//------------------------------//
// Time 
// Story: To the Stars 
// by Jay David 
//------------------------------//

Applejack hadn't been looking forward to this. True, it was all part of the necessary routines of the ship, but even so, the very idea of it made her wince whenever she thought about it. So, standing at attention in the middle of what was considered to be her kingdom, the engine room, she awaited the expected visitor. To their credit, they were prompt, and Applejack put on a small smile for their benefit. It was Rarity, who likewise seemed to be forcing how pleased she was to be down here. "Applejack. Such a delight to see you again."

"Rarity," Applejack acknowledged. "Nice ta have ya down here."

"Yes, very...nice Rarity remarked through gritted teeth as she glanced around an environment that was as far removed from her comfort zone as she could imagine. "I mean no intrusion of course, but regulations are regulations, and I'll need to look around."

"Sure," Applejack agreed. "Take yer time."

Rarity's fake smile widened, and she did indeed get down to business, whipping out a data pad from behind her and scrolling down a list as she walked alongside her fellow crewman. "So, all quiet down here I take it?"

"As quiet as an engine room can be, ah suppose," Applejack answered.

"Of course, of course," Rarity replied half-heartedly. Then, after walking a fair bit and looking things over, she stopped at one spot in particular. Applejack sighed, knowing full well what was about to happen, but she let it play out anyway. Rarity looked at one of the panels on one of the sides of some of the larger machinery of the room. Carefully, she removed it, revealing what both of them knew she was going to find in there. It was a series of reconnected wires and circuit boards, looking functional, though unlikely to score any points by anyone trying to keep things up to code. And speaking of whom, Rarity let out a similar sigh. "Applejack..."

"Ah know, ah know!" the chief engineer admitted. "Look, it was last week, there was a bit of a hiccup in the engine performance, so ah fixed it." She folded her arms and frowned. "It still works, don't it?"

Putting the panel back where it was, Rarity returned the frown. "Look, you know it works and I know it works. Nobody on this ship is questioning or doubting your engineering expertise."

"Really?" Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because it sure as Heck feels like it's bein' questioned!"

"You know as well as I do why this whole process needs to happen. If you're going to make changes, any changes, even if it's n the middle of a situation where asking permission isn't convenient, you have to let those up in the chain of command know about it. If not for their blessing then at least to keep them in the loop as to what you're doing," Rarity explained.

"Ah can't be doin' with all that paperwork nonsense!" Applejack countered. "Ah ain't no bureaucrat! Somethin' breaks, ah fix it! That's mah job!"

Rarity watched her for a time, then softened in her expression, setting her pad aside for the time being. "Had things remained as they were when the Phoenix first set off from Equis, this sort of thing probably wouldn't raise an eyebrow back home. But since the incident with Gallus, we're being watched closely by the people in charge. As far as they're concerned, everything here needs to be done by the book. No maverick behaviour, no matter how well-intentioned."

Applejack, in an understandably grumpy mood, leaned against one of the engines. "It makes no sense! We do right an' suddenly we're on probation fer it?!"

Rarity, in a move not dissimilar from Applejack, joined her in leaning against the aforementioned engine. "Sadly, you can do all the right in the world...unless it makes things inconvenient for those you work under." Despite their earlier butting of heads, the two were at least able to come together in an unspoken truce over their shared disdain for the situation. Unfortunately, the peaceful moment was interrupted when, to the shock of both of them there was a violent jerking of the whole place. It was like an earthquake which naturally would have been impossible out here, and after getting their footing again, they looked to one another with confusion. Without even missing a beat, Rarity raised her bracer, speaking into it. "Bridge! This is the engine room! What's happening up there?!"

There was a brief moment of static before she got her answer. "Sorry, Rarity," replied the voice of Twilight. "We've just entered an uncharted area. There's...I don't know what we're passing through, but it's causing no end of turbulence for the ship. The readings we're getting, they're...I've never seen anything like it. We'll keep you updated."

They accepted the answer, but were naturally just as uncertain of all this. However, their discomfort for the circumstances soon took a turn for the worst, as they turned in unison to look upon a bizarre sight that emerged with the next round of turbulence. It was, for lack of a better word, a hole. But one right in the middle of nothing in particular. It was like someone had just taken the very air itself and ripped it asunder, creating a tear-like opening that glowed a menacing purplish-pink hue. Instantly, the two young woman stepped back. "What...what on Equis is that?!" Rarity rightly exclaimed.

Cautiously, Applejack approached, much to the dismay of her friend, raising her own bracer and beginning a simple scan of it. "Well, according ta mah readings...it's nothin'."

Rarity blinked, looking from Applejack to the hole and back again. "...Nothing?" she asked.

"Nothin'," Applejack repeated. "The device says it ain't even there."

"Well...it very clearly is," Rarity insisted, pointing emphatically at the intruding phenomena. "We should sound the alarm!"

Applejack considered that. "We could...but the folks upstairs need their heads on straight if they're gonna get us out if this area of whatever. Last thing they need is us makin' em more nervous by tellin' em about this ere."

Rarity began to rub her temples with frustration. "For goodness' sake, Applejack! This is exactly what I was talking about! You need to tell people about this sort of thing!"

"Tell em what?" Applejack countered angrily. "That there's somethin' we don' even know jus' floatin' around in he engine room?"

"They need to know something," Rarity insisted. "Even if it's some small matter now, it might not be later. And the last thing Captain Shimmer needs right now is to have some disaster take place when her officers knew it was happening!"

With a grunt of irritation, Applejack reached out to the side and picked up a nearby toolbox. "Look, y'all can let her know if ya want. I'm gonna stay ere an' see if ah can make some sense o' this thing."

The two would have likely continued arguing, had it not been for another sudden jerking of the engine room. This one, unfortunately, was far more aggressive than the one that had preceded it, and was so forceful that both women were sent flying. Rather inevitably, they were knocked right into the hole they'd been debating. The experience that greeted them on the other side was unlike anything they had ever experienced. It was as if each moment was both instantaneous and infinitely long at the same time, with colours the likes of which they'd never known about flashing before their eyes. It was so confusing and disorienting that Rarity just shut her eyes tightly. "APPLEJAAAAAAAAACK!!!"

"Rarity!" Applejack said back to her.

For a time, while her eyes were closed, Rarity had no idea what was going on. But after Applejack had spoken back to her, she could feel something. A hand gently resting upon her shoulder. Then, more sensations became known. She was lying down. On what, she didn't know, but the surface was cold and hard. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Gone was the psychedelic colours and nonsensical goings on around her. Instead, she found herself in a far more mundane situation. It was just a room. What room, she didn't know, but it was a far more welcome experience than what had come before. Gradually, she looked up, seeing Applejack kneeling beside her and smiling. "Ap...Applejack?"

Applejack's smile widened slightly. "Yeah. It's me. Don't worry, ah'm here."

Though suffering with a slight headache from her ordeal, Rarity got herself up into a sitting position, placing her hand on the side of her head as she looked to her fellow officer. "What...happened?"

Applejack shrugged. "Yer guess is as good as mine, Rarity." She scratched the back of her head before recounting her side of things. "There was a shake, we fell into the hole, there was a bunch o' weird colours and head-screwy stuff happenin', an' next thing ah know ah'm wakin' up next ta ya."

"Ugh, same," Rarity responded. Then, having established that they hadn't hallucinated their recent shared experience, they looked around. To their surprise and confusion, they discovered that they were actually in somewhat familiar surroundings. It was the primary shuttle bay of the Phoenix. The two of them were, at present, kneeling behind a collection of large storage boxes off to the side of the place, and voices of other crewman could be heard off in the distance. "So...that doorway just took us to a different part of the ship?"

Another shrug from Applejack. "Seems like it," she agreed.

Rarity breathed a sigh of relief that things hadn't been worse than that. Unfortunately, that relief was cut dead in its tracks when the both of them started to hear a voice among those in the distance. A very familiar voice indeed. "I'm happy to report that all systems, both long and short-range transmissions, are in top order. We've been testing them all morning, and I assure you that there will be no issues with keeping in-touch with home."

The two stared at one another, as if not quite believing what they'd heard. Slowly though, they turned, peering over the edge of the storage boxes to get a better view. There, right in the centre of the hangar, was a shocking sight. Captain Sunset and Twilight, newly disembarked from a shuttle, entering the hangar. But that was not the shocking part. No, what truly took the two aback was that Rarity was there to greet them. A second Rarity. Retreating down again, the two again stared at each other. "Is that...you?!" Applejack asked.

"Yes," Rarity answered with disbelief. "It would appear so."

"But you're right here!" Applejack continued, her mind struggling to accept what they were seeing.

Rarity too seemed nonplussed about the situation. But then, her eyes slowly started to widen, as realisation came to her. "Me...meeting Sunset and Twilight in the hangar." She looked back up to Applejack. "This...this was the day of our maiden voyage! Before we set off from Equis!"

Applejack stared at her, then slightly off to the side, where the tear in reality that had brought them here was still hovering close by. "Are y'all tryin' ta tell me...that this friggin' thing is a time machine?!"

Rarity, taking a quick peek to confirm that, yes, her earlier self was indeed still over there and greeting her captain, looked back to her irate engineering colleague. "Yes, it would appear so."

Applejack exhaled deeply. "Ya know...when we get back, ya know Twi's gonna lose her mind over this."

Rarity giggled. "Yes, I can actually picture it now."

Applejack, now more willing to accept the scenario, looked back to the hole. "So...do we jus'...go back?"

"That would probably be the reasonable course of action," Rarity agreed. "After all, there's no telling just what kind of impact us just being here will cause."

Applejack nodded, then turned to look over the crates to the past version of Rarity and their friends. "You were here that day. Anythin' goin' on that seems...I dunno...out o' place?"

Rarity shook her head. Glancing in the same direction, just in time for her past self to continue her conversation with Sunset. "Oh pish, Sunset. This is just a routine back-and-forth. Go to the edge of the system and return to make sure everything works. I very much doubt anything will happen on such a dull mission."

Then present Rarity, having heard that, looked back to Applejack. It doesn't appear so. I remember this day well." She started counting off her fingers. "Sunset and Twilight arrived, I greeted them, they had that quick conversation with you over their bracer, and then we went through the rest of the ship."

Applejack nodded. "Fine, good, everything's as it needs ta be then." She looked to the hole. "Then let's get back."

Rarity gave her an agreeing nod in return, and together the two began to slowly make their way back towards the hole. However, before they could do so, Rarity noticed something. Applejack still had the toolbox that she grabbed before they fell into the hole in the first place. Instantly, her eyes widened with realisation, and she reached forward to grab Applejack by the arm, halting her from proceeding. "Wait! I forgot! There was something else that happened during this day!"

"What?" Applejack asked.

To that, Rarity clasped her hands together, as if praying. "Applejack, sweetie, I hate to ask this...but you'll have to give up your toolbox."

Applejack looked to he box in question, then back to Rarity. After seeing the pleading look she was getting from her, she eventually smiled, handing it over. "Alrighty then. Ah still have no idea what yer doin', but let's see."

Rarity was delighted, taking the box when it was offered, then inevitably struggling with the weight of the thing in a manner that Applejack had no trouble with. After getting a good grip on it though, she got back to her plan, carefully lifting it up to put it on top of one of the storage boxes they'd been hiding behind. Applejack watched as she carefully nudged the box further and further to the edge, making sure to not be seen as she did so. Then, she pushed it over, retreating behind the storage boxes as swiftly as she could. The loud clamour of the toolbox hitting the floor rang out across the hangar, and for a while Applejack looked at her liek she was insane, probably because she feared them being discovered. But Rarity was looking confident, waiting and listening out for something. Eventually, both of them heard it. The far-away voice of Twilight. "I see somebody's going to have to review proper tool placement procedures."

Satisfied that she'd got the outcome she was hoping for, she gave a smile and a firm nod to Applejack. "Now we can go back."

Happy that this mess was settled, Applejack reached out her hand, offering it to Rarity. With a smile still on her face, Rarity accepted, and the two stood up and stepped through the doorway. Of course, the experience of travelling through time hadn't become less unpleasant since their first attempt, so them entering the other side and back to their own time was accompanied by the same headache and disorientation that had come before. This time though, they were coping better, in that at least they weren't rendered unconscious by it. Looking around, they saw, to their relief, that they were back in the engine room where they'd started, with Applejack in particular seeming cautiously optimistic. "Okay...anythin' seem different?"

"Well...no," Rarity answered. "I think we've managed to avoid any catastrophic alterations to history, darling."

Then, before Applejack could reply, there was a voice calling to them both from Rarity's bracer. "Rarity! Applejack! Do you read me?!"

Raising her forearm, Rarity answered back. "We're here, Captain!"

A sigh of relief could be heard on the other side. "Thank goodness! We've bene trying to contact you, but we only got static for a while."

Applejack chuckled. "Yeah, we...were were kinda out o' range fer a bit."

The two shared a knowing smile over that, but stayed quiet as their commanding officer continued. "Okay, this will sound strange, but...have you two encountered anything you might call a time door?"

After an awkward silence, Rarity answered. "Well...yes actually. How did you know?"

This time, it was the voice of Twilight who answered, sounding justifiably excited. "Well, it seems the area of space we passed through is subject to a number of unknown phenomena. And the unique energies of Equis ships had an unexpected reaction to them when we flew through the place. The combination resulted in a number of, for lack of a better term, ruptures, allowing for actual passage through to other periods in history!"

"At least that's our working theory," Sunset elaborated. "We've been getting reports all over the ship of crewmen going back to different points and then coming back. One of them is even being looked over by Fluttershy right now for what he claims was a bite from a velociraptor."

"We're leaving the area now," Twilight explained. "So the ruptures should be resolving."

Applejack and Rarity turned, seeing that, yes, the time door was indeed closing, eventually disappearing altogether. "I can confirm the matter is indeed resolved, Twilight," Rarity reported.

"Good," Sunset said back. "I'll need full briefings from everyone who encountered them, so I'll see you two later. Sunset out."

With that, the message ended, leaving the two women rather at a loss on what they'd just been through. "Well...that was a story an' a half!" Applejack remarked.

"Indeed," Rarity concurred. "I'm just glad it's behind us."

"Heh. In more ways than one," Applejack joked, earning her a frown from her friend. "Oh come on! Ya know ah had to!"

Eventually, Rarity giggled, but then looked to her friend in an apologetic way. "And...I'm sorry you had to give up your toolbox for this to work out."

Applejack waved her off. "Pfft! Ain't no biggie!"

"Really?" Rarity asked.

"Really," Applejack confirmed. "Truth was, it weren't even mine ta begin with. Ah found it."

"Found it?" Rarity said with confusion.

"Eyup," Applejack continued. "Found it not long after we left Equis, jus' layin' on the ground in..." Then, her face became one of both realisation and confusion. "...In the hangar bay."

A long silence followed as the two tried all of the mental gymnastics needed to get their heads around this revelation and how it could even be possible. In the end though, and after taking the deepest of breaths, Rarity just turned around and started walking off. "That's it! I'm going to bed early today!"