Author's Notes:

Yeah, clicked on publish instead of edit. My bad.

“Well, this is new...” I look around the dense forest around me. Last I remember, I was Fighting those brainwashed ponies. Then I suddenly blacked out. And now I’m in a forest? “Why did I wake up in the the middle of the Everfree? Why did I even black out in the first place?” I take to the air and look for anything that looks like ponyville, or any town for that matter. I thought the forest was relatively small. Since last I saw it, like I could the edges from the center of it all. Now it just seems to go on forever. “Hmm… maybe that taller tree over there.” I mutter to myself. I kinda hate that habit of talking myself. Gets annoying from time to time.

Anyways, why would I be going to a tree that’s noticeably taller than the rest? Simple: it could be a sign of ponies. Cause that’s how things work here. Yeah...

Once I get closer enough I begin to look for a clear opening in the treetops. I soon spot one and fly down. Luckily it was close enough that I saw a few ponies walking around some kind of forest village when I started looking. Through the thick foliage I saw that they’re all wearing green stuff in certain patterns, looks tribal, and they’re carrying spears around.. Wait, why? What happened here? I was just helping fight in war in snow! Why are all these ponies in the middle of the Everfree? Is this even the Everfree? Is that Fluttershy?! What the fuck!?

“Changeling!” One of them saw me, this could be a bad thing…

“Fuck this.” Foregoing any kind of fighting. I walk right out into the open just as five ponies come up to me and point their spears at me. I hold my hands up non defensively.

“I don’t want to fight. I’m just lost.” The ponies cast skeptical glances and jab their spears at me.

“Shut up, changeling!” One of them, a unicorn stallion with blue fur, yells. I was about to shout back that I’m not a changeling, but someone else shouted.

“Hault!” A very distinct voice calls out.The ponies holding their spears look behind as Zecora seemed to appear out of nowhere. “Stay back, I will test to see if this… creature has no fault.” She casts her scrutinizing gaze from the ponies to me. “Tell me, who, or what, would you be?” I just noticed her mane is a lot larger than when I last saw it.

“My name’s Ember. And I’m a human.” I put my hands down and try to appear as nonthreatening as possible. “And like I said. I’m just lost. I don’t know where I am.”

“Hmmm.” She reached behind her and somehow grabbed a bottle of some… whatever that is from somewhere. “Stay still, this will prove if you harbor any ill will.” She applies this weird stuff all over my body. Once she’s done with that, nothing happens. The ponies around us nod in contempt and returned to whatever they were doing.

“I see. Come, I may be able to assist you some.” The stuff easily comes off. Much to my relief. Zecora leads me to some house built out of dead tree parts.

“Actually. I was hoping you could tell me why you’re all here.”

“You haven’t heard?” Her head turned to me with a very confused expression.

“Heard what exactly?” I asked.

“This is not right. You know not of our plight.”

“What?”

“The changelings. They invaded Canterlot and defeated the princess of day and night. We were forced to retaliate and fight. With little success, as you can see. We have only been able to hold them off and flee.”

“Ah. Ok. Alright then. I’ll help.”

“What?”

“I said I’ll help.”

“... Very good then.” She was about to say something else but some pony interrupted her.

“Zecora! We captured two more changelings!” Fluttershy shouted.

“Oh?” Fluttershy nodded and lead both of us to Twilight and Spike being held at spearpoint by a few ponies, even Pinkie. Ugh… Look now, ask questions later.

“Twilight? Spike? What’re you doing here?”

“Ember!?” They both shout suddenly.

“You know these two?” Zecora asked, I nodded. Without another word she walks up to them and applies more of that weird gooey shit. As soon as she’s done they both start to glow.

“I see… you two are not meant to be.”

“What?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, what?” I asked along with her.

“Allow me to explain, you see...” I quickly tuned her out as she went into full lecture mode. They even started walking off with me in tow.

I got bored and started aimlessly looking around, and spot three colored dots way down some trial I never noticed until now. One was white, another light blue, and the last one orange. As the dots got bigger I realized those dots were Rarity, Rainbow, and Applejack.

“Zecora! Ponyville’s been attacked by changelings!” Aj shouts. Zecora calmly walks up to them and says some stuff out of earshot.

“What’s going on?” Spike asked.

“I have no idea Spike.”

“No god damned clue. But could you tell me what’s going on?” Before either of them could answer AJ’s engulfed in a bout of green flame. Revealing a tall, lanky changeling with glossy green hair. Huh, so that’s what Chrysalis looks like. Rarity and Rainbow were actually changelings too. Coincidence much?

I felt myself spring into action. I teleport in between Zecora and the bug queen, catching said queen by surprise, and jam my hand into her neck. Which was encased in the same magically created blade from the diamond dog incident.

“Gcchh… blurgh… hckkk.” Nothing but green blood oozed out the wound and her mouth as she grabbed my arms and tried to pull herself free. We both stared at each other. Her pained, furious eyes met my emotionless gaze. And pretty soon her eyes rolled up and she went limp. I dropped the body and seize the other two changelings in my magic grasp. And effortlessly rip their heads right off their shoulders. Neck and all.

I’m then thrown back into reality when I heard Twilight calling my name. I turn to see why was calling me to find her staring up at something, along with everybody else. I look up and my jaw drops.

The sky was shaded black. An entire army of changelings were hovering over us.

“Go! Go and restore history before it is too late!” Zecora yells to Twi and Spike. They both nod and turn on their heels to run off. But hesitate, looking at me.

“Don’t worry about me. Just go do whatever you need to do to make things right.” Twilight and Spike nod sadly and run off. “Let’s do this!” I shout as I jump to charge the changeling swarm.

“Ember?” The receptionist called my name. I get up and addressed me. “Dr. Arati will see you now.” I nodded in thanks and made my way to the director's office. I find the door with her mane and title on it, ‘Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency. ’And open. Boy is she in for a surprise.

“Ember?” She asked, I nodded. “Please, sit down.” I nod with a smile and take one of the chairs in in front of her desk.

“How’s it going Arati? Still handling shit well?” She flinched at my profanity. “Oh, come on Arati, don’t recognize an old friend?” She gave me a confused look. “I’m that guy named Ember who went missing for a year.” At that, recognition took her.

“Ember!? Oh my god! I haven’t seen you in ages!” We get up and shake hands. "I couldn’t recognize you with your new looks.”

“As expected.” I chuckled.

“So, why have you come back? And why did you even leave?”

“Eh, let’s just say I took a ‘vacation’, if you know what I mean.” Arati nods.

“I see...”

“And as for why I’m back. I just came by to see if I can get my stuff. If it’s still here anyway.”

“Of course!” She got up. “We left your old the way you left it. We figured at point you’d come back. Though, we didn’t think it’d take you this long.” I shrug and leave her office.

“I’ve been real busy lately.”

“Oh? With what? If you don’t mind me asking.” I look around and see all the people around us.

“It’d be better if I told you when we get to my lab.” She nodded in understanding. We then walked in silence as we got to my old lab. Arati pulls out some keys from her pocket and unlocks the double-doors. The lights flicker on and I take in the old sight. It wasn’t a big room; just about as big a regular high school classroom. But it was enough for me. Hah! Even old Max’s still on his rack!

“Ah, memories.” I stay like that for a minute before I shake myself out of Cloud Nine. I close the doors with using my magic and cast a sound proof barrier around the room.

“Alright. So, I’ve been on an alien planet this whole time, except for the last four years.” Aarti stared at me disapprovingly.

“Is this some kind of joke? Because it isn’t funny.” Her stare turned into an unamused frown. I just shrug and magically bring one of Max’s arms closer to inspect it, all nonchalant and crap. From the corner of my eye I saw Arati go wide-eyed.

“This look like a joke?” I ask while looking at the admitting old circuitry of the robotic arm.

“Uh… A-ah...”

“Alright, now that I have your full attention, what I am going to tell you is to never leave this room. This is extremely confidential for me. Alright?” Arati regained her composure and nodded. “Alright, so here’s it all started...”

“Again with this shit...” I grumble. “At least I didn’t black out like last time… And I have an idea where I am.” There was a castle off in the distance surrounded by a huge moat. But what doesn’t make sense is that the castle looks like that old ruined castle I saw awhile back, while I was flying around the Everfree. I think Twilight said something about the castle… Something with sisters or some shit. God, my memory sucks.

Anyway, since I didn’t have any other option I went towards the castle. But stopped just short of the entrance. The ponies won't know who I am, if my last two encounters tell me anything. So maybe I should look for Twilight and Spi-

And there they are, with two guards in dark armor, helmets included, holding spears. Wow, how much luck do I have?

Well, at least I can just join them from this point.

“Twilight! Spike!” I ran out to them, making it look like I was out of breath. “Finally I found you guys, whew...” The guards stood between me and them, their spears pointed me.

“Hault! Creature!” I wonder how many times I’m going to hear that phrase, and that voice sounds familiar. “State your business!”

“I’m with them. I kinda got lost here trying to look for them.” The two guards look at each other and then look back to me.

“Come with us.” I nod and join Twilight and Spike.

The two guards leads us into the castle, and I was digging the gothic architecture.

“Nightmare Moon?” I heard Twilight whisper. I looked to where Twilight was staring and my jaw almost dropped again.

*She is way more badass than what the books and Twilight have said.* At the other end of the now throne room, was Nightmare Moon, in all her nightly glory: Shining blue armor, piercing blue cat-like eyes, her seemingly glossy midnight fur, and her blobby starry hair. To say she was beautifully terrifying would be an understatement.

And the next thing I notice was that Rarity was standing off the side in more of that dark armor, but she was wearing a little less and her hair was done up in a bun.

“Who are you three?” Nightmare asked when we stopped short of her throne.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends; Spike and Ember.”

“Mhm,” She barely paid any attention to Twilight, her slitted eyes were locked on me. I don’t know how to feel about that… “and what are you?” Did she just lick her lips?

“I’m a human.” I simply answer.

“A hueman? How interesting...” Then she more or less stalked around me. “Delicious...” She whispered.

I would like to say that I was handling the situation like a pro. That can only be said for the outside. On the inside I was sweating bullets, I’ve never felt this uncomfortable.

“Thanks...” I didn’t know whether to take what she said as a compliment, or a threat to my health.

“Yes, you are a fine specimen.” Nightmare stated. I looked behind me and silently asked Twilight for help.

“Uhm… So, we traveled through time...” That suddenly got Nightmare’s attention.

“Oh? Time travel? How is it that I do not know of this spell?”

“I don’t know,” Twilight said. “But we can show you.”

“Oooh~. Please do.” Nightmare said. “But I issue this one warning;” Spike is suddenly picked up in a dark blue aura and floated over to Nightmare. “Betray my trust and your friend here will suffer the consequences.” Since Twilight didn’t do anything but glare and agree, I didn’t take action; Twilight didn’t act out against a threat against Spike, she either had no other choice, or she has something planned. And I’m really hoping for the latter.

“Good girl,” Ooh, that stung. “Now teach me this spell!” Spike wasn't handed back to Twilight. Poor guy, he’s only staring in fear.

“I… I can’t...” Nightmare glared.

“And why not?” Spike’s eyes widened.

“Because I can only use it on the table map.” The table map? Why is that thing relevant?

“‘Table map’? What is this table map?” Nightmare queried.

“It shows a map of Equestria, and I can only use the time traveling spell on it. But some timberwolves-”

“Ha!” Nightmare interrupted with a laugh. “Timberwolves? This must be a joke! Clearly your are more than capable enough to drive away timberwolves!”

“Well… The spell takes a lot of energy to cast...”

“Ah, I see.” Nightmare huffed. “Then you shall lead me to this ‘table’, and I will take care of the timberwolves.” She nodded, so did Twilight, and Spike was gently put back down next to Twilight. The instant he could move he hugged Twilight’s legs. “Let us get a move on.” Nightmare got up from her throne and waved a hoof to us in a manner that meant ‘move’.

So we left the castle with two guards flanking us, one on each side of us. I kept looking back and forth. Looking for any opening I could use to take these two. I don’t know if memory would serve me well, but they should still be shit at fighting like last time.

We stayed on some path for some time before we turned a corner and three Timberwolves jumped onto the path ahead of us. Before either of them could pounce a beam of light blue magic shot out at one of them, and it instantly exploded. The other two yelped in fright and turned tail to bolt off. But Nightmare made quick work of them. Quickly killing them with ease.

Just as the last one was obliterated, the forest opens up to a small clearing revealing a crude, I think crystal table. It looks like it’s made out of crystal.

“This is the table?” Nightmare asked, Twilight nodded. “Well? Show us this spell you speak of!” Twilight nodded again walked up to the table. She then pulled out a scroll and closed her eyes.

There was sudden wind as a large pot materialized out of nowhere with weird symbols and cogs spinning around it. I dare a look behind me and Nightmare has this vicious grin.

“Yes… Yes!” She shouted. At that point Twilight and Spike flew up into the pot. “What!?”

“I’m sorry Nightmare Moon! But this isn’t how Equestria is supposed to be!” Twilight said right before she and Spike disappeared into the pot. Why wasn’t I sucked in with them?

“No! Guards! Stop them!” Nobody flew un into the pot as it faded into nothingness. Nightmare looked to either side of her to find that her guards are splayed on the ground. “Why you little whelp!” I teleport to stand right in front of her, the tip of her horn at my eye level.

“Little huh?” I teleport away before she could do anything involving her horn and stabbing. I then form a blade around me hand and teleport again, catching Nightmare by surprise as I shoved the blade into her neck.

“Hrrk!” She pulled away from me and glared at me. I know she would've said something, but the blood pouring from her mouth kept her from doing so.

I saw that she still standing. So I once again teleported. This time to appear above her, and she stupidly looked behind and either side. I love using the element of surprise.

“Hhhhakkk!” A deflating, wet wheeze came out of the night pony as I let my full weight slam into her. Also while driving the blade into her neck over and over. Eventually to the point where her head fell off and rolled off to the side. I saw her eyes focus on me, despite her missing body, and glare. I smirked back stabbed her body multiple times, mocking her. But, sadly, Nightmare’s eye lost focus and glazed over. I felt a sense of pride at managing to kill five people in separate timelines. I mean, who else can say that they’ve killed people in different places of time? Except Dr. Who.

“Ugh...” Oh, and the guards are waking up. Perfect.

“Wha… what happened?” One of them asked as they both got up, I grabbed Nightmares head by the horn and faced them a meter or two away.

“I… don’t know. I just remember being hit in the head...” Again with that familiar voice, who is that?

“Uh...” The one to the right noticed me first.

“What?” The left one asked. Righty just pointed me. “Sergeant Iron Hoof, what are you...” Lefty turned and dropped… I’m gonna go with her, jaw and went wide-eyed under the helmet.

“Hi there!” I said happily, and might I also add innocently. The ponies weren’t paying me any attention, I think, their eyes were locked Nightmares severed head. “What? It was either me or her.” I stated.

“You… you killed her.” Lefty rasped.

“You killed Nightmare Moon...” Righty breathed.

“Uh…” Was all I could say as the ponies ran at me, jumped at me, and started hugging me.

“Finally! She’s gone! The nightmare is bucking gone!” Lefty cheered. Righty just started sobbing into my right peck.

“Uh…” The ponies look up at me. Pause, and back away sheepishly. “I’m guessing you hated her?” They both nodded with gusto.

“Buck yeah we hated her! After she sent Princess Celestia to the moon she made us all do whatever she wanted! Ugh, the things she made us do...” Righty shivered.

“Well, she's gone now… But… I wonder how Celestia will react when she gets back, if she ever does...” Rightly scoffed.

“The unicorns have been planing a way to bring Princess Celestia back for years! Now we can finally do it!” I nodded, sort of understanding what she said.

“Alright then, why don’t you go tell them?” Righty nodded and flew off to the castle. Leaving me with Lefty, or Iron Hoof in actuality. “Some night huh?” I asked rhetorically.

“I’ll say! You freed us! You bucking freed us! Oh my Celestia!” Lefty bowed to me. “I can speak for all of Equestria and say that we’re all in debt to you!”

“Heh, good to know. I may need that to keep Celestia from killing me...” *Twilight, please hurry up…*

“Why would Princess Celestia do that? You saved us all!” Lefty said as he picked himself up.

“You do know that Nightmare was Celestia’s sister possessed by evil demons right?”

“Oh...” His happy attitude crashed and burned. “Wow, ok, yeah. You’re gonna need all the help you can get...”

“Yup… Fuck me...”