I look around at the ponies from my seating at the cafe. Rarity's sitting across from me looking at the menu intensely. She sighs and lays the menu down, I glance over at her.
"Do you know what you're getting?" I ask her.
"I think I'll just get the salad as well. I'm surprised you're getting the flowers, the others seemed quite adamant about humans not eating flowers..." Rarity points out.
"They're wrong. I took a culinary class, and I learned this stuff. While not common to eat flowers, certain ones are okay. It's actually surprisingly common for salads." I inform her.
"Oh, that's a relief. I was thinking maybe you couldn't digest them or something. I just didn't want you to poison yourself." She says.
"As long as I watch what I eat, I should be fine." I wave it off.
"Alright," she says, I look out into the crowd and find a face looking directly back. I blink and she's gone. The face almost seemed familiar, but I can't possibly think why. The waitress appears and I look over to her. She's wearing a prominent scowl, she's clearly upset about something.
"Miss Rarity, what would you like to order?" She asks in her best attempt at a sweet voice.
"Oh, may I hear your selection of teas? Please?" She asks as politely as possible, the previously scowling mare smiles softly.
"Certainly, we have a nice green tea, a black tea, some Earl grey, orange, and lemon." She lists.
"I'll take the orange, please. And I'd Also like the house salad. Wheat for the toast," the mare nods while writing down the order.
"We'll have that out for you shortly," the mare turns to leave and Rarity stops her.
"Miss, I think you accidentally forgot to take my friends order." Rarity says as politely as possible. The mare stops and looks back at me. Her scowl is back and she's glaring daggers at me.
"It wasn't an accident." The mare says before turning around and leaving. Rarity's face is shocked, I stare after the mare in a similar manner. All higher thought fails as we just stare in shock, eventually my shock just gives way to irritation, but I say nothing. Rarity attempt to say something, but every attempt dies in her throat. I just sigh and ignore the sadness eating at my throat, surprisingly I have to actually choke back a sob. That hurt a lot more than I'm letting myself believe.
"W-what just happened?" Rarity eventually asks, still getting over the shock.
"Racism." I spit out the word, emotion slips into my tone and Rarity jumps at hearing it. With me being so reserved and guarded about my feelings, I'm sure it comes as a surprise to hear such intense sadness in my tone. I fight back tears and look down and away from Rarity, not wanting Anypony to see the coming tears. I hear Rarity getting up and I glance up at her, I must have looked more pitiful than I meant to because she gives me the kindest of smiles.
"Where are you going" I ask.
"To find a manager," Rarity says, thankfully she seems to recognize the manager and flags him down. She brings him back to our table and starts explaining the problem.
"...you see, a waitress was especially rude to my friend here and refused to take her order," Rarity is explaining, my hope drops as I look at the managers look of disgust.
"We don't service disgusting aliens," the manager sneers at me. Rarity blanches at his comment and spins on him in what I can only call intense anger.
"Now you look here you-" I cut Rarity off before she can go any farther by placing a calming hand on her withers. When she looks back at me I just shake my head sadly and wipe an eye with my other sleeve.
"I'm Sorry Rarity, I don't want to keep you from eating," I say as I get up from the seat and make my way over to the door. Every sudden movement makes me jump and I glance around nervously. I've met so much acceptance it's almost my foundation for my calm. Now that I found rejection I've fallen into my old timid mindset, afraid of judgement. My life is entirely based around the concept of fear, and with all this acceptance in a new world I found a different foundation to root upon. Now that that foundation is crumbling my old scared self is shining through, the me that could rival even
"Oh dear..." I hear Rarity titter from behind me, I'm more concerned about everyone's stares now though. "I refuse to fuel this hatred anymore. I shall take my business elsewhere," Rarity declares, she gallops to my side and I huddle closer to her. She nudges me along and helps me out of the store, by the time I leave the door my vision is starting to be impaired by tears. Rarity just leads me on, I don't know to where, but I realize our path leads out of town. Eventually, when we're a substantial distance from all other ponies Rarity speaks up. "I'm Sorry about that. I wouldn't have taken you there if I knew that would happen." Rarity says softly and sincerely.
"It's okay, you couldn't have known. I'm sorry I made you leave..." I tell her, rubbing my arm nervously.
"Don't apologize, you have nothing to be sorry for." Rarity says.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a pity party," I whimper, no wonder they hate me, I'm causing so much trouble for them... Rarity gives me a wide eyed look, she must be unhappy with me, why can't I do anything right?
"No, darling. It's okay. Really, you're doing fine," Rarity soothes.
"I'm sorry I can't do better..." I flinch away, expecting to be berated any moment. I must be doing something wrong if they hate me, I'm probably doing everything wrong. When I realize no response is immediately forthcoming I notice I'm dragging my feet. "I'm sorry I'm slowing us down..." I scramble to get moving again and I fall to the dirt. "I'm Sorry, I can't do anything right..." the tears that had been brimming threaten to flow, but I just pick myself up and wipe my eyes miserably. I'm terrible.
~
I look over at Luka, she's pulling herself to her feet after falling to the ground. She's apologizing for everything, like she's doing everything wrong. I don't know what to say to make her feel better, I tried to soothe her and she just apologized. She seems to be set stubbornly on the fact she's doing everything wrong, and she's just as stubborn as Applejack. That's one of the reasons They're so perfect for each other. I continue on the path to Fluttershy's house, making sure to keep an eye on Luka.
I want desperately to comfort her, but I don't know what I could do. What she really needs is some kindness, and who better for that than the element of kindness. I pick up the pace slightly as Fluttershy's cottage comes closer and closer. I notice that Luka doesn't really notice where we are or where we're going, she's just looking at the ground and following me. It's really unsettling. I look at Luka and I have this unshakable image of calm and nonchalantness attached to her. To see her so emotional and out of sorts is just... wrong.
We make it to Fluttershy's and I knock, maybe a bit too frantically. Fluttershy opens the door and relief washes over my features, I don't know what I would have done if she wasn't home. She must've noticed my distressed look, because she becomes concerned.
"Rarity, is everything alright?" She asks softly.
"Luka's... Well, she's not doing well..." I tell her stepping aside and pulling Luka into the door frame, she looks as miserable as ever.
"Oh dear! Is she sick?" Fluttershy doesn't Wait for an answer before laying her hoof over Lukas forehead. Finding no temperature she turns to me quizzically.
"Er... no. Luka here is feeling... emotionally distraught? Yes, that seems appropriate." I tell her.
"Emotionally...? Oh dear, come on in, I'll make us some tea!" Flutters scrambles out of the doorway and let's us in, I nudge Luka in.
"Sorry to be a bother..." Luka mumbles to Fluttershy on our way in.
"Oh, it's no bother. I was just finishing up the feeding of the animals." Fluttershy says.
"I stopped the animals from getting fed? Now their going to starve and then one will die because of my negligence! I'm a killer! I'll be destroyed just like Jeff!" Luka breaks down into a pile of hysterical sobs and Fluttershy jumps slightly in shock. I run my hoof comfortingly down Lukas back and look to Fluttershy pleadingly.
"Oh, um... there, there?" Fluttershy offers lamely, patting Luka on the back softly. I give her a `are you serious?` look and she just shrugs nervously. I sigh and put my hoof to my forehead, closing my eyes in thought. "I'll get the tea ready..." Fluttershy says, stepping away from Luka softly. Once Fluttershy is in the kitchen I nudge Luka over to the couch and she wipes tears away from her eyes. Her eyes are red from all the crying, it's an absolutely pitiful sight.
"Luka..." I say, trailing off at the end, not quite knowing how to finish. Instead we just sit there, waiting. Eventually, Fluttershy returns with the tea and she gives us each cup. Luka just stares at her cup wordlessly, emotion dancing across her visage. Having known Luka as only emotionally distant and well collected, seeing her so emotionally frantic and unstable is very disconcerting. If that... hate, that racism, is enough to reduce Luka to this, how are the others taking it?
"So... Luka, how have things been?" Fluttershy asks awkwardly.
"O-oh... they've been... OK, I guess..." I have to struggle to listen to their conversation, but Fluttershy doesn't seem to have any problems.
"How's Applejack?" Fluttershy asks.
"I... I don't know... Oh, I'm a terrible marefriend!" Her exclamation is only slightly louder before she throws her head into her hands and starts sobbing.
"No, I'm sure you're doing fine! We can even go see Applejack if you want?" Fluttershy suggests. Luka wipes her eyes with her sleeves and nods. I set my tea cup down and stand up with them. "Okay then, come on, let's go see Applejack." I say quietly. We leave the cottage and head towards the farm. Fluttershy tries to strike up a conversation multiple times, but I never hear most of it. It sounds like she fails a good amount of time before she stops trying to talk with her.
We start to crest the hill to Sweet Apple Acres and see the seemingly endless apple trees. We make our way to the farmhouse, somepony should be able to point us in the right direction. Fortunately for us though, Applejack is just leaving the house from lunch and we manage to intercept her before she gets too divested in her work.
"Applejack! Hold on darling!" I call out, trotting a little to keep up.
"Well, howdy! It's nice to see y'all. Especially you, Sweetie." Applejack says, laying her eyes on Luka. She, however, immediately notices there's something wrong. "Sugar? Is something wrong?" She asks concernedly.
"Oh... Sorry if I'm being bother..." Luka says.
"Ain't no bother at all, what's the matter?" Applejack asks softly. Luka whimpers and retreats slightly, hiding behind her hair. Seeing no answer forthcoming I answer for her.
"Luka was with me at lunch and we had a rather unsatisfactory experience. The waitress was... racist? Yes, I believe that's the correct term... Luka, the poor dear, has been feeling less than okay ever since." I explain.
"Racism? I thought we were done with that! In Ponyville nonetheless!" Applejack says, stomping her hoof. Luka flinches back at the action and Fluttershy steps up to her side, leaning against her leg gently in a comforting manner.
"So I'm guessing y'all didn't eat? Here Luka, you must be hungry," Applejack hoofs her an apple and Luka mumbles her thanks. unfortunately, the mare with the worst timing ever despite her speed shows up.
"Hey! What's the big idea? Why does Luka get apples, but you'll refuse me apples?" Rainbow Dash asks, hovering near us with her forelegs crossed.
"I offered you apples, if'n you were willing to work for them. You mumbled somethin' about practicin' before running off to what I assume was `practice`. Tell me Dash, does practice include lurking in the clouds above me as I work?" Applejack asks annoyedly.
"W-well... don't change the subject!" Dash answers indignantly.
"Uh-huh..." Applejack replies, unamused.
"Y-you can have my apple..." Luka offers, not looking at Dash but holding the apple out. Rainbow Dash is taken aback and pushes her hand back politely.
"Uh, no... it's fine Luka." Dash says awkwardly.
"I'm Sorry!" Luka flinches, closing her eyes and guarding her face. She peeks out and looks at Dash fearfully. "I thought you wanted it..." she says, sniffling and wiping her eyes with her sleeves. I swear, Luka's the only being I know that can make you feel like a monster for not taking her food from her. Rainbow Dash backs up uncomfortably and looks at us all for help, we just look back sadly, unable to help her.
"What's up with Luka?" She walks over to me and whispers, Applejacks holding Luka lovingly and Fluttershy is making similar attempts to comfort her.
"She's not well..." I say simply.
"I've never seen her so... emotional." Dash says.
"I know what you mean, she's always been rather distant. I've been trying to get her to open up a little on our little get together, but I never expected this... she wasn't exactly happy before this either. She never really showed it before, but she's been telling me and I imagine Applejack as well what's been happening. She's been forgetting more and more over time, she doesn't remember any of her family, or much of herself anymore... it's just heartbreaking seeing her like this. She was always so strong, even as her life was destroyed before her eyes." I say sadly.
"Really? She doesn't remember her family? That... that blows. That really sucks, wow... why didn't she tell any of us?" Dash asks.
"She swore me to secrecy, Apparently she doesn't want anyone worrying. She said she doesn't need us worrying about her when our world is in potential danger..." I tell her.
"What? That's messed up! She's our friend! Why won't she let us care? I can understand selflessness, but this is just stupid! There Is such a thing as being too selfless." Rainbow Dash argues.
"I agree. However, I'm also not so sure... I have this strange feeling like it's not something we can change her mind on... no matter how hard we try." I tell her.
"Why not? Twilight got even Applejack to accept help, and she's the most stubborn pony ever." Rainbow Dash reasons.
"I don't know... I think there's a bit more to this than being stubborn. She's also not a pony," I point out.
"Yeah, that's another thing. She's not a pony, yet she's a lot like one. Except, not. Do you know what I'm saying?" Rainbow asks.
"I think so. She described her world as a very chaotic place, and the others personalities seem to reflect that. No matter how Harmonic or chaotic they are." I try.
"Right, but she's... she's different. Not quite harmonic in personality, but not quite chaotic or anything..." Dash says.
"That's pretty deep coming from you." I muse.
"Hey, I can be deep when I want to! Besides, Luka is interesting. I see a lot of myself in her." Rainbow says.
"She is very relatable, I see a lot of myself in her too." I say.
"But not only that, I see a lot of the others." Dash says.
"Oh?" I say in surprise.
"Yeah... Twilight and her knowledge of magic, Applejack and her stubbornness, you and your grace, Pinkie and her mystery, Flutters and her care... even me, in my will... I see that same fire, that same drive that I see when I look in the mirror in her. But... I also see something else..." Dash explains.
"I think I know what you're talking about, but go on. I don't think I've ever seen this side of you." I urge.
"I don't know... it's kinda like... discord, I guess. That potential, to be both good and bad. Like, Luna, or... Trixie. That undecided choice to change. But, it's different. It's not like she can change her nature, but like she's never decided and is on the edge of deciding." I nod in agreement.
"Yes, I think I know what your talking about. Rainbow... she seems so nice, so... good. What do you think has kept her from making a choice?" I ask.
"I don't know, but I don't know if I want to. Like I said, she has Pinkies mystery. Pinkie does lots of things I'll never be able to understand. I feel like I might never understand Luka either." Rainbow says, before I can say more my attention is thrown to Luka.
"Who's that pony? I feel like I've seen her before..." Luka asks timidly. I jerk my head as I see a purple flash, but nobodies there.
"Was that...? Impossible!" Applejack exclaims.
"But... Pegasi can't use unicorn magic!" Fluttershy exclaims.
"What happened? What's going on?" Rainbow asks frantically.
"What's this about Pegasi using unicorn magic?" I ask in confusion.
"There was a Pegasus,and it just teleported away!" Applejack says in shock.
"Teleported? How is that possible?" I ask.
"I don't know! But I reckon Twilight does!" Applejack says.
"But, what about Luka?" I ask.
"I'll look after her, you three go tell Twilight." Applejack offers. We nod and start off towards the castle, my thoughts remain on Luka though.
~
"Twilight! We need to talk to you!" I yell, Rainbow Dash slowing her pace for me and Fluttershy.
"I know," she replies, moving towards us. We both scramble to a halt as she approaches us.
"You... know?" I ask.
"Yes, but right now we have to do something more important. It's about Luka." She says.
"Luka? What about Luka?" I ask, confused.
"She's run into some trouble, we need to find her." Twilight says.
"What do you mean by trouble darling?" I ask.
"The poison joke! It's happened again, and it's more serious! We have to close the loop!" She says frantically.
"I'm sorry, but what the BUCK are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"No time to explain, we have to find Luka." Twilight says hurriedly.
"But darling, we were just with Luka, Applejacks looking after her." I tell her.
"What? That doesn't make sense..." Twilight mutters.
"Yeah, we're the ones not making sense..." Rainbow Dash says sarcastically.
"Twilight, we've got a bit of our own problem... I think." I jump at Fluttershys voice, she's so quiet sometimes you forget she's there.
"Sorry, but later. Something's not right, we need to see Luka." Twilight gallops away and we do our best to keep up with her. Easy work for Rainbow Dash, but I struggle between keeping up with Twilight and keeping pace with Fluttershy.
"I... um, I think I'll go back to my cottage, you can go on ahead." I look back and nod, Fluttershy departs and I catch up to Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow looks back at the departing Pegasus and nods approvingly, we hurry to Sweet Apple Acres.
"Applejack! Where's Luka?" Twilight asks frantically.
"Luka? I left her at the house to eat, why?" Applejack asks.
"She could be in trouble." Twilight says, Applejacks eyes widen and she darts off to the house. We follow behind quickly, our hooves itching anxiously.
"No, no, no, no... she's gone!" Applejack exclaims as we come up to the house.
"Where would she have gone?" I ask.
"I don't know, in her state it could be anywhere!" Applejack replies.
"Her state? Nevermind, it can wait. She's in the everfree." Twilight answers.
"Does this have anything to do with what you were saying about poison joke?" I ask.
"Yes. maybe... I'm definitely fairly certain..." I don't feel very reassured by her answer.
"What's she doing going into the Everfree?!" Applejack asks frantically.
"That I don't know," Twilight answers.
"And why do you know what you do?" I ask.
"Because she asked me to close the loop." Twilight answers, unhelpfully.
"Whatever that's supposed to mean. You three sit tight, I'll find her in ten seconds flat. See you at the castle," Rainbow Dash zooms off before we can say a word.
"Well then, with that taken care of... what's this about loops?" I ask, Twilight sighs and beckons us to the castle.
~
I groan as I wake up, my head is hurting. My anger flares slightly, but it stays itself. I sigh and pull myself up, I go to rub my head with a hand only to get smacked in the muzzle with a hoof. My eyes fly open and I growl at the offending limb and rub my muzzle tenderly with the other fetlock. Wait, muzzle? Fetlock? Hooves?
"What happened?" I yelp, anger flaring briefly before subsiding into fear. I brush it off and try to focus on the situation at hand. I feel my head and shoulders to make sure I don't have wings or a horn. I don't, I'm a regular earthpony. I start to get angry until I realize something, I'm the same species as my marefriend. No more hate, ridicule, I'm not an alien anymore. I turn to find Applejack walking in with some more ponies. I don't pay much attention to them, my focus is Applejack. I stumble towards her and wrap my hooves around her in joy.
"Applejack! It's me, Luka! Please believe me!" I add that last part as I realize there may be some skepticism to a human turning pony.
"Ah believe ya, Sweetheart. Ah do..." Applejack strokes my mane gently and I let out my breath, leaning into her embrace.
"Seven, again. Except they're ponies." I hear Twilight mumble.
"Do you think they're the same seven? Or the other seven virtues?" I hear Rarity ask.
"I don't know... chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, humility... do any of them seem like those?" Twilight asks.
"Hm... I don't know, but I suppose not..." she concedes.
"Wait... there's... more of me?" I ask in shock.
"Well... Yes, but maybe not you exactly. It was poison joke," Twilight says nervously. I blink a couple times, trying to comprehend what she's told me.
"Celestia, dang it! Fet!" I yell, stomping a hoof into the floor indignantly before devolving into tears and leaning even farther into Applejack. Anger outweighing the sadness.
"Is this envy?" Applejack asks softly.
"No, it's not... I think I'm Rage....or wrath, however you want to word it..." I tell them, sniffling and wiping tears from my face.
"Rage?" Twilight asks in surprise.
"I know, pitiful, isn't it?" I spit acidly.
"Oh, Luka..." Applejack embraces me and I don't push her away, I just lean into her comforting embrace.
"But... you're nothing like the rage from before." Rainbow Dash speaks up. I look at her and roll my eyes.
"Of course I'm not the same! I'm... broken." I tell them.
"Broken? Broken how?" Twilight asks.
"Yeah, real nice Twilight. Don't ask me how I'm feeling, just what's wrong with me." I spit bitterly, Twilight takes a step back in shock.
"That's not what- I didn't mean- I'm sorry, Luka. That was insensitive of me, how are you feeling?" Twilight finally asks.
"I don't know. Scared, angry... not much else." I say.
"Scared? Can I ask why?" She asks. I hesitate, it's supposed to be a closely guarded secret. I usually only tell my close friends... but then again, isn't that who they are?
"Ever since I've come to this world... I made an unconscious change. In the way I act, my personality, I changed because the context demanded it. Not majorly, mind you. Something simple, near unnoticeable. I changed my foundations. I founded myself upon the first thing I came in contact with, tolerance. I founded myself upon what I thought was one of Equestrias founding principles. Tolerance. But it turns out I was wrong, there was just as much intolerance here as anywhere else I'd been, so I regressed into my former base. Fear. Fear is reliable, true. It's the one thing that's always been a major part of my personality, fear. And now that I've regressed, I'm scared. I'm scared of judgement, of the future, and how I'm going to fix my latest mistake!" I finish by slamming a hoof into the ground, cracking the crystalline floor.
"Well, we have the cure, we just need to wait for the other three to wake up. And... one more thing." Twilight says. "I'll fill you in when all the yous are awake." Twilight says.
"Three of me aren't awake? I think I might know which ones..." I say sadly, pulling myself off my haunches and to my hooves, moving towards the door.
"Well, there's an earth pony, a Pegasus, and a unicorn still not awake." Twilight tells me.
"Show me who's awake." I say, she nods and leads me to a room not far from the one I woke up in. I walking in to find three other ponies that all looked like me, except for minute differences. There's a Pegasus looking longingly at every pony, but she seemed too shy to talk to any of us. There's a clearly frightened unicorn trying hard to keep her composure, she's failing horribly. And then there's an earth pony trying to relax, but clearly uncomfortable doing nothing.
"Lust," I point out, she hides shyly. "Pride," she trembles under my gaze but nonetheless stands her ground. "Sloth," I point out the last mare, wringing her hooves in nervous anticipation.
"But that means we're missing envy, greed, and gluttony." Twilight points out.
"They're not going to wake up. At least, not on their own." I say.
"Why not?" Rarity asks.
"Because we're all broken. We were broken before we got hit with poison joke... I was so broken that I lost those three sins. I felt undeserving of anything anyone had and lost my envy. Same with gluttony, I lost interest in getting things. And with that disinterest, I lost the interest in having things. The potential of having those sins is the only reason the bodies are there, but they lack substance." I tell them.
"But, without those traits, we can't put you back together!" Rarity says frantically.
"There's something else... you've time travelled, and we need to close the loops." Twilight says.
"Time travelled?" I ask, a fuzzy memory teasing the surface of my memory.
"Yes, do you remember anything at all? Maybe, the farm? And the teleporting Pegasus?" Twilight coaxes.
"Er... no, my brains in seven and split memories don't do me any good. Recent events are especially fuzzy, I don't remember much past meeting up with Rarity for lunch... that's when it gets fuzzy, I remember bits and pieces, like the judgment and racism. And leaving, then Fluttershy, and then... there are too many bits to make sense of... then, I woke up here..." I tell her.
"Well, that's unnerving and inconvenient. Or maybe it's convenient... whatever the case, do you know how to get to the library?" I nod in answer and she smiles approvingly. "Meet me there as soon as you're okay with it, we've got some loops to close. Then we can focus on waking those three up." I nod as she leaves with Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack.
"So then, you three." I say, turning to them.
"I-I'm not afraid of you!" Pride calls indignantly, taking a couple steps back.
"Come now, what's happened to the lovely and lively Luka?" I coax.
"The same thing that happened to the rest of us..." Sloth speaks up. I turn at her answer and she looks down, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. I turn to lust and she just squeaks and retreats, I roll my eyes at the display.
"Argh... let's go get this over with." I say, the three of them follow me. We're heading towards the library when we're stopped by a unicorn.
"Did someone else wake-up?" Sloth asks absently.
"No, I'm you. Or, more specifically, I am her." My eyes narrow at the new unicorn, pointing at the unicorn beside me. She's obviously putting up a front, just like the unicorn beside me.
"Your pride, from the future." I say, she looks nervous.
"What of it?" She asks, miffed.
"I don't know. Why are you here? I'd assume to preserve the timeline?" I ask. If this is the same pride.except from the future, then this pride will have experienced this already.
"No, I'm here to stop you!" I scoff at the very apparent lack in confidence.
"Stop us? Obviously that's not happening." I say, though the thought is concerning.
"I've already broken the loop, I didn't do this when I saw myself that time." I look at her skeptically. She could just be saying that to preserve the loop, or she could be telling the truth. But if that's true, why isn't anything happening. Why hasn't the universe collapsed on itself from the strain on the timeline this paradox has caused?
"And why would you want to do that?" I ask.
"Because... everybody hates me, thinks I'm a freak! If this timeline collapses... that's one less timeline where I'm hated!" She yells, sweat evident on her forehead. Present pride steps forward.
"Th-That's not true-" present pride's cut off as she's struck in the head by future prides hoof. Present pride stumbles back, blood trickling from a cut on her head. My eyes dart to future prides forehead, there's no such mark. Future pride steps back in shock, looking at her hoof and at the cut. She feels her own head for a mark, we all wait for one to appear.
"What? No, what's happened? That mark, I-" she's cut off by a violet flash as she's sent back to her time. Something's wrong, because nothing bad happened when the cycle was broken.
"That was... interesting," Sloth says.
"She hit me? I hit me?" Pride asks in confusion.
"We need to go, close as many loops as possible. We'll deal with that when we get to it." I say, slightly mad at Pride. Except that this pride hasn't done anything bad... yet, so until she does I can't be mad at her. We arrive at the library where Twilight greets us, she takes obvious note of Prides cut, but she doesn't mention it directly.
"Alright, you all are going back in time. I don't know when, only that it's going to be earlier today at some point. Who's going first?" She asks, Lust raises her hoof and I look at her in shock.
"Can I?"she asks.
"Certainly, step up here," Twilight beckons her up to a small stage. She gets in place and Twilight flares her magic. There's an anticlimactic flash and she's gone. "And now we wait." Twilight adds needlessly.
~
"Luka!" I spin around and feel myself tackled by a pink blob of energy. Her fur is soft and I nuzzle into it while she hugs me. She smells delightfully sweet, I sigh as pleasure melts my senses. As she let's me go I come to my senses and back away shyly, want nagging at the back of my mind.
"Pinkie? How did you know it was me?" I ask, I instantly regret it.
"You look just like her silly. Especially with those clothes. Also, I smelled time travel, so you must be from the future! Future Pegasus Luka! Cool" I look back at my wings and remember I'm a Pegasus. "So, when do you become a Pegasus?" Pinkie asks.
"Uh... later today..." I say in thought.
"Really? Wow! I'll be sure to stop by later to celebrate!" Pinkie says.
"Oh, actually... it's poison joke, so it's actually a bad thing. I think..." I say. I look down at my body once more and marvel at it. How could anything so sexy be bad? Then again, Wrath is usually right...
"Oh, poison joke. That explains it, Darn. I was hoping for something more exciting, like some long lost artifact. Well, if that's the case I'll be sure to bring by some poison joke cure later." Pinkie says.
"Thanks, Pinkie... Could I maybe get another hug?" I ask shyly.
"Sure! Hugs are always nice!" Pinkie bounds towards me and reaches her hooves out. I allow a small and shy, yet still surprisingly sultry, smile grace my lips. I am, however, stopped by a figure behind her.
"Is that... me?" I ask, holding Pinkie back gently. I see a human Luka looking down the street I'm on from the cafe I remember from earlier. Our eyes meet, and then I see her blink.
~
"Dang it!" I curse quietly at my missed opportunity for a hug, then I notice that all eyes are on me. I cringe and back up slowly, not daring to meet anyone's eyes.
"Might as well get this over with," Sloth says before stepping onto the stage herself.
~
I look around and sigh, I'm lost in the Everfree again. What is it with this place? It seems like I'm wandering through it far too often. When I woke up in equestrian the first time it was here, and now there's this time and... actually, I guess it's not that much. And- Oh, Hey. That was easy. I look around and find a familiar human face staring back. I raise my hoof to wave, then I remember it's a hoof and try to rethink waving. I move it forward and back, then I just put it down. She starts to get up and I jump in surprise.
Uh-Oh, something tells me this is bad. Just turn around and head back in, maybe she won't follow me. Fuzzy memories of me following a strange pink earth pony into the Everfree after she made a `follow me` motion surface and I almost spend the energy to face hoof. I look back and sure enough, she's following me. I can understand why my motions would seem like I beckoned her over, but now she's following me and I don't know what to do. I come to a clearing filled with blue flowers and panic, I walk in a bit farther. Then I notice what I'm stepping in. Oh, Celestia! This is poison joke! And she's following me! This wasn't supposed to- Oh, Wait... Yeah it was. Ugh, maintaining a timeline is hard, why do they give me the hard jobs.
"Excuse me?" I jump at the voice and spin on my back hooves, socking her with my right forehoof in surprise. Oops, I knocked her out. I sit down with a sigh, why can't I seem to get a break? I look at the comfy flowers and allow myself to fall back into them.
~
"Ow!" I yell as my back hits hard wood. I open my eyes to find the crystalline roof of the library in Twilight's castle. I grumble and roll of the stage, deeply unsatisfied that I didn't get a chance to rest.
"I guess now's a good a time as any..." anger says half-heartedly. I lean against a wall and try to make myself comfortable. I've almost slipped off to dream land when a light flashing wakes me up. I groan and flip over so my eyes face the ground.
~
I get up to get the door. I don't know why anyone who's already in the castle knocks on the door to the library. It's literally the only door they knock on, except for out of town guests... they knock on the front door. It annoys me to no end, I have a door bell but no one uses it. I open the door and find Pinkie on the other side, carrying a basket happily.
"Hi, Pinkie." I say politely.
"Hi, Twilight!" Pinkie replies, literally vibrating with happiness.
"What's with the basket?" I ask, motioning to it.
"Oh! It's the cure for poison joke! Here you go!" I take it quizzically.
"Thanks Pinkie, I guess it never hurts to be prepared. What brought this on?" I ask.
"Lust!" She says. The answer causes me to stumble back with a blush.
"What?" I ask, thinking I hadn't heard right.
"Lust! That part of Luka we dealt with when she got hit by poison joke the first time? Anyways, that's all I came over for. I might be back later to see how this resolves itself, but I'm having fun being a secondary character! Maybe next I'll see why Applejack's always being a background character. There must be some secret satisfaction in it." Pinkie says conspiratorially. I watch her walk away in confusion, but by the time I catch what she said I can't ask her about it.
"First time?" I shake my head and close the door, it's just Pinkie being Pinkie. I return to my seat and both a second later I hear another knock. "Why do I even bother with doors..." I sigh, placing the number for the carpenter at the forefront of my mind, idly putting together a price estimate in my head for a job like that. I reach the crystalline door and before I open it I realize a carpenter might not be enough. These are crystal doors after all. I open the door and I'm met with a sight I hadn't expected to see.
"Pinkie said you'd want to see me?" She says, my assumption is correct.
"Luka?" I ask.
"Wait... you mean you don't know about this yet? Well then... how does she know it was me?" Luka asks.
"What happened to you?" I ask.
"Poison joke. It's me, wrath." She says, looking slightly irked.
"Poison joke? Well, if your wrath, where are the others? I have the cure right her- Wait... what role did Pinkie have in this?" I ask in confusion.
"Well, she told me you'd want to talk to me, other than that I don't think she played any part in this. But... if you didn't know, you couldn't have told her, so then how did she know who I was?" Wrath asks in shock.
"I don't know, she just came by and dropped off the cure..." I tell Wrath, we both look at each other and I don't know what exactly went through her mind, but I'm positive it was something to the effect of `let's not go there`. I'd know, I had the same thoughts. "Anyways I have the cure, where are the others?" I ask.
"Well, I'm guessing I haven't wandered into the poison joke yet," she offers.
"What are you talking about?" I ask in confusion.
"Time travel," she replies. I back away quickly, shaking my head.
"Uh-Uh, no way. I promised to stay away from time travel! I'm done with it... at least, for now." I say.
"Twilight, your about to get back into it." She tells me, I shake my head.
"Nuh-uh, you can't make me." I deny.
"Your being childish." I shake my head more, like the more I shake my head the less true it is.
"You're being childish!" I retort.
"Twilight! You're obviously going to do it. I'm here, actually, you're going to send each of us to a different time today! And you have to do it because you've already done it!" She yells angrily.
"I don't wanna," I whine.
"Too bad. Now... if you don't know about the poison joke yet I'm probably gonna wander into that patch like an idiot anytime now. I think Rarity, Dash, and Fluttershy come running for you to find your help about some inane problem... I suggest you get to finding me, cause I don't remember diddly squat about where I went. Then you can wait for us to wake up, then you can send us back in time. Got it?" I sigh at this but I nod my head. she's right, if it's already happened then it has to happen. "Good, now I've got to focu-" and with a familiar violet flash she's gone. I sigh and head out the door of the library. I'm walking down the hall when I hear shouts.
"Twilight! We need to talk to you!" I sigh as I hear Rarity's shout.
"I know." I reply solemnly.
~
"-s on how to wake those three up." I look up and realize I'd teleported back a couple seconds ago. I step off the stage and eye Pride, she's stepping up to the stage now.
"Last one..." Twilight mutters before zapping pride off. I couldn't help but feel something was off with this one.
~
I look around me at the halls of the castle, the moment of truth. I just have to pretend I'm trying to break the loop and do everything future me did before. I wince as I wipe some sweat off my brow and notice something, my cut is still slightly bleeding. The other future me didn't have a cut on her forehead. Meaning, the loops already broken. And that means that no matter what I do, things will turn out different. But, why hasn't the world collapsed on itself yet? The cycle's broken, the timeline should collapse.
"Hey, is there another one up?" I hear from behind me, I turn to find a familiar group of ponies trotting up.
"No, I am you. Or, more specifically, her." I point to pride.
"Are you here to preserve the timeline?" I recall the question and I'm tempted to repeat the answer, however, I don't.
"Yes, you can go on, I won't stop you." I tell them.
"What happened to your head?" One of them asks, I chuckle nervously and turn away.
"I'm sure you'll find out soon enough." I lie.
~
"Did you break the cycle?" I cower under Wrath gaze and shield my head.
"Umm... Yes?" I answer fearfully.
"Good." I prepare for a beating, the. I realize what she said. I look up to her in confusion, she just gives me an `I'll tell you later` look.
"Can we come in yet, Darling?" I hear Rarity voice and see Twilight open the door.
"There, does that answer your teleporting Pegasus problem? It was Luka, or rather, Lust that was at Sweet Apple Acres." Twilight says.
"Actually, I didn't go to Sweet Apple Acres." I backed away as I saw Twilight's eye twitch. Lust jumped back once one of Twilights hairs curled up and she started turning slowly.
"You what?" Twilight asks, a sick smile on her face.
"I didn't go to Sweet Apple Acres. I was in town." Lust replies, backing up quickly.
"Well if you didn't then who did?! I can't send anypony back in time more than once and we dont have anymore pink pegasi to send time travelling!" Twilight yells. "Applejack! You saw the pegasus! Is this not what she looked like?!" Twilight barks.
"To be honest Twi... I didn't get a good look, I just saw a pink coat and wings." Applejack says sheepishly.
"Nothing else?" Twilight asks in frustration.
"I think her mane was blue," she offers. Twilight let's out a growl as more of her hair comes out of place.
"I saw her." We all turn to find Fluttershy flying in a window. "She looked like Rainbow Dash with a pink coat and a mane the color of her fur." Fluttershy offers. Twilight spins and grabs Dash with her magic. Before Dash can protest, Twilight's turned her coat pink and mane blue, there's a flash and Dash is sent off. Dash reappears seconds later with a wide smirk.
"Now, Pinkie!" There's a mechanic sounding noise before Twilight disappears from sight, buried in pie tins and lots of whipped cream. I struggle to hold back a snicker as one of the pie tins slides off Twilight's face and she gives Dash an annoyed look. "There, now we're even. Now change me back, it's weird being pink." Dash says, shivering slightly. I take the time to admire her colors, their strangely fitting.
"Is the loop closed? Were you at Sweet Apple Acres?" Twilight asks in aggravation.
"What? Oh, Yeah. Well, I mean... I found Pinkie and set this prank up first, but I went and freaked our past selves out as I left." Dash says.
"Good. Now... no more time travel!" Twilight yells before zapping Dash back to normal.
"But, Twilight! think about the pranking possibilities!" Pinkie whines.
"There is no way in Tartar I'm ever letting you time travel, Pinkie!" Twilight yells. Pinkie slinks away and Dash takes a lick at the pie on Twilight.
"The only downside to this prank is wasted pie," she comments, Twilight shoots her a death glare.
"Woah, Okay, I get it. We're going, come on Pinks." Dash says. Pinkie and Dash leave while Twilight attempts to cool down and clean herself off.
"Thankfully, all this time travel has surprisingly helped me." Wrath says, speaking up.
"How so?" Rarity asks.
"Well, with what happened with Rainbow Dash I realized we shouldn't assume the answer will be clear. And I learned that sometimes you need to do the opposite of a good thing to fix everything sometimes. So then, we need poison joke, and we need to change it's effects. While three of the sins don't exist while we're broken, their counterparts do." Wrath explains.
"So then, you want us to turn sin to a virtue? I'll go see if Zecora has anything for altering poison joke." Twilight says with a sigh. She leaves the room and we all watch her leave.
"Poor dear... all this time travel has sent her into a tizzy fit. That on top of the poison joke...we should do something nice for her when this all is done." Rarity says. I just keep my mouth shut like I have been, it's obvious they don't need anyone butting in needlessly. I curl up in the corner, pushing the loneliness away. I'm not unique, or special, I'm just another small part of something bigger. I'm just her pride, all of her shameful and useless pride.
~
"Applejack? How do you feel about this? About Luka being a pony?" I ask the
"Honestly? It scares me half to death. First, I had to deal with one scared and broken Luka. Now I've got seven of 'em, three that are so broken they're basically vegetables. Wrath's too calm now, Lust hardly talks and won't even make eye contact, Pride's curled up and sobbing, Sloth's having fits in her sleep... before they were healthy traits, but how does someone become so broken that their sins are broken as well. Now Wrath is telling us that even when Luka wasn't here she was like this... Luka needs all this help, yet she never tells us. I can't take it. I can't help my marefriend, much less notice that she needs help." Applejack says. She's clearly beating herself up over this. I lay my hoof on her withers in what I hope is a comforting gesture. My specialty is helping animals, not ponies, so I'm not so sure I'm doing anything right. Applejack gives me a wan smile so I think I did something right.
"Luka has never been worried about herself, I don't think she ever wanted to worry you. It's a good thing you care though and instead of beating yourself up about not helping earlier, why don't you help out while she needs you now." I tell her, she nods slightly.
"You're right. Thanks, Shy." Applejack leaves me and rounds up the Lukas, comforting all of them at once. I just smile and sneak out of the room, Rarity notices however.
"Leaving so soon?" Rarity asks me, I sigh and turn to her.
"I'm not good with ponies," I remind her.
"You helped Applejack just fine." Rarity says.
"What do you want me to do, Rarity? I think she'd rather have her marefriend helping her." I tell her.
"Fluttershy, your talent is hearing the unspoken needs and wants of creatures, pony or not. It makes you good with animals, but it's not exclusive. I've seen you do it to ponies before, and Luka's just like any other pony. Well, not really, but it should be close enough." Rarity says.
"Rarity... I can't." I try to turn away but my hooves have a mind of their own.
"Please, Fluttershy. I wouldn't turn to you unless I thought there was no other choice. I'd tell her to go to a psychiatrist if I thought she'd go. But even if she went I doubt anything would come of it. She's very guarded and barely let's anypony into her heart, and it's clear she feels intimidated by some of us. Like if she opens up to us we might be a danger. You're the least intimidating person I know, and you would be able to help her without her admitting anything is wrong." My heart breaks a little as I hear Rarity's faith in me.
"Rarity, I'd love to, I want to help Luka, I do... but, I can't. Luka's different, I don't know what it is. I can tell she's hurting, that much I can do, but it's almost like she can't. I know what creatures want subconsciously because they're aware of it in some way, even if it's being repressed. Luka's different, it's almost like she's completely ignorant of her pain. If she isn't aware she's hurting, even I can't help her." I tell Rarity.
"What? But if she isn't aware then how could Wrath know?" Rarity questions.
"I don't know... but Luka is one big enigma. She's always seeking to help others but forsakes herself, and somehow unknowingly. If that changes, I'll help her, I promise. But right now, I don't know what I could do." I apologize.
"Oh, Okay then. I guess I'll see you later then." She says. I fly over and give her a quick hug before departing.
~
"Did it work?" Rarity asks.
"I don't know, we have to wait for them to wake up. If Zecora was right then they should be up any moment now." I tell her. Sure enough, one of them wakes up. I look at the labels and read that it was Lust, which means... "Chastity?" She turns to me shyly and trots over.
"Hello, Twilight." She says with a small smile. I smile back, it's refreshing to not have a version of her that's depressed.
"Chastity? What's that mean?" I turn at Dash's question. She returned with nothing better to do, she decided this was more exciting than anything she could do on her own. Pinkie elected to stay away, some nonsense about her role in the story.
"It's the opposite of Lust." I explain.
"Opposite, huh? I wonder how she'd handle Cloudkicker..." I roll my eyes at the thought. I'm not a fan of Cloudkicker, too much needless sexuality.
"Actually, I'm fine with Cloudkicker. She'd actually be a great friend, I think. I'd get a little aggravated about her blatant disregard for personal space. But I know it's all in good fun. Besides, it's not Lust that drives her, not solely at least. She has brilliant control over her sex drive at times, and she has her rules in place." Chastity says.
"Wow... Hey, egghead, you should take some tips from her, she's more understanding than you." I grumble at Rainbow Dash as she and Chastity chat across the room. Chastity has acclimated to her wings and is floating in the air with Rainbow Dash, they laugh at some joke I'm too far away to hear.
"Hello, Twilight. do you need any help with anything?" I turn at the sound of another Luka. I check the empty spot and sigh in relief. It's Greeds spot, meaning Wrath's theory was correct.
"No, I'm fine," I say, Generosity nods and rarity beckons her over. Within seconds Generosity is attempting various magical spells, with a surprising amount of success.
Not long after that every one of the Luka's is up. Rainbow Dash had been talking to Chastity pretty actively. Generosity and Rarity had hit it off, Rarity is showing off some of her designs. Temperance and patience are lecturing Pinkie Pie, but their words seem to be flying over her head. Applejack is watching in amusement whilst upholding a conversation with diligence. The crusaders are talking to kindness, who's politely holding up her end of the conversation. Humility is looking at all the groups anxiously, having just woken up. Her eyes lock onto me and she trots up carefully.
"Wrath's plan worked." I say once she's in talking distance. She nods slowly, not saying anything. I wait a while for any sort of response before speaking up. "You all seem happy." I point out, I receive a nod as an answer. "Are you fixed?" I ask eagerly, I receive a subtle shake of her head for my efforts. "No?" A nod follows the question. "Why not?" She falters at this and seems to look around cautiously.
"We SEEM okay." She whispers, I tilt my head at the emphasis on seem.
"You're hiding it?" I receive a nod. "But, the sins we're very clear with their distress. Why are you all secretive?" I ask, she gives me a nervous look and beckons me aside.
"The sins are very vocal, people, or ponies, normally notice bad traits instead of good ones. As well as those traits tend to lie on the emotional side of our personality. Our good traits tend to lie on the more common side. As well as the tendency to hide our emotions. We're broken, but none of them will admit it and we'll never show it, not even me." she explains quietly.
"Then why are you telling me?" I ask.
"I'm humility, I tend to be a bit more honest. Even if I won't show it..." she says, I nod. I'm starting to understand more and more about Luka. It's funny how taking a look at how a ponies traits act reveals a lot about that pony. Or, a person, in this case.
"Twilight? Are we ready to be done with this whole Poison joke business?" I turn to find Rarity and Generosity behind me.
"Yeah, okay. I'll go get the cure ready." I say. I head to the door and open it up, I linger in the doorway a while longer and look back at humility. She's engaged in a conversation with Rarity and Generosity, but she's not doing any talking. She only shakes or nods her head. She gives me a sideways glance that seems to convey something along the lines of trust, it was quick though and I could easily be mistaken. I head off to set up the cure.
~
We wait outside the door to the bath in anticipation. Twilight's finally starting to calm down after her fit over time travelling. She still seems to have a lingering sense of unease about the situation and the rest of us that remain are all waiting in anticipation.
"Rarity, if Luka isn't fixed, how do you think we'll fix her?" Rainbow asks.
"I'm not sure. Usually I'd defer to Fluttershy's judgement for this sort of thing, but she had no ideas on how we could help her either." I respond with worry.
"Well, who else should we ask? Someone who knows her better." Rainbow says, we both turn to Applejack and she scowls before turning away.
"We may be an item, but I don't know that much about her..." Applejack says sadly.
"It's okay Applejack, we all know you do your best. It's no fault of your own." I soothe, she doesn't answer and just nods solemnly.
"I might be able to help." I turn and find Nyx sitting beside us.
"Nyx? You can help us?" I ask in shock.
"Maybe. She reminds me a lot of myself." She replies sincerely.
"Nyx? Have you ever felt... broken?" Twilight asks in concern.
"Not recently. But that's kind of how I felt as Nightmare Moon. Except a little different. Where I dominated in my broken mindset, Luka submits." Nyx explains. Twilight lingers beside her worriedly and Nyx just shoots her a small smile accompanied by a hug.
"What helped you get better? What do you remember helping the most?" Applejack asks.
"I know I remembered the ones I cared about, the ones closest to me. But I remember realizing there were ponies that need me, ponies I wanted to protect." Nyx replies.
"But your talent is protecting, Luka isn't a protector as much. Luka is more of a helper." I point out.
"So you think if we show some ponies need her help she might get better?" Applejack asks.
"Probably." Nyx says. We're interrupted by the bathroom door opening and a completely cured Luka stepping out timidly.
"Oh... I'm Sorry I kept you waiting..." she says, rubbing her arm nervously.
"Are you feeling better?" Twilight asks. Luka just nods, trying to fade into the background as all the attention is on her. Twilight sighs at the response and Luka whimpers at her disapproval, flinching back as if she expects to be struck.
"Luka!" Luka turns to find Nyx running down the hallway and directly towards her. She looks at Nyx in shock and confusion as Nyx leaps into her arms.
"Nyx?" Luka asks softly, Nyx let's out a sob that I can't tell the authenticity of. Luka gasps and pulls Nyx back gently to look her in the eyes. "Nyx? Are you Okay? Do you want your mom?" Luka asks in uncomfortable concern, clearly conflicted on how she should feel.
"No! I don't want my mom, I want you! Please?" Nyx asks in between sobs. She looks up with the most pitiful look and Luka falters.
"Y-yeah. Sure. Of course." Luka replies, holding Nyx close and rocking her gently. Luka gives us all pleading looks, but we all just give her soft smiles in return.
"Thanks, Luka. You're a great friend. I love you," Nyx says, Luka gasps at that. She looks down at the filly in shock as her rocking slows. She takes in a breath and closes her eyes as what I hope is a happy tear streaks down her cheek. She opens her eyes with a smile that's much more genuine.
"I love you too, Nyx." Luka says, resuming her steady rocking. Nyx gives her a final nuzzle before loosening her grip and pulling back, she gives Luka a toothy grin. "You were never sad were you?" Nyx shakes her head and Luka laughs lightly. "Thank you. I need to be reminded of some things when I've lost my head," Luka says solemnly.
"It's nice to have you back to normal," Nyx says, giving Luka one last hug. Luka puts her down and looks at us all sheepishly.
"I'd apologize, but I imagine that's the last thing you want to hear." She says with a chuckle.
"There ain't nothing to apologize about, Sugar. You hit a rough spot, it happens. I'm just glad you're feeling better," Applejack says, nuzzling Lukas legs. Luka kneels down and hugs her marefriend, earning herself a hug in return.
"Well, it's been fun. But, Also thoroughly exhausting. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go veg out with a book for the rest of the day." Twilight says, exhaustion clearly sinking into her features. I make a mental reminder to set up a spa appointment to help get rid of some of that stress. "Oh, and, don't even think about time travel." Twilight warns. "And... stay out of Poison joke for future reference. Honestly Luka, you've had too many experiences with that herb." Twilight adds with a sigh before finally departing.
"Man, this has been too sad for me, we should have a party!" Pinkie suggests.
"I think that's a fine idea. But, maybe a small one. We're still trying to figure out the problem with racism and I think Luka would appreciate a little time with just some friends. Right?" Applejack suggests.
"Yeah, Thanks, I'd like that." Luka says with a small smile.
"Okay! I'll go set up! Applejack, I need your help with food!" Pinkie says while hopping off.
"You gonna be Okay without me?" Applejack asks Luka.
"I'll be fine, go help Pinkie." Luka assures. Applejack nods and chases after Pinkie, leaving me, Rainbow Dash, and Luka.
"I'm gonna go see if they need help." Rainbow Dash says, and I'm very grateful for it. Soon it's just me and Luka. I walk over to Luka and look at her in concern.
"Luka? Are you really all fine? Nothing's bothering you?" I ask, worry lingering my voice.
"Nope, nothing at all. I'm fine, Rarity. Though, I would feel a little bad if I don't help at all. Why don't we go offer our services." I nod and offer a slightly strained smile. It was small, but I could sense a barely concealed sadness. An internal conflict that isn't quite solved. I could sense that her answer wasn't entirely true, that there is something wrong still.
But the worst part about it was what else I sensed about what she said. She thought it was true. She truly thinks that nothing is wrong.