Time Turner's hooves shook as he stared up at the house. The house he ran away from over a year ago. Firecracker stood by his side, a grey hood over head that connected to a black hoodie that she now wore. Ash stood on the other side of him, his mane and coat clean and new, round glasses framing his eyes.
"May as well do it now that ya here."
Firecracker whispered. Time Turner nodded and began to raise his hoof shakily to the door, giving four short knocks as he did.
Hoof steps were heard from inside the house as someone came to answer. The door opened to reveal a grey earth pony stallion with a light blue, wavy mane and a pocket watch for a cutie mark.
"T-Time Turner? I-I-is that really you?"
the stallion quavered, tears emerging in his eyes. Turner's body was still quivering, but Turner forced himself to stay balanced, especially in front of his father.
"Yes Dad. It's me. I've come home."
The stallion's eyes filled with tears as he hugged Turner tightly, not wanting to let go anytime soon. At that moment, a sandy yellow pegasus mare with a copper brown mane and a sun shaped clock cutie mark flew to the doorway, hardly believing everything she'd just heard.
"He's home? Clockwork, is he really home?"
she asked, tears trickling down her cheek. Clockwork opened his embrace so his wife could hug Turner as well.
"Yes Sun Dial. He's home!"
After a few moments, Turner finally spoke up.
"I'm not the only one."
Turner and Firecracker both stepped to the side to reveal Ash, who was smiling at the sight of his parents.
"ASH BRUSH!"
the parents said in unison, pulling their youngest son in for a hug. Ash was too happy to speak, so he let his parents give him all the live he's wanted from them.
"Now, what I'd like to know is where you've both been! We've been worried sick about you!"
Sun Dial said.
With a deep breath, Turner nodded and began to tell the story. Of the attack, Ash being blinded, the hospital escape, the lie, and of Turner running away. Firecracker and Ash jumped in when they described how Firecracker found Ash and had taken care of him the past year. All three of them began telling their sides of the story when they got to the journey they've gone on. Clockwork and Sun Dial listened intently, questioning the confusing parts and laughing at the right places.
"So, young lady. I suppose we have you to thank for protecting Ash Brush for us in the past year."
Clockwork said, patting Firecracker on the back. Firecracker began to blush, which was pretty abnormal for the unicorn.
"Oh, it was nuttin. Really, I didn't do much. Honestly, all I gave him was a roof over his head and a ton a trouble with da city because of me."
"But Firecracker! We got it all sorted out with the princesses remember? Your off the hook now!"
Ash said, giving Firecracker a hug.
"Yes, and Quill had even offered you a part of her house in Ponyville for you to live in as a roommate."
Turner chimed in. Firecracker began to grin.
"Yeah, she did. And all I can say to ya, is thanks. Ya guys are da greatest bunch o ponies that a time displaced unicorn could evah hope ta meet!"
Firecracker sniffed, her happy emotions finally showing on her face.
"Speaking of Quill, where is she?"
Sun Dial asked. Turner smiled.
"Don't worry, she'll be here soon. She just had somewhere else she needed to be first."
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Sugar Sweet paced the floor of the cloud home profusely, stressing over the news that Soda Pop had told them when she had arrived at Cloudsdale a few hours before.
"Sugar, calm down. Soda just said she was involved in a quest of a sort with Turner and another pony. She's a smart mare, she'll be fine."
Wind Slicer said calmly, causing Soda to nod in agreement.
"I know, but what if she's hurt Slicer? She might be stuck somewhere and not be able to get out because of her wings! Oh, the poor dear could be a changeling's love banquet by now!"
"Or maybe she's standing right outside!"
a voice shouted, causing everypony to turn their heads toward the door at the sound. Soda rushed out of the door, her eyes searching for the source of the voice.
"Quill? Is that you? Where are you?"
she asked, earning worried glances about from Sugar and Slicer.
"Look up!"
the voice called again.
The three ponies looked up and gasped. Quill was flying gracefully above them, her wings now used to maneuvering the air again. With a small twirl, she landed shakily next to them, her hooves not used to the softness of clouds.
"Hi guys! Did ya miss me?"
Quill asked with a grin.
The three pegasai didn't say a word. They all simply crowded around Quill, hugging her, kissing her, and showering her with love.
"But, how are you flying? The doctors said nothing could cure your wing."
Wind Slicer asked at last. Quill smiled.
"They didn't say anything about magic. My new friend Firecracker from Manehattan and her ghost mom cured me after I got zapped by a changeling during a battle in the Badlands."
she answered casually, earning worried looks from her parents and a shaking head from her cousin.
"Badlands? Changelings? Does that mean you ACTUALLY faced Queen Chrysalis?"
Soda Pop asked. Quill nodded.
"Yeah! And if you need more proof, Time Turner and Firecracker are waiting at Clockwork and Sun Dial's house in Canterlot for us! Anypony up for a little flying trip?"
Sugar raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure you can handle it?"
she asked. Quill rolled her eyes.
"Yes mom. Don't forget, I DID have flying lessons before the accident. I may be outta practice but I know what I'm doing."
Quill said with a small laugh. With those words, the three pegasai took flight and headed toward Canterlot, with Quill not walking below them, but flying beside them.
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'Dear Journal,
After that day, It's safe to say things didn't exactly return to normal. After my parents and Turner's parents found out that we were telling the truth, they began writing to us every week to make sure we were alright and even visited Ponyville every few months.
Despite that, I'd say life became as normal as it could get. Ash Brush came to live with Time Turner at the clock shop and even earned his cutie mark in art, which he used to draw more business into the shop. Firecracker moved into my house with me and got a job with Rarity at the Carousel Boutique, using her skills and magic as an advantage to find gems for different designs. I can tell she misses Manehattan, but I'm glad that's she found a good life here in Ponyville, especially because she doesn't have her name on Manehattan's most wanted anymore.
As for me, I decided to take a break from my usual travel and stay in Ponyville with my friends and do some collaborative poem writing with a pony named Ink. Our first book was a success and Princess Twilight even keeps a copy of it in the library! I guess it must be good if Twilight likes it!
Wisteria still visits Firecracker sometimes, but so far it was just for catching up with her, which I think is pretty nice considering all the responsibilities she might have, being a ghost...sorry...Etherial Rogue and all.
Ever since the quest we haven't gotten any word about the pony we're gonna have to help, but I bet the story will be just as good as this one, which I'm already writing as an autobiography. I still can't think of a title though. I'm torn between the Changeling menace and Journey to the center of Equestria. Maybe Turner and Firecracker can help me decide when I see them at Sugarcube Corner for cupcakes with Pinkie! Speaking of, I'd better go! I'll write again soon journal!
-Quill'
With a sigh, Quill put her pencil down and closed her notebook, which had several pages ripped out because of the notes she's written on them during the quest. She stretched her wings and began trotting down the stairs and out the door of the house, which had been painted yellow thanks to Firecracker. With a smile, Quill spread her wings and flew into town, not knowing that a pony was watching nearby.
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