Not All Alternative Timelines Are Bad
It was another day in the FilmFlamverse. The ponies has succeeded in helping the folks there be better equipped and trained for future villain attacks. Granted, the Flim-Flam brothers of that world aren't threatening but still, better safe than sorry.
"Well, all right, we're done." Twilight said as she and her friends got into the TARDIS, preparing for the return home.
"Good, because believe me, spending weeks away from home ain't so good." Applejack groans, feeling her back breaking from all the work that she and her friends has done.
"No worries, my friends. If this works, we will be back where we started." Doctor Whooves said to his friends as he got TARDIS started.
"I'm ready to go home." Rarity remarks as she looks into a mirror. "I feel like I haven't slept in ages! I need my beauty sleep!"
"But you're beauty just the way you are." Fluttershy said to Rarity who pauses and smiles upon hearing that. "True."
"True."
After Doctor Whooves is done, the TARDIS begins moving and in a flash disappears, heading back. It looks like smooth sailing for the seven...but then the machine begins shaking.
"Hey, what's going on?" Pinkie yelps as the machine shakes like mad.
"Uh oh." Doctor Whooves said, checking some dials in concern. "Running low on fuel. We're going to make an unscheduled stop."
"To where?" Twilight ask the Doctor as the stallion send his machine right into another world that the ponies had yet to visit.
"To another timeline...
--------------
???
The TARDIS appears, landing in some sort of grassy field nearby Ponyville. The seven got out and looks around. Looks like this place isn't a disaster like the other worlds they've been to.
"Well, either the Rainboom happened here or nothing lame happen." Rainbow remarks as she glances at Ponyville. "Either way...boring."
"Let's just get some fuel and head on home." Applejack insists as the seven heads into the Ponyville of this world. "Doc? Ya think your other self can help?"
"We can only hope." Doctor Whooves said with a nod.
The seven moves through the new Ponyville. The villagers who are around, looks at the newcomers oddly as if they either never saw them before...or how the way they look. Still, they chose not to address them and continue on with their business.
Twilight looks up and gasps as she saw something: what appears to be a version of Shining and Cadance talking and chatting.
"Hey! Shining, Cadance!" Twilight exclaims, waving as she gallops off with the others following.
The alternative versions of Shining and Cadance turns, spotting Twilight...and looking understandingly confused. What is this?
"Twily? What are YOU doing here? I thought you were busy at the Canterlot Library." Alternative Shining spoke, bewildered to see his little sister here when she should be elsewhere.
"Shiny? What are you doing in Ponyville? And why are you an Alicorn?" Twilight gasps in surprise. The others now saw that Shining is now an Alicorn which is a big surprise.
"Come on, Twily. You know Cadance and I have been living in Ponyville for five years now. And you were there for my coronation more than two years ago."
"Wait a minute." Pinkie said, holding a hoof up as she figured this out. Turning to Twilight, she said, "I'm guessing this is an alternate timeline where Celestia sent Shining Armor and Cadance to Ponyville instead of you."
"Alternate timeline?" Alternative Shining ask, pausing to think for a moment. "Okay, that explains a lot. Yeah. I'm the Prince of Friendship. And Cadance is both the Alicorn of Love and the bearer of the Element of Kindness."
"You're surprisingly quick to accept the alternate timeline theory." Twilight said to the alternative version of her brother with a smile. It took a while for the folks of the other worlds to get used to the idea.
"Yeah, well, you would be too if Doctor Whooves was one of your closest friends."
"Fair enough. Wait a minute; Doctor Whooves is an Element Bearer in this timeline."
"Yeah. Element of Generosity (owing to his willingness to share his inventions and how quick he is to come to the aid of somebody in trouble)." Alternative Shining admits with a chuckle, making Doctor Whooves himself arch an eyebrow at this.
"So who are the other Element Bearers in this timeline?" Applejack ask curiously, wondering who the other elements are in this world.
"The Doc's marefriend, Muffins, is the Bearer of the Element of Laughter. Your big brother, Big Mac, is the bearer of the Element of Honesty and Bon-Bon is the Bearer of the Element of Loyalty."
"Ah, yes, make sense now." Doctor Whooves said with a chuckle while smiling. "Listen, we came here to refuel my TARDIS. Can I speak to my other self?"
"Yes, he is at the castle now." Alternative Cadance said, motioning to the castle in the distance. "Come, we will have a meal of it."
"All right, food!" Rainbow and Pinkie exclaims excitedly. They haven't eaten in forever!
-----------
The Prince and Princess of Friendship of this world brought the newcomers to the Prince and Princess of Friendship. Their own friends are there, ready for lunch and are surprised to see the newcomers. After some explanation, they are quick to the idea too.
Doctor Whooves meet his alternate timeline counterpart and comment, "I presume that you are THIS timeline's version of myself."
Alternative Doctor Whooves nodded as he said, "Indeed. So you came here for a reason?"
"Just an unexpected stop. I need to fuel my TARDIS up to bring us back home."
"Ah, it shall be done. I will get the fuel to your ship as soon as possible."
As the ponies sat down and did some eating, Fluttershy spoke up, "So uh...what is the story of this world?"
"Yes, we are dying to know what history this alternative timeline holds." Rarity said as she barely manages to lift her fork with her magic.
"Did the Rainboom happened in this world? Did I passed my entrance exam?" Twilight ask Alternative Cadance and Alternative Shining curiously.
"Unfortunately, no to both of those." Alternative Bon-Bon said with a sigh, shaking her head. "There hasn't been a Rainboom in centuries."
"Nope." Alternative Big Mac said, shaking his head.
Aalternate Shining Armor explain to Twilight, "After you; well my timeline's version of you; failed your entrance exam for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, you were fairly depressed at first, but Moondancer, Ben, your other brothers and I all helped you get over it reasonably quickly. We spent a couple of years helping you build up your magic enough to pass the exam with flying colors when you finally felt confident enough to try again. Now, you're pretty content to work as Canterlot's head librarian. Applejack still returned to Ponyville, but stuck around Manehattan for a few weeks longer - long enough to be introduced to a savvy and rather pleasant business stallion. Rainbow Dash, well, she ended up joining the Royal Guard after finishing Flight School. She is presently a Sergeant (though, considering her rather respectable combat record and frequent acts of heroism, she would actually be much higher up if it weren't for her discipline issues). Fluttershy moved to Ponyville after she finished Flight School and discovered her love of and skill with animals (though she is a total shut-in outside of the animals she helps). Rarity is a construction worker. As for Pinkie, well, I never met and, until now, never even heard of her. Thus, I have to assume she's still on this rock farm you mentioned."
"Me a Royal Guard? That's lame!" Rainbow remarks with a scoff. "Uh, no offense."
"None taken."
"So how about Nightmare Moon? Did she appear?" Pinkie ask curiously.
"Sure did." Alternative Muffins said with a goofy nod while eating her muffin. She spoke with her mouth full, "It was hard too."
"Mouth full, Muffins." Alternative Doctor Whooves scolds his filly friend. He turns back, adding, "But yes, it was hard too."
The alternate timeline Shining Armor explain, "In all honesty, the hardest part of the fight with Nightmare Moon was on Bon Bon's part, and even THAT was only having to explain certain parts of her secret agent past to her best friend Lyra afterwards."
"Yeah, but I nailed it." Alternative Bon-Bon remarks as she finishes her meal. "Then afterwards, Celestia assigned Shining and Cadance to stay here to study friendship and to deal with any more attacks in the future."
The alternate timeline Shining Armor explain, "Shortly after Big Mac and the Doc became bearers of the Elements of Harmony, Caddy negotiated a deal with Granny Smith and Mac's younger sister Applejack that allows Doc to use his inventions to help out at Sweet Apple Acres; which REALLY came in handy a couple of weeks later when Big Mac got badly injured during the start of that year. And it ALSO comes in handy every single cider season (making sure there is plenty of cider for EVERYBODY); particularly the year when the Flim Flam Brothers tried to take over the farm."
"Yep!" Alternative Big Mac said with a nod.
"Wow. Just like what happened back home." Applejack said impressed. "Well, minus the differences."
"Any more differences we should be aware of?" Rarity ask curiously.
The alternate Cadance comment, "During our first Winter Wrap-Up in Ponyville, the organization skills Shiny learned in the guard and *I* learned from Aunt Tia combined with a few of the Doc's inventions allowed us to get winter wrapped up with hours to spare."
"Glad you did better than I did." Twilight remarks, shaking her head. "I went crazy and got into trouble, trying to figure out how to do ours."
"It's true. Not a pretty sight." Rainbow remarks with a light chuckle, making Twilight glares at her.
"Did you met Discord in this world yet?" Fluttershy ask hopefully.
"Yes, and let me tell ya, ain't a perfect battle." Alternative Big Mac remarks with a frown, recalling the encounter.
"Right, he tried to discord us, turn our world upside down...we're lucky to barely beat him." Alternative Cadance said with a sigh while shaking her head.
"Well, same with us...and months later, Fluttershy was able 'ta change Discord all by her lonesome." Applejack said, patting Fluttershy on the back and making her squee a bit.
The alternate Cadance explain, "It wasn't easy, but between both Muffin and myself, we were able to reform our timeline's Discord. And, yeah, I have to admit the fact your Fluttershy was able to do it on her own actually makes me a little envious."
"Oh, it's all right." Flutershy said with a smile.
"You were really good at your tasks, Cadance." Twilight said with a happy giggle to the alternative version of her foalsitter. "Just like when you foatsat me, well the other you, back home."
The alternate Shining Armor comment, "Yeah, Caddy is pretty much the go-to babysitter for all of Ponyville; ESPECIALLY the Cakes. I can remember the first time Carrot and Cup Cake needed Caddy and I to watch over Pound and Pumpkin when the latter two were just a month old. It wasn't easy, but also nothing we couldn't handle with organized teamwork. I would also admit this, though. Considering Pound was, even at one month old, strong enough to maintain full flight while carrying ME, I would say he has a real shot at getting into the Wonderbolts or the Royal Guard when he's an adult. And considering she mastered self-levitation and intangibility at one month old, it's safe to say Pumpkin would probably have a very good chance into getting into Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns once she is old enough."
"Awww, I'm jealous." Pinkie said, pouting a bit. "I wanted to do that."
"Well, maybe someday you will." Doctor Whooves said, patting her back. Pinkie’s other self may not be around but she may someday.
The alternate timeline Cadance explain, "A few years ago, I met this female donkey named Matilida who wanted my help in finding a male donkey named Cranky. With more than a little help from Muffins and Doctor Whooves, I helped her find him and helped them patch things up."
"Yeah! Nice!" Alternative Muffins exclaims with a nod of agreement.
"So did you two get married?" Pinkie ask the couple, wanting some details.
"We did." Alternative Shining said, smiling to his bride as he and his Cadance held hooves. "Although not without...complications."
"Let me guess: Changelings?" Rarity ask the group who nodded.
The alternate timeline Cadance comment, "A couple of months before my and Shiny's wedding, I was foalnapped and replaced by the Changeling Queen. Fortunately, Twilight, Ben and Moondancer were all quick to see through Chrysalis's disguise and, through careful investigation, managed to gather sufficient hard evidence to expose Chrysalis's scheme WELL before the wedding."
"Well, I did better in this world than I did back home." Twilight remarks, a bit embarrassed.
"Let me guess: You tried to expose the fake Cadance as a fraud and got shunned as a result of it?" Alternative Doctor Whooves ask, making Twilight nod meekly. "I thought so."
"But we apologize an' forgive each other." Applejack said, waving a hoof around. "Just in time to help fight off other baddies like Sombra, Tirek, an' more."
"And Sunset Shimmer, a former student of Celestia, who is now living in the human world." Pinkie said as she eats some cupcakes. Where she got them? Even I don't wanna know!
"In this timeline, Sunset Shimmer tried to fix Starswirl's unfinished spell, figuring that would allow her to finally ascend. She figured, as an added bonus, she would get the six ponies best qualified to stop her out of the way until she could figure out how to reverse the spell." Alternative Cadance explains what her Sunset done in this timeline.
"Unfortunately, all it succeeded in doing was switching around the Cutie Marks (as well as half of the memories and personalities) of all six of us." Alternative Shining Armor remarks, rolling his eyes a bit. "I had half of Big Mac's memories, Cadance had half of Bon Bon's, Doctor Whooves had half of mine, Bon Bon had half of Muffins', Big Mac had half of Doctor Whooves', and Muffins had half of Cadances'."
"That sounds awfully familiar, though at least Twilight didn't get her Cutie Mark and memories messed up in our time line. Maybe because SHE was the one casting the spell." Rainbow remarks, recalling how that incident happened to the Mane Five and how Twilight wasn't effected.
"Yeah. I mean, I did it completely by accident instead of half-on purpose like Sunset did in this timeline." Twilight spoke, a bit embarrassed. "How did you six get back to normal?"
"With the help of Muffins's daughter Dinky and her pals in the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Unfortunately, Cadance and I had to chase Sunset into another universe so we could correct the spell ourselves." Alternative Shining Armor said, getting to the Human Realm part of the story.
"As it turns out, in that universe, I'm the dean of some school called "Crystal Prep" and Shiny is a relatively recent graduate of that school with dreams of becoming a cop." Alternative Cadance said as she explains the differences of that world.
"The fact that our counterparts are known "Crystal Preppies" in that universe did not exactly make moving through Canterlot High (the school we chased Sunset Shimmer to) easy, considering the rivalry between those two schools. However, that universe's versions of Celestia and Luna were friendly enough toward us, even if they WERE confused at first when we tried to explain the situation to them."
"In the end, though, we DID manage to recover the book and stop her from stealing our Elements of Harmony."
"Once we fixed the spell to keep what Sunset did to us for ever happening again, the Elements went haywire and I ascended to Alicornhood." Alternative Shining said, smiling at his own wings.
"And then, we became the new rulers of Ponyville, right after defeating our own Tirek." Alternative Cadance said with a smile.
Twilight ask, "If you two are here in Ponyville, then who's in charge of the Crystal Empire?"
Alternate Shining Armor answer, "Why, Sombra, of course. After the nine of us (counting Celestia and Luna themselves as well as Radiant Hope) all working together managed to reform him when the Crystal Empire returned three years ago, he has actually been a pretty benevolent ruler (though it took him more than a year of hard work to earn the trust and respect of his subjects)."
"Did better than we did."
The alternate timeline Cadance comment, "There was a little mess a few months ago with the Bugbear, a monster Bon Bon played a hoof in stopping before and stopped again with our help. Actually, between the combined alicorn powers of myself and Shiny, Bon Bon's previous experience in fighting that particular monster, Doctor Whooves's gadgets and OWN monster-fighting experience, Big Mac's strength and Muffins's diversionary tactics, we had that fight wrapped up in about five minutes; plenty of time to get to Cranky and Matilida's wedding. Which was a good thing considering I was in charge of the actual ceremony and Muffins was the mare of honor."
"Mommy, daddy!" A little voice is heard. To the newcomers' surprise, there's Starlight Glimmer...but younger and innocent than she was back home. The filly chose a picture, saying, "I made a drawing!"
"Yes, you did good, sweetie." Alternative Shining Armor chuckle as he nuzzles little Starlight a bit.
"Am I seeing things or is Starlight a filly?" Applejack ask, bewildered of seeing this.
"That is NOT your imagination. And, she's our adopted daughter."
"Really?" Twilight ask her big brother in surprise.
Alternate Cadance smiles, nuzzling Starlight as she explains, "Yes. You see, after we and our friends foiled Starlight's cult in "Our Town", Starlight became obsessed with revenge on me and Shiny. So much so, that she modified Starswirl's time travel spell to allow her to travel to any time period she wanted and stay in the past as long as she wanted and then tried to, first, prevent ME from ascending in the first place and, second, prevent me and Shiny from ever meeting. She figured that would prevent us from being in a position to rally our friends."
"You would think two Alicorns would be more than a match for a single unicorn - even a very powerful one. In terms of raw power, you would be correct. But, unfortunately, another modification Starlight made to the spell gave her the TACTICAL advantage of always knowing our every move." Alternative Shining Armor explain as to what his Starlight has done. "Plus, Caddy is - with foal - at present and, thus, not exactly at full power."
"Eventually though, she made the tactical error of showing us HER most unpleasant past memory. As it turns out, she not only lost her best friend because he got her cutie mark a couple of years before SHE did, but she had no living relatives and was staying at an orphanage that was so bad I wouldn't wish it on Chrysalis."
"However, while Starlight was distracted by bad memories, Caddy and I made our move. I cast my strongest "force field prison" on the adult Starlight to trap her while Caddy went to talk and connect to the filly Starlight. We then adopted the filly Starlight and brought her back to the present with us. By the time the adult Starlight escaped my force field, she was already fading out of existence."
"You see, we knew we had a better chance of rehabilitating Starlight if we did it while she was still young. Plus, I figured it would give me and Shiny a few months of parenting experience before the foal is born." Alternative Cadance said, smiling to Starlight who giggles a bit.
"Well, it makes more sense than what the writers for the actual episode did." Pinkie said happily and randomly.
"We'll - take your word for that, Pinkie." Rarity said, a bit weirded out by what her friend just said. Turning to the alternate Shining Armor and Cadance, she continues, "Still, you do realize that, despite your good intentions, Starlight could STILL grow up to be - something less than a good mare."
"Even if she does, then it would be HER choice. In the meantime, however, at least she'll have a fair second chance." Alternative Shining Armor insists with a chuckle as Starlight glances at the newcomers curiously.
"Does anypony else know all the details of your adopted daughter?" Rainbow ask, pondering if anyone else knew about Starlight's true past.
"Only our friends and my aunts. They're the only ones who NEED to be in the know and, frankly, the only ones who will care enough to WANT to know all the details." Alternative Cadance said, counting off who also knew. "As far as literally everypony else is concerned, Shiny and I just found and rescued a filly from some rather unfortunate circumstances and are doing our best to raise her right. That's true enough anyway."
"Well, I'm glad this world is doing better despite the lack of Rainboom." Fluttershy said with a smile.
"Right, we hope you're able to help this world out as we did back home." Twilight said with a nod of agreement.
"We will, we always will." Alternative Shining Armor remarks with a smile. "As long as we're here..."
"Are you my Auntie Twilight?" Alternative Starlight ask Twilight curiously.
As the others chuckles a bit, Twilight, bewildered, slowly nodded as she said, "Yes...yes I am."
------------------
Once everyone was done eating, the two Doctor Whooves got to work on refilling TARDIS up to the maximum. Once it's done, the heroes say goodbye to the Shining and Cadanceverse before getting back in, heading on their way.
A flash appears as it landed right where the group departed from not too long ago. Once it landed, everyone in Ponyville arrives, expecting to see their princess back.
Twilight and Doctor Whooves was the first to come out. Ben rushes over, nuzzling Twilight as he said, "Twilight, your back!"
"Oh Ben, I missed you!" Twilight exclaims happily. It's great to be with her lover after weeks of not seeing him in the timelines.
"Surprise, everyone!" A familiar voice exclaims as Pinkie came out of the machine...old, winkling and hurting a bit. In fact, the other members of the Mane Five came out, old as well!
"Gasp!" Everyone gasps, reacting to how much older the rest of the others besides Twilight & Time Turner appear! That return did a number on them!
"Rarity, is that you?" Spike ask Elderly Rarity in shock.
"Why yes Spike, what's wrong?" Elderly Rarity ask, not sure what Spike is shocked for.
"You’re so...so..."
"So what?"
Phobos finished what Spike was gonna say, "Your so....old!"
"WHAT!" Elderly Rarity gasps as she takes a mirror and looks into it. It's true! She's turning old and winkling!
"Oh my!" Elderly Fluttership yelps as she looks herself over. The mare is old!
"Well I'll be darn, I thought you said we be twelve years older!" Elderly Applejack spoke up in shock, wanting what just happened.
"We look like Granny Smith after FIFTY Years! How'd that happen?" Elderly Rainbow Dash demands frantically. She doesn't to be old yet!
"Apparently on that last travel, we escaped some black hole in which case, it was sucking up time." Doctor Whooves explains, rubbing the back of his mane sheepishly, recalling the last trip. "In literally meaning, that would also mean...the time of your youth."
"Well can you change them back, please?" Nyx ask Twilight and Doctor Whooves in worry.
Apple Bloom nodded as she adds, "Right, I don't want my big sis going through this again." The last time was too much!
"You mean the time she & your granny got their ages switched?" Sweetie ask, recalling the time when Applejack and Granny Smith's ages got switched by accident.
"Only Granny Smith was way younger while AJ was way older?” Scootaloo ask, recalling that as well.
"Quickly! Change us back, PLEASE!" Elderly Rarity demands urgently. She wants to be back to normal right now!
"Lighten up, it's not all bad." Elderly Pinkie chuckles, unaware that her teeth fell out of her mouth.
"Ugh, Pinkie, yer teeth just fell out." Elderly Applejack said awkwardly to Pinkie who looks confused at her.
"What?"
"Oh for Pete's sake, TURN UP YOUR HEARING AID!" Elderly Rainbow Dash screams out loudly. Her age must be effecting Pinkie's hearing!
"Hold on, my hearing aid's not working?" Elderly Pinkie Pie exclaims in confusion.
"Oh my, did I forget to feed my animals, was that fifty years ago or this morning? My memory isn't what it used to be!" Elderly Fluttershy yelps a bit, fearing that her memory is going big time.
"Time Turner, I think you need to give them that cure, now!" Twilight said seriously to the Doctor.
"Right, before they do something embarrassing," Phobos said, getting freaked out here.
"Come on, it's not that bad." Ben said, not seeing anything wrong with this...at first.
"Ugh, Ben...." Spike said awkwardly as he points at the situation that is happening right now.
Then as the elderly Mane Five were about to get moving, crack noises are heard, as they fell down. Many ache with busted hips, thrown out backs, twisted wings, dislocated joints, & Pinkie Pie was scratching a spot that made some just look at the senile random pony in....weirder ways than usual.
"Okay, it's bad. CHANGE THEM, QUICK!" Ben yells out frantically.
"Twilight, the age reversing potion." Doctor Hooves said, recalling the age reversing potion batches that Zecora gave Twilight before the gang left.
"Oh, right!" Twilight exclaims as she took the potions out quickly. "I've forgotten about them until now! Girls, take these!"
The girls barely managed to drink the potions from her friend. Suddenly the ponies yelped as an explosion occurred and covered them, making everyone else covers their eyes. When all is clear, the Mane Five are back to their normal selves, or what comes as normal anyway.
"Phew doggy!" Applejack exclaims as she bucks into the air. "What a close one!"
"What?" Pinkie ask in confusion.
"Oh, don't tell me you lost your hearing for real!" Rainbow exclaims, slapping her face in annoyance.
"What?"
"I am my beautiful self again!" Rarity giggles as she looks at herself in the same mirror. "Well, more or less. I feel like Blanche from "The Golden Girls".
"Glad I'm back to myself." Fluttershy said with a happy meekish smile.
"So what happened? Did anything excited happen?" Ben ask, wanting to know how the trip goes.
Twilight pauses, recalling the unscheduled stop in the Shining and Cadanceverse world. She giggles, "Ben, do we got a story for you!"
The End