I lay there for a few moments. Whatever it was that I had just gone through; time vortex, inter-dimensional space or whatever, had really messed up my sense of balance. Eventually, I managed to get to my hooves as my strength returned and my breathing slowed, my body at last running out of adrenaline. I looked around. Directly behind me, possibly my point of origin, were the smashed and shattered remains of the pegasus. In front of me on the other hoof, were Time Turner and Apple Bloom.
I was glad the two of them were alright, although they seemed to have ducked to avoid something looked more than a little spooked. I rubbed my aching head as I got up. Looking up at my horn, I realised my dark magic was still active. I quickly cut it off, my horn turning back to its normal spiral design, and my eyes regaining their usual colour.
“Ooh, what the hay just happened?” I asked nopony in particular. Time Turner answered.
“The angel’s gone, and you came out through some kind of tear. What did you do?” he asked perplexedly.
My memories of my relatively brief visit to the past were still fairly clear in my mind, although now they had a sort of dreamlike quality to them; possibly due to the fact that, technically, they never happened. I quickly surmised what had happened. The Timelord was not best pleased.
“So let me get this straight; you were sent back in time, just prior to a big historical event, caused one major and probably several smaller paradoxes whilst you were there, and then that Discord fellow came and sent you back here?” I nodded. “Are you completely barmy?! Do you realise what could have gone wrong?!” I guess my grasp of temporal mechanics wasn’t as strong as I thought.
“What happened to the statue anyway?” Apple Bloom butted in. “It kinda shattered just after Blade Star disappeared. And why are ya dressed up like one of Princess Celestia’s guards?” I turned to her and looked down at myself. I’d lost the spear, but the rest of the armor was all still with me. I quickly set about removing it, my coat and mane regaining their usual colours.
“Ah had to try an’ blend in when that darn thing sent me back; wound up in Canterlot. How long was Ah gone anyway, AB?” I asked curiously. Her answer surprised me.
“Bout three seconds. Ya vanished in like a flash of light, then the pegasus cracked and fell apart, then you flew out of thin air.” Time travel for you. To me I’d been gone for several hours. I sighed, rubbing my nose with a hoof and turned back to Time Turner.
“Alright, Doc, since that thing’s gone, is there anything else we need to worry ‘bout?” I asked. He shook his head.
“What you did could very well have come unstuck and you certainly would have gotten yourself kicked out of the Academy for doing it, but there shouldn’t be any more issues. Just, don’t do it again, okay?” he pleaded. I laughed. “Oh, and I think you’ll be wanting this.” He passed me my dear old Stetson, the Indiana Jones theme music echoed as I settled it back on my head.
“Sure thing, Doc, next time Ah find ya staring down a weepin’ angel, Ah’ll just let it be.”
With the crisis over and everypony reunited, we all went back to the front of the shop. It was just getting on for quarter to six, and about time for the shop to close. For the sake of everypony involved, we decided that what had transpired would be kept between a small number of ponies; those involved, Twilight, Applejack and the other Elements. Twilight, as the local princess and scientist; she would undoubtedly enjoy analysing the remains, and Applejack due to the fact that it involved both her coltfriend and her little sister.
After handing over the clock that we had originally intended to bring, amidst much chuckling, Apple Bloom and I started on our way home. It would certainly be an interesting story to tell; good for a Nightmare Night yarn in any case.
The two of us steadily made our way through the town as everypony closed up for the night, completely unaware of what had transpired. I was certainly glad that the thing had been destroyed and was for certain, dead. Even if we had managed to trap the angel by its own reflection, it would still be a risk. Plus there would be endless questions about why Time Turner had a snarling pegasus statue in his back hallway.
By the time we made our way onto Sweet Apple Acres, it was starting to drop dark. The last red hues were beginning to fade, replaced by the purples and deep blues of the twilight. With the action over, I was experiencing something along the lines of delayed shock and adrenaline. After all, not less than twenty minutes ago, I had, in cold blood, thrown the changeling queen off a balcony to her death, and what was worse, I had enjoyed every second of it.
I’d had similar feelings after my encounter with Strong Shield. Of course, Strong Shield did not deserve what I had done to him; Chrysalis was another story. After all it was her, by proxy, that had cost Strong Shield his eye. She had imprisoned a princess and a future princess and injured another. Her ‘children’ had harmed dozens of ponies and caused a great deal of damage to Canterlot and made a wedding memorable for all the wrong reasons. Her death was, in that sense, justifiable.
But, on the other hoof, I had never done something like that before. I liked to think I was not capable of it. Sure I had got in fights and such over the years, and I had seen that I had a darker side, as we all do. But the fact that I had used the excuse of a paradox to kill another being was something that made me sick to my stomach. Yes, it had never really happened, but to me it was real. And hay, Chrysalis may have harmed ponies, but she had not killed anypony. Did that make me worse than her?
This was something that was going to stay with me for a long time. I mean, I’m sure pretty much everypony would have been happy to have a shot at taking out Chrysalis, some would be content to kick her when she was down. But nopony had ever had the opportunity. And there is a difference between saying you want to do something and actually doing it.
So it was then, during that walk back to the home and ponies that I loved and cared for, that I realised how deeply my hatred ran. And it was blind hatred to boot. I had never had a run in with a changeling before Strong Shield, and yet when put face to face with their queen in an opportune moment, I had killed her. In a nation that is based on the principles of harmony; loyalty, honesty, generosity, kindness, laughter and magic, I had allowed my hate to flourish.
I resolved then and there, to drop it. Hay, if I hadn’t managed to work it out of my system after the experience I had just undergone, there had to be something wrong with me. From that moment on, I set aside my thoughts and feelings regarding changelings. Yes, they had done terrible things. But they had done nothing to me. They were beaten, and were in no position to come back to try again. There’s no point holding animosity against a defeated foe. Who knows, perhaps one day Chrysalis shall be deposed and a peace may form. It would do no good if ponies, or changelings, still held onto grudges. I remembered what Applejack had told me about doing that.
I removed the old hog’s tooth bullet from under my hat. It was still inscribed with Chrysalis’ name. But what use was it really now? Taking it in a hoof, and with all the force I could muster, I hurled it off into the nearby woods. I was done with it. I had moved on.
With this revelation, I brightened up noticeably. Apple Bloom had been sticking close by my side all the way back. To take my mind off everything, I did my best to focus on her. After all, she had had just as much a traumatic experience. I was in my late teens when I first saw the Weeping Angels and the buggers gave me nightmares for a week. She would need someone to help her for a while. I thanked my lucky stars that Equestria had somepony to help with bad dreams as well.
When we got back, Apple Bloom, much to AJ’s surprise, wrapped herself around her sister’s forelegs. I quickly explained, as best I could, that we’d had something of an encounter with an alien at Time Turner’s shop, but that everything was alright now.
“Ah was just gonna head out to see Twilight, AJ. Ah figure it’s best that she knows ‘bout this sooner not later. Just to be on the safe side,” I said reassuringly. Applejack had understandably been quite worried for both of us when I explained about the stone pegasus. In fact, she insisted on coming with me to see Twilight. So, I turned to Granny Smith, who was in her rocking chair
“Granny! Can ya keep an eye on AB while me and AJ are out; poor thing’s mighty spooked.” Granny Smith replied with an affirmative and took the filly into the other room. And so, I quickly hurried over to Twilight’s.
The lights were on at the Golden Oaks Library when we got there, and from outside I could hear Twilight, well, being Twilight and obsessing over something. Knocking on the front door (it was after hours for the library, after all) I kindly greeted Spike and asked to see Twilight.
“Maybe you can help calm her down. Ever since Time Turner brought those bits of stone in, she’s been going nuts,” he said as he ushered us inside.
We found Twilight and Time Turner studying the remains of the pegasus on one of the libraries reading tables. From the look on Time Turner’s face he was having one of his rare ‘Doctor’ moments, where he let his old universe saving self, shine though the typical clockmaker façade. Twilight was just as hyper, eagerly putting the stone remains through a number of tests using a small chemistry set that she had pitched on the table.
“Ah see ya heard ‘bout our recent visitor,” I remarked dryly as the two looked up at my arrival. Twilight eagerly trotted over to me.
“Blade Star you won’t believe this! I ran the test a dozen times, this rock actually shows signs of being organic.”
“Twilight, it was alive not ten minutes ago. And the damn thing was tryin’ to kill Blade Star and Apple Bloom!” Applejack exclaimed.
“They are an extremely dangerous species, Twilight. Even my people had the sense to steer clear of them,” Time Turner added.
“Okay, I get that they aren’t exactly friendly, but still. A lifeform made of sentient sedimentary rock! This has to be the first time science has ever encountered such a thing.” She began to pace excitedly. “I know; I’ll send samples to Pinkie’s sister, Maud knows more about rocks than anypony. I bet she could offer me some useful insights.”
“Twilight, not to rain on your parade or nothin’,” I broke in. “But shouldn’t we be more worried ‘bout the fact that a killer statue somehow got from Canterlot to Ponyville without bein’ noticed.” While looking slightly perturbed, Twilight reined in her enthusiasm and scientific curiosity.
“Well, from what Time Turner has told me, these ‘angels’ are immobile only when they are being looked at. The area between here and Canterlot is not lit that much. My guess is that it posed as a statue in Canterlot for a while, and then travelled at night to get here. It really is a brilliant defence mechanism when you think about it.”
“But what if there are more of these things?” AJ asked worriedly.
“I sincerely doubt that Ms. Applejack,” said Time Turner. “These things, if they can, tend to work in groups, not alone. My guess is that it’s a straggler. If there had been others, they would have descended en masse.” With Applejack now a bit more relaxed, we could move on to other issues.
“So what do ya want to do ‘bout this then, Twi?” I asked. Twilight thought for a moment.
“Well, since it’s ‘dead’, I don’t think we need to be too concerned. But I will send a letter to Celestia now and tell her what happened. After that, it’s probably best we send most of the remains to Canterlot for study. But I wouldn’t mind asking Maud about it as well. The only real concern is how it got here. Time Turner, are you positive it followed you, and it hasn’t come through another one of these tears?”
“I’m as sure as I can be, Twilight. Since it was on its own, it had to have been pretty weak. It followed me, but probably took a long time to regain its strength. That’s why it didn’t show up until now. I’m happy to help you check around Ponyville though, if you want to be certain.” Twilight nodded in agreement.
“Alright then, I’ll send a letter to Celestia now, Time Turner can help me tomorrow, and you two,” she gestured to AJ and I. “Can relax for the night.” With everything sorted, the two of us began to walk back to the farm.
The two of us didn’t really say much to each other as we headed out of town. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence at all. It was more that we had both just had a lot of things happen in a very short space of time. For me, I’d been sent back in time and murdered a changeling to satisfy my own personal demons. For Applejack, her coltfriend had stepped out for ten minutes with her little sister to take a clock to the mender’s and come back claiming that they’d nearly been killed by an alien statue.
I’ll be honest, when I woke up this morning, I didn’t see any of this coming. At worst I figured there’d be a little bit of awkwardness between Time Turner and Apple Bloom; since he seems to fear her more than anything else due to her sales technique.
Anyway, we trotted side by side out of town, each feeling a little lost in our own thoughts. I could tell from the expression on her face, that AJ was still quite worried. After all, weird things happening in Ponyville tend to go south real fast, see the return of Nightmare Moon, see the second coming of Discord, see Trixie, see Cutie Pox. Need I go on? As for me, I was still wrestling with my emotions. This eventually compelled me to speak up.
“Ya never asked me what actually happened when that statue caught me,” I commented. Applejack turned to me, smiling slightly.
“Ah figured that whatever it was had scared ya somethin’ bad, Bones. Y’all have been pale as a shadow pony since ya got back. And Ah know from experience that ponies need a bit of time before they start yappin’ ‘bout somethin’ like that.” I scratched the back of my neck.
“Do ya mind if Ah tell ya ‘bout it?” She shook her head. “AJ, that thing set me back to Twilight’s brother’s weddin’. But before everythin’ went bad. Ah caught that no good Chrysalis before she had a chance to do anythin’, and, Ah stoped her,” I paused for a moment.
“It’s okay, Sugarcube,” Applejack said encouragingly.
“Well, ya know how I feel ‘bout changelings.” She nodded. “But one of ‘em is also a good friend to me. An’, it was only when Ah managed to get back, Ah realised just how mean spirited Ah was bein’. It’s like, ya know how a lot of the folks in Canterlot are a mite, uppity bout havin’ non-unicorns around? Well, Ah was like that with changelings only a dozen times worse. Ah just feel like such a dang hypocrite. An’ what’s worse, Ah thought that way ‘bout ‘em even before Ah came here. As soon as Ah saw Strong Shield, all Ah saw was a changeling, not my friend. An’ Ah can’t help but feel like, well, like a villain for bein’ like that. Like Ah don’t deserve what Ah have.” As I finished, I hung my head in shame. Applejack stopped where she was, and walked in front of me.
“Blade Star, look at me,” she said, for once calling me by my name. I looked up. “Ah’ve known ya for the better part of a year now. An’ in all that time, all Ah’ve ever seen is a pony who works hard, is honest an’ generally, good. Now Ah understand why ya might be feelin’ so down, but answer me this. If y’all are so bad for thinkin’ that way, how come ya realised what it really was and stopped it?” She sat down on her haunches and placed a hoof on my shoulder. “Sugarcube, the pony ya just told me ‘bout wouldn’t just admit he was wrong to think what he did; he’d be stubborn and push everypony else away. As long as ya don’t do that, Ah reckon y’all are gonna be okay.” I found my smile returning in the growing moonlight.
“Thanks, Applejack,” I said quietly. The two of us paused to nuzzle at each other for a moment before AJ broke away. The rest of the journey was spent chatting more easily to each other. I still wasn’t completely comfortable, but I felt somewhat better, knowing that somepony had faith in me as a decent stallion.
We soon arrived back at the house, lit up as usual. Entering through the kitchen, we found Granny Smith coming down the stairs to meet us. She looked a little agitated.
“Well it’s ‘bout time you two young’uns got back,” she complained. “AB’s still mighty scared, poor little thing just won’t settle. Big Macintosh is up there right this minute tryin’ to get the poor sweet thing to bed.” At this moment, Big Mac trotted down the stairs looking equally worried about his little sister. Big Mac may be protective of AJ, but Celestia help the poor stallion who tries to get near Apple Bloom.
“Did ya have any luck, Big Macintosh?” she asked. He promptly shook his head.
“Nnope,” he declared, concern clear in his voice. He sighed deeply.
“How ‘bouts Ah go an’ talk to her, AJ?” Applejack nodded in agreement, and so I trotted off up the stairs.
Apple Bloom’s room was just up the way from my own. I was opposite Applejack, and she was opposite Big Macintosh, with Granny Smith’s room being at the end of the hall. The door was slightly ajar when I got up there, and from within, I could hear the pitiful sound of her whimpering tearfully. And if there is one thing I simply will not stand for, it is to see a little girl cry.
“Hey there, little lady,” I said comfortingly as I walked into her room. Apple Bloom was curled up on her bed. She hadn’t shown even a hint of being scared at the time, but I guess, like me, the adrenaline had worn off. Even for a grown stallion, to encounter a weeping angel and then try to get a good night’s sleep was no easy task. As I spoke, she promptly looked up at me. “Big Mac and me are kinda worried ‘bout ya, ya know.” I sat down next to her on her bed and hugged her, just as Mac had most likely done.
“Blade Star, Ah’m really scared,” she whimpered. “Ah just can’t get that pegasus thing outta my head.” I stroked her mane comfortingly.
“Now, now, Apple Bloom, ya saw what happened; it’s in bits and last Ah saw, Twilight had it safe at the library; it can’t hurt ya none.” Apple Bloom nodded uncertainly.
“Ah know, and Ah keep tryin’ to tell myself that. But Ah just can’t shake the feelin’ that it’s still there, watchin’ me. An’ Ah just keep thinking ‘bout all those other monsters that are out there.” How many parents had had this happen to them I wonder? I know I’d gone through this phase, so had Lizzie. Apple Bloom was usually a pretty mature little filly, but the angel had clearly really rattled her, prompting her to fall back on old childhood fears.
As I sat there comforting her, I looked out of the window. It was completely dark now, but it was also a clear night. I remembered fondly what my parents used to do when I got scared.
“Hang on, AB; Ah’ll just be a minute,” I said reassuringly. As I left, I made sure to keep the door to her room open so she could have some light while she was alone.
I headed back downstairs to the rest of the Apple family. We were all quite worried about Apple Bloom, but at least now I had an idea. Unfortunately, executing that idea would be a delicate operation and involve borrowing something of Big Mac’s. As soon as I got back to the kitchen I took him to one side.
“Big Macintosh, can Ah talk with ya for a minute?” I asked quietly. He nodded calmly and followed me out in to the hallway. As soon as I turned around to talk, he expressed his concerns to me.
“How’s little sis doin’, Bones? Ah’ve been tryin’ to get her settled but she’s right spooked.”
“She’s just shook up is all, Mac. Ah figure if we can get her to bed tonight, it’ll pass eventually. She just needs somepony with her to keep her company. Ah hate to ask ya this; but Ah need to borrow your Smarty Pants doll.” Big Mac snorted in surprise and the faintest blush could be seen under his coat.
“Ah, erm, Ah don’t know what ya mean there, Bones,” he replied anxiously. “Ah don’t know nothin’ bout no doll; and Ah certainly didn’t take one home with me when Ms. Twilight enchanted it and tried to give it to AB an’ her friends.” I raised an eyebrow at that.
“Big Macintosh, y’all are ‘bout as bad a liar as your little sister,” I countered. “Don’t worry, ah won’t tell nopony ‘bout it. Pinkie Promise.” I made the necessary motions, managing not to poke my eye out.
For a few moments, Big Mac seemed unsure, torn between helping his little sister feel better and sleep easier, and protecting his own dignity from possible humiliation. But, being the kind, caring stallion that he is, he eventually came to the only conclusion I could foresee.
“Fine, Ah’ll go get her,” he said at length before trotting off upstairs. “But this stays between us, Bones, ya hear?”
“Mac, Ah Pinkie Promised already, what more can Ah do?” I replied reassuringly.
He returned a moment later carrying the doll gently in his teeth. I quickly took it in my magic and, thanking him again, headed back up to Apple Bloom.
“Hey, ya still awake, AB?” I called softly as I entered. She was indeed still up, sitting upright in her bed. “Here, Ah got somepony here to keep ya company tonight.” I settled the doll next to her in bed and put it in her hooves. She looked a little perplexed.
“Hang on, ain’t this that doll Twilight ‘accidentally’ enchanted and made half of Ponyville go haywire?” she asked. “How d’ya get it anyway?” I quickly formed a white lie to spare Big Mac, and honour my Pinkie Promise.
“Oh, Ah remembered seein’ it back on Earth, so I just teleported over to the library and asked Twilight if ya could borrow it.” For a moment, I feared the ever inquisitive filly might press me further, but instead, perhaps due to the lateness of the hour, she simply hugged the doll and began to settle.
I stayed with her a little while as she drifted off, now much more relaxed and calm, particularly as, at the moment, due to the position of the moon, her bed was bathed in moonlight. Luna would be watching over her tonight. I eventually ended up having to tell her a story to send her off to sleep. But eventually, my patience was rewarded with the sound of soft snoring.
With Apple Bloom safely off to the land of nod, I headed back downstairs to see the rest of the Apples’. They were mainly glad that AB had settled down. After all, we all were quite worried about her. If I got the chance tonight, I would ask Luna to keep an eye on her dreams. Since it was getting on, it was well past Granny Smith’s bedtime, we all decided to turn in as well. I too was getting especially tired, considering that due to the time difference, I had been up about five or six hours longer than anypony else.
Hopefully, I would get a pleasant night of rest and a less eventful day tomorrow.