//------------------------------// // Future Tense, Part I // Story: What If? - Equestrian Avengers: Shattered Dimensions // by Maximus_Reborn //------------------------------// Chapter Eight “Future Tense, Part I” The outside world had yet to progress by a revelation keeping Peter’s spirit secured firmly in place. A stallion that was supposedly his son stood before him, borne from a night of infidelity. Both ponies stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, but the shadow of a being hovering over their positions drew both their gazes towards it. Strands of the distinctive violet and pale blue-green mane whipped gracefully in the turbulent winds as light purple irises stared down the trio of ponies. Peter’s sixth sense blared at the mare before he furrowed his gaze. “Starlight. So, you finally showed back up.” Pushing his intrusive thoughts to the side, the stallion straightened his posture. “What are you doing here?” “I think you already know.” Starlight huffed with sarcasm clear in her tone, frowning. Her horn glowed momentarily, prompting a fragment to materialize into existence in a flash inches away from her head. As it levitated in place, Starlight scoffed under her breath in a condescending tone. “I’ve been attempting to locate the other fragments.” Peter smirked, waving a hoof dismissively. “How’s that going? I hear the multiverse is a big place. Do you have a map? I hear you can download one from Google.” “Funny,” Starlight dryly muttered, scowling. “I’m well aware that you have been gathering pieces of the tablet. After all, you are the embodiment of Order. It’s what you’re meant to do.” She glanced to the side, gazing at her own fragment before it dissolved from sight. “I am not so fortunate. I’ve studied the tablet for years, and I’ve come to learn its limits and capabilities. While I can jump through time effortlessly, it takes considerable concentration for me to make a jump through reality, due to the distorted space created by the shattering of the tablet. I’ll admit this jump took its toll, but I have more than enough power to deal with the lot of you.” Sweetie Sun Belle shook her head, frowning. “Whoever you are you have absolutely no right to tear this land apart! We’ve spent years working hard to see to Equestria’s restoration, and you’re threatening to undo all of our progress. As Princess of the Land, I ask that you stand down.” Starlight’s nose scrunched up with disgust before the mare scoffed dismissively. “I’m not aware of what happened in this timeline for you to be its ruler, but you clearly lack the wisdom and common sense Princess Celestia had. Here’s just a taste of what I can do.” Starlight vanished from sight in a burst of light, reappearing between the trio of ponies. The snow-white stallion turned and threw a high kick, only for a shield to materialize around Starlight and deflect the blow. Faster than he could react, the mare’s horn glowed before she unleashed a bolt into his chest. Sweetie Belle fired a beam at her side, but Starlight vanished, reappearing behind the unicorn and quickly discharging a single shot into her back, knocking her away. Peter leapt out, ready to throw a punch. However Starlight’s horn glowed momentarily, causing a wave beam to rotate around her frame. Each blow was delivered in rapid succession, within a second, and the ground underneath Starlight ruptured, causing stalagmites to rise sharply from the ground while everypony flew back from their respective strikes. Sweetie Belle and the stallion burst through the nearest wall, skidding to a halt. Peter careened into a marble column, shattering the stone and causing the newly formed rubble to bury the stallion. Tremors coursed through the entire area as Starlight descended to the ground and stood mere hoof-lengths away from Peter’s pinned form. Particles of energy from the atmosphere were channeled into Starlight’s horn while she grinned evilly. “Once again, history repeats itself. Even with just a fraction of the tablet’s power I’m more than a match for you and your allies.” She lowered her head, aiming her charging energy at the stallion. “I won’t give you the chance to ruin my plans again.” Peter weakly lifted his gaze, straining as he tried to pull himself free. Starlight prepared to unleash a magical beam aimed at the stallion’s head. However, a dark blur raced towards her. Starlight’s eyes shifted in its direction, forcing the mare to cut off her attack and bring up a shield around her position. Being a second slower would have been devastating as a sharp blow met the defensive barrier with an echoing clang. Garbed in a long, black jacket that reached her hindlegs, a pink mare with a slightly darker yet straight mane pushed against the shield with a sword between her teeth and another in hoof. Spinning in place, the mare cut through the shield, and the force of the blow knocked Starlight away, sending her flying through the nearest wall. As the dust cleared, Starlight rose from the debris with a scowl. The pink mare lowered herself into a defensive stance before jumping high into the air, raising both of her blades high while she sped toward the unicorn. Starlight scoffed under her breath. “Not yet. I’ll be back soon. Count on it.” Starlight vanished from sight just before the pink mare impaled the ground where she previously stood. After closely examining the space around her, she sheathed both blades back within their respective scabbards before placing them in her jacket. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle managed to pull herself back to an upright stance, pausing to help the young stallion by her side. Elsewhere, Peter inhaled deeply before sliding his hooves underneath the stone and lifting it high over his being. Once he was clear, the stallion stepped forward and allowed the platform to fall. Peter exhaled, shifting to a kneeling position momentarily. “Is everypony okay?” “We’ll live,” the pink mare coolly declared, slowly approaching the stallion. Peter’s eyes widened upon recognizing her cold features, specifically the scar over her milky eye and her bright blue iris. Smiling, the mare’s demeanor lightened as tears formed in both her eyes. Her ears perked happily while a lone strand of her mane drooped over her nose. “For a ghost, you always seem to find a way to come back.” Peter inhaled sharply, his mouth hanging agape. “Pinkie?! I thought you were--! I saw you--!” Countless emotions overflowed the stallion’s mind. Where grief had previously burrowed, elation took its place. Peter cared not for the tears pouring from his eyes. The stallion could only yield to the happiness he felt. Reaching out, Peter wrapped his hooves around Pinkie’s waist and squeezed her frame gently yet firmly. “So many bad guys in my life die and get better. I’m just happy it happened with a friend for once.” “The feeling’s mutual. I had a guardian angel that day. I woke back up just a couple of minutes after you left,” Pinkamena whispered, grinning under her breath. They eventually parted, with the mare resting a hoof over the stallion’s shoulder after she wiped her own face free of tears. “It’s good to see you again, old friend. We have a lot to catch up on, to say the least.” No response was given right away. Instead, Sweetie Belle quickly closed the gap between herself and Peter. The mare’s eyes softened as she stared somberly at the stallion. With a small nod, she reached out and wrapped her hooves around his neck for a warm embrace. Peter closed his eyes before returning the act of affection in full, rubbing the side of his head against hers sweetly. They soon parted, allowing the stallion to smile slightly. “Hey, Sweetie Belle. You’re looking good.” Sweetie Belle brushed a hoof through her mane, nodding. “Thank you. Time seems to have treated you well, too.” “How much time has passed? For me, it’s been twenty years since I’ve seen you,” Peter questioned, tilting his head to the side. Nodding, Sweetie Belle huffed. “Same here. It’s been twenty years. A lot has happened since you returned to your timeline.” The mare paused once the snow-white stallion approached her side, holding his emerald gaze on Peter. Inhaling deeply before sighing, Sweetie pursed her lips and nodded. “More than you could believe.” Peter’s mind grew fuzzy. He quietly stared at the stallion bearing his image, forcing the lump in his throat down with a swallow before returning his gaze towards Sweetie Belle. “Is he really my son?” The stallion huffed, folding his hooves objectively. “It’s pretty obvious, don’t you think?” He paused, arching a brow. “I mean, I’m better looking, but still. The resemblance is definitely there.” “Behave, Junior,” Sweetie sternly whispered, causing her son to step back and raise his hooves defensively. “I named him Peter, after you. He was born almost a year after you left. We… both know how that story goes,” she lamely added, flustered. Pinkamena smirked. “He’s your kid though. Has a habit of saying the first thing on his mind, and it’s either silly or incomprehensible. Usually both. I guess that part of you is genetic.” As if a realization came to mind, Peter’s eyes widened. “It’s great seeing you both again, but you actually don’t seem too surprised to see me.” Sweetie Belle nodded, walking past everypony. “We were given a heads-up. Rather, somepony else from the past came here and explained everything about Starlight Glimmer and the Tablet. She’s waiting for us in the castle.” Motioning with a hoof, this prompted the others to follow. “We were expecting Starlight, but we can’t say the same about you Peter. You were a surprise, and I believe our guest will be happy to see you.” “Really?” Peter asked, furrowing his brow. “I wonder who?” Within the center of the area where Canterlot castle previously stood was a small town, made of several smaller buildings comprised of marble. Many species of Equestria coexisted together, including ponies, griffons, zebras, and many more. In the aftermath of what had been called the Liberation War, all resources gathered in the land had been dedicated to Equestria’s restoration. Unfortunately, the damage Chrysalis and the changelings inflicted made the process difficult and exhausting. However, with the changelings in complete disarray and retreating to parts unknown, everypony managed to enjoy the past two decades of peace. Within the confines of the largest building, the trio walked through the hallways before entering the main lobby. Its interior design was similar to that of the original Canterlot castle, but its size was considerably smaller in scale, more akin to a suite than anything else. Peter paused in the main lobby, furrowing his brow at the large portrait perched on the nearest wall. At the center of the portrait, Peter posed amidst five mares, two of which were Pinkamena and Sweetie Belle. The stallion’s eyes softened at the remaining pair next to his image, of Applejack and Rainbow Dash managing smiles from their positions. Pinkamena stopped in her tracks, walking over to the stallion. “The whole world recognizes us as heroes for that day.” She managed a smile, folding her hooves. “Knowing Applejack, she’d be annoyed by the attention, and we both know how Rainbow Dash would’ve reacted.” Peter chuckled under his breath. “Yeah. She’d hold autograph signings everyday.” “Exactly, although she wouldn’t need to,” Pinkamena softly chuckled before pointing a hoof to the side towards a window, specifically at the building behind it. “They’ve published books about it, and the story makes for great sales. It’s like something straight out of a fairy tale. A stallion everypony thought was dead returns, leads a small rebellion against the oppressive overlord, and once the land is liberated, he vanishes as quickly as he came. It’s silly, but it gives everypony hope. Plus, they even built a museum in your honor.” Blinking, Peter tilted his head to the side. “A museum? Seriously? That sounds a little tacky. How’d they manage to do that?” Pinkamena smirked. “You’d be surprised. Without the changelings hunting everypony we were given a chance to really scavenge the land for resources thoroughly.” The mare edged closer to the stallion. “We found what was left of the Spider-Mobile, your glider, a damaged set of web-shooters, some old broken armor of yours, and several other things that had once belonged to you.” Slowly but surely, Pinkamena chuckled once more. “It’s a great tourist attraction. We get a lot of visitors because of this spot. Pausing, Peter placed a hoof over her shoulder. “Are you sure it’s not because they want to see the new raisers of the Sun and Moon?” Pinkamena simply shrugged, dismissing the stallion’s words. Peter eyed the markings over the mare’s hoof, bearing an insignia of the moon. “It’s still pretty wild that Celestia and Luna left their powers within the gauntlets. If I had magic, I’d be raising the sun and moon right now. I probably wouldn’t have been able to leave this timeline if that happened.” The stallion arched a brow at the mare. “So, how does it feel being immortal?” Slow to respond, Pinkamena held a hoof inches away from her face. “I’m still not entirely sure. Unusual, I suppose? Technically I’m over sixty years old, but I still look and feel forty.” The corner of the mare’s mouth curled into a smirk. “Give me another twenty years, and I might be able to give you a better answer.” Suddenly, tremors coursed through the entire building, seemingly stretching out throughout the entire town. Once the tremors ceased, Peter blinked at the unusual phenomenon, but Pinkamena held a knowing expression. A series of knocks tapped against the main door, prompting the mare to open it. A pair of guards stood firm, hesitantly alternating their gazes between Pinkamena and their side. Peter watched as they conversed, furrowing his brow. A firm gust from the outside pushed the doors completely open, revealing a familiar image. A violet astral form stood outside, holding their nose against the door. The guards shrugged hopelessly before departing, leaving Pinkamena alone with her guest. Peter quickly joined her side, smiling widely upon peeking up at a yellow and crimson gaze. A large astral bear nudged its massive nose against the stallion, prompting him to rub his body against her fur affectionately. Pinkamena smiled, chuckling at the sight. “It seems Ursa caught your scent. She’s usually not allowed within the town, but I can make an exception this time.” The mare paused, grinning at the bear. “You missed your Daddy, huh?” Peter continued to rub the bear’s cheek with a hoof. “I’m glad you’re taking good care of Ursa, Pinkie. I couldn’t think of a better caretaker.” The stallion eventually ceased his petting, waving the bear off. Ursa purred contently before stepping carefully to the outskirts of the settlement, lowering into a resting position while keeping a soft gaze centered on the building where her owner resided. Meanwhile, Peter inhaled deeply before sighing. He closed the door and followed Pinkamena to the round table at the center of the room where Sweetie Belle and Junior sat. Once settled in, Peter took a seat and exhaled. “So, where do we start?” Sweetie Belle glanced to the side, stealing a glance at her son before returning her gaze to Peter. “It’s a lot to take in at once, but I owe you an explanation.” Holding her hoof to the side, the mare gently nodded. “This is Peter Belle Junior. He’s your son, born a year after you left.” “So I’m not going crazy,” Peter groaned inwardly, holding a hoof over his face. “Twilight’s going to kill me.” His eyes widened at a horrific realization, evident by his pale complexion. “Oh, my gentle Gee-Whiz. Twilight can see what’s happening right now, thanks to Eris and Madame Web.” Letting out a defeated sigh, the stallion shrugged. “Oh, well. There’s no avoiding that talk when the time comes.” Peter Jr. folded his hooves and scoffed harshly. “Don’t act too proud, Dad.” Blinking, Peter caught wind of the younger stallion’s irritated tone before waving his hooves defensively. “Oh, it’s not that I’m ashamed of you. I’m just… surprised. Twenty years later, and I find out that I have a son I never knew existed.” His eyes softened. “If anything, I’m ashamed of myself. I wasn’t there for you. I have three kids that mean the world to me, but I have a fourth I know nothing about. As a father, that’s… inexcusable, and I’m sorry.” Taken aback, Peter Jr. inhaled sharply at the stallion’s soft comment. Blinking, he glanced to the side while scratching the back of his head. “Wow. I, uh, wasn’t expecting that. Mom always told me that you have a habit of blaming yourself for whatever went wrong.” Clearing his throat, he managed to meet his father’s gaze. “It’s okay. I can’t hold a grudge against you. The situation was beyond your control. I can tell by looking that if you could have been there with us, you wouldn’t have hesitated. I guess… seeing is believing, and I like what I see.” After a brief duration, Peter let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks, kid. I… That means a lot to hear. You sound like a nice kid. Your mother raised you right. Then again Sweetie Belle was always probably the nicest mare I know, right after Fluttershy. I’m just glad you took more after her than me, both physically and emotionally.” The stallion chuckled, smirking. “You’re a good looking kid.” The center of his cheeks burned to a glowing pink tone, prompting the younger stallion to whine under his breath and look away. “You’re here for a few minutes, and you’re already embarrassing me.” Sweetie Belle grinned, playfully nudging her son’s side. “He’s making up for lost time. I told you that your father was sweet.” Her horn glowed momentarily, retrieving a folder from the nearest shelf. Once within range, the mare opened the folder and slid a photo from a pocket. She reached out, offering the picture to Peter. “Here’s a baby picture.” Peter accepted the photo, eyeing it gently. Fresh tears poured down Sweetie Belle’s face as she held a baby colt close, rubbing her cheeks gently against his mane. The young colt peered up at his mother, cooing. Both of their cheeks burned, evident by the blushes they bore. However, that day would forever remain in their hearts, a bond every mother and child shared. Peter’s smile grew. “This is really something else. You mind if I keep this, Sweetie?” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened at the question before she nodded feverishly, grinning. “Not at all! I have plenty of copies to go around.” The stallion took a final glance at the photo before he slid the photo underneath his costume. “So, do you have the spider powers?” Peter asked, arching a brow after sharing a glance with his son. “My oldest child has some of them, the second is in the same boat, and the third is too young to develop anything just yet.” Peter Jr. tapped a hoof against his chin and nodded. “Oh, yeah. I have super strength, can cling to any surface, and a sixth sense for danger. The headaches can get annoying, though.” “He’s not nearly as strong as you were, but I believe more strength will come with age and training,” Pinkamena huffed, folding her hooves tightly. “I’ve been training him since his powers started surfacing. He’s rough around the edges, but I think he’ll exceed his glass ceiling.” A stern expression surfaced on the older stallion’s face. “So, why are you training son? You live in a world of peace.” The younger stallion inhaled deeply before sighing. “I guess I want to be like you. You may not realize it Dad, but you’re a legend here. You’re the pony who led the charge against the changelings. If I’m your son, I want to honor that legacy.” Pausing, the younger stallion cleared his throat. “Auntie Pinkie keeps me in shape, and we deal with some straggler changelings on occasion. If they ever rebel or try to rise again, I want to be ready and help put them back in their place, just like my heroic dad did before. I have this power for a reason. I just want to use it for a good cause.” Peter grinned, unaware that his cheeks were glowing. “That’s a flattering thought, son.” Sobering, the older stallion’s smile faded. “Peter, I fight to make sure that my family’s safe. This peace is what I strive for, so you don’t have to fight, but if this is what you want to do, I’ll give you my blessing. Are you sure that you want this to be your career choice?” “I’m positive Dad,” Peter Jr. calmly retorted without hesitation. With a small nod, Peter smiled. “All right. Then I won’t say anything about it anymore. You’re as stubborn as your older sister. She gave me the same response right before she joined the Avengers. I guess my children are just naturally headstrong.” Peter trailed off, sharing a glance with Pinkamena. “I’d be worried, but Pinkie’s the greatest warrior in this world. Really, I wish I could recruit her into my Avengers. We’d be unstoppable with her. She just defies logic and physics. Plus, we can always use another great smile. You’re lucky she and Sweetie Belle are the ones keeping you in check.” Pinkamena smiled, shaking her head. “I’d love to. It’d be great to see everypony again: Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and… Maud… but my place is here.” Sobering, the mare straightened her posture. “You have your own responsibilities as well. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” Clearing his throat, Peter nodded. “Yeah. You’re right. That’s what I meant to ask. What’s been happening here? When did Starlight show up?” Sweetie Belle glanced to the side as her horn glowed momentarily, knocking at the door across the hall. “I think your teammate could explain it best.” The door slowly creaked open, earning the collective gazes of those nearby. Peter’s eyes widened at the familiar sight of a hazel-gazed mare. She wore a simple labcoat and glasses, furrowing her brow as if pondering something. However, the mare lifted her gaze, inhaling sharply upon spotting the older stallion in the room. Brushing a hoof through her violet and pink mane, she raced towards Peter, and he extended his hooves, catching the mare in a warm embrace. Both ponies hugged tightly, nuzzling their heads against each other affectionately. “Dad!” Mayday sweetly cheered, kissing her father’s cheek before they parted. She playfully punched his shoulder while smiling. “You certainly took your time. I was starting to think you wouldn’t show up.” Peter grinned, placing a hoof over the top of the mare’s head before messing up her already messy mane slightly. “You know my old saying. Better late than never.” Sobering, the stallion’s gaze softened, yet his smile remained intact and earnest. “I’m just happy you’re okay, sweetie.” “Right back at you,” Mayday whispered sweetly, holding a hoof over her father’s chest before turning and taking a seat at the round table. Once Peter took the available seat between her and Pinkamena, the mare held both hooves over her mouth. “What’s been happening? I’ve been practically blind while stranded here. I know the tablet shattered, but are the other Avengers okay?” Leaning back into his seat, Peter raised a hoof objectively. “Long story short, I caught a piece of the tablet before everyone else was scattered. So far, I’ve managed to find four more fragments of the tablet. Umbra, Eris, Ember, and Laura are accounted for, safe, and are holding onto their fragments. I still haven’t found Trixie, Sonata, or Dream yet, but I’ll take care of them once I find the fragment in this reality.” The stallion paused, narrowing his gaze on his daughter. “Also, you can’t leave this timeline without the fragment.” Mayday rolled her eyes before exhaling. “There always has to be a catch.” Straightening her glasses with a hoof, the mare huffed under her breath. “I’ve been keeping myself busy waiting for you. I’ve managed to rig up an energy tracker, but I can’t pinpoint the fragment’s exact position. The distorted energies caused by the portal are sending massive ripples through the device’s radar. Locating an energy signal would be like searching for a needle in a stack of needles.” Sweetie Belle edged closer to the table from her seat, nodding. “We sensed the portal when it opened a week ago. Mayday told us right away what was going on. We gave her access to the items in the museum. She’s practically your heir, whatever you left behind was hers.” Sweetie Belle relaxed, shrugging. “The moment we gave her access to your stuff, she holed herself up in the nearest basement and worked nonstop since. Mayday’s practically been a hermit during her entire time here.” “Let me guess. Whatever my daughter found she’s picked apart for her own devices-- figuratively and literally?” Peter questioned, earning a simple nod from Pinkamena. Peter Jr. tilted his head to the side. “Is she always like that? I tried to talk with her a few times, but socialization is clearly not her first, second, or third strength.” Blinking, the younger stallion trailed off. “Are my other siblings like that, too?” The stallion chuckled knowingly before glancing to the side with a furrowed brow. “Yup. That’s my baby girl in a nutshell.” Waving a hoof dismissively, Peter shook his head. “Don’t worry. Mayday’s the oldest and oddest child. You’re technically my second child, since you’re twenty years old. Anyway, Ben’s very soft-spoken and reserved. He’s sixteen by the way. And Gwen, while only four, is easily the sweetest girl on the planet.” Patting Mayday’s shoulders, Peter nodded. “Don’t mind your big sister. She’s… the quirkiest out of all of you.” Mayday frowned, clearly unamused. “Quirky? You make me sound like I’m a robot.” Peter leaned over, kissing the mare’s forehead. “Quirky is a fancy term for ‘favorite’.” Blushing, Mayday rolled her eyes and glanced to the side with an exasperated gaze. “You’re such a dork, but I love that about you.” “Dorky is what dorky does,” Peter grinned, causing the mare to exhale. Mayday lowered into her seat and allowed the side of her head to rest against his chest. “I bet you say that to all the girls.” “It’s only for you, sweetie,” Peter replied, resting his chin against the top of the mare’s head. Peter Jr. watched the pair with a warm smile, chuckling under his breath. “Looks like I’ve missed out. You two are practically inseparable. Color me envious.” “So... Three children in your timeline, huh? Somepony’s been busy.” Pinkamena dryly chuckled, shaking her head. Sweetie Belle smiled warmly at the pair. “I remember how you two were joined at the hip when she was just a filly. Now Mayday’s an adult, and nothing’s changed. You two are somehow even closer.” Sobering, Peter folded his hooves and narrowed his gaze. “Still… Mayday’s been here for a week? It’s only been a few hours for me, and I’ve gone through four realities.” Mayday sat up and hummed, tapping a hoof against the side of her temple as if contemplating something. “It must be the Tablet’s residual energies. Space around us is already distorting, and it stands to reason that it’s beginning to separate time between each reality as well. The space-time continuum is intricately woven and the shattering of the tablet is beginning to put some strain on it.” The mare sternly nodded. “If that’s the case we need to hurry and put the tablet back together. If the balance of space-time isn’t restored soon, all of reality will unravel and we’ll all simply cease to exist.” Placing a hoof over his daughter’s shoulder, Peter firmly nodded. “It’s a work in progress. I won’t let it come to that.” Peter Jr.’s complexion paled as he blankly stared at his father and sister. “Don’t sound so casual about it. It’s only the end of reality as we know it.” Pinkamena frowned, sharing a glance with Peter. “Starlight showed up just a few minutes before you did. We’d better find that fragment before she does.” Peter’s eyes widened in realization. “I can help with that. Madame Web augmented my Spider Sense so I could easily track the fragment.” Standing from his seat, the stallion pointed a hoof into the distance. “If we go now, we can find the fragment before Starlight does.” Sweetie Belle pursed her lips, nodding before lifting her emerald gaze. “That’s a good idea.” Glancing to the side, the mare stood up from her seat before gently placing a hoof over her son’s shoulder. “Junior, I want you to stay here and watch over Canterlot while we’re gone, just in case Starlight comes this way." Hesitantly, the younger stallion nodded. “All right Mom. I’ll hold down the fort.” He shifted his gaze to the side, pointing a hoof at his father. “If anything happens to her, I’m so disowning you.” Peter chuckled under his breath. “Don’t worry. I’ll watch after your mother with my life.” The older stallion walked over to his daughter, taking hold of her hoof with his own. “How about you? What are you going to do, May?” Mayday pursed her lips, furrowing her brow. “There’s not a whole lot I can do in the field without proper equipment.” She held out her free hoof, pulling back its sleeve to reveal a small electronic device. “Besides, there’s something in the lab I’m working on. I’ll monitor your progress from there and let you know if I see anything around your location.” The mare stepped back, retrieving an earpiece from her lab coat’s pocket before offering it to the stallion. “Keep this on so we can keep each other updated.” Once Peter placed the device on his ear, Mayday edged closer until she planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Hurry back, and please don’t destroy that earpiece Dad. There’s over twenty four hours of my life in that thing! Do you know how hard that was to make with limited resources?” “About as hard as it is to juggle chainsaws in the dark while standing on a tightrope?” Peter chuckled, earning a playful tap on the shoulder from the mare. Smiling, the stallion winked at his daughter. “You sound just like your mother. ‘Don’t break this. Don’t break that.’ It’s not like I have a reputation for breaking things.” “I love you, Dad, but I can’t even humor that with a positive response,” Mayday lightly chuckled, turning the stallion before gently pushing him away. “Now hurry up and get that fragment back, so I can go back home to my lab.” Peter simply shrugged, sharing a glance with Sweetie Belle and Pinkamena. As the trio quietly exited the premises, Mayday’s eyes softened while she rested a hoof over her chest. “Be careful.” Meanwhile, in the distance, Starlight watched as the trio reached the outskirts of Canterlot from an undisclosed location. “That’s right heroes. Find the fragment for me. That’ll make my job so much easier...” she paused, smirking evilly. “I have nothing holding me back this time. Destroying you all will be child's play.” To be continued...