//------------------------------//
// Back to the Present 
// Story: Six Two Six 
// by lunabrony 
//------------------------------//

	With Stitch in Fluttershy's care, the group had very slowly disbanded, the majority of each of the ponies having somewhere else to be. Applejack headed home to ensure that Apple Bloom had made it back safely, and had not gotten distracted on the way home and become hurt after trying to get a falconry cutie mark or something. Rarity was already spoken for, busy in her boutique working on an order that was due to be delivered soon. Rainbow Dash grew bored that nothing of significant coolness was happening, and flew off to find something else, much cooler and worth her time, to do. Pinkie had returned home with Gummy, both covered in chocolate, and excitedly mentioned something about a bubble bath.
Twilight Sparkle led Princess Luna deeper into the Everfree forest, approaching the spacecraft which had become the origin of all of this nonsense. Behind her trailed Fluttershy, with an ever curious Stitch on her back. And behind them came none other than Princess Celestia, who had been in town to sample the cake she had heard was being provided.
"Here it is," Twilight said, feeling a bit proud of herself for knowing something that the Princesses didn't.
Luna of course HAD known exactly where the spacecraft landed, using  point of origin, trajectory, and estimated site of impact. But she made no mention of this.
"Thank you, Twilight." She said.
Twilight did not answer right away, for she was retrieving the alicorn amulet from the inside of the vehicle. She was disturbed that Stitch had found it, and still did not know how. She'd tried so hard to hide it the first time, but wouldn't make the same mistake again. After a moment she exited the spaceboat, the amulet tightly guarded. "You're welcome, always glad to help," she said. Princess Celestia had gone around the side of the craft, examining it, but was also magically installing the solar panelling. This only took a moment, fixing the panels to the sides of the ship.
Stitch hugged Twilight around her neck, and although she was apprehensive about his strength, she allowed it. He did the same for Luna, who seemed thrilled to get a hug of her own, and soon after the alien turned to Celestia. "Worst pony!" He snapped, and ignored her in favor of hugging Fluttershy. "Miss you most," he said.
Celestia's mane flared up, and her eyes narrowed. She looked shocked, and a little bit hurt.
"TO THE-"
Luna placed a hoof on her sisters shoulder. "Be still, 'Tia. How were you supposed to know? It was an accident, nothing more. Such things happen all the time."
Twilight looked over. "What happened?" She was concerned that apparently something had happened in her absence, and even more so that she was only learning about it now.
The Night Princess explained, "Celestia ate the last of the coconut cake, Stitch took it... poorly."
Celestia waved a hoof in protest. "Well it was all just sitting there and the situation had been resolved, and you all know how much I like cake!"
Fluttershy nudged the small blue creature with her nose. "You go on now, you have friends and family waiting for you. You will always be welcome at my cottage, if you find your way back here again."
Stitch jumped inside the spacecraft, and grabbed at the controls, even though the ship wasn't on it. "Vroom! Vroom!" He said impatiently, bouncing in the seat. Luna exchanged a glance with Celestia.
"Are you sure about this? It's dangerous."
"I will do what I can. I know my limits," she assured Luna.
Stitch began to fire up the ship, the loud noise causing all but Celestia to back away, covering their faces with front hooves to shield them from the powerful wind the ship was kicking up. The spacecraft rose higher into the air, charged under its own power, but also charged by the solar paneling. Celestia spread her wings, beating them against the powerful current to match the altitude of the ship. Stitch accelerated, while Celestia flew alongside.
The alicorn's horn glowed and sparked quickly, channeling the power of the sun directly into the ship, via the extra panels. The panels were designed to create magical energy, which flowed into the engines and warp drive. The engine roared to life ever stronger, and the alien driver laughed in anticipation.
"Now!" Celestia yelled, barely able to be heard over the noise. Stitch floored towards warp, going straight up.
"He can't maintain that altitude! He's going to stall out! I've seen it happen to Pegasi before!" Twilight yelled to Luna.
"Shouldn't be a problem with the solar acceleration!" Luna yelled back. "But we only have one shot at this! Celestia can't maintain that sort of energy output for long, nor that kind of altitude!"
Stitch rocketed towards the sky, faster and faster, the solar beam just enough to cause a few ripples of light around the windows. Unlike the first time it had happened, his confidence grew, rather than his uncertainty. He continued to push the ship higher and faster, until even the alicorn beside it couldn't keep up any longer.
Celestia fell back, her horn still glowing, but not able to maintain velocity with the ship.
"It's working!" She called.
Stitch pulled the throttle as hard as he could, and the colors accelerated, wrapping around the windows. There was a
bright flash of light, and a rainbow rippled across the sky in its place.
Out above Ponyville, Rainbow Dash had been watching, and her jaw dropped. "So that's what it looks like from the other side..." She muttered to herself. "That was totally Rainbow!" She fistpumped. "Yes!"
Down below, Celestia landed among her sister, Twilight, and Fluttershy, all four looking up at the fading colors.
"Do you think he made it back?" Twilight asked. "What if we just sent him into an alternate dimension or some sort of twisted version of Equestria in the 80's?"
"We may never know," Celestia said. "Some mysteries are better left unsolved. And some questions better left unanswered."
"You mean like why they call it a hacksaw if it doesn't even hack anything?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, one of many questions, Twilight." Celestia said fondly. "One of many questions."

***


To Be Concluded...