Glowing Hope

by RobtheMorpherPony

Rating: mature
Tags: Tragedy, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Young Six, Other, Original Character, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Cozy Glow, Adventure, Violence
Length: 5753

To prevent a dark future, one pony travels into the past to counter it.

In the far future a pony known as Emperor Zero had managed to enslave all of pony kind after he had managed to kill every last alicorn Princess in equestria once he had drained all the magic of Equestria into himself, making him be an Alicorn Tyrant.

All ponies and creatured had submitted to his rule. All except for one pink pegasus. The leader of the resistance movement against Emperor Zero, and one who had an axe to grind against the infamous Emperor Zero: Cozy Glow.

Cozy Glow refuses to give up hope, to give into Zero's tyranical leadership. And is willing to do anything to stop his reign of terror from becoming reality.

...Anything. Especially after Zero took everything that Cozy Glow loved.

If it wasn't clear from the tags and the rating, this story gets dark in a hurry. The faint of heart should dare not read this story, lest they venture into the darky depths too far to the point of no return. And if you do happen to be seeing this, I would like for you to read this story with an open mind as I really did just think of this on a whim. Also, death is only mentioned, never actually shown off. However, to be on the safe side, the tag is marked anyways since there will be more mentioned of death later in the story.

And I shouldn't have to bring this up, but if you don't like the tags you see, then just move along please. I don't like it when people hit the dislike button just because they don't like the tags they see. So, if you don't like the tags you see, then just move along without voting please. I'm asking you to do this out of respect for others as there are people on this site who might enjoy this kind of story, and your dislike votes might scare people who would enjoy this story away. So out of respect of those people, I am asking you kindly that if you don't like the tags you see, then simply move along and withhold from voting.

Other Tags:
Romance (Not as heavily featured, but there are many hints of it.)
Science Fiction (Ironically, Time Travel stories are counted as science fiction.)

Published 2022-12-07 20:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-12-07 20:20:00 UTC

Prologue - Back to the Past

You took everything that I loved...

As ponies and creatures of all kinds were being forced to do slave labor, there was a single pink pegasus who was sneaking into the castle.

You think you know how things will play out at any given moment...

The pegasus successfully made it into the castle holding some sort of spell scroll as they continued to sneak around the castle, looking for a specific room which they managed to find easily.

But today, I'm going to prove to you that you don't know a thing.

The pegasus soon grabbed a mysterious hourglass before she started to twist it.

Today, I prove that the future is only what we; the citizens of Equestria; say it shall be...

Suddenly the doors to the room flew open, having a black alicorn stallion flanked by two unicorn guards be the ones responsible.

So long as I live, you will never become Emperor.

"Well, if it isn't Cozy Glow." The Alicorn Stallion said. "You really should have given up by this point. You may be the leader of the resistance, but you're the ONLY remaining member left." He continued. "I've successfully enslaved or killed every other member of your pathetic resistance. Do you truly believe there's any hope left? Face it, Cozy Glow: I've won, you've lost. It's over!" The black alicorn said.

"There may not be hope left here, but there is hope elsewhere. And so long as I live, there will always be hope." Cozy Glow said. "After all, stopping you may be difficult to do in the here and now, Zero, but there are still ways to stop you." She added.

"You really believe you can still stop me? May I remind you what I did to your lover, Flurry Heart?" Zero asked. "Oh, and that's EMPEROR Zero to you." He added.

"You'll never be emperor of me Zero. And don't you DARE mention Flurry Heart again. Besides, I'll be seeing her again soon enough." Cozy Glow said as she finished turning the hourglass pendant she had grabbed.

"You would rather die than become my slave? Stubborn until the end I suppose. No wonder Flurry Heart fell in love with you." Zero said.

"I won't be dying either." Cozy Glow said before suddenly space time opened up a worm hole above her, causing magic to send Zero and his guards flying back a ways.

"What did you do Cozy Glow? WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Zero exclaimed.

"Nothing yet. I'm going to make sure you never rise to power. By the time you'll be able to follow me, I'll have already changed history." Cozy Glow said and as she lept through the portal, she tore up the scroll she was carrying and then broke the hourglass.

"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE COZY GLOW? DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!" Zero yelled out.

"I'm going to change history, and there's nothing you can do to stop me this time Zero." Cozy Glow called out before she finished going through the portal and it closed behind her.

"HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU! I'LL FIND A WAY TO STOP YOU, COZY GLOW, AND WHEN I DO, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Zero yelled out.

"It's over Zero. You've lost." A female voice called out from the now dark room.

"That voice; it can't be!" Zero said, gulping as he turned to the voice.

After falling through the portal Cozy Glow picked herself up and then looked around. Around her were ponies being abuzz about the soon-to-be opened Friendship School in Ponyville.

"I can't believe it. I'm really here." Cozy Glow said. "...Zero, you took everything that I love. So, it's time I took everything from you before you can get your greedy hooves on it. And I know just how to do it too." She added.

Meanwhile, Twilight was looking after Flurry Heart and some baby pink pegasus pony that looked like a baby Cozy Glow.

"Aw, your child is so cute." Twilight said. "So Rainbow Dash, how's it feel to be a mom?" She asked.

"Still feels new, but I'm going to be the most awesome mom ever. Just you wait and see." Rainbow Dash said. "Me and Soarin really made one awesome filly. Scootaloo's even taken to being her surrogate aunt even." She added.

"So, do you have a name for the baby?" Twilight asked.

"Her name's Cozy Glow. Don't know why, it just felt right to call her that." Rainbow Dash said. "I have a feeling one day she's going to be awesome. I just know it." She added.

"So is there a reason you decided to drop her off with me while I was taking care of Flurry Heart?" Twilight asked.

"Figured that Flurry Heart could use a friend as early as possible. And I know my Cozy Glow is going to be loyal to her friends just like her mom." Rainbow Dash said. "You be a good girl for Twilight now, you got that Cozy?" She asked. The baby Cozy Glow gave off a baby giggle. "Thought so. I got to go find a substitute for in case the Wonderbolts need me for long periods of time. See ya Twi." Rainbow Dash said before flying off.

"Heh. Your mom is very loyal, isn't she Cozy Glow?" Twilight asked.

In the window, watching the whole scene unfold was Future Cozy Glow. Mom. It does me good to see you alive and well again. And I'm going to make sure it stays that way this time. I promise you that. And Flurry Heart, it's nice to see you again my love. You don't know it yet, but you and I are going to grow up to be more then friends. And I'm going to make sure Zero doesn't take you away from me this time. Future Cozy Glow thought to herself. She went to go sign up for Princess Twilight's Friendship school, which was scheduled to be reopened after the fiasco with Chancellor Neighsay in two weeks' time. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, Future Cozy Glow entered herself as 'Rose Rook'. She did notice a black earth pony also entering the school. Zero. You took everything that I loved. So, I'm going to make sure you never get anything. Future Cozy Glow thought to herself.

Chapter 1 - Meeting the Yong Six

A couple of days later, the School of Friendship had been reopened and Future Cozy Glow; currently going by the name Rose Rook; was flying through the halls, which is where she came across the Young Six of Sandbar, Yona, Gallus, Silverstream, Ocellus, and most importantly for her, Smolder.

"Oh hey, your new around here, right?" Gallus asked.

"Yes I am. My name's Rose Rook. I came here to learn about friendship." 'Rose Rook' said.

"You know, you do kind of smell a little bit like Rainbow Dash." Smolder said.

"That could make sense. She might have come across Professor Dash at some point before the school reopened." Ocellus said.

Future Cozy Glow smiled at Ocellus. "And considering how fast I've heard Professor Dash flies, that I must have without even realizing it." 'Rose Rook' pointed out.

"...That's an honestly fair point." Smolder said. "And Professor Applejack is about honesty after all." She added.

"That's going to be a first class for all of us. What about you, Rose Rook?" Silverstream asked.

"That's my first class too. What luck, we're all in the same class." 'Rose Rook' said. Glad Ocellus gave me an easy out. Got to be careful around Aunt Smolder after all. Both her, and Uncle Spike. Future Cozy Glow thought to herself.

"By the way Rose Rook, did you hear that Professor Dash has a daughter?" Sandbar asked.

"I may have already seen that by accident." 'Rose Rook' said.

"What is baby pony like then? Please tell Yona!" Yona said.

Some things never change with you, Yona. Future Cozy Glow thought to herself. "I think she's going to grow up to be an expert tactician." 'Rose Rook' said.

"Really? What makes you say that?" Smolder asked.

"Just a hunch." 'Rose Rook' said

The group of seven entered Applejack's class where the lesson was about to begin. "Mighty fine of you all to return. And I see we have some pony new." Applejack said.

"Yeah, that would be me. I signed up for the school as Rose Rook. I'd appreciate it if every creature would refer to me as such." 'Rose Rook' said. As some pony from the future, Future Cozy Glow had to be careful around Applejack as Applejack was known for being able to have a gut instinct for when others were lying.

"...Come again? Did you just say 'every creature' instead of 'every pony'?" Applejack asked.

Future Cozy Glow winced. Crap. I haven't even been here that long, and I've already let my future dialect seep into my conversations... She thought to herself.

Ironically, it was Ocellus to the rescue once again. "Well Professor Applejack, not to be rude but not every single creature here is a pony. I think Rose Rook was trying to be as polite as possible to others." She explained.

"...That's a mighty fine point there Ocellus. Ah think we can use such terminology; don't you all agree?" Applejack asked. The rest of the students agreed. "We're not even into the lesson of today, and already Ocellus just demonstrated a fine example of being fully honest with every creature here." The earth pony added. Future Cozy Glow smiled, thankful that Ocellus basically saved her once again.

A bit later, and Future Cozy Glow was eating lunch with the rest of the young six. "That was something to be saying on your first day, Rose Rook." Sandbar said.

"Well, I figured that I wanted to be as open as possible to others." 'Rose Rook said. "Isn't that part of friendship anyways? You know, wanting to be open to others so you can accept their friendship?" She asked.

"Not bad Rose Rook." A female voice Future Cozy Glow knew as Twilight Sparkle said. "Not bad at all. I have a feeling a pony like you might just be perfect for studying at this school." The purple alicorn said.

"Oh, well, thank you so much for that opinion Headmare Twilight. I'll continue to try and do my best." 'Rose Rook' said.

"Actually, I was hoping to speak with you a bit after school. You're not in trouble, I just have a few questions." Twilight said.

"O-of course Headmare Twilight. Whatever you need." 'Rose Rook' said.

Later after school, Future Cozy Glow arrived at Twilight's office. "You wanted to see me, Headmare Twilight?" 'Rose Rook' asked.

"Yes, I did." Twilight said before closing the door with her magic and soundproofing the room in secret. "Though the name 'Rose Rook' isn't much of a cover, you thought of that on the spot, didn't you?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Headmare Twilight. I signed up as Rose Rook after all." 'Rose Rook' said.

"True. But honestly, given how smart I am, did you really expect me to have not figured it out..." Twilight paused. "...Cozy Glow." She added.

"...Flurry Heart was right: I can never out smart her Auntie Twilight." Future Cozy Glow said, dropping her act.

"So, I'm guessing you're from the future based on that statement alone. Which begs the question of why you are here." Twilight said.

"I came from a future ruled over by a pony who managed to absorb all of equestria's magic into himself, and then proceeded to kill not just Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, but also Princess Cadence. You and your friends were later found to have perished in Tartarus, though how you were sent there was never released to the public by the tyrant who took over shortly after they absorbed all of Equestria's magic and killed the other alicorns. Only Flurry heart managed to survive, and we took many creatures from across the globe to build a resistance force." Future Cozy Glow explained.

"You know from Starlight then that messing with history can get messy." Twilight said.

"I'm only going to do my part to help you, your friends, and every creature else as much as I can without getting directly involved. Besides, I used a combination of a special artifact the tyrant got a hold of and Starlight's modified time spell to get here." Future Cozy Glow said. "If I do nothing, then everything will play out the same way again. Even if by preventing the events that led to my future from happening my future still exists; of which there is a REAL possibility of that happening; then at least your timeline deserves to not suffer the same fate." She explained.

"...I see. You've really covered your bases. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost think you were my child and not Rainbow's." Twilight said.

"My specialty is in tactics, where do you think I got this cutie mark from?" Future Cozy Glow said, pointing to her flanks which had the symbol of a red rook on them. "Here's a hint: I'm not some super mega chess player." The future pegasus said.

"Well, I'll do my best to make sure whoever it is that threatens equestria from doing so, but I need to know who I'm dealing with." Twilight said.

"I can't tell you. Not yet at least. The most I can do is help you from getting trapped in Tartarus for whatever reason for now." Future Cozy Glow said before handing over some sort of key. "If you ever find yourself trapped in Tartarus, use this to get out." She added.

"I see. Thank you, Cozy Glow. You may not be fully willing to share what happened to you and Flurry Heart, but I promise you, I want to stop whoever it is that's going to do so before they can." Twilight said.

"I'm sure you will Twilight." Future Cozy Glow said and then left the room. ...But you're not willing to go to all the lengths I'm willing to go. She thought to herself before flying off to her dorm room.

Author's Note

In case anyone is confused, whenever Future Cozy Glow is talking to somepony else, she's technically being in character as Rose Rook. However, I figured that straight up quotation marks would look weird shortly after Future Cozy Glow; while talking to some pony else as Rose Rook; would look strange. So, I put apostrophes around the name Rose Rook for whenever Future Cozy Glow is talking as Rose Rook in this chapter, though I'll probably not do this next chapter.

Chapter 2 - Meeting the CMC

While Twilight Sparkle had already caught onto her, seems the rest of the main six hadn't figured things out yet. Which gave Future Cozy Glow a bit of rest for the following week.

Still, she remembered one incident that caused the CMC to get banned from the school of friendship all because Zero liked playing with other ponies. And sure enough, as expected, things happened as she remembered them, but she could correct this little inconsistency.

"You wanted to speak in private about something. Is this about the CMC causing Zero to fail?" Twilight asked Future Cozy Glow.

"Yeah. Thing is, Zero failed on purpose. Seriously, take a double look at some of his answers, and it'll become clear." Future Cozy Glow said.

"...I guess it couldn't hurt." Twilight said and took a second glance at the answers. Sure enough, it was there clear as day. "H-how could I have missed this?" Twilight asked.

"Figures. Zero is a master manipulator, promising certain things to use ponies as far as he can throw them. And I know him all too well. He was around when the magic got drained." Future Cozy Glow said.

"Is he the one responsible? Wait, you probably can't tell me who it was that caused the magic drain for fear it might change way too much way too quickly. I'll have to inform the CMC to return to my office and I'll give Zero a good talking to." Twilight said. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I doubt I would've bothered to take a second look." She added.

"I have to stop the tyrant from taking over Equestria. And I will do whatever I can to prevent that within reason." Future Cozy Glow said.

"I don't doubt that for a second. I doubt Flurry Heart would've trusted you so much. Guess you two are going to get quite close." Twilight said.

"...Your not upset?" Future Cozy Glow asked. "Thing is, both me and Flurry Heart...we're actually really, really smart. Basically, super geniuses. Seriously, our minds could run circles around most ponies." She added.

"...How in the world did Rainbow Dash end up being your mother?" Twilight asked.

"Meh. Personally, I don't know how I can be so smart when Rainbow Dash is only at a basic level of IQ, but really, I could care less how it happened. It just gives you a better advantage against the tyrant is all." Future Cozy Glow said and flew out of the room.

"...Okay yeah, that sounded more like something Rainbow Dash's kid would've said. Now I can see the familial connection." Twilight said now that she was all alone.

So thanks to Future Cozy Glow, Zero's little plan to get the CMC perma-banned from the school of friendship was foiled, and the CMC were allowed to be tutors during the weekends and after their normal school hours. Complete with a special room for it. Plus, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were even allowed to stop on over whenever they wanted.

Future Cozy Glow smiled before she was approuched by Scootaloo. "Your Rose Rook, right?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yeah. That's me. Or at least, that's the name I'm registered by." Rose Rook said. "And your Scootaloo right?" She asked. "Heard everything about you and your friends. You gals are something special you know." The pegasus added.

"Didn't think they were famous." Diamond Tiara said. "Well, at least not yet anyways." She added.

Oh you have no idea what I know, Diamond Tiara. I wonder if I'll get to see that wedding between you and Apple Bloom happen once Zero is stopped. Future Cozy Glow thought to herself.

"She probably talked with some pony who we helped with a cutie mark problem." Sweetie Belle said.

"That's a fair point, well made." Silver Spoon said.

"Guessing that means you know all our names." Apple Bloom said.

"Yep. Your Apple Bloom, the unicorn's Sweetie Belle, the pegasus is Scootaloo, and the other two are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon." Rosy Rook said.

"Err, we're not really official members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders." Silver Spoon mentioned.

"I half wish we were though. Instead, they are just helping us be better ponies." Diamond Tiara said.

"Don't sell yourselves so short. If you two put your minds to it, you could help others just like the CMC help you. Isn't that what being a Cutie Mark Crusader is anyways?" Rose Rook asked.

"...She's got a huge point you know." Sweetie Belle said.

"I thought Sweetie Belle was smart, but dang Rose Rook, you'd give even Twilight a run for her money." Scootaloo said.

"I know better than to challenge Headmare Twilight to a game of intelligence." Rose Rook said.

"By the way, is that cutie mark a red rook?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Silver Spoon's right, that is a red rook for a cutie mark." Diamond Tiara said.

"Oh, this thing? While I would be very good at chess, for a pony like me, it's far too boring. Simply because I'd run circles around whomever I faced." Rose Rook said. "I actually got my cutie mark for being an expert in tactics believe it or not. I guess chess would be a form of tactics, but there are things in this world that can put chess to shame." She added.

"Figures. You're a super genius. For some reason, I could just tell." Diamond Tiara said. "Too bad for you, I've got my eye on some pony else at the moment." She added.

"If only you'd share who. Not even I can figure it out." Apple Bloom said.

Scootaloo whispered to Silver Spoon. "She's totally oblivious still, isn't she?" The orange pegasus asked.

"Maybe Diamond Tiara isn't being obvious enough yet." Silver Spoon whispered back.

"Oh by the way, Apple Bloom; I picked this up at the market. It reminded me of you, so, I figured I'd get it for you as a gift." Diamond Tiara said before giving Apple Bloom a more sparkly bow of the same color as the one she already has on.

"Wow. Thanks Diamond Tiara. That was really sweet of you." Apple Bloom said.

Silver Spoon blinked. "Okay never mind, Apple Bloom is just THAT oblivious." She whispered to Scootaloo.

"Tell me about it." Scootaloo whispered back.

Author's Note

As a reminder, whenever Future Cozy Glow puts on her act as Rose Rook, she is referred to as such.

Chapter 4 - The Truth

Shortly after Future Cozy Glow went to the past...

"HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU! I'LL FIND A WAY TO STOP YOU, COZY GLOW, AND WHEN I DO, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Future Zero yelled out.

"It's over Zero. You've lost." A female voice called out from the now dark room.

"That voice; it can't be!" Future Zero said, gulping as he turned to the voice. The owner of the voice was none other than Future Flurry Heart. "You can't be alive; you fell backwards to your death!" Future Zero said.

"That's what I wanted you to believe Zero. It's your own fault for not making sure I was dead. Because of that, I was able to continuously encourage Cozy Glow to never give up in secret. She always played it off as her mind reminding her that I would have become disappointed in her, if she ever gave up on hope and submitted herself to you." Future Flurry Heart said.

"I may not have killed you before, but I'll be sure to rectify that mistake." Future Zero said.

"Oh, really now? Because it seems to me that ruling through fear was never the way to go." Future Flurry Heart said before taking out the crystal heart.

Future Zero turned to his two guards, only to noticing them bowing to Future Flurry Heart. "What you two doing? I'm in charge here, not her!" Future Zero said.

"You don't get it, do you Zero? I am the only remaining benevolent alicorn left in existence thanks to your actions, and now that they know I'm alive, with the little magic you gave them, they have no doubt told every pony that your reign has come to an end." Future Flurry Heart said as the crystal heart began to glow.

"Lot of good that will do you, I--" Future Zero said before a time portal opened up above Future Flurry Heart. "What?! BUT THE SPELL IS IN PIECES!" Future Zero exclaimed.

"I know the spell by heart Zero. After all, my aunt was Princess Twilight, the rightful ruler of Equestria. NOT YOU!" Future Flurry Heart said. "Soon, this entire timeline will disappear, alongside those that reside within it. The key word here is that they have to reside in this timeline. And the ponies all know that, and don't care. All they care about is that the crisis that caused everything to happen has been averted." She added.

As Future Flurry Heart started to fly into the portal, Future Zero was in disbelief. "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! I WAS THIS CLOSE TO HAVING ABOSLUTE CONTROL FOREVER! HOW COULD I LOSE TO TWO LESBIAN BRATS?!" He exclaimed.

"That's easy: You may have absorbed all the world's magic, but there is one magic you were unable to absorb. And that is the magic of friendship!" Future Flurry Heart said before flying through the portal which closed behind her.

Being held back by the Crystal Heart, Future Zero could only watch as his empire slowly faded away, replaced by what he had preventing from happening. "THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE! THIS SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE! HOW COULD I LOSE LIKE THIS!?" Future Zero called out as he too began fading away with all the ponies left in the future.

Present time...

"...You were always the better politician then me." Future Cozy Glow said once Future Flurry Heart finished her tale and then stood down.

"You and I are not like him. We should not have to stoop to his level to stop him. Besides, he's lost. He can never try this sort of act again." Future Flurry Heart said.

"Your right Flurry. All that's left for him, is a one-way ticket to Tartarus. Preferably a cell far away from Tirek." Future Cozy Glow said.

"So, I'm guessing the two of you are stuck here in the past now permanently?" Ocellus asked.

"That's correct. Though I do have one last question for Future Flurry Heart here." Future Cozy Glow said.

"Oh? And what have I not already made clear?" Future Flurry Heart asked.

"I was just wondering that, for how long you made me wait, we go somewhere private so you can make up for lost time." Future Cozy Glow said. "What do you say to that, Flurry?" She asked, circling a hoof on Future Flurry Heart's chest.

FWOMP! Future Flurry Heart's wings suddenly shot up. "...You were always the better tactician than me. And you always know just which button to push." The future alicorn said. "I suppose I do owe you quite a bit. I'm sure my Auntie Twilight won't mind letting us have some privacy." She added before the pair of future lesbian lovers then flew off.

"...Dang. That's just all kind of wow. How'd I end up with a super genius kid?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Beats me. And ah thought my sister coming out and telling me she's gay was the only thing ah thought would surprise me. Guess that was wrong." Applejack said.

"Oh really? Whose Apple Bloom even gay for?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Think you know. Did ya really think I wouldn't catch onto your advances, Deets?" Apple Bloom asked.

"...Oh boy. Not here Apps." Diamond Tiara said.

"...And I say Apple Bloom is no longer oblivious." Silver Spoon said.

"Too right." Scootaloo said.

Author's Note

https://youtu.be/1acWg-c5Buo?t=9

...I had to link that because of how many times I wrote the word future in this chapter. Can you blame me?

Chapter 3 - Zero's True Colors

Time passed like it should, and soon the day of reckoning was coming. Despite being chewed out for his double crossing by Twilight Sparkle, Zero didn't even change much.

"I'll show her. I'll show them all. I don't know how she saw through my ruse, but I don't care. The world will belong to me." Zero said to himself as he began the magic draining process.

Things happened as Future Cozy Glow had predicted: Advised by Zero, Twilight and her friends left for tartarus with a key Celestia had crafted for the purpose of opening Tartarus. Which was when they encountered Lord Tirek.

"So, you really couldn't help yourself Lord Tirek. You just HAD to drain every bit of Equestria Magic." Twilight said.

"Oh this recent magic drain isn't the work of yours truely. I normally don't work with ponies, but one earth pony colt did become pen pals with me." Lord Tirek noted.

"Oh yeah, then who is it?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Oh I might as well just tell you." Lord Tirek said.

Meanwhile, Zero had captured Starlight Glimmer into the magic drain bubble. "Really didn't expect anyone to strike. Much less that Chancellor Neighsay. But I'll take care of him shortly." Zero said.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Starlight asked.

"Why? TO RULE THE WORLD OF COURSE! I've made some modifications to this magic draining spell Lord Tirek taught me. Now, when the spell runs out, all of the magic will flow into me, making me become the only pony with magic." Zero said. "And with all of the world's magic, I will become known as Emperor Zero! And I will conquer the world!" He exclaimed.

"Y-your insane. It'll never work." Starlight said.

"That's what you think." Zero said and then started going off, when he was confronted by none other then the young six, Chancellor Neighsay, and Future Cozy Glow. "Wh-what the; but you, and they, and--" Zero said.

Elsewhere, the main six managed to escape tartarus thanks to Future Cozy Glow's key. "Yona does not know how Rose Rook knew you'd be doing this but tricking a princess into imprisoning herself is big no-no." Yona said. The CMC soon arrived too, alongside Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"And besides, we just heard everything." Smolder said, grinning.

"How?! I kept everything secret. The only one who knew was Lord Tirek. And considering how much he wanted revenge on Twilight Sparkle and without the ability to use magic, there's no way you could know." Zero said.

"You can discus that later." Sandbar said before he and the rest of the young six tried to remove the artifacts, but were pushed in by Zero.

"YOU THINK I'M STUPID AND JUST GOING TO WATCH YOU UNDO EVERYTHING I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR?! Because I'm not stupid." Zero said. Suddenly the Young Six were pulled out of the orb thanks to the tree of harmony. "WHAT?! NO! THIS ISN'T FAIR! I WAS SO CLOSE! HOW COULD I LOSE?!" Zero exclaimed.

"Because Zero, I am not who I said I was." Future Cozy Glow said, dropping her act, no longer deeming it nessasary and when the magic returned, the group was able to get teleported out just in time by the chancellor including Zero. And that's when the main six returned too alongside other ponies.

"Blast it. Blast it all." Zero said. "You! Who are you?" He asked Future Cozy Glow.

"Wait a second...it can't be..." Rainbow Dash said, looking at her child who was over playing with Flurry Heart.

"...No, bucking, way." Zero said, jaw soon dropping alongside many other ponies.

"Yeah. That's right. I'm Cozy Glow. From the future." Future Cozy Glow said. "A Future where your plans here today succeeded, and you managed to enslave the entire world." She added.

Once the realization that there was a future version of Cozy Glow with them all now, Zero began laughing.

"How interesting. You've solved nothing by coming to the past. I'm still destined to rule the world eventually." Zero said.

"You really believe that don't you Zero?" Future Cozy Glow asked.

"But of course. Your proof that I'm right." Zero said.

"Except your wrong." Future Cozy Glow said. "You took everything that I loved. You think you know how things will play out at any given moment. But today, I'm going to prove to you that you don't know a thing." She said before approuching Zero slowly, who was suddenly fearing for his life. "Today, I prove that the future is what we; the citizens of equestria; say it shall be. So long as I live, you will never become emperor." Future Cozy Glow finished. She moved to strike him, but was suddenly stopped.

"It's over, Cozy Glow. You don't have to do anything else." A female voice said, one that caught Future Cozy Glow off guard.

"...Y-you've gotta be kidding me." Shining Armor said when he noticed who stopped Future Cozy Glow said.

"You, your alive..." Future Cozy Glow said.

The one who had stopped her was none other, then a future version of Flurry Heart. "Of course I'm alive. Did you really believe for one second that I was truly dead?" Future Flurry Heart said.

"...Honestly, I just had a feeling..." Future Cozy Glow said. "But how are you here?" She asked.

"I better tell you what happened shortly after you left." Future Flurry Heart said.

Epilogue - The New Future

Twenty Years Later...

Luster Dawn closed the book she had just read. "...So, that's how things went." Luster Dawn said.

"Yes. It's the truth Luster. I never would've expected a pony like you to come of that situation, but it is what it is." Princess Twilight said. "I had hoped that you wouldn't have gotten so curious about your parents, but I figured I had put off letting you know the truth for long enough." She added.

"So, my parents ended up being a future version of Cozy Glow AND Flurry Heart?" Luster Dawn asked.

"Yes. That's right. And you know how powerful Future Flurry Heart is." Princess Twilight said.

"I think my head hurts from the time travel stuff I just read. I'm going to go lay down for a bit. I hope that's okay." Luster Dawn said.

"Understandable. I expected you to be a little overwhelmed." Twilight said. Luster Dawn went off just before Future Cozy Glow entered.

"...So, you told her, huh?" Future Cozy Glow asked.

"Yep. I figured it was time." Twilight said.

"Well, I better go. Got to start preparing for a wedding coming up." Future Cozy Glow said.

"Wedding? I haven't heard about any more weddings." Twilight said.

"Spike and Smolder, don't tell me you forgot they are having a wedding tomorrow." Future Cozy Glow said.

Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes. "...And this is why you and Future Flurry Heart are here to remind me in case I do forget things like this." She added.

"But of course." Future Cozy Glow said. "...You know though, I had the strangest dream the other night?" She asked.

"Oh? And what sort of dream is that?" Twilight asked.

"I had a dream where Smolder was the adopted sister of Rarity." Future Cozy Glow said.

"...That would be some kind of special timeline huh? Would get her and Spike together MUCH sooner." Twilight said.

"Yeah. Don't know why I had such a dream though." Future Cozy Glow said.

"Me neither." Twilight said before she went off with Future Cozy Glow.

Author's Note

Self-promotion for the win! Yes, the ending bit is indeed a reference to My Little Pony: The Draconic Sister - Reboot. Go check it out if you haven't already: My Little Pony: The Draconic Sister - Reboot - Fimfiction