> What Could've Been
>  by Centurion Pike-Wall
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prelude~A Bridge between Worlds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

3094 Imperial Calender, 9 years after the end of The Broken and the Damned

Rainbow Dash landed on the deck of the Pryhan ship Obstinata, a group of sailors stopping their tasks to salute her. She headed along the length of the deck, careful to push past the crewers of the ship. She climbed the stairs to the helm, being greeted by the Captain of the ship. "Ave, Praetor. Sorry if I was interrupting anything"

"Ave, Captain", Rainbow replied. "No, you weren't. Just going over some paperwork and... personal stuff from Equestria. Anyway, what're we dealing with?"

"We don't actually know, ma'am", the Captain said. He led her over to the back of the helm, gesturing out into the water. Just at the entrance of the Strait of Beccus, a half-mile beyond the Pillars, a massive yellow ball of energy swelled just below the waterline. "It just showed up about an hour ago. Scared the hells out of one of our Patrol Craft. We're keeping our distance until we can get a team with the Runic Guild up here."

Rainbow nodded slightly, glaring at the ball. She had limited experience with powerful magic; that was Twilight's job back when she lived in Equestria. Magic, outside of a few basic runes, wasn't all that common in everyday Pryha, so something like this never really came up. 

Strangely, the more she stared at it, the more she got this weird nagging feeling. Ponies had the innate ability to detect magic. It wasn't perfect, and it certainly wasn't that powerful among non-unicorns. However, she had the basic idea of the magic being put into this spell. Which worried her, as the magic for some reason felt... familiar.


+++++~+++++


1021 ANM, 1 year since Luster Dawn arrived in Ponyville

Luster smiled, looking up at the familiar sight of Canterlot Castle. After her year in Ponyville, she had gotten tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. Along with her new friends, they had just been waved through the security station and into the main ballroom. 

"So this is Canterlot Castle, eh?", Giselle asked, eyeing the ponies and various other creatures that had already arrived. "Honestly, I was expecting... more gold?"

"Is that just the Griffon speaking?", Yasmin asked. 

Giselle shook her head, "No. Well, not fully. Just, thought that because this is the center of Equestria."

"Alright then", Luster said. "You all can go have fun and... I don't know. I'm going to go see the Princess."

"Well, in that case", Golden Crust said, "There is a large amount of food that is begging for me."

The stallion, true to his claims, made a b-line for the buffet table. River Song groaned, before saying, "I should go make sure my coltfriend doesn't eat himself under a table here of all places. You go see the Princess."

"Guess we'll go snoop around", Giselle added. "Good luck with that... whatever it was you were working on."

As her friends split off, Luster made her way through the steadily growing crowd of Ponies. She scanned the crowd, finally spotting her teacher towards the back. She finally got clear of the mingling creatures, spotting Princess Twilight talking with Ms. Fluttershy. 

"Discord will be joining us", Fluttershy said. "He just needed to finish up a few things at home. You know how much trouble Engima can be."

"Oh, it's not a major issue", Princess Twilight said. "I just hope he doesn't bring any uninvited guests like last time."

"Princess!", Luster said, seeing her opportunity to enter the conversation. 

Twilight turned to her, a warm smile on her lips. "Oh, Luster! Glad you could make it. How has Ponyville been?"

"Wonderful, Princess", Luster said, coming to a stop just in front of her. "I know you probably get tired of hearing this, but you were right. I've had a lot of fun with my friends, and I still was able to work on my studies. I even learned a new spell!"

Twilight kept her smile, but cocked an eyebrow. "A new spell? From where?"

"I found it in the library of your School", Luster said. "It was on a manuscript in the back."

"Huh", Spike said, arriving with a small plate of gems in his hand. "I didn't know there were any like that at the School."

"Me neither", Twilight said. "Maybe Starlight put it in after she became headmare." Twilight rubbed a hoof along her chin, thoughts racing through her mind. "Would you mind showing us, Luster?"

"Of course!", Luster said. She lit up her horn, recalling the exact way to weave the spell that the manuscript instructed. A massive well of golden light arced up and down the bony limb, growing in size and intensity. 


+++++~+++++


"I want a closer look", Rainbow said, surprising the Captain. 

He asked, "Are you sure, Praetor? I mean, you know the protocol when it comes to this kind of thing just as well as I do, so-"

"I am well aware, Captain", Rainbow said, shifting on her talons. "But, something about this... I can't really explain it to a non-pony, but It feels familiar somehow."

The Captain nodded. "My half-brothers' uncles sisters coltfriend is apart of the Runic Guild, so I know something of what you're talking about. Still, I don't feel entirely comfortable with this."

"I don't either, Captain", Rainbow admitted. "Still, I want to take a look."

She spread her wings, taking off from the deck of the ship. She hovered over the orb, making sure to stay just high enough above the water to avoid the occasional arcs of magic energy it gave off. Much closer now, she was defiantly right about it being somehow familiar. That faint feeling was much stronger, albeit still not much. She lowered herself just a little bit more, close enough to see something through the orb. It was a yellow-tinted picture of... were those the Canterlot Gardens?

She lowered just a little bit more, almost unconscious of the shift in altitude. That few inches, however, was seemingly enough for the magic. An arc, bigger and thicker than the others, shot out of the water and latched onto her waist. Rainbow flailed in alarm, trying in vain to reach for her swords. Loud shouting and mechanical clicking came from the ship, the crew racing to bring its mounted ballista to bear. However, they were too slow, as she was sucked down into the orb. 


+++++~+++++


Rainbow spilled onto, surprisingly, soft grass, splaying out like a crushed grape. She groaned, lifting her head off the ground. As soon as her sense recovered, she began to look around. 

Sure enough, she was indeed in the Canterlot Gardens. Several large trees formed a grove, a path lined with bushes leading both towards the palace and the hedge maze. Speaking of the palace, the towering structure dominated most of the right-side of her vision, reaching up seemingly into the heavens. Music, muffled from distance, reached her ears; a soft, melodious orchestral number. 

Rainbow got to her hooves, pulling up her neck gaiter and pulling down her goggles. Even though this appeared to be Canterlot, there was still a lot of unknowns. There was no real explanation of how she got here. Beyond that, there was another nagging feeling that replaced her earlier one. This one being that something... just wasn't right. 

"Oh?", a voice behind her said. One that, even though it had been almost two decades, she recognized instantly. "What do we have here?" 

Rainbow tilted her head slightly, glaring around the goggle lens. Just past the golden frame, she was able to spot the creature that was floating behind her. As she suspected, the voice belonged to none other than the Chaos-Bringer himself; Discord. 

Rainbow grit her teeth, slowly reaching for a pistol tucked at her side. 


+++++~+++++


Luster sighed, the magic fading from her horn. Her eyelids, clenched shut in concentration and exertion, slacked so that she was merely keeping her eyes closed. She opened them to look at her teacher, who was watching her with a calm expression. 

"Nice light show, kid!", another voice called. Rainbow Dash and Applejack pushed their way to them, both mares flashing friendly smiles. 

Luster lowered her head, only for Princess Twilight to put a hoof on her shoulder. "It's ok, Luster. Trust me, I know the feeling when a spell you worked hard on simply doesn't work. Sometimes, magic just doesn't-"

*CRACK-BOOM!!*

Everything seemed to stop from the massive blast of noise. The orchestra ground to a halt, conversations ceased, and all eyes turned to the fading echos that came from the Gardens. Twilights eyes narrowed, before her own horn lit. After a small flash of magic, herself, Luster, Rainbow, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy were all in the gardens. 

All ponies froze in shock at the sight before them. A clearing wall of smoke showed a fight going on. Discord was one of the combatants, although it was apparent he was mostly running away. His pursuer was the one drawing most of their attention. She was a mare clad in white armor, along with a plumed helmet and fur cloak. She was carrying a pair of swords, and trying almost desperately to try and hack Discord to pieces. As he rolled, flicked around like a whip, and teleported short distances, she kept up with him in a blur of speed, swords arcing like twin slivers of moonlight. 

Rainbow Dash was the first to overcome her stupefaction. She sprang off the ground tackling the armored mare as she was trying to impale the Draconequus. Caught off-guard by the sudden move, the mare was sent flying back, while Discord teleported over to Fluttershy. "Oh, dear!", Fluttershy said, grabbing his neck. "Are you hurt?"

"A few cuts, but nothing bad", he said. 

Everyone's attention was drawn back to the armored mare. She had stopped herself by digging her swords into the ground, and now glared at them. However, instead of attacking again, she seemed to go rigid. "Quid in*...", she said, her voice containing an accent Luster had never heard before. 

The Princess was the next to react, stepping forward and igniting her horn. Luster could feel the power behind the prepared spell as she came to a stop behind Rainbow Dash, the mare crouched down like a panther ready to pounce. "I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. Who are you?"

Surprisingly, the other mare laughed. It was, without a doubt, the strangest laugh that Luster had ever heard; both good-natured and somewhat sinister at the same time, complimented by that strange accent. "Well, this is certainly not how I expected this to go."

"The hay does that mean?", Rainbow Dash snarled. 

"It means", the other mare said, removing a limb (Luster realized with horror that she apparently had a pair of prosthetics) from her sword hilt and bringing it to her just behind her shoulder. "That I have a feeling I'm not really in the know of how things are here." 

With that, she brought the talon back, holding something. At first, Luster was worried that it might be another weapon. However, this worry was replaced by confusion when her grip slacked, allowing the grabbed braid to hang limply across her shoulder. That confusion turned to shock when she recognized the colors; a somewhat dazzling mix of all the colors of the Rainbow.
> 1~Establishing a Connection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Dang", Rainbow Dash said. "I look cool."

"I have a stupid mane-cut", Praetor Dash said. 

The two of them sat across from one another at a table in Canterlot Castle. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Spike, and the mare referred to as Luster sat across from her, looking at her with a variety of looks. Fluttershy sat off to the side, applying bandages to Discord. The draconequus was eyeing her, a dirty look on his face. Rainbow already had a pistol unholstered, a talon pressed to the hammer. 

"Mm-hmm", Twilight said, clearing her throat. Praetor Dash shifted her head to look at her. "So, you... you are Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah", she said. "Praetor Rainbow Dash. And I assume your name is Twilight Sparkle."

"Yes, I am", Twilight said. "Can I ask how you got here?"

"I was responding to an alert from a PIN ship out in the Strait", Praetor Dash said. "There was a magical signal under the water. Admittedly against protocol, I got a closer look. A strand of magic hooked onto me, and I ended up in front of Discord." She turned back to him, her eyes beneath her goggles narrowing. "Speaking of which... why is he here?"

"Discord has been reformed", Fluttershy said. "He's not that bad anymore."

"Color me skeptical", she said. "I've only had one experience with him, and it wasn't pleasant."

"What did I do exactly?", Discord said. 

Dash said, "Stealing the Elements of Harmony. Removing my wings. Making Rarity make out with a rock. Any of this ring a bell?"

"When he first came back?", Spike said. 

"I guess", Dash said. "So... why is he not in shackles? Or a cage?"

"I've been reformed", Discord said in a sing-song voice. "Fluttershy has been a great friend... and we've gotten close."

Rainbow blinked, before slapping her claw to her temples. "Of fucking course it'd be you. Yeah, that isn't something I thought I'd see."

"Wha' were ya expecting?", Applejack asked. 

"Well, I didn't expect to end up here", Praetor Dash said. "But, where I come from, he's still a statue. For that matter, a couple of Caput Legio troopers impaled him with metal rods, so I think he's dead."

"You killed me?", Discord asked. 

Rainbow shrugged. "No, not me. Not even some of my troops. Honestly don't know why I didn't, though."

Twilight tapped her chin, looking between the Praetor and the table. Luster Dawn, silent ever since they had sat down, finally piped up. "Princess?"

"Luster", she said. "Do you know where the Manuscript you used is?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I brought it with me; wanted to go over it last minute before I showed you. It's in our hotel room."

"Can you go get it?", she asked. "I have an idea, but I want to be sure."

"Of course, Princess!", Luster said. She got up, lit her horn, and teleported away in one fluid motion. Silence reigned in the room as both sides shuffled between themselves nervously. 

Said silence was broken by Spike, who cleared his throat. After all eyes shifted to him, he asked, "Umm... Can you take off the mask? It's kinda unnerving."

"You sure?", Praetor Dash asked. "I've been told it's... also unnerving."

"Your face?", Rainbow Dash asked. "Please. How bad can it be?"

"If you insist", Praetor Dash said. She removed her helmet, before unslinging her goggles and lowering her neck gaiter. Instantly, all of them cringed at the sight, eyeing the massive patchwork of scars and burns that ran across her face. Her runic eye pulsed with red light as she leaned back in her seat. "I take it you want to know how?"

"Um... That would be nice to know", Fluttershy agreed, nodding. 

"Ok", Praetor Dash said. "Before I joined the Empire, I worked as a courier. During a raid from Brigands, I was captured by them and turned into the personal toy of the leaders. Turns out they were Degenerate shitstains, but I digress."

"Wait", Rainbow said. "Empire? Brigands? Where were you?"

"The Demosian Penninsula", Praetor Dash said. "Before the Second Unification Wars, that is. So, lots of Brigands, and not a lot of Order."

"But, you dealt with Discord?", Applejack. "Is there no Equestria?"

"No, Equestria is still a thing. I am from there originally", Rainbow said. "Not anymore, of course, but... yeah."

"Then, how did you end up in this, Pryha?", Twilight asked. 

Praetor Dash leaned back in the chair. "Long, somewhat complicated story, Princeps. Point is, I'm now an Imperial through and through."

"So, what're all a us like?", Applejack asked. "Ah mean, if we exist an' all. We do, right?"

"Yeah, you all exist", Praetor Dash said, a slight creeping edge entering into her voice. "You know about me. Most of you are still doing the same thing I assume you are here. Applejack's a farmer, Pinkie Pie does parties, Rarity makes clothes." She turned to Twilight, eyeing the wings clamped to her sides. "You are most certainly not a fucking Alicorn."

"I'm not?", she asked. 

Praetor Dash shook her head. "No, Princeps. You run a school in Ponyville. Pretty big one, too; you're even starting an exchange program with international students."

"Huh", Twilight said, smiling. "I'm happy to see that your Twilight and I have similar ideas, even if I'm not a Princess in your world. Or, whatever it is."

"What?", Praetor Dash asked. 

"Twi also founded a school", Rainbow Dash said, chuckling. "The 'School of Friendship' back in Ponyville. I taught there a bit before I rose up in the Bolts. Brings in a lot of students from outside of Equestria."

"Well, it's only a recent thing", Praetor Dash said. "From what I understand, she was only really able to get her program through the fact that Celestia runs the EEA."

"Wait wait wait", Applejack asked. "Princess Celestia... runs the EEA where you come from?"

"Well, she abdicated her position", Praetor Dash said. "Princess Luna is the head of the Equestrian State."

Before the conversation could continue, a loud crack and bright flash appeared next to Twilight. Luster Dawn stood when the light died down, a rolled-up parchment in her hoof. "Sorry if I'm interrupting. I got the manuscript", she said, passing the parchment to Twilight with her magic. "Be careful, your highness. It's not in the best of shape."

Twilight unrolled the piece of parchment, scanning the words on it. As she did so, her eyebrows furrowed and her light smile faded. By the time she had apparently finished, she looked rather disturbed. "I know what this is. How it ended up in my school's library, I don't know."

"What is it?", Spike asked. 

Twilight placed the paper on the desk, revealing a service covered in scratchy writing. "It's the spell that Starlight Glimmer used in order to time travel. In this case, it somehow brought you here."

"How, exactly?", Rainbow Dash asked. "I thought that it was just going back to alter things."

Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin, before smiling and lighting her horn. A line appeared, with several parts breaking off of it in several places. "The best I can understand it, the spell works by heading back to a certain point, then following a branch along the various actions that can alter the timeline. In this case, it must've-"

"All due respect, Princeps", Praetor Dash said. "But, how does this affect me getting back."

"I... don't know", Twilight said. "I've never actually cast the spell. But, what I do know from this writing is that, when it comes to crossing over timelines, it's not an exact science. I don't know exactly what timeline you came from, and it might take some time for when we can get you back home."

The Praetor leaned back in the chair, looking at the ceiling. "Well, in that case..."

"Starlight is in Ponyville", Twilight said. "We'll head down there tomorrow in order to work out a potential solution. In the meantime, I can have you provided a room to stay the night."

"You're coming back to Ponyville?", Fluttershy asked. 

Twilight nodded. "This is an unusual situation. I think I should be present in order to help out. Besides, Spike can handle anything that might come up, right?" Spike gave a sloppy salute, fixing her with a serious look. 

"I would like to make an additional request", Praetor Dash asked. 

"Sure", Twilight said. "What is it?"

"I'd like to requisition a... Well, actually. Do you have typewriters here?", she asked. 

Rainbow Dash asked, "A what?"

"Nevermind", Praetor Dash said. "In that case, I'd like a pen and notebook. Due to the unusual nature of this situation, my superiors would like a report upon my return to Pryhan territory. I'd prefer to have it be pre-written as opposed to having to recall everything on the spot."

"Of course", Twilight said. "I'll have it brought to your room." She nodded to a pair of Royal Guards standing by the door, who bowed their heads and adjusted their spears. "These two will escort you to a room."

"Thank you, Princeps", Praetor Dash said. She took up her helmet, slinging it under her wing. As the two of the Guards left the room, she followed, a sigh on her lips. "If I ever get back, I'm never gonna get through the Paperwork."
> 2~Compare and Contrast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Praetor stood on the balcony, looking over Canterlot and the sprawling land beyond it. She leaned on the balcony, turning her dagger over in her talon. The polished blade reflected the light of the shining sun, shining patches of light into the shadow of the balcony. Sighing, she slid the blade back into the slot on her prosthetic, before spreading her wings. 

She took off, kicking her back hooves off of the railing to gain just that small amount of extra distance before she gave a mighty flap. She cleared the outer limits of Canterlot Castle in a matter of seconds, and sailed over the upper parts of the city. She scanned the rows of houses and shops as she flew along the edge of the city ringing the mountain, before finally coming to the pain road leading up from the valley. From an admittedly rusty mental map, the layout of the city was almost the same as during the Siege of Canterlot. 

She kicked off a rocky outcropping just past the gate, before sailing in a wide arc around the outside of the city. A few ponies turned to watch the spectral trail zoom by, however, most probably didn't know it was her. She had soon completely lapped the outside of the city, and had come back around to the Canterlot Castle. She scanned the rows of balconies, before coming to a realization. When she was in Canterlot, it had either been in ruins or she simply wasn't paying attention. As such, and without any distinctive markers, she simply didn't recall which room was hers. 

She sighed, before scanning the castle grounds. Finally, her eye drifted to the Statue Garden, near where she had arrived in this... timeline? Alternate Dimension? This world's Twilight still didn't really explain it that well. Shrugging, she sailed down, angling her wings at the last second to give her a smooth descent. 

Her landing was met by a loud yelp. Looking over, she spotted the same pink unicorn from the night before; Luster Dawn. She was sitting beneath one of the statues; a trio of figures in a variety of poses. "Salve, Mulier Dawn. Sorry, didn't see you."

"No no", the mare said, standing up. "It's fine. I was just startled, is all. What are you doing up?"

"I was going for my morning flight", Praetor Dash explained. "I didn't see a reason to stop doing it, even given the circumstances."

"Really?", Luster asked. "If what the Princess said is accurate, Mrs. Dash isn't really a morning pony."

"Kinda had to get used to waking up early during training", the Praetor explained. "My instructor was relentless, but I still thought of him as a friend. He was just helping me in a way that he could."

"Oh, well how is he?", Luster asked. "I mean, I'm still getting used to this whole friendship thing, and was wondering exactly how you did it."

Praetor Dash's slight smile faded, before she lowered her head slightly. "He fell in service of the Fatherland."

It took a moment for Luster to fully register what she meant by that. "Oh", she said. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. He was a soldier like me. He knew the risks of the profession", the Praetor said. Deciding to change the subject, she turned her attention back to the statue that Luster had been leaning on. "So, what's with this? I've only been to Canterlot a few times, but I don't recognize it."

"Oh yeah", Luster said, welcoming the chance to change the subject. "They're nicknamed the 'Terrible Trio'. They were villains who tried to take-over Equestria before Princess Twilight assumed the throne." She pointed to each of them, a small golden dot of magic appearing on them as she did so. "That's Tirek, that's Cozy Glow, and that's-"

"Queen Chrysalis", the Praetor finished, glaring at the petrified changeling.

Luster said, "Well, she wasn't really a queen anymore, but yeah."

"What do you mean?', the Praetor asked. 

"Well, earlier, she had tried to take over Equestria another way. In this case, by foalnapping the Princess and Element Bearers to weaken Equestria. However, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Discord, and a changeling named Thorax slipped under the radar, and-" Luster was cut off by a talon being pressed to her muzzle. 

"Short version please, kid", the Praetor said. 

"Right", Luster said. "Anyway, Thorax taught the other changelings to share their love, they reformed, and Chrysalis was deposed."

"Huh", Praetor Dash said, turning back to the statue.

Luster asked, "How do you know her?"

"Chrysalis invaded Equestria", the Praetor said. "Princess Luna requested aid from several other countries, including Pryha. I was the one sent to whip her tail."

"So, what happened to her?", Luster asked. 

The pegasus paused, shifting her weight slightly, before she decided to answer. "I'll be blunt. I snapped her neck, and turned her horn into a letter opener." She turned her head just in time to see Luster crumble to the ground, her eyes lolled back in her head. 


+++++~+++++


When Luster awoke, she was laying in a bed with the Princess standing over her. She said, "Ohhh... Hi, Princess. What happened?"

"You passed out", the Praetor said, stepping up to her. "I told you what happened to my version of Chrysalis, and you passed out."

"Right", Fluttershy said. "You... turned her into a Letter opener."


The Praetor shrugged. "It's a Pryhan thing."

"Ripping off limbs?", Applejack asked. 

The Praetor shook her head. "Not necessarily. Pryhans have a thing called Uno Proelio. Single Battle. A one-on-one duel between leaders of opposing armies. The winner is allowed to take a trophy. This is usually a weapon or a helmet or something. They were too broken to take, so... one of my officers sawed off her horn."

Rainbow Dash blinked, before giving a nervous chuckle. "Cool. Weird... but I guess it's ok?"

"I don't expect you to understand", the Praetor said. "We have ways we do things, and Equestria has its way of doing things."

"Every creature has their own traditions", Twilight said. 

The Praetor nodded. "Exactly."

"Anyway", Twilight said. "The train has been arranged, and we'll head down in roughly an hour. Luster, rest here a little bit longer." She turned to the Praetor, a somewhat quizzical look on her face. "And, for the sake of Luster and a few others, can you please tell us before you mention something... graphic?"

"Affirm", the Praetor said. "So, what do we do until then."

"I have to take care of a few things", Twilight said. "I'll meet you down at the train station later."

Twilight left the room, with Discord and Fluttershy leaving via a portal shortly after. That left the two Rainbows, Applejack, and Luster Dawn. Applejack said, "Y'all wanna come wit' us? Git some grub?"

"I could eat", the Praetor said, following the other two mares. "Probably not gonna be as good as my husbands, but I'll take it."

"Your husband?", Rainbow Dash asked. "Huh, ain't that ironic, Jackie?"

"Sure as sugar is, Sugarcube!", Applejack said, both mares devolving into chuckling. 

The Praetor ground to a halt, her eyes darting between the two mares. "I'm sorry. What?"
> 3~Some things change...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three mares sat across from one another, a heavy silence seeming to bar their tongues. After a quiet breakfast at Twilights castle, and a silent walk to the train station, the three of them were simply unable to press the issue that sprung up to them. 

Finally, the Praetor cleared her throat. When both sets of eyes were on her, she asked, "So... you and... Applejack?"

"I mean, yeah", Rainbow Dash said. 

Applejack put a hoof around RDs shoulder, causing the pegasus to smile and lean into it. Her gaze shifted to the Praetor, asking, "Why? That a problem?"

The Praetor simply shook her head. "No, it's not. Technically speaking, Pryha was ok with that kind of... relationship, before Equestria was." She rapped her talons against the table, carefully considering her words. "It's just... unexpected, considering what I know about myself."

"What does that mean?", Rainbow Dash asked. 

The Praetor said, "Well, I'm straight as a fucking pike."

The two mares looked between one another, before looking back to the Praetor. "Really?", Applejack asked. 

"Yeah", the Praetor said. "I mean, I experimented with Derpy a bit after moving to Ponyville and she broke up with Ponet and whatnot. Found out I'm not into mares." She smirked, flicking her braid. "Ironic, right?"

"Really?", Rainbow Dash asked. "I experimented with Thunderlane after I moved to Ponyville. Found out I liked mares."

The Praetor nodded. "Thunderlane, huh?"

"Could say the same thing 'bout Derpy", RD said. 

Silence once again returned to the three of them. The Praetor leaned back on the seat, trying her best not to focus on the back of Princess Twilights' head. After trying to do that, and failing, she sighed and reached into her cloak. She grabbed a small booklet from it, before pulling it out and opening it. 

Applejack noticed it, asking, "What'cha got there?"

"Imperial ID booklet", Praetor said. "I got a photo of my family in here. It's... I just hope they're alright."

"Oh yeah", RD asked. "How are my parents where you're from?"

"Fine", the Praetor said. "But they're not in this one, unfortunately. In this case, it's of my... personal family."

"Yer parents are yer personal family, ain't they?", Applejack asked. 

The Praetor sighed. "No, I mean my husband and kids."

That caused Rainbow to pause. A look of seeming fear came over her face, while her eyes seemed on the verge of panic. "Wait. 'Kids'? As in... more than one?"

"Yep", the Praetor said. "Four, actually?"

"YOU HAVE FO-", Rainbow Dash began, before having Applejack's hoof remove itself from her shoulder to slam over her mouth in a split second.

"Ah'm sorry", Applejack said. "RD's just... insecure about kids."

Rainbow Dash forced Applejacks hoof down, fixing her with a quick glare before turning back to the Praetor. "Sorry. Yeah, I... the thought of actually having them... I'm..."

"You're scared", the Praetor said. She set the booklet down, before looking up at the two of them. Despite a strange look at AJ that Rainbow Dash couldn't interpret, the look that she gave RD was one of comfort; like she was a coach talking to a nervous player right before a big game. "You don't feel like you can handle it. Like, due to everything you do and your personality, you just aren't cut out for it. I got that right?"

"Y-yeah", RD said. "Ho-how'd you-"

"I'm you, remember?", the Praetor said, giving a slight smirk. "I went through the exact same motions. Granted, I had them thrust on me, rather than just choosing when and whatnot."

"What'd'ya mean?", Applejack asked. 

The Praetor stopped, seeming to consider her words. "I don't want to go into detail, but let's just say that my firstborn was... unwanted and unexpected. But, after I held him for the first time, he was so fucking... perfect. I just couldn't help it." She picked up and opened the booklet, pulling out the photo. "My point is, you'll get it when the time comes."

"Yeah", RD said, a growing sense of confidence in her voice. "Yeah. I got this." She turned to Applejack, a big grin on her face. "AJ, you can call the guy you had in mind. We'll do it when we get home."

"Well, that's a one-eighty if ah've ever since. Even for you", Applejack said. They turned back to the Praetor, big smiles on their faces. "Anyhow... can we see?"

"Hm?", the Praetor asked, looking up from the picture. "Oh, you mean..."

"Yeah", RD said. "I mean, that cool?"

The Praetor hesitated for a few seconds, before she finally slid the picture over to Rainbow Dash. "Sure."

RD picked up the picture with her wing, holding it between the two feather tips, and wrapped one around Applejack, allowing both to look at it. It was a simple photo, showing six figures standing in front of a simple wall. The Praetor was easy enough to spot, dressed in a similar set of armor she wore now. Next to her on the right was a large cat-like creature, holding a small foal to his chest. In front of the two of them were a trio of other figures; one a tall pegasus stallion, a griffin-like creature with a scar over his eye, and another cat-like creature.

"Yer married to a cat?", Applejack said, peeking past her wife's wings. 

The Praetor snorted. "A caragor, Applesm... Applejack", she said, catching herself. "His name is Castus, and I..." She looked off to the side a bit, a blush evident on her scarred cheeks. "I love him."

"Not judgin'", Applejack said. "Ah mean, Rarity's married to that Capper fella."

"Never heard of him", the Praetor said. 

"He's an Abyssinian", RD said, looking over the picture. She seemed especially focused on the small foal that Castus held. "What... what are their names?"

"Well, I already told you about Castus", the Praetor said. "The stallion closest to me is Depressi, my firstborn. The Demigryph-the one who looks like a griffin-is DJ. The one in the middle is Catalia. And the foal is Ignis Tempestus; my youngest. Obviously, hehe."

"DJ?", RD asked. "That a nickname?"

"Technically, yes", the Praetor said. "But, due to a promise, I'm not at liberty to tell you his full name."

Applejack asked, "What kind of promise?"

"The kind you don't break", the Praetor said, a hard edge to her voice. 

Before any of them could continue the conversation, the train ground to a halt. The Princess stood up, teleporting away a small notepad. "We're here", she said, gesturing to the door. The three mares joined Twilight and Luster as they headed for the door. As they did, though, the Praetor couldn't help but think that she was... forgetting something. The five of them exited the train, opening out onto a similar square to the train station that was in her Ponyville, if her recollection was right. Just as the crowd cleared and the five of them began to leave the platform, a loud skidding noise, followed by a burst of confetti. 

"Oh", the Praetor said. "That's what it was."
> 4~...Some stay the same
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

True to her realization, Pinkie Pie had appeared in front of them. Her party canon was held in front of her, a wide smile across her face. To the Praetor's confusion, her mane was filled with various small items: Confetti, candy, stuffed animals, and a rubber ducky. She said, "Hi!" She then stopped, scanning all of them, before her eyes fell on her. "Wait... you're Rainbow Dash?"

The Praetor straightened up, keeping down a snide comment. "T-that would be correct, Ms. Pie", she said, hoping that a tone of formality would be able to prevent her hatred from coming forward. 

"Oh, please", she said, disappearing before reappearing uncomfortably close to her. "You don't need to call me anything like that! Just call me Pinkie!"

Praetor Dash swallowed, slowly sliding her pistol back into its holster with her wing. "That is... Very well."

"So", Pinkie said, looking past the Praetor to the rest of the ponies she had come to Ponyville with. "So, where'd she come from?"

"She was accidentally transported here after my student cast a spell she uncovered", Princess Twilight said. "I was hoping that Starlight might help us get her back to her home."

"Oh, you poor thing!", Pinkie said, pulling her into a massive hug. The Praetors eyes bugged out slightly, once again resisting the urge to pull out one of her pistols.

"Your concern is... touching, Mrs. Pie", the Praetor said, still trying to pry Pinkie off with her wing. "However, I am accustomed to unusual and unexpected circumstances. I feel I am-"

"Still", Pinkie said. "We should still throw you a party! Help you get to feel at home even though you are not at home!"

The Praetor sighed. "Mrs. Pie. That is unnecessary."

"If our Pinkie is anything like your Pinkie, then you know she's not gonna stop 'til you get one!", Rainbow Dash said, a faint smile on her face. 

"I am well aware", the Preator said, before her face scrunched up in confusion. "Is that... an Accordion?"

Pinkies eyes brightened slightly; they were already so much so that the increase wasn't a major degree. "Cheesie's here!"

Behind them, a small group of ponies and other creatures split apart. Coming through a gap came a big green lizard, with a yellow, brown, and grey pony riding on its back. Said pony was the source of the accordion music, swaying back and forth as the music flowed across the square. Next to him was a foal, balancing on a ball and juggling rubber chickens. 

The pony on the gator leaped off of it, doing a backflip before landing right in front of them. "Sorry I'm late! Who's the new..." He stopped when he noticed the Praetor, before looking at Pinkie Pie. Pinkie whispered in his ear, before he got up and tucked the accordion under his arm. "Okay! Sorry about that, Ms. Rainbow!"

The Praetor sighed, before she said, "It's fine, Mr...?"

"Cheese Sandwich's the name", the stallion said, holding out a hoof. "Throwing parties, making creatures smile, and being the bestest dad and husband I can be is my game!"

The Praetor took the hoof, giving him a shake. "Praetor Rainbow Dash, Pryhan Imperial Army."

The foal ran up the stairs, panting. "Sorry dad. I couldn't keep up."

"Oh, it's fine", Pinkie said. "You did your best, and that is all that matters!" She bent down, nuzzling the foal. 

The Praetor examined the foal, noting the similarities between Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich. "Your daughter, I take it?"

The foal pouted, giving her the rough approximation of a dirty look. "I'm a colt!"

"My apologies then", the Praetor said. 

Pinkie said, "Yeperoonie! This is Lil' Cheese! Say hi!"

"Hi, miss", Cheese said, smiling up at her. The Praetor had to admit; the colt had her mother's smile. And in a good way, too. 

"Salve", she said, offering her talon to the colt, who promptly took it. 

"Well", Twilight said, clearing her throat. "We should be going. I want to meet with Starlight before lunch."

"Lead the way", the Praetor said. Twilight nodded, heading down the stairs and passed the gator, who the Praetor realized must be Gummy. The others followed in behind her, Pinkie and her family hopping onto the back of Gummy as they lagged behind. The Praetor sighed, watching as the three of them played something amongst themselves. She had to admit, despite all of her hatred for the mare... it was nice to be around Pinkie again.
> 5~The School
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The small group of them soon left Ponyville behind, following a recently paved road out of town. Soon, they were in sight of a massive structure, situated on a small cliff. It reminded the Praetor of an old ruin she had slept in back when she was a courier. A pair of purple towers sticking out of a big, round-about structure with a waterfall running down the front. 

As they headed across a small bridge leading up to the front of the school, the Praetor said, "Impressive. Very impressive."

"Thank you", Princess Twilight said. "I'm quite proud of it. You told me that your Twilight has her own school?"

"Nothing like this, from what I've seen", the Praetor said. "But, yes. She's opened up a high school in Ponyville, and started an exchange program with other nations in the Coalition."

"Well, ah hope it goes well fer 'er", Applejack said. 

Twilight said, "Agreed. Oh, this brings back so many memories."

Twilight opened the door with her magic, revealing a wide corridor. Crystalline pillars ran along either side, with a few busts in between them of famous ponies that the Praetor vaguely recognized. A few creatures milled through the halls, heading into a few classrooms that were evident from the front entrance. 

"Starlight's office is in the back", the Princess said. "Come on."

Twilight once again lead the group, winding through the various corridors towards the back of the school. As they walked around, they ran into a certain blue unicorn in a purple and star-speckled suit. "Ah, Princess", Trixie said, smirking. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Hi Trixie", Twilight said. "Is Starlight in? I need to talk to her about an... issue."

"Is it something Trixie can aid with?", Trixie asked. "No sense bothering her if it's just a budget issue or something."

"Not quite that", the Praetor said, stepped around the alicorn to get a better look at this version of Trixie. 

Trixie's eyes bugged out at the sight of her, especially when she noticed another Rainbow Dash flying just behind Twilight. "Trixie will take you to Starlight right away."

Trixie joined Twilight at the head of the small group, continuing their weaving through the halls of the school. Pinkie asked, "So, if you're from another world-"

"I'm... not sure that's how it works, Pinkie", Rainbow Dash said. 

Pinkie ignored her, continuing, "Then what happens to Trixie there!?"

"Trixie will admit", Trixie cut in, looking over her shoulder. "That Trixie is curious about this situation, if what the Princess says is true."

"Ok", the Praetor said. "After the incident with the Alicorn Amulet, your little 'Apology Tour' didn't pan out. Broke and reputation shot, you immigrated to Pryha after the Changeling War. Still in the show business, and ended up married to my 2iC."

"Two... I see?", Rainbow Dash asked, causing the Praetor to deadpan. 

"Second in Command", the Praetor said. "Aeterna Vexillum. Fine soldier. Although I do have an issue with some of your kids."

"What did Trixie's children do?", Trixie asked. "Are they as amazing as Trixie in the art of stagecraft?"

"One of 'um is decent", the Praetor said. "One wants to be a chef. One likes making stuff; whittling, stone napping, basic metal work, things like that. The last one falls under the Vexillum tradition of going into the army. All of them are pains in the neck to deal with, especially around my daughter."

"My my", Trixie said, a smile on her face. "I had no idea that Trixie would have so many children so soon after one another, if they are all such an issue for your daughter."

"Oh, that's not the case", the Praetor said matter-of-factly. "They're quadruplets."

Every one of them ground to a halt, eyes wide and limbs stiff. Trixie turned back, her face full of shock and pure horror. "I had... quadruplets?", she said, her voice hoarse.

The Praetor chuckled. "All colts, too."

Spike asked, "Um... how did she...?"

"A mix of Pryhan medical science, and the famed Vexillum family virility", the Praetor said, smirking. 

Trixie just stared at the Praetor, absolutely gobsmacked. She cleared her throat, pointing to a door against the wall, about halfway down the corridor. "Starlight's office is there. Trixie... must go... Trixie will be going." The mare pushed past them, trotting off as fast as possible without starting to run. 

Twilight nodded. "Right", she said, turning back to the door. "Let's go. I want to... get that thought out of my head."

They made the short walk to the door, Twilight knocking with her magic. "Coming!", a voice called from inside. The door was opened by a light pink mare with a purple and mint-green mane, wearing a blazer and skirt. "Oh, Twilight! Good to see you!"

"You too, Starlight", Twilight said, smiling. "I... need to talk to you about something."

"What is it?", Starlight asked. 

Twilight stepped to the side, revealing the Praetor to Starlight. She cocked her head, before her eyes drifted over to the hovering Rainbow Dash. Her eyes widened, before she turned back to Twilight. "Um... Just the two of you, please? Big as my office is, I don't think that it would be the best idea to have too many inside."

"Alright", Twilight said, before turning to the others. "Would you mind?"

"Of course not, Twi!", Pinkie said. "Come on. I'll whip us up something!"

The others turned to leave, chatting amongst themselves. The Praetor straightened up, before following Twilight into the rather spacious office. It reminded her of her own back in Creui, if lacking in military paraphernalia and posters. Starlight sat down behind her desk, grabbing a mug of coffee in her magic and taking a deep breath. "So", she said. "What exactly happened?"


+++++~+++++


Following the explanation, Starlight turned to the Praetor. Her eyes shown with sadness, as well as something akin to regret. "I'm... sorry about all of this. It's... kinda my fault", she said, taking the old crumbled parchment in her magic. 

"How so?", the Praetor asked. 

Starlight said, "This is a spell I used. During the... incident, it must've been thrown into the timestream. Our luck that it ended up here. Was probably just brought in with the other magic manuscripts that you sent us."

"That was my theory too", Twilight said. "Anyway, can you try and work the spell again?"

"That's the thing, Twilight", Starlight said. "The way I used the spell, it was just going back along the stream of our timeline. My actions spilt off into new ones, but the base was always our timeline. In her case, it was from an existing separate one. And due to the number, it's not an issue of getting the spell to work; the problem is finding her exact one."

"In laycolt terms?", the Praetor cut in.

Starlight said, "We can use the spell, but it will take time to find your exact timeline."

"Give me an estimate", the Praetor said. 

Starlight tilted her head back and forth, seeming to run the numbers through her head. "Give or take... a week? Two tops."

The Praetor sighed, rubbing her temples. "Well then. I've waited longer for things...", she said, looking up at Twilight. "If you would provide me with boarding, that would be appreciated. 

"You can stay with our Rainbow Dash at Sweet Apple Acres", Twilight suggested. 

The Praetor grit her teeth. She had gone through all the effort to avoid her former friends, and now she was more-or-less forced into close contact with them. But... these weren't her former friends, right? Her thoughts fought a series of skirmishes in her head, before one side submitted. "Very well. I would like to thank you for your assistance, Ms. Starlight."

"Oh, no problem", Starlight said, before she tapped her chin. "You know... can I ask you something?"

"Within reason", the Praetor said. 

Starlight asked, "Well, do you know what I'm doing in your timeline? Just out of curiosity and all that."

"Hmmm...", the Praetor thought, trying to recall the name Starlight. "What's your full name?"

"Starlight Glimmer", Starlight said. 

The name finally pushed itself to the forefront, as well as the events related to it. "Are... are you sure you want to know?"

"K-kinda?", Starlight said, before clearing her throat. "I mean, yes. Yes, I do want to know. Why? Did I do something"

"No. Well, not what you did, but what happened to you", the Praetor said, letting out a breath. "You had an... appointment with the Hang-grifs noose."

"Hang-grifs noose?", Twilight asked. 

The Praetor sighed, before deadpanning, "You were executed, Ms. Starlight."

"I was WHAT!?", Starlight cried, her eyes bugging out almost as much as Trixies. "What did I do?"

"Well, you were initially captured for something I don't remember exactly. Something about stealing cutie marks and imprisoning NGR military personnel."

Starlight winced, while Twilight looked somber. "But, she was executed for that?", Twilight asked. 

"No, not for that", the Praetor said. "She was hung for the killing of twenty guards in an attempted escape." Starlight stared at her desk, her eyes shut. "Well... if it's any consolation, you were hung. Not, you know... crucified."

"Crucified?", Twilight questioned, cocking her head. "What's that?"

The Praetor opened her mouth to reply, before recalling something. "Oh yeah. That's a Pryhan invention. You don't wanna know."

"I kinda do", Twilight said. 

"Ok, but I don't wanna tell you", the Praetor said, standing up. "Now, if I'm not needed for now, I will be taking my leave. I hope to see you soon, Princeps. Vale."
> 6~Digging in
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Praetor soared over Ponyville, scanning the crisscrossing the town like she was on a mission. The whole thing reminded her of the last time she was there, albeit in proper condition instead of broken down and abandoned. Ponies and other creatures moved back and forth through the streets, like a thread woven through a tapestry. She sighed, a decent bit of nostalgia working its way up through her brain. 

She really did miss Ponyville, and the various ponies there. Sugarcube Corner had been a nice place to grab a quick sugar-boost after a workout. Her trips to the Ponyville Day Spa to unwind. Thunderlane, lazy as he was and the fact he was married to Rarity, was a cool guy. Derpy, despite her clumsiness, was one of her oldest friends beside Fluttershy. Basically the entire Weather Team had been nice and, while not really friends, had a professional relationship. 

Below her, the ground turned from the paved road and matrix of buildings into the dirt roads and open fields of the farmland outside Ponyville. Soon, she specifically came over the rows of green and red-spotted trees; Sweet Apple Acres.  

Finally, she saw the cluster of buildings like the heart of an organism. She spread her wings, catching a greater degree of the incoming wind and slowing her speed. A few hundred feet over the ground, she dove down and tucked in her wings, gaining speed. At the last minute, she opened back up her wings, the wind causing her to stop. Her legs moved rapidly, bring her to a stop as the last of the momentum from her descent stalled out. 

"Woah", a voice with a thick accent said behind her. Turning, she saw a dark purple colt with a blonde mane staring at her, mouth open and a half-eaten apple next to him. 

The Praetor snickered, standing up to her full height. It felt good to perform for a crowd again. "Hey, Kid. How's it goin'?"

"G-good", he said. "Uh... who're you? Whah do ya look like mah Aunt Dash?"

"I'm...", the Praetor said, considering what to tell him. "I'm... an associate of her. Do you know where she is?"

"She hasn't come back from Canterlot yet", the colt said. 

The Praetor nodded. "Alright then. I'll-"

"Oh, hey!", she heard another voice call out. Turning, she saw Rainbow Dash and Applejack heading towards her. The Speaker, Applejack, nodded to the colt, who in turn smiled and ran over to her. "Hey, Jammie! How're ya doin'?"

"Ah'm doin' good, Aunt AJ", he said. 

"That's sweet, kid", Rainbow Dash said. She turned to her counterpart, a warm smile on her face. She looked... at peace. "So, what are you doing here?"

"The Princeps and Ms. Starlight said that the process of working through the spell will take upwards of a week", the Praetor said, instinctively clicking her rear hooves together. "It was suggested that I stay here with my counterpart. Al-la, you."

The three of them stared at her, Rainbow Dash in particular with a bit of confusion. The Praetor realized what they were confused about, before relaxing. "Sorry. Force of habit. With the Provincial head in the city my troops are stationed in, I have to give a lot of reports."

"Right", Applejack said. "Anyway, ah don't see a problem with ya stayin' here fer a few days."

"Perfect", the Praetor said. "If you can show me to where I'd be staying, that would be greatly appreciated."

"Right this way", Applejack said, swinging her foreleg towards the house. The Praetor followed her closely, already undoing the strap of her helmet. She had slung it under her wing by the time they reached the porch, stepping into the front room while her free wing undid her cloak and hung it up on a free hook. 

"Big Mac! Sugar Belle!", Applejack called. "Get out another plate an' seat! We got a guest!"

A light-colored unicorn came out of the kitchen, a friendly smile on her face. "Oh, who is it..." She froze as her eyes fell on the heavily scarred mare, her mouth opening to reply. 

The Praetor rose a talon before she could say anything. "It is a long story, Mulier. If it were at all possible, I'd prefer to explain over dinner. In the meantime, I'd like to find a safe place to store my weapons and powder."


+++++~+++++


"Well, ah suppose it ain't the weirdest thing that's happened in Ponyville", Apple Bloom said, before taking another bite of her stew. 

The Praetor shrugged, swallowing a bite of her own. "Given what I've heard from my Scootaloo, I'd say that would be an accurate assessment."

She adjusted her wing slightly, trying to avoid bumping into either Big Mac on her right or his son, Apple Jam, on her left. The others were all crowded around a somewhat small table in the dining room, including the recently arrived Apple Bloom and her finance, Tender Taps. A big, steaming pot of stew sat in between all of them, fresh servings being ladled out by Sugar Belle on request. 

"So, you're a soldier?", Big Mac questioned. 

The Praetor said, "Praetor, to be specific. But, yes; I am a member of the Pryhan Imperial Army."

"Well, that's interesting, I guess", Sugar Belle said. "I mean, are there any other differences between here and where you come from?"

"Well, for starters", the Praetor said, flicking her head in the direction of Big Mac. "Big Macintosh here is married to Zecora."

"Really?", Rainbow Dash asked. "Zecora?"

"Yep", the Praetor said. "Beyond that, I don't live in Equestria, obviously. I'm also straight. Applejack is with Prince Blueblood-" 

The orange mare did a spit take at that, broth and chunks of diced apple slamming into the side of the pot. "Yeah, my thoughts exactly when I first heard. But, apparently you worked some sense into him, and he's no longer a jerk." She took another bite of the stew, a small smile on her lips. "Scales of the Gods, it's been too long since I've had anything from the Apple Family."

"Really?", Sugar Belle asked. "I'd imagine that you'd still enjoy the Cider and whatnot."

"Don't think I could ever give that up?", Rainbow Dash said, lifting a mug of it. 

The Praetor shrugged. "Well, it's expensive and somewhat complicated to import, so it's rather expensive. Plus, the Empire doesn't really have apples, so I can't-"

She cut herself off as she noticed all eyes on her. Sugar Belle and Tender Taps were the best, only having a mildly confused look to her. Everypony else, including Apple Jam, had on looks of sheer, unfiltered horror. "NO APPLES!?", they yelled almost simultaneously. 

"Whah not!? They're delicious!!"

"That don't make a bloomin' bit a sense. Everyone loves Apples!"

"Eeyup!" 

"But... Cider..."

"May I speak?", the Praetor said. The tone of her voice, combined with the subtle flaring of her eye's rune, caused everyone who was speaking to go silent. "Now, I know that you all love Apples. But, for Pryhans; they just don't like it. Apples never really caught on. So, as much as I would like to, getting a shipment for just me is really something I don't feel like spending too much script on."

"Still", Applejack said. 

The Praetor sighed. "I think that would be enough." Eager to change the subject, she turned to Apple Bloom. "So, my worlds Apple Bloom has a different Cutie Mark. Mind telling me how you got yours?"

"And, we'll be here for an hour", Rainbow Dash said as Apple Bloom began to speak.
> 7~Relations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Praetor groaned, her eyes opening up to give her a blurry view of an unadorned wooden ceiling. She sighed, sitting up in the bed. She rolled over onto her side, lifting her stumps over to the nightstand... that wasn't there. She muttered, "Right", before peeking down over the side of the bed. Sure enough, her prosthetic forelegs were leaned up against the wall, the flat ends linked to her connectors facing up to her. 

"Of all the stupid...", she said, before leaning down off the side of the bed. She tried to shift her stump as best she could in order to fit into the groove on the outer part of the flat. She managed to bring it up to be right with the prosthetic, only for it to fall past her and slam flat on the floor. "Damocles brass balls."

She leaned down a bit further, trying to reach the other one, when she heard a light knock on the door. "Ma'am?", the deep voice of Big Mac asked. "Ya awake?"

"Yeah", the Praetor said. "Can you give me some help with this?"

He opened the door, before stopping in the frame. "Uh...?"

The Praetor sighed, before saying, "I don't sleep in my prosthetics; chafes like you wouldn't believe. Normally, I have a stand that holds them up so I can do this without help, but... Yeah, a little help?"

"Eeyup", he said, coming up to her. He grabbed the one still propped on the wall, angling it so she could have access to it. She slid her stump in, rotating the interlocking indents on both of them to lock the prosthetic in place. 

"Gratias", she said, leaning down and grabbing the other one. "I can take care of the other one and my eye."

"No problem", he said. "Wah are ya up?"

"Force of habit", she said, locking the other forelimb in place and climbing out of bed. "Beyond Pryhans simply waking up earlier on average, I'm used to doing a morning workout before I do anything major. Clears my head and wakes me up better than coffee." She slid her eye in, blinking a few times as the ambient magic interconnected with her nervous system. "Need it, since Pryha doesn't have coffee", she muttered. 

"What?", Big Mac asked, turning to leave. 

The Praetor said, "Nothing. Anyway, I'm gonna go for a fly."

"Breakfast is in two hours", Big Mac said simply, leaving her room and closing the door behind her. 


+++++~+++++


After getting dress, pulling back her hair, and going for a fly around Sweet Apple Acres, she touched down right in front of the Apple Family house again. The sun had risen fully during her flight, her internal clock telling her that it was about 8-ish. She opened the door to the smell of pancakes and hashbrowns, which was certainly one of the food groups that she missed having. 

Much of the Apple family had gathered around the table eagerly, chatting about various topics. Rainbow Dash spotted her, patting the seat next to her. As the Praetor sat down, RD said, "Hey, listen. I've got to go deal with a new patch of the 'Bolts today. Ya wanna come?"

"You're affiliated with the Wonderbolts?", the Praetor asked. 

"Yeah", Rainbow Dash said, pride in her voice. "First Lieutenant! Spitfire ain't givin' up the Captain post so easily, but I'm still up there. What, you don't have relations with the Wonderbolts?"

"No, I do", the Praetor said. "My eldest is good friends with the daughter of my timelines Spitfire. However, like much-"

"It ain't worth it bein' so far away?", Applejack questioned, coming in followed by Sugar Belle, both mares carrying a big plate full of flapjacks. 

"Correct", the Praetor said, sliding a few onto her plate. "I'd like a closer relationship with the Wonderbolts; on a military level, if nothing else."

"What'd'ya mean?", Sugar Belle asked. 

The Praetor explained, "The Imperial Army is mainly a ground-based force; either infantry or naval-wise. We only have one taskforce of airships, and a sprinkling of griffins among the Velite contingents in each Regiment. I've made an official proposal for a dedicated flyer unit in the Imperial Army. Hasn't gotten past the bureaucrats yet."

"Sounds mighty intrestin'", Applejack said. 

"Indeed", the Praetor said, taking a big bite of pancake. "Needless to say, Ms. Dash; I will be joining you."


+++++~+++++


"Everything looks in order", the Praetor said as the two touched down outside the main HQ of the Wonderbolts. The pair of guards at the entrance looked confused at the sight of her, yet stepped aside when Rainbow Dash took the lead. The two wound through the corridor, finally coming to a large office similar to her own. 

"Captain Spitfire!", Rainbow Dash said, snapping to salute. "Lieutenant Rainbow Dash, reporting for duty."

"Hey, Crash", Spitfire said, looking up from a pile of papers. She cocked her head slightly, lowering her sunglasses to get a look at the Praetor. "Who's that with you?"

The Praetor snapped her hindlegs together, bringing her arm up and slamming it into her shoulder. "Praetor Rainbow Dash, 14th Regiment, Pryhan Imperial Army."

Spitfire looked at Rainbow Dash, her head cocked even more to the side. "Magic incident?"

"Magic Incident", Rainbow replied, as if it were a common enough occurrence. 

"Well then", Spitfire said, standing up. "Judging by the armor, you've got some familiarity with the chain of command and instruction?"

"Yep", the Praetor said, lowering her claw and cracking her neck. "Who needs breaking in?"

"Fresh batch of cadets", Spitfire said, a wicked smile on her lips. "A few who are re-trying for a posting, and a few newcomers. Haven't seen as poor a batch since the group just after Princess Twilight's coronation."

"Alright then", the Praetor said. "Where are they, how many, and do I have any additional personnel at my disposal?"

"Barracks. We're renovating the mess, so they have to eat there for the time being. Total of 10", Spitfire said. 

Rainbow Dash asked, "Uh, normally I just do it myself with equipment. What do you need other creatures for?"

"Fetch and retrieve", the Praetor said, much to the confusion of the other two mares. "Pryhan drill doesn't need too much. Just mock equipment, the uniform/armor, march packs, and, in this case... 700 hundred and twenty-five pounds of rocks."


+++++~+++++


*KRA-KOOOOM!*

"Out, you fucking Maggots! Surprise inspection!"

A massive bunch of various creatures spilled out of the barracks, practically falling over one another. Most were pegasi of both genders and a wide variety of colors, although she spotted a hippogryph and a pair of griffons as well. They came to a stop just outside the door, forming a loose line across from her. 

As they came to a stop, they seemed to notice that it was not the Officer they were expecting. The Praetor grinned, sliding the pistol back into its holster and unslinging a sheathed sword. She stepped forward, walking across the line, using the sword to adjust their position. After she walked completely parallel to the line, she let out a loud sigh. "Well, I have to say. I am disappointed."

One of the griffins asked, "Uh... who are-"

"You will speak when spoken to, Cadet", the Praetor said, not looking back at her. "As for who I am? Well, I have been brought in to give you all a proper introduction to the Wonderbolts Academy. Congratulations; you have somehow managed to convince the admittance staff that you aren't the slime that you clearly are."

When none of them spoke up in reply, the Praetor turned and stood in front of them. "Now, I will admit I have seen worse soldiers... in the unit's dogs. However, that is not to say that you have no potential. Follow orders, try to outshine whatever pitiful skills you may possess, and you maybe; just maybe, have a shot at making it into the Wonderbolts." She scanned their eyes, registering the faint hope or pride in them. She said, "So, how about we give you all a proper first warm-up."

She looked over, spotting a pair of Wonderbolt auxiliary personnel carrying a cloud between them. Resting on the cloud were several saddlebags, along with a small bucket. They set the cloud down next to her, before flying off. "Each of you. Take one."

They all walked forward grabbing the straps of the bags. Almost all of them dropped them due to the weight, the rest barely able to hold them aloft. "What is in these? Rocks?", one of the stallions asked. 

"Yes, actually", the Praetor said, earning all eyes on her. She pressed the slide of one of them open with her sword pommel, revealing the lumpy bits of stone. "70 pounds of them, to be specific. You are to make three laps around the exterior of the base within one hour. If you fail, you will make another two laps, and have final access to hot water tonight."

The cadets looked amongst themselves, before one of them raised a hoof. "Um, how exactly does this-"

She cut the mare off by reaching into the bucket, revealing another rock. She made her way over to them, before sliding the rock into the saddlebag. "Builds up muscle mass", the Praetor said, ignoring the shocked looks of the cadets. "If you can make the laps with the pack, then you can make it faster or more without them. Now, MOVE!"

The cadets didn't waste any more time, sliding off the packs and taking off. As soon as all of them were out of sight, Spitfire and Rainbow Dash came up to her. "Damn", Spitfire said. 

Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. "That was... hardcore."

The Praetor chuckled, before handing a slip of paper to Rainbow Dash. "Here's a list containing the number of rocks in each pack. If they don't have the number in the packs when they get back, add an extra one and make them do another lap."

"What are you gonna do?", Rainbow Dash asked. 

Spitfire said, "Well, while you were off rounding up a few of the other staff, the Praetor here mentioned a few things that caught my attention. We're going to go talk about it; you're gonna handle things from here."

"Yes, ma'am!", Rainbow Dash said. 

The two other pegasi walked along the runway, leaving Rainbow Dash behind them. After they were a suitable distance away, Spitfire turned her head to the Praetor. A small, inquisitive look was on her face, and her eyes were firm yet interested. "So", she asked. "Me and Lightning Dust, eh?"
> 8~Conflict of Views
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, you two go sometimes, including today, to TEA", the Praetor asked, an eyebrow raised in incredulity. "With FLUTTERSHY and DISCORD?"

"I mean, I was a bit skeptical at first", Rainbow said, adjusting her scarf. "But, well, it's always good to hang out with Fluttershy. Especially since, between our jobs and our families, we don't get to just sit down and talk that much anymore."

The Praetor considered this, leaning back a bit in the seat. She examined the plate of oatmeal in front of her, lightly prodding it with her spoon. She sighed, before taking a small bite and returning to prodding the mass of food. "I see."

Applejack returned to the dining room, her own bowl of oatmeal held in one of her hooves. "Is somethin' wrong?"

"Well, to be frank, yes", the Praetor said, putting down her spoon and folding her talons over her chest. "Your Rainbow Dash asked me to come with you to your little... get together at Fluttershy's residence."

"Oh", Applejack said, sitting down. "Well, what's the issue?"

As the Praetor opened her mouth to speak, Rainbow Dash cut her off, "Let me guess. Discord?"

"That is an issue, yes", the Praetor said, giving Applejack a small glance out of the corner of her natural eye. 

Applejack simply shrugged. "Heh, ah can get it. Ah didn't really like 'im that much at first either. But, after a decent amount 'a time-and a lotta screw-ups on 'is part-he ain't that bad of a guy."

"This may be an anecdote, but I somewhat beg to differ", the Praetor said. 

Rainbow Dash said, "Aw, come on. It'll be fine. It's really not that bad. Besides, it might do you some good to relax a bit more. I mean, heck; we started doing this because I was overstressed with paperwork and stuff."

"I have plenty of things that I do in order to relax", the Praetor countered. 

"Name um", Applejack said. 

"Flying", the Praetor began, folding out her talons as she did so. "Combat training, the Baths, a day at the Ludi, mind-blowing se-"

"Ok, ok. We get it", Rainbow Dash said. 

"Hey, she asked", the Praetor said. 

Applejack said, "Ah suppose ah did. Anyhow, there ain't no harm in it."

"Yeah. Come on. You'll enjoy it", Rainbow Dash said. 

"I am dubious of these claims", the Praetor said, giving a lazy gesture with one of her talons. She looked down at the talon for a brief moment, remembering how exactly she came to obtain it. She traced the line of fault that she had created for herself, with the fault, in her mind, falling on her former friends, especially Fluttershy. However, reasoning came through; said reasoning being that the Fluttershy that she was being offered to meet with again was not the same one that had betrayed her. As she didn't really want to tell them what had happened to her, she couldn't really reveal the answer that would leave them questioning. Besides, it would be a bit rude. "But, I will at least attend."


+++++~+++++


The three of them arrived at Fluttershy's cottage, the Praetor scanning it subtly. She hadn't really bothered to go to Fluttershy's cottage when she was last in Ponyville. However, it had barely appeared to have changed since before her exile. The only notable difference was the small stream running down across the front of the lawn; a stream of chocolate milk.

"For a Chaotic, Discord really has a reliable shtick, doesn't he?", the Praetor asked. 

Applejack chuckled, replying, "Yeah, ah suppose that's true."

The three of them went up the stairs, Rainbow knocking on the door. A few seconds later, Fluttershy opened the door, a wide smile on her face. "Oh, glad to see you."

Discord folded out from above the door, hanging upside down being almost muzzle-to-muzzle to the Praetor. "Indeed. I can't say I anticipated you coming."

"I really didn't either", the Praetor said. "But, as it stands, I have nothing better to do."

He twisted around, before landing on the doorframe in front of the other three mares. "Well then! Come on in!"

The three of them entered, with the Praetor once again scanning the interior. Again, almost nothing had changed from the last time she was inside: a quick check-up with Tank a day or so before they went to Canterlot. 

Discord swirled a table around and set it down, before snapping his fingers. Several bean bag chairs materialized around them, a glowing cutie mark on four of them. Rainbow Dash squinted at one of them; a winged helmet. She asked, "Wait, what? You have a different cutie mark?"

"Yes", the Praetor said. "Although how Discord knew this, I don't know."

"And you shall not", Discord said, giggling. 

The Praetor snorted, before taking a seat. She shifted around a little bit, getting comfortable, before turning to Fluttershy on her right. Her eyes widened and then narrowed as she spotted a small foal held in her hooves. "Who is...?"

"Oh, this is my daughter Enigma", Fluttershy said, shifting around a little bit to show her off better to the Praetor. She had her mothers coat and wings, with a striped dark grey and pink mane. Her major features, however, were that of her father. A pair of horns, one deer and one draconic; a long, draconic tail with a pink and grey tuft; paws on her front left and rear right legs, as well as a draconic talon on her front right instead of hooves. She smiled and babbled at the Praetor, her almost kaleidoscope-colored sparkling with joy. 

"I... I see", the Praetor said, giving the foal a slight glance. 

Discord reappeared, his upside-down eyes glaring into hers. "Is there something wrong?"

"I suppose that I am merely... surprised by the fact that you are still free, let alone having a child with... Fluttershy, of all ponies", the Praetor said, careful to not draw Applejacks attention. 

"Oh, don't worry about that", Discord said, materializing on his own beanbag next to Fluttershy. "I've been-"

"Reformed. Yes, I've been briefed on the subject", the Praetor said. "It is still unusual, giving the usual circumstances with which you are mentioned in Pryha."

"What would that be?", Fluttershy asked. 

The Praetor said, "That of him being an Archdemon. They very antithesis of the Pryhan faith."

"My, my", he said. "And here I thought merely being called a villain or something akin to that every now-and-again when me and Flutterbuns go out was going a bit overboard."

"To be fair, I only know about the incident I was privy to", the Praetor said. "However, if Applejack and the others are correct, then you were involved in other circumstances of... less than honorable actions."

"Yes, well, no one is perfect", Discord said. 

Applejack cleared her throat. "Well, anyhow. How's it been goin' wit' you two?"

"Oh, it's been fine", Fluttershy said. "We're planning on a trip to visit my parents soon. I want Enigma to meet her cousin."

"So Zeph had a kid, eh?", the Praetor asked. "For all I know, he does for me. I just never cared enough to find out."

"Yeah", Rainbow Dash said. "Thrush. Cute kid, if a bit odd."

"Heh", the Praetor grunted, grabbing one of the teacups that had appeared in front of them. "So, how'd the lazy sh-... lazy slacker take it? You being with the Unwavering Maelstrom, I mean?" When all eyes fell on her, she slumped down and gave each a half-lidded stare. "It's a Pryhan title for Discord."

"Oh, well", Fluttershy said, giving a bottle of milk to Enigma. "At first, he was mostly upset out the Tirek incident, but-"

"I'm sorry, the what?", the Praetor asked. 

"Oh, uh....", Discord said, rubbing his hands together. "It was when I... helped Tire steal the magic of roughly two-thousand ponies."

The Praetor spewed the tea that had entered her mouth, staining the tea set in the center of the table. All eyes once again fell on her, as she looked at Discord with a look of utter shock. "You did WHAT!?"

"Not one of my proudest moments, I'll admit", Discord said. 

The Praetor sputtered, "Not one of your- No fucking shit! I mean, why are you not in a fucking prison, if not executed?"

"Well, the Princesses gave me a second chance", Discord said.

The Praetor sighed, rubbing her temple. "Incredible. So, not only are you some sort of weird... thing. You're also a technical traitor."

"Well, I never", Discord said. "And you've never done anything-"

"As a matter of fact, I have", the Praetor said. "However, I don't want to say some of the fucked up things I've done."

"Why?", Fluttershy asked, placing a hoof on the Praetors arm. "It's ok if you don't wanna talk about, but-"

The Praetor yanked her arm away, fixing her with a death glare. "I don't want to talk about it, because of two reasons. 1, it is the kind of shit that will make your softbreed blood turn into butter. 2, because what I went through is, with the exception of Twilight and myself, all of your faults." She pushed her teacup away from her, before standing up and adjusting her collar. "Now, if you will excuse me; I'm going to go hit something out in the Everfree before I end up hitting something in here." And with those words, she marched past the rest of them, slamming the door behind her, the only sign of her presence a few seconds later being the ringing echo of the door.
> 9~Face to Face
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash scanned the outer limits of the Everfree, bordering Sweet Apple Acres. It had been over five hours since the Praetor had left Fluttershy's house, and nopony had seen her. Now, with the sun just starting to go down, Rainbow had decided to go look for her. 

She reached the very edge of Sweet Apple Acres, hovering above the gap. Directly in front of her, the Everfree circled around Ponyville for a while, petering out just before the Mountains around Canterlot. She turned around, planning to do another once-over along the border, before her ears swiveled. A faint noise reached them, echoing up from the trees off to her left. She turned, seeing a puff of white smoke rising out of the trees.

She flew over the tops of the gnarled trees, eventually coming to a small clearing near a bubbling creek. The clearing was almost completely bare, save for a few rocks, bushes, and several thick sticks emerging from the mud. At first, she didn't see anything in the clearing, only for her eye to be drawn by a brief flash of multi-colored light. The light darted from one stick to another, with most of the stick falling to the mud after the trail left it. Soon, all of them were cut cleanly into pieces, as the Praetor came skidding to a halt by the edge of the creek. 

"Woah", Rainbow Dash said, causing the Praetor to look up at her. 

"Magnificent, isn't it?", the Praetor said, sliding her swords back into their scabbards. "Swords are kinda outdated, but it's what I'm comfortable with."

"No, not that", Rainbow said, setting down in front of her. "Just... all of that."

"Hey, it works. Can't really defend against someone moving at upwards of twelve-hundred kilometers an hour", the Praetor said, grinning. 

"Guess so", Rainbow Dash said. 

An awkward silence reigned between the two of them, with the Praetor removing her helmet and setting it down. She sat on a rock, pulling a small knife out of her prosthetic. "Are you here for a reason? I know it's almost dark, and I was gonna come in soon."

"Kinda, yeah", Rainbow said, shifting her front hoof slightly. 

"Kinda?", the Praetor asked. "Meaning it's not the whole reason. What is it?"

Rainbow sighed, before she said, "It's about what happened earlier. With Discord, and Fluttershy."

"I see", the Praetor said, rubbing the edge of her knife. 

Rainbow said, "Uh... Yeah. So, what did you mean that what happened to you was all your friend's fault?"

"Well, technically not them", the Praetor said. "But, well: 'He who sees evil and does not attempt to at least aid shares the equal burden of that evil.'"

"What?", Rainbow Dash asked. 

The Praetor said, "Old quote; who said it isn't important. Pretty self-explanatory, I think."

"So, what?", Rainbow asked. "What exactly did they do?"

"As I said", the Praetor said. "While I was in trouble, they did nothing. If anything, they only damned me further."

Rainbow snorted. "A little bit dramatic, don't you think?"

The Praetor looked up at her, a look of murder in her good eye. "Yes. Dramatic. Because what happened was just me being-"

"I don't know what happened to you", Rainbow said. 

"Right", the Praetor said. "You know how I said that my eldest wasn't planned nor wanted?"

"Yeah...?"

"Because I was impregnated... via rape", the Praetor said. "Same bastard cut off my forelegs, then cooked and forced me to EAT them. Both him and another Degenerate waste of the Gods gift cut me to shit, broke my bones, set parts of me on fire; basically everything you can imagine you can't imagine being done to your worst enemy, they did to me."

Rainbow Dash just looked at her, jaw agape and eyes wide as windows. She said, "Bu-but what does that-"

"Weren't you listening!?", the Praetor growled, standing up. "Everything that happened to me, can be traced back to them not doing a fucking thing to defend me! They didn't pull the trigger; but they put me in front of the firing line. Even if the Queen-"

"Chrysalis?", Rainbow Dash questioned, to which the Praetor nodded. "Wait, she can manipulate minds. So, how is that any of their-"

"Only Twilight was affected by that carapace-clad fuck", the Praetor said, snorting derisively. "The rest have no excuse, and so I shouldn't even consider them worth my time."

"That's stupid", Rainbow Dash said, taking to the air again in order to hover in front of her. "I mean, give up on everything that you all had together for a bit of petty spite!"

The Praetor took to the air with her, hovering in front of her. "Oh, really. I'm supposed to just... pull the knives out of my back and just open up my back again!"

"Ahem." Both mares turned to the side, drawn by the sound of the clearing throat. Princess Twilight, as well as her student, Spike, and the rest of this worlds version of the Praetors friends were there. Most of them were darting their eyes between the two, mild concern across their faces. "I take it there's a problem?"
> 10~Bridging the Gap
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Afterward, I stopped getting letters from my worlds Miss Pie, and things progressed relatively smoothly from there", the Praetor said, setting down her mug and interlocking her metal fingers. "And there you have it. Why I don't talk to my version of... you."

The others all looked at her, their faces all showing a single expression: Stunned sadness. Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Applejack, in particular, looked uncomfortable, shifting around in their seats around the central dining room of the Crystal Castle. It took whole minutes for one of them to come up with what to say. 

The one who did, Luster Dawn, asked, "So, you've... given up on friendship?"

"Gods no", the Praetor said. "I still recognize its potency. I do have friends; plenty of them, in fact. I've just cut my ties with them."

"What about our parents?", Rainbow asked. 

The Praetor sighed, taking a quick sip of the cider in front of her. "I'm still in contact with them. Not as much as I'd like; but I don't want to deal with the Traitors. If I could spend more time with them without the risk of running into them, then trust me, I would."

"I'd... I'd just like to say, on their behalf, anyway", Fluttershy said. "We're sorry."

"Oh, I know", the Praetor said. "They tried. Pitifully. I simply didn't accept."

"You didn't?", Spike asked. 

The Praetor snorted. "Of course not. That's not something that you can just up and forgive. Actions speak louder than words, and their actions were sorely lacking."

"B-but they didn't do anything to-", Pinkie said, only to be cut off by the Praetor raising a talon. 

"You don't need to push someone off a cliff to be guilty in a killing", the Praetor said. "You can still be convicted as an accomplice to the act if you don't do anything to pull them up."

Silence once again fell across the group, while the Praetor polished off her mug of cider. "So. If that is all, I'd like to get something to eat, and get some sleep. Is that an issue, Princeps?"

"No, of course not", Twilight said. "You may leave." The Praetor stood up and grabbed her helmet, sliding it on and tightening the strap. She pushed open the blinds and jumped out the window, spreading her wings and soaring off towards Sweet Apple Acres. The others simply sat around the dining table, either staring into their own drinks or simply not knowing what to say. 


+++++~+++++


The Praetor sailed over the rows and rows of trees of Sweet Apple Acres. The sun had just begun to rise, just the day after her conversation with the others the previous night. Her swords dangled almost limply in her talons, adding a small amount of drag to her movement. Not that she cared; it wasn't like she was doing anything major. 

She scanned the ground, her eyes picking up a small, pink shape amid the trees. She angled her wings to the side, going around for another pass. During said, pass, she recognized the familiar yellow mane of the pink unicorn. She performed a spiraling descent, landing nearby Luster Dawn. 

"Oh, hello", Luster said, looking over at her. 

"Salve", the Praetor said. "What are you doing here? I thought you lived in the Princeps old castle."

"Oh, I do", she said. "But, well, this is a nice spot." She pointed out ahead of her. As the Praetor followed the direction of the point, she saw the rising sun begin to crest over a hill, highlighted by the edge of the Whitetail woods on the Northern edge of the property. "It might seem a bit on the nose, but I like just sitting here and watching the sun rise. It helps calm me down."

"Aye, I know what you mean", the Praetor said, sheathing her swords and sitting down against one of the trees. "I've got my own little spot like this. Outcropping on the cliffs over the entrance of the Strait of Beccus. You can see for kilometers, especially on a clear day. Like I'm one of the Gods themselves."

"Sounds nice", Luster said, before considering the book in front of her. No, not a book; as the Praetor leaned up a bit, she realized that it was a journal. 

"What'cha writing?", the Praetor asked. 

Luster looked up from her book, the pen she was levitating dipping down towards, yet not touching, the page. "Oh. I'm, uh... I'm writing about you. Well, not you specifically. I mean, about I guess what you... represent? Is that the right word?"

"Depends on the context", the Praetor said, pulling out her knife and grabbing a small branch from the tree. 

"I guess... you're the kind of thing that can happen if friends abandon one another. A-and what can happen to creatures if they don't try and-"

"Kid, that first one is the only lesson you really need to learn from me", the Praetor said, starting to widdle down the branch. "I mean, on that kind of thing. I can teach you all sorts of other things, but in the Equestrian school of friendship? That's basically it."

"Right", Luster said, scribbling along the pages. "C-can I ask you something?"

"Sure", the Praetor said, continuing to carve down the branch. By then, most of the bark had been removed, and a basic shape had begun to take shape. 

"How did you stand it?", Luster asked. "I mean, being around your fri-... former friends?"

The Praetor scrapped a small groove along the branch with her knife, saying softly"I reasoned that they weren't my friends. They just looked the same, acted the same, had the same interests... basically them, but without their... taint."

"Taint?", Luster questioned. 

The Praetor sighed, before she stabbed in and began twisting her knife. "Of their betrayal. I'll admit... it was nice."

"Being around them?", Luster questioned, to which the Praetor nodded. She seemed to consider what the Praetor had said, before her eyes dilated slightly.  "You... even after all of that, you miss them?"

The Praetor let out a barking laugh, causing Luster to jump slightly. "Of fucking course. Might just be the nostalgia talking, but I miss the good ole days back in Ponyville. Before everything changed." She stapped her knife into the tree, raising up her carving to examine it: a small, crude carving of a butterfly. "Wouldn't change a thing about my life, in that regard. But... you can still miss something like that."

"But, you still don't want to reconcile?", Luster asked. 

The Praetor said, "Yeah. They did way too much for me to ever trust them again, let alone have things go back to how they used to be. But... well, I guess it's just a personal thing."
> Epilogue~Filing the Report
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 days later

In the old Castle of Friendship, Princess Twilight strained under the magical pressure exerted by the spell. Soon, a swirling golden portal appeared in front of the Map Room, the shimmering image on the other side being that of a cliff. Through the swirling mass and misshapen rocks, the Praetor could make out the vague shape of the Creui Castrum. 

The Praetor said, "I'm surprised that you two found my world this quickly."

"Oh, we got lucky", Starlight said. "We managed to find a world almost identical to yours. Except, well... you were a stallion. It was only a slight adjustment from there to find your world."

The Praetor stepped forward, adjusting the helmet under her right wing. She turned back, nodding her head in turn to each of this world's versions of her former friends, herself, Luster Dawn, and Trixie. "Thank you all for your efforts, as well as being so hospitable to me. I won't be forgetting this anytime soon." 

"Neither will we", Fluttershy said. 

"Yeah", Rainbow Dash said. "Hay, me and AJ have been talkin' and... if it's a colt, we'll name our kid Depressi too. It does sound cool, and-"

"Don't substitute your first child's own name for that of mine", the Praetor said. "Besides, he'd probably be bullied for the weird name. Depressi Tonituro means 'Thunderclap', if you still want to use it."

"Thunderclap, huh?", Applejack said. 

"Yeah", the Praetor said. She stepped forward, giving one last look at Luster Dawn. She turned to Princess Twilight, giving her one last, somber look. "Vale, Princeps."

As the Praetor stepped through, Rarity opened the door. "Oh darlings! I just got back from Manehattan, and I have these wonderful new styles I want you all to try-" She ground to a halt as the golden portal swirled slower and slower, before puttering out entirely. Soon, all eyes were on her, to which she could only sputter. "Di-Did I miss something?"


+++++~+++++


"This is... certainly an unusual report", Legatus Salomon said, his eyes running up and down the pages of the small booklet the Praetor had laid on his desk. She had reappeared after having been gone for a week, none the worse for wear, and been found almost immediately by outlying patrols. A few hours later, she was in his office in the Governmental district, having given the compiled report to him. 

"I understand, sir", the Praetor said, still standing before him at attention. "However, I assure you that this is how it happened after my disappearance, sir."

"I understand. Merely noting the obvious. There will be a further inquiry in regards to this incident. However, for the moment, you are dismissed", he said. 

The Praetor snapped to salute, bowing her head. "Vale, Legatus", she said, before turning and leaving. She marched quickly through the halls, returning her helmet to her head. As soon as she had reached the nearest balcony in the Divisional Headquarters building, she took to the air, returning to her Castrum. 

She was greeted by Castus, who pulled her into a tight embrace. "Heh, really? We already did this song-and-dance a few hours ago. With more hugging from Depressi and the others. Even DJ got in on it."

"I know, I know", Castus said, stepping back. "Still, you can't blame me for having missed you."

"Course I can't blame you. You're too handsome", she said. "Anyway, where are the kids?"

"Depressi went with DJ to his monthly check-up and getting his percription", Castus said, following behind her as the two went inside. "The girls are sleeping."

"Ok", Rainbow said, picking up a small letter on the small, low table around the furniture in the main room. An Equestrian stamp was in the corner, and a while the letter it once held was on the desk in her office, the flyer in it was still inside. The flyer about the exchange program of foreign students to her worlds Twilight in Ponyville. "I want to talk to them about something."