//------------------------------//
// Dealing with the Past 
// Story: My Little Pony: A Race Against Time 
// by CJ Esmerio 
//------------------------------//

"Well, that was something," muttered Stardust, blinking his eyes a few times and shaking his head to remove the dizziness that he was feeling right now.

The group of friends had been sent back to London, but even though they all had a better understanding about why Anti-Stardust had chosen to take over Twilight's castle, there was still no solution that could bring them back home.

"Jack, maybe we should..." began Twilight, but she stopped after taking another look at Stardust's face. "When did you get glasses?"

"Huh?" Stardust brought his hand to his face, and realized that he was now wearing a pair of glasses. "Well, how convenient... thanks, Starswirl."

I figured that it would be best to give it to you sooner rather than later.

Then, Fluttershy walked over to Stardust, and asked, "Since when do you need to wear those? You've never worn glasses in Ponyville."

Stardust shrugged his shoulders, and replied, "There wasn't really a need for that, Fluttershy, but now that I'm back here, my vision isn't affected anymore by Equestrian magic, so if I want to be able to see everything clearly, I have to wear these."

"Well, you could at least have gotten a more, um... non-basic pair, darling," said Rarity, which made Twilight roll her eyes. "Not that you look horrible or anything with them on, but they look almost exactly like the ones that the human version of Twilight has back in Sunset's world."

Before Stardust could respond to Rarity, they were interrupted by a returning Pinkie Pie, who had a wide smile on her face, and Starlight Glimmer, who looked tired and slightly irritated.

"What happened to y'all?" asked Applejack.

Starlight shook her head, and she replied, "Trust me, AJ, you don't want to know..."

"So, what did you all do while we were gone?" wondered Pinkie, and Stardust was about to explain, but Discord beat him to it.

"Oh, nothing unusual for those like us, but I'm pretty sure we all learned that this is all of Stardust's fault."

Stardust rolled his eyes, and he said, "This has nothing to do with me, Discord, and you know that."

Discord smirked at the young man, and said, "Well, in a way, the other Stardust that's walking around Twilight's castle is technically you, yes?"

"I guess, but that doesn't mean we're the same person," replied Stardust. "I would never do any of that stuff he did to-"

"Even though you've said to everyone here numerous times, especially to Twilight, about how much you just loathe Sunset's world, and most of the people that live there?" pointed out the former draconequus. "And what was that thing you once said to describe it... hmmm... someone's greatest mistake ever, if I recall?"

Twilight started to frown, and was not appreciating the way that he was talking Stardust. "Whatever you're trying to do, Discord, just stop... because me and Sunset both know that he'd never do anything that horrifying to Sci-Twi or the other versions of all of us."

Sunset nodded, in agreement, and Discord let out a fake gasp. "Who,me? I'm not doing anything at all, Twilight... and, yes, maybe it isn't his fault that this is happening, but who is to say that he won't do something similar later on in the future?"

With a sly grin, Discord looked at the former pupil of Celestia, and asked, "Has he even made peace yet with the human versions of the Mane Six?"

"That doesn't matter right now, Discord," exclaimed Stardust, speaking before Sunset could give an answer to him. "Get to your damn point."

"Yes, well... you know as well as I do that there are times when history repeats itself," continued a grinning Discord. "And if I'm not mistaken, there was a time during your third 'year' in Ponyville when you were acting the way your other self is right now?"

Everyone except Casey knew what Discord was referring to, and the black-haired teenager asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Mr. Hero over here allowed himself to be possessed by a certain dark spirit, and that caused Stardust to attack those around him, both verbally and physically."

Before Casey could respond, Stardust said, "You were still a damn statue when that all happened. How did you-"

"When it comes to something like that, my friend, I make it my business to know," replied Discord, and Stardust quickly glanced over at Fluttershy, who instantly shook her head. "Now, where was I... oh, yes... he didn't even bother trying to stop 'himself' when he threw Rarity into a wall, or even delivered some pain to Rainbow Dash, even saying that she was his least favorite pony to be with."

Normally, Rainbow would have defended Stardust, but she still felt guilty about the way she had acted towards him back in Ponyville, so she simply remained quiet while Applejack exclaimed, "We've already settled this, Discord, that wasn't his fault. He didn't even know that-"

"Just as I am sure that the other Stardust didn't know that he was erasing his friends from existence?" added Discord. "And you all may think that this has been settled, but..."

He then looked straight at Stardust, and asked, "How do we know that he won't end up doing something worse one da -aaaugghh! Ow!"

"Thatis it, Mister," exclaimed Fluttershy, who had gotten a tight grip on Discord's ear, and was now pulling him away to the side. "You and I are going to have a serious talk about being mean to our friends!"

As for Stardust, he was now looking down at the ground, taking in what Discord had said to everyone.

"Now, now, Star, you know that he was messing with you in his... own... weird way," said Applejack, trying to comfort him. "We don't blame you anymore for what happened."

"She's right, Star, it's all in the past," agreed Spike, smiling up at his brother, and happily wagging his tail around.

Pinkie nodded, and cried, "Yeah, we totally forgave you for all that nasty stuff that Sombra had you do. Right, Rainbow?"

Twilight looked over at Rainbow, who simply nodded her head, while Stardust sighed, and said, "Thanks, but... he's also right, in a way... I didn't do anything, at first, to stop those horrible things from happening to everypony... and the fact that I almost deeply hurt those I sincerely care about... is something I'm going to have to live through for the rest of my life..."

Suddenly, the young man heard the comforting voice of Starswirl in his head.

While that may be true, Jack, you and I both know that your friends no longer blame you for those events. We may not be able to go back and stop them from ever happening, but things happen for a reason... look at all the positives that have happened in your life since then.

I know, and I'm grateful for all of that,replied Stardust.But it still happened, and seeing the way that they looked at me while I was... possessed... is not exactly something that can be easily forgotten.

Casey looked at Twilight, wondering why his friend was looking up at the sky, and she explained, "He's talking to Starswi - huh?"

Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, Starlight walked over to Stardust, and gave him a hug, like a young girl would give to her brother when she saw that he looked upset or bothered by something.

"You aren't the only one with a troubled past," replied Starlight, sensing the confusion coming from her friend. "Plus, I figured you could use a hug right now."

Like I've told you before, Jack, your friends will always be there for you.

Feeling a little better, Stardust gave Starlight a pat on the back, and he said, "Thank you, Starlight... I, er, definitely needed a hug."

Twilight's pupil nodded her head, smiling at him, and then, Stardust felt himself receiving a tight bear hug from Pinkie Pie. "My turn!"

While everyone tried their best not to laugh, Stardust said, "Thanks... Pinkie..."






[Stardust's World]


Having already completed the requirements for his back-up plan, Anti-Stardust had decided to rest his head on a pile of books he'd been reading, but exhaustion had caught up with him, and he soon began to fall asleep.

"Mid... Twi... light..." mumbled Stardust's alternate self, and he began dreaming about another memory from the past.


[Flashback Dream]


"You aren't the only one who can learn how to drive, Sentry," said Stardust, who had been taught the basics of driving by Sunset during the two weeks leading up to this evening.

It definitely wasn't easy, but Stardust knew that he had learned enough for him and Sci-Twi to enjoy homecoming.

The car that he'd driven was a rental, provided by his friends, even though he had told them several times that he wanted to pay from his own pockets.

As for his outfit, the young teenager had finally agreed to EG Rarity's pleas of designing one for him, and in all honesty, Stardust was impressed.

She even made good usage of the colors that my Cutie Mark has, thought Stardust, who was also walking up to Sci-Twi's front door.

Knock-knock-knock!

"I just hope she put the same effort in Twilight's dress," said Stardust, in a low tone of voice. "So far, the one she's made for me right now is her best work."

Then, the door opened, and when Stardust saw how Sci-Twi looked, his mouth almost dropped to the ground.

Oh... my... God, Rarity... HOW did you do this?

"So, um..." said Sci-Twi, who was also blushing slightly at her friend's speechless expression. "Do I look okay?"

Stardust blinked his eyes a few times, and after a minute or so, he replied, "Okay... doesn't even begin to cover it..."

I could've sworn that I've seen something like this before.

Sci-Twi continued to blush, and said, "Thank you, Stardust... you look great, too, and... oh, what's that?"

She pointed at the plastic box in Stardust's hand, and he replied, "Oh, yes, this... it's a, um... corsage, Twilight, and now that you're here, I can do this."

Stardust then opened the box, revealing theWhite Orchid Blue Delphineumcorsage, and he gently placed it on Sci-Twi's left wrist.

"It smells so beautiful," said Sci-Twi, her nose catching the flower's scent. "Thank you, Star."

"You're welcome," replied Stardust, smiling at the fact that she was happy right now. "Now, then, shall we head off?"


#################


As the two of them entered the well-decorated school gymnasium (also thanks to EG Rarity), Sci-Twi noticed that almost everyone was already here, and some of the other couples were already on the dance floor.

"We aren't late, are we?"

Stardust chuckled, and shook his head. "Of course not, love... the night's still young, and we have plenty of time to enjoy this event."

"Twilight! Stardust! Over here!"

They looked over at one of the tables, and saw a hand-waving EG Pinkie Pie, who was also sitting with Sunset and the rest of the HuMane Six.

"Well, no need to waste time searching for them," said Stardust, with Sci-Twi letting out a chuckle.

Once they were at the table, EG Rainbow - who was leaning back in her chair - smirked at Stardust. "I'm still surprised that you actually showed up here, Star, I thought you said you can't dance."

"I said that Ididn'tdance," corrected Stardust. "Never said that Icouldn't..."

EG Rainbow nodded, and said, "Well, there's only one thing for me to say... pay up, Applejack."

The young teenager with a Southern American accent rolled her eyes, and mumbled underneath her breath as she handed EG Rainbow a small stack of dollar bills.

"I'm not even gonna ask," said Stardust, as he and Sci-Twi took their seats.


###############


"Can I have this dance, love?" The young man asked, standing in front of his date, and offering his hand for her to take.

"Um, yes, I... I would really enjoy that..." replied Sci-Twi, smiling as he brought her over to the dance floor, where they started dancing together.

(Background Music)

I say hey, I'll be gone today

But I'll be back all around the way

It seems like everywhere I go

The more I see, the less I know

But I know one thing

That I love you (oh baby yes I do)

I love you, I love you, I love you

"Have you been taking dance lessons?" wondered Sci-Twi, sounding surprised. "You've never beenthisgood before."

As he twirled her around, Stardust shrugged his shoulders, saying, "I wouldn't call itgood, Twilight... just enough for the two of us to enjoy this night together."

When the two of them were almost face-to-face with each other, the closeness made Sci-Twi's blush grow deeper, and she let out a chuckle. "I think I'm enjoying it just fine."

Stardust smiled, and he replied, "Good, I was hoping you'd say that."

I've been a lot of places all around the way

I've seen a lot of joy and I've seen a lot of pain

But I don't want to write a love song for the world

I just want to write a song about a boy and a girl

Leaning against the wall, EG Rainbow smiled as she watched two of her closest friends dance happily together.

"Ahem!"

She turned to the right, and saw EG Applejack, who was giving her a smug smile. "What?"

"Did I not say that Star and Twi's first dance song wouldn't be one of those slow and romantic ones?"

EG Rainbow frowned in confusion, but then she had an expression of realization, and that soon became a look of disappointment. "Don't tell me I have to..."

EG Applejack put her hand out in front of her friend, and said, "Pay up, sugarcube."

Muttering to herself, the athletic teenager returned the money that AJ had given her, and she started to walk away.

"Whoa, ho, hold up a minute there, Rainbow," said EG Applejack. "You ain't done just yet."

EG Rainbow rolled her eyes, and shook her head as she pulled out her wallet, taking out several more dollar bills to give to her friend. "There, you happy now?"

"Ah sure am, sugarcube," replied EG Applejack, and she tipped her hat at EG Rainbow before walking away, while the athletic teenager made frustrated sounds under her breath.

"They'd better not kiss after this song..."

Kids on the corner always calling my name

And the kids on the corner playing silly games

When I saw you getting down, well, I hope it was you

And when I look into your eyes I knew it was true

Stardust and Sci-Twi were almost to that point where the two of would look into each other's eyes, and share their first kiss, but neither of them wanted to make the first move just yet.

I don't want him to think we're moving too fast,thought Sci-Twi.But he looks so... and his eyes...

As for Stardust, he was thinking of something similar.I don't want to screw this up... but she looks so beautiful, and...

"Stardust!"

Suddenly, the two of them stopped dancing, and Sci-Twi said, "Who is that?"

"I don't know wh-"

"Hey, Stardust!"





The next thing he knew, Anti-Stardust was back in the library, and he looked up to see Anti-Rainbow at the door. "What the[BEEP], Crash?"

"It's Applebloom, Star," said the worried Pegasus pony. "Her friends helped her escape, and-"

"Bah, just leave her alone, then," growled Anti-Stardust. "No one's going to believe her anyway, and I highly doubt that Celestia can actually do something."

Anti-Rainbow nodded her head, and she asked, "How's it going with-"

"Everything is fine, Crash," assured the alternate version of Stardust. "And like I said, there isno onewho can help that little pony."


###############


She didn't know where she was going, but Applebloom knew that she had to tell someone about what was going on.

"This is like some horrible nightmare," cried the little pony. "Who's going to believe me about...oh, holy apples!"

Applebloom suddenly stopped running, and it was like a light bulb had just turned on above her head. "I know who to talk to for help!"






(London, England)


"Okay, now say what you need to say to Stardust, or there will be no more cucumber sandwich picnics."

Fluttershy then slightly pushed Discord towards Stardust, who simply stared at him, and the now-human Discord sighed. "Okay, fine... I'm... s-s-sorry, Stardust... we're still friends, right?"

"I never said weweren't,Discord," said Stardust, rolling his eyes. "I just don't like it when you act... however it is you act sometimes."

Fluttershy looked up at Discord, nodding her approval, and the former draconequus said, "Well, let's hurry this up, and return home already. I'm not exactly...fond... of this world's atmosphere..."

"Well, according to Kronos, the way to get home is closer than we think," said Twilight. "So it has to be somewhere-"

"Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!"

Twilight and Stardust both looked at the hand-raising Pinkie Pie, and the former Earth Pony asked, "Yes, Pinkie?"

"What if we wait until it's close to midnight, go back up to the scary-high top of Big Ben, and see if the clock turns into a gateway portal like the Crystal Mirror?"

For a moment, nobody said anything... but then, Stardust blinked a few times, and said, "You mean to tell me... that we... the clock... this entire... time..."

Thump!

Twilight quickly caught her fainting boyfriend before he could hit the ground, and she asked, "How'd you come up with that idea, Pinkie?"

The party-planning teenager shrugged her shoulders, and replied, "Just a hunch."

"Ugggghhhh..."groaned Stardust.






(Casey's World)


Twilight was in the library, patiently reading a book as she waited for her special somepony to return from helping Stardust, but her attention was caught by the sound of the Crystal Mirror machine being activated.

"Back so soon, Casey?" said Twilight, assuming that it was him who was stepping out. "I mean, it's only been five minutes, and the other Twilight said that it would..."

"I'm sorry, but Casey is a little busy at the moment,"said Anti-Stardust, as he stepped out of the Crystal Mirror. "And since I've lost a prisoner, I need somepony else who I can use as leverage."

Twilight gulped, and she slowly started to back away. "Are you... okay... Stardust?"

"Never been better, Twilight," replied Anti-Stardust, and before she could run out of the library, he used his dark energy magic to seal the doors completely."I do wish that I could say the same for you."