The Line Between Fire and Light

by Stolenalicorn

51 Solve for Pops

The next day brought James and Starlight to Luna's throne room with a proposal. Even if they had abandoned their Equestria James still considered it her jurisdiction. Much to his surprise Celestia was there as well, the two seeming to have come to an understanding in their long conversation the other day.

“Thank you for the audience.” James said with a smile.

Celestia chuckled as once again his words brought a warm feeling to her chest. “After our talk last night I felt I should implore to my sister the importance of your request.”

Luna was a little uncomfortable with how easily Celestia kowtowed to this James, but she was confident that it was her choice and not him manipulating her. “You have more than earned my trust, however cautious I may seem. Please, what is it you wish to discuss?”

“I may be able to save Equestria.” James bluntly said.

Celestia and Luna gasped at the proclamation. Could it really be possible that they could reclaim their home still, and so soon. “Please go on.” Luna said urgently.

“Unfortunately, there are drawbacks. One of them being that neither you or your people can return. I'm proposing altering the existing time line to set things as close to where they should be as we can and giving Princess Twilight back her life. I am sorry to say that the same cannot be said for your people here. Agreeing to this proposition means abandoning your plans to reclaim your home.”

Luna shook her head. “You know as well as any here that this our home now, not Equestria. The plans were abandoned long ago, if they were ever seriously considered to begin with. I see no harm in approving your plan.” Truthfully she knew that even if the others could return she couldn't. Her responsibilities were to New Guardia and it's citizens now. At least until Amber or Sara could take their place. Possibly Amber, she had the demeanor that could mark her as a great leader. Though Sara was better at handling the responsibilities that would come with the position.

“Thanks again. You will need to fully materialize in a different universe, I would suggest M-E personally, just within sensor range of the Citadel. Any connection to your Equestria until Starlight and I return could prove disastrous, possibly destroying you. Anyone actually there will be destroyed. Seriously … destroyed.” James explained as his plan came together.

Luna brought out her omnitool and began to check her schedule, seeing that she could in fact accommodate the request quite soon. “Give us two days and we will be ready, will this be suitable for your preparations?”

James nodded. “Of course.” He said. “I realize that you never got to learn this about her, but Starlight is quite adept with magic. Rivaling if not outclassing Twilight. Thanks to her we are ready at any time.”

Starlight couldn't help but blush at the compliment. It had only taken her a couple hours to rewrite the spell that had nearly destroyed Equestria, and now it was going to be used to save another Equestria. Something about this really felt good to her. Though she hoped that she wouldn't have to play the bigger role James had planned for her.

***

James, Starlight, Princess Twilight and Spike climbed out of the Epoch. James left it as it was as he planned on Starlight and himself using it shortly anyway. “The table should be around here somewhere.” Twilight said as they began looking through the field that should have housed her castle.

Starlight looked up at the blackened sky and the Storm King's banners hanging all over the nearby Ponyville. It was a good thing the ponies had left when they did, they would likely all be slaves in this future. While the result was completely different, it was no less unnerving than when Twilight had dragged Starlight into that desolate future to make her point. Could they really make the argument without that powerful visual she had seen herself?

“Belgium!” James growled as they saw the broken remains of Twilight's table right where it should be. “Well, either I was more thorough than I thought or the Storm King just smashed it for fun.”

“It was a nice thought.” Twilight said, not feeling as disappointed as she sounded or expected. Somewhere inside she had been overjoyed at the proposal, but at the forefront of her mind was a terrifying sensation that she should not be doing this. She wanted to go home but her mind was in conflict with her heart, telling her that home was elsewhere.

“I guess that's it. No table no spell.” Starlight said as a matter of fact while she pushed around a broken chunk of the table. With a sigh he turned to walk back to the Epoch. From the corner of her eye she spotted something. “Twilight!” She gasped. Twilight's cutie mark was glowing.

Spike was the first to notice a large piece of rubble appeared to be shining. “Hey Twilight!” He called as he began pushing the large chunk of gemstone. “What do you think the map is doing?” He hadn't noticed that his head crest was glowing as well.

As Twilight inspected the piece of stone Spike was looking at, she noticed that the piece of the table was showing a section of forest and a piece of some sort of building. As she got closer she recognized the ravine near the Castle of the Two Sisters. “The Tree of Harmony!” She exclaimed. “But how?”

Starlight had to think before she realized that this Twilight didn't know about the connection between the table and the Tree of Harmony. Possibly because she had never met Sunburst who eventually got Starswirl's journal. “The tree knows that something is really wrong here and since it's connected to your castle, and by extension your table, it's trying to help us fix this problem.” Starlight explained.

“It's not just me the map is calling.” Twilight pointed out.

As James and Starlight got closer to the map they could see Starlight's cutie mark and a simplistic profile of James and Spike rotating around the ravine as well.

Starlight smiled as she looked to the piece of the table. “Oh Twilight is going to freak out when she hears about this.” She said with a sinister glee.

“I am, thank you very much.” Twilight quickly said, a little annoyed.

“Oh, sorry. I meant the Twilight I know.” Starlight hurried to correct. Multiple universes are just as big of a pain as time travel.

“Fascinating.” James commented as he examined the piece. “First that it would call me at all. Second being that nothing on me is glowing. Even Spike's head crest is glowing.” As he spoke he realized that there was something unique to him. His sword had been crafted from his own tail that he had surgically removed and used a Senzu to regrow. It was uniquely connected to him.

His companions quickly plugged their ears as he held out his hand and with the shrieking sound of tearing metal his sword appeared. As expected, the sword itself was glowing in much the same way their cutie marks were. He couldn't help but chuckle at the irony that the table would call him on a friendship mission, especially using a weapon as a signal.

“The table is really reaching out to us to do this while shattered.” Twilight observed.

“Well, let's get to the tree and see what we can do.” Starlight said as she turned for the forest.

Once James had capsulized his Epoch Twilight teleported them to the ravine. Twilight held her breath as she walked into the cave, figuring that the elements were still in Celestia's control she had never even tried to check on the tree when she gave up on her own time line. Her heart sank at what she saw: The crystalline tree appeared to be wilting and half of the elements had fallen out. All that clung to the tree now were three round gems.

“How did this happen to the tree?” Twilight gasped.

“It was most likely my fault.” James calmly said as he inspected the tree. “My actions disrupted the harmony of Equestria and caused the tree to suffer like this.” It was a combination of wild speculation and his tendency to blame himself, but it made the most sense to him.

As Twilight carefully approached the center gem lit up and changed it's form to resemble the star of her cutie mark. “Why would the elements change now?” She asked as she looked to the other elements.

“Probably because in this time line they never attuned to you and your friends. Again my fault, I had changed things too much. Rainbow Dash is a prime example in that she actually did betray her friends to get the Epoch and run away.” James said as he picked up what was Applejack's unattuned element. Once in his hands the orange gem flashed and took on the the shape of Rockhoof's cutie mark.

Starlight marveled at it, recognizing right away what it meant. “Strength, Rockhoof's trait.” She said as she approached the tree. The blue gem reacted as she got close to the tree, changing it's shape to match the star of Starlight's cutie mark. “Woah, what's going on?” She asked as the element approached her. “Isn't this one Pinkie Pie's. You know, laughter? I'm not exactly the example of that.”

James grinned at her as she examined the gem. “Didn't you tell me that it's equivalent is hope? I believe you've given it a new form: Trust.” Again, wild speculation, but he figured that explanation would inspire them more than just saying the tree was acting out of self preservation.

“Really?” Starlight said as she looked between James and Twilight a faint smile on her lips. “But how's that?”

“Because hope and trust are connected traits. And you still trust me, despite constantly seeing why you shouldn't.” James said.

“Come on.” Starlight said, shaking her head. “Anypony who knows you trusts you. Even when you're having trouble you are always trying to help.”

“But that still putts us three elements short.” Spike said as he picked up the purple gem. Once in his claws it's shape changed to resemble a blast of flame. “Wait, I've got an element?! Rarity's element? It can't be generosity, that's for sure.”

“I believe it's selflessness.” Starlight said with a grin fully embracing the theory that the elements were taking shape for them. “You can be greedy, sorry, but you will always help others. Which gives us four of six.”

“Five.” James said as he held up Fluttershy's, once again in the familiar butterfly shape.

“You've got two elements?” Twilight asked, shocked at the development. “And one is kindness?”

“Surprised me just as much.” James said as he held onto the two elements. “The kindness thing, not the multiple gems. Celestia has used all six before meaning that one can clearly attune multiple.”

“I'm not surprised about the kindness part.” Starlight said as she walked to the last element: Rainbow Dash's. “After all, the reason you're even here is because you care so much. You were ready to let Rainbow Dash stay with you because you didn't want to hurt her by making her go home. Something Fluttershy was doing with the breezies. We're here right now because you care about what happened to this Equestria, and your counterpart cared about what happened to his girls. Lucca's mentioned a few times how kind you are. It does make your marriage a little tricky since you don't want to hurt anypony.”

Twilight smiled as she turned to Starlight. “You know, I really look forward to getting to know you better Starlight. I just hope we can be as good of friends as you are with your universe's Twilight.”

“Oh, that shouldn't be a problem.” Starlight said with a chuckle. “Just do what you think will work and you should be fine. Now what about this last one? I'd think loyalty would be you too, giving you three elements.”

“Nah, that one doesn't really fit me too well.” James said with a shrug.

“Well that's good to know.” Starlight said flatly.

“So are we stuck?” Spike asked.

“I could certainly build a group exemplifying the Elements of Harmony.” James commented. “Though some of them would be unquestionably evil.”

“Then how would they exemplify an element of harmony?” Twilight asked, genuinely confused.

“Well Xellos is evil but he has never lied and never will, even if he doesn't tell the whole truth. The concept is just too strange to him. So there's one evil guy in the group. Lina … might be evil, but she'd certainly cover magic. Generosity is a common yet still valuable trait …”

“Okay okay. Though Xellos never tells you anything. It's always “That's a secret.” with him.” Twilight said. “Who would be loyalty?”

“Yeah, but what he does tell you is definitely the truth. As for loyalty that would be Bruenor Battlehammer, but the one in your New Guardia has no doubt been corrupted by my counterpart's magic, so he's out. Maybe we could grab Rainbow Dash.” James answered.

“I guess we should.” Starlight said, handing the element over to Spike. In Spike's claws the gem changed into a smaller flame. Clearly the four were all they needed.

“Woah. I get two too? What do you think this one is?” Spike asked.

James smiled. “If I had to guess, I'd say courage, or bravery.”

“Like Flash Magnus? But I get scared all the time.” Spike countered.

“You can't be courageous if you're never scared.” Twilight happily said.

“Aren't courage and bravery synonyms?” Starlight asked.

“True, but there are subtle differences. It's brave to face a beast you fear, it's courageous to hold onto hope in the face of defeat.” James hypothesized.

“So what do we do now?” Spike asked.

“Right, you never freed the pillars of Equestria in your time line.” Starlight said as she walked over to Twilight. “By the way, Starswirl was kind of a jerk and you were far too eager to prove yourself to him.”

Twilight was taken back by the casual statement. “But it's Starswirl! One of the most gifted wizards Equestria has ever seen.”

“One of, Twilight. You're better, and don't let anypony tell you differently.” Starlight commented before getting back to her point about Starswirl. “Besides being good doesn't mean you're nice. I mean, I'm good, but you remember how I was when you first met me. I was an evil dictator.”

“And I'm still a jerk.” James said with a smile and a thumbs up.

“Okay, before James derails us.” Starlight hurried to say. “Starswirl told us that the tree is directly connected to your castle and the map table, so we should be able to use the power of the elements to restore the table and get you back to that moment so you can stop me from screwing up the time line again.”

“So it's right back to the table?” Spike asked, not happy about having to go all the way back to the table.

James cocked his eyebrow as he looked down at the dragon. “Seriously? Twilight brought us here. This is the least effort I, and likely you, have ever put into getting to the tree. Walking back to the table is not a problem.”

“Yeah.” Starlight said as she walked forward. “I don't really want to trudge all the way back through the forest. Unlike the path to Truce there's no nice cobblestone road.” As she spoke her horn glowed and in a burst of light she teleported them back to where the fragments of the table were.

“Or Starlight can save us even that effort.” James said with a grin. “Well, if we're going back in time now I suppose I should finish getting ready.”

“You really don't have to change shape.” Starlight said as James walked off.

“I want my impact to be minimal. What if I distract Rainbow Dash, then we're back at square one.” James said as he walked behind a bush.

“I guess we can't really risk it.” Twilight said with a shrug.

“It could also be that Countess Coloratura was terrified of him in his normal form so he doesn't want to risk scaring anypony else.” Starlight said, turning to Twilight.

“Uhm, girls. There might be a bit of a problem.” James called back from behind the bushes.

“What? Did your spell misfire or something?” Starlight asked as she ran over, stopping just in front of the bush.

“No, I just remembered that I left my clothes for this form at home.” James said as Starlight approached.

“Seriously?” Spike asked. “You were the only one wearing clothes in the first place.”

“… Still …” James awkwardly said.

Starlight shook her head and walked around the bush. “Come on, it's not a big deal. Besides, you see us undressed all the time. We should get to see the payoff of all that fighting you do.” She said with a wicked grin.

“You just like making me uncomfortable, don't you.” James quietly accused.

Starlight shrugged. “Eh.” It had actually become a bit of a game between her and Lucca to take turns making James blush. Lucca had a much easier time, especially when working with Tali, but Starlight was learning more and more ways to get a reaction from James. It was all friendly teasing, and even James would laugh sometimes.

Twilight couldn't help but begin to worry. Though not at the thought that it may not work, she was worried that it might work. She wanted to go home and see her friends again, but that also terrified her. She was trying to tell herself that this future wasn't so bad, despite how clearly wrong the thought was. Even Spike began to seem agitated as it got closer to actually happening.

“Looks good doesn't he?” Starlight's question broke Twilight's introspection as Starlight literally dragged James out from behind the bush with her magic.

“Would you not do that please.” James uncomfortably said as he looked past everyone.

“Seriously James,” Starlight said. “you've changed a lot and have a lot to be proud of.”

“I'm still keenly aware of how I look.” James was blushing now, had he decided on his own to walk around without clothes this wouldn't be an issue. But his confidence wasn't exactly up to the challenge today.

“You really have made a lot of progress, James.” Twilight reassured him, though the thought did occur to her that if he had no confidence in himself he wouldn't restore the table. Her head began to hurt as she tried to reconcile the difference between her desire to save the Equestria she knew and her mind screaming at her to leave it as it was.

Had James not been so uncomfortable he may have noticed Twilight's reluctance, as it was he was too focused on himself.

Twilight swallowed hard as she looked back to the broken table. It was getting close now: restoring the table followed by returning to the past to destroy everything this world had become. She would be responsible for it all.

But this world was corrupted, Equestria was gone now.

But this was still Equestria, just in a different form.

She needed to set things right.

Who was she to say what was right and what was wrong?

Her friends were gone and she could bring them back.

Could she?

James brought her here to help save her Equestria.

And destroy another.

Her stomach began to do flips as she considered what it was that they were doing. She wanted this so badly, but everything in her told her to stop.

Starlight knew Twilight well enough to read her panicked expression right away. “Are you alright Twilight?” Starlight asked as she cautiously approached.

Twilight didn't even look up as Starlight addressed her. “No I'm not.” She said moments before disappearing in a burst of light.

“Wait, Twilight!” Starlight uselessly shouted into the emptiness where Twilight had just been. “Spike.” She quickly said, turning to the dragon. “Do you know where she may have gone?”

“How would I know?” Spike honestly asked, taking a step back.

This development was enough to break James's focus on himself. “Crap! I was worried this might happen.” He said as he looked to where Twilight had just been.

“If we can't get her to go back to fix things, how are we going to get her to even talk to my past self to save Equestria?” Starlight asked as she began to pace.

“We just need to get her back. But you're right, I don't think she can be the one to convince your counterpart to stop anymore.” James said as he started to jog towards Ponyville.

“Spike, do you think you can talk me into accepting friendship?” Starlight said as she ran to catch up with James.

“I wasn't thinking Spike, he's as compromised as Twilight.” James said.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked as he flew alongside them.

“I mean the same magic that my counterpart used on Twilight to convince her to not try to change Equestria's future was also used on you, I've seen the evidence myself. What exactly the spell did I can't say but it's pretty clear that it's got as strong a hold over her as it had before. That's another reason why I only brought Starlight.”

“But how can I convince myself? Twilight had to drag me to the future before I began to question what I was doing.” Starlight asked as they went through the winding streets of Ponyville.

“Are you saying you wouldn't listen to yourself if you were warning of an impending catastrophe?” James said as Golden Oaks Library came into view.

“Good point. But I really think it should still be Twilight or Spike.” She argued.

“If they're up to it, definitely. You feeling good about this Spike?” James asked as he looked to the dragon.

“Do you really think she would come here?” Spike asked as approached the library. Twilight's old home.

“Yes I do. It's comfortable and familiar, just what someone needs when they feel like their mind is slipping away.” James answered as he slowed to a walk and gently knocked on the door. “Twilight, we're coming in now.” He called as he opened the door.

The shelves of the library were completely bare and all of the furniture was gone. This wasn't too surprising as the move wasn't as much an evacuation as it was a relocation. Even with it's broken windows the air was still as they entered, the only sound was a soft sobbing coming from a back room.

“Twilight?” Starlight asked as she carefully opened the door. “Want to talk about what's wrong?”

Twilight sat huddled in the corner, crying to herself as she tried desperately to understand why this was so hard. “I don't know!” She sobbed. “I want to see my friends again, I really do. But … but …”

“But what Twilight?” Spike asked.

“I don't know!” Twilight shouted.

“It's alright Twilight.” James calmly said as he approached her. “Let's just think about our problem right now. That isn't saving Equestria, and that isn't going back in time. All we're doing right now is fixing your table.”

Twilight's stomach lurched at the thought. Fixing the table was a vital part of using Starlight's spell. Her face clearly showed her panic at the thought.

“I don't know what it was he made you think, but if it was not changing his Equestria you need to understand that his Equestria doesn't exist anymore. Anything we do won't change what's happened, that's why it's only us here. Please, believe me.” James patiently said as he placed his wing on her shoulders.

Twilight had no idea why, but the nagging voice telling her that she shouldn't be helping them became a bit more quiet at his words and her insides began to settle. She took a steadying breath and looked up at James. How had his words made that big of an impact on her? “Okay.” She said as she took a deep breath. “Let's go fix the table.”

Already the terror was starting to come back so they had to hurry to get this done. Twilight closed her eyes before standing and walking back to the field with them. “I have no idea how to fix this.” She admitted as they approached the pile of rubble.

“We could try the Spell of Relic Reconstitution.” James offered with a shrug.

“You think it'll work?” Starlight asked.

“Please Starlight.” James said haughtily. “My field is Magical Theory … I have no idea whatsoever if this will actually work.” His tone changed to a much more casual one as he smiled. “Though I think it should. So if we use the elements as focusing agents we should, theoretically, use the tree's magic to repair it.” James explained.

“What's the Spell of Relic Reconstitution?” Twilight asked.

“The spell we used to fix the crystal heart when Flurry Heart accidentally destroyed it. I mean, it was a little more involved than that but that was the spell part of it at least.” Starlight explained.

“It's not a bad one to learn if you tend to break things as often as I do.” James said with a grin.

“Who's Flurry Heart?” Twilight asked, much to Starlight's astonishment.

“Flurry Heart? She's your …” Starlight tried to say before James cast a quick silence spell on her.

“Come on, let her enjoy learning that one for herself.” James said with a grin before breaking the spell while Starlight scowled at him.

“Yeah, but there was a lot that wasn't so good that day too.” Starlight said as she cocked her eyebrow at James.

“At least I won't be there to make matters worse this time.” James said with a grin.

“Well, I know Twilight will be able to learn it.” Spike said as he looked around. “But I can't use magic.”

“Did I seriously never teach you even a simple light spell?” James asked Spike as he turned his head to look at the purple dragon.

“No, not really. But I guess I didn't really think to try learning any magic.” Spike said.

“Oh well, what's important is that you use your elements when we do.” Starlight offered.

“Okay … Uhm, how?” Spike said, still completely lost about what he was supposed to do.

“How did Applejack or Rainbow Dash use their elements? It was innate. Trust the magic to work and do what you feel you need to.” James explained, knowing little more than nothing about how this could possibly work.

Spike nodded as Starlight gave Twilight instruction on using the Relic Reconstitution spell. Before long they were ready. Twilight's, Starlight's and James's horns all glowed and shot their distinctive radiance at the rubble that had been the table. The power they exerted was enough that they each began to lift off the ground as the light from each horn converged and began to draw in the shattered crystal.

A blue light joined Starlight's magical burst as the element of trust reacted to her belief in Twilight, and James's faith in her. Twilight's gem similarly joined her magic as she used the new spell with her friends. Pink and orange lights joined James's gold fringed darkness as kindness and strength became the determination to save this world. Spike felt a tug in his chest as he watched, wanting to help in anyway he could, believing that there was in fact something he could do. From the two gems he held light shone brilliantly and joined the magic that they used.

The rubble took shape and began to fuse together before their eyes, but what none of them expected was the elements flying from them and slamming into the table. Twilight gasped as she watched her element of magic appear to melt onto the table. Looking on horrified as her element vanished, possibly forever. Starlight was similarly terrified as trust flew from her to join the table, but she believed the elements weren't gone for good, they couldn't be. Spike tried desperately, but futilely, to hold onto his elements before they too joined with the table.

With a burst of rainbow light the spell ended and the table stood whole and new before them. The only hint that it had ever been broken was occasionally a flash of color from one of the elements of harmony would be seen along where a seam had been.

“It worked.” Spike said, astonished that it actually had.

“When James says something should work, it will. And with yours and Twilight's help there was no doubt that it would.” Starlight said with a smile. “But I guess there's only one thing left to do now.” Her tone changed as she brought out the rewritten scroll from her saddlebag.

“But … The elements …” Twilight stared at the table in shock.

“Will be fine.” Jim answered. “The elements we used weren't the elements you and your friends had. In your time line they should still be in the tree as this happened after the time line split.”

“Really?” Twilight asked.

James tossed a capsule and with the sound of air being forced out of the way his Epoch once again stood in the field. “Twilight, just remember. This Equestria is already gone, there's nothing more here to protect. Let Luna and Celestia care for it's people, they'll be safe as Guardians.”

Twilight's doubts were screaming in her head again, it was almost agony. As she looked to the table she could almost swear that she saw her friends again. Even if it hurt she knew what she needed to do. “Come on Spike. Let's go set things right.” She said, sounding unsure of herself.

“Oh … Okay Twilight.” Spike said. Looking at the table now it appeared to be a horrific thing. A flash of red caught his eye and he knew that he was going. He took a breath and with a flap of his wings flew up to Twilight.

Twilight slowly unrolled the scroll and despite the rising sickness in her stomach and her mind trying to tear itself apart she focused and cast the spell. What James could only think to describe as a wormhole surrounded by runes appeared and sucked Twilight and Spike into it. Starlight braced herself, expecting to go back as well, only to find herself standing by the table when she opened her eyes.

“Starlight!” James called from his Epoch. “Hurry and get over here! With the speed of causality we've probably only got ten minutes on the outside to get out of this time line!”

This was something she wished he had warned her about earlier! Starlight concentrated and appeared in the seat just behind James. “Well get us out of here then!” She said quickly.

***

“Sister.” Celestia said calmly as she approached the dais in Saddlebrook's castle. “I believe I should go back to Equestria.” Once she realized that James was leaving she felt hollow again. She knew something about this was wrong and had made an agreement with Liara to secure her transport to Equestria within minutes of James leaving.

“Celestia!” Luna was shocked at the the statement. “James just told us that if we were to go home in any way before he returns it could destroy us!” How could her sister even consider such a thing?

“I am aware, but it is still my home and I belong there.” Celesita wanted this. Not inexplicably either, she couldn't deny that she had hated leaving or that she was so very jealous of her sister now. And with James gone, nothing about this place brought her any lasting joy anymore. There was something fundamentally wrong with her outlook and this is the only thing that made sense now.

“Your ponies need you!” Luna implored, anything to not lose her sister. They'd just started talking again.

“They're your ponies too Luna, and they'll need you in my absence. You may be Reagent of New Guardia, but you are still a Princess of Equestria. I have not been for some time now. I have not condemned the fights that erupted when I was not made Reagent. I kept spies for fear that you may seek to take from me what I don't deserve …”

“You made a mistake Celestia!” Luna said, not even trying to hide the desperation in her voice. “We all have! I became Nightmare Moon and you forgave me, and I'll forgive you anything.” Luna's voice broke as she tried to think of an argument to keep her sister with her. No matter the animosity between them she did not want to lose her.

“I am so proud of you sister. And I will always love you. Never forget that.” Celestia said moments before she faded away in a beam of light.

It was obvious that Celestia had found a security loophole, possibly one that was intentionally left there by James in case of emergencies. She stared where Celestia had just stood, knowing that it was already too late. All she could do now was cry for her lost sister.

***

Celestia looked to the smashed stained glass windows of her former home and saw the sky chocked out by ominous black clouds. Something terrible had happened here in her absence, not that it mattered now that the time line was being set right. Even now she could see what appeared to be the world dissolving before her eyes.

Eventually she too began dissolving away. It wasn't painful, it actually felt rather numbing as her mind began to swim. She couldn't concentrate on anything as it happened and her last thought was of her and her sister in school, back when they were unicorns, laughing and playing together.

***

James was glad he had taken the Epoch to a much greater height as they appeared over Ponnyville. The last thing he needed was his presence causing any other problems. Starlight directed James to the Flight Camp that was set up near Cloudsdale. Unfortunately James didn't have any way of making sure he had the right local time so all they could do is approach and watch.

Carefully he guided the Epoch down to the ground and helped Starlight climb out. “Let's hurry up there Starlight. I don't know exactly when we are so hopefully we haven't missed it entirely.” James said as he capsulized the Epoch again.

“I'm not looking forward to this.” Starlight said. As far as she was concerned this was probably the lowest point in her life. Tearing Equestria apart over and over again for petty revenge. “But if you're so sure that his magic will still be effecting her we should probably hurry.”

Starlight climbed on James' back and rode him up to the clouds where she used her magic to walk on the clouds herself. All too soon the two were watching as two bullies began to turn their attention on a blank flank Fluttershy.

“Guess we're just in time.” James whispered, ducking behind an outcropping of cloud.

“Over there!” Starlight was quick to say as she turned to see herself walking towards where Twilight would appear. Her spell had been designed to bring her back to several minutes before Twilight would show up. Her stomach turned as she thought about how much effort and creativity she put into stopping this pivotal event. But at the same time she was here standing next to a friend who was no less flawed than herself, and they were both trying to correct mistakes that other versions of themselves had made. It was a little strange, but ultimately she was glad that this happened. Every choice that led to her and her friends were choices she wouldn't change, even the mistakes.

***

“Up for another race ending fight?” Starlight's counterpart smugly said as Twilight appeared.

“No Starlight.” Twilight said. She was about to say something else when she focused on Rainbow Dash. She slowly turned and faced the much younger version of her friend, her mind screaming at her that she could do it. She could create the time line herself and prevent it's destruction. Her horn began to light up as she stared blankly at her friend.

James's eyes widened in panic as he saw Twilight's reaction to the past. Sometimes he hated being right, fortunately it didn't happen as often as it seemed. With a whisper he cast a silence spell while Starlight sprung into action and rushed to get between Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

“Or have I finally won?” Starlight's counterpart triumphantly asked as she saw Twilight's horn glow while she looked to Rainbow Dash. “Now do you understand what I've been through? The pain I've endured?!” She began to laugh as Twilight desperately struggled with herself. She wanted to bring back the Equestria she knew, but she was about to hurt her friend to restore the Equestria she had just left. Spike was similarly torn and unable to move, paralyzed by some force he couldn't fight against. Still he held onto the hope that he would see his friends again, that he would see Rarity again.

“You have to stop this!” Starlight called out, her voice breaking as she remembered just how she felt at this moment.

Starlight's counterpart was speechless as she looked at herself floating up to them. “But how?” This didn't make any sense, how was she here as well but not her at that moment?

“A good friend helped me come here to stop you from making the biggest mistake of your life.” Starlight was emphatic, between everything that happened to her and what she had seen she knew that she not only had to do this, but that she could do this. “There's so much more that you can do if you'll just stop and listen. You can be a better pony!”

“No!” Her counterpart shouted. “How can you stand there and say that when you know what I've been through?! How cutie marks tore Sunburst away from us!” This was impossible, and the fact that she wasn't currently helping herself was infuriating.

“Because I know what happens if you trust in Twilight enough to make a new friend.” Starlight pleaded. “And because I know what happens if you don't.” She had long come to accept that what Twilight had shown her years ago was nothing but the truth and Saddlebrook was further proof that even when things went well it was still a disaster. For her if not everyone else.

“But…” Her counterpart started to argue, afraid to ask about what she needed to know from herself. “But what if I get hurt again?” She asked as her voice broke and tears began to well up in her eyes.

“You will.” Starlight said with a smile. “Things don't always work out, but with your friends beside you, you can work through those problems.” Starlight closed her eyes and the scroll appeared in front of her as Twilight walked over and stood next to her.

The feeling that had taken hold of Twilight passed gently, there was something more important now and she was finally able to focus on what she was supposed to do. Though it seemed that Starlight was doing a much better job than she had so far. She looked up to the confused unicorn and smiled. “One friendship can change the course of history and save Equestria, Starlight. Yours.”

Starlight's counterpart looked to the two standing happily in front of her, she couldn't deny that she was envious of them at this moment. They looked so happy, how could they be happy? Twilight had ruined everything for her, but there Starlight watched herself being friendly with the one who had taken it all away. Was there really something they knew that she didn't? Could she trust herself? Was this even real?

Twilight reached her hoof out to Starlight's counterpart with a welcoming smile. It was now or never, she looked to the two smiling at her. If Twilight was willing to be her friend after all of this, maybe she should try. Maybe she could make new friends.

Tentatively Starlight took the offered hoof as Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom happened as it was meant to and the time vortex opened and started to pull in Twilight, Spike, and Starlight's counterpart. Starlight watched as they vanished, curious how she hadn't been effected by the pull of the spell. James walked out from his hiding spot and up to Starlight as she looked into the sky where her counterpart had vanished.

“Things are definitely going to be different in this new time line.” James calmly said. “Twilight's older, wiser, and has tools she never had when you lived through this.”

“And you'll be helping her. Without the past we just prevented you wont turn into the monster you were afraid of.” Starlight said.

James shook his head. “Causality doesn't travel across universes without a bridge. So nothing nothing that happened here can effect their New Guardia. Remember, this Twilight had never even met me until the time line where I destroyed Equestria. The time line where he showed up still happened for him, just not them. And he's not coming back to life to mess this up any more than he already has. If he shows up, he's a time bastard and will fade out himself.” Time travel is a pain in the ass.

“What about all the ponies in Saddlebrook?” Starlight asked. She knew they still had to be there, that was part of why James had done things this way.

“They'll continue on, never knowing that Equestria is back. After all this isn't their home anymore.” James explained.

Starlight continued to look out over the Junior Flight camp, remembering all the ways she had disrupted the time line. “I hate time travel … I guess it's time to go home.” She quietly said.

“And to think, you've just saved Equestria twice with one choice.” James said as he led Starlight back to the Epoch.

Starlight shook her head and chuckled. “No James. We just saved Equestria.”

“Before we go, let's just say a quick congratulations to the winner of the race.” James said with a genuine smile.

“Aren't you afraid of messing up the timeline?” Starlight asked.

“Please, Rainbow Dash won't even remember us.” James said dismissively.

“Perhaps just you. We don't need her recognizing me when they come to my town.” Starlight suggested.

***

Twilight, Spike, and Starlight were dropped from the vortex into her throne room. The scroll disintegrating as it's function had been served. Spike flew up towards the chandelier as he looked around. “Twilight.” He happily said. “We're home!” He began to laugh in joy and relief as he dropped out of the air. Twilight catching him and hugging him tight.

“What in Equestria was that?!” Rarity asked as she opened the door.

Twilight didn't hesitate for a moment as she ran over and hugged her friends. It had been years since she'd seen them and had even given up hope of ever seeing them again, at least as she knew them. She had a long story to tell them all.

Author's Note:

Another look at how it could have went. I like the thought of Starlight helping herself become better. There are any number of more interesting ways this could have went, but I kind of like this one.

Also, I'm not trying to imply these characters embody the elements necessarily, more that the tree was desperate to set things right.

There are a couple lines from the song Starlight Brigade that inspired a couple parts of the last few chapters:
I hear a voice in the back of my head screaming “This is suicide! Did you hear what I said?”
And it fades into nothing with the rest of the light and sound.