EERrwWwoooooSHHHhEERrwWwoooooSHHHhEERrwWwoooooSHHHh

“We're safe and away in the time stream, she can't get us any more.”

“Take us to the firing of the Gardens of Equestria.” The Doctor said, moving around the panel and flipping switches.

“Why then?” I asked, walking up behind him.

“Didn't you see?”

“See what?”

“Her armour, her weapons, her helmet, her pipbuck...they were all the Elements of Harmony. She had all of them.”

“Really?”

“Yes, the Elements turn into Pipbucks for this generation of bearers, but something obviously happened after the spell was triggered. There's no way Spike would have allowed her access to the Elements otherwise.”

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The ship grew silent again and we moved down to the door. “We should stay close to the ship this time, just in case.”

He opened the door and we stepped outside into a massive cave. We were against one of the far walls. The room was huge, I could see the big purple and green dragon standing with a group of three or so dozen ponies. He looked really happy, talking quietly with some of them while he typed away on a computer. I realized it was a Crusader computer, sitting at the base of a natural shaft through the mountain, sunlight shone down on it, dozens of wires spidering out of the main console to six pedestals, the Elements of Harmony sitting on them. I saw CB standing with another group of ponies close to Spike. She looked nervous and shy compared to the others, who all seemed really excited. The rest of the ponies stood back from the group. I could see Xem in the group, just sitting quietly, watching, not talking to anyone around him. I recognized Homage in the group with CB, as well as a brownish red pegasus, standing with a dark grey unicorn, a wing wrapped around her back and the two of them were cuddled close. There was also a pegasus ghoul who was all smiles and seemed to communicate by writing on a chalk board, I realized it was Ditzy Doo. There was another in the group but he/she was on the far side of the group and I couldn't get a good view. There were two huge monitors on the walls, on one side I was amazed to see Princess Celestia, all the more so when I saw the little stream of data on the bottom of the screen that showed it was a live stream, the one opposite her showed a young looking light grey unicorn.

“Princess Celestia is alive?” I asked, looking at the Doctor.

“Kind of...not in so many words...but yes in a way.”

“Alright, is everypony ready?” The dragon boomed. There was a collective cheer and he threw a switch. The mountain rumbled deeply and the ceiling split open, slowly folding back into an even bigger platform. We were above the cloud barrier, miles in every direction was thick cloud cover.

“Bearers, take your places.” The dragon said. Each of the ponies moved to a pedestal, CB standing by the only one that wasn't a necklace.

The Elements started to glow and floated into the air. The computer started to hum loudly and the floor glowed brightly as the megaspell came to life. It shot to the edges of the platform as the Elements circled their new owners, filling each of them with magical energy. The Elements pressed to the front of their new owners and light shot out of all of them, a column of energy that seemed to race into the atmosphere, then it exploded outward, spreading around the planet like a shield. As it flowed outward I saw the cloud cover being driven back. Portions of the clouds seemed to remain, as though they were the clouds that should always have been...maybe they were inhabited clouds? We looked down off the edge of the mountain as the wave of energy spread further and further outward. Grass could be seen filling the dark wet fields of mud. Trees exploded to life seemingly from nothing, bright colourful flowers bloomed, even old buildings seemed to be over run by nature in seconds.

After a few moments of watching in amazement everypony started cheering and hugging.

CB turned towards the group and Xem ran up and hugged her happily, looking at the new golden pipbuck that sat on her foreleg. Something green seemed to appear out of nowhere in the air above them, it looked like it was about the size of a small wagon and for a moment I panicked, but CB's shield wrapped around the two of them.

“Oh my...” Was all the Doctor managed to get out before a flash of green filled the area, Balefire swept through the area, turning the crowd to ash in an instant, almost nopony even noticed it happened so fast. The fire shot back and burst harmlessly against some kind of shield that wrapped around the TARDIS, leaving us unharmed.

“WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!”

“A balefire bomb...Maybe just an Egg...The explosion wasn't that big, but the device was bigger than I'd have thought for an Egg.” The Doctor said.

“Where did it come from?”

“I believe Concussive Blast teleported it from elsewhere...” TT replied.

The dust started to settle quickly as wind swept through the now silent area, blowing the mess away, the ash that had only moments ago been dozens of ponies carried away on the breeze, spreading out across the newly restored land below.

Worst was the dragon. He had been strong enough to, at least somewhat, endure the blast. He lay on his side, wheezing for breath, his body scorched and bleeding terribly.

CB walked through the fading ash, still wrapped in her magic, picking up the only thing still in tact in the area, five other golden pipbucks.

“W-Why?” The Dragon wheezed, coughing up blood.

“Just because the Wasteland has been restored doesn't mean it's better.” She said coldly. The quiet that had fallen on the area allowed us to hear even her soft voice.

“We'd...have fixed it...in time...”

“I don't have time to wait for committees and councils to argue and debate what should be done. I'm making the unilateral decision to run Equestria from here on out.” She picked up the last of the pipbucks and stuck it in her saddlebag.

“But...But...”

“Sorry Spikey-Wikey, but your time is done, and your precious Princess Celestia is next.” She said, wrapping his head in her magic and with a hard twist a sickening snap sounded and the dragon's head twisted around backwards, a last wheeze escaping his great lungs before he grew still.

I was beyond horrified, how could my dear CB be capable of such cruelty?

She walked back over to Xem and without another word the two of them vanished in a flash of magic.

“Why?” I asked simply, looking back at the Doctor.

“Because you weren't here...Something you did in the past prevented your arrival here, so you were never around to take in CB, to raise her and train her and protect her.”

“So I'm the only thing that keeps CB from becoming a Sociopath?”

“A psychopath actually...” The Doctor corrected, “but yes, you are a major influence on her.”

“But she still has the potential for this in her.”

“We all have the potential for psychosis, the point is that in this reality, without you, she starts to suffer seriously after losing almost everypony in her life. When Crackshot went feral and CB had to kill her she suffered a psychotic break and became the monster we met earlier and the one we just saw slaughter 40 ponies and a dragon without even breaking a sweat. With you in her life those circumstances never arose, so she went on as a normal filly.” TT replied.

“What did you do in the past?” The Doctor asked, guiding me back into the ship.

“Uhh...I used my decryption access to get into Venture's private servers and downloaded incriminating evidence and turned it over to a Ministry of Morale agent. He probably got arrested and none of the other events took place.”

“Well then...” The Doctor sighed, “I...I can't tell you what to do here Sugar Cane. TT took away my ability to tell you what to do when she dumped you in the past without asking me first. So this is what I can do, I will put you back to that morning again. You go about your day as you see fit. Turn Venture in and live your life with Rosalea, or go on with things the way you did before and go back to your new family in the Wasteland.”

“Couldn't I do something more meaningful with this time? I mean I'm meeting with Fluttershy. She could warn her friends what's to come and try to avert the apocalypse.”

“I'm sorry Cane, but some events are fixed points in time. The apocalypse will always come. Same day, same time. CB's birth is another, as are the births of all the next generation of element bearers.”

“So no matter what I do CB will still be born? And to the same parents?”

“Correct, events will always lead to Explosive Blast meeting Nox and the two of them falling in love and having CB.” TT said.

“CB's father's name was Nox?”

“Short for Nitrous Oxide. He was a dentist.”

“Oh, not as bad as I thought.” I smirked, “You can't tell me too much about the future, but can you tell me something about the past?”

“What's that?”

“Did Venture really get together with Rosa after I disappeared?”

“Why didn't you ask him?”

“I was afraid of the the answer. Now that I'm going to change the past...I'll never be able to ask.”

He sighed softly and nodded. “They did. They married around your daughter's second birthday.”

“Well...guess it won't matter any more after this. I'm going to put her in the lottery and make sure she's safely away from him.”

“Well look, I'll send you back to that morning, you...you just make your decision alright?”

I didn't have a chance to respond, TT's horn started glowing again and with the increasingly familiar
EERrwWwoooooSHHHhEERrwWwoooooSHHHhEERrwWwoooooSHHHh the ship faded from view and I fell into darkness again.

My eyes fluttered open. I was laying in bed, looking out the window again at the park full of children and the hustle and bustle of the city.

I pushed myself out of the bed and moved to the bathroom door, pushing it open and getting into the shower with Rosa, who I'm sure was only a minute or two from being done.

“Well good morning.” She said, kissing me and making room for me, “I'm amazed you were able to wake up so easily considering how late you were working last night.” She smirked.

I chuckled softly and washed myself slowly. “Among other things?” I asked pushing my coat around with a ball of magic energy to undo the matting from the night before.

“Among other things.” She nodded, mounting me from behind and wrapping her forelegs around my neck, “does this feel weird, for me to be in this position?” She asked, bumping herself against my backside like she was thrusting.

“I dunno...maybe we go buy you a strap on and we can try for a more realistic feel?” I laughed, twisting my head and kissing her again.

“Cane...I have something I want to tell you.”

“You already bought a strap on and you're just waiting for the right moment to strike my butt?”

“Like you wouldn't believe.” She said, rolling her eyes and snuggling into my wet mane.

“Then what?”

“Well...maybe it can wait until tonight, you have a lot on your plate as it is today, it's nothing bad, but you don't need to overburden your mind, it already gets distracted too easily.”

“If you insist...I suppose I can wait until tonight for you to tell me you're pregnant...”

“WHAT!? How did you know?!” She asked, hopping off my back and looking at me in annoyance.

“Are you kidding? You've been glowing for the last week at least. You had a doctor's appointment on Friday, a follow up yesterday and you hadn't told me you were worried about being sick or complained about how annoying the physicals were, so I made an educated guess.”

“Congratulations Sherclop, you spoiled my fun.” She sighed, looking about as disappointed as she could muster.

“Well I tell you what, I'll let you tell everypony at the office.” I offered, grinning at her.

“I dunno...You were really the only person I was excited to tell...I know how big a thing it is for you to have a family.”

“I know. Don't worry, I'm so very very excited, don't think for a second I'm not.” I said, turning off the shower and grabbing a towel, drying off and moving to get dressed.

She did the same and we both walked downstairs together and made breakfast together. I was still struggling to decide what to do about Venture...About my life...

We walked to the office in a content silence, Rosa snuggled up to my side again.

“YO! Equestria to Cane!” Rosa yelled at me again, snapping my train of thought.

“Oh right, sorry...” I pulled the ID badge and went through the process again before going inside.

“Hey! Look who made it on time.” I said to Venture before he had a chance to speak up, “good morning ladies.” I said, bowing my head to the three mares walking with him, “Ms. Fluttershy, beautiful as ever.” I said, taking her foreleg and kissing her hoof, getting a reaction somewhere between mind numbing terror and flattered. “Morning Star.” I did the same to Fluttershy's assistant. Morning STAR...I wonder if she was Ruby's great grandmother...”Mint Berry.” I repeated the gesture on the Morale agent, she responding the least to the flattery.

“What's gotten into you?” Venture asked, laughing softly.

“Oh it's not what's gotten into me...It's what's gotten into somepony else.” I grinned.

“I'm pregnant.” Rosa said, smiling proudly, but shaking her head at my goofiness.

“Oh how wonderful.” Fluttershy said, actually stepping forward and hugging Rosa happily.

“Congrats little brother, I guess Rosa wasn't lying when she said she let you sleep with her.”

“What can I say?” I asked, shrugging. “I've always wanted a family, and now that I have one, I don't think Armageddon itself could take me away.”

“Well we're going to go up to the conference room.”

“W308?”

“Good guess.”

“It seemed the best pick.”

“We'll see you in a few minutes then?”

“Yeah I just need to go copy my presentation and I'll meet you there.”

“Alright, shall we?” Venture asked, escorting the three mares to the elevators again.

“What's gotten into you?” Rosa asked, looking at me in amazement as we walked through the lab and upstairs.

“I'm just really excited.”

“You kissed their hooves.”

“REALLY excited.”

She walked down the hall with me this time instead of going the other way to her labs.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, I'm just excited you're excited.” She smiled, “you're like a foal with a new toy.”

“I'm gonna have a new toy!” I grinned, “baby is best toy. It's like a pet that learns and adapts and can use magic.”

“Unless it's a pegasus or an Earth pony.”

“Nah! She's gonna be a lilac unicorn.”

“Well you're sure of yourself.”

“I try.” I laughed, leaning in and kissing her passionately. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Why don't you go get to work and I'll talk to you later?”

“Yes sir.” She smirked, saluting me with her wing and walking off towards her office.

I pressed a hoof to the door release. “Comb your mane with paintin' powder, you act proud and I'll act prouder, you sing loud and I'll sing louder, tonight we're settin' the woods on fire.” I sang to the lock. Since I had taken longer to get here it had cycled past the one I had used the first time.

“Greetings Doctor Cane,” the computer chirped happily, just as it had last time, “it has been 16 hours since your last sign off and 5 hours since your last system access, you have a meeting with the Ministry of Peace at 10AM.”

“Thank you ROSA.” I said, walking over to my desk and sitting down. “I have some work for you alright?”

“Of course sir.”

“Rosalea and I are having a baby.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. First, I need you to copy the cryo pod presentation onto my pipbuck so I can go to my meeting.”

“Processing.”

“Second, contact the Floral Crown on High Street. I want a bouquet of flowers sent to Rosa every week until my personal accounts run out of money or they go out of business, and I want them to be different bouquets every time, with a card saying how much I love her.”

“Order placed.”

“Third, I want you to contact Equestria Trust on Fifth Ave. I want them to set up a savings account for my daughter so she'll have money for school when she grows up.”

“With you and Rosalea as joint signers?”

“Yes.”

“The forms will arrive on Monday.”

“Finally, I want you to put Rosalea into the Stable lottery.” I added, almost as an after thought. “Make sure she gets picked for one of the 'control' Stable. I read those reports that were swiped from Stable-tec and I don't want her in some Stable where they conduct horrible experiments on the occupants.” If CB was always going to be born no matter what then at least I could try to move Rosa out of Venture's grasp.

In the end it wasn't much of a choice. I could either stay here, have Venture arrested, live an uncertain life going forward with Rosa and leave the future Equestria in the hooves of Queen Blast, or allow myself to be frozen, go forward in time, and all the ponies suffer from the Pyro army, but at least we stop them...it all boiled down to the lesser of two evils. A few years of suffering with the Pyro's vs an unknown, possibly eternal, amount of time with the tyrant CB in charge. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

“Put my parents and Rosa's in the lottery too. I want all of them together in the same Stable.”

I walked over to the computer and sat down, pulling up a recording program. “Dad, I'm sorry things worked out this way. I can't tell you where I've gone. I'm working for one of the Ministry Mares on a top secret mission, above and beyond the clearance of anypony but the Mares and the Princesses. I'm sorry I vanished without a word, I wasn't allowed to say anything about it. You're in the military, you know how things like this work. Attached with this message is access badges for a Stable. I want you to take Mom and Rosa and get to the Stable. Don't worry about me, don't worry about Venture, the three of you just need to get to safety. No matter how Rosa fights or argues the point, don't let her stop you from getting her to safety.” I saved the message and attached it to send to him if/when the Stable approval went through.

I pulled up another message. “Rosa...I'm so sorry. I know you're probably angry and confused and upset about everything. I want you to know. I'm safe, I'm working on something I wasn't allowed to tell anypony about. Even Venture doesn't know. We're working on something that might just save us all, but I can't be hidden away in a Stable for it to work, but with the baby coming we can't just think of ourselves anymore. Please don't be mad at my father either, he's just doing what's best for you. Rosa I love you, and I love our baby, and...”I had to stop and compose myself, I could start to feel sadness clawing at my throat and I didn't want it to come through in the message. “and if you never see me again...Know that I'll never stop loving you and that I did what I did for the good of Equestria.” I attached it to the same data packet that would go to my father with a note that it was for her.

I couldn't bring myself to record anything long for my mother, another apology filled message with promises that what I was doing was for the good of the world then put it in with the rest of the data.

“Is the presentation ready to go?”

“Yes sir.”

“Perfect.”

I took the drive and set off to my meeting.

///////////

“So did she look like she was going to faint?” Rosa's voice came from behind me. I looked up from the master Cryo Pod console and smiled at her.

“I think she's so excited I'm amazed she didn't faint right there in the board room.” The meeting had finished later this time through because I had taken longer to arrive, so we had ended up causing Fluttershy to miss her lunch with Twilight Sparkle, though that was only partially our fault, Twilight had been called away about 10 minutes into what would have been their lunch, so Venture and I had ended up having lunch with the three mares instead and by the time we got back Rosa had gone into the labs to work on some new prototypes and was sealed away for the rest of the day. I knew what was coming up now.

“How long are you gonna be?” She asked, looking at the panels curiously and at the tablet that sat by my hooves with all my data tables on it.

“Another half hour or so. I set an alarm on my Pipbuck so I don't end up working all night.” I said, holding up my foreleg.

“Good boy.” She grinned, kissing me happily, “I was thinking we might go see your parents, tell em the good news?”

“I think that would be fun.” I nodded, “Dad is supposed to head to the military base on the outskirts of town soon. He's trying to reenlist again.”

“Of course he is.” She sighed. “Yeah, we'll go, it'll be exciting to see their faces when we tell them.”

“Why don't you head home and get cleaned up?” I asked, poking at some machine grease that was streaked along her coat.

“I can just shower upstairs.” She shrugged, “I gotta wait for you anyway.”

“I guess.” I nodded, “of course you could always wait for me and we could shower together.” I smirked.

“Oh, you think you're gonna get some in the shower?”

“Well it doesn't have to be the shower. We could slip into the test pod. It's all nice and padded.”

“I saw Eagle Eye in the security office earlier, he's on the overnight shift.” Rosa said, looking pensive. “I've heard he likes to watch.”

“I've heard that too.”

She laughed and kissed my horn. “Finish your work, you're taking too long. I'll go shower.”

“Alright, I'll see you in a bit.” I said, watching her walk off. “Rosa...” I called before she could leave the room.

“Yeah?”

“You know I love you right?” I asked.

“Of course I know.” She smiled, tilting her head curiously. “Is something wrong?”

“No, just since learning about the baby I've been reflecting on the future and I guess I've been thinking about my mortality...knowing a time will come when we say good bye forever...” I blinked back tears and sighed softly.

“Cane...sweetie, we're a long way from saying good bye.” She said, coming back and hugging me tightly. “This war will end, we'll work things out and life will go on.”

“I know, I'm sorry, you know how my mind works.”

“Yeah.”

She hugged me again and moved back to the door. “Good bye is a long way off.” She said, holding the door as she moved into the hallway beyond. “I'll see you later Sugar Cane.” The door closed behind her.

“Good bye Rosalea.” I said softly as the door clicked.

I just sat quietly for a while, mentally tracing Rosa's walk through the building, knowing the work I was doing now was pointless.

Finally the quiet hum of the machines was interrupted by a massive blast outside, green and orange light filling all the windows as an explosive blast followed a split second later. Sirens started to go off all over the city. “Zebras are bombing the city!” The automated system roared as the building started to lock down automatically.

I sat for a few more moments before standing up and quickly tossing Ebony and Ivory, who until now had sat tucked under the command console, into a drawer in the cryo pod, closing it quickly.

I turned to head out, coming face to face with Venture as he came in through one of the side entrances. “Sugar! What are you doing? We gotta get out of here.”

“Yeah yeah.” I said, shaking my head in disgust and walking past him. “Venture...”

“What?”

“I'm going to stop you.”

“Stop me? Sugar, I've only just begun.” A sharp pain shot through my neck and I felt a cold rush of liquid flowing into me, the world spinning and everything went black.