//------------------------------// // Part 2A - We have to go Back! // Story: Error 404 - Pony Not Found // by Suke //------------------------------// Part 2A: We have to go Back! A short catch up on the missing Earth Ponies: Cliff Jumper is an Earth Pony mare who’s lived in Ponyville most of her life. Her talent is climbing, and she’s often seen departing to, or arriving from, adventures. Her life was inspired by the Daring Do novels, and she’s always held the belief that somewhere out there is the real deal. She earns her way by being an action adventure guide and sometimes sell photography of hard to reach sights. Berry Punch showed up in Ponyville during the last Winter Wrap Up before Twilight Sparkle’s first appearance there. Due to her timing, she was quickly welcomed into the Town, having been very willing to help with the Wrap Up. She doesn’t seem to have a job, but her hobby is tending to a private vineyard. The two mares first met on the night of Nightmare Moon’s short return. Cliff had only just got back from her recent adventure, and had no idea about the new resident. They hit it off pretty well, and months later, Cliff plucked up the courage to ask Berry out. Yesterday, during the events of Glitchie Pie’s malfunction, they had been having that first date. After Rarity’s ear piercing shriek, Berry had excused herself, feeling sickening disorientation. With the date seemingly ruined, Cliff had decided to stalk the ponies to blame, leading up to current events. Unbeknownst to Cliff Jumper, Berry Punch had also followed the Element Bearers, albeit with a lot more stealth. And now on with the story: It took a while for Cliff Jumper to realise she was sat on Berry Punch’s back as they galloped away from the Library. The bright flickering light of a fire was seen briefly through the hole in the tree. Cliff recalled what had just happened. A second Berry Punch blew a hole in the Library, drank some booze, pulled out some weapons and proceeded to attack AJ. The first Berry had yanked Cliff out when the shooting had started. “Berry… what were you doing in two places at once? Are you a clone, like Rarity?” Berry somehow laughed heartily while continuing to run. “Soooo you’re not?” Managing to calm down a little, Berry answered, “No, Cliff, I’m not a clone. There’s only one Berry Punch.” This didn’t help unconfuse Cliff at all, “B- But that was definitely you!” The pair skidded to a halt outside Berry’s house, and Cliff flew over head, crashing into the door. The poor drunk mare just lay there, upside down, against the door. “We were both the real me, ok? It’s a little hard to explain,” said Berry. She reached over her friend and unlocked the house, causing Cliff to fall a little more, into the house. Next, Berry stepped completely over Cliff and ran into the house, beginning a desperate search. “Ok,” Cliff went on, looking at the ceiling. “What are we doing back at your place? I mean, it’s great how we’re pushing this relationship way ahead of itself, but won’t this make us look suspicious to the others?” Berry shouted back from inside the house, “Don’t you think a second me blowing a hole in the library and killing two ponies is enough of a cause for suspicion? And for Luna’s sake, Cliff, get inside and close the door!” Cliff sloppily rolled backwards onto all fours and closed the door. She made sure it was locked too. Once that was done, the mare went looking for Berry. It wasn’t difficult after Berry shouted, “Aha! Found it!” In the bedroom, Berry could be seen looking over some kind of ankle accessory. The thing was electronic, with a display screen, flashing lights and beeping. Also, on the bed lay an identical outfit to the one worn by the other Berry Punch from earlier, complete with identical weapons. “Berry, what… what are you doing?” “Look, Cliff, I really like you and all, but I ca-” “BERRY PUNCH, GET OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!” That was Rainbow’s voice. “Oh shi-” “IF NEITHER YOU OR CLIFF COME OUT, I’M COMING IN TO GET YOU!” Cliff stared into nothing while she enquired, “Anypony else having their life flash before their eyes? It’s pretty sweet considering how awesome my life is, but this is never a good sign, right?” “Dammit!” Berry cursed as she hurriedly slipped into her gear. “Cliff, get over here!” Without wasting a second, Cliff rushed to Berry’s side. “Now wha-” Berry reached a leg up and over Cliff’s neck and kissed her. “Wait, was that a goodbye k-” The mulberry maned mare pushed back the sleeve of the reached over leg, gaining access to the device from earlier. A crash was heard at the front of the house, Rainbow clearly having grown impatient. “TIME’S UP BITCHES!” Berry looked Cliff in the eyes, speaking gently, “Just focus on me, ok? First times can be disorientating.” “What the hay is goi-” Berry tapped the device’s screen one last time and the world around the pair of Earth Ponies swirled and wibbled and wobbled. Colours mixed, and nothing made sense beyond Berry Punch and Cliff Jumper. This was most certainly not something a drunkard should be experiencing. Sure enough, upon their arrival in an unknown location in the middle of the night, Cliff Jumper galloped to the nearest bush and vomited. This fortunately had the added effect of sobering the mare that last little bit. When that was all done, Cliff trotted back to where Berry stood, wiping away any residue. Berry Punch was frowning at her transportation device, tapping away furiously. Cliff took a moment to try and take in the surroundings, but the Moon was blocked out by a large mountain, making Berry’s machine the only current source of light. It produced an eerie green glow. “Erm… We not where you wanted to be?” Berry roared in frustration, “No, we’re not! Nor are we when I wanted us to be! I thought I worked the blasted glitches out of this thing ages ago!” “Woah woah woah. Say that again?” Berry looked up from the device, staring oddly at Cliff. “I thought-” “One sentence back.” “Nor are we when I wanted us to be.” “... ‘when’... what did you mean by that?” “Oh… I guess now that I’ve brought you along for this… Cliff…” Cliff leaned in close. “Yes?” “We’re in the future.” Cliff was frozen on the spot. Berry continued, “That Berry Punch from the Library was more than likely my future self.” Still frozen, the leaning from earlier starting to cause an imbalance. Finishing off, Berry added, “Oh, and I’m from the time of Nightmare Moon’s first rising.” Cliff’s still stiffened body fell forward, her face getting buried in the dirt.