Even in the wasteland, magic hasn't been forgotten. While times spells are fickle and dangerous things, somepony was bound to risk everything to try and right a centuries-old wrong. The past has been written, but there are infinite futures.
While some accept the Wasteland's fury, letting it rip from them any hope and love, others still stand and fight. Littlepip was one of those ponies. She inspired thousands, and saved countless more. Security, in her own time and place, did the same. And what of those they rallied to their cause? Did they fade into the death and sand, or fight for their own dreams?
The past is written, but that is all relative. Having located a time-travel spell in a ruined research facility, a group of ponies, griffins, and zebras rally together to change history. Failing that, they would strive for revenge for the future that was withheld from them. Choosing to be sent back, a mare's bond with her family and friends drives her to what many would call insanity, even blasphemy. The cost is severe, the chances slim, but the eventual reward could be beyond measure. If you could change history, would you do it, even if it cost you everything?
This is the story of what was, what could have been, and in one time, would be. The wasteland of Equestria is already such a dark place, would you not dare to try and change the past? Or, like many, would you settle and seek revenge on those who's decisions caused millions to burn with Balefire and radiation? Would you keep a sacred promise, or would you let it fade like the voices of the thousands before you? --- (Short Story) (Spoilers for other main FoE stories) Based on the universe depicted in the novel 'Fallout Equestria.' Names/ideas used with permission. Credit goes to Kkat and Somber for their characters and history.
Our settlement burned, terrified yells of old and young alike ripping through the air. Armored raiders added their rancorous laughter to the mix, taunting and cruel. Years of work, blood, and triumph crumbled into ash or burned with plasma fire.
Despite blood still coursing through my veins, my world had ended. His lifeless eyes gazed back at me, blood dripping from the lips that had kissed me only hours before. My new world consisted of ramming a crude machete through the side of the armored griffin that had sent his talons across my stallion’s neck.
A scream forced my hooves to pound into the cracked, blistered earth, my mind numb as I charged to the nearest building; a dome built of hardened clay and plaster. The neutral yellow tone was sprayed with red blood, most likely that of one of the watchtower guards. The rusty revolver in my magical grip clicked twice, one of the old rounds finally igniting to punch a hole through the nearest raider, a mare with serrated teeth that had been latched around the neck of one of the guards. I was yanked inside, my vision blurred as figures rushed to board up the simple door.
“Here! More boards!”
“That won’t hold them!”
“We only need a minute!”
Hooves dragged me to the center of the room, and my green eyes met that of my sister, her own amber orbs shining with fear, anger…and an emotion so rare nowadays. It was a look that gave me strength, as my sister always managed to do, despite being a year younger.
She looked at me with hope.
“Start the spell!” Autania barked, her voice as strong and powerful as always. Her marefriend was busy shoving more ruined furniture against the doorway, and a lone griffin traced strange runic circles underneath me.
“Good luck.” He whispered, then stepping back to trace a few more patterns, embedding them with his own magical power. White tendrils of energy latched onto his muscled frame, drawing every ounce of power from his being. A few memory orbs were scattered to the side of the runic circle; reminders of our goal and purpose. The six unicorns stood around me, just as we had rehearsed many times before. Despite bullets punching through the ceramic walls, the ponies stood firm, sending magical beams into the floor, where the runes began to slowly gain in strength and power. Teal light pulsed from the patterns like a heartbeat, quickening in intensity and speed. Zebra etchings added their power to the mix, stabilizing the transport spell as it threatened to tear itself apart.
“NO!” A cry rang out, a raider’s crude spear punching through the barricade and through a light blue mare’s side.
No…not Sky Spray. Autania didn’t deserve to lose her too…..
The spell gained in strength; to stop now would tear the building and all occupants apart. Exploding with a violent blast of shrapnel and splinters, the barricade failed, and raiders pouring in. A large stallion chuckled, casually plunging a knife into my sister’s side, the other unicorn’s following suit.I only saw her lips move in a single sentence as my world went dark, blood oozing from her lips as she collapsed to the floor, her horn still flickering with power.
“Go. Sisters…don’t…break…..”
The spell then activated, whiting out my vision in a never-never land of arcane energy.
While I couldn’t feel my body, my determination gave me more sense of self than anything. That was one of many tips to travel, at least from what I had learned, to keep your sense of ‘self’
They say the wasteland would draw and quarter any ponies with morality, with a heart. Anypony, or anyone, for that matter, would fall prey to the evil and desperate beings that roamed these lands. The wasteland took everything from its inhabitants. Families, friends, dignity, purpose; it never gave anything back. Nothing was returned but pain and suffering.
Yet there were those who strove to buck the wasteland in the teeth, to rip from it a piece of their life that they could call theirs. Their names were distant, legendary in stature and reference, but remembered nonetheless. Littlepip, her friends, Security, Watcher, so many others, any ponies who didn’t give up, as many did nowadays.
They changed things, whether permanently or not, that was not the point. The fact was, they did. I didn’t care about adding my name to that legendary list. I would be content with failure, because I- no, we would have done more than so many already. It wasn’t about revenge.
At least, that is what I wanted to believe. My sister wasn’t stupid though. She knew why I didn’t elaborate on why I volunteered for this, to chance getting torn apart by time and space. Everything I had lost, everypony I loved who died and bled out in front of me, it all could be traced back to the failings of a few individuals.
The wasteland has done few good things for me, but teaching me this life lesson is one of them. It taught me that even those who are seen as Gods can be held accountable. They will pay for their mistakes. The blood of millions is on their hooves. As I feel myself stretched thin, it is so easy to imagine the others I sense around me in the magical river of time are those souls who cry for vengeance.
My vision cleared, as it did with shorter jumps, test runs to ensure the archived spell was truly viable. I was blinded by the bright colors for only a moment. Everything was so crisp and clear, the air itself a sweet sensation filling my lungs. I allowed myself to enjoy it, if for but a second.
Then I saw her; radiant, and poised sitting on her throne, alabaster coat glimmering in the sun which she herself raised.
The knife, stamped with runes and enchanted with spell, darted forwards. No time to prepare, no time to dodge. It was a perfect shot, just how I imagined it would be. No fancy bullets for the one who destroyed the world, only a magical blade with layers of poison, both ethereal and mortal.
Then, a tremor.
Everything stopped, the knife freezing mid-air, as my vision began to run like wet paint in the rain.
No no no no no!
The spell was failing, collapsing on itself, and yanking me back to the river of time. There was no permanence, nothing to anchor me to this timeline.
As I felt myself get dragged away from reality, and my mind begin to shut down, I managed a final cry, and I hoped that white demon would hear it all the way to Tartarus.
Near Future, Current Equestria. --------------------------------------------
The Dignitaries nodded to the royal guards, their golden armor glistening in the newly raised sun. Zebras, Griffins, and Ponies alike streamed into the grand hall of Canterlot Castle. The grand summit was more than a simple formality nowadays. As each nation grew, as did their needs. While supplies were stable for now, gems and coal were the hot topics of political circles nowadays. There were even talks of pirates beginning to loot shipments of gems, but those were only rumors, so far as official reports went.
The atmosphere was professionally tense, each faction having their own ideas and agendas for the conference, but an air of dignity reigned over the leaders. The Elements of Harmony would be present for later talks, more as a figurehead than anything else. Their unpredictable ventures forced for flexible planning when it came to any of them for attending.
The previous day had been a hearty meal, each nation leader being served dinners prepared by specially trained chefs from their own native lands, so no individual felt left out. Miffed as she was, Princess Luna was exempt from the conference; a few individuals still having outdated views on her temporary form as Nightmare Moon. It was a view that stubbornly refused to change on the Zebra’s part, more so due to their culture and bull-headiness than anything else. But, as Celestia reassured her constantly, “It is a work in progress.”
After the next morning’s meal, each nation’s dignitaries and rulers all met at a large oval table; each with custom-made couches and chairs carved from fine wood and set with plush cushions to each suit the anatomy of the sitter. The guards from each species lined the walls, the best of the best all dedicated to the protection of their charge.
Alabaster coat shining from a fresh grooming session, Princess Celestia rose from her seat at the table with a gentle smile, bowing her head to each pair of leaders.
“Thank you all for making the trip to attend this historic conference. I know it is not a scheduled affair, but I do hope you have been comfortable. As you all know, the…..main……” Her voice trailed off as none of the delegates were paying any sort of attention. Rather, their focus was the faint outline of a pony becoming visible in the center of the table. As the wood cracked and began to be eaten away by arcane energy, the delegates were temporarily deafened by the unmistakable shout of Celestia, her Royal Canterlot voice in full effect.
“SEAL THE CASTLE!”
Numerous magical spells activated, Luna detecting the same thing her sister was currently monitoring. Time travel spells were unmistakable when it came to magical signatures.
“Delegates, please stand back from the table. I believe we are about to have a visitor. I shall explain momentarily.” Celestia instructed calmly. As the zebras and griffins took a few steps back, the princess held up a hoof at some of the guards who were edging forward, both pony, dignitary, and royalty alike.
“Do not approach. This is a time travel spell, and quite a powerful one at that. This is no planned event or ruse on my part. The castle is now sealed to minimize damage to this time zone. I am not aware how much any of you know of spells that allow you to exist in the past, but they are extremely unstable. It may be a simple mistake, or something more serious, but all we can do is wait. Do not approach the arcane bubble. It will tear apart anything, or anyone that dares interfere. Whatever actions take place here could drastically affect the future, or not at all. I would ask for your co-operation, if not trust in this matter as we discover who our friend is.”
Each ruler could only nod as the energy continued to build; whatever their views of Celestia was, they could all agree that being wise was a common thread.
Purple and silver orb of twisting magical energy began to slow, and the image of a mare slowly resolved into existence. Clad in strange, alien clothing, and wielding a magically-enhanced dagger, pure murder shone in her eyes. Celestia didn’t even get a chance to utter a word as the weapon flew towards her; the runes on the dagger throwing aside any magical attempts to slow its path.
The weapon stopped, not a hoof-length from her chest. The image of the mare shimmered, but not before she screamed. A tear-stained expression of hate and anguish wrenched onto her features as a quickly-fading hoof was pointed at Celestia.
“MURDERER!
The visitor then vanished, the arcane orb contorting to twist itself into nothingness. The empty silence was a vacuum, every scratch and cough echoing around the rooms.
One of the griffon princes coughed, glancing over to the Princess hesitantly.
“Your majesty? Do you have any idea who-“
His question was abruptly cut off as another figure flashed into existence, this one a male pony. No arcane bubble accompanied his appearance, only a brief flash of light. Strange tattoos and markings scored his flank, and he actually managed a few steps, twisting with a spear in his mouth’s grasp, aiming once again at Celestia. He vanished a few feet from the princess, much like the other pony.
A griffin now appeared, this time lunging towards the questioning ruler. He was halted after only a few steps as well, the grey and black feathers sliding off his hide like paint, the time spell appearing to fail. Like the first visitor, he managed only a few words.
“You killed us all, you-“
The images were getting faster. The griffin hadn’t even faded before a zebra had blurred into existence and crossed the distance of the table, glaring at the soon-to-be prince, or their equivalent of it. A strange language left his muzzle, and the royal dignitary promptly scuttled backwards against the wall, a cold sweat breaking out across his entire body.
The zebra visitor pointed a hoof at the prince and uttered a few more words, shaking a strange staff at him before vanishing. No more visitors existed long enough to perform any communication, but instead began to flash faster and faster in and out of the circular hole in the table. Some aimed towards the royalty and delegates, others towards Celestia. There was no sound other than the soft popping of arcane magic as the phantom attackers blinked in and out of existence.
“What we are witnessing, is a break in the timeline, due to this being a nexus point. Celestia explained, clearly shaken by what the group was witnessing.
“The idea that every choice we make is another plane of existence. That is what is generally accepted. A choice has been made in a timeline, our timeline. That choice has spawned hundreds of similar choices. That choice, was to come here, at this time, but it seems to have spanned across all of our races. For what reason….I do not know. But this choice, whatever it may be, is focused on this day, and this hour. All these individuals are from different ways that choice has gone.”
A voice them piped up; a few of the guards turning to look across the room at the shivering royal.
“He said…’My family is cursed to bring death to us all. The spirits of the dead are watching, waiting for justice to be done to us. Death and agony is our legacy.” The zebra dignitary whispered, still staring at the flashing individuals.
The arcane travelers were flashing in and out of time far too quickly to be identified. An audible hum now filled the room as magical energy licked out from the point of entrance, melting any pillars or furniture it touched into slag.
The images then stopped, a single figure now standing in the smoking hole that was once the conference table.
The earth pony mare, a dark violet with stunning green eyes, looked at an odd device on her forelimb and nodded approvingly. A strange device was slung over her back; made of metal with belts and gears visibly turning with soft clicks and whirs.
A patchwork of wire and plates appeared to cover her vitals in a sort of fashioned armor, what appeared to be the barrel of a weapon strapped to her right side, a strange metal lead along her neck and near her mouth.
“Arcane fields stable, timeline adjustments correct, so it worked then…” She muttered, finally looking up at the stunned occupants.
“One of the last conferences before the disaster begins, and this world falls. I should be honored.” She huffed, calmly stepping out of the hole and onto the actual table, glancing at the large arcane burn scorched into the floor.
“Huh. Didn’t think the spell would be that sloppy, but I’m here, and that’s what matters.”
“And here you are, my little pony. May I ask why, and when, you have come here?”
It was Celestia who spoke, and the mare’s gaze matched the princess’s, not wavering in the slightest. Clearly there was nobody in the room capable of intimidating this mare.
“When? A couple hundred years in the future, give or take. The reason?” The mare’s face twisted into a pained grimace, a few tears in her eyes as a foreleg was wiped on the other, a bit of blood staining her fur.
“The occupants of this room are responsible for the deaths of millions. Zebra, griffin, pony….everyone and everything. It’s all gone. I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen. Maybe. Even with my help, maybe it does have to happen. But, maybe in one timeline, it will be set right.” Her eyes then grew even colder as she locked gazes with each dignitary, and then finally with Celestia.
“If nothing else, I will make sure I don’t break a promise.”
“What may we call you then?” A griffin tentatively asked; causing a few to nod in agreement.
“Not that it matters, but my name is…..” She hesitated.
“Just call me Light for now.”
“….Light? An interesting name. Celestia mused before nodding slowly.
“Well Miss…Light, what have you come to tell us? You say our actions determine the fate and death of millions. I assume that is why you have arrived at this point and time?”
Light simply cast Celestia an almost disinterested glance, shifting on her hooves slightly.
“Well, on that you are correct. This is the best point to try and stop it all. Whatever that cost may be.”
“Is that a threat?” A zebra called out, causing the mare to glare at him. The simple glance caused him to shrink back against the wall. For but a moment, it wasn’t a pony standing before him, but a coiled predator, only self control keeping her from attacking. And then the moment passed, as she let out a slight disinterested huff.
“I have killed dozens of arrogant fools just like you, zebra, so spare me the bravado. I am stating a fact. If I have to die here in order to stop what is to come, then so be it.” Her shoulders then sagged, the venom leaving her voice at least marginally.
“But I’d prefer to live. Perhaps I can then fade into nothingness and be at peace, or, maybe the future-tether will hold. My message is this.” She tapped a few buttons on the odd device on her forelimb; and an image was projected to the center of the room with a soft hum.
It showed a land devoid of any green vegetation, metal wreckage jutting from the tan sands like broken bones. Mutated creatures fought in the distance, and a terrible sandstorm was seen approaching the viewer. A few fires burned, figures huddled around trying to desperately warm themselves, or perhaps cook whatever could be found.
“That is the land you all will create. But, let me settle a few things first, so we are all on the same playing field.”
Light glared at the Zebra, tapping an image to show a strange oblong device, a triangular cone perched on its end.
“This is a missile. With which is called a Megaspell for us ponies, and for you zebras, a balefire bomb. I believe at this time you only have rough plans for such a horror, under the project code ‘Total Eclipse,’ if our records were correct. Obviously they are crude explosives for now…but serve to carry a much more deadly payload within a few years. There are also efforts to create a toxin that eats away all organic material, among other things. Am I correct?”
Judging from the bright red of the delegate’s face, she was indeed.
“Celestia. You are as guilty as the Zebra factions. Your Megaspells were…acquired by them, and paired with other weapons such as the Balefire bombs. They were then turned against you.
Honestly I don’t know which is worse. Your secret weapon is centered around the sun though. If the historical records are correct, it takes a group of unicorns to focus the energy and vaporize an entire stretch of land.”
Judging from the slight shift in Celestia’s features, she had once again hit home.
“Griffins…eh, nothing on you guys that I could see. You’re alright. These two though…” She gestured to the leaders of both pony and zebra alike.
“You two cause the death of this world. The death of my world.”
“Careful you all, she’s a bit of a volcano, this one.”
A telltale drawl of a Draconequusechoed off the walls, causing Celestia to grit her teeth.
“Discord, not the time.”
The chaotic being popped into view, much to the dismay of the Alicorn, and horror of a few of the dignitaries.
“Oh, but it is the time. It’s all about time you see. This one here is oozing with the stuff. Time here, time there….it’s everywhere!” His usual jovial features then hardened as he floated above the group.
“Best listen to what Miss Light here has to say. The bonus of being…well, me, is that I can talk to other me’s if you understand. In this case, I am quite disturbed by what my other half said in the world this one came from.” He rolled his eyes at the collective individuals gaping.
“…..well don’t let a mouse crawl in there. Except you griffins, you’d enjoy that I think.”He waved an eagle claw and shut all their open maws, waving to Light.
“Do continue. Don’t leave out the part where I’m sucked dry of magic and bottled for sale as it were.” Light seemed rather nonplussed by his appearance, nodding slowly.
“Eh. That’s about what it is. Heard of this guy a few times, but yea, not exactly a great fate. From what I understand, he was imprisoned, tortured, and used as basically a source of chaotic magical extract. Not exactly a great way to spend hundreds of years.”
Light called up another image from the device on her forelimb; this one of a crude settlement. The fact it was being set upon by raiders, butchering the inhabitants caused many gasps, even a few lesser-stout individuals fainting at the sight.
Celestia, and the other main rulers stood watching with silent, unreadable gazes however, not alien to the carnage that life could bring.
“This is what happened to most settlements. We build, we start to thrive, and then we get slaughtered. The world isn’t Equestria, or any other province. It’s just the Wasteland. It takes anything good and grinds it into powder. All because you fools set it aflame.” There was a brief pause, clearly many, if not most, unsure what to make of any of the new information.
“You blame us for a history that hasn’t happened yet, so how can you be sure you haven’t already changed it?” The zebra prince countered, seeming more annoyed now by Light than fearful.
“Because I know how ponies are, how zebras are, and griffins too. Just one fantastic experience won’t change things. Even if I were to vanish now, nobody would know of this meeting, am I correct? The castle has some sort of barrier around it. Everything would go on as normal.” The mare now appeared a tad saddened, but no less determined.
“I don’t care what I have to do. Unfortunately I don’t think the usual methods would work here, for solving problems that is.” Seeing a few blank stares, the mare sat down finally, her strange mechanical saddle letting out a few clicks.
“Killing you I mean. It’s easy to solve problems in the Wasteland that way. But if you all were to die here…then that’d just set off a war too I imagine. Maybe just the same horrid war all over again.”
“She’s a smart one.” Discord quipped from above, filing his nails on what appeared to be a small green glowing rock. Said rock caused a few angry buzzing noises from the device on Light’s wrist as the mare looked at him. “That’s why those other versions failed I imagine.” He continued.
“They all tried to kill everyone here. But, it all ended up the same. You can’t change the river if you’re riding in the middle of it. Miss Light though…she’s standing on dry ground. She can divert it. A new goal other than death.”
Light blinked in surprise, not expecting such an eloquent response from Discord, and apparently neither did anyone else, because the Draconequus groaned as he spun in a circle.
“Oh stop looking at me like that. I can tone down the fun for a bit. As I was saying…Miss Light, you are correct in your assumptions. Do continue. May I recommend starting from the beginning? As much as you have learned?” He added with a sigh, munching on some popcorn that appeared in his claws as he looked down at her.
Light actually smiled slightly; the last ally she had expected was Discord. Then again, she never expected to see him anyhow.
“…I don’t suppose you can fill in the gaps?” She called up to him, but was met with a wave of a clawed hand.
“No, of course not. I’m in the river too remember? Whatever I try to do…it will only push things a bit, whereas your words have greater effect. You have the most power here.” He then grumbled slightly. “At least in affecting time…” Light shrugged; this was as best a course of action as any, and it didn’t involve her dying or killing anyone.
With no other course; she did just as Discord suggested. The beginning. Stables, the war, how it was at least thought to have been caused, the devastation, the Megaspells, Balefire bombs, the pink cloud, the Pegasus nation closing the skies, the accomplishments of Security and Littlepip, and finally her own life; at least the part where she came back to this time. Through it all, everyone remained silent; watching the same few minutes of footage and carnage on the projected image to the sound of Light’s voice.
“So everyone I know and care about is dead, all because I promised, at the very least, to try to stop it all, to give the future a chance. To give a future a chance.” She concluded, casually taking a canteen out and slugging down the contents.
The entire assembly had been silent through her entire tale, and finally it was a griffin leader who spoke.
“How do you suggest we avoid this….nightmare?” He asked calmly, claws ticking against the stone. “That’s up to you. Obviously I couldn’t just blow the entire castle up, which leaves me diplomacy, but that isn’t exactly a strong point of mine.” Light admitted with a soft chuckle.
“Cooperate. Don’t war over resources when you could work together and build greater things…..or sing a song. That’s what you all used to do right?”
Discord could be heard chuckling at that remark; but finally Celestia spoke.
“Let us take a break and try to….digest this information. We can return within an hour. Obviously nobody can leave the castle for security reasons, is that acceptable?”
Seeing mainly numb nods, and then the rest accepting the terms, the Alicorn bowed her head. “We will reconvene in sixty minutes, but please stay within the large hall for the time being.” Light flopped her rump down onto the ruined table, blowing a few bangs off her forehead as the various rulers left to far corners of the room to whisper; a pair of guards from every delegation staying to guard the new intruder.
Light assumed there were other security measures in place that Celestia was placing around the room, but that wasn’t her concern at this point. “Well. This has gone better than I thought. Haven’t had to kill anyone, haven’t been killed, and the spell hasn’t fractured yet.”
“Mmmm. Quite fantastic to be honest. That time spell is almost as chaotic as me. A bit of griffin mage influence, some runes, zebra shamanism, and then good old fashioned unicorn power, quite a ball of yarn.” Discord tossed said ball of red yarn up and down, playing with the string.
“You have made an impression, that much is certain. Just keep doing whatever feel right.” He then grimaced as though having licked the world’s sourest candy.
“..ugh. Pony-ism’s must be rubbing off on me. But the words ring true. Do what you can…because in this timeline, my hands are tied. At least for now” His claws were then entombed amidst the red yarn. “So, no pressure.”
The mare rolled her eyes, looking at the device on her wrist for a moment. “An hour. And then I get to find out what these politicians will do.” She glanced at the weapon slung on her side. “I really don’t want to hurt anyone. I’ve done enough killing….”
She glanced down at her hooves, noticing the assortment of snacks and drink with a curious gaze. Bending down, she took a few bites and swigs from the water cups, letting out a contented sigh.
“Wow. Purified, non-irradiated water, with some pastries. That tastes amazing; at least I get that plus in this trip.” She then looked over to the guards lining the walls, who stared at her with a mixture of curiosity, shock, and utter bewilderment.
“….you all really don’t know what war is like, do you?” She asked- or rather, stated, looking to each pair, zebra, griffin, and pony. “I truly hope you never do. Total war, with no regard for anything…I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. So here I sit, monologing apparently.”
Light glared up at Discord as he chortled, enjoying the show apparently. “Feel free to chime in. Or does it have to do with that whole time is a river stuff?”
The Draconoques nodded, playing with a familiar ball of red yarn in his talons. “Eeeeeexactly. Everything you say is a bowling ball in terms of weight. My actions and words…..grains of sand.”
“…..you make my head hurt.” Light grumbled, snacking on the assorted foodstuffs and water, then looking over to the modified pipbuck on her hoof and scrolling through some images. She stopped on one, her breathing becoming slower and almost relaxed, but the tension in her shoulders was obvious.”
She almost let out a growl as Discord made the image disappear- but it then popped into existence on the nearest flat wall; the group of ponies, griffins, and zebras all looking at the camera. Each was clad in armor, painted with dirt and grime, but smiling as though having won the greatest prize in the world.
“…and who are these individuals?” Discord asked in a strangely genuine tone, examining each one with curiosity.
“Those…are my friends and family. Just after we finished building the main wall to our settlement.” Light replied, eyes getting a bit misty as Discord’s claw hung over her image and a stallion.
“My husband. And then my sister and her marefriend….the only family I had left.” The mare whispered, shaking her head.
“Enough. Put it back.”
The image vanished back to her pipbuck, Discord nodding slowly. “….you should show that to the stuffy politicians. Might help.” He added with a shrug.
“Assuming they don’t just kill me or something. Lock me up and throw away the key.” Light growled, sitting down to wait. Nothing she could do in the meantime. “No, I don’t think they will…you’ve caused quite a stir.” That was Discord’s final bemused remark before he vanished in a flash of light.
Chapter Three: Threads of joy in the dark. - - - - - - - - - - The delegates and rulers filed back into the center of the room, each taking their since-moved seats away from the table, as though being within ten feet of Light would cause the mare to start biting.
“Miss Light….” Celestia began, at a few nods from the Zebra and Griffin rulers. “As I have explained to everyone, time spells are finicky, and so we didn’t want to take too much time deliberating. We believe we have a solution, or at least a stopgap measure.” Seeing Light’s eyebrows raise, the Alicorn continued.
“We all have agreed to make individualized messages to our nations, broadcasted at similar times to our populations. We cannot solve this issue overnight, but we can at least break down the barriers between our races, and start unified projects and working together. Such messages will be recorded today, within the next few hours, while we are in this room.” Celestia’s voice trailed off, and Light’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Of course she couldn’t suggest anything better, but still, the idea of ‘trying to grow closer’ seemed to be a bit vague for Light’s taste. “….So basically promising to work together, and so on and so forth? No mention that if you all don’t solve your differences, or at least co-exist, it will kill everyone? Including yourselves?” The mare stated bluntly.
“To do so would incite a mass panic. We plan on mentioning that farther down the road, once we have integrated projects with each other.” The zebra prince spoke up; and just his tone caused Light’s hackles to rise. She knew that tone. Empty promises from someone with a larger hidden agenda; that much was a certainty. Bartering with raiders felt very similar.
“That suggestion sucks.” The mare proclaimed, sitting on her rump to look at the various politicians. “Well, what would you suggest?” A griffin piped up.
“The truth for a change. Word it better. But let everyone know the current path will lead to destruction. No reason for anyone to change on just good feelings. Pretty sure that was tried before everyone dropped bombs on each other.”
Silence greeted her words, and the mare sighed, checking the readings on her pipbuck. “Let me guess. That’d cause a panic? Would only destabilize things? Do I have that right?”
“Correct.” The zebra spoke again, much to Light’s annoyance. She pulled up the family and friends picture on her pipbuck again, thankful that Discord- who winked at her from a stained-glass window, plastered it onto the wall. “I’m going to walk you through each of these individuals. So you can have at least someone’s face in your mind when you record your messages.” Light growled, staring at the rulers before facing the picture.
“First, the zebra on the left is nicknamed ‘Green Hoof’. Could grow a plant out of a rock; he and his wife settled wanting to grow an orchard. Of all things, an orchard in volcanic rock. Well, somehow he did, and soon…”
She didn’t miss a single individual in the picture. Her zebra friends, two families who had nursed her to health when she was sick from radiation poisoning after a bad expedition with no Radaway; the griffins who had fought at her side, and had kept night watch as the walls were built, and then her pony friends and family…and their relations. And then the individuals she didn’t know too well, but still counted in her companion circle.
The picture was then pulled back to her pipbuck, a different one taking it's place. It was a zoomed in shot of two ponies; two mares, and a rough looking earth stallion. Light made sure she made eye contact with each ruler as she spoke her next few words. "I want these ponies to be burned in your memories." She stated. Her tone held venom; but overwhelmed by sadness and grief. "This is a picture of my sister, Autania, and her marefriend, as well as my h-husband, Woodchip." Light hated her voice for stuttering, but she couldn't help it. "I held him in my arms as he died. Bled out on my hooves. His last words were for you all. Pony. Griffin. Zebra. Yak. Everyone. He said 'Give them the second chance that we never had.'" Light forced the tears down; the memory still too fresh. "I promised him. And then again as my sister was killed while charging the teleportation spell. Her last words were 'Go. Sister's don't break promises...' And then I appeared on the table." There was complete silence as Light took a deep breath, composing herself. A slight wince slid onto her face as a piece of shrapnel dug into her side from a previous battle, but the mare then stared down her nose at each of the delegates.
“They are all dead. My friends, and my family. I watched them all die, just before I came here. Our home that we built is gone. So, forgive me if I am a bit pissed when all you say is that you’ll be nice to each other. But….” Her shoulders then sagged. “Maybe that’s all it will take. Kindness and understanding is so foreign in the wasteland, maybe even a bit of it at the right time, now, will make the difference. So record your messages….but remember that the only reason you are getting this warning for your own deaths, is because my family and friends bled out and died so you could.”
She then looked up to Celestia, eyes burning with tears. “Make sure it was worth holding my mate as he died.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Light didn’t move a muscle as each delegation recorded their messages to their nations. The zebra prince spoke of honor, of how together with other races they could be part of an empire greater than anything on their own. The griffins echoed a similar message; of how it took the help of ponies to rebuild one of their major cities. For Celestia, Light was fairly impressed. She hit the points that others failed to address. The idea that one race was somehow better than the others being a self-defeating one, that somehow acting alone was a sign of strength. Each had their own strengths, and together they could all complement each other. Alone, they would only notice differences rather than similarities.
Each message was recorded on a small crystal disk, which then stayed with each delegate on their person.
Somehow, Light had a feeling Celestia was hiding something, more so than the Zebra prince brat. But it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, only that there was something up her sleeve that nobody had considered….
“The castle will remain on lockdown until you are gone, Miss Light.” Celestia remarked calmly, gesturing to a pair of guards.
“There are some rooms in this area that you can stay in, for as long as you are here. We will reconvene tomorrow morning to discuss further options, as it is getting quite late.” She added, and seeing Light nod, stepped back as the delegates and rulers filed past her into the other portions of the castle.
To say Light was smacked by a letdown of emotions as she was led to the sparse room was an understatement. For a moment, she simply slumped to the floor, then looking to the guards, who, to their credit, looked as confused as she was.
‘I guess I’ll stay here till the morning?” She asked, more out of formality. She already had an idea of exactly what was needing to occur, and staying put wasn’t it.
“…yes, there’s food and drink here, as well as a washroom.” One of the armored stallions remarked before closing the door, the lock swinging shut with a soft ‘click.’ Magic or not, bullets could punch through that easily. And, if she couldn’t pick it, that was the plan.
Two hours had passed, according to the clock. In that time, Light had taken a shower, eaten and drank, and lounged around on the bed for a bit.
With all that taken care of, she was totally fine if things went south on her endeavor, at least in terms of temporary indulgences. At maximum, she had a day of this time spell, give or take. So far though, things were stable. If the readings had started to fluctuate, she’d have acted sooner. But, since she had to wait till everyone was sleeping anyhow, she may as well enjoy it. It might be her last meal anyhow. From either spears or magical spells, or perhaps the few firearms in the castle guard.
She only had a couple dozen rounds of non-lethal shots for her battle-saddle….so at least she wouldn’t have to kill anyone for that many. The other hundred or so were normal lead shot, with a bit of magical enhancements of course.
The plan was simple. Find where those messages were, get them, and then broadcast them everywhere. She wasn’t about to leave the future on the words and halfhearted promises of politicians. By Light’s reckoning, the Zebras would sit on the message, and then probably just never send it. Why would they? It would disrupt their power play. The griffins and ponies at least, maybe.
So. She had to force their claws. Hooves. Both. Hopefully there was a recording of the entire session. Otherwise she’d have to try and get each disk from each delegation, and that would get messy fast.
Funny enough, the delegates had tried to suggest Light leave her weapons elseware before locking her up. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Thankfully having six guards was enough to satisfy everyone. Since she ‘wasn’t going to try anything.’
The clock hit almost midnight; and Light hopped off the bed. Looking at her pipbuck, there were six contacts outside the doors. Two were yellow; maybe a threat. The other four….those had to be the pony and griffin guards. Made sense. Ponies were the softer ones. The lock itself spat out the hairpins she used to try and pick it; of course. Magic.
It had to be difficult. Of course.
Light sighed, keying for a single three-round burst through the lock. That would leave just enough time to switch ammo types, and target the six individuals with non-lethal rounds. It would be noisy, so she’d have to move quickly. She took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. So much had been lost for her chance to give this world a chance, and she wasn’t about to waste it.
Chapter Four: Broadcast of Hope - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The three hardened pieces of metal easily blew through the lock, spells and all, thankfully catching the six guards totally by surprise. Perhaps not her attempted escape, but the noise and manner at the very least.
The Zebras were the first to react, leveling some rather shiny black rifles at her, followed by the griffins. Clad in full-bodied metal armor, their helmets looked like a newly developed composite material, certainly the sign of a nation gearing for war.
Her battle-saddle clicked as it slotted in the small supply of non-lethal rounds, Light’s SATS targeting the four most worrisome guards first. They got three rounds each to the head. The hardened plastic balls dented the helmets, having enough force to crack bone without armor. Thankfully it was enough to punch through the anti-concussive spells Light assumed was on the protective material.
The griffins and ponies still had metal armor adorning their heads and sides; but starting to show signs of upgrading. Thicker plates were installed at their vitals, and the helmets were a tad bulkier with added padding and metal mesh.
Not that it made any difference as the rounds slammed into their helmeted heads.
All six went down with a cacophony of groans, leaving Light to trot off down the hall towards the large staircase, which she assumed led to the delegates living quarters.
What she hadn’t planned on, of all things, was Celestia pausing in the middle of the hallway as she turned to look at the armored mare. There were no other individuals in the room; Celestia standing between Light and the staircase; as well as the two halls on either side.
“Light, I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t leave the room….” The Alicorn quipped, looking at the battle-worn mare with an oddly expectant gaze.
“Eh. I’m a troublemaker. However, I need to go. So..” Light huffed, then stopped, staring at the ruler. She knew. Not just Light’s escape plan; but what had to be done. There was a strange knowing in Celestia’s eyes…
As the Alicorn’s eyes stared at the weapon on Light’s side, the mare felt the usual hatred slide away. In that moment, she understood.
This powerful Alicorn who could move the sun, was bound by what had to be infuriating rules and protocol, even as she could see what had to be done. It wasn’t a matter of not wanting to help. It was a matter of being unable to; because one option would cause more harm than good.
Why else would she be here, just when Light was about to try and ‘storm the gates’ as it were? And why else was Celestia staring at the gun, and then back to Light, the faintest of nods rocking her head. Light gripped the bit in her mouth- swinging the gun to point at Celestia as an idea blossomed.
“I need information. Where are the recordings of these sessions, and where can they be broadcast? Do I have to go to each delegate to get the recordings?” Light growled, staring at her, still a bit on guard.
“Do you promise not to kill me or any of my ponies if I tell you? Same with the other delegates? I can’t guarantee they won’t try the same however.”
Celestia replied almost instantly; far too quickly for Light to have caught her off guard. Oh that sly mare. She had read Light like a book, or guessed very, very well. She’d have to have a reason to divulge anything of course…
“…I promise that I won’t do anything to kill them. I don’t want to. If someone dies, it isn’t because I wanted it, if you tell me what I need to know.” That seemed to satisfy Celestia as she continued.
“You need not attack the other delegates. The recordings of the entire session are on the same floor as the broadcasting tower; one up a long flight of stairs of course. They were being copied for backups, as was agreed upon. Once up the stairs, down the hall, fifth door on the right, and then the fifth floor up.”
Light nodded, promptly trotting past Celestia. “Go. Do what I cannot, and good luck.” The alicorn whispered out of the corner of her mouth, adding quite a bit of spring to Light’s step.
Bound by protocol and the need to maintain balance with everyone…that must be maddening. Somehow Light could imagine Celestia rather giddy at being able to finally push something through that needed to be done, instead of tied up in increasingly lengthy court papers.
Then again, all had happened so that Light would take the blame.
Not that it mattered. The only guard she ran into until the fifth upper floor was easily dealt with, caught as he was running around a corner. “…Sorry, sorry….” Light grumbled as the moaning stallion was pushed halfway into a closet, the helmet dented by Light’s surprise kick from behind a pillar.
Headache, but not dead or even severely injured. Just out cold.
The main door to the fifth floor was locked; but once again, if there had been any magic that was to prevent it being picked, it was deactivated. It only took a quick peek around the corner after exiting the staircase to get a brief layout.
The floor with the recordings and broadcasting staircase though, were quite heavily guarded. A total of eight guards on the outside, each pair stationed at the four doors set in the dark blue stone of the corridor. The hall was windowless, light provided by flickering torches that were stuck to walls on dulled silver braziers. Quite an odd change in color scheme.
Judging from the sounds behind her, Light didn’t have much time. Her not-so-stealthy-approach had finally been discovered. But this precious minute or two was all she needed.
Jumping out from the stairway, she swung the battle saddle into position, targeting each of the ponies with a short burst.
The weapon barked as the guards lunged at her with only a moment’s hesitation. She could respect that professionalism at least. Each was hit with four rounds of non-lethal shot. Their armor and hides bruised, they were laid out flat on the floor with groans. Half of the shots had targeted their helmeted heads.
Considering the dents in the metal, these non-lethal rounds were at the limit of their effectiveness of the ‘non’ part of their classification. The door to her right was heavily fortified- the lock no doubt protected by layers of spells on top of that.
Switching to live ammunition, Light slammed an armored hoof onto the door. “Open the door, or I blast it open on three. ONE. TWO THR-“
The door opened, and a poor young stallion shaking in his slightly–oversized armor stared at the determined mare with wide eyes. From his rank, he was a private; and a fairly new one at that.
“I’m going to have to knock you out now, you know that right?” Light asked, stepping closer.
The guard’s head had started to imitated a woodpecker, barely finishing the motion as Light turned and slammed a hoof onto the side of his helmet.
After dragging him outside and closing the door, the mare threw the locking mechanisms into place. Massive metal bars slid into the walls, the door sealing the room against the outside world. The mare then examined the massive array of consoles in front of her. Multiple keyboards, crystal screens, and then to her right, a strange collection of those same devices all bundled into an eerie green-glowing console.
On the metal desk, a series of small disks were placed in a clear glass container; the same number of disks as the delegates plus one. Perfect. Celestia’s address was included.
Light opened the clear container to retrieve the disks, looking over the labels. The writing was in all different languages; Zebra, Griffin, Equestrian…
She plugged one disk into a receptacle; the one labeled ‘Celestia.’
To her surprise, it wasn’t just the Princess’s speech, but the entirety of Light’s arrival and explanation, as far as she could tell.
Ejecting the disk, Light looked around for any sort of broadcast gear- and finally turned to look at the strange glowing console. It didn’t match the other desk, thick cables leading up through the ceiling past the multiple monitors.
She pressed the large button in the center of the console- and the main center screen lit up with a crackling fuzz. It seemed to be configured for ease of use, only one encrypted password locking it. Light’s pipbuck made short work of that though.
Her breath caught in her chest as Light read the words that flashed across the screen. ‘ Emergency Broadcast Console Enabled. Please select region for message. ’ There were options for Equestrian lands, Griffin, Minotaur, Zebra, Yak, Dragon, but to name a few, and at the bottom of the list….
‘ Broadcast To All Regions With shaking hooves, the mare selected the last option, eyes locked onto the screen as someone began to hammer on the door outside.
WARNING. THIS ACTION IS TO BE ONLY USED IN EMERGENCIES. MISUSE WILL BE PUNISHABLE TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE AND UNDER MULTIPLE COURTS OF LAW.
Continue?
Light let out a huff, stabbing at the key in front of her.
My time is almost up ready. Judge me all you want….
She tapped the continue option, and a slot opened for a single disk. Frowning, the mare tapped a key or two, searching for any other options.
Bingo
‘ Multiple media device option selected. Please insert all disks, one after another, as prompted. A final play of the footage will then be available to review before sending.
The precious minutes it took waiting for the computer to upload each disk had the hair on Light’s nape stick up on end, the hammering at the door continuing to grow louder and louder. The main guard detachments must have been roused, because the door began to shudder with the impacts of spells or explosives.
Finally the last disk was ejected, and more options began to scroll across the screen in sickly green text.
‘ Please review footage and select broadcasting and translation options. Record last minute remarks when prompted. ’
Using the ‘fast forward’ option, Light looked through some of the footage; putting the delegate’s speeches first, and then her entire arrival and exchange at the end. She was about to proceed, when her hoof hovered over the button in doubt.
It’s not enough. Something else at the beginning…
Something inside her drove Light to press the record button, even as the door shuddered under more impacts.
She stared into the camera, the soulless lenses gazing back at her.
“To anypony, to anyone out there, please listen to me. My name….” She paused, swallowing a lump in her throat.
“My name is Night Light. I won’t be born for another few hundred years. You all know time spells exist, so you know it’s at least possible for me to be here. Now listen to me, please. What I have managed to send to you, to the ponies, griffins, zebras, and all other races out there, is a second chance.”
Through the nerves, through the dulled emotions that such heinous violence in her life had caused, a slight warmth blossomed in Light’s chest, infusing her words with a desperate, begging and genuine aura of hope. Her own flesh and blood began to fade slightly, the time spell beginning to destabilize.
Within a few minutes, her time would be done.
“My life is over. My life was lived in the place that will be shown to you. A land of death, of hate, of pain. Love, friendship…those all die in the Wasteland.
You all deserve better. This message contains the speeches your leaders were supposed to show you. Maybe some of them would, but some probably wouldn’t, in the name of ‘progress’ or their own prejudice. I can’t take that chance. My family deserved better. You all deserve better.” She paused, the hammering of the door now causing something to crack and groan. Another pulsing, and her hooves fell through the console briefly, becoming immaterial for a few moments.
“Don’t let a few decide the fate of you all. Pull together, and just learn to respect each other, if nothing else. I’ve seen the blood of pony, griffin, and zebra run over my hooves in battle, and when it’s all said and done, our blood is all the same color. Don’t let your differences make you forget that.”
A few tears blossomed in Light’s eyes, trickling down her cheeks.
“I made a promise that I would give everything for this chance, your chance. My time is now up. Please, I have seen the world where hate and war win. You all can make a different future, one brighter than any I could imagine. You can do it, each and every one of you. Work together, choose to build a new future and brighter world as one voice. I leave that choice in your hooves, your claws, your hands.”
As the door began to buckle, Light selected the Translate all automatically option, a time and length setting, then a final confirmation.
‘ Large file selected. Upload commencing.Settings are as follows: Broadcast to all available locations on loop. Override all local channels. Continue broadcasting for maximum length after power failure or canceled transmission. WARNING. Insufficient power to broadcast to all locations. Continue?
It took three tries before her semi-solid hooves pressed the confirmation, her body beginning to fade.
The small room then lit up with bright, harsh lights, the console in front of her surging with power.
‘ Uploading and broadcasting, stand by. WARNING, insufficient power….
Light then sagged to the floor, the entire world feeling rather faint and spongy as her body and mind began to be frayed across time and space. The loading bar, along with the warning, continued to scroll across the screen…
Would it be enough? How far would it reach?
“Goodbye Light, or rather, Night Light, it has been a pleasure. But I have to ask…before you go, why all this trouble? Why risk it all just to transmit a message that might not even get through? I heard something about…..giving everything?” A smug, almost sadly voiced question tickled her ears.
Standing over the fading earth pony, Discord played with a ball of yarn that was fraying into hundreds of strands. His gaze wandered to the console, and then back to Light, whom was looking at the loading bar earnestly.
“I made a promise.” Was all she could say before fading almost out of sight once again. The Draconequus let out a slight huff at her reply.
“Well I know one pony who would appreciate your honestly. Now…you’ve done all you can do, it would seem. Your options have ended, at least for now.” The Draconequus droned, walking over to the computer. He then examined the ball of yarn-which began to flow like a small river between his claws.
“Ended, perhaps, but rest easy, it looks like you did move the course of the river. By how much I cannot tell yet. However, here is a bit of a thank you from me, to make that river of time speed up. Remember these words. ‘Go and see.’”
As her world began to fade to black, Light saw the God of Chaos reach a glowing claw and stab it into the console, a few final words on the screen causing her to smile before the world faded. ‘ Power levels at optimal levels. Broadcasting at full strength. All locations receiving transmission.
Standing over the faint outline of the earth pony, Discord hummed, looking at the ball of yarn before placing it in the center of the ghostly pony.
“Consider that as reparations for not making my future occupation a pin cushioned magical battery. And also, thank you for preventing a close friend from a tortured fate as a tree.” He sighed, fiddling with the ball of yarn until the strands were all connected once again.
“Goodness, I’ve been hanging around Fluttershy a bit too much, if such thing is possible. Well, either way, enjoy that bit of chaos in your life Night Light. Use your time well. I’ll see you….” He couldn’t help but crack a grin. “Sometime.
When the guards broke into the room moments later, they found it empty; save a black screen displaying the green text; Console locked; broadcasting emergency message with time-locked access codes. Time until transmission available for shutdown; two hours.
----------------------------------------------
In the main throne room, Celestia had to exercise every ounce of willpower in her being to not hug Luna, who now sat next to her, utterly perplexed.
“Sister, what has gone on? I have only learned bits and pieces….”
Celestia choked back a few tears, hearing a message play across any and all screens in the castle. It spread to any and all receivers of audio and visual media across the entire known world.
That was how the emergency broadcast system had been designed, after all. They were supposed to disconnect it from the other nation’s emergency grids within a few months; as per some agreements that were suppose to be discussed today. It would seem Light had been here just in time.
Whether due to a glitch, or some mischievous meddling, the first part of Light’s message was shown with her frozen expression. Eyes yearning for peace, and a few soon to be shed tears as she hopefully looked into the camera, hoping her last moments would be spent convincing someone, anyone, to listen.
“To anypony, to anyone out there, please listen to me….”
At seeing Light’s face, the solar princess couldn’t help but drape a hoof over and pull Luna close, emotion clogging her throat, even as other delegates bickered and panicked as their honest words were used for their true intent.
“We get a second chance Luna. We get a second chance…We all do.”
From Griffinstone to Manehatten, from Mount. Aris to Yakyakistan, radios and screens sent Night Light’s desperate plea for hope soaring into the skies. Amidst the drums of war, hope had been born once again from the ashes. And like a phoenix who crowed happily above Canterlot, it soared to every ear who would listen, and every eye who would see Light’s face looking back at them.
Night Light felt her body and mind stretch; but not in the literal sense of a word. She felt heavy, as though closing her eyes and keeping them closed was a titanic effort; but opening them was just as difficult. The world seemed to refocus, as much as darkness could, and the mare could feel her breathing slow to nothing.
If this is what death feels like, then…I’m ok with that. No pain, just tired.
Maybe it was just her imagination, but a familiar cackle reached her awareness before all conscious thought zeroed out in the strange never-never-land of unconsciousness.
-------------------------------
The first sign she was alive, was that whatever Light was laying on, was soft beyond anything she had ever felt before. The second was that she felt good. Each breath wasn’t pained by the leftover shrapnel from various battles, and the bones that had been broken and not healed quite right were straight as an arrow…
Was this the afterlife? It sure felt like it.
She slowly opened her eyes, lifting her head off a snow-white pillow, and sat on the edge of the bed as light began to slowly bathe the room in a comforting glow. “Good morning Ms. Night Light. The time is five past seven-hundred.” A voice, smooth only as a computer could be, swam across the room.
And, somehow, that wasn’t the strangest thing to hear or see.
The room itself was a small square affair; the bed across from a simple table, chair, and what looked like a washroom to the left. To the right were some metal cabinets with…uniforms? They seemed to have a sleeker version of a pipbuck built into them as well…
Light blinked, still at a loss of what was going on. Was she back in some hyper-realistic simulation in the Wasteland? Perhaps the spell had backfired and kept her in Equestria? In a coma perhaps? She had been in a few simulation pods before; but this one felt slightly different. Getting out of bed, she slipped on one of the uniforms; best be dressed for whatever this was…
Well, if this voice was an AI, best test it out.
“…erm…what is the date?” Light asked to nothing, hardly expecting a response- “The date is….” “…please repeat?” She blinked. Not believing what she heard as the AI spoke again. That would put it a few years prior to when the spell was cast.
“Confirm?”
The same date was repeated, and Discord’s face flashed through Night Light’s mind, wearing a sly grin just as darkness had claimed her before. “Discord, did you…where...when….?” She whispered, an emotion Light thought long since deadened welling up in her chest. Hope… Go and see.
Discord’s final words to her echoed through her mind, causing the mare’s hooves to move one at a time. If she was a few years before the spell was cast, then…
“…Computer, where am I?” “You are on the Equestrian flagship Canterlot Spire ” “A ship? Where are we?”
“Correct. The global fleet is moving to explore the farther reaches of the Equis system.” Global fleet!? A spaceship?
Her breath caught in her throat. If the time spell anchor had worked, or, if more likely, Discord had manipulated it…
Words stuck in Light’s throat as the flame of hope in her chest threatened to cause her hooves to shake. Would he be alive? Would they even be…. “Is there a stallion by the name of Woodchip Steel anywhere? Past or present?”
As she neared the door, the small computer screen next to the entrance keypad displayed a picture of her husband, with a countdown timer.
“As has been said to similar requests, your fiancé is on board. You are due to be married in t-minus one month, and two weeks. Do you wish to re-enable daily countdown?” Tears ran down Night Light’s cheeks as she stared at the handsome stallion on the screen. He was alive. And just before they…
That was why she looked younger in the mirror; the anchor had set her back a few years prior to the teleportation date. “W-what about Autania?” “Your sister is with your fiancé on the bridge.” “….Her marefriend?” “…I am not permitted to disclose personal relationships outside immediate family.” “…direct me to the bridge. To Woodchip.”
The door opened at Light’s touch, and her hooves began to move faster and faster, sending her rocketing down the bright metal hallway. Ponies, griffins, a yak or two, they all looked at the odd mare in surprise, but let her pass. At one point Light skidded onto a corner, launching off the wall with a powerful kick.
Stopping for a moment, Night could only stare out at the vast expanse. The entire wall being a window, the mare gaped at seeing dozens of small vessels move into position. Large oblong shaped ships glided alongside them, and the sun outlined them all in a glorious sheen of brilliant white. All held different symbols and letters from all races, yet all flew in the same direction. The stars, while not twinkling, still seemed to beckon onwards as the ships continued to fly into in space. The computer piped back up as some rather large vessels passed by, each having a large logo emblazoned on their bow.
“The nutrition manufacturing vessel; commonly referred to as the Sweet Apple Acres. The Training and School vessel; commonly known as Twilight’s magic school. The textile and manufacturing facility, known as the Rarity Boutique….” Light couldn’t help but blink, venturing a quick question.
“Where are the elements of harmony? The ponies?” She asked, staring at the titanic ships in view.
“The original Elements of Harmony are buried on Equestria, or otherwise enshrined in their respecting ship’s reactor core. Many descendants are intermingled among the crews.” The AI replied instantly. She tore herself away, galloping down the hallway until her breath came in short gasps.
The fact there were matching vessels for each Element of Harmony, and they had their own full lives only further ignited the hope in Light’s chest, the ships and their inhabitants having soared to the heavens beyond her view. “I have signaled your fiancé to meet you outside the bridge.” The voice chirped from the communicator on her wrist.
Night barely even registered the voice, tears flowing freely at seeing her once-dead love standing outside a large security door. “Lighty? What are you do-“
The burly brown stallion was cut off as Night Light wrapped him up in a crushing embrace, not able to help but sob into his chest. The wave of emotion finally came crashing down as a simple truth registered. It had worked. The tether should have frayed, the timeline fractured from her interference, And yet….
Having his firm hoof on her shoulder did nothing to ease Light’s tears. She couldn’t help soak up every little detail she thought lost forever. His rough coat against hers, his gentle whispering that everything would be alright… And the kiss he gave her made the world and her heart spin like never before.
It took some time before Light could do anything other than hug her stallion and breath, but finally she was able to just look at him with a loving smile.
“I-I can explain..l-later. Is my sister there?” She asked, hiccupping halfway through the sentence. Woodchip to his ever deserving credit, calmly walked her inside the bridge and pointed. First and foremost, standing in the center of the room, dressed in a smart admiral’s coat and cap, was a familiar Chaotic being.
Discord looked over to Light, and his eyes widened for but a moment. He then smiled, in the special cocky way unique to his nature, and tipped his hat slightly before looking back to the vast window. In his clawed hand, he tossed a small, green-glowing rock up and down briefly, along with a ball of red yarn before causing both to vanish.
The half-dome of glass covered the foremost part of the room, dozens of stations of varying types and electronic instrumentation neatly organized throughout the command station. Sleek metal and touch screens adorned the stations; the only thing Light being able to compare it to would be recordings from before the war…
Nearest to them, and on the left, Autania looked over and waved from her station, Light only being able to grin back.
I didn’t break my promise sister. I did it. We did it.
And of course the tears then started up again, Woodchip leading his fiancé down the halls once again. “Lets go to the main park and the gardens, and you can tell me what’s up, yeah?” He suggested, guiding Light through the maze of foreign corridors. It was an odd thought, to possibly have navigated them, but at the same time, Light had no memory of it.
The park was enormous, and one of many things that Light couldn’t help but gawk at. The immense clear dome above allowed a view of the fleet and the stars, while fresh green grass and trees spanned for what must be an entire city block or two. A few other races were present, but mostly it was ponies who frolicked or played a version of hoofball in the grass. A few smacked a small ball back and forth over a net, while others had picnics and watched foals wrestle in the grass.
As Woodchip led her to the left of the park, Light looked over-
And promptly felt her rear legs give out. Standing tall and proud in front of her, was a stone, beautifully-engraved statue. About four times her actual size, the noble mare, clad in armor and a strange looking side-slung weapon, gestured towards the stars. A pipbuck was attacked to her right hoof, and her eyes seemed to both plead and challenge at the viewer. At the same time, viewing from a slightly different angle gave the statue a more stalwart view, gaze beckoning the viewers onward to a better day.
“Heh. You always like this statue. Your claim to fame since her name was the same as yours.” Woodchip chuckled, causing Light to stare at him.
“W-what?”
“This mare. Night Light. You’ve memorized the entire history like ten times. Trust me, I know. You’ve read like, every book on her.” Even though she didn’t have a memory of such an activity, the teasing and playful tone caused Light to blush.
“…r-refresh my memory? Maybe?” A familiar alabaster figure, surrounded by eager foals walked over to their right, sparing Woodchip of what apparently would be the eleventh time of explaining.
“This, as you all have learned, is Night Light.” A gentle and peaceful voice explained, causing Light’s heart to jump.
Celestia, she was alive? “We know Princess Celestia. We’ve heard the story like twenty tiiiiiimes.” A young colt piped up, earning a playful glare from the ruler.
“Well, then you should know it well enough to explain it.” The Alicorn added, causing the youngster to blush. Seeing Woodchip and Light out of the corner of her eye, Celestia then waved a regalia-absent hoof to the foals.
“No? Well…perhaps you can explain it later. For now, off you go! Snack time!” As the young ones dispersed, Celestia walked over to Light and her fiancé, smiling at the pair.
“Well, you two are up early? Pre-wedding jitters? What is it, about one and a half months until then?”
Woodchip chuckled, nudging Light with his shoulder. Apparently making up for most of a life without tears, they now started again in earnest, Light looking up to Celestia and then pointing to the statue, barely able to speak.
“I think I need a new history lesson about her, and everything since.” She managed to say. Celestia’s brow furrowed, a strange look in her eyes as Light then gestured to the statue again.
“Her pipbuck, the device on her hoof. I wore it on my left one.” She whispered, now turning to look at the ruler with an overwhelmed gaze of appreciation, only able to smile. “Oh my…so…you are back? This is the moment?” Celestia asked, now stock still. “A few years prior, but yes. Discord. He…I think he…helped…I….” More tears, and Light’s shoulder shook with barely pent up sobs.
Celestia quickly strode over and wrapped the smaller pony up in a hug, Woodchip looking on curiously and utterly confused. “You did it Night Light, you did it.” Celestia whispered, as the smaller mare hugged the caring monarch back; not a shred of hate or anger left in her towards the benevolent ruler.
“The promise. And I kept it. You all did the rest.” Light whispered, now let down from the embrace, tears still staining her cheeks. “And we did indeed build a new future. One I hope is indeed brighter than anything you could have hoped.” Celestia quoted, then turning to look at Woodchip.
“…You two have a lot to talk about. And I will help with that. No reason for it to be a secret, at least between you two. Discord could help with that as well.” “Of course I could.” The God of Chaos quipped, lounging next to the three with a grin. “Welcome back Light. It’s been a while.”
“F-for you….” Light replied with a smile, wiping away her tears, even as a few more took their place. “H-how is this possible? The time…me, here, with Woodchip, not….” She stammered, finally shutting her mouth as Discord chuckled, tossing Light that same red ball of yard that burst into butterflies.
“You moved a river, I made sure your ship was safe. You’ve earned it. So, thank you, Night Light.” Discord remarked in a moment of sincerity, bowing his head in thanks. With an about-face of mannerisms, he issued a brief “Ta-tah” before vanishing with a soft ‘pop.’
“Wait. That…you….now….waaaaaitaminute…” Woodchip pointed to the statue, and then to Light. “…as Celestia said, lots to talk about.” Light remarked, walking over and hugging her fiancé tightly, butterflies resting near her hooves.
“Your schedule can be cleared for the day Woodchip. I think us three need to explain. With Discord’s input of course. I’ll let your sister know as well, Night Light.” Celestia remarked, beckoning them onwards towards a secluded area of the park.
As they sat a table that was levitated over, Light didn’t sit down at first. Instead, she just gazed upwards to the beautiful space above. Grey and white vessels moved this way and that, larger ships rumbling past. A few griffins clad in protective gear moved to polish a part of the roof on the exterior, while inside the occupants played and relaxed unawares.
“I couldn’t have ever imagined something like this.” She whispered, reaching over to hold Woodchip’s hoof. He sat down next to her, waiting as Celestia did the same. She whispered a short, few sentence explanation to Woodchip to start off, causing him to shift slightly.
“So you are….Night Light, but not?” The unnerved stallion asked cautiously, clearly unsure what to think of her. “I’ve seen the broadcast before; most everyone has, in history lessons….” “I am. But, I knew you in a very different setting. A harsh and savage one.” Light replied, ears flickering back.
“But….I know you are Woodchip Steel, the core parts. I know you can be stubborn to a fault, but also caring beyond anyone I ever could have wanted. You enjoy target practice with anything that throws a projectile, but excel at metalwork and carpentry. But you prefer whittling above all else. Your secret hobby is to cook. Baking specifically. You hate it when I want to add in random ingredients, and usually you put too much sweetener into things. ” Light whispered to him, meeting his gaze with her own.
“I don’t know the specific details of what has happened in this time. Events, history… But I know you. Unless I’m wrong, you’re the same stallion I loved with all my heart. Only this time, we get to have an entire life together.” She continued, almost worried at what he’d say.
“Is…that…..?” Light asked, now not able to look over to him. Panic surged in her heart; not having thought of this possibility. Just the fact of mentioning names in the past should have erased this option, and yet somehow they ended up together still?
Woodchip squeezed her hoof comfortingly, clearly musing over his words carefully. “You aren’t wrong on any of that. So, I’m the same here then? That’s rather reassuring actually. That being said, I think the wedding might have to be rescheduled…..because we have some dates to catch up on. Quite a few.” He replied, prompting Light to wrap him up in a hug.
“So…are you the mare who loves cuddling under the moonlight, sampling my baking, watching stupid movies that I don’t fully understand, and listening to me go on about my hobbies even though you don’t fully grasp them? Oh, and your secret pleasure is mint. Any kind, you love mint, and writing poetry. You also spoil your sister too much. Is…that about right?”
Light could only hope the kiss she gave him showed her full appreciation for his understanding words, and the affirmation of them. They were both different; her more so, but he was still the stallion she knew and loved.
He pulled away from her, putting a hoof on her shoulder with a knowing nod. “Hmm. I think….this will do. Night Light, will you go out on a date with me this evening for dinner? And the morning after that? And then lunch? And so on and so forth?” Woodchip asked with a gentle smile, prompting Light to nod as rapidly as she could.
“Y-yes!” She could only squeak, as he wrapped her up in a hug. “We’ll start again so to speak, but I think I know where we’ll end up.” He whispered in her ear, hooves holding her close. Woodchip was still himself, and her sister was alive and well…
She felt ready for anything. As Autania walked over, Light couldn’t help but look over and smile.
“I kept my promise.” She whispered, both to Woodchip and Autania
They wouldn’t understand, not yet.
But that promise meant everything. - - - - - - - - - - - - The End.
