//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Fatal Consequences // Story: Tracks Backwards // by ScarFox9700 //------------------------------// Unlike the first time, nobody on the trains passed out. We were all awake and alert, although we were jostled around a bit. However, due to Oddball's malfunction, a quantity of the Dark Matter that made up the Anomaly was released from the reactor, and it seeped into the rest of the train. Our DNA and body structures were changed once again, though we didn't know this yet. We looked at our surroundings as we passed by, but from what we could tell, we were nowhere near Las Vegas, and instead were still surrounded by forests. "Hmm, this is rather weird. Did something go wrong?" Before Jim could answer though, an ear-splitting alarm came from Oddball. "WARNING!!!!! FIRE OUTBREAK DETECTED!!!! INTERNAL COMPONENTS MELTING FROM HEAT!!!!!! EXTINGUISH BLAZE IMMEDIATELY!!!!!" "SHIT!!!! LEOPARD, STOP THE TRAIN NOW!!!!" "RIGHT!!!!!" I then seized the controls, and in a shower of sparks, brought the Battleship Express to a screeching halt. Then, the moment the train stopped, Jim, Alex, Fred, Andy and I all grabbed fire extinguishers, ran to the front of the train, pried open the back of the Pillbox, and showered the components inside with them. Luckily, we were able to stop the spread of the fire before too much damage was done. Sure, we would still have to fix the machine again, but at least this time we would have something to work with, instead of just a set of blueprints. Once we were all certain that nothing was going to catch fire again, or even explode, we all regrouped at the cab, where Don joined us. It was also around this time that we all began to notice the changes to our bodies. None of us were Human-Pony hybrids anymore! We were once again Human-wolf hybrids, although there was a twist this time. Instead of our ears and tails all being gray, they were whatever color our hair/manes were. Also, those who were Human-Earth Ponies still had their super-Human strength, Human-Unicorns still had their horns and could use Magic, and Human-Pegasai still had their wings and could fly. We also still had our Cutie-Marks for those of us who had those. Once I was able to reach my cabin, I looked at myself in the mirror, and what I found slightly shocked me. I looked kinda similar to what I used to look like, as I still had thick black hair, although now I had 2 black wolf ears, my eyes now had round pupils instead of cat-like ones, my fangs weren't quite as large or visible as before, I had a thick black wolf tail, the lower legs and paws of a wolf that were covered in black fur, and I also discovered that I once again had a wolf's dick, complete with a knot, a black sheath, and large, black, furry balls. Previously when I had these features as a Human-wolf, they were gray. On my back were 2 large black wings, and to my relief, they were still the feathery like the wings of a Pegasus, instead of the furry bat-like wings I was half-expecting to see. However, I also didn't feel any of the serious health issues that I had while I was still a Human-wolf hybrid the last time. I still felt just as healthy and strong as before. Heck, I even felt like I was 24 again instead of 28 going on 29! "Gosh, all these changes, but yet I don't feel the effects like I used to. Is it possible that the Universe FINALLY figured out how to do 'Project Sterling' the correct way? Or did it FINALLY figure out a cure for Lycan Syndrome?" I wasn't sure, but at any rate, I was glad to still be alive, even if I was slightly altered. I then went back to meet up with the others. Meanwhile, Don was trying to get the rundown from DELCI on what the heck had just happened. "Talk to me DELCI, what the heck just happened out here?!" DELCI was silent for a few moments. "Well Sir", She said at last, "I have good news, and I have bad news." "Better get the bad news out first." "Ok then. Well, the bad news is that we're still in Equestria. According to Oddball's calculations, that minor fire in its systems caused a release of Dark Matter from the Anomaly, which prevented the mechanisms that triggered the portal jump from firing. Adding to this, we are indeed back in the year 2029, but we're not on June 8th." "Oh? Well then, what date is it?" "According to my calculations, today is Thursday, July 12th, 2029." Don just sighed. "Yes, that's a real problem alright. What triggered that malfunction?" "Eh, if I had to guess I'd say that it was the fire, but I'm not sure, and neither is Oddball." "And how badly is Oddball damaged?" "Unfortunately, the damage, while not critical, is not good either. Certain parts will have to be replaced, and some systems will have to be reworked before we can attempt another jump, though I think that the safest option for this is a return to the future, so as to be able to properly fix Oddball." "Well this is just GREAT! We're still in Equestria, the Imperial War is still raging in the Caribou Empire, we're trapped here for the time being, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO F@#KING DO ABOUT IT!!!!!" Don was then able to get a better grip on himself. "Although, you said that there was good news DELCI. What's the good news?" DELCI seemed to be smiling. "Well, the good news is that you, as well as the rest of Battalion 4009 have just become the first Humans to EVER successfully travel through Time, so congratulations on that! You've just made the history books, even though nobody was here to see it!" Don just put a hand over his face. He knew that what DELCI was saying was the truth, but yet that wasn't really the good news that he was hoping for. Around this same time, many of the others on the train were testing their old Pony abilities in their new (old?) Human-wolf bodies, just to make sure that they still worked. Thankfully, we all found this to be the case. "Well, this is certainly an interesting development!" "I'm just glad that I still have my horn, and can use Magic!" Alex was saying. I nodded. "Yeah, and I still have my wings, and can still fly." Todd also tried to lift up a nearby fallen log, and found that he was indeed still able to do so. We all then turned to Don. "So, what's the plan now Don?" Don sighed. "Well, for Jim and his team, it'll be fixing Oddball enough for a trip back to the future. For the rest of us, since we're trapped here during the middle of our Caribou War Campaign, let's see about what we can do about minimizing some of the casualties." "You mean like Sergeant Phil and his squad at Donneth?" Someone asked. "Yes, just like that. HOWEVER, and this is the most CRITICAL factor of all, but we cannot, I repeat CANNOT, do ANYTHING that would severely alter the future! Let me say that again, we CANNOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD SEVERELY ALTER THE FUTURE!!!!!" We all knew what that meant. Every action that we performed had an impact on the future in some way. Now that we were in the past, EVERYTHING that we did had an impact on the future, and could change it in disastrous ways! However, Don had a plan. As long as we stuck to the shadows, and did everything clandestinely, we could improve the future, and help minimize some of the casualties. I also came up with a plan for capturing Sombra's spirit once he left me at Donneth, and to ensure that he didn't escape. That night as I laid in my bed, I talked it over with Briana and Aurora. "So, what do you guys think about all of this?" "I think that it's great Leopard. Now you guys have the chance to lighten Allied casualties, all while ensuring that the Caribou take MORE!" Aurora sighed. "I don't know Master. I mean, this all may SEEM good, but remember what you said before? 'The road to Hell is paves with good intentions'. And as was said before, you're all playing God by travelling through Time like this. And when you play God, you reap what you sow." I held my faithful wolf companion close to me. "Yeah, I know Aurora. This is why every action we take has to be cleared by a majority vote first. Even so, we're taking a big risk with all of this, so yes, we WILL have to be careful!" I then lay down, and while Briana lay on my chest, Aurora snuggled next to me. Just before she fell asleep though, she asked me one final question. "Hey Master?" "Yeah Aurora?" "I know that I may have asked you this before, but do you think that you'll ever find a mate for me?" I shrugged. "Yeah, you did ask me this before Aurora, and the honest truth is I don't know. I mean, I WANT you to be able to find a mate, but yet, you ARE the last of your kind, which makes me feel that whoever your would be mate is, he would have to be of a similar caliber of war dog." "So, he would have to be another war dog like me? Huh. Well, if that's the case, I hope that he knows how to use armor and weapons, and has a master who's a lot like you." I kissed the top of Aurora's head gently. "So do I Aurora." We all then fell asleep on that note, little suspecting that you should always be EXTREMELY careful about what you wish for, as you just might end up getting it! The next morning as I was getting dressed, I got a chance to look myself over a bit better. I found that whatever splotches of gray fur that I had on my body to begin with were now black, and luckily for me, I STILL had my black trademark leopard spots on my back! "Well, at least my nickname still makes sense!" I thought as I looked myself over. "Although still, why is my fur black now? Shouldn't it still be gray? And better still, why why were we turned back into Human-wolf hybrids at all?" I had no answers to these questions, and I already knew that I probably never would get any answers to them. A bit later, Don called us all together, and laid out our first target to us. "Ok people, this is the deal. Later on tonight, we head out for Marrow. Tonight, the us's from the original timeline begin the battle there. Just in case you've all forgotten, this was the one night battle that took us from Hell's Gate all of the way over to Dock Town." "Oh yeah, that huge battle that spanned 250 miles in so many directions, leading up to the huge battle in Dock Town! Now I remember!" "Quite correct Leopard. Now then, here's where things get really complicated. Remember, we CANNOT show ourselves, so we'll have to remain in the shadows. NONE of us can die during this campaign, as I will NOT be explaining to wives and loved ones what happened! Is that clear?" "Yes Sir!" "Good! Now then, we wait for nightfall, and then we head south to the Caribou Empire!" We all cheered for this, and then we got ready to do our thing. We spent our time looking over every detail of the battle, and found ways to improve on them. We knew where the enemy was, but yet the biggest challenge was improving History, while at the same time ensuring that it would still play out very closely to the original timeline! That night, we pulled out for the Caribou Empire. We arrived there just in time for our scouts to spot us opening Hell's Gate, and then making our way to Marrow. "Well, I guess that we're off to a good start." I thought as I watched everything through my own binoculars. I knew that we had a long night ahead of us, and I was right. True to our words, we struck from the shadows, and without losing a single man, we gave the Caribou hell, while our counterparts from the original timeline did likewise. The biggest thing that we had to try and prevent, or at least dampen the blow from, were the severe friendly fire incidents inside of the city of Rendale, which was our last stop before Dock Town. Thanks to our new efforts, we were able to cut our losses by nearly 40%. Then, over the course of the trip to Dock Town, we continued to shadow ourselves, and keep us all safe. They never knew that we were there, and we never revealed ourselves. After the amazing climax at Dock Town, we silently moved on to Lake Town. Once again, we relived old memories from a distance. None of us were too worried, even while watching our harrowing escape through the Highland Mountains, the death-defying trip over the Highland Trestle Bridge, and our crashing into the snow at the bottom. By this time, Don ordered the train hidden inside of a disused tunnel on the other side of the Highland Trestle Bridge, and only small groups of train crew and Battalion 4009 soldiers were sent out to perform missions, and watch over ourselves. We knew that the train was going to be needed at the battles of Carlon, Danton and Donneth, but we still had time before this was going to happen. "This is so unreal." Todd whispered one night. "Yeah", Alex agreed. "And to think, we're only here because of a busted machine!" I nodded. "Yeah. It is unreal, but we're doing a world of good out here by cutting down our losses." Todd then turned to me. "And any ideas on how Jim and his team are coming with Oddball?" I shrugged. "Not really. None of them will talk about it, which I take to be a bad sign." I was right in a way. Jim and his team were indeed having a world of trouble with Oddball. In addition to the regular repairs, Jim also insisted that they add a fire suppression system, and Oddball was also given a voice chip as well. Now just like DELCI, it could talk, and as the engineers would quickly learn, Oddball was a he. "Wow, now this is different." He said softly. "Is everything functioning for you Oddball?" Jim asked him. "Oh yes Doctor, everything is fine! Fine at least, not counting the damage done to my systems during the Time jump!" "What? I'm not a doctor. I'm an engineer." "Yes you are. My big sister DELCI told me that you have a doctorate degree in engineering, as well as PhD's in mechanical engineering, physics, quantum physics, and chemistry. You are therefore a doctor." Jim sighed. If Oddball had been talking to DELCI, and now saw her as his big sister, that was going to be a problem! "At any rate Oddball, what's your system's status?" "Calculating..........current status.......54% operational. All systems must be operating at 100% in order to successfully complete the mission at hand." "And what if we just wanted to jump back to the future? How operational do your systems have to be?" "Calculating........all systems must be at 100%. However, like last time, all systems were at 100%, but everything still went wrong. This is a dangerous time Doctor." Jim knew that Oddball was a much younger unit than DELCI, and although it was possible he was self-aware, he was not an AI. He was, (at best) a self-aware computing machine capable of hurtling the train that he was attached to through Time and Space, at least theoretically! "Oh boy, I think that we're in for a VERY long haul with this one!" Jim muttered. Eventually, we watched ourselves dig themselves out of the snow that had buried their train, and we knew what was going to happen next. "Oh boy, I ALWAYS wanted to see ourselves as the 'Undead Harbingers' from a different perspective!" I thought. And sure enough, I did get my wish. I watched as "Operation Nazgul" went underway, and as myself and 8 others wiped out the Caribou stronghold of Hilden. In one night, and with just 9 guys, (all with enhancements of course!) we managed to wipe out a town of almost 13,000 Caribou! Oh sure, we did help ourselves out a bit by using our sniper rifles, which we then realized helped us out by making 9 guys seem like much more of an army! Between those of us who were on that particular shadowing mission, we bagged an estimated 3,000 Caribou, with a further couple hundred unconfirmed. "Great work out there." Don told us when we returned. "We're doing some really great work out here, and each battle is bringing us closer and closer to home. And now we get to watch our whole 'Ghost Train' routine play out as well!" We were all REALLY dying to see that one, as our "Ghost Train” routine has been considered to be the greatest psychological warfare tactic of all time. In fact, we were able to scare the Caribou so bad with it that a number of them actually committed suicide because of it! Once night had fallen, we moved ourselves into a position where we could better see the "Ghost Train" once it moved out. We saw ourselves getting everything ready for moving out, including filling the water tank with the fluid that would make our steam glow, loading up the bricks that would make our smoke glow green, covering all visible lights in greenish-blue reflectors, as well as starting to get dressed in our costumes and makeup that would make us look like we were back from the dead from a traumatic train crash, and then getting buried in snow. Some of us were missing limbs, had chunks of flesh missing, had been seemingly scalded to death with steam, and a few were even missing their heads! We also watched Shining Armor and his soldiers use their illusion magic on the train to make it too look like it was back from beyond the grave, and back to haunt those who had destroyed it! We all got videos and pictures of what we were doing in the past, and once the train rolled out, we followed it as best we could. Again, caught on video was the panic and chaos that the "Ghost Train" caused, and we were loving every minute of it! "Heh heh! I REALLY wish that I could have been here with you guys when you pulled this little stunt!" Briana whispered to me. "It looks like it was so much fun!" I smirked a bit. "Oh yes, it was fun alright, and it really did accomplish its mission. We terrified the Caribou, and even drove a number of them to suicide. It worked out well for us in the end, and now we get to see it from a whole different angle." Briana agreed with me, and even though we did have to switch vantage points a few times, we were eventually able to find a perch from which we could watch when the train rolled past Donneth. I'll admit, we were still a bit far away, and we did have to watch through binoculars, but even from where we were we could still hear the screams of panicked Caribou! "Heh", I smirked, "I love it when enemies are terrified of us! I mean sure, it IS just an illusion, but they didn't know that!" "And that's what made it so good!" Andy pointed out. "We terrified them, and we were able to play it off so convincingly that we had them frozen with fear!" Briana started licking one of her paws. "Fear is a VERY powerful tool, and it can be used as a very powerful WEAPON when used correctly!" We all laughed at this a bit, and although we did continue to watch for a while longer, we did have to get back, as we had to start preparing to aide with the Battles of Carlon, Danton and Donneth. "Ok people, here's the deal. As I'm sure that you all remember, the Battles of Carlon and Danton took place simultaneously during the night, and then we stormed Donneth at Dawn. Casualties were high, but they were highest at Donneth. Most of this was due to Caribou hiding in buildings, but now that we know where those buildings are, we can demolish them!" "Yeah Don, but here's the kicker. Remember how Phil and his squad were killed?" "Yeah." "Well, their deaths were what set me off into my Super Sayan Rage Mode. If they don't die, then I don't do that, and a TON of Caribou who died the first time around don't die, and I don't storm the palace with Argus either. My point is Don, if I don't get triggered, then a LOT more Human and Pony lives are at risk. You yourself did the math with DELCI's aide, and came to this same conclusion." "So, what do you suggest that we do Leopard? I mean, Phil and his guys have to survive, but yet you still have to be set off. How does that work?" I thought for a second. Finally, I had an answer. "As soon as Phil's squad, as well as the last of the slaves that they were trying to rescue are clear of the building that hid the Caribou with the rocket launcher that killed them, we send a missile up there, and blow the building wide open! They all get blown clear, and possibly hit by debris, but they will survive, and my rage from that should serve to set me off on my rampage. Sure, they didn't die this time around, but they'll still be hurt." Don sighed. "It's a huge gamble, but we're here to save as many lives as we can, and we know the building's coordinates, as well as the time that it happened, and they'll never know that it was us, as a number of missiles malfunctioned during the battle. I vote that we do that when the time comes. In the meantime though, our focus is on Carlon and Danton. Both of these places had high casualty figures, and we now know why, and what to do about it, so let's fix it!" We all agreed with Don, and then began to work out the rest of our plans. In the end, we had a full plan put together. First, we would send a few missiles and shells into Carlon and Danton into the most troublesome spots. We knew that this could cut our casualty figures by at least 33% if not slightly more. Next, we would wait until Dawn, and then we would actually clandestinely send in a few tiny ground units into Donneth. Our mission objectives were to secure a perimeter that collapsed during the original battle, which resulted in a lot of casualties. I also decided to make it my personal mission to capture Sombra's spirit after he left me the first time. I knew that he could NOT be allowed to run loose, and I had to keep him under control. I did know that this would mean that I would have to use his Magic and Powers again, but I was prepared for that. Also during the Battle of Donneth would be where the lives of Phil and his squad would be spared as well. That night, we moved the train into a position where we would be able to send in the firing support that ourselves from the original timeline were going to need. We knew that what we were doing was going to be a HUGE risk, but yet if we were indeed able to cut the casualty figures, then that meant we were doing what our mission entailed. We set up on an abandoned train track on the other side of where we were originally, but yet still from such an angle that any ordnance that we fired would seem to come from the Battleship Express from this timeline originally. Our plan worked beautifully for the battle. We fired a few shells from both our railguns, and the 16in. guns, and were able to land hits on targets that had given us trouble in the past. We let ourselves from the past wipe out the Carlon Airship Base, though we WERE able to spot the last airship that got away. With quick thinking, one of our guys who was a mechanic, as well as a Human-Unicorn, managed to grab a magnetic tracking device used on all of our vehicles, and using his Magic, he lobbed it up to the airship. We assumed that it went to Breyerton where Danin was holed up, but we wanted to make sure. Eventually, we all watched Carlon go up in smoke, followed quickly by Danton. Using a drone, I was also able to watch myself tame Argus the Caribou War Beast, as well as the rest of my squad using them as mounts for the Battle of Donneth. By the time that the first signs of the dawn began to peek over the mountains surrounding the valley that the 3 cities were in, the Stars and Stripes flew high and proud from the central fortress of Carlon that once belonged to General Stuggs, While the Flag of Equestria flew from the fortress in Danton that was General Rodin's domain. We already knew that the two of them would be captured during the Battle of Donneth before being put on trial later, and sentenced to almost 20 years in prison. We also knew that Colonel Bruno, the leader of the rouge faction of Griffons aiding the Caribou, was also captured here, and was later put on trial, and sentenced to life in a Griffon prison mine. We had to ensure that they were all still captured, so we all made sure to steer clear from the areas where we knew that they were at when they were captured. All too soon though, the battles were over, and while the Battleship Express, Battalion 4009, as well as the Equestrian Forces under Shining Armor were regrouping for the assault on Donneth, we were also regrouping for our missions there as well. We listened over the radio frequencies to compare casualty reports, and thanks to our efforts, nearly 65% of all those killed the first time were still alive, though about half of them were still wounded in some way. Our efforts were paying off, so now the real question was, how would they fare in Donneth? We knew that the Battle of Donneth began at 6am, and the time was now about 5:50, and we were still getting into position. I was sitting in my room for a few minutes longer. From out of my safe, I grabbed Sombra's horn, and then from the crate that contained his armor, I grabbed his old crown. Then, after attaching the horn to the slot on the crown, I placed the crown onto my own head. Because I was neither a Unicorn or an Alicorn, this was the only way I could use Sombra's Magic and Powers. Once again, I felt it all surge through me, just like it had almost 5 years prior. Donneth was the last time that I ever used Sombra's abilities, and I vowed that it would be my last. However, now that I had the chance to recapture the spirit of the stallion himself, I decided to take it. "Hey Briana?" I asked her. "Yeah?" "Since you are Life, do you think that you could be able to help me recapture Sombra's spirit?" She nodded. "Sure. Just carry me into battle with you, and once the time comes, I can help you. I'll aim, and you fire." I nodded, but then I had another question. "Ok, but how am I going to carry you into battle?" She just sighed, before spreading her wings, and landing on my shoulders. I then felt her attach herself to my shoulders with her claws. "Just like this. You do your thing, and I'll just hold on." "Eh, ok Briana, if you say so." I then pulled on my regular helmet, and with my horn still peeking out from beneath it, I loaded and checked my guns again, and then got ready for the mission ahead. Once the battle of Donneth began, four 4 man teams were sent out into the city under the cover of what little darkness we had left. I led a group, as did Alex, Don led another group, while the final group was led by Captain Russ Thompson. He was a major officer within Battalion 4009, and one of the 6 men who designed the Battleship Express. Once we slipped in through the cracks, we fanned out, and began to go about our missions. We had our guns, but we were also armed with flamethrowers, and high-yield explosives. Our missions were to clear out buildings that had given us trouble the first time around, and prevent further casualties. We continued to do this all throughout the course of the battle, and we got to see the fruits of our labors up close and personal. Eventually, Briana and I found ourselves close to the building that was the site of the fatal slave rescue attempt made by Phil and his squad. "Jim? Jim do you read me?" "Right here Leopard. What's going on?" "We're here close by the one building. Ready the missile, and fire on my mark!" "Roger that!" I then waited the few more seconds required, and once I saw Phil, his men, and the 6 slaves that they rescued get clear, I radioed Jim. "FIRE!!!!" Jim did so, and a few moments later, once we were hidden, the missile hit the building, and it was blown into pieces. Debris went everywhere, as did flames, smoke, dust, and Caribou body parts. For a moment, I was unable to tell what happened. Our original selves were spread out all over the place, and they seemed to be in shock and pain. Suddenly though, I saw Phil sit up again, before calling out for a medic. Moments after this, I saw myself get up from the street, look around him at his wounded comrades, and then towards the army of Caribou that came charging towards us. Then, I saw myself lose it, and still go Super-Sayan! History was saved, and we later learned that all members of Phil's squad survived, though they were injured during the blast. And sadly, despite their best efforts, 2 of the slaves that they were trying to save also died in the blast. I then watched myself mount Argus, and lead the way up to the palace. With Briana on my shoulders, and using Sombra's magic to mask myself, I followed after me as fast as I could. By the time that I arrived at the palace, the battle inside was already well underway. I then used my wings, and flew up to where the throne room was, and I waited out of sight in between a set of windows while I battled Prince Dactyl inside. Then, once I had him on the ground, I watched Sombra goad me into trying to kill him, which I tried to do, and then I saw Sombra tear free of me. I sank to the floor, and then Sombra's spirit flew close to the window where I was hiding. "THIS ISN'T OVER LEOPARD!!!!!!" I heard him scream. "I WILL FIND YOU AGAIN!!!!" Moments after this though, Sombra found himself grabbed by an unknown force, before getting dragged down to the palace grounds far below. "Going somewhere Shadow? I think not!" Even though he was fully encased in what appeared to be Magic, he was able to turn himself around to face his attacker. When he did, he was in for the shock of his life. There, dressed in his famous blue and gray Battalion 4009 uniform, with a Sphinx on his shoulders, and Sombra's crown and horn on his head, was none other than Yours Truly! I was smirking as I held Sombra in place. "W-w-w-what?! How is this possible?! You were up in the throne room!" "And I still am. I'm also down here holding you captive, and about to make you a part of me once again!" "NO!!!!! I WON'T LET YOU!!!! I'M NOT GOING BACK!!!!" I sighed. "Sombra, just give it a rest. You ARE going back inside me, and because you will, you'll one day be strong enough to return to the Physical World again, and you'll have some of your powers back." I then began to pull his spirit back towards me. "NOOO!!!!!" "Trust me Sombra, one night in the future, we're gonna be lying in my bed together, look back at this night, and then laugh hysterically about it! Now come on back where you belong." I then felt Sombra seemingly give up, before I pulled his spirit back inside of myself. "Fine, you win Leopard!" He said as his soul re-intertwined with mine, "But just remember, in the bedroom now, I'll ALWAYS be on top!" "Eh, whatever you say Sombra." I then felt him fully become a part of me again, and when that happened, I sank to the ground for a few moments. "Is.....is he back in?" Briana asked. I nodded. "Yeah, he's back. In the meantime though, let's get out of here before we're spotted." "Right." Briana then settled in for the ride back to the train. The rest of the Battle of Donneth played out as it did in the normal timeline, and we then followed ourselves to the Battle of Breyerton. Sure enough, while the battle was going on, we did detect that same airship that we tagged at Donneth. This time we shot it down as it tried to flee, little suspecting that we had just killed Danin, his right hand Commander Dothan, the rest of the Caribou escapees, and their Griffon, Minotaur, Zebra and Dragon allies. ALL of them died in the crash, and we were none the wiser. Now we just made sure that the Caribou would never meet the Futas in the Undiscovered West at all. Sure, the Futas would still be out there, but they would be all alone, right? I mean, it's not like anyone ELSE would find them, and make an alliance deal with them.........right? We decided to stick around for a day or so longer while Jim and his team finished the repairs and reconstruction on Oddball. However, as I lay there on my bed that night, something continued to bother me. Over and over again in my head, something kept telling me that I should find the contract that bound me to Dash, Spitfire and later Daring Do, and then destroy it. For the entire 5 years that I'd been with them, something just hadn't set right with me. For my entire life, I'd been raised to believe that I should not have more than one wife. Heck, I even called myself a Christian, but yet so willingly went against my religion. Something at the back of my mind had told me that I was going to crash and burn for what I had done, and now I was realizing that I had a chance to do something about it. Over and over again, I thought through the pros and cons of destroying the document. On the plus side, I gave Daring back the career that she lost when I knocked her up, and I gave Spitfire a bit of a life back as well. I also had no legal issues to deal with either. I also knew that since Briana was Life itself, and could be anywhere and everywhere, so she would still remain by my side. On the downside though, it was possible that some, if not all of my foals wouldn't be born, and that seemed to lead to other dangers as well. I wanted to do the right thing, but yet what I was planning to do was SEVERELY going to impact the future. Finally, I had enough, and decided that at the very least, I had to go find the document and look it over again before making my final decision. "Hey, Briana?" I asked her. "Yeah?" "Get up. We have another mission to perform." "And why do I have to go with you?" "Because since you're Life, I need your final input before I do something that will have a SEVERE impact on the future." "Oh? And what will we be doing?" "I'll explain on the way." I then got up, got dressed in my field uniform, before Briana grabbed onto my shoulders, and after leaving the train, we took flight for Cloudsdale. Once we arrived there, the time was almost 2am. I knew that we had to get into City Hall, and I was hoping that it was still open. "So, why are we here again?" "We're here because I need to find the contract that currently binds me to Dash and Spitfire, and one day soon will also bind me to Daring as well." "And let me guess, you want to destroy it?" "It crossed my mind, yes. Before I make my final decision though, I want to look it over again, and then talk it over with you." For a while, Briana said nothing. Finally, she said, "Well, I certainly hope that you think everything through before you make any rash decisions, ESPECIALLY ones that would have that kind of an impact on the future! I mean sure, you MIGHT still have Dash, but then what?" "That's what we're going to find out tonight Briana. One way or another, my future will be decided tonight." Little did I suspect though just how right I truly was. Once we were inside of the building, to my surprise, I was allowed down into the archives. I was also surprised that they let Briana in, (who was still riding on my shoulders mind you!) but then I realized that they thought that she was a service animal, so I just decided to roll with it. Once we were down in the archives, I then began to look for the binding document. Luckily, I still remembered where it was, and once I had it in my hands, I took it, and after reaching the floor again, I stood there reading it. In my right hand I held a lighter, ready to destroy the document, but all the same, I continued to read it over, as well as try and think through the consequences. "Before you try and destroy that, please hear MY take on it." A voice behind me suddenly said. In a bit of a panic, I turned around in a flash, and I saw a figure standing in the dimly lit archives behind me. I couldn't see him too well, but yet he appeared to be a Human. "Who are you?" I asked him. To my surprise, he then stepped out into the light. When I saw him, my jaw hit the ground. There, standing in front of me, was none other than me! He was me as a Human-Bat-Pony hybrid, and he was wearing his Battalion 4009 uniform as well. "What the........what.....????" "Before you say anything, yes, I AM real, and you're not dreaming! And I don't have too long, so I'll have to keep this brief." "What do you want?" I asked him. "The truth is, I came here oddly enough to tell you to destroy that document, but yet to first hear my take on it." I gave him a shocked look. "Wait, what? Why would I be telling myself from the past to destroy the document?!" He sighed. "The truth is, I can't tell you anything that would further impact the future, and even then, I still don't even understand much of it myself. Here's the scoop though. You need to destroy that document, and while yes, it WILL have serious consequences in the future, it WILL serve a purpose! You HAVE to trust me on this! You would NEVER lie to yourself, and my time here is growing short!" He then handed me what looked like a letter. "What's this?" "Well, when you hit the bottom of the barrel, read this letter. It explains a few more things a bit further." "Um, how will I know when I hit the bottom of the barrel?" He sighed. "I'd tell you, but it would cause a potential paradox in the timeline. All I can say is, you'll just know." I then took the letter, before putting it in a pocket of my uniform. "And why am I a Human-Wolf, and you're a Human-Bat-pony? Do I switch back to what I was before sometime in the future?" Other me sighed. "Honestly........I can't tell you Leopard. I would tell you, but the resulting consequences would cause a paradox in the timeline, so all I can tell you is that it just.......happened like this. The letter will explain it a bit more." I then looked at the document. "So........do I destroy this now?" "Yes, and hurry!" I looked at it one last time, and then in a moment of decisiveness, I did what myself told me to do, took my lighter, and lit the document on fire. I then burned it to ashes, before looking back up at myself. "There, is that better?" "Yes. You've just set yourself up for a whole new future, and while it will get off to a VERY rough start, it will all be worth it, trust me!" I did trust him. I left the archives with Briana thinking that I'd done a great service. In truth I had, but not in the way that I was thinking. Once I was gone, myself sighed. He then pulled out a picture, and looked at it. In the picture, I was still a Human-Wolf, and I was hugging a Human woman. She had brown hair, emerald green eyes, and a few scars on her face. She was hugging me back, and we were both blushing sweetly in the picture. On the back of the picture, the words "Leo X Mickey" were visible. He watched the picture for a few minutes, but everything remained the same. "Hmm, well, future saved I guess. I'll just stay in the shadows, and wait for my time to act again." Then, from his uniform, he pulled out the REAL copy of the binding document, and looked it over. "I know that you will hate me for this Leo, but believe me, this serves a VERY important purpose. This document has to be believed to be destroyed in order for it all to work, and now you've done that yourself." Other me then sighed, before putting the picture and the document back into his uniform, and then leaving the archives as well. I made it back to the train before anyone realized that I was gone. Well, almost everyone. As soon as I was back in my room, Aurora looked up at me. "Master?" "Yeah Aurora?" "Where did you and Briana go to?" I sighed. "We went up to the archives in Cloudsdale City Hall. I........decided to do something." She looked up at me with wide eyes. "Wait, you mean to tell me that you DESTROYED that one binding document?!?!" I nodded. "Yes, but here's where the story starts to get really strange......." I then told Aurora all about my brief conversation with myself, as well as the letter that he gave me. When I finished my story, Aurora still looked confused. "Wait, why would you tell yourself to destroy the document?!" I shrugged. "That's what I don't know Aurora. The letter that he gave me has more information, but I'm not supposed to read it yet." "Oh? And when will you read it? Once Rainbow Dash has broken up with you for your perceived insanity?" "I.......certainly hope not Aurora. I mean, Dash wouldn't just up and do that.......would she?" "Well, I don't know Master, but I certainly can say that you've definitely broken something open tonight. Let's just hope that it wasn't a hornet's nest." "Yes.....let's hope so Aurora." I then lay down on my bed, and tried to get some sleep. The next day was the day we were scheduled to head home. Jim and his team believed that they were done fixing Oddball, at least enough to get back to the future. "Oddball, status report." "Calculating.........All systems are at 83% capacity. Portal jumper: non-operational. Time traveling mechanism: operational. Central carbide reactor: operational. Dark Matter containment unit: operational. All other systems: mostly operational. I still wouldn't advise a jump Doctor. I'm not ready for this." "We really have no choice Oddball. We don't have the parts with us to fix you better than you are now until we get back to the future. We've done everything to repair your Time traveling mechanism, and that's all we need to get back. Now then", Jim began to climb into Oddball's pillbox to enter the date for the jump. "Date: October 11th, 2034. Time: 1pm. Do you have all of this Oddball?" "Yes Doctor. Beginning the calculations for the jump. Systems report a 57% chance of failure. Systems also report a 48% chance of the front set of driving wheels collapsing from excessive strain." Jim was slightly concerned when Oddball said that. If the Big Boy were to lose the front 8 drive wheels of her 4-8-8-4 wheel configuration, then the boiler would lean forwards, and the strain could easily snap the first 4 wheels on the lead-truck as well. Effectively, the 4-8-8-4 would become the Snapped-Collapsed-8-4! And while this may sound funny, it could lead to derailment, and possible death. However, Jim had no idea where Oddball even came up with that calculation. In fact, he and his team even checked over the front 4-8 wheels, and found nothing wrong with them in the slightest. "Hmm, must have just been a glitch. Anyway, Oddball, begin your power up sequence." "Initializing. Reactor online, Dark Matter containment unit holding steady, beginning steam transfer. So far, all systems are working as they should." "That's good. I'll inform Don." Jim then grabbed his radio. "Don, it's Jim. Are you there?" "I'm here Jim. What's going on up there?" "It looks like we're all set for our trip back. Oddball looks like he'll hold together long enough to make the jump, so now all we have to do is load up, run a final systems check, get 4009 up to 100mph again close to where we left, and then bingo! We're home, and can fix everything, and try again when we're ready." "Ok, Roger that Jim. We're loading up now." We all then began to load up the train again. Iron Glory was attached to the back of our train, and we all made ready to go back to the future. I was driving again, Alex was my fireman, Todd was my brakeman, and Fred and Andy were my engine guardsmen. I felt very uneasy though. "Guys, I have one of those gut feelings again. Something's not right." "What? Are you sure Leopard?" "Positive Fred. Something bad's going to happen on our way back, assuming of course that we even make it back at all. I'm REALLY starting to get the feeling that we should have left Time travel alone; it was NOT something that Mankind was meant to mess with!" The others just looked at each other, before looking back at me. They knew that my gut feelings were never wrong, but yet Jim had assured us that everything was safe. Was it possible that he was wrong? Or what if just like last time, everything started out ok, and then hit the fan fast? They had no answers as we all awaited further instructions from Don. Eventually, once we were all ready, Don had us do one final system's check. All stations reported in just fine, Jim said that Oddball was all secured, and he once again rode in the cab to monitor him. So far, the needle was still in the Green Zone, although it was close to the "Holding On" in the Yellow Zone. Then, at Don's signal, I opened the throttle, and began to ease the Battleship Express forwards once again. I knew that we were going to have to pick up speed, as we had to get through the Everfree Forest just as we hit 100mph, and made the jump back to the future. However, I knew that we also had to avoid being spotted, and coming off the rails. Slowly, I worked 4009 up to 20, and then 30. "Approaching 40." Jim had his eyes glued to the gauge. It was now in the Yellow Zone, although it was holding steady, at least for the time being. "50mph. Now approaching 60!" Still no movement from the gauge. "70, approaching 75!" Again, still nothing. Jim was starting to relax a bit, but he still continued to watch the gauge. "80! Now approaching 90!" We were also rapidly closing in on the Everfree Forest. Suddenly however, there was trouble. The gauge, which had been holding steady at "Holding On", suddenly began to rapidly climb towards the Orange Zone, also known as "Systems Critical!" "Don, it's happening again! The gauge is in the Orange Zone!" "WHAT?!?! Is there anything that you can do Jim?" "Oddball, systems assessment now!" "Calculating! Systems are approaching the critical point! They're getting too hot! Deploying fire control measures!" However, to Jim's further shock and concern, nothing happened! "Fire control measures failed to engage! Losing........control!" "95mph! Approaching 100!" It was no or never. Jim could see that the gauge was about halfway through "Systems Critical!" but yet he knew that it could hold together long enough to make the jump. "LEOPARD, MAINTAIN SPEED!!!! ALL OTHER CREW, PREPARE FOR THE TIME JUMP!!!!" "100mph!!!" I yelled. "JUMPING NOW!!!!" Suddenly, the train was once again surrounded by bluish energy, and it vanished into Time, but this time, our real troubles with Oddball were only just beginning.