once Tread.' It's the past, everything that ever was; all the way back to the beginning, lies along the way."

"The beginning!? The beginning of time!?" Twilight gawked at him, getting only a calm nod in response.

"Yes, but it is a very long way to walk," he raised his hoof, showing Twilight the underside of it. "Trust me, I've tried. Only Princess Eternia has ever been there."

"All of time!?" Twilight gestured to the floor beneath them. "Do you have any idea what this means? The things we could learn, the history we could record!" Feather Touch raised a hoof to calm her.

"Yes, Twilight, we're well aware. However, it is a little difficult to record something that is constantly trying to change itself."

"Change itself?" Twilight blinked.

"Yes, which brings us neatly to what the E.T.A actually does," he sat down and gestured toward the scant few buildings surrounding the Path.

"The Equis Time Agency, that's what we call ourselves; sounds official and important. Eternia just calls us her dear friends, or her little minions if she's being a jerk," he smirked as he winked at Twilight. "I'm joking, she's lovely.

"Now the E.T.A is a group of creatures that fixes mistakes in the timeline, correcting things that go wrong and making sure things are as they should be.

"Why they go wrong is a complete mystery. In theory, the past is written, but every so often something disrupts it. And it's up to us to set it right. Although if we can't, we need to get it back on track as best we can."

"And how often does that happen?" Twilight asked, glancing down at the swirling colours as though they might scatter at that very moment.

"Oh, all the time," Feather Touch waved a hoof as though commenting on the weather. "Why just the other day I met a mare who had to go into the Everfree Forest and cut a rope bridge."

"Cut a rope bridge... Why?" Twilight asked, getting a knowing smirk in return.

"Because if that bridge was never cut, then Rainbow Dash wouldn't have needed to fly across a ravine and re-tie it. She never would have encountered the Shadowbolts, never would have proven herself to be the element of Loyalty, and you would have drawn a blank when trying to assemble the Elements of Harmony," he took a moment to drink in Twilight's shocked expression.

"Amazing, what one tiny change can do, isn't it?"

"How- how do you know what would have happened?" Twilight sat on her haunches, putting a hoof to her chin. "If you go back and change time to correct things that have gone wrong, surely you would never see the results of what went wrong?"

"All things in time, Twilight," Feather Touch hid behind his hoof, failing to stifle a laugh. "Sorry, time joke. You'll run into a lot of those here. Now, if you'll follow me..." he turned about and started to lead her along the Path.

"Oh, wait- One very important thing," Feather Touch stopped and turned to face her, fixing her with the most serious face Twilight had ever seen from him. "If you run into yourself in the Convergence of Time, or any time at all. Do NOT talk to her, at least not without knowing what you're doing. Just ignore past or future you and carry on with whatever you're doing."

"Is-is meeting yourself that bad?" Twilight gulped, a memory of a lavender unicorn in a sneaking suit and an eyepatch rising unbidden.

"Potentially, if you have any kind of conversation with yourself, you will need to remember it. Because messing up that conversation could have dire ramifications that will take a long time to fix, and it could be decades before you find yourself on the other side of that conversation, understand?"

Twilight nodded and Feather Touch breathed a sigh of relief. He started to lead her once more along the path. As they walked, Feather Touch pointed out the various buildings of the Convergence. Twilight drinking in every detail with rapt attention.

"You know, when you called it the Equis Time Agency, I imagined an office building. Desks, cubicles, filing cabinets..."

"Oh, we have those. The Hall of Records," Feather Touch pointed to a long, flat building; shaped like a literal hall. "The archivists there keep records of various things, it also doubles as the CR department."

"The CR department? You get paid to do this?" Twilight asked, Feather Touch nodded in response.

"Of course, well, we get compensated. Some creatures do make their lives and livings here. But some creatures only do a few bits here and there, or work in the Convergence itself," Feather Touch shrugged. "Can't live in the timestream if you're too busy to hold down a job, right?"

Twilight nodded quietly.

"This is a lot to take in."

"Yeah, it can be a bit much," Feather Touch placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "Do you want to take a break?"

"No, I'll be fine. Please continue, this is all very fascinating," Twilight watched with a smirk as Feather Touch started to trot with a little more pep in his step.

"Well, we're here," he pointed down at the path once more. Twilight looked down to see little difference then from where they had started.

"And where is here, exactly?" Feather Touch shook with restrained laughter, leaning closer to her.

"Don't you mean when is here?"

Twilight groaned.

"Haha! Alright, alright. It is a pertinent question though.

"This is the 'Path We Walk.' Or as you might know it, the present. Everything going on in Equestria right now is spread before us. You can go anywhere from here."

"Anywhere in Equestria?" Twilight glanced down at the Path, how did the E.T.A use it?

"Anywhere on Equis," Feather Touch corrected. "We picked you up from here," he jabbed to a point between the two of them, a singular point at the tip of his hoof froze within the Path.

"So we could go anywhere from here? And we'd arrive there at this exact moment?"

"Well... Yes and no," Feather Touch rolled his hoof. "Technically speaking the present is only one exact, fleeting moment, precisely here," he slid his hoof a bit further along. Twilight followed it, but as she did, a glint of golden light in the path to her right caught her eye.

"Wait, what's that?" she pointed over to the small thread, Feather Touch followed her hoof before turning back to her with an accusatory smirk.

"THAT is when a certain unicorn decided to travel back in time from a week next Tuesday," he laughed at Twilight's expression, looking like she had been caught with her hoof in the cookie jar. "Relax, Twilight, it's fine. The whole thing was meant to happen and it was entirely self-contained. Honestly, Eternia wouldn't have noticed it if Fido hadn't said 'Hey, Eternia! Get a load of this!'" Feather Touch decided to take pity on the poor alicorn, pointing his hoof back down to the Path.

"Now, where were we at?" he readjusted his hoof slightly. "Anything ahead of this point is the future, anything behind is the past. But for the sake of making the lives of every creature at the E.T.A easier, we consider the "present" to be the day around this point. Give or take a day, it can get confusing otherwise.

"Actually, part of the induction for new recruits is how to effectively communicate when you're coming from, when you want to go to, and establishing easy points of reference if you're working in different periods."

Twilight sat down on her haunches, she raised her hooves to rub at her temples.

"I never could have imagined there was such a hidden world behind the one I know. It's almost enough to make me want to join the E.T.A just so I can learn about it," she looked as though she were going to ask about exactly that, however, Feather Touch only saw her eyes widen.

"Wait a minute- Is that Discord?"

Feather Touch's ears perked upward, turning his head to see where Twilight was looking. His eyes fell on a draconequus, floating along lazily above the ground, moving through it like an eel through the water. It looked strikingly like Discord, only far lither and with many more matching parts. A wild shock of a pink and white mane ran along its neck.

"Oh, her," he shook his head as he looked back at Twilight, his warm smile gone for the first time. "No, that's Discord's daughter, she's not from around here."

"Discord's daughter!? D-Discord has a daughter in the future!?"

"He could have had a daughter in the past, like I said, that pain in the flank isn't from around here. She's from a different timeline," Twilight opened her mouth and Feather Touch raised a hoof to stop the inevitable question.

"In a moment, we're almost there," Feather Touch took a deep, soothing breath. His agitation melted away as his easy-going smile settled once more.

"So, can you guess what comes next?"

Twilight shook her head, recovering from the shock of what she'd just heard. She tapped her hoof to her chin.

"Well if I had to guess... I'd say we're about to walk 'The Path Yet to Come'?" she turned her head to the left. "Although, it doesn't look much like a path," Feather Touch let loose a short laugh.

"Close, but we refer to the future as 'The Path Ahead'. And you're right. This is where things get really interesting."

Feather Touch spread his hoof wide, Twilight seeing the Path spread out ahead. However, instead of the long, endless mass of writhing colour; the further the Path went from the present, the more it divided. The solid mass splitting into multiple strings of colour, surrounded by golden light.

The further it went the more numerous and frequent the strings became, each one splintering and growing; the new branches splintering themselves. Stretching further into the distance until they became a new carpet of their very own.

"Care to hazard a guess about what you're looking at?" Feather Touch looked at her with an encouraging smile. Twilight, ever the humble scholar, shook her head.

"As much as it pains me, I couldn't even begin to guess," she splayed out her wing toward the Path Ahead, inviting him to continue.

"The future is nothing like the past, in fact, it's the exact opposite. The future is uncertainty, filled with endless possibilities. Literally, anything is possible.

"But, as the march of time goes on, and the future draws nearer; the possibilities narrow, the future is dependent on the past and present. As certain events do or do not happen, the pre-requisites for the future are eliminated one by one. Until only a few possibilities remain, as the list of possible events narrows; uncertainty becomes certainty. Until eventually you're left only with the moment, a hoof full of choices; and those choices become the present."

Twilight stared out at the Path Ahead, seeing the branches of time spread out before her like an eternal tree. She narrowed her eyes, she could see the threads of time getting pulled inexorably closer to the present. As they slowly came toward her feet, she could see the closest branches shrinking and condensing; the lines becoming stronger and brighter.

"The... The timelines that don't come to be. What happens to them? Could the ponies from the future simply cease to exist? What about Flurry Heart?"

Feather Touch looked away from Twilight, scratching the back of his head with his hoof.

"Well... There always is the possibility that her future could be averted in the course of time. I'm not sure why or how it works; but Eternia says the more a creature wanders the time stream, the more they 'assert' themselves on the timeline. It makes it more likely that their futures will come to be.

"The Flurry Heart you met is from a future not yet certain," he pointed out into the Path Ahead, Twilight spotted for the first time several ethereal patches of light. Feather Touch's hoof pointed toward a branch of time that weaved between them, stretching off into infinity.

"But like Eternia said, she's constantly making use of that version of Flurry Heart. By now she must practically be a part of history."

"But what actually happens to timelines that don't manifest? Do they just fade away?"

"Oh! That is quite literally my favourite part, let me show you!" Feather Touch offered Twilight his hoof, seeming far too excited about the topic; she reached out and took it. Feather Touch pointed down at the floor with his free hoof.

"Follow me, we're going down. Deep breath."

Like Flurry Heart and the red mare before them, Feather Touch and Twilight sank down into the floor. Twilight took a large gulp of air and held her breath. They passed into the stream of colours, all sense of weight and direction leaving her.

This close to the swirl of colours she could see that they were images, moments held in strings, hundreds of thousands of different creatures, and places all dancing among each other before her eyes.

She felt a tug on her hoof and found herself rising toward something. She breached the surface as though emerging from a pool of water. Feather Touch took both of her hooves and pulled her up, helping Twilight to her hooves.

"And here we are! The other side of the path," Feather Touch made another grand gesture, like when he had first shown her the Path. Twilight however was focused on the endless fields of golden threads surrounding her. They were all different heights, some as tall as houses, others brushing against her hooves.

"What is this...?" Twilight walked forward, the threads of time parting around her like a field of grass.

"This is the underside of the Path. It's where all the timelines that never come to fruition come to be. They don't affect the established timeline at all, but we can still view them, and some powerful entities can even leave their timelines and come to the Convergence of Time," Feather Touch moved closer to Twilight and slashed his hoof in front of them, the stands of time parting and giving them a clearer view; Twilight now able to see the strands were as infinite in number as the Path was long.

"I love coming down here to see what could have been, it's like storytime for grown-ups."

"Really?" Twilight gave him a flat look, Feather Touch unaffected by her admonishment.

"Yeah! Take this one for example," Feather Touch pulled on a particular thread of time, it flowed around his hoof as he smiled at it fondly. "In this one, you end up adopting and raising a reborn Nightmare Moon! Isn't that crazy!?"

"I what!?" Twilight's wings spread wide, yanking her head back as she raised her hoof reflexively.

"Right?!" Feather Touch laughed, glee sparkling in his eyes. "Or this one, where Rainbow Dash is a mercenary and you're a witch in the woods."

"Should you be telling me all of this?"

"It's fine, these timelines are the past, your knowledge of them won't affect what's up there," he pointed at the floor. "Ooh, what about the one where Sunset Shimmer comes back to Equestria as an alicorn? Or the like, twenty other timelines where that happens."

"Wait, all of these things could have happened?"

"Yup! Ooh, this one's always fun. Everything is more or less exactly the same, except every creature's gender is reversed," Feather Touch smirked. "I look pretty good as a mare, not to brag or anything."

"There are timelines where I'm a stallion!?"

"Oh yeah, his name is usually Dusk Shine," Feather Touch suddenly pointed off into the distance. "Oh, a little ways back, there's one where Princess Celestia had three children and the middle one turned evil!"

"You are really enjoying this, aren't you?"

Evidently, he was, as the excited stallion continued to build up steam.

"Oh, there's also the one where the original Hearths Warming flame burns under a mountain or the one where you're a royal guard instead of your brother or the one where a soldier gets banished with Nightmare Moon and returns a thousand years later-"

"-are you related to Pinkie Pie-"

"-or the one where Fluttershy marries Sombra and they head north to leave Equestria or the one where all of the Elements of Harmony marry Celestia and Luna; that one is crazy! There's the one where Applejack is a Changeling Queen or the one where you become a Changeling Queen, there's that one where Luna upgrades the Tanatbus, there's the one where a Changeling convinces everyone that he's a zepplin, that one's odd but it always makes me laugh-"

Twilight ignored the rambling stallion, instead trying to observe and learn what she could about the underside of the Path; something waving just out of sight caught her attention.

"-there's that one where Celestia and Chrysalis are soul mates, it's super sweet," Feather Touch paused for breath, taking a shorter thread between his hooves. "Ah, this one is my absolute favourite. Rainbow Dash meets a deaf-blind orphan, it makes my heart melt every time; I hope it ends well-" Feather Touch finally snapped out of his monologue when Twilight put a firm hoof on his shoulder.

"Feather Touch, what's that one up there?" Twilight pointed above them, Feather Touch followed her hoof to observe a single golden thread. It towered above the rest, stretching into eternity, so far that they could no longer make out its golden light. Twilight turned her gaze back to Feather Touch, his expression softening into a dejected frown.

"You don't want to know about that one. Trust me, I mean it when I say that every creature in the E.T.A would give that one a hard reset if we could."

"It's that bad?"

Feather Touch blinked, pointedly looking away from the endless thread.

"Anyway, to come back to an earlier point," Feather Touch rubbed his hoof over his neck, pulling out his necklace, a tiny jewel hanging from it. "This is where we get a few of our unique abilities from," he moved the necklace in front of himself, the jewel glowing brightly. As he moved it a horn materialised on top of his head. He smirked at Twilight's wide-eyed expression, using his newly acquired magic to take off his necklace and levitate it around them in his magical aura.

"There are many alternate timelines, and in a lot of them, every pony was born as either an earth pony, a pegasus, or a unicorn. Using these necklaces we can tap into these alternate timelines and temporarily utilise those versions of ourselves." Twilight watched as he levitated the necklace back around his neck and his horn vanished again.

"So, why not just turn into an alicorn? Surely that would make your jobs a lot easier?" Feather Touch shook his head slowly.

"Even in a universe of infinite possibilities, alicorns are exceedingly rare-" he spoke quickly, cutting off Twilight's interruption "-I know! I know! That doesn't make sense, but Harmony must permeate these alternate timelines. And it must be very picky with whom it chooses for ascension. In all my time with the E.T.A I've only met two ponies that could become alicorns, and I certainly can't do it," he chuckled, raising a hoof and waving it awkwardly. "I guess I'm just not as special as you."

"Hey! Don't say things like that!" Twilight moved in front of Feather Touch and placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Everypony is special and has something valuable to offer, you shouldn't put yourself down like that," Feather Touch blinked at her.

"Thanks, Twilight," said Feather Touch, definitely without a small quaver to his voice.

"Come on, we should get back up top," Feather Touch offered her his hoof once more. She slid her hoof from his shoulder and took a hold of it. Feather Touch grinned as he lunged down into the swirling timelines, dragging Twilight with him.

The return trip was a little smoother, Twilight finding that if she kicked her rear hooves she actually moved forward through... Whatever timelines were actually made of.

Once again she re-emerged, Feather Touch pulling her up and back onto her hooves.

"Well as far as the bare basics go, that more or less covers it, any questions?" Feather Touch leaned forward, unaware he had just won the award for "Equestria's Stupidest Question".

"So many! But I think I understand enough. All of you here in the E.T.A work to keep our world safe from diverging timelines and make the world a better place; and you use some very impressive magic to do so."

Feather Touch looked away from Twilight, glancing down at the floor.

"Well... More or less correct, but we don't really 'make the world a better place', we keep things the way they are supposed to be..." Feather Touch frowned, struggling to meet her gaze.

"Sometimes, that means doing some pretty awful things," Twilight tilted her head, frowning as she tried to get a better look at him.

"What do you mean?" asked Twilight, Feather Touch took a quick breath and looked up at her.

"Alright, but first you need to know when we need to keep the timeline on track we only do things that are absolutely necessary. Especially when it comes to making sure that history takes a turn for the worse," he flinched at Twilight's small gasp. "We have an unspoken rule here at the E.T.A, we never judge each other for some of the things we've had to do. We'd probably tear ourselves apart if we did."

"Is... Is it really that bad?" Twilight felt her stomach drop as Feather Touch nodded.

"How do you think Princess Luna would feel if she found out that the mare who made her vulnerable to the Nightmare walked past her today? How does that make you feel?"

Twilight did not have an answer to that question.

"Are all of these things really necessary?" she asked, dread creeping into her mind as nausea crept into her stomach.

"Well, you wouldn't be here if it weren't for Nightmare Moon."

Twilight frowned as she looked down at the Path in silence.

"I... I suppose, it still doesn't feel right though..." she glanced up at Feather Touch, just catching the shake of his head. "Have... Have you ever done anything like that?" Twilight blanched as Feather Touch's expression crumbled. "I-I'm sorry! That was a really stupid-"

"It's alright, I get it," he straightened up slightly. "I've done a few bad things in my time here, things I felt awful about. Still feel awful about. But I think the worst one was when I tripped a colt."

Twilight blinked.

"That... Doesn't sound so bad?"

"Off of a mountain, into a snowdrift."

Twilight felt the colour drain from her face.

"Did he... Survive?" she didn't feel any better when Feather Touch nodded.

"Oh yes, he survived," Feather Touch looked toward the Path Once Tread, glancing at an unseen point. "The thing is that he survived to murder an empress, enslave an empire, and banish it for a millennia."

"Oh..."

"Yeah."

Twilight took a moment to gather her thoughts, finally deciding to sit next to Feather Touch and place a comforting hoof around him.

"I'm... Sorry you had to go through that, it must have been very hard for you," she received only silence in response. Feather Touch stood up quickly.

"Well enough about all that nasty stuff, let's find something else to talk about," he sprang back to life, his smile just a little too wide. Pinkie wouldn't have liked it. Twilight decided to indulge her companion.

"Alright, well what are those things?" Twilight pointed with her hoof toward the patches of light further down the Path Ahead. Feather Touch followed her hoof.

"Oh, I really should explain those," he led her toward the lights. As they drew closer Twilight could see each one was a swirling patch of ethereal light, mesmerising and inviting. There were four in total, each one of a different appearance, three of them had strands of possible futures connected to them.

"These are four very distinct possible futures of the timeline as a whole, they all have a 'theme', if you will," he pointed toward the nearest one. It was a welcoming bloom of golden light, swirling like clouds.

"We call this one the Path of Light, it's exactly what you would imagine it to be. Happy endings, everypony lives, villains never happen, heroes always win. Real fairy-tale stuff," he looked at her pointedly. "We try our best to steer the timeline toward this one, but it's very difficult. It is almost imperceptibly bending in that direction though," he pointed down toward a shift that Twilight couldn't see.

"This one-" here he pointed toward what looked like a swirl of timelines tangling into each other, the images of each fighting for dominance. "-is what we call the Paths Most Likely, these are the futures that are most likely to occur, not guaranteed, but highly probable," Feather Touch furrowed his brow as something caught his attention, before smiling widely.

"Look! There's Flurry Heart!" he pointed toward a timeline starting to emerge from the wrestling images, Twilight looked closer and she could make out the young princess crouched in what seemed to be a broom cupboard in the Crystal Empire. She smiled, even if Flurry Heart was distressed, it seemed she had a fighting chance at least.

"Aaaannnd this one-" Feather Touch once more directed her toward the next patch of light, this one like a roiling storm cloud. "-we call the Dark Path, again, it's what you would imagine. Pain, suffering, torment, Nightmare Moon wins, Discord wins, Chrysalis wins, Sombra wins, Daybreaker wins. You get the idea, generally every creature's nightmare, apocalypse, end of the world scenario. We really, really try to avoid this one."

Twilight nodded her understanding as Feather Touch continued to extoll the virtues and horrors of the future. But her attention was drawn toward the last patch of light.

It seemed to spread like an abyss, trying to impose itself on a line of futures not connected to it. It was completely, utterly black. She felt her skin grow cold as she stared into the void, it called to her. Everything about it dug deeply into her primal instincts to run, hide, scream.

She could feel something watching her from within the void, inviting her inside.

Twilight felt a harsh thump across her chest, knocking the breath out of her. She looked down with a scowl to see a yellow hoof pressed against her, however, she froze when she saw her own one beneath it; half-raised in a step she hadn't realised she had taken. She looked up with concern only to be met with Feather Touch's frightening gaze. It was devoid of any of the stallion's usual cheery demeanour, carrying only a deathly seriousness.

"That is the path not meant to be. We do not speak of it."

Twilight let out an involuntary shudder as Feather Touch put his hoof around her, he led Twilight away from the void and she felt warmth wash over her once more. She didn't even realise when she had started to sweat.

Feather Touch steered her back toward the Path, once more he turned to face Twilight.

"Well, now you should know enough about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the E.T.A, at least for one day, do you need anything? Drink? Snack?" Twilight shook her head in response.

"Alright, well at least let me make you a portal back to the palace, it's been a long tour," Feather Touch turned to the side and took out his necklace. He moved it in a small circle and a white, swirling portal appeared in front of them. Twilight stepped toward it.

"Thank you, Feather Touch. Will I see you again?" she turned to ask him.

"I'm sure we'll meet again, I'll try and stop by Ponyville sometime!" he beamed in response, Twilight returned it and stepped through the portal. As she emerged she found Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Eternia on the other side.

"Oh, are you all done already?" Twilight blinked as Eternia buried her muzzle in her hoof, covering herself with her wing for good measure as she tried to stifle her laughter. Cadance couldn't help but chuckle quietly as she pointed behind Twilight.

"Erm-actually, Twilight. You've only just left."

Twilight turned her head to look behind her, seeing herself and Feather Touch walking down the Path Once Tread.

"Oh, that is weird."

Princess Eternia coughed, straightening up and folding away her wing.

"You get used to it, now, shall we?" she turned and started to lead her fellow princesses up the stairs of the palace.

"I'll be honest, I thought I was going to get left out of this meeting," Twilight started to ascend the steps, Eternia glancing back over her shoulder at her.

"Twilight, I wouldn't do that to you," she graced Twilight with a small smile.

Feather Touch let out a very long, strained breath. He raised his hoof and had to resist the urge to pound out his presence on the farmhouse door. After a few moments the door opened to reveal Applejack, she frowned at him as her eyes narrowed.

"Ah don't remember buckin' you in the face."

"Yeah, well, you did-" he gave a strained smile, beautifully framing the black eye he was sporting. "-my name is Feather Touch. I represent the Equis Time Agency, we're an organisation that safeguards the flow of time and causality throughout Equis. Applebloom visited our booth at the Ponyville Job Faire last week and expressed an interest in our work. I'm here because I promised I would visit and show her some experience of the work we do; to see if she would be interested in making a career with us, is she available?"

There was a long, tense, silence.

"Applebloom!"

"Wait! THAT'S the one you believed!?" Feather Touch threw out his hooves, his eye twitching as he stared at her. Applejack merely shrugged.

"Eh, whether ya crazy or not, yer tellin' the truth," thankfully Applebloom came bounding around the corner, Applejack looking down at her.

"You know this fella?" she waved a hoof at Feather Touch, Applebloom looking up at him and smiling.

"Hey mister Feather Touch, what happened to yer eye?"

"It's a short and boring story," he smirked, not noticing Applejack's frown. "So, you still want to learn about the E.T.A?"

"Sure Ah do! The MMI still haven't got back to me after a week, but ya'll came all the way over here," Applebloom made to step out the door, only to be stopped by Applejack's hoof.

"Hold up there, lil filly! Ya really think Ah'm about to let ya go runnin' around with some varmint whose a couple of apples short of a bushel?"

"But you said you believed me!"

"Ah believe that ya think yer are tellin' the truth. Ah also think that truth is crazier than that time Twilight went back in time from a week next Tuesday."

Feather Touch slammed his hoof over his face, wincing as it impacted his already injured eye. So close.

"You know what, I can't be bothered going through this again," Feather Touch reached up and grabbed his necklace, it glowed a bright white before everything vanished in a flash of light.

Applebloom found herself standing by the front door of her farmhouse, quite alone. An impatient knock came from the other side. She quickly pried the door open to see Feather Touch stood there, black eye still intact.

"What just happened?"

"I may have given causality a poke and Applejack is currently out doing her farmwork; sorry but I've already been through this about seven times," he gave a snort and shook his head, taking a moment to school his features into a more relaxed smile. "You ready to go?"

"Alright, but ya'll should probably be more honest with Applejack, ain't no good gonna come of lyin'."

"Duly noted," Feather Touch reached his hoof up to his necklace, a swirling white portal shimmering into existence. "Let's get going, we do have a job to do after all."

Feather Touch walked into the portal, and Applebloom bounded along behind him. They both emerged onto the other side, into what was clearly a back alley. Applebloom couldn't quite place it but it looked very familiar.

"So where are we? Some big fancy city? Somewhere on the outskirts of Equestria? Some-oh..."

They stepped out of the alley onto the streets of Ponyville, which was just outside one of the local cafes. Applebloom could see some of Sweet Apple Acre's apple trees from here.

"I'm sure you recognise it," Feather Touch smirked, he sauntered over toward an outdoor table and pulled up a seat, gesturing for Applebloom to do the same.

"So we jus' magiced our way to town? What for?" Feather Touch smirked.

"The 'why' will become clear in a moment. But what questions do you think you should be asking?"

Applebloom looked around, wracking her brain. Everything just looked perfectly ordinary, ponies she knew and recognised going about their days. The only thing out of place was Feather Touch sat across from her, the older stallion sliding a newspaper over to her.

"Ah'm sorry, I'm none too sure. This is all still new to me..." Feather Touch graced her with a kind smile.

"That's alright my lil junior time patroller. The most important questions to ask of any situation are who, what, when, where, why, and how. Depending on the situation some of these questions may be more important than others."

Applebloom scrunched up her muzzle, what would be the most important thing for a junior time patroller to ask?

"When are we?" Feather Touch beamed with genuine pride.

"We are are exactly one week into the future, from the day we left," he quickly turned his head, turning back to Applebloom. "Newspaper up."

He demonstrated by unfolding his copy of the Foal Free Press and holding it up directly in front of him, Applebloom quickly did the same, the large news spread completely obscuring her vision. What it didn't do was stop the familiar sound of buzzing and two screaming fillies reaching her ears.

As they whizzed past, Applebloom quickly turned her head to follow the sight of the Cutie Mark Crusaders being dragged along behind Scootaloo's scooter. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle whooping and hollering as they sped down the road; however, in the back of the cart was herself, staring back at her with a wide-eyed but otherwise calm expression. Applebloom lowered her paper again when she heard Feather Touch do the same.

"That was me!"

"Future you, to be precise. That's what you're going to be doing in a weeks time."

"But she knew Ah was here! Why didn't she do anything?" Feather Touch reached out a hoof to calm the little filly.

"Because she remembers being you, here, in this moment. And how important it was that she didn't interfere with what we're about to do. That's also why she didn't let Sweetie and Scoots know what was going on," he quickly glanced about, frowning gently. "As much as I'd love to let you work all this out for yourself, time is against us," he gave a small smirk.

"So I'm afraid I'm going to have to hold your hoof from here on out," he pointed over the road to a shop opposite them. "Any moment now, Rarity is going to come around the corner and walk down the street. The instant you see her, you need to go over the road, get her attention, then come back here."

"What should Ah say?" Feather Touch paused for a moment.

"Ask her if she's seen Sweetie and Scoots. She knows that Sweetie went out to meet you so she'll think you just missed each other; remember, as soon as you've stopped her you need to get back here as soon as possible. Think you can handle that?" Applebloom looked across the street, she turned back to Feather Touch and gave a hesitant nod.

"Ah think so," Feather Touch gave her an encouraging smile.

"Good, now get ready, and keep an eye on the street corner."

Applebloom waited quietly, her heart started to beat a little faster. She turned on her chair to have a better chance to dash across the street at a moment's notice. She blinked as the seconds started to tick by, sweat starting to form on her brow. Just when she thought the tension was going to be too much to bear, she spotted a white unicorn with an unmistakable purple mane.

Applebloom shot out of her chair and bounded across the road, looking both ways as she rushed across.

"Miss Rarity! Miss Rarity!"

Rarity stopped and turned sharply, seeing the little filly coming over to her; Applebloom skidded to a halt in front of her, blocking her path.

"Miss Rarity! Ah'm really sorry to bother ya, but have ya seen Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo around?"

"Oh, Applebloom, dear. I'm afraid I haven't, I'm sure they're just out lo-"

SMASH!

Applebloom jumped as the sound of shattering glass rang out behind her, giving a startled yell. Rarity gasped as Applebloom turned around. She saw one of the shop windows with a large sign poking out of it, dangling limply from the broken chain of a sign fixture. Shattered glass was littered all over the street. Applebloom felt a hoof push her away from the incident.

"Applebloom, stay right here, dear!" Rarity trotted forward, heading toward the smashed window, carefully stepping around the shards of glass. "Is everypony alright in there?" she looked into the smashed storefront window, trying to get a better look inside.

A sharp whistle drew Applebloom's attention, Feather Touch waving at her from the cafe. Applebloom dashed back across the road, every pony's attention focused firmly on the shopfront.

As soon as she made her way over, Feather Touch got up and started heading back toward the alley, newspapers in tow.

"Good job, junior time patroller," he smirked.

"What was that!? Somepony could've gotten really hurt!" Applebloom trotted quickly to keep up with him, Feather Touch nodding in agreement.

"Somepony would have gotten hurt. Luckily, you were there to stop that from happening."

Applebloom stopped in her tracks, Feather Touch stopping to watch her.

"Wait a moment... If Ah hadn't gone and talked to Miss Rarity-" she paused, trying to imagine how fast the unicorn was walking, then covered her mouth with her hooves "-she woulda got hit by that sign!"

"Eeyup! Congrats, Applebloom, you saved somepony's life today. Cutie Mark Crusaders Life Savers! Right?" he frowned as the little filly didn't respond, going over to her and stroking a hoof down her back.

"You alright there, Applebloom? It's ok if you need to take a moment," Applebloom looked up at him, her hooves still shaking. "Come on, let's get you back home. We can talk it out there," he gently guided Applebloom back to her hooves, leading her down into the alley. A white portal swirled into existence and Feather Touch quickly walked them through it.

On the other side, the portal closed quickly, Feather Touch lead Applebloom to sit down on the farmhouse porch; he laid down in front of her to look at the little filly directly.

"You alright, Applebloom? Everything's alright now, it's all over. You did a really good thing today," he reached out with a hoof to stroke her back, the poor dear was still quivering.

"D-do ya'll do that kinda thing all the time?" asked Applebloom quietly. Feather Touch nodded.

"Yeah, we can get up to anything and everything."

"M-miss Rarity, she coulda... Coulda..." Applebloom's breath caught in her throat, tears starting to well in her eyes. Feather Touch quickly pulled her into a warm embrace.

"But she didn't, you stopped that from happening. She's safe, sound, and alive because of you," he held Applebloom close as she hiccoughed into his shoulder, though thankfully her trembling had started to slow.

"Well, if this is how you're taking it, then I am really glad I didn't bring Sweetie Belle along."

That got a little chuckle out of Applebloom, she pulled back from Feather Touch and wiped at her eyes.

"There we go!" Feather Touch raised his head slightly, looking around before leaning in conspiratorially. "Wanna know a secret? I had to be carried back to the E.T.A HQ after my first job, I was so shaken up! But don't tell anyone that, yeah?" he breathed a sigh of relief as Applebloom nodded, unable to keep a small smile off of her face. She wiped her eyes again and took a short breath.

"Can we go an' help somepony else?" Feather Touch smirked and shook his head.

"I think that's enough for one day, you deserve a nice break after all that. How about this though?" Feather Touch sat up, raising a hoof to his necklace, and a very small white portal opened next to them. He reached in with a hoof and pulled out two small objects.

"Every E.T.A agent gets a service badge when they complete their first job, and you get a second one for saving somepony," he gently took Applebloom's hoof and pressed the badges into it. She looked down at them, holding them closer to better inspect them. One was in the shape of an hourglass with a tiny 'one' emblazoned on it; the other was a diamond with a red cross in the middle of it.

"Applebloom!" a familiar shout rang out across the farmyard, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle charged toward them.

"I'll leave you in their capable hooves, take care Applebloom. I'll see you around," Feather Touch summoned one last portal, waved a hoof at the incoming Crusaders, and stepped through; leaving Applebloom to the company of her best friends.

Feather Touch trotted along the busy streets of Baltimare, taking in the sweet, familiar air of his hometown. As was his wont, he trotted toward his favourite cafe, swung himself into his favourite outdoor chair, and pulled out tomorrow's copy of the Yakyakistan Bugle. He heaved a relaxed sigh and let the mid-day sun warm his fur.

His ears perked forward as he heard the chair across from him scraping away from the table, the harsh shift of it suggesting that a grown pony was sitting across from him.

"That you, babe?"

"Babe? You've never called me that before!" a raspy, yet familiar voice smirked at him. Feather Touch lowered his paper.

"Well look at what the-dear sweet Celestia! What happened to you, Scoots!?" Feather Touch had to grab onto the table to stop himself from falling backward.

Across from him was Scootaloo, she sat tall, proud, and smug. Her wild purple mane was styled in the same vein as a famous Wonderbolt. Her prosthetic wings folded in against her sides, and a harsh trail of blood ran down her face.

"Oh, this?" she raised a hoof to point at the large cut over her left eye. "Oh, just had a run-in with a timberwolf! Guess where I just came from."

Feather Touch stared at her in shock before what she said ticked over in his brain. He raised a hoof to stifle a guilty laugh.

"Well, it's about time!"

Thirty minutes earlier, twenty-one years ago...

Scootaloo hurled herself out of a time portal, she barely took a moment to confirm her surroundings before sprinting into the trees.

Normally she would have taken a little more time to prepare for such an urgent job. However, when you were given a red missive from Princess Eternia herself, you made that job your top priority.

Scootaloo raised a hoof to her necklace, tapping against it to summon its magic; she watched carefully as she continued to sprint. Eventually, she caught sight of what she was looking for, an outline of a foal walking through the forest.

She redoubled her efforts, resisting the urge to spread her wings. The metal appendages scraped against themselves as she galloped. The dense trees and low-hanging branches worked together to keep her grounded.

Scootaloo skidded to a halt, her ears strained as she listened.

A distant scream.

Scootaloo hurled herself off to her right, sprinting with renewed effort.

The cries of distress grew louder as she got closer, as did the harsh sounds of wood scraping against wood. She pushed herself to her limit, leaping into the air and soaring into a small clearing.

She skidded into the clearing, having just a moment to take in the sight of a timberwolf attempting to climb a tree, a young colt huddled in one of its upper branches, screaming for help that wasn't going to come.

Scootaloo activated her necklace once more, looking into the timberwolf's timeline. She saw a busy, yet dull life of slow meandering and territorial pride, nothing of any significance.

Expendable.
The only impactful action this timberwolf would ever take would be when it ate a small foal that had strayed too far from the path.

Yeah, that wasn't happening.

Scootaloo charged the magic of her gem, a horn shimmering into existence atop her head, she grit her teeth and charged at the timberwolf.

The beast had but a moment to react, it turned to face the approaching stamp of hooves; an orange blur had already leapt into the air, and the timberwolf felt only a slash of metal cleave at its face.

"Hey, pick on somepony your own size!" Scootaloo charged her horn, sending a bolt of magic screaming into the beast's side.

The timberwolf roared in pain, and with a rabid snarl it lashed out to the side. Aiming to take a chunk out of its next meal. Scootaloo dodged the gaping maw and slid beneath the beast, carving into its belly with her wing and blasting it with her magic.

She jumped a swipe of its claw, only to be met with the beast's branchy tail on the way down.

Scootaloo cried out in pain as the branch struck her, catching her in the face. She was knocked to the side and slid along the forest floor. Scootaloo quickly stood, only to find her vision tinted red.

Dammit! I have to end this quick!

The beast charged once more, Scootaloo leapt forward and landed in the middle of the clearing. Death bore down on her in the form of a dumb, charging animal.

Emphasis on dumb!

Scootaloo leapt up into the air, the timberwolf landing heavily where she had just been; she charged a bolt of spellfire and launched it straight downwards before she pinned the beast to the floor with her magic.

The timberwolf howled and screamed in agony, unable to escape the flames engulfing it as Scootaloo pinned it down. The purple fire consumed the creature.

The timberwolf thrashed in her magic, but Scootaloo held it firm, not allowing it even an inch to crawl toward the trees and allow the fire to spread. Eventually, the howls stopped and the creature fell still.

Scootaloo watched as the former timberwolf started to burn down to ash, she formed a shield around the remains to smother the fire. She wiped her eye with a hoof, accomplishing little except a bloody hoof and a fresh bloom of pain. Scootaloo stretched out her back before turning toward the tree, looking up at the colt she held out her hooves.

"Jump down, I'll catch you!" the young foal remained still.

"It's safe now, I promise. Be brave, squirt, you can do it!"

After a few moments, the colt fell into her waiting hooves. She smirked as she held out the yellow coated colt and used her magic to smooth out his oak brown mane; checking him over for any injuries.

"Good job, kid. You're not hurt are you?" Scootaloo set him down on the forest floor, the small colt looking up at her, trembling.

"Y-you're bleeding!" Scootaloo scoffed and waved off his concern.

"Hah! I've had worse; come on, let's get you back to your parents," she used her magic to levitate him onto her back, discreetly tapping her necklace to reverse-engineer his path through the forest.

"Ya know, you really shouldn't be out here all alone at night, kid. Dangerous, don't ya know?" Scootaloo chided, feeling him curl up on her back.

"I'm sorry, miss..." Scootaloo frowned. Great, now she felt bad.

"It's alright, you know better now, right? Right. What's your name anyway?"

"Feather Touch."

Scootaloo froze midstep, her uninjured eye twitching.

"Are you alright, miss?" she felt Feather Touch shift on her back, a note of worry to his voice.

"I'm fine, musta got hit a little harder than I thought; say, I'm gonna teleport us out of here before anything worse finds us. Hold on tight." she charged her horn; since she wouldn't be able to get rid of it while he was still with her, she may as well get some mileage out of it.

With a flash and a squeeze through the space between, Scootaloo and Feather Touch reappeared on the edge of the forest, she had no idea where they were, but she knew where they weren't, and that was good enough for now.

"Know where we are, kid?" She glanced back over her right shoulder, Feather Touch nodding in response, he pointed over her shoulder. Scootaloo smiled and started trotting up the path.

Her efforts to find directions were for naught however as two ponies came charging down the path.

"Feather Touch! Feather Touch! Where are you!?"

"Mom and Dad sound maaaaad," Scootaloo couldn't help but tease the poor colt as he shrunk on her back. She started moving toward the two ponies.

"This what you're looking for?" the mare and stallion looked over to her, Scootaloo turning to let Feather Touch clamber down off of her back. She took a small step backward as two relieved parents galloped over and embraced their foal.

"Feather Touch, where were you? What happened?" the stallion asked as the mare turned to Scootaloo.

"He got a little lost in the forest, I got him out for you," she smirked, but the mare only gasped as she caught sight of Scootaloo's face.

"What happened to you!? Are you alright!?" she reached out to examine the injury, but Scootaloo simply stepped back out of reach.

"I'm fine, I've had worse," she smirked as the mare looked conflicted, but taking Scootaloo at her word, she turned back to her foal.

"How can we ever repay you?" Feather Touch's father asked, still clasping his son closely against him.

"You really wanna thank me? Keep a closer eye on that colt," Scootaloo smirked. "He needs a telling off, but don't be too rough on him. I think he's learned his lesson." Her work completed, Scootaloo turned tail and started to trot down the path.

"Wait! What's your name?"

"Awesome 'Danger' McCoolName!" she replied, just quiet enough to not really be heard, without another glance back she trotted away from the reunited family.

Feather Touch held up his necklace above Scootaloo's eye, he frowned as he pulled it back, seeing no change in his work.
"I'm sorry, Scoots, looks like that's the best I can do."

Scootaloo picked up a discarded spoon from the table, holding it close as she peered into it.

"Awesome!" she laughed. "This is gonna make me look like a total badass!" she put the spoon down, looking back up at Feather Touch with a massive grin, a healed scar now running down over her left eye.

"It does look pretty cool, I have to admit," Feather Touch smirked before avoiding her gaze. "Sorry..."

"Ah, don't worry about it. These things happen, besides, I've had worse!" she puffed her chest out proudly, jabbing it with a hoof.

"You want anything to eat? Least I can do really..."

"Nah, I gotta get back to the Convergence. Report back to Eternia, somepony-" she jabbed a hoof at Feather Touch "-was worth a red missive from the Princess," Feather Touch's eyes went wide.

"R-really?"

"Why would I lie about that?" Scootaloo shrugged, she stood up; Feather Touch got out of his seat as well.

"Catch you on the flip-side 'babe'," Scootaloo laughed, Feather Touch stepping around the table.

"Hey, Scoots," Scootaloo fixed him with a smirk.

"Yeah?"

Feather Touch wrapped a hoof around her neck, pulling her into a close hug.

"Thanks for saving me."

Scootaloo's cheeks flushed, but she wrapped her hoof around him as well. One way she prided herself on being different from Rainbow Dash was that she wasn't too cool to share public displays of affection.

"Any time, Feather."

A portal opened into the small, crowded room. Flurry Heart flung herself out of it and landed in the corner with a thud. She closed the portal behind her and let out a long groan that quickly grew into a frustrated cry, pounding her hooves on the crystal floor of the broom cupboard. She glanced around quickly, her frustration growing at the distinct lack of a paper bag.

The door slowly opened, and a familiar face poked around the corner; Princess Cadance looked into the cupboard and quickly spotted Flurry Heart in the corner. Her smile quickly turned into a frown of concern.

"Flurry, sweetie? You ok?"

Flurry Heart snapped upwards, giving a loud snort.

"YOU KNEW! You knew for twenty-two years! I've been sneaking around, coming up with all kinds of excuses since I was ten! AND THE WHOLE TIME YOU KNEW!" Flurry panted heavily, her shaking hoof pointed at her mother accusingly.

"Yeah, a little bit."

"Why!? Why didn't you tell me!?" Flurry stood, pleading desperately. Cadance simply stepped into the room, opening her hooves; an offer that Flurry Heart gladly took.

"It's ok, sweetie. I couldn't tell you because it might disrupt things, that's what Eternia said anyway..." she gently pulled back from the embrace, stroking a lock of frazzled mane out of Flurry Heart's eyes.

"You wanna go and get some ice cream?"

It was a silly, simple solution; one that didn't even come close to resolving twelve years of stress and panic.

But it was a start.

Author's Note

Holy heck where did that come from!?

I really considered making this it's own stand-alone story, but I realised I might not actually tack anything on to it. So I just poured myself into it and it RAN away from me!🤣

I might create a 'sequel' just to tie up the one loose end... Maybe expand on Feather Touch just a wee bit as well.

Thank you for joining me on my first venture into a larger peice, hope you enjoyed! As usual any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated! Also my creative well is running just a little bit dry now after this, so feel free to suggest some scenes you would like to see!

Also, there are 23* references in this story! Can you name them all?

*There is one that nobody will be able to get right, but can you spot where it is?

8 - A Trip Around Town

Wave Skipper yawned, prying his eyes open and lifting his head off his pillow. He blinked against the harsh sunlight trying to beat him into submission. Wave Skipper rolled onto his back, stretching out the night-time stiffness, and glanced up at the ceiling.

Saturday... No work, could have a lie-in.

No, things to do.

With a reluctant grumble, he got up, rising from the bed and gazing back at it. His expression softened as he saw the cream-furred pegasus sleeping next to him. There was no reason she couldn't have a lie-in at least.

Wave trotted quietly toward the bathroom, pushing it open carefully with his head. Wave scooped up his toothbrush and the sound of running water soon filled the room. As he started to scrub he felt a soft kiss press against his cheek.

"Morning, handsome."

Wave Skipper rolled his eyes, hastening his brushing before bowing over the sink and spitting.

"Were you waiting for me to wake up?" he smirked at his beloved wife.

"Of course-" she gave him a playful swat with her tail "-can't start my day without you," she rubbed up against him, worming her way under his chin. Wave Skipper nuzzled her affectionately, nipping at her ear, earning a giggle from the excited mare.

"Come on, you've got a busy day ahead of you."

With a wink and a turn she left the bathroom, leaving Wave Skipper to clean up after himself, he washed off his toothbrush and shut off the tap. He slowly wandered through his home, mentally checking off the list of chores to do whilst following the sound of gentle humming.

As he entered the kitchen he found his wife sitting at the kitchen counter, head rested on a hoof as she waited for him expectantly. Wave Skipper smirked as he moved quickly through the kitchen, grabbing up his saddlebags, a few bits, and his cap.

"You not having breakfast? I'm getting worried about you; I can't remember the last time you had a decent meal," she pouted, Wave Skipper glanced toward her; he sighed quietly, he couldn't stand seeing her like that.

"I'll get something out in the town, okay, Dancer?" she perked up instantly, jumping down from the table and moving over to him, stealing a quick kiss.

"Good, you need to take better care of yourself," she nuzzled him impatiently, pushing him toward the door. "Now get going, the sooner you leave, the sooner you eat."

Wave Skipper chuckled as he pulled open the door, feeling a brush of feathers against his side as he stepped out into the wide world of Trottingham, closing the door behind him. He reached into his saddlebags and took out his to-do list.

Bookshop, florist, post office-

"Breakfast first," Cloud Dancer gave him a pointed look, Wave Skipper glanced sideways at her; he sighed and took a pencil out of his saddlebags, amending his list. He glanced toward Cloud Dancer again to see her smirking at him.

"Alright, time to get going," Wave Skipper trotted quickly down the garden path and turned down the street, Cloud Dancer skipping along beside him. A short way down the street he glanced up to see a large sign bearing the name 'RiverRock's', he spared a quick glance at Cloud Dancer, the pegasus making her displeasure known.

"It's on the way and I'm already here."

Cloud Dancer let out a snort but nodded her acquiescence. Wave Skipper's entry into the store was heralded by a tinkling bell. The clerk behind the counter looked up and waved in greeting.

"Heya Skip, how ya doing?" Weathered Page finished up re-stacking a section of books as Wave Skipper approached the counter. Cloud Dancer went over to a nearby table, scanning over a selection of books on show.

"Same old, same old," Wave Skipper quickly pulled a reservation slip out of his saddlebags, presenting it to the clerk. "Has it come in yet?"

"Yup! Got here this morning, one fresh copy of Daring Do's latest adventure! Honestly thought you'd be here for it sooner," Page took possession of Wave Skipper's bits and hoofed over a wrapped package. Wave Skipper quickly stowed it inside his saddlebags and proffered his thanks.

"Say, Skipper, you look kind of down, that time of the year again?" he frowned as Wave Skipper nodded. "Take it easy, Skip. I'm here if you ever need to talk," Page gave one of his best customers an encouraging smile.

"Thanks, Page, I'll see you later," Wave Skipper raised his hoof in parting and turned to leave the shop, Cloud Dancer trotting after him.

"He's nice, you should hang out more," Cloud Dancer sidled up alongside Wave Skipper, putting a wing over him. "After breakfast, of course."

Wave Skipper couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. Let's go get breakfast," the happy couple crossed over two more streets and rounded a corner, arriving at their favourite cafe. Wave Skipper pulled up a seat and Cloud Dancer leapt into the one opposite him. Wave Skipper took a moment to unwrap his new book before the waitress came over.

"Good morning! Do you know what you want, or do you need a moment?" the bubbly unicorn levitated a menu in front of Wave Skipper, who quickly glanced over it just to make sure nothing had changed. Cloud Dancer leaned surreptitiously out of her chair, glancing over the mare and smirking approvingly.

"Could I get a daisy salad sandwich, please?"

The waitress nodded and took back the menu, gracing him with a wide smile. "Coming right up!"

"She's cute," Cloud Dancer leaned over the table, Wave Skipper looked up at her with a measured glance.

"Objectively speaking."

"This isn't a test, Wavey," she giggled, watching the ponies of Trottingham walk past. Wave Skipper turned over his book in his hooves, reading the back of it. Just as he had finished reading the inside of the front cover as well, a plate was placed in front of him.

"One daisy salad sandwich, I even managed to convince the cook to put some apple slices on the side," she gave him a wink and hurried off to attend to the other patrons at the cafe.

"Ooooh, extra apple slices," Cloud Dancer teased, watching as Wave Skipper took a flushed bite out of his sandwich. He opted to quickly polish off his meal, but found himself slowing to savour it a little more than he intended; occasionally chomping down a slice of fresh apple.

All too quickly he cleared his plate, Wave Skipper got up and trotted over to the waitress and hoofed over what was owed. Wave Skipper bid the waitress farewell, Cloud Dancer waving as well, however, her eyes couldn't help but drift over the mare's flanks for just a little longer than necessary.

"Will you stop?" Wave Skipper gave a pointed look at his wife, she simply raised a hoof to her chin.

"Mmmmm, no," she smirked as she nuzzled up against him, eliciting a smile from her stallion. The pair stopped beside a carriage stop and sat down to wait. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long as one of Trottingham's experimental carriages came down the street.

"Oooh, I love these things!" Cloud Dancer danced on her hooves, bouncing excitedly as the carriage pulled up to the stop, four ponies pulling a carriage with enough space to seat ten ponies. Wave Skipper stepped up to the stallion at the back of the pack.

"Wiltingshire Heights, please," he hoofed over two bits and the stallion placed them into a pouch around his neck, giving Wave Skipper a ticket in return.

Wave Skipper stepped up onto the carriage and headed past the occupied seats, sliding across onto an empty bench. Cloud Dancer skipped up behind him and plonked herself down onto the seat, snuggling up against him. Wave Skipper smiled as he leaned back in his seat, enjoying the morning sun on his fur.

Two stops further along a pregnant mare got up onto the carriage, as she waddled down the line Cloud Dancer shot up out of her seat.

"Here, take my seat," she beamed at the mare, who sat down next to Wave Skipper with a sigh of relief. Cloud Dancer looked over the mare as the carriage started moving again. "That reminds me, Quick Snap is having his first foal soon, you're going to go and visit, right?"

Wave Skipper nodded in response, the rest of the trip continuing in silence, despite Cloud Dancer rearing up and resting her hooves on the back of the seat; taking in the sights of the city with unrestrained glee.

Wave Skipper excused himself past the mare, allowing her to lay down on the bench; he stepped off of the carriage, thanking the ponies for the trip. Cloud Dancer glided down off of the steps and landed beside him.

"Next stop is the florist's, right?" she leaned over to nip at his neck affectionately. Wave Skipper jumped slightly at the sensation.

The two walked down the street, Cloud Dancer pointing out something that caught her interest every two seconds, sometimes even leaning over Wave Skipper to do so. Soon they cantered up to the florist, Wave Skipper stepping inside.

Immediately Cloud Dancer was darting around the shop, oohing and aahing at the sights and smells of every flower. "Oh, I love these! Daffodils are my favourite!" Wave Skipper smirked as he walked over, snagging up a small bunch of them.

"I'll get these then," he smirked at his wife, who beamed back at him as she clapped her hooves. Wave Skipper headed up to the counter and placed his purchase on the counter.

"Just these, please."

"Would you like them made into a bouquet? Half price today!" the mare behind the counter waved her hoof at a nearby sign.

"Yes, please."

A few moments later, Wave Skipper and Cloud Dancer stepped out of the florist; Wave Skipper with a bouquet of daffodils tucked into the crook of his saddlebags. He stretched out slightly, Cloud Dancer giving him a poke in the barrel.

"Feeling your age already?" she teased, Wave Skipper straightened up and rolled his eyes.

"No, maybe a little," he reached back and pulled out his to-do list, double-checking it. The pair made a beeline for the post office, a brief stop seeing them out once more into the mid-day sun. The warm air and gentle breeze were so soothing on Wave Skipper's hooves that he scarcely noticed where they were going; barely registering the pavement beneath his hooves turning to smooth gravel.

"It's such a beautiful day," Cloud Dancer leaned against him as they walked, taking in the peace and warmth of the moment. She nuzzled up to Wave Skipper, he closed his eyes briefly at her touch.

"It always is," he said quietly.

"I guess we're just lucky that way," Cloud Dancer kissed his cheek as the gravel turned to grass. "Love you."

"Love you too."

The pair walked a short while before coming to a stop. Wave Skipper sat on his haunches; Cloud Dancer slowly moved in front of him, sitting down as well, the pair simply gazing at each other in the warm sun.

"It's always nice when you come to visit."

The soft smile Wave Skipper carried throughout the day crumbled, his eyes closed as a choked sob escaped him.

"I miss you..."

...

...

Cloud Dancer wrapped her hooves gently around him.

"I miss you too."

Wave Skipper wept into her shoulder. Cloud Dancer stroked a hoof down his back as Wave Skipper bore his grief, collapsing into the grass.

The sun sank lower and lower into the sky, coating the world in gentle orange light. Wave Skipper finally found the strength to stand. He reached back and took up the bouquet of daffodils, laying them gently in front of the sun-warmed stone. Wiping his eyes with his hoof, he turned and started to make his way home.

Exiting the graveyard, he walked a short distance to the nearest carriage stop, mutely going through the motions until he sank down into the carriage seat. The pony next to him turned her head and smirked.

"Hey, Daisy salad sandwich. Fancy seeing you here!" she frowned at his empty smile and tear-stained cheeks. "Hey, are you alright?"

Wave Skipper shook his head, glancing back at the place he had spent most of his afternoon.

"Yeah... Just... Rough day."

The waitress followed his gaze, her expression softening as realisation dawned.

"Oh... Hey, do you wanna go get something to eat?" she placed a hoof gently on top of his. "My treat."

Wave gave a small smile and a slow nod. "Sure, that sounds good... I haven't eaten since this morning."

"Moon Crest."

"Wave Skipper."

Author's Note

Make them cry.
Why?
Because Brain says so, do it.
Well you're the boss I guess.

Well I cried writing this, so hopefully I did something write.

The point of this little exercise was "foreshadowing", but it was mostly driven by the fact that my brain wanted to write something sad.
As always, any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated!
Still trying to recover from the previous chapter, or "My Little Behemoth" as I like to refer to it, so please feel free to suggest some scenes you'd like to see!

Hope to have some more for you all soon!:pinkiehappy:

9 - An Overdue Rest

Feather Touch all but fell out of his portal, luckily the alley wall was there to catch him. He slumped against the brickwork. The portal shimmered away into nothingness, leaving Feather Touch to rest his eyes in the solitude of the alley.

Common sense stomped all over his fatigue. With a fine layer of brick dust clinging to his fur, he forced himself to stand and limp out of the alleyway. Feather Touch groaned as he saw his destination on the opposite side of the road.

He took a moment to check himself over, giving a low groan punctuated with a whine of frustration. His usually yellow coat was stained with all manner of colours and substances. Mercifully, the only smell was that of a stale stallion.

With a weary sigh and the odd rhythm produced by his injured hoof, he hobbled across the road. Feather Touch stepped up onto the curb, waving off a concerned mare with his hoof. He approached the step of a well-to-do house (at least well-to-do for Baltimare) and jabbed his hoof onto the door handle.

It remained steadfast, Feather Touch let his head thump onto the door. Without raising his head he reached back toward his saddlebag and took out a small key. He raised it to the lock and fumbled against it. The key dropped from his grip and fell to the stone steps with a ping.

Feather Touch took a deep breath, letting it out in a harsh snort. He quickly leaned down and snatched up the key. As he straightened up, his head collided with the door's second handle. A spike of pain shot through his skull as he tumbled backward, raising his hooves to rub his head.

Amidst a tirade of angry muttering, Feather Touch grabbed the key and jammed it into the lock, he unlocked the door and shoved it open. He stepped into his home and slapped the door closed with his tail.

"Feather? ...Is that you?"

Feather Touch sighed and took a moment to re-lock the door.

"Yeah, sweetie, I'm home," he chastised himself quietly, a wash of guilt sinking into him at making his marefriend worry.

"I've had a bit of a rough day, hun. I'm gonna wash up then head to bed, alright?"

"Aww! Sweetie! You go and relax, I'll be out in a moment!"

Feather Touch's ear twitched toward the kitchen, the sound of cooking fading into the distance as he trotted toward the bathroom. Feather Touch yelped as he walked past the sofa, tripping over a small set of stairs. He landed with a heavy thud as he face-planted into the floor.

"Feather, sweetie? Are you ok?"

Feather Touch grumbled as he stood up, thankful that he hadn't injured his leg further.

"Yeah, just tripped over the stairs..."

"Well, they're big enough to see!"

"Shame I can't say the same about you!" Feather Touch called back, he decided to beat a hasty retreat to the bathroom before his marefriend decided to pay him back for the jab.

Shoving his way into the room he let the door close behind him. Feather Touch limped over to the bath and clambered into it. He leaned toward the shower controls and gripped a short chain, pulling it down and attaching it to a small hook.

A torrent of water poured from the showerhead, washing over the stallion who let out a quiet groan as the water soaked into his mane and fur. He lowered himself to the bottom of the bath, careful to rest on his uninjured side. Feather Touch closed his eyes and let the hot water wash away the grime and filth from his coat.

The shower water took on an oily sheen, with various shades of browns, reds, oranges, and all manner of dirt starting to trail along the bottom of the bath. As an afterthought, Feather Touch reached over the rim of the bath and grabbed Tender Care's bath pillow; he placed it under his head just in case he fell asleep.

A few quiet moments passed, disturbed only by the running water and Feather Touch's muted groans as he shifted every so often, letting the water soak into a different part of his fur.

His eyes flickered open at the sound of scrabbling against the door, he considered getting up to open it before he heard the firm grasp of tiny hooves on the handle. The door swung open and he heard the sound of hooves on the tile.

"Feather, sweetie? You in here?" a confused voice called out. A few seconds later Tender Care's head popped over the edge of the bath. "What are you doing in-Feather? Are you alright?" her brow furrowed and her muzzle scrunched as she took in the state of him.

"It's been a rough day," he smirked, rolling onto his back and exposing his belly to the stream of water.

"You can say that again, you look like you've been dragged through Appleoosa three times over!" she frowned. Tender Care vanished from the side of the bath and Feather Touch heard the clatter of cupboards. She returned a moment later, clambering down into the bath with a few items in tow.

"You're never gonna get clean like that, let me help you," she took a bottle of soap in her mouth and a sponge in her hoof. With a sharp buzzing of her tiny wings, she fluttered over toward Feather Touch, landing on his chest and bracing her rear hooves on the bottom of the bath.

"You don't have to do that," Feather Touch frowned, but Tender Care simply bopped him on the muzzle with the sponge. She frowned at him as the water started to soak her. Knocking the bottle open with her hoof, she poured a generous measure of soap onto Feather Touch's chest. Dropping the bottle into the bath she started to work the soap into his fur with her hooves.

"Shush, you look exhausted. What even happened to you anyway?" she shuffled back to let more water onto Feather Touch's fur, making up a fine lather of soap.

"It's a long story," he sighed. "It's been about three days since I last saw you."

"Three days?!" Tender Care cried, slipping in the soap and landing against his chest. "No wonder you look so rough," she straightened herself back up. She picked up the sponge and used it to start scrubbing his fur.

"Gee, thanks," Feather Touch smirked, earning him a whap with the sponge. Tender Care rolled her eyes, grimacing as she got a good look at the deluge of filth falling off of her stallion.

"Good thing I decided to hop in as well," she started to meticulously scrub his fur, watching the tension melt away from Feather Touch. Tender Care gradually scrubbed lower and lower, pausing for just a split second. 'Later' she smirked, opting instead to start cleaning his right leg. Tender Care jumped back as though shocked when Feather Touch jolted and let out a sharp gasp.

"You're hurt!"

"It's just a sprain," Feather Touch relaxed once more, Tender Care took up the sponge once more and started to carefully dab at his leg.

"Didn't anyone at the E.T.A try and help you!? What is wrong with those creatures?"

"They did, but I insisted on just heading home-" that earned him another whack with the sponge.

"Well that's for being an idiot, once I've got you cleaned up I'll take care of it," Tender Care frowned. "Honestly, if I ever get over to that place I'm going to give that princess a piece of my mind, letting you wander out without getting seen to."

Feather Touch simply laid back and let her continue to scrub him clean. Eventually, Tender Care fluttered up to the showerhead and detached it from its fixing. She brought it back down to ground level and started using it to blast Feather Touch's fur clean. Feather Touch obediently shifted each limb at Tender Care's insistence. She continued to soak him until she was satisfied that the water was running clear.

Giving herself a quick rinse off, Tender Care reached up and yanked the chain off of its hook, bringing the shower to a stop. She shook off the worst of the water from her coat and looked down at Feather Touch.

"Get yourself up and dried, I'll be right back," she clambered out of the bath and fluttered out of the room. Feather Touch begrudgingly pulled himself up and picked up the nearest towel. He stepped out of the bath and started to dry himself. As he pulled the towel off of his mane he spotted Tender Care out of the corner of his eye.

She trotted back into the bathroom, a first aid kit carried between her teeth. The diminutive mare was barely able to keep the large box from scraping off of the floor. She set it down and tapped her hoof on the floor impatiently. Feather Touch threw down his towel and laid down atop it.

Tender Care smiled as she took up a brush she had set aside earlier. She reared up against Feather Touch and worked the bristles into his fur, using both of her forehooves to run the brush along his coat. Feather Touch gave out a low groan, water dripping from his coat as the brush did its work.

"Feeling better?" Tender Care asked with a chuckle, Feather Touch nodded into the towel.

"Good," she continued her work diligently, being careful of Feather Touch's injured leg. "I went to the doctor today..." Feather Touch frowned, lifting his head from the towel.

"You are a doctor," his attempt at humour earned him a whack with the brush, a chiding blow tempered by appreciation.

"A pony doctor, doofus," her gentle smile faded as she focused on smoothing out Feather Touch's coat.

"What did they say?"

The brush halted mid-stroke. Tender Care closed her eyes and shook her head. Feather Touch shifted around on the towel and brought his hoof around her, pulling Tender Care into a close embrace. She sniffled into his coat as he planted a kiss on her neck.

"I'm sorry, love."

Tender Care pried herself out of his embrace, quickly wiping away a tear with her hoof. She hitched a smile and took up the brush again.

"It's alright, even if we could I'd be too high risk anyway," she managed a sad smirk, tilting her gaze at Feather Touch. "Besides-" her smile became just a bit more sincere "-I've already got one child to take care of," Feather Touch snorted, hiding behind it as he wiped away a tear of his own.

Tender Care finished her work quickly, leaving her coltfriend looking like a presentable stallion again. She stashed the brush away and pulled over the first-aid kit. "Leg."

Feather Touch complied, presenting his injured leg promptly. Even he didn't dare to cross Dr. Tender Care, lest she do to him what she did to that parakeet the other week...

With practiced skill, the deft pegasus had his leg wrapped tightly in fresh bandages; securing them in place with a careful and firm knot. She smirked proudly as she packed away the first-aid kit.

"Thanks, doc," Feather Touch leaned forward to give her a quick nuzzle. One she returned before stealing a quick kiss. Feather Touch gave a startled gasp. "Dr. Tender Care! Romantic relations with a patient!? How scandalous!"

Tender Care broke out into a fit of giggles. "Well better you than my regular patients. Especially the dogs, at least you don't slobber all over me," the pair collapsed into a fit of laughter. Petering out to a quiet chuckle, Feather Touch stood up and tested his leg. It was still sore, but at least now he could walk on it.

"Right, bedtime, you. You need bed rest, doctor's orders," Tender Care reared up against his foreleg, earning her a gentle nuzzle from the full-sized pony.

"Alright, alright. Not like you'd let me do anything else anyway," Tender Care nodded in agreement, giving a smug smile as she trotted back toward the bedroom. Feather Touch followed her at a more sedate pace. As Tender Care moved toward a small set of steps at the end of the bed, Feather Touch simply clambered in. He settled himself down before fixing Tender Care with a curious smirk, the filly sized mare having perched at the end of the bed.

She bolted beneath the cover with a smirk, zooming underneath it in every direction. Feather Touch burst into peals of laughter at the lump zooming around the bed. Tender Care followed the sound of his laughter, burrowing through the covers and snuggling herself against Feather Touch's chest. Her frantic mole impression never failed to get a laugh out of the comedian.

Feather Touch hiccoughed as he brought her into a tight embrace, curling around her as his laughter slowly died down. "How was I so lucky to find such a funny mare?" he nuzzled her mane gently, Tender Care twisting gently to snuggle against his chest.

"I learned from the best."

Author's Note

A followup!? In my anthology!?
...
I mean it's not surprising, considering I said I was going to do one. But it's not something I ever planned for this series.

No exercise this time, I just fell in love with the E.T.A AU I setup and wanted to write some more of it. That and I have an odd liking of stories about exhausted characters just getting some much needed rest.

As always, any and all feedback will be very greatly appreciated! And if you have any scenes that you'd like to see, please offer some suggestions. I've still got a lot of skills to develop, but hey, I get exercises, you get free stories! Win-win!

1 - A Grand Escape

Sandy Mane continued to meander forward at a sedate pace, the harsh sunlight burning down at her from on high. She finally stepped out of the narrow pass exiting to the south of the Badlands, beholding the seemingly endless sands of the southern desert. She took a brief moment to reflect on her past failures, a sigh of regret escaping her lips as she made to take another step.

"That's far enough, Chrysalis!" The earth pony glanced around as she suddenly found herself surrounded by a surprisingly large assemblage of creatures, she wasn't quite sure how they had managed to sneak up on her; most likely a combination of stealth, silencing spells, invisibility spells, or some combination of tactics she simply couldn't be bothered to fathom. Either way, she watched impassively as any number of pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies, alicorns, changelings, a dragon; even a gryphon or two, she wasn't sure if her eyes were playing tricks on her or if there really was a Phoenix soaring above her.

"Surrender, Chrysalis! It's over!"

The earth pony chuckled, evolving into a giggle before becoming full-blown maniacal laughter. The sandy furred visage burning away to reveal a doubled-over Changeling Queen, her laughter slowly becoming more and more unhinged before tapering off, Chrysalis straightening up and slowly turning her head to behold the one who addressed her.

"Oh my dear Celestia, you have no idea how true that is." She stepped around to face the Solar Alicorn, standing tall and proud as ever she had. Celestia's eyes narrowed in response, her expression becoming more guarded.

"Your rule is broken, Chrysalis. You have nowhere to hide and nowhere to run, surrender now and you may yet be shown mercy." Chrysalis nearly broke down into laughter once more, indeed she was unable to restrain a chuckle as she leveled Celestia with a sinisterly playful glare.

"No, I don't think I will."

"So you wish to do this the hard way? You will be apprehended regardless." Luna challenged, her horn flaring with magic, Chrysalis simply smirked at the display.

"Easy, hard, none of it matters when I am dying! Why should I care for the ease of your burdens?" The Changeling Queen sneered, buffing a hoof against the carapace of her chest as though she hadn't just made such a bold declaration.

"Dying?" Twilight Sparkle regarded the changeling sceptically.

"Yes, or could you not tell?" Chrysalis made a grand gesture to herself before looking down at her own body.

"Oh wait, I suppose you couldn't." Chrysalis barked a harsh laugh as green fire once more consumed her form, those assembled flinched as the proud Changeling Queen was replaced with a very different, but no less proud visage.

Head bowed, with one eye milky and unseeing, a deep gash cut into the chitin. Chrysalis stood as tall as her failing body would allow. Deep cuts, grazes, and chunks taken out of her carapace, her wings tattered, tail and mane ragged and shorn; but most telling of her plight was the absence of her right foreleg, severed jaggedly to the arm. Yet still, she carried herself with that challenging smirk and proud air that only a royal could achieve.

"Oh, dear sweet Celestia..." Some creature intoned, Chrysalis' grin widened at her would-be captors' shock.

"Surprising, isn't it? What happens when one's subjects rebel, one's home is destroyed and they're forced to flee without recourse for food or shelter. Did you know there's an Ursa Major in the Forbidden Jungle?" Chrysalis grinned widely as Celestia straightened, her expression settling into pity. Chrysalis' anger rose like bile at the sentiment.

"Chrysalis, let us help you." Celestia offered the olive branch, all too quickly thrown aside.

"Help? Help!?" Chrysalis cackled a horrific retching sound.

"You want to help, me? The mare of mercy comes again and speaks of "help". You want to help me? Throw me a spear, Sol Invicta! And let me go down fighting! Let me show you how the Queen of the Changelings dies!"

"You haven't the strength, cease this madness, Chrysalis!" Chrysalis leveled a malevolent grin at her.

"Oh, I have the strength for you, Nightmare Moon! Come and see, or are you afraid of a dying Changeling?" Chrysalis spat her challenge, Luna bristling at her words.

"Mother, please! Let us-"

"SILENCE TRAITOR!" Chrysalis' eyes flooded with green light as her venomous gaze snapped to Thorax, cowing not just him but every Changeling present. She held the dominating glare for but a moment longer before snapping back to Celestia.
"So what is it to be, your majesty? Will you grant me the honour of my station, let me walk into the desert as I had originally intended, or drag my corpse back into Canterlot? I assure you it matters not, within the hour I will be gone and there is nothing that any creature here can do about it." Chrysalis sneered, if nothing else she would have the victory of Celestia's pained expression, moments passing in silence.

"Come now, Celestia, I'll even fight with one hoof behind my back, to give you a chance." Chrysalis laughed as she slung the remains of her foreleg over her shoulder, for all the difference it made.

"Or do you simply wish to wait out my time? To spare you the humiliation?" She sneered, leveling a challenging gaze at all present.

"Well, does no one here have the courage to face me?" Chrysalis kept the quaver from her voice, truthfully at this point she wasn't afraid of death, but the insignificance of her foes simply waiting for her death was another matter. Deciding to take matters into her own hooves she walked toward Celestia, her countenance unaffected by her three-legged gait. Even as those present tensed and poised to defend the Solar Diarch, she allowed the Changeling Queen to come nose to nose with her, Chrysalis breathing heavily.

"Is this it then? Are you not just a coward, but an honourless coward as well?" Chrysalis breathed, her one good eye making a piercing gaze into Celestia's. The intense glare slowly faded, the fight leaving the Changeling Queen as she slumped forward onto the Solar Princess, Celestia catching her out of reflex; Chrysalis breathed haggardly into Celestia's shoulder, her body gradually weighing heavier and heavier on the Solar Alicorn.

"Well... Never mind then..." Chrysalis tried to laugh but only hacked up some green spittle onto Celestia's back. To her credit Celestia ignored it as she gently lowered her fallen adversary onto the sand, cradling her in her hooves.

"Is that insufferable unicorn still here? I think I'd like to take her up on her offer now." Chrysalis managed a bark of a laugh, smirking up at Celestia. Her expression softened as the Princess couldn't help but offer a sad smile at the joke.

"Celestia..." Those nearby drew closer, Chrysalis wincing as she placed her remaining hoof on Celestia's chest.

"Yes, Chrysalis?"

"My subjects... My... My children... Will you watch over them?" Celestia nodded, beholding Chrysalis' walls falling for just a moment.

"I will, I promise." Celestia placed a hoof on top of Chrysalis', the dying Queen smirking. She couldn't bring herself to say it, but Celestia could see it in the Queen's eyes, those eyes closed as Chrysalis' breathing slowed.

Beep... Beep... Beep...

Why is there beeping in the afterlife...?

Beep... Beep... Beep...

Why is there pain in the afterlife...?

Beep... Beep... Beep...

Unless I've been condemned to the darkest pits of Tartarus...

Chrysalis dared to crack open her eyes, her vision burning against the harsh light, slowly but surely she opened her eyes, her surroundings coming into focus. She beheld the whitewashed room, the sterile smell that offended every creature that smelt it, and the steady droning of medical equipment.

Oh... It's worse.

The Changeling Queen made a futile attempt to sit up but rapidly abandoned the idea as pain threatened to lance through her body. She instead used her foreleg to throw back the blanket that was covering her. Chrysalis first examined the stump of what used to be her other leg, it had been cut back further, the chitin shaped and bound by hardened changeling slime.

As Chrysalis attempted to move her head she became acutely aware of something tugging at her neck, turning her head carefully she could just make out a plastic tube connected to her, yet another invention that ponies used to keep patients alive, if she recalled correctly.

Her time to dwell on her current circumstances was cut short as the door to the room opened, Chrysalis did her best to look over, but could only manage to look at the door out of the corner of her eye.

"I'll be honest your majesty, it's a miracle she's-" The Doctor stopped short as both he and Celestia caught sight of Chrysalis, very much awake and staring at them.

"-alive..." He finished weakly, Celestia however moved over to Chrysalis' bedside, gazing down at her.

"How are you feeling?" She asked calmly, tone as neutral as she could allow, but the empath Queen could sense the underlying current of worry. Chrysalis felt the whole gamut of emotions as the implications of her predicament hit her.

"Suprised." She settled on one, in particular, Celestia winced at the rasp to her voice.

"Why... How am I still alive?" The Changeling Queen managed a joyless chuckle.

"Your assessment of who was present in the desert overlooked one particular individual." Celestia responded, waiting as Chrysalis smirked.

"Ah, the Princess of Food..." Chrysalis turned her gaze to the ceiling.

"And how exactly did she pull that off? She can't create love, as I recall." Celestia shook her head.

"No, she can't, but she can use her magic to revitalise that which already exists. In spite of your actions in the past, there were those present that still bore love for you."

Chrysalis' eyes narrowed, carefully masking her surprise. She dropped her gaze back to Celestia, meeting the Princess' gaze with an arrogant smirk.

"And that brings us to the why... How is it you plan to end me then?" If she hadn't been able to sense the revulsion rising in Celestia, she would have been able to see it as plain as the day on her face.

"I have no intention-"

"Spare me the nobility, Princess. Execution and petrification may as well be the same word; banishment is exactly the same, just slower. We both know there is no prison that can hold me indefinitely. So how do you plan to do it?" Chrysalis sneered up at the Solar Diarch.

Author's Note

Entry one of this little enterprise!

This passage was spurred into being as I wanted to see an alternate take on Chrysalis' flight from the Badlands at the climax of season 6, particularly if Chrysalis did not fare well by herself and how she would handle the realisation of defeat.

I added in the hospital scene as I couldn't bring myself to kill her off. (This time, again...) But I'm not really satisfied with the scene as I was really writing to assauge myself and it was written without much care for aim or direction.

Partially inspired by the The Masks She Wears written by MadMaxtheBlack a marvelous, but unfortunately, seemingly dead story.

2 - A Profitable Pegasus Pilfering

Light Glider soared over the rooftops of Canterlot, the fledgling city sprawling (or attempting to sprawl) out beneath her, with a wide grin she swooped down toward a particularly inconspicuous building and rushed down into its skylight.

She alighted with almost a feather touch, the ponies around the room either ignited their horns or reached for their weapons before recognising her.

"Celestia's flank, Light! What have we told you about rushing in like that?" An earth pony sneered at her from behind a desk. Light simply stuck out her tongue at him.

"Blow it out your ass." She responded, heading further into the bureau. She joined the end of a short queue for the Taskmaster's table. The unicorn in front of her turned and smirked.

"Thought I heard you coming in, what did you bring in tonight, Feather-brain?" She smirked, earning a smack to her cutie-mark, a pair of crossed daggers, from the smirking pegasus.

"Why don't you hang around and find out, Deepthroat." The exchange of barbs got her a swift yet restrained kick to the chest.

"Next!"

Light waited for her friend to turn in her goods, before stepping forward to face the Taskmaster.

"What's the score?" The older mare leveled a glare at Light Glider, the pegasus pony quick to empty her saddlebags and present a silver circlet. The Taskmaster's eyes widened and swiping it quickly into her hoof.

"Buck me in the backside, this is real!?" She propped herself up on the table, getting nose to nose with Light Glider, the pegasus holding her ground.

"Where and how did you get this?" The Taskmaster's glare threatened to burn through the pegasus' skull.

"The Royal Palace and I stole it, obviously." Light was careful to only let a little of her sass through, other members of the family had felt the back of the Taskmaster's hoof for far less.

"Were you seen?" The mare continued with her questioning. Light Glider shook her head fiercely.

"Nope, in and out without so much as a raised eyebrow." The response hung tensely in the air.

"Did you kill anypony?" Again Light Glider shook her head.

"I know you don't think much of me, but do you really think I'm that stupid?" Light Glider tensed as the Taskmaster slowly backed down to her seat, appraising the piece before hoofing it off to her assistant.

"Get that to the buyer; good work Light, never thought we'd get to sell off the Luna Circlet. I'll get the word out for the family to lay low for a while, the palace is going to be raging when they find out." She pulled over a ledger and started to write in it, making a few extra notes more regarding the entry.

"Take the night off, Light. When payment comes in I'll arrange your cut. This one's going to pay off big time so as long as we don't have the palace on our flanks, this is going to get you a lot of attention." The Taskmaster smirked, dismissing the proud pegasus. Light Glider smirked as she sauntered past her gaping unicorn friend, smacking her flank with her wing.

"Close it, Spellfire, I can see a carriage coming." Light Glider chuckled, sauntering over to the door.

"Light Glider, Queen wants to see you." A gruff voice spoke from the other end of the room, Light Glider tensed, turning back to face the stallion as her previous elation rapidly bled out of her.

"Q-Queen? Like, now?" She stammered out, the stallion nodding. Light Glider made her way over to him, her heart starting to beat rapidly in her chest. It wasn't unusual for Queens Gambit to see members of the family, she liked to keep up with them and congratulate them on jobs well done, but being called to see her always filled Light Glider with an ominous sense of dread for reasons she couldn't understand.

As she approached the door, the stallion opened it for her, Light Glider's ears pinned back as she stepped through and he closed it behind her. She moved slowly down toward the end of the corridor, passing by several doors before approaching the guards at the end. They acknowledged her silently before admitting her to Queens' private quarters.

Light Glider stepped quietly into Queen's chambers on trembling hooves, she spared a glance around the lavishly appointed room, it had not changed very much since she was last invited into it. In the centre of the room, seated at a fine oaken table sat Queens Gambit; the grey-furred, blonde maned unicorn was pouring a cup of tea for herself, the teapot held aloft in a haze of golden magic. She tilted her gaze up at Light Glider with an appraising smirk.

"Bonjour, ma petit chérie. Come and take a seat, dear." She patted the seat next to her with a hoof, watching Light Glider expectantly. The pegasus stepped dutifully over to the table and took the seat offered to her. In front of her was an empty teacup, Queens Gambit taking a sip from her own.

"Something to drink, chère?" Queens' prench accent rolling off of her tongue like sweet wine, Light Glider shook her head in response. The unicorn smiled disarmingly and turned slightly to better look at Light Glider, she frowned in that way that Light didn't like.

"Light Glider, you're trembling. Whatever is the matter?" Queen took hold of Light's hoof, stroking it gently, the soothing action doing nothing to calm Light's nerves.

"J-just still running on nerves from my last job... Big job..." The lie came effortlessly, Light was never sure if Queens Gambit believed them or not.

"Oh my dear voleuse, that simply will not do." Queens' horn lit up, as she used a hoof to slowly guide Light's muzzle toward her.

"Look into my eyes."

Against every instinct, Light looked into the mastermind's eyes, the usually soft yellow orbs now an infinite pool of radiant golden power. From the second she gazed into their depths all of her worries and fears started to slowly drift away, her trembling hooves steadied and her rapid breathing slowed.

The eyes leaned closer and Light Glider simply wanted to lose herself in their depths forever, every little worry and concern, even the ache of her wings seemed to trickle away as a pair of soft lips found her own. She leant forward and felt serenity suffuse her being as the unicorn kissed her with a tender passion.

All too soon they parted, Queens Gambit smiling as she savoured the taste of pegasus, she watched as Light Glider slumped in her chair, wings drooping against her sides. When the pegasus opened her eyes they were suffused with a deep, golden glow. Half lidded and focused on the empty cup in front of them, with a satisfied smile she ended her spell.

"There now, is that better, Light?" The pegasus nodded slowly, her voice relaxed and peaceful.

"Yes... Thank you..." Queens Gambit let loose a melodic giggle.

"Very good, now, I understand that you managed to retrieve the Luna Circlet? One of our most valuable and sought-after targets?" She watched carefully as the pegasus nodded once more, looking up at Queens Gambit with a small, vacant smile.

"Excellente, ma chère! And I trust that you were not seen?" She let just a hint of criticality into her tone, the pegasus shaking her head.

"No... Studied the guards' patrols... Moved through the shadows..." The responses were slow and measured, but Queens Gambit had long since grown accustomed to them.

"And you didn't kill anypony?" Queens' tone was firm, her little operation did not need that kind of attention, especially from the Palace. Again the pegasus shook her head.

"No... Know you don't like it..." Light Glider frowned, Queen gently stroked a hoof through Light's mane, it troubled her to see her little ponies looking so glum.

"Oh very well done, our family is so lucky to have such a skilled voleuse such as you, just as lucky as you are to have us." She couldn't help but smirk as Light leaned into her touch, her eyes closing slowly.

"Yes... Family is most important thing..." The pegasus intoned, Queens Gambit rewarded her with a tiny peck on the forehead.

"Oui, it is. Your loyalty will always be to our family and ours to you. Won't it, my dear pégase?" Queens Gambit watched Light Glider nod into her hoof.

"Always... My Queen..." Light Glider moved with Queens' hoof as she was gently guided to sit up again. Queens Gambit lit her horn once more.

"Very good, now come back to me." Queens Gambit activated her spell once more, Light Glider's eyes fluttering as the golden light winked out of them. The pegasus gave a quiet groan and rubbed at her head with a forehoof.

"M'head feels funny..." She whimpered quietly, Queens Gambit was upon her in an instant.

"Oh you poor thing, you must be simply exhausted after such a daring heist." Queens Gambit used her magic to pull on a rope against the wall, a quiet bell sounding just at the edge of hearing. A few moments later the door opened to reveal a unicorn with deep green fur.

"Fair Heart, please take Light Glider to her room. The poor thing dearly needs rest after tonight's work. Please ensure she has the best meals for the evening and have the préposées prepare some hot water for a bath. Our petite étoile has earned it." She watched with a scrutinising eye as Fair Heart gently escorted the disorientated pegasus to the door.

"Oh, Fair Heart, please have the guards send in Spellfire as well, I need to speak with her."

Author's Note

This little exercise was inspired by a stray thought, "What if I had a villain who used very obviously evil methods to control those beneath them, but still actually cared about them?"

As I wrote further along for Light Glider (orginally called Night Glider, but changed for obvious reasons) and Queens Gambit, I decided to play with other ideas. Such as how characters talk to others in different positions, could I dabble in other languages, and thinking about specific details in how organisations work.

As you can probably tell I'm not exactly focused on developing environmental detail yet, but each excercise typically has different purposes and some may suffer where others excel, and vice-versa.