//------------------------------// // Chapter I've lost count: Deus Ex Machina // Story: This is why I don't write ship fics // by Flashburn37 //------------------------------// Chapter I've lost count: Deus Ex Machina "Oh hi Cadence! Fancy seeing you here..." Twilight laughed nervously her legs shaky. "Twilight come with me." Cadence ordered. "No!" "You are in no state to resist." Cadence raised an eyebrow. "Now hurry, through the portal." "Don't you get it Cadence? I can fix it!" "Twilight, there is no running from this. Go through the portal now!" Cadence sighed. "Or I will make you." "You... are in no state to give the Princess of MAGIC an order." Twilight glared at her. "Think about who you are trying to stop Cadence. I fought Tirek, Discord, Sombra, Chrysalis, the Ursa Minor, the Hydra, Cerberus, several dragons, what hope do you have?" "You think you're so powerful? I'm an alicorn too! Look at yourself Twilight! You've been thrashed!" "You'll look worse if you get in my way." Twilight threatened. "Twilight, through the portal now or else!" Cadence shot back. "You've made your choice." Twilight teleported to the other side of the cage. If she succeeded none of this would ever happen so she didn't need to hold back. She charged up her horn and flew at Cadence. "I don't want to hurt you Twilight!" Cadence flew at Twilight, her horn alight. The two alicorns crashed into each other and released their channeled spells. The resulting explosion rocked the arena. Bulk turned and saw Twilight fighting yet another opponent. The announcer cheered at this new development. Twilight landed heavily her exhaustion getting the best of her, while Princess Cadence still flew high. Twilight shook her head and took to the air. Cadence battered her with weak spells and dodged Twilight's powerful blasts. She was far more graceful than Twilight, but seeing how she was born a pegasi and Twilight a unicorn it made sense. Twilight was pushed through the ground by yet another successful blast. Twilight knew she was beat, but she couldn't give up. Then he flew up, Bulk Biceps! He pinned Cadence in the air yelling some strange war cry. Twilight saw her shot. Cadence conjured a shield but it was no match for Twilight's ferocity. The two ponies flew through the metal fence and crashed into the audience. Twilight limped for the portal. She looked around before jumping back in, how would she tell herself about this? It mattered not. Priorities were getting to Canterlot and casting the spell above all else. She made her adjustments to the portal and leapt in. *** Twilight shuffled through the library towards where Pinkie left the scroll. She picked it up and stared at Ponyville through the mirror. The town was in chaos, her castle in shambles, her home was destroyed. It was all her fault. She completed the spell right as Cadence burst into the room, murder in her eyes. The transportation was as painful and disorientating as last time, but she had been ready for that and when she appeared in front of her surprised self, she knew just what to do. "Wait, your me! But I'm me? Oh did I figure out how to cast tha... what happened to me?" Past Twilight looked at her future self in shock, from the torn and bloody dress to the multiple wounds. "Listen as you know I don't have much time! We have not mastered the school of enchantment and if you try to you'll end up like me! Don't do it! Also, the Ponyville Pirates lose to the Manehatten Myrmidons in the next hoofball game. Bet. Everything." The energy field was crackling apart and she knew her time had come to an end. "Trust yourself, leave the "want it need it" spell alone. I've ruined everypony's lives. Don't do it!" And with a flash she was gone. *** "Alright Spike! This one is a toughy but I'm sure you'll have a beard by tonight!" Twilight concentrated. Spike was once again beardless. "Drat! I thought we had it!" "Twilight, let's take a break. I made punch!" He grinned. "Why'd you make punch?" She asked. "I don't know... I just felt like it I guess." He coughed up a letter from Celestia. "Ugh, it's for you." "Thank you Spike, and some punch would be excellent." She unrolled the scroll and read the little message. Dearest Twilight, We, Celestia, Luna, and Pinkie know you were visited by yourself earlier today, she is from a dangerous alternate timeline. Please no matter what she said, DO NOT USE THE "WANT IT NEED IT" SPELL EVER AGAIN! If you even attempt the spell we will know, and you will be dealt with as if you had committed every crime she had. This is your one warning Twilight! Heed it well. Also, nice choice on the game! I bet you'll be enjoying all that cash! Pinkie wants a new party canon for her birthday. P.S. She doesn't know we wrote that last part about the canon, it would just be a nice gesture. Sincerely, Princesses Celestia and Luna with their good friend, Pinkie. Twilight burned the letter with her magic and made a mental note to never, ever, ever cast that spell again.