Counterclockwise

by AdrianJNovelle


Counterclockwise, Part 3

I did it. I changed history. But, as I've come to know: that only brought more trouble. I believe that was the course of action which brought on the Temporal Manipulation Squad: this was the spark which set them off. They're still after me, watching me like hawks in an empty desert. I'm camoflagued into the environment, but any temporal movement I make will only lead to disaster.
Meanwhile, I wanted to bask myself in what I had finally accomplished. Since I was from a different timeline, the only way I could enjoy my new life was vicariously, by, well...stalking myself.
| "Ha ha hah ha!" |
Hey, it could have been a lot worse. I could have temporal incest with myself if I felt like it. But I wouldn't ask this Twilight Sparkle to bed.
| "You wanna wash-" |
Not until after my story, Dr. Zimmermare.
Now, back to business.
The good news is, because I looked nothing like myself, I could simply befriend myself as Stardust, and just hang out with me.
I did just that. And I must say, I'm quite a delight. I'm a pleasure to be around!
Unfortunately, playing with myself was not all it was cracked out to be for long.
About three days into my friendship with myself, I was approached by this large, strange-looking unicorn who wore a suit and tie, a pair of shades over his eyes so you couldn't read his thoughts.
"Miss," he said, evading a personal address. "May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Um..." I looked at Twilight. "Yeah. I'll be right back, okay?"
"Sure thing," I said.
"Please follow me," said the mysterious stallion. He led me quite a distance from Twilight, to an alleyway where we would not be seen. "Twilight Sparkle," he continued.
I gasped. "How do you know my name?"
"Let's just say I know you."
"I don't think I know who you are."
"You don't. And I prefer to keep it that way, if that's alright with you."
"Um..."
"Regardless. I'd introduce myself, but I do not wish to give away my identity to you."
"Am I in trouble?"
"Yes." My eyes shrank. "But you don't have to be. We know this timeline is an alternate timeline, and we know you and that girl you were just talking to are Twilight Sparkle. Wear as much ugly dye as you want: I know how you are, and I will always find you - you cannot hide from me or any of my coworkers."
"Your coworkers?"
"We call ourselves the Temporal Manipulation Squad, or TMS for short. We're a group of elite unicorns, just like you. We know how to travel through time. In fact, it was your success in traveling through time which inspired us to become time-travelers ourselves. Our mission is to protect the space-time contiuum. And you, Ms. Sparkle, have infringed on it by creating this alternate timeline. The fun's over. If you don't wanna see my face again, reverse this timeline immediately. And if you do see my face again, I can guarantee you that it will not be under such merciful circumstances. Reverse this timeline, and you won't see me again."
I panicked at the threats this stallion was making to me. He clearly meant business. And there apparently others.
Buck.
Well, there's only one reaction to the law enforcement: do what they say.
"Yes, sir," I said in a salute.
"Excellent." He leaned in. "And should I come back here...you don't want that."
He exited the alleyway, and vanished in a flash of bright light.
I charged up my exhausted horn, and went back to the date and time where I had gone to change history in the first place. I hid in some bushes, and looked around for an ugly-looking unicorn. One appeared spontaneously nearby, and headed to Twilight Sparkle who was seen sitting at Princess Celestia's tombstone, mourning as usual.
I crept around the bushes, positioned myself behind her, spawned a large rock with my horn, and brutally smashed it against that Stardust's head, injuring her, and knocking her unconscious. I hopped out of the bushes, and dragged the body behind the shrubs, to hide it from anyone, especially that Twilight Sparkle.
Then I reported to her.
"Hey," I said to her.
Tears dripped from her giant, violet eyes. "Hello," she said. "Didn't you just say goodbye to me?"
Oops.
"I have a question: did I just come here and ask you to not use the age retardation spell ever?"
"Yeah...you certainly did."
"Okay. Um, I've, uh, changed my mind. Use the spell. For the love of Celestia - use the spell!"
"Uh...okay? Right now?"
"No no, when the time is right. Just be sure to use it when you want."
"You got it."
"Thanks," I gave myself a slight grin.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" I asked myself. "You're all 'do this, don't do this' and it's kinda scaring me."
"I'm just mentally challenged. Good day, Twilight Sparkle."
"Good day, Ms. Stardust."

Another trip back to my shrine later, and I knew I had done my job well: I was doomed to die at the ripe, old age of eight hundred and seventy-six. Or...so I thought.

Twilight Acorna Sparkle
Loving wife and mother
1,849,251 - 1,8--,-- (Age ???)

I rubbed my hoof against the golden plaque.
Buck.
What did I do wrong? What should I do? Where should I go?
The sound of an alarmed siren suddenly came within earshot.
Shit! No time!
I panicked, and once again, went to my horn for a solution to my problem.
I just jumped forward through time. I didn't care what year it was, and I didn't care where I ended up: I just wanted out of there and away from the TMS. I doubt they would find me if I couldn't even tell where I was.
I finally stopped my spell.
Equestria had changed. The skies were black as night, ominous clouds looming overhead as the wind whistled through barren tree branches. Lightning boomed and thunder roared in the treacherous night as sirens were heard encroaching in the distance.
My escape was futile.
But I was too exhausted to run anymore. My body was weak, my horn limp from all that traveling I did. And well, I knew in my heart I had more jumps to make. But firs things first: I had to hide my plot.
I scampered through the mysterious town, lost in the shadows of the black world. I screamed for my life: panicked, worried, tears flying out of my eyelids and into the air from the harsh wind pushed against me and the violent rain attacked me.
A warm hoof greeted me in the night by a stallion wearing a dark cloak.
"Take my hoof if you want to live!" he exclaimed.
I did so, and he led me to this cathedral-like building which looked like a haunted manor.
We hustled inside, and I shook off all the raindrops, getting all that rainwater on the carpeting below my hooves.
"Oops...sorry, sir."
"It's not trouble."
The stallion removed his hoodie, and I finally got to see his face buried under a thick layer of metal alloys.
"Who are you?" I inquired.
"Dr. Luis Zimmermare."