Special 2: Early Spring Reunion
Somewhere in a different Equestria…
In the middle of a room was a tall, oblong-shaped mirror. Sitting atop it was a sign with the mathematical symbol for prime ['] inside a symbol similar to Princess Celestia's cutie mark. At its base was a sign depicting a triangle (which was the Greek letter delta) and was apparently its old sign.
More mirrors stood in this room as well, all of them with different signs. One was like the sign on the first mirror, except in place of the prime symbol was the Mars symbol [♂]. Some had the Greek letters alpha, beta, and gamma. Another had Princess Luna's cutie mark. One had a blue-green heart-shaped jewel trimmed with a gold ribbon. Mirrors with the cutie marks of Pinkie Pie, Derpy Hooves, and Twilight Sparkle were present, along with more depicting other ponies' cutie marks.
Other symbols include an orange, a burning sun, a darker version of Luna's cutie mark (two of the mirrors had them), a compass rose (two mirrors, one with the Elements of Harmony behind them), a "trollface", a rainbow, grayscale version of such, a heart surrounding Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark (again, two mirrors), a one and zero, a lightning bolt striking the middle of a circle, the Elements of Harmony with curved arrows between the five as if depicting a swap of sorts, and a phoenix feather.
Just then a blue hoof emerged from the mirror with the prime symbol. Then another emerged. Following was a blue unicorn horn, and following that was an orange-yellow mane and the head that held it. The rest of the body shortly followed, the tail coming last.
Chronicle had emerged from the 'portal'.
Two days after Winter Wrap Up, he had went to Canterlot, asking leave from his friends. When asked why, he said it's part of his contract. In reality, there was an event he had to attend.
Somewhere in Canterlot was a place operated by fellow Story Crew members, though they weren't Field Operatives like him. They ran a bar that also had a Request Board for freelancers to take as well as a recruiting program for ponies to enter their ranks. They also took care of legal problems that come with…foreign arrivals, and had a secret room for Story Crew member use only.
Chronicle had used the mirror inside that room to emerge in 'Story Crew Equestria', which served as a hub world for the Timer family. Where Princess Celestia rules Equestria Prime (and a few other Equestrias as well), Prince—not Lord—Solaris the world Timerity's assigned to, and Princess Luna (Equestris) Blue Diary's assigned world, Story Crew Equestria has their father, whose name is Thomas, and he takes the pony alias Lord Record Keeper.
As the blue unicorn pondered that while humming a certain tune, another pony emerged from a mirror, this time the one with the Mars symbol. It was Timerity, and she was humming the same tune as he was. When the two noticed each other, they stopped humming.
"Hey, Chronicle," she greeted. "It's nice meeting you in person like this."
"Likewise, Time," he returned.
"Time… Y'know, my friends call me that too."
"Too bad mine can't be shortened."
"Yeah." She decided to change the subject. "Hey, were you humming—"
"Yes. I can't help it. It's too catchy. Especially since it's my first time in the 'Musical Number' phenomenon."
Timerity raised and lowered her eyebrows in a suggestive manner, which Chronicle seemed to get. The two of them then sang in stereo.
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!♪
Let's finish our holiday cheer!♪
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!♪
'Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!♪
'Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
'Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!♪
Once they were done singing, they both laughed heartily.
Just then, a familiar pony walked in. "How is my favorite nephew and his sister?"
"Uncle!" they both gasped. It was Clockwork, former Field Operative of Rainbow Equestria. His wooden saddlebags were folded up for the moment.
"It's good to see you two! If you're wondering where Blue Diary is, his portal is being…re-calibrated, which will be thankfully finished by the time we finish this conversation. Time travel and all that."
"Why is time travel involved?" asked Timerity.
"You see, while most Equestrias 'start their tale', i.e. you meet with the 'chosen ones', at summer, Blue's starts at winter."
"Does that mean we're growing older than he is?"
"Sadly, yes. Now, we both knew this would happen. Not all Equestrias are 'synced' like yours, as you know from mine. His Equestria's under some sort of time flux."
"Oh, great," grumbled Chronicle.
"From what your father figured out, his world will start going in sync with yours at the Grand Galloping Gala. But that's not important right now. Come on, we're gonna miss the reunion!"
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Later…
The three blue unicorns were now in flight, Clockwork with his cloth/leather wings, and the other two with the Glimmer Wings spell they learned, which were—unlike Rarity's and Elusive's—of a yellow hue, with blue, brown, and black patterns. Below them was a simple town with buildings made of concrete, almost looking like a "villa" in one of the Story Crew's many client worlds. In the middle however was a facsimile of Ponyville's town hall.
"We're here," said Clockwork. One by one, they descended toward the entrance. Upon landing, Clockwork folded up his wings, while Timerity and Chronicle cast a spell that made their Glimmer Wings disappear.
The three of them opened the door and beheld what was inside. Ponies of all races were gathered at long tables filled with food, though there was also the occasional non-pony, like at least four dragons (all of relatively small size), a few griffons and zebras, and so on.
In the center table sat an alicorn stallion as tall as Princess Celestia. Aside from the Story Crew insignia everypony bears as their cutie mark, he had a burnt orange coat, red-brown eyes, and black hair with streaks of orange. He wore black shoes each with a pale yellow jewel on them, cornflower blue leggings on his hind legs, an ornate-looking vest of the same color with gold edges, and a diadem with a hole for his horn.
The alicorn looked up, turned to face the newcomers, and said, "Brother. I'm glad to see you made it. And you managed to bring in my twin children too." Said twin children put a hoof to the back of their head as they made a sheepish smile.
"Hello, Father," the two younger unicorns greeted in return and they and Clockwork walked to the "de facto" ruler of this Equestria.
"I'm glad to see you could make it. You're the next-to-last ones to arrive." Just as he said that, from one of the open windows emerged Calyndar and Blue Diary, who were making their way down as well. "And now that we're all here, I can ditch this form."
His horn glowed yellow and he 'removed' his diadem. The moment he did, his form shone brightly and shrunk. By the time his transformation was complete, he was now an earth pony. In place of his 'alicorn attire' was a Wears a blue gi, ochre pants, a white sash over his body, pink bands on his front hooves, and black shoes with white shin coverings on his hind hooves. His mane and tail retained their form, and with his smaller body the latter seemed to be larger.
Normally, when someone transforms right in front of a crowd, the crowd would be making various murmurs, shouts, and general expressions of surprise. However, everybody in the Timer family knows that Lord Record Keeper only uses his alicorn form in very specific occasions/situations and when having 'discussions' with some of the other rulers of the many Equestrias the Timer family covers. Otherwise, he prefers the humble form of an earth pony.
"Why did you even change into that form if you weren't gonna stick with it anyway?" a voice suddenly came.
Record turned to his right to face a unicorn mare with violet-blue-and-purple hair styled like Timerity's, a forest green coat, and blue eyes (it should go without saying that her cutie mark is the same as everypony's). She wore a black hair bow on her mane, a ribbon on her tail, a plain imperial red cape, and a moderate cornflower blue suit. She's his wife Jenny, whose pony alias is Ebony Spell.
"You know why, my dear," he answered her.
"I don't really think it's necessary if all you're expecting are fellow members like us. Even if someone we don't know were to come in, I'm sure it wouldn't make much of a—"
Record gave a sigh. "Jenny, do I have to go through this with you again?"
Before Ebony could reply, she noticed their children, who were now walking together (well, Blue remained a few inches off the ground) and Clockwork and Calyndar were no longer with them. She beamed up at the sight of them, and cast a spell to teleport right into their faces, startling them a bit that even Blue dropped to the floor. She then wrapped her forelegs around her fraternal twins, unable to reach her youngest, who went in and hugged her anyway.
The two blue unicorns were utterly embarrassed, mostly due to the fact that their mother wore a hair decoration and a tail decoration, but her pony form made her look like their older sister. "Mom!" they chorused. She let them go and Blue did the same.
"Oh, sorry," she said. "It's just that it's been a long time since I saw you kids."
"Come on, Mom. You've seen us during training," said Timerity. "By Equestria pony standards, were technically adults."
"Even though they're apparently young enough to enjoy slumber parties," grumbled Chronicle.
"May we go now? We probably have some cousins who wish to greet us."
"Of course," conceded Ebony. "We're having a musical later, and I'm sure the song's still fresh in your heads."
"Let me guess," Blue said. "Winter Wrap Up?"
Ebony seemed to be genuinely shocked at him knowing. "Why, yes. How do you know?"
Blue rolled his eyes. "Mom, I know what they have been doing thanks to the dream-link we have established. Also, the song's still in my head even after the Oaton incident."
"Oh."
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[A/N: Due to the fact that just about every character in the setting is an OC, and that there are a lot of them, I decided to do away with the character breaks I usually make just for this chapter.]
A few minutes later…
Chronicle was just finishing a conversation with a cousin who was assigned to an Equestria where Fluttershy was the ruling Princess when he got a strange feeling. As the pony he was talking to left, a loud popping noise came from behind, startling him. What followed was a raucous laugh. The unicorn quickly turned around to face the culprit.
It was a bright green earth pony stallion with baby blue eyes, forest green hair styled in a mohawk like Zecora, and a short tied-up tail styled in the same manner as his mane. A burst paper bag was in his mouth and there were corks clogging his ears.
"Hi, Timmy!" he greeted.
"Jackson, did you really need to re-introduce yourself like this?" Chronicle scolded.
"Of course! By the way, my pony name is Hickory Dickory."
"Dock, the mouse went up the clock," the unicorn finished the rhyme.
Hickory giggled at this, then something suddenly crashed on top of him, kicking up a bit of dust.
"That's what you get for sticking your ass into my horn, pervert!" he heard Timerity say a distance away. "Your pony name really suits you, Blue Pen!"
The pony who crashed on Hickory was a pegasus stallion with the same coat color as him, chocolate brown eyes, and sleek hair colored like Trixie's coat, his tail styled like Timerity's. His rump was also sore as a result of a point-blank magic blast. As he recovered, he found himself looking at a very cross Chronicle in the eye.
"Peter, what did my father tell you if he ever found you doing family incest?"
"Come on, Timmy," argued Pen. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him, right?"
"Wrong. Dad always has ways of knowing if you're being like this."
"You mean my father tattles to him."
"That too."
"Brothers, there you are!" a voice came.
Headed their way was another pegasus stallion. He had the same eyes as Pen, the same hair color as Hickory, the same hairstyle as Rainbow Dash, and the same coat color as Chronicle.
"Joey!" the unicorn greeted.
"Journal!" gasped the two bright green ponies.
"Come on, you two. Father's calling for us. Big sister's already there, and you know what that means."
"We're gonna get 'steampunked'," gulped Pen. "Let's go!" And they were gone.
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"So, how was your Winter Wrap Up, Blue?" Timerity was asking her youngest brother. They were sharing glasses of sparkling wine, Blue using a special gauntlet that served as a hand to hold the cup. He's not allowed to bring it to Luna Equestria though.
"It went well. However, as it turns out, for the past ten years there, Winter Wrap Up has never been finished on time."
"You know, that also applied in Solaris Equestria."
"And it can go without saying that that also happened in Equestria Prime. How did you solve it, assuming you did."
"Dusk Shine volunteered after realizing his one other talent besides magic; organization. Naturally, we can say Prime's Twilight Sparkle had the same idea. What about you, Blue? Did Trixie being them together?"
Blue refilled his cup, then took a long gulp from it before answering. "No. She went back to be after discovering that fact from the mayor. Since I was irritated by such disorder, I decided to take matters into my own hooves."
"Let me guess. You went and organized them?"
"You betcha. Although I was more 'getting their act together'. I got Cheerilee to take up the role of All-Team Organizer with me as an assistant. Still finished a bit late, but only by a few hours instead of days or even weeks."
"Dusk and I cleared it on time."
"And I'll assume the same's with Chronicle and Twilight."
"He can always deny it though."
"True. 'Dimensional reflection' can be weird. Events in your Equestria somehow seem to be destined to be mirrored in Chronicle's."
The two then looked around for a while, taking in the forms their cousins assumed. "I know we're probably already familiar with the advantages of an earth pony over the other two races we chose, but I still don't get how some of our cousins think it's a cool form to take. I mean, unicorns are very versatile, even though they are 'frail' in comparison to the average pony."
"And pegasi have the powers of flight, weather control, and cloud-walking. Still, I also have some magical items to back me up."
"Ah, yes. The two red aura swords Justice and Retribution. From what Peter told me while just before sticking his you-know-what into my horn, Cousin Rokuban chose the earth pony form because he wanted to use the Armadillo Armor, where he can turn himself into a ball and roll to move fast and tackle enemies. As for Jackson, I haven't the slightest idea, except perhaps to endure retributions after pulling off pranks."
"Maybe." The two of them turned to look at Record Keeper, who was . "Still don't get why Dad prefers an earth pony form over his alicorn form, though."
"Neither do I."
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It was difficult being Lord Record Keeper. He was not a Field Operative like the rest of his family—including his wife—but was the manager of this 'base world'. Apart from the occasional 'mission control', he and the 'staff' in Story Crew Equestria usually have to handle entities with "Toon traits", "fourth wall"-breaking skills, and dangerous reality warping powers. Common targets are Mr. Mxyzptlk, a few "Q expies", a number of Pinkie Pies (and Bubble Berrys/Berry Bubbles), certain Doctors, a mad clown/god, a dimension/wandering swordsman, a couple of alicorns and "draconequi", one certain genie, and more.
In one occasion, the one called The Merc with the Mouth stumbled here in search of his target: Thomas Timer, who was Record Keeper himself. He and everybody else involved vowed not to mention the incident for the rest of their lives, but it was one heck of an incident.
He also sometimes communicates with rulers of other Equestrias, but only when they somehow reach out to him first. Otherwise, he keeps his existence hidden. So far, the only rulers he's in semi-constant contact with are Princesses Pinkie Pie, Philomena, and Luna of the Lunar Republic. Princess Molestia often tries to hit on him even after he told her he's married, Princess Trollestia keeps pulling pranks, and Princes Sun Bro and Moon Dude keep inviting him to go "cosmos surfing" no matter how many times he has refused them. Tyrant Celestia of the Solar Empire and Corona Blaze (but not together) constantly try to find a way to invade Story Crew Equestria, but he and his allies constantly keep them at bay.
That was why he was happy to just relax (as much as he could anyway) while he can in this reunion. Although he still received a few messages from time to time from his staff through an earpiece of his.
"Lord Keeper, we got Mr. Mxyzptlk incoming on Sector Cloud," one operative called.
"You know what to do," he whispered back. "Initiate Procedure Reverspeak."
"Already done, sir."
"Good."
"Lord Keeper, while we were investigating Luna Equestria's past, we found a potential recruit," another operative called.
"Nice work. You know what to do."
"Yes sir."
The Story Crew had an unorthodox way of recruiting members into its ranks. Using methods classified to the common operative, including Field Operatives, the Story Crew locates individuals with any of the following "parameters"; 'part in tale is over', 'verge of death outside of disease or failing immune system', 'died on a bus', 'drifter', 'no one will miss them', etc.
"Father," a voice called him.
Record turned to his left to face his eldest son Mahou, who took the pony name Mystic Wand. He was a unicorn with a dark blue coat, deep blue eyes like Blue Diary, and smooth, but mussed up jet black hair. He wore a cape similar to the one worn by Trixie (whom Record identified through his children's Surveillance cameras), but colored in her coat color, and glasses of the same shade.
"It's time to begin the musical."
Record nodded in response. "Thank you, son. Now go with your mother. You know what to do."
Wand nodded and teleported away. Record then asked for a microphone, got one, and then spoke through it. "ATTENTION! I have prepared a musical for you all to celebrate this reunion."
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"How did you rope us into this again?" Blue Diary snarked.
"And how are we supposed to memorize our parts in time?" asked Timerity.
"And we're gonna use the 'Musical Number' Phenomenon?" gasped Chronicle.
"Relax, kids," Ebony tried to assure them. "Thomas knows what he's doing."
Before any of them can get into further debate, the three Timer children were teleported onto a stage. Even for the two who have done teleportation themselves, having it done without their consent is still a bit disorienting.
They took a quick look around and what they saw astounded them, due to it having bee set up so quickly. To their left was a band complete with various instruments and other sound enhancers. Behind them were three very large screens, and below those were a few select members of their family. Their mother Ebony Spell, their brother Mystic Wand, Ginger Cloud, Clockwork and his sons Blue Pen, Hickory Dickory, and Journal, were among these.
Now Playing: Winter Wrap Up
A piano and acoustic guitar began to play in ballad style with a backing synthesizer. They started up a slow 4/4 beat in D flat major.
The screens activated and began to play a video depicting what the Surveillance cameras of Record's children sans Wand saw on their friends. As they are influenced by the "Musical Number" phenomenon, it didn't look like they were 'recorded' at all, but as if arranged somehow.
Rainbow Dash: Three months of winter coolness♪
Lyra Heartstrings: And festive holidays♪
The ones who arranged the video muted the videos at specific intervals in a manner akin to a remix.
Berry Bubble: We’ve kept our hoofsies warm at home♪
Pinkie Pie: Time off from work to play♪
Carrot Top: But the food we’ve stored is running out♪
Applejack (M): And we can’t grow in this cold♪
Rarity: And even though I love my boots♪
Raindrops: it's time to end the cold♪
A bass and mandolin went in as the tempo increased. A shaker marked the time as the three Timers on stage started singing over the voices in the videos, influenced by the "Musical Number" phenomenon.
Cheerilee and Chronicle: The time has come to welcome spring and all things warm and green♪
Cheerilee and Blue Diary: But it’s also time to say goodbye, it’s winter we must clean♪
Twilight Sparkle and Chronicle: How can I help? I’m new, you see, what does everypony do?♪
Dusk Shine and Timerity: How do I fit in without magic?
The videos' voices were then muted.
Timerity and Chronicle: I haven’t got a clue♪
The bass drum came in as the rest of the family onstage joined in the song.
Ebony, Clockwork, and Wand: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, let’s finish our holiday cheer♪
Hickory, Journal, and Ginger: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up ’Cause tomorrow spring—♪
The green pegasus cut in as he jumped and glided over them.
Pen: —is here♪
All: ’Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
The snare drum came in as the video voices were un-muted.
Ditzy Doo: Bringing home the southern birds, a pegasus’ job begins♪
Rainbow: And clearing all the gloomy skies to let the sunshine in♪
At the next line, Blue Diary decided to sing along.
Raindrops and Blue: We move the clouds and we melt the white snow♪
At the next line, Timerity decided to do so as well.
Blitz and Timerity: When the sun comes up, its warmth and beauty will glow♪
The video voices muted again as the rest of the Timers began to sing again, doing the chorus in two parts. While the rest held out the second “up” in each line, the main three sang the rest of the line.
All: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, let’s finish our holiday cheer♪
Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, ’cause tomorrow spring is here♪
Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, ’cause tomorrow spring is here♪
’Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
Again the videos were un-muted. But this time, the video-voices were played two at a time.
Lyra and Elusive: Little critters hibernate under the snow and ice♪
At the next line, Chronicle decided to pitch in for one line.
Lyra, Fluttershy, and Chronicle: We wake up all the sleepyheads so quietly and nice♪
BonBon and Rarity: We help them gather up their food, fix their homes below♪
BonBon and Butterscotch: We welcome back the southern birds♪
BonBon, Butterscotch, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Elusive: So their families can grow♪
The instruments stopped playing and percussion came in the form of tambourines and hand/hoof clapping, with a bass drum and bongos joining in.
The video voices muted again as the Timers began to sing again, this time splitting the vocals in three parts. Ebony and Mystic Wand broke off from the rest and held out each “Winter” in the line while the other two lines carried on as before.
All: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, let’s finish our holiday cheer♪
Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, ’cause tomorrow spring is here♪
Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, ’cause tomorrow spring is here♪
’Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
The instruments returned as they played in stoptime. The video-voices were unmuted yet again.
Applejack (F): No easy task to clear the ground♪
Carrot Top: Planting all our crops♪
We'll make sure we all have food, even if we work nonstop♪
Applejack (both): Apples, carrots, celery stalks,♪
Carrot and both Applejacks: colorful flowers too♪
We must work so very hard, it’s just so much to do♪
Normal rhythm resumed as the video-voices were muted yet again and the Timers sang their part, Ebony and Mystic Wand joining in the "hold-out" line this time.
All: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, let’s finish our holiday cheer♪
Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up, ’cause tomorrow spring is here♪
Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up♪
The sole earth pony onstage went to the center and sang his line out loud.
Hickory: ’cause tomorrow spring is here♪
All: ’Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
The music slowed down and all the instruments stopped except for the piano, acoustic guitar, and synth. The main three sang over Twilight and Dusk's lines as the video un-muted their voices for the last time.
Chronicle: Now that we know what they all do, we have to find our place♪
Blue: And help with all of our hearts, tough task ahead we face♪
Timerity: How will we do without our magic, help the earth pony way?♪
I want to belong, so I must do my best today♪
All three: Do our best today♪
The music hastened once more as all the instruments returned, the video-voices were muted for the last time and the rest of the Timers onstage sang over the main three.
All: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up♪
Hickory and Pen: Let’s finish our holiday cheer♪
All: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up♪
Ebony and Clockwork: ’Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
All: Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up♪
The drums then stopped as the main three sang their lines.
Timerity: ’Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
Chronicle: ’Cause tomorrow spring is here♪
Blue: ’Cause tomorrow spring—♪
All three: —is here♪
The three held out the last note until the song ended and the screens deactivated.
End Song
A long round of applause followed and the Timers who sang couldn't feel more proud.
"Still angry at Father?" asked Ebony.
"Yes," Blue answered. "But this song's too catchy for us to stay like that for long."
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Sometime after the musical, Blue, Timerity, and Chronicle were taking a casual walk back to the mirror portal room, which would take the back to their assigned Equestrias. In the meantime, they were having a chat.
"It's some kind of memory-transfer spell," Blue was explaining to his unicorn siblings something he had picked up from his time in Luna Equestria. T be specific, he got it from Trixie Lulamoon. "It sort of copies the memories in one's mind and gives them to its recipient. They'll still know it isn't theirs, but it lets them see things from the caster's perspective. The application involves mouth-to-mouth."
Chronicle raised an eyebrow at this. "You mean kissing."
"Tongue-to-tongue too."
The unicorn mare raised her eyebrow as well. "Prench kissing?"
"Uh-huh. It can go the other way as well. The recipient just has to focus on the memories the caster wants to see."
"Interesting."
"You think you might be able to apply that spell?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not sure if I want my friends learning it. Think of the implications."
"I know, right? It felt awkward seeing Trixie do it on Raindrops. And after I got Syrena too."
"Syrena?" Both unicorns were confused.
"She's my pet swan."
"Swan?"
"Hey, don't diss the power of a swan. Their wings can break bone. I'm doing what I can to train her so that she can fight alongside me in fights. You two should consider getting pets as combat assistants."
"I'm not too sure about that," Timerity said. "I've checked Butterscotch's animals and not one of them seem to be my type."
"I don't even want to find out what Fluttershy would do to me if she would ever find that out as my reason for getting a pet," Chronicle added with a twinge of fear.
They paused in their conversation when they saw a pony headed their way. She didn't bear the Story Crew cutie mark they all did, which only meant one thing; she's a recruit.
Upon noticing the trio, the pony performed a salute at them. The three Timers looked at each other, then Chronicle said, "Uh…at ease?" The pony let down her hoof.
Blue immediately went professional. "State your name."
"Stringer."
"Talents? And tell the truth. Past crimes no longer matter here."
"…I'm a con mare. A sort of jack-of-all-trades. I can cook well enough to make you think I'm a famous chef, I could march well enough to look like an angry guard better bribed than argued with, I could juggle, sing, even walk on my two front hooves. Good at anything, but great at talking."
"Reason behind recruitment?"
"Costume Artist and I planned to do the legendary con; to play the cursed Symphony for Moon and Sun. Costume would pretend to be the Princess, who was abroad in diplomatic talks, and I would play the Symphony. Unfortunately, the Princess arrived at the last minute, arrested Costume, and then dared me to play. I did, but it had offended her, just like the eleven times before it. I was sent to prison after that, then that was when one of your guys came in."
"All right. What are you supposed to be doing?"
"Report to Lord Record Keeper for my assignment."
"Do so."
Stringer nodded and went on her way. Once she was gone, Blue turned to his siblings and—not wanting to explain what he just did—decided to change topics. "Did you know that gay pairings and lesbian pairings are a-okay in Luna Equestria?" said the pegasus.
It worked. "Wow, really?" gasped the unicorn mare.
"Yeah. Not that I'm gonna go with a guy. I'm straight, unlike you." Blue turned to Chronicle at this.
"Hey, I resent that remark. In spite of the times I've cross-dressed, I'm still as male as you are."
"I was just teasing you, bro."
"Wasn't funny."
"Not in the slightest," added Timerity.
"Anyway, last Hearts and Hooves Day—which we know as Valentine's Day—I managed to convince Raindrops to go with me."
"On a date?"
"Not quite. I had to accompany and assist her with helping BonBon with her gift to Lyra."
"Oh, I was expecting you to ask Ditzy," Chronicle remarked.
"I just live in with her. Dinky's just too adorable. Also, she's was too busy delivering love letters along with her usual mail."
"Oh. Yeah. The burdens of a single mother."
"So…thinking of asking Fluttershy?"
The unicorn stallion seemed a bit flustered at this and their sister seemed to make a sleazy smile. "Wha…I'm still not sure. It's still months away for Hearts and Hooves Day here. And Twilight certainly needs more social lessons."
"I'm gonna have to say the same thing with me and Rainbow," the unicorn mare added.
Blue Diary gave a sigh. "Looks like our timelines are set apart by months."
"Well duh. It was summer when my 'adventure' began while it was winter in yours. Uncle Tycho told us just after we arrived."
"But much more time is passing in both of yours than mine."
"Must be some sort of time flux…" Chronicle then realized something. "Wait a second! What give you the idea about me and Fluttershy?"
"Just a thought."
"Also, we saw her pull off a Special Sonicboom during our three-way fight while talking with Mystic Wand," their sister added. "It was in your fantasy, of course, so we assumed that." She then turned to face their youngest brother. "Say, if gay and lesbian pairings are legit and okay in your Equestria, what isn't, apart from abusive pairs of course?"
"Child to adult, same gender. Latest case-in-point, Sweetie Belle to Cheerilee."
Both unicorns were surprised. "…What."
"Yes."
"That is sick and wrong," exclaimed Chronicle.
"Still, the matter was cleared up before things got hectic. Also, even my friends are not above poor communication. Ditzy thought Dinky had a thing for Trixie, and I discovered that she had a thing for Princess Luna, though that had to end due to not only the immortality issue, but also its exploitability for the Night Court."
"Hmm…I always wondered if Twilight has similar feelings for Celestia."
"Really?"
"Of course not. Your talk about relationships brought it up."
"And I don't want to know if Duck—I mean, Dusk and Solaris have something similar," said Timerity with a shudder.
"Well, there's also the problem of Gilda beforehand proposing to both Raindrops and me," Blue added.
"No way!" gasped his unicorn siblings.
"It's supposed to be some sort of griffon tradition. The only other alternatives are let them take over Ponyville or have her return our decapitated heads."
"Ouch…" Chronicle then noticed him smirking. "Hey, was that supposed to be a joke?" When he wasn't answered, he said. "That wasn't funny!"
"We're here," their sister announced.
The three of them found themselves inside a building and in front of a reception desk tended to by a dragon with Spike's proportions, but colored orange like the Story Crew's insignia.
"State your callsign and destination," he said.
"Chronicle. Equestria Prime."
"Timerity. Solaris Equestria."
"Blue Diary. Luna Equestria."
"All right. Pass."
The three ponies walked past the desk and through a hall and before they knew it, they were in the room with the mirrors, which would take them to the many Equestrias the Story Crew had links to. They each went to the mirrors they had went through to get here, Blue towards one with Princess Luna's cutie mark. They all stopped just before entering.
"Hey guys," Timerity called to her brothers. "It's been an interesting reunion. See you on the dreamscape."
"See ya," Blue was about to cross his portal back to Luna Equestria when he stopped for a moment. "Oh, before I forget, look for the book Spells 101: Mane Changing. Maybe you can pull off some pranks with it or utilize it for disguises."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Provided that book even exists in our Equestrias," added Chronicle.
"If it doesn't, let me know and I'll give you details so you can ask." With that, the white pegasus pressed a hoof to his portal. "Look to the stars, for hope burns bright." The mirror glowed and his hoof passed through, followed by the rest of him.
Timerity followed suit ("Let no one else decide your fate."), leaving Chronicle for last. "Ally to good, nightmare to evil." The mirror rippled as his body crossed it, and once he was completely through, the rippling stopped and it was as if he were never here apart from the sign of hoofprints.