//------------------------------// // Memories Out of Time // Story: DisQord Continuum 2: Friendship is Futile // by ZoidbergIsBestPony //------------------------------// Memories Out of Time The Elements of Harmony remained active, spreading far and wide. From drone to drone, the magical energy wrapped around them, coursing through their bodies. All across Canterlot, every last drone felt the unfamiliar embrace of individual life together with the many voices of friendship. From within the castle itself, Lyra and Bon-Bon finally made their way back to the throne room where the scene lay before them. They stared in awe as the spell chained from drone to drone, straight through the walls and out across the land. When the spell finally ceased, the six ponies lowered down to the ground completely drained. The spell had taken a lot of them, but it had given them so much more in return. Discord had watched in silent glee while the spell did its work. When it dissipated, he finally voiced himself. “Well done, my little ponies! Well done, indeed!” He was applauding loudly as he spoke, the singular clapping echoing even louder across the stone room. Present-Twilight got up off the floor shakily. She was in a confused daze. “Wha– What just happened?” “You did it, my dear! That’s what happened!” “We did? How? The last thing I remember, I– I was being infected by those... things.” The other ponies started to recover slowly, sitting up to hear the conversation. Princess Celestia joined in, equally as interested. “Discord? What has happened? I don’t recall much, but I– Oh no! What have I done?” The princess’s face dropped in horror as bits of her memory from her time as Celestus suddenly returned to her. “You, my dear, have done far more than even I could have hoped for! But I don’t want to repeat myself. There’s someone else who deserves to hear all about it.” Discord flicked his fingers and Captain Picard instantly appeared before them. Picard looked around briefly to see where he was then centered on Discord. “Q?” he asked still looking around. “What’s the situation?” “The situation couldn’t be better, Captain. We did it!” “The Borg situation is contained?” the captain inquired. “In so many words, yes. But that’s not the point. The point is, with all the blank stares at me, was how it was done. You see everything would have been lost if it wasn’t for my favorite princess here.” “Me?” Celestia asked, confused. “What did I do right? I did such terrible things!” The princess blushed with her guilt, but stared hopefully at the Draconequus. “Yes... Yes you did...” Discord nodded solemnly, but in more of a mocking manner. This did not help the princess’s face, which reddened even further. “But you also managed to do the one thing most species could never do. You managed to keep vital information from the Queen while assimilated.” “I– I did?” “Yes, you did. You managed to hide what the true nature of the Elements of Harmony really is! When Celestus took control of your ponies and the elements they possessed, she thought she could use their powers to do her bidding. After all, it is a tremendous store of magical energy with abilities far beyond that of a mindless Unicorn or even Alicorn drone. She thought she’d found her prize. “But what she did not understand, was what the heart of such power stems from: Friendship. When she activated the elements among the six ponies, their link within the Borg Collective provided an even stronger bond to their friendship; strong enough even to break free. The spell didn’t kill the Borg nanoprobes, so much as use them against the Queen. With such a strong bond, they were able to seek out others in the link, starting with you, my dear Celestia.” “I can remember the anger… the fear. My link– her link to the Collective was being used against her. She couldn’t stop it…” Discord listened thoughtfully, nodding. “Yes, and by then it was too late. The magic of friendship spread across the link seeking out every last drone and given them back their individuality and passed onto them their friendship.” Princess Celestia smiled as tears streaked down from her eyes. Picard straightened his uniform with an obvious confusion written about his expression. He shook it off and decided to not even bother to question the magic of friendship. “Um– Yes, well… That’s that then, I suppose,” Picard sputtered. “Now what about the universe?” “Oh there’s plenty of time for that now, Captain. No need to be so impatient. Can’t you see this sweet little mint green pony is just dying to ask me something.” He looked down at Lyra, who had been listening raptly as she approached cautiously. He smiled at her and nodded. “Well… do you know how my horn disappeared, and then suddenly came back? And then did things I never have been able to do? And…” “Well first, your horn was taken from you by a most unsavory man known as one Admiral Tomalak.” “HE WHAT?” Picard yelled out in surprise. “He stole her horn. I just said that, Picard. Pay attention!” Picard scoffed. “Like I was saying, this Romulan man stole your horn in the hopes of learning the secrets to magic. In doing so, he ensured his own sweet demise. He collected all of the Monoceros particles his ship could find – magical energy to you – and stored it aboard his vessel. There was so much energy stored on that ship that your horn absorbed large quantities naturally. “Now, severing a Unicorn’s horn does not break the magical link between the horn and its owner. That link remained, and when you so desperately needed it, the magic bond reunited the two together, and with all the excess energy your horn had absorbed, you were able to do everything you willed yourself to do to save your friend here.” Lyra looked at Bon-Bon who looked back at her grinning. “Now as to what happened to our Romulan friend, Captain,” Discord continued turning towards Picard. “When he fired his magical weapon, he poured all that stored up energy into his weapon with no horn to channel it. That energy had to go somewhere. And his ship was the casualty of its instant release.” “I see… but you still haven’t told us about the universe. From you’re demeanor, I’m guessing it’s no longer in jeopardy.” “Quite right, Captain. Quite right. The universe is already rebuilding as we speak. Once it reforms fully, all that remains to do is to reset the timeline, and this will have never happened.” “Never happened?” Future-Twilight asked. A thought had dawned on her. “What about all those Borg people we just freed? Do they go back to their families then?” Discord finally frowned. Twilight Sparkle always had to ask the uncomfortable questions. “Eh-hem… um… no, I’m afraid. They will return to being drones. But your people won’t be. They should return good as new!” Present-Applejack spoke up. “Ain’t there nothing you can do for those folks there, Discord?” “Sigh… I’m afraid not. There are things that must be done, and things that cannot be done. And this is one of those things, dear Applejack.” “Then what will become of us?” Future-Twilight gestured to her other friends from the future, now nearing the present. If this timeline was eliminated then we would all cease to exist. Discord read her mind and smiled. “I wouldn’t worry about that, but I would ask a favor: When this is over, there are things which I can do, and things which I can’t. But, that does not mean that there are not things that you can do. Make sure what’s owed is given.” Twilight tilted her head in confusion. “Q…” Picard started. “If this timeline is going to be erased, then why bother telling us anything if we’re simply going to forget?” “That is my gift to you, Picard and to you as well, Princess Twilight. That… is my gift for helping to save us all…” Discord faded away into nothingness, and the world around them melded together. Everything went blank. ... “Thank you for agreeing to see me, Byron,” the Ferengi bowed low in a more-than-pseudo gesture of respect. “It is not normally our policy to negotiate with Ferengi, DaiMon Tye,” the Vulcan archaeologist replied. “But if the artifact is as you described and is in decent condition, I may be willing to negotiate on behalf of the Vulcan Science Directorate.” “I can promise you, you won’t be disappointed.” The DaiMon waved his arm gently leading his guest to the cargo bay area. As soon as Byron walked into the cargo room, DaiMon Tye called his attention to a green and rather diminished piece of technology, before the Vulcan’s eyes had a chance to explore the room. The artifact stood on top of a Federation cargo box that had no doubt been plundered. Byron looked at the device briefly, before turning to the DaiMon. “Is this the device to which you referred?” Byron asked, looking mildly disappointed and bemused. DaiMon took a second look and realized the problem. The device was a cylindrical piece of plastic worn down at both ends. Dirt had been haphazardly caked on all around. Dull green Borg-looking symbols had been painted on amateurishly. “I– I don’t understand,” said Tye staring at the piece of junk before him. “It was a most unusual offer when you had sent me the communique regarding the artifact, which is why I felt it was at least worth a look. Now I can see that my first opinion of Ferengi was the more accurate one. If there is nothing further…” Byron turned to leave. “Wait! Wait! I have many other things you might be interested in. What about this rare Archetulan fossilized egg?” The ‘fossilized’ egg broke in his hand, spilling out the yoke on the floor. Bryon walked away hurriedly. “Oh… How about an ancient Hoo-mahn bible? It was hand crafted by the King James himself! Wait! Please! Come back!” … “Captain’s Log, Stardate 50920.4: I awoke this morning recalling an entire week that never occurred. When I shared my memories with other members of the crew, none appeared to have any recollection of the events that had transpired during that time. Counselor Troi has suggested it may have been just an unusually vivid dream, but I disagree. There are no gaps in the timeline normally associated with dreams. I can recall the details of the entire week that passed from awaking at the start of day, to returning to sleep each night. I have never had such a dream before, and I am inclined to believe that this timeline once truly existed. As a point, while the Enterprise is still docked at Deep Space 4, and its repairs are nearly complete, I have decided to offer a small shore-leave to my crew on the planet Equestria, where I might pay my respects to some old friends and converse with them once more regarding these mysterious recollections.” Three days and Princess Twilight Sparkle’s head was still spinning. She kept recalling events from a time that never existed. Or did it? Moreover, she held in her head two different accounts of everything that may or may not have happened. One recollection showed her onboard a ship as its captain, destroying three massive green cubes with an enemy called the ‘Borg’. A second showed her rescuing the evacuated ponies in Canterlot against these Borg drones. When she told her friends about it, they all seemed to think she had one crazy dream. They just couldn't believe that such a fantastic story could be true. Somehow though, Twilight knew in her heart that it really happened. As Twilight worked to recall all of the events that had happened, she suddenly remembered something Discord had told her. “There are things which I can do, and things which I can’t. But, that does not mean that there are not things that you can do. Make sure what’s owed is given.” Twilight made a point to visit Canterlot and share her memories with Princess Celestia. The princess seemed perfectly normal as listened to Twilight explain everything she could remember. “That is quite a story, Twilight,” the princess said, “though I would not fancy becoming such a terrible villain.” It was when Celestia said the word ‘villain’ that it finally dawned on her. “Chrysalis!” she cried. “What about her?” the princess asked thoughtfully. “Princess, I know you think that this was all a dream, but you must believe me that this really did happen, and I know Chrysalis did her part to save us all. You made a promise, your majesty, and we need to fulfill our end of it. We have to set her free!” Princess Celestia frowned. “That is no small favor you ask of me, Twilight. Chrysalis has done a terrible thing, and she must pay for her crime.” “Please your majesty. I know there is still good in her. I owe it to her to see she gets a second chance.” Celestia paused in deep thought. After a moment’s time she looked back into Twilight’s eyes and nodded. “I will give her another chance, but she will be in your care. She will stay in the library with you in Ponyville, where she can be watched carefully. If she shows any signs or ambitions of overthrowing me again, the dungeon will be waiting for her once more.” Twilight bowed low. “Thank you, your majesty.” “You will have to stop doing that at some point, my dear Twilight. You are a princess now. There is no need for such formality with me.” “Heh,” Twilight blushed slightly. “Force of habit.” Twilight left toward the dungeon to give the former Queen of Changelings her freedom. Deep in the Ever-Free forest, where the tribblesprites roam free, a young gangly colt with bad acne wondered around aimlessly. He found himself bored one afternoon and decided to go for a stroll. He knew the forest could be dangerous at times, but felt he would be fine in the middle of a sunny afternoon if he didn’t venture too far. He came upon a small brook, where he settled down for a refreshing cold drink from the cool water flowing quickly along over the rocks. “Ahhhh,” he said as he gulped down the water. “Preeeee!” a noise sounded out startling the colt, causing him to trip face-first into the shallow water. “Whaa?” he said looking at the source. A great ball of fluff with large blue eyes looked at him smiling with its tiny mouth. “Preeee!” it called again. “Heh-heh. You scared me, little guy,” the colt said examining the creature. “You’re so cute and purty.” The creature bounced closer to him and snuggled its soft fur against him. “Awwwww” he swooned. He petted the creature gingerly. It was just so adorable. Then a thought occurred to him. He looked around the forest to see if anyone was around. There was nobody in sight. “Preeeee!” “Heh-heh,” he laughed petting the creature some more. Chrysalis was slowly beginning to adjust to her new life in Ponyville. It was a great deal better than a cold dank dungeon, but a far cry from Queen of the Changelings. She had to be grateful though, in spite of it all. Her people were safe. They’ve effectively blended into society, and it turned out there had been more than enough love to go around. Yet she didn’t feel any of it. She still felt like a prisoner, trapped in Ponyville under the careful eye of Princess Twilight. She’d never felt so alone. During the day she was allowed to roam free, under the promise she’d check in each night. It was a risky move on Princess Twilight’s part, but it was she who secured her freedom in the first place. In the weeks since she’d been released, she'd never missed a check-in. So with nothing to do on a warm afternoon, and the townsfolk still afraid of her presence, Chrysalis decided to venture into the Every-Free forest. It was quite peaceful in a loud silence that bathed the forest in birdsong and trees whistling. She had ventured passed the Zebra’s hut, and paid her a visit. It was unusual, considering the zebra's riddled manner of speaking, but Zecora had invited her in without hesitation, and they chatted for a time. Celestia was beginning to lower the sun into nightfall, and Chrysalis thought she’d be best on her way. She made her goodbyes and was given a small potion for comforting a lonely heart. It was only temporary, but it was a very generous gift. Chrysalis started to make her way back when a disturbance in some nearby bushes startled her. “Who’s there?” she called out apprehensively. The bushes shook again. Then Chrysalis could swear she heard strange licking sounds. From behind the bushes a mysterious pony appeared before her. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. “Who are you?” she asked. The pony said nothing. From the look on its face, Chrysalis had a feeling this pony might not be the brightest tool in the shed. She tilted her head and the pony smiled. It walked up to her and hugged her gently without so much as a word. Chrysalis felt it immediately. She had never felt such adoring love since she had taken Princess Cadence’s place in Canterlot. “Do you live around here?” she tried asking again, and again, the pony just stared aimlessly at her. A cold wind announced the coming of nightfall. The pony shivered slightly. “I’m staying in the Ponyville library if you would like to come with me,” she offered. The look of glee on the pony’s face startled the changeling. “I– I guess that’s a yes.” Together, Chrysalis and the strange pony headed back to the Library.