Chapter 4: Hope and the Moment of Truth
Twilight laid on her bed. When they first came there was a small amount of hope something could happen with the six. She actually liked most of them… but Katsuki Bakugo… if she was a swearer (Canterlot ponies thinking that swearing was uncouth) she would call him a "Little bastard".
"Hey Twilight!" said Spike.
"Hey Spike!" said Twilight in a daze, "You know I once read an interesting article by Rodeo Monroe. IT was about what if the sun itself disappeared but some of the things in apply here… we don't have to worry about bridges any more we can just pave over frozen water… and we don't have to worry about wild parsnips giving us chemical burns… there's a chemical that when exposed to sunlight burns ponies… also foals don't have to worry about direct sunlight… not to mention in that one timeline things seemed fine beyond enteral night. So I think Nightmare Moon will make sure that everything lives so… Life can be good."
Spike stared at the pony who was literally his mother.
Then he jump on the bed and started to kick her.
"Hey! Hey! What are you doing!" said Twilight.
"Trying to get you up so you stop this pity party!" said Spike.
"I'm having a pity party!" said Twilight.
"Sure looks like it." Said Spike, "Look I know things look bad now, we both know that something will happen and we'll pull through."
Twilight sighed, "When has that happened?" she muttered.
"Well with Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, Sombra, Sunset Shimmer, the Plunder Vines, Tirek, The Tantabus…" listed off Spike.
"Okay… okay… I get it." Said Twilight.
"And I know my mom… and she's stronger than this." Said Spike.
Both Spike and Twilight cringed at that line.
"Did you have to say that?" asked Twilight.
"Hey! I'm able to say something sweet about you like that and all we did was cringe. I'd say that's progress." Said Spike.
Twilight sighed.
"Go out for a bit and visit Zecora, she'll be great to talk to and maybe you can check if she has anything to help with Izuku Midoriya's problem." Said Spike, "I'll handle Captain Splodey Pants if he tries something again."
"You sure?" asked Twilight.
"We haven't told any of them what dragons can do." Said Spike, "I'd say I can handle him."
Downstairs the others were cleaning up and redecorating for the party, Katsuki having been assigned to recleaning the bathroom.
"Are you sure we should follow Ms. Sparkle's plan?" asked Tenya.
"It's fine." Said Sunburst.
"The fact he wants to follow the plan deeply concerns me." Thought Starlight.
Izuku and Ochaco were hanging up streamers.
"You're not surprised he started a fight." Said Ochaco.
"No." sighed Izuku.
"I can hear you!" yelled Katsuki.
"Quiet!" yelled Starlight, "We don't want to hear right now!"
Everyone in the room stared at Starlight.
"By the way! If you want some cider I'll share with everyone but Mr. McBomb." Said Starlight.
That was when Twilight came down.
"I'm going to visit Zecora." Said Twilight.
That was when Starlight shot a small amount of confetti from her horn.
"Stop doing that when I leave the library to visit someone!" said Twilight.
"I will once you start doing that more than twice a month." Said Starlight.
Twilight just groaned and rolled her eyes as she put on her invisibility cloak.
"Who is Zecora?" asked Tenya.
"A zebra that live on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest." Said Sunburst, "She is very knowledgeable about magic and knows quite a bit about alternate timelines. That's why Twilight let her know about her existence."
"And… she's a zebra?" asked Ochaco.
"We were turned into talking ponies, I don't know if we have much room to talk." Said Shoto.
"I'm done with the bathroom!" yelled Katsuki.
"Good! Now clean up somewhere else!" yelled Starlight.
"Why should I clean somewhere else!" yelled Katsuki.
That was when Starlight magically grabbed Katsuki and brought him to her face.
"You have no idea what you have done have you!" yelled Starlight, "You destroyed her!"
Katsuki tried to struggle in the magic, but found her couldn't move at all.
"Do you know how much pain she's gone through these last several years! Being unable to truly connect to any pony? Often waking up in the middle of the night cry? Finding a group of suitable ponies to defeat Nightmare Moon was her final hope! And you shredded it! Before she got here she and Spike saw so many terrible timelines! And so far she has only managed to avert 1! And that was the only one not controlled by a world ending threat! And now she's unable to avert them all! My world is going to die and it's your fault!" yelled Starlight, practically radiating magic in her anger.
The human turned Ponies were unsure what do to. Even Sunburst was unsure what to do…
Thankfully Spike came downstairs and he knew what to do.
"Okay! Okay! Calm Starlight!" said Spike, "I'll handle him!"
Starlight let Katsuki go.
"What do you mean you'll handle me!" yelled Katsuki.
"I want to fight you." Said Spike.
"What?" asked all of the human turned ponies.
"Look you're angry and I get that… let's fight and you can let out all your aggression." Said Spike with a shrug.
"You seriously want me to kick your ass?" asked Katsuki.
"What afraid you'll lose again." Said Starlight realizing what Spike was doing.
"Wait… you lost?" asked Izuku shocked.
"So what Deku!" yelled Katsuki who then glared at Spike, "Fine we'll fight!"
They went outside the library for the fight.
Spike stood strong while Katsuki was ready to fight.
"I don't know if this a good idea." Said Izuku.
"Spike knows what he's doing." Said Sunburst.
"But he's going to get hurt." Said Ochaco.
"You still have a lot to learn about this world." Said Starlight.
Katsuki was the first one to make a move.
"DIE!" he yelled out as he unleashed an explosive punch on Spike.
When it cleared Spike just stood there.
"Is that all you got?" asked Spike.
Katsuki unleashed another explosion. When it cleared Spike yawned.
"That was more powerful than last time." Said Spike.
This only made Katsuki angrier.
Spike just took the explosions like they were nothing.
Meanwhile in the Everfree Forest at Zecora's Hut, Twilight finished her story and slammed her face into the table. Zecora was well… a zebra, and for some reason she also spoke in rhyme. She was also making some sort of potion as Twilight talked to her.
"Your story does indeed sound tragic, but don't you think the one who should truly judge is the one who shall bare the element of magic?" asked Zecora.
Twilight looked up.
"You remember when you faced that hardship, the events for you to realize the magic of friendship." Said Zecora.
"And whoever is going to bear the Element of Magic is the one who needs to see that." Said Twilight.
Zecora nodded.
"You're right…" sighed Twilight.
"When the skies darken and Equestria is in plight, I have faith these young heroes will make everything right." Said Zecora.
"I needed to hear this." Said Twilight.
"I understand that you do need to grouse, but wouldn't be best if you would sometimes leave your house?" asked Zecora.
"Et tu…" muttered Twilight.
Zecora laughed at she poured the potion she made into several bottles.
"Will this potion work?" asked Twilight.
"Yes, the potion I have made will sure come to his aide." Said Zecora.
"I hope so…" said Twilight, "Because if what I heard is true, then we'll have a lot of problems the next year and half."
Zecora nodded as she heled Twilight put the potion bottles into a bag.
Back in Ponyville, Katsuki and Spike continued to fight… or rather Spike stood there while Katsuki tried to blow him up.
Durring this time Ponies just saw what happening and figured that it had to do with the "Secret Project" that they were doing.
"Everypony in town knows that we're working on a "Secret Project" for Princess Celestia." Explained Sunburst midway through the fight.
"And they just believe it?" asked Momo.
"Princess Celestia comes to visit every once in a while." Said Starlight.
"Usually trying to be covert." Said Sunburst.
"Once you meet her you will understand that she will, never be able to pull off covert." Said Starlight.
"Why?" asked Ochaco.
"Like I said, you have to meet her." Said Starlight.
Soon enough Katsuki was at his limit.
"You done yet?" asked Spike who had started to file his claws, "Because it looks like you're close being done."
"How the fuck are you not hurt?" asked Katsuki.
"Oh did I forget to mention that dragons are fireproof?" asked Spike putting away his nail file.
"What!" yelled Katsuki.
"Yeah… I've even belly flopped into lava, those explosions are nothing compared to that." Said Spike, "By the way… belly flopping into lava, more painful than it sounds."
Katsuki glared at Spike.
"That's enough." Called out Twilight who had seen them so she activated the partial visibility spell.
Katsuki headed inside the library grumbling.
"I'm stealing that cider." Muttered Katsuki.
"No! You're not allowed to drink it!" yelled Starlight, "That's my cider and I didn't give you permission!"
"So… how was your visit?" asked Sunburst.
"Good." Said Twilight entering the library.
"There was something I should have asked earlier. Should we be hiding our quirks?" asked Tenya as they followed Twilight in.
"Well… I figured it would get out eventually." Said Twilight, "I did have to tell Zecora after all."
"But isn't this Zecora a confidante of yours?" asked Tenya.
"Yeah…" said Twilight, "But I think Apple Bloom might tell a few ponies about his blow ups."
That was when suddenly the wind picked up in the library, which was strange because it was indoors.
"What's happening?" asked Momo.
Even Katsuki and Starlight had stopped fighting about the cider as the wind picked up.
Then there was a bright flash of light, and a second disoriented Izuku appeared confusing nearly everyone.
"I almost forgot about this." Said the second Izuku.
And thankfully well… Twilight said it best.
"Oh thank Celestia! He's not wearing an eye patch, spy suit, with a messed up mane and covered in injuries!" said Twilight.
"What!" yelled the human turned ponies.
"Its' a long story." Sighed the second Izuku.
"Spike did you tell him?" asked Twilight.
"Actually you'll going to tell me." Said the second Izuku blushing.
"Stupid stable time loop." Cursed Twilight.
"I'm from the future… but the spell is completely different from the one that sent Twilight and Spike back in time!" said the second Izuku who was blushing, "I accidently activated… I really have to fix that when reading spells…"
Everyone staring at the second Izuku in shock.
"Oh and don't worry about Nightmare Moon…" said the second Izuku, "It's all going to work out…"
"Wait are you really from the future." Said Katsuki, "Are you just some kind of trick they're setting up to make us believe them!"
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you." Sighed the second Izuku.
"He's got a point." Said Shoto.
"I know you want to know about the future… but…" said the second Izuku but before he could finish the sentence he suddenly disappeared in another flash of light.
Everyone wasn't sure how to react to what just happened.
"If that's real… you're going to travel through time." Said Ochaco being the first to say something.
"Yeah…" said Izuku unsure what to say.
Sunburst's eye was twitching.
"Are you all right?" asked Izuku.
"I'm fine! Totally fine!" said Sunburst grabbing a cup and filling it some of Starlight's cider then shot gunning the cup, "I'm totally not jealous that Izuku Midoriya who was not born a unicorn has just shown that he has the magic and will gain the skill to use the time travel spell! Not one bit."
They all stared at Sunburst, but decided not to say anything.
"So… "an eye patch, spy suit, with a messed up mane and covered in injuries"?" asked Ochaco.
"I only have to tell Izuku Midoriya." Said Twilight leaving to put away the potion bottles.
Once he was out of the main room.
"Okay so…" said Spike.
"Ice Cream and Future Spike!" yelled Twilight from upstairs.
"Never mind." Said Spike.
They decided to just finish getting ready for the party in mostly silence after all that.
After they got ready, Twilight explained how the Summer Sun Celebration was gang to go down. That they would introduce Princess Celestia but she would be missing then Nightmare Moon would show up.
"And if it doesn't happen we can just leave and figure out our own way home?" asked Shoto.
"Yes." Said Twilight, "But I assure you… everything is true… even if you can't trust me…"
Ponies started to show up soon after for the party with Twilight hiding in the lab while everyone enjoyed the party.
Well mostly… turned out cleaning the bathroom wasn't Katsuki's punishment.
No it was being forced to talk to a pony through the entire party. An earth pony mare that was bluish gray with gray and icy blue streaks, she also wore glasses and had a lit stripped TNT as a cutie mark. She was Sugar Coat, often referred to as "The Bluntest Pony in Ponyville."
"You know that that attitude no pony will want anything to do with you!" said Sugar Coat.
"I'm only talking to you because that unicorn is making me." Muttered Katsuki.
"I know… I am well aware of your punishment and your fight with Applejack." Said Sugar Coat, "It's extremally stupid by the way, I've heard stories about her…"
This only made Katsuki angrier, however Starlight did the "I'm watching you." Motion to him, and since he knew she could easily beat him he went along with it.
Elsewhere in the party, Ochaco, Tenya, Momo and Shoto were talking to the three mares they had met earlier turned out the three of them were something of a buddy trio, with Everlasting Imagination apologizing for assuming things about them.
However H.P. on the other hand…
"My real name is Hurricane Prediction." Said H.P. rather bitterly, "My parents made me learn everything I could about weather making, even after I got my cutie mark… my skill is in roleplaying I wanted nothing to do with the weather… but I still have the skills and I have to make a living somehow… In order to make it interesting whenever I'm on the clock, I roleplay so I don't go insane from it… I hate my job and I hate my name so never call me by that disgusting name…"
Ochaco, Tenya and Momo were unsure how to respond to any of it, Shoto on the other hand gave her a look of sympathy.
"So… anyways about your friend." Said H.P. in a cheerful voice.
They looked to see Izuku shyly and awkwardly standing in a corner.
"Oh I don't know if Deku has ever been to a party before." Said Ochaco.
"Ah!" said Raspberry Swirl, "An awkward dork! My kind of stallion!"
"Raspberry." Sighed Everlasting Imagination.
"She's got a point." Said H.P.
Everlasting just sighed at her friends' behavior.
Meanwhile Spike was carrying a plate full of food, he did have to dodge a muscle bound pony finishing a barrel of cider and then smashing it with his body and screaming "YEAH!"
He went down to the laboratory to find Twilight going through things.
"Please tell me you're still not trying to check the spell?" asked Spike.
"I don't know if I'll ever understand why the spell worked the way it did." Said Twilight, "No I'm just coming with possible scenarios when we close the loop."
"So worried?" asked Spike.
"No…" said Twilight, "Nightmare Moon wants her revenge… There's nothing that will stop her."
"Unless Luna was able to overcome her jealously and rage on her own somehow." Said Spike.
"That would be such a weird timeline change." Sighed Twilight.
Spike laughed.
"I should get back to the party…" said Spike.
"Have fun!" said Twilight.
"Are you sure you don't want to show up?" asked Spike.
Twilight didn't answer. And Spike sighed as he went back upstairs.
Back upstairs, Izuku was still standing awkwardly in the corner.
"Hey!" said Ochaco.
"I've never really to a party." Said Izuku blushing.
"I figured that." Giggled Ochaco.
"It's not just that." Said Izuku.
"I'm worried too." Said Ochaco, "We all are."
"I don't know why… but I believe her." Said Izuku, "I know I shouldn't but…"
"I like her too." Said Ochaco, "Besides it's better than the alternative."
Izuku nodded.
"Besides if she's right then that means that you're going to become a powerful wizard." Said Ochaco.
Izuku blushed when she said that.
Soon enough, the party moved to the town hall for the actual Summer Sun Celebration.
"The moment of truth." Said Shoto as the six were in the back of the town hall.
The Mayor of the town approached the podium and gave her introduction to Princess Celestia.
"The one who brings the son and the moon. The good the wise, the bringer of Harmony! Princess Celestia!" called out the Mayor.
The curtain opened and the princess wasn't there.
"This doesn't prove anything." muttered Katsuki as the ponies in the Town Hall panicked.
However the proof soon arrived as a blue cloud appeared on the stage and reformed into the shape of a black alicorn wearing armor and an eternal mane and tail made of stars with a crescent moon for a Cutie Mark.
"Want to take that back?" asked Momo.
Katsuki didn't say anything.
However as they watched the Alicorn make her grand speech, the six former humans could feel the power she radiated.
None of them, not even Katsuki dared to make a move.
"Does my crown no longer count because I was imprisoned for 1,000 years!" said Nightmare Moon.
That was when Nightmare Moon saw the six.
"You!" yelled Nightmare Moon.
"What?" asked Izuku.
"You six… there is something different about you…" said Nightmare Moon, "I sense you're not normal ponies… and there are six of you? Did my sister send you to fight me?"
"So what if we are?" asked Katsuki.
"Well I guess I have to eliminate you!" called out Nightmare Moon with an evil smile.
With that she shot out a beam towards them, beginning the first battle with Nightmare Moon.
Next Time: The six heroes in training have no choice but to fight Nightmare Moon. However it's quickly clear that they can't win... not without the elements of Harmony. Will they be able to get away? Find out next time!