//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: Ponyville 
// Story: Stopping the Future That the past Creates 
// by Yoshi1990 
//------------------------------//

The train came to a stop at Ponyville station. Twilight and Lightwing got up and prepared to leave the train. Lightwing walked to the door first but then turned around to ask the princess a question.


Lightwing tried to stop herself from laughing. "Princess, shall I open the door for you?"

Twilight cleared her throat dramatically. "Yes, my servant. I’m too lazy to open doors by myself. So do it for me."

"Yes, my princess," Lightwing replied. She was bowing and laughing as she opened the door. She motioned to Twilight to go through the door.


Twilight burst into laughter as she walked through the door with her two guards. Lightwing followed Twilight through the door. Lightwing could see the town, and it looked totally different from Canterlot or any town from her time. It was not as amazing as Canterlot, but it was still a new experience. Lightwing could smell a strong scent of apples.

After Twilight stopped laughing she asked, “Do you ever get tired of bringing a saddlebag everywhere?”

Lightwing replied, “Not really. I’m use to it. It is just like an extension of me. I actually like it with me everywhere. It has my supplies, and I always like to have access to my supplies. Where are we going?"

"To my home," replied Twilight. She smiled. “It’s so nice to be back here.”

Lyra Heartstrings waved and Twilight waved back. Lightwing noticed that the architecture of Ponyville was very different from the architecture that she was use to. As she walked through the town she noticed that the town seemed a little empty from what she was expecting. The main road of the town had only a few ponies walking on it. It was underwhelming.


"We are here," said Twilight as they approached her home. "Why does Spike have all the lights on?"

"It’s a tree..." replied a confused Lightwing.

Twilight turned around and looked annoyed. "What’s wrong with living in a tree?"

"Nothing...I guess. It is just not what I expected."

Twilight turned back towards the door and opened it. She was surprised to see a lot of ponies in her home and her friend Pinkie Pie bouncing in place ready to greet her.

"Where is Spike?" asked Twilight, as she stood in place, looking into the streamer-strewn library.

"He’s drinking some punch," Pinkie replied as she bounced outside and across the grass to Lightwing.

"Hi Future Pegasus!" exclaimed Pinkie as she hugged alarmed charcoal pony.

"How do you know I’m from the future?" squeaked Lightwing with a slight worry in her voice.

Twilight turned her head toward the to other two ponies and laughed as she interceded on the confused pegasus’ part. "That’s just Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it. I tried that once and almost went crazy."


The three ponies and the guards entered Twilight’s home, only to be greeted by what seemed like half the town. Ponies milled between the snack tables and the shelves, weaving in between streamers and bunting and a constant downpour of confetti. They called friendly greetings and watched curiously as the new pony spoke.


"Now we know why the town was so empty," Lightwing said as she looked around the home, eyes wide. The smell of cake was prominent.

Twilight walked away as her friend Rainbow Dash came flying up towards Lightwing. “I’m guessing you’re the pegasus that Pinkie was telling us about."

"Probably," replied Lightwing.

"Are you really from the future or is Pinkie Pie just being crazy again?"

"Yes, from the future, that’s me..." Lightwing gulped nervously.

Rainbow Dash did a backflip. "Thats so awesome! Do you want to get some food with me?"

"Sure. That sounds nice." Lightwing fanned her wings and followed Rainbow Dash to the food.

The two pegasi made their way over the herd of ponies on the floor and landed at the largest snack table, both immediately setting to. As they were eating, Twilight was walking towards them with a small purple dragon on her back. "This is Spike, my number one assistant!” She beamed proudly. “He’s a dragon."

“So I noticed,” Lightwing chuckled, she raised a hoof to shake his claw. "Hi, Spike. Did Pinkie Pie tell you where I’m from?"

"Yep," replied Spike as he got off of Twilight.

"Did she tell everypony?" Lightwing sighed as she took a bite of an apple.

"Yes, she did. That’s kinda the whole reason for this party."

"Well, I guess I can’t complain, but I really don’t think a party is the best thing right now."

A voice yelled from across the room. "Parties are always the best thing!"

Lightwing sighed. "Is there some place quiet I can go to? Parties are fun and all, but I’m not in a party mood right now." Or ever, really, she thought to herself.

"I’ll go find Fluttershy," replied Rainbow Dash as she took off.

"Twilight, I’ll be outside. Tell the rainbow pegasus were to find me."

Twilight eyed Lightwing worriedly. “Hey, are you okay? Is there something wrong, with the party maybe?”

“Oh, no,” Lightwing laughed hollowly, “It’s just, one of the plus sides of going to the past was being able to tell everypony ‘I’m from the future!’ Really, it’s no problem. I’d just like some fresh air.“

Twilight nodded and smiled back. "OK.”

Lightwing made her way through the herd of ponies as she walked to the door. She left still completely unaware that it was actually a library. A few minutes latter, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy followed to talk to her.


Twilight smiled. "I brought Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy to see you.”

Lightwing pointed a hoof at the rainbow-colored pegasus. "I’m guessing you are Rainbow Dash. You’re the rainbow one, so it makes sense."

"Yeah, that’s me! I, uhh...I guess I never told you my name. Anyway." Rainbow Dash pointed a hoof at Fluttershy. "This is Fluttershy. She’s the quiet one. You’ll be spending some time with her."

Twilight began to turn around. "After the party I’ll bring my other friends to Fluttershy's cottage and you can meet the other three. I’m going back to the party.” Her brow furrowed. “Somepony has to clean up the mess, and it won’t be the guest ponies. Rainbow Dash, you’re going with Fluttershy and Lightwing.”

Rainbow Dash flailed her hooves around and flared her wings out. "What?! Why do I have to leave the party!? Why can't you go with your new friend!?"

Twilight glared at Rainbow Dash. "I need a break from all that royal work, and a party is just the thing I need to calm my nerves. So you’re going with Lightwing. Do I need to make that an order!? We both know that Fluttershy won’t say a single word to Lightwing if nopony else is there to start a conversation.” She took a quick breath and continued her lecture. “Pinkie Pie is too...well Pinkie Pie to go with them, and she is the life of any party. Rarity and Applejack are not even here. So that leaves you! Is that clear?”

Rainbow Dash bristled for a moment, then deflated. "Right, right. Just, you know how much fun Pinkie Parties are! But hey, it's not like she won't throw another one next time she meets a butterfly or something. Sorry about that. Forgive and forget?"

Twilight nodded. "Of course, that’s what friends do. I’m just a bit stressed right now. And whoever said you can’t have a quiet party at Fluttershy's?"

"That’s true," Rainbow Dash said with a laugh. "It’ll just be a different type of party. A pegasus-only party. We better get going." The three pegasi took off and flew towards Fluttershy's home.

Lightwing noticed that the town looked quite nice from up in the air.” She looked at Rainbow Dash. "So how far away is this house we are going to?"

"Only about seven minutes at this speed. Just fly toward the Everfree Forest and you will get there, but I could get there in two minutes at full speed. Lightwing, Do you want to race me to Fluttershy's home?"

Lightwing tightened her saddlebag and replied, "Sure. Just tell me what direction it is and give a countdown."

"It’s straight ahead." Rainbow Dash turned her head towards Fluttershy "We’ll see you later, Fluttershy. Three...two...one...go!”


The two pegasi took off at full speed and left Fluttershy in their tailwind. The two racing pegasi were zooming over Ponyville. The buildings looked like blurs as they went by.
"You’re pretty good," said Rainbow Dash as she quickly glanced at Lightwing. "But it’s time for you to lose now. I can’t lose to some new pegasus who I never met." She started to gain speed.

Lightwing laughed as she started to pick up speed to in order to keep up with her competitor. “I don’t think so."

The two pegasi were evenly matched for another minute before Rainbow Dash knew what she had to do. "Impressive, but can you handle this! Its sonic rainboom time!"

"Is that supposed to impress me?" an arrogant Lightwing replied.

Both pegasi were picking up speed and going faster and faster. They did not even realise they had passed their target house. They were having too much fun to care. A ring of energy began to surround each of them, but it kind-of looked like just one with how close they were to each other. Lightwing could feel her energy fading, and then BOOM! A bursts of rainbow energy knocked her out of the sky. A rainbow ring filled the sky. The energy flattened some of the trees in the Everfree Forest that Rainbow Dash was over at that moment.

Rainbow Dash looked around for her competitor. “Where’s Lightwing?”




========== At the Party ==========




After the three pegasi left, Twilight could not even enter her home because everypony was coming outside . "Why is everypony coming out here?"

A pony turned their head towards Twilight and gave an answer. "Because Pinkie Pie told everypony there will be a sonic rainboom in three minutes."


Pinkie Pie was pointing towards the Everfree Forest telling all to look at the sky in that direction.


Twilight walked over to Pinkie "Are you sure a sonic rainboom is going to happen, Madame Pinkie?"

"Yes!" replied a super-happy bouncing Pinkie. “Dashie and Darkwing are going to race and both will go super fast, but only Dashie will make a sonic rainboom. Darkwing will fail at the last second because she is mentally tired and that makes you physically tired too."

Twilight sighed and tried to ignore her obsession with logic. She always had to do that when dealing with Pinkie Pie. "First her name is Lightwing and not Darkwing, and I won't question how you know this is going to happen."

Pinkie laughed "I know her name is Lightwing, but Darkwing is a cooler name because it’s the name of a superhero and he is cool. Even if Lightwing is not a superhero, it still fits her better because she is a black pegasus and has black wings."

Twilight just stared at Pinkie with a confused face. This stuff should not surprise her but it still did. "What type of animal is this Darkwing superhero?"

"A duck," Pinkie said as she stuck a hoof out that had a clock on it "Hey Twilight, take one of my countdown clocks. So you don’t miss the event.”

Twilight took the clock. "Thanks," she said with a smile on her face. She looked at the clock to see that it said two minutes were left.

Pinkie began to bounce away. "I’m going to go get the cake for anypony who wants it. Be back soon."

Twenty seconds later Pinkie was back with all the cake from in the house. "I can still enjoy cake."


All the ponies were now looking in the direction of the Everfree Forest.They were all looking forward to this event. Twilight was watching the countdown clock but stopped once it said ten seconds were left. Twilight's anticipation was building as the timer was getting closer to zero. Every second seemed to take longer than the previous one. Right when the countdown clocks reached zero everypony gasped as a sonic rainboom could be seen over the Everfree Forest. Everypony was in awe of the amazing sight. Everypony loved to see a sonic rainboom. All the ponies at Twilight's began to clap their forelegs in applause at the amazing event.


"That was amazing," said Twilight as she was clapping her forelegs. "I knew it was going to be amazing, but I still have a hard time believing you when you predict the future."

Pinkie Pie started giggling "Were you being too smart for yourself again? Do you want some cake to celebrate?"

Twilight smiled. "Yes and yes, my good friend."

Pinkie got a megaphone and made her announcement. "Ok everypony, the main event is over, but the party is still here! So don’t leave!"


Twilight covered her ears because she was right next to Pinkie Pie. Some ponies started going back inside and some stayed outside, but they all had a party to enjoy.




====================




Rainbow Dash came to a complete stop. “Lightwing! Where are you?!”


Fluttershy had reached her home, and she saw that all her animal friends were outside watching the crazy event that had taken place over the forest. None of them even noticed that their caretaker had arrived and was sitting behind them.


Lightwing popped her head up from some trees. “Over here, Dash.”

Rainbow Dash looked at Lightwing with an impressed look on her face "Lets go to Fluttershy's house now. We had our fun.”

Lightwing nodded "Alright. Lead the way.”

Rainbow Dash took a left turn and started going straight towards the target house at full speed. Fluttershy and all her animals watched as Rainbow Dash approached them at full speed. Fear began to make its way onto all the animals' faces as Rainbow Dash got closer and closer. Rainbow Dash could see the animals as she approached the house. Right before she was about to fly over the animals and Fluttershy she came to a sudden full stop, and the wind from her sudden stop pushed Fluttershy and a lot of the smaller animals over on their backs.


Rainbow Dash landed in front of them and looked proud. "Another awesome performance by the amazing Rainbow Dash. Best flyer in Equestria but I might have some competition in the near future."

Lightwing could be seen coming towards the house but at much slower speeds. She landed next to Rainbow Dash and put a hoof up to shake Rainbow Dash’s hoof. "Nice flying back there, Dash."

Rainbow put her hoof up to shake Lightwing's "Impressive. I might have to rethink my opinion of you, future pony. You had me worried back there. I thought you were going to pull off a sonic rainboom."

"I’ll take that as a compliment," Lightwing said skeptically. I can pull off a sonic rainboom...It’s how I time travel.

Rainbow Dash put a wing over Lightwing’s back "It is a compliment. Anyway, say hi to Fluttershy. She is...shy.”

Lightwing looked over at Fluttershy and with a smile said, "Hi there, Fluttershy. I’m Lightwing, but you knew that already.

Fluttershy just stared at Rainbow Dash’s new friend for a few seconds. Then she opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Rainbow Dash face-hoofed. "It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t say hi or anything else. Let’s go into her home and hang out. Fluttershy, can you make us some soup? I’m starved after that awesome race with my new friend, and I’m sure she is starved too."

Lightwing nodded her head in agreement.

Fluttershy nodded too and in a whisper said, "OK."

"She can speak?" replied a surprised Lightwing.


All three pegasi went into Fluttershy's home, and Fluttershy went to the kitchen while the other two stayed in the main room of her house.


" Your shy friend has a nice place here," commented Lightwing as she sat down on a couch.

"Yes she does, but my place is bigger," replied Rainbow Dash as she sat next to Lightwing.

"That’s cool. Maybe I will visit there sometime." Probably not. She thought to herself.

"You’re welcome to visit my home any time."

"So where is your home?"

"In the clouds to the east."

Lightwing lowered her head as she sighed. "I have never lived in the clouds even though my mother was a pegasus."

"What?" replied a wide eyed Rainbow Dash.

"The clouds are not big enough to hide some stuff I like to keep secret. The underground does that much better and, as a result, I lived on the ground. My family always lived on the ground because my father was a unicorn.”

"Then you have to visit my house at some point. I hope our soup gets here soon. Those carrots smell amazing. Don’t forget the vinegar!” Dash’s stomach growled. “I am hungry enough to eat a pack of timber wolves. Fluttershy! How long till the soup is ready? It smells amazing. It better be ready soon or I might eat some of your animal buddies." Rainbow Dash laughed.

A gasp could be heard from the kitchen and a quiet voice replied, "Five minutes."


Lightwing had a look of shock in her eyes from what had just been said by Rainbow Dash.


"Don’t look at me like that. I would never actually eat another animal...unless it was a plant." A laugh came from the two pegasi on the couch. "But when would a plant ever be considered an animal? And Fluttershy knows I would never hurt one of her animals."

Lightwing smiled nervously. “I can’t say that the animals are safe from me.”

“Does that mean what I think it does?” asked a shocked Rainbow Dash.

“Um...maybe.”

With her hooves crossed, Rainbow Dash glared at Lightwing. “Just answer the unasked question.”

Lightwing leaned towards Rainbow Dash and answered in a soft voice. “The answer is yes. I do eat meat. But don’t tell your friend Fluttershy. On the bright side, I only eat ham.” Lightwing giggled softly. “By that logic, all of Fluttershy’s animals are safe from carnivorous me. Hey, Dash, do you mind if we eat outside? I would like to enjoy the warm sunlight because thats something I could never do in the future."

A surprised look came over Rainbow Dash's face. "Where is the sun in your future?" Rainbow Dash gasped. "Did Nightmare Moon take over Equestria and make eternal night again?"

"Nightmare who? Um, no that is not what happened. A dragon took over Equestria and made it eternal night. So...you’re half right."

"I guess that makes sense. I mean, there had to be a reason you came back in time. Other than meeting me." A smug look came over Rainbow Dash’s face.

Lightwing rolled her eyes. "You still have not answered my question."

"Oh, sorry," said Rainbow Dash with a slight blush. "I was just so surprised about the no-sun thing. Yes, we can eat outside."

Fluttershy came walking in with her pet bunny on her back. "The soup is ready and I brought it outside."

Rainbow Dash quickly got up off of the couch. "Great! I’m starved."

Lightwing looked at Fluttershy. "How did you get the soup outside without going through the room we were in?"

Fluttershy looked over and answered, "Oh...um...well, I have a door in the kitchen for just such times."


The three pegasi walked outside and sat at the round table that had their food on it. Some of the animals came because the food smelled amazing. There was plenty of extra soup because Fluttershy knew her animal friends would want some. Fluttershy gave some soup to her little animal friends. Rainbow Dash was eating her soup like a crazy pony. She was on her second bowl already. Her face was a mess, but she was too hungry to care.


Lightwing ate her soup like a civilised pony, enjoying the nicely cooked meal with the vegetables and leaves. "I knew that that race of ours made her hungry, but I had no idea it made her this hungry."

Lightwing was just starting her second bowl of soup. She made sure this bowl had extra tomatoes in it. She enjoyed the sunshine as it warmed her fur. The day time felt so amazing, but the night was still her favorite. "What is the Everfree Forest like? Is it the same now as it is from my time?”

Rainbow Dash was to busy eating her food to answer. So Fluttershy answered. "Is your forest scary and dark? Do plants grow without any help? Do animals care for themselves? Does the weather change without magic?...does that answer your question?" Lightwing nodded her head.

Lightwing finished her third bowl of soup and stretched her wings as she got some more. "I want to take a nap in this warm sunlight. This is a great meal you made for us. The tomatoes and celery taste great together, and that hint of vinegar makes it perfect."

Fluttershy blushed. "Thanks."

Rainbow Dash had just finished her sixth bowl of soup and was now full. She grabbed a napkin to clean her face. She pushed her bowl away from her. "I can’t eat anything else. I’m more full than a squirrel at an acorn convention."

Lightwing almost spat out some soup as she held back a laugh. She quickly swallowed the food. "Then don’t eat so much."

"How could I not eat so much awesomeness?" replied Rainbow Dash.

After Lightwing finished her fourth and last bowl of soup, she went over and lay down in the grass on her back with her wings stretched out on the nice warm ground. "I never knew grass could be so warm.” She closed her eyes. It’s like a heated bed. “I would pay bits for this."

Rainbow Dash made a quick glance over towards Lightwing from the table and simply said, "Why?"

"Have you forgotten that where I come from there is no sun? And no warm air, no warm grass and no day. It’s really sad but true. So, yes I would pay money just to have some warm grass to relax and lie on. I’m going to rest here. Wake me up when it’s time for dessert."


Rainbow Dash thought laying down on the grass sounded like a good idea but she did not want to get up out of her chair.


Fluttershy brought the empty bowls back to her kitchen and then brought the pot of leftover soup there as well. She went back outside and started cleaning the table with help from her pet bunny. As she was cleaning, she heard Rainbow Dash began to snore. Fluttershy walked over to Lightwing.

“Don’t expect a big conversation from me," said Lightwing.

Fluttershy sat down next to Lightwing and began watching the clouds. "Ok. I’m not big on long conversations either. So we will get along fine."

Lightwing looked over at Fluttershy “I’m jealous of this light world. It’s so much nicer than where I am from.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I would be jealous too if I was from a dark world. I have to go now, but you can stay here. I’ll be back later.”

“Bye, Fluttershy,” replied Lightwing.


Lightwing fell asleep in the heat of the sun.