Time Turner and the Ghost Horses, Part 1

Time Turner and the Ghost Horses



Part 1



Prologue: Night Terrors



Sounds of heavy hoof-falls, as if the whole of Equestria were groaning under their weight. They fell like mallets on stone and rose with something like a rush of wind. On and on they came through the darkness, echoing through the empty mists.

Time Turner was trapped between the Everfree Forest and the cliff where fallen Fallen Galloping Bridge might have once let him flee to Rambling Rock Ridge.

His chest was heaving as if he'd been running forever, legs aching, heart pounding, panic gripping. He pressed himself against the edge as close as he dare: a rear hoof knocking a small stone down into the raging river below.

Three sets of hoofbeats casually, terrifyingly, cantered up the trace towards him and the tumult of them tore his world apart.

But then they were there: the Thorns!

Razor, the earth pony and their queen, was first, standing right before him in all her awful elegance. Then Black spread her heavy ebony wings as she cut off any escape to the west. Finally Poison, the unicorn, stood to the east.

Their baleful and hungry glares chilled body and soul as they pawed the ground where they stood. He could feel how heavy their hearts were, eternally burdened and bound, making them in turn a burden to the world itself.

Though only Poison wore any kind of a crown, a plain tiara of gold, he knew they were all true Queens of Despair. Hope, happiness … even resignation to his fate and what meager comfort that might have afforded him: these could not endure their presence. Tears, he was even beyond tears….

"Hunters!" Razor Thorn commanded.

Time Turner thought to scream.

Small paws shook his head violently, shook him awake. He gasped from relief as he sat up in bed, memories of the dream fading save for the last terrible moments at the cliff which remained all too clear and left him trembling.

It was night.

Appleloosa.

The Grand Appleloosian.

His room.

The one he always stayed in.

He slowly glanced around at familiar surroundings; but, what he saw in the mirror by moonlight made him gasp: a visibly trembling Jackalope was clinging to his throat, eyes wide with fear.

"Oh, no, no, no, there, there!" he said softly, reassuringly, as he gently stroked Jackalope's head.

Could his nightmare have somehow scared a being like Jackalope?

A knock at the door.

"Time Turner?" it was Cherry Strudel, "Are you okay in there? I heard … something screaming."

Something?

Careful to hold Jackalope as reassuringly as he could he three-legged his way to the door. Cherry Strudel's eyes widened when he saw the bunny.

"I was right: it sounded like a rabbit screaming." he said with concern, "I was making my rounds …  had a pet rabbit growing up, it suffered anxiety attacks." by way of explanation.

"What did you do to help it?"

"Whatever it took. Jackalope, can I do anything to help?"

He could feel Jackalope let go with one paw. Cherry Strudel's expression quickly displayed understanding.

"Oh! Come on, Time Turner, bring him downstairs."

In short order they had retreated into the kitchen where coffee was served, black for the ponies and chocolate peppermint latte for Jackalope — whose tiny cup shook in his paws as he sipped. Slowly, the critter calmed down. Then he gave Cherry Strudel a bunny-sized hoof bump before hugging Time Turner and finally presenting his cup for another refill.

"What was that about? Are you okay?"

Time Turner tried to remember without collapsing into a mound of hairy distress: "Strudel, have you ever heard of anyponies called the Thorns? A unicorn, pegasus, and earth pony?"

He shook his head no.

"Nor have I…."



Chapter 1: Canterlot



"Dearest Sister Tilly,

"I'm sorry if the tone of my last note worried you at all.

"I'm finally homeward bound from Appleloosa; but, I have to go to Canterlot first. As you may have heard the clock tower fell when the buffalo stampeded — which was only the beginning of the strangeness. Still, everything ended well and they've even rehired me for the new clock!

"There is another matter that I need you to look into. Will you please inquire of Zecora (I know she still intimidates you a little but do this for me) if she has ever heard of ponies called the Thorns: an earth pony called Razor, pegasus called Black, and unicorn known as Poison. Quickly send a note with anything she may know, no matter how unimportant it may seem, to me care of Aunt Effie in Canterlot.

"Other than that I would encourage you to avoid the Everfree Forest for the time being, especially the east of it. I can't explain, just being cautious. I had a very bad dream not long after seeing a stunning clear vision: part of that aforementioned strangeness. Tell you all about that later. Probably nothing at all. Still, a little caution never hurt anypony.

"Give Mom and Dad a hug for me. Tell Carefree and Sandstorm I'm sorry for missing our camping trip. I hope everything went well.

"Your Loving Brother, Time."

He sealed up the letter and addressed it without even the slightest tremble, again thankful that like all ponies he knew he could roll back on his hooves after getting kicked down, and passed it over with 5 cents to the clerk at Ponyville's train station.

"The engineer said that you might've fixed our train problems with Appleloosa?"

"Here's hoping."

"Hey, Turner!" a snowflake-appaloosa unicorn named West called out the window from the train, "Are you still in or should we cash you out?"

"On my way!"

Since West had boarded the train at Dodge Junction they, Morton Saltworthy, and Fedora had been in a marathon poker game: overall looser pays for dinner on arrival at Canterlot. West had slowly pulled ahead, while Time Turner had steadily fallen behind. By the time the train pulled into Canterlot it was official: he would be buying. Fortunately he had a standing discount in the hole even if the cards had been against him the whole trip.

Time Turner leaned out the window and called to a porter — a large bay stallion he'd not seen before.

Proper unicorn porters, sadly rare outside of Canterlot or Manehattan, can spoil a traveling pony with their ability to easily shift bulky or heavy items; however, every so often you find one that, for whatever reason, liked to do things with his hooves. This was one of those times. While his traveling companions saw to their own luggage, he and the porter carefully carried the case with his Time Balance off of the train and over to a nearby cart. Then he went back for his own duffle bag. To his surprise the porter was up in the cart with the others and the empty harness floated as if occupied.

"Where to?"

"Bakes Bakery on Plenty Lane. I'll need your help with my case and the trot up."

"Cliffway or High Road?"

"Cliffway."

So they went, pulled along by the unicorn's magic.

Cliffway wasn't just for the scenery, in the right light you could see the taller bits of Ponyville against the velvety green backdrop of the Evergreen Forest, but it was a strategic move too. Since it took longer to take Cliffway it meant that they would miss the worst of the dinner rush and have more time to enjoy their meal in a quieter restaurant as a result. On a hunch, just to avoid certain complications, he got his new-to-him buffalo calf pull-over that  Tony had given him — it certainly didn't fit the bull anymore — out of his duffle bag and put it on. He needn't have bothered.

"Hi, Time! You look great! New Outfit?" Charcoal Bakes greeted him at close quarters while he was carrying his half of his Time Balance.

"Oh … hey, Charcoal. How have you been?" he shifted his load to better face her.

"Same as ever," she beamed, "I keep trying to persuade the folks to add grilled vegetables to the menu but we've no Charcoal Turner."

The weight of the case left his hooves as a suddenly impatient porter magically took over, which let Time Turner drop to a more comfortable stance.

"Well, Hearths Warming is never really far off: maybe I can get you one? A charcoal turner that is."

"I would like that, Mister Turner. Bye now!" she bumped his nose with hers before pirouetting about and skipping into the bakery like a foal.

He got his duffle bag and went upstairs. Paid the porter and explained to Effie and Big News why he was eating out.

Back down stairs Charcoal was waiting tables, as gregarious as ever, and he had to admit it: she let him escape yet again back there. He was never quite sure if it was some game she was playing on the back of an ancient dare issued by Tilly or if she really thought he was her one and only. Either way: that mare was too aggressive by half.

"Someday," he thought, "I may not let her let me get away and that'll show her!"

After spending all that time on the train talking and playing cards there wasn't much to say over dinner. Everypony knew that Morton Saltworthy was in town to give the Princess a report on events in Appleloosa and ask for more money for some deputies, that Fedora was in town to drum up business, that West was in town to meet with his mysterious employer, and that Time Turner was here to visit family. Though after seeing him with Charcoal out front Fedora joked that he was really here prospecting for family. That one got a good laugh.

In truth, Time Turner was hoping to see the Princess too: only about that strangely powerful nightmare of his.

"Tomorrow at one.” Morton reminded him as they went their separate ways.

"Thanks for dinner, Turner." West trotted off.

Fedora just tipped his hat.

“One?” Charcoal asked.

"I'm hoping to see the Princess as well."

"In that case I'll make sure we've got some of Mom's banana bread ready! It never hurts to come bearing gifts, after all, and the Princess loves our banana bread!"

The rest of the night, before a late bedtime that is, was spent getting more lessons in poker from Big News and Effie.





"Getting up with the chickens" is, for most in Canterlot, a bit of down-home banter from places like Ponyville; however, when the only guest room is also their roost it has a different meaning no matter how well behaved they are.

"You need to report in down stairs." Aunt Effie needlessly reminded him of his part of the previous night's discount, "Are you going to wear that to see the Princess?" she pointed at his pull over that he'd not even bothered to take off.

Was he? It might make giving his story a bit of needed color.

"I thought I would."

"Then give it over. It's one thing to look like a buffalo colt, but smelling like one is an entirely different matter. The hat too."

"It's new." he protested.

"Time, I know you're no dandy, but letting a hat go just because 'it's new' just isn't done."

He surrendered his country duds.

"And would it hurt to go by Big Jake's before you see the Princess?" she called after him as he walked out, "Your mane is a disgrace, and don't get me started on the feathering!"

Same old Aunt Effie!





"Mrs. Bakes, is my mane a disgrace?" he asked as he hung up his apron now that the lunch rush was over.

"That mare!" she swore, "Mister Bakes, when you've a moment will you see after Time so Effie will leave him be?"

"Let me deal with the till first, Mother."

"You go and wait for him in the back. I'll have that banana bread ready to see you off."

For those lucky enough to really know Bakeses there was more than one mane whisperer in Canterlot, a free one too Time Turner congratulated himself. Back upstairs Aunt Effie definitely approved of the change. She had his pack and pull over cleaned and his hat like showroom new. All dolled up he commented that he'd have to chase the mares away.

"You'd have to stop running first, Time."

Charcoal was waiting at the bottom of the steps with his bread. Wished him luck.

Was he running?

He met up with Morton Saltworthy, who had actually had gone to see Big Jake, near Joe's place.

It wasn't until the palace gates loomed into view, what with all the E.U.P. ponies protecting it, that the enormity of what he was presuming to do started to sink in. Here he was: Time Turner, without an appointment and no facts at all … just a bad dream and supposition. He was let in, of course, after declaring all he was carrying; but, only into the room where those waiting for an audience stayed till admitted or sent packing. Though immaculate and beautiful, the room was still drearily quiet in the way all such official waiting rooms were.

Minutes before two an attendant came to get them; however, just after leaving the waiting room the Master of Guilds for Equestria's Time Ponies pulled him aside and led him from the palace to a terrace in the gardens. The blue unicorn pointed at one of the tables which offered a favorable view of a large fountain.

"How have you been, Time? It's been too long! I hear you've come packing some Bakes' banana bread?"

"I've been doing— Wait, are you reading low level security reports now?"

"Time, I'll jump right into it," he said ignoring the question, "the mayor of Appleloosa sent a letter of his own to Princess Celestia. He said you had a nightmare that, and I'll use his own words: 'put the fear of Nightmare Moon herself into Jackalope.' Also said you asked him about someponies called Thorns: one from each of the tribes. From what I've been able to patch together from the rest of his letter, this happened several nights after you must to have had a clear vision. Am I correct?"

"Yes. Have you heard of them?"

"No, I can't say I have. But you think they're real?"

"I've tried not to think about it too much. Just remember what I can."

"Good call! Let the Princess decide for herself if there's anything in it. But, Time, you and I both know the old pony's tale about prophetic dreams after a clear vision: not much to hang a hat on. So how was it?"

Just remembering all that glory … for a moment Time Turner just mutely sat there. Master waited with obvious patience.

"Very clear. I'm, as you know, one of those wheels in wheels sorts, and what I saw was — it had to have been right at the moment that Jackalope's confinement ended — it was … awesome! Not just a few, fuzzy and dim wheels but many, delicate, and blazing bright from the reds below to blue heavens to the whitish blues far above. Gave me insomnia. Spent most of the night looking out the window at where the clock tower had been."

Master nodded thoughtfully.

"Time, though I know it would be like looking through a darkened glass would you permit me to glance over your shoulder?"

At least he was being taken seriously, so he nodded his assent.

Master produced his own miniature Time Balance, the very latest model.

"Clear your mind, focus on the sand, and think about what you saw."

He did as asked. A few moments later the Master of Guilds let out a sigh. Started playing with his Time Balance, possibly wishing he could have been there too rather than get it second-hoof with all the limitations that implied.

"It was still several nights later. Not at all what I would expect."

"I know."

"What else have you done to learn about these mares?"

"Not much. The next morning I trotted out to the buffalo village to see Tony Thunderhooves but his mother, Strongheart, said he'd gone on something called a 'dream walk' and would be gone for a while. I sent a letter to Tilly to ask a zebra named Zecora about them but I don't know what, if anything, she may have had opportunity to learn yet."

"I'm putting this one in the plausible category. Stay here.… I'm afraid the wait may be long." he took his Time Balance and left.

More waiting … but at least the scenery was nice. Of course, it was scenery he couldn't nibble on and the bread was off limits too. Before long, just to combat boredom, he started trying to throw his hat over the horn of a nearby unicorn statue. Hours passed.

He'd just made his longest attempt yet when a warm, friendly voice asked if he liked chamomile tea.

He turned with a start: it really was Princess Celestia! He started to bow but she stopped him by shaking her head no.

"I understand you had quite the adventure?” she said while his hat floated back to him.

At the same time a number of plates bearing food plus some cups and a large teapot drifted from behind her to settle neatly on the garden table.

"Yes, your Highness." Time Turner was trying to remember all he'd ever been taught about etiquette.

"Is that the new style in Appleloosa?"

He reflexively glanced at his attire.

"Actually, these once belonged to young Master Thunderhooves, he calls himself 'The Blonde Surfer' professionally. They are what I wore when we caught Jackalope."

"Yes," the tea poured, "about Jackalope. I have some questions. First exactly what did this Blonde Surfer say about him?"

"He said he was a spirit of discord;" though the teapot trembled slightly Time Turner didn't notice, "but, when I asked Tony about that he said he wasn't THE Spirit of Discord — whatever that means — and by way of explaining what I presume to be the difference said the little guy doesn't like to laugh alone. I can attest to that myself: Jackalope has a real sense of humor and the jokes he plays, while they may be crude, are not mean. In fact it was his love of whimsey, that according to buffalo lore certain games can have rules where Jackalope is concerned, that formed the basis for Chief Thunderhooves' plan to capture him. The critter didn't know Tony had made it so I could see him so all I had to do was get close. The whole thing was actually adapted from a Daring Do book they had."

"Sounds exciting."

He nodded vigorously and asked if she'd like to hear the story. When she said she would he described how he and Cherryloma had first officially started the showdown by announcing their presence and calling the critter "yellow". Confessed it seemed odd that Jackalope was actually wearing a get-up like in the book: how could he know? Hummed the music the critter band was playing, its rising crescendo, as they slowly advanced towards one another.

"When I was close enough I asked one last time where he was. Just as he was pulling something out to throw at me, I reached out and grabbed him. Then the band, his costume, the pie my face was about to receive, even his extra growth — he's really no bigger than any ordinary rabbit — just disappeared. Oh, was he fit to be tied! But once Cherryloma got him to promise he'd speak with her I let him go and all he did was cross his lil'forelegs and kick the dust."

"You were about to get a pie in the face?"

"I believe so. It seems to be his style."

"The foal is the one who talked to Jackalope?

"Yes, your Majesty. Tony said she was the first to see Jackalope so she'd have to be the one to make him see reason."

"The mayor’s letter said that you didn't even listen in."

“Ah, no … I didn't. I just felt I had to trust her, that Tony was right to put confidence in her. Though I sorta knew what she was going to say."

"I'm also told that Jackalope has joined their community. Do you agree with the town council that this creature is friendly, or even beneficial?"

"Yes, Highness. Though in all fairness I probably had a strong influence on that view."

"How so?"

"After the stampede I kept thinking about the weapons that Sheriff Silverstar had passed over to use pies in the defense of the town. There had been a lot of silliness creeping into Appleloosan life … but this was … wonderful."

She didn't smile as he expected she would.

"You don't think that a 'spirit of discord' would have had something to do with there being hostilities in the first place?"

"I … honestly hadn't even thought about that."

"What do you think led to the stampede? As someone who visited often." then she smiled, "To your credit much more so than my engineers."

"Since almost the founding of the town the odd cow, sometimes with a calf, would wander into town. They would usually be upset for reasons unknown and then wander back off to parts unknown. I do remember attempts to make them feel welcome; but, no one — myself included — ever bothered to find out where it was they came from and went to. I guess we were always too busy building Appleloosa for that." he hung his head for a moment, "Until Little Strongheart led Cherryloma and I to their nearby village I'm pretty sure none of us even suspected that there was such a thing. Even the camp, which arrived near town not long before the stampede, caught most ponies by surprise. … I guess everyone on both sides was so sure that their position was obvious that no one even thought, much less bothered, to make it known."

"A lack of communication."

"Yes, Princess Celestia."

"About this Blonde Surfer. What is your impression of him?"

"Odd, fun-loving and powerful. He seemed to say that he can magically project himself as a white buffalo to far off places, and he goes by 'The Blonde Surfer' because 'The Albino Surfer' wouldn't gain as much traction with the ladies. Also, before I even asked about not being able to see Jackalope he knew why I was there … despite us surprising him that we were there at all just moments before. Apparently we'd interrupted him projecting himself or whatever he calls it. He said something about drowning, constables and lifeguards."

"I received a report from that day about a white buffalo who, after presumably drowning in an accident near Los Pegasus, still showed up later that day, his 'death' not withstanding."

"That would probably be him."

She laughed: "One of the more interesting uses of magical powers I've yet to come across."

She actually poured more tea for both of them, with her hooves, but then sat her floating cup down. If he recalled his etiquette that meant he should stop drinking and eating too.

"Time Turner, I don't think I've ever heard of three sisters with the description and name you gave mayor Strudel. Could you provide me more details?"

"Yes, Princess! I only remember the last moments of the dream but I must have been running hard through the Everfree Forest. I was on the trace that used to join up with the Fallen Galloping Bridge-"

"Which has long since fallen." she smirked.

Time Turner had to laugh too, though he was sure she'd condemned it and had it safely demolished long before anypony would have gotten hurt in some collapse.

"I haven't been on that trace since I was a colt with my mentor…. Princess, when I was little I used to go stomping around and make believe I was some towering stallion. Never quite got there. Even at my worst I can never achieve the sheer volume that my uncle Big News can, who despite being a unicorn can be stompier than any three or four stallions his size have any business being."

"He does it to intimidate. Even tried that trick on me once…. Once…. What does this have to do with these mares?" she took a sip.

Remembering, Time Turner chugged his tea. Didn't even notice the refill.

"They moved with refined and unhurried grace. They shouldn't have made a commotion at all. While I was pressing myself against that cliff, as they cantered up, their hoof-falls seemed to tear the world apart. What really scared me, well, one of the things that really scared me,” he tried and failed to block the memory of actually seeing them, “was that I could swear that their hearts were so heavy that they burdened the land. I don't know if this even makes sense but can a pegasus have such a heavy heart that it can't fly? I somehow knew Black Thorn couldn't fly even though her wings were intact."

"The pegasus was named Black? You know their personal names?"

"Yes. The earth pony Razor was leading the others. She was barely warm hued, maybe off-white. Black was like her name. Poison was … in the moonlight she looked like she might have been pale blue. All lovely … baleful…."

"There's something else?"

"They are Queens of Despair. Not like how Tony said Jackalope wasn't THE spirit of discord. These were the real deal." he shook his head, "I'm sorry, that's just supposition. Still, in my years I've encountered a few bad ponies and was even there at the Summer Solace celebration when Nightmare Moon appeared … but none of them, not even her, made me feel like that."

"How?"

"As if despair wasn't just something they caused but what they actually were. I've never really felt hopeless like-" he was shaking, even tearing up a little, just to remember it and not hold it at bay anymore. Maybe not so up on his hooves after all?

She reached over and patted him on the head and calmed him: "I can see why you were scared. I think I would be too, standing where you were. So, what did they do?"

"Razor called for some hunters; but, that's when Jackalope shook me awake. He was obviously terrified and had apparently been screaming, at least that's what Cherry Strudel said. It took most of three tiny cups of chocolate peppermint latte to finally calm him down."

She took a long noisy sip from her cup and seemed deep in thought.

"The Master of Guilds said that you had tried to not analyze the dream. So you are claiming this mainly as your experience of it?"

"Yes, Princess Celestia."

"I still do not recognize these three, so I cannot say if they would be real or representational of something else. But after having taken on my sister's duties for so many years I do know that nightmares don't just evoke details that the dreamer has never experienced at some level. So, unless you are putting on some act yourself, this was no ordinary dream."

He was confused and must have looked like it because she laughed infectiously.

"Did you ever dream about headless horses, Time Turner?"

"Yes, we used to tell that one when camping."

"In my experience when I was told it was necessary to enter such dreams it was just a headless horse: a rather silly creature. Thankfully there is nothing in most of my little ponies' lives to make a genuine horror of any of his kind. But these Queens of yours are entirely different. There has been nothing in the world similar to them for a very long time now so that you could even know what they were like. And, yes, a heavy heart can affect anypony's magic no matter the tribe or how powerful the pony, though it usually requires terrible sadness, loneliness and guilt. Thus our options are that something new to you broke into your life or else you are not what you seem to be…. Mr. Turner, are you what you seem to be?"

He gulped hard as he considered how serious she was being: "I think so."

"Then that settles it!" she smiled warmly, "Now, how about that banana bread?"

Time Turner reached into his pack and presented it formally to the Princess.





She sent him home with instructions to forward anything about Tilly's meeting with Zecora to her.

Once again he chose Cliffway, though any hoped for view of Ponyville was obscured by storm clouds. As he walked along he wondered what he should do now? He'd had another adventure of a lifetime and dined with royalty. Big checks on his bucket list done and gone. Though why he was so dubiously lucky as to keep getting to check the former off was beyond him. Maybe he should save up over the next year and travel overseas? Or maybe he could stop his running that Aunt Effie claimed he was … running? Sigh…. Of course, his personal life wasn't nearly so simple as everypony assumed-

"Tony?"

He could have sworn that he'd just seen a giant shimmering white buffalo walking by a stream in the valley below.

"I have bison on the brain." he chided himself as he walked on.

Then he saw the white buffalo again. This time it was in a park he knew just outside of Canterlot's magical defenses.

He asked himself how many white buffalo there could be as he galloped towards Cliffway's lone city gate. A ruddy pegasus guard in armor let him pass and cautioned about running on Switchback. Time Turner knew the trail well and would have gone no faster than a canter even without the warning. Several times more on the way down he caught sight of the bull. Once off Switchback he really put hoof to pavement and was in the park in no time at all.

No Tony though.

He trotted over to the park's fancy fountain and took a long drink.

"Turner!" Tony announced his presence, "It seems my navigator got us just where we needed to go after all!"

Time Turner spun round to come face to face with a truly, astonishingly massive shimmering white bull.

"Navigator?" he asked.

Popping up from over Tony's oversized shoulder, as if out of this thick wooly coat, came a tiny brown form wearing a yellow shirt and brandishing a pie that he hurled headlong at Time Turner's noggin.

Time Turner flinched as he braced for impact. Moments and nothing. He peeked: it had stopped in midair mere inches away.

While Tony laughed a familiar voice scolded: "I can see that someone has a low regard for fine baked goods." the pie floated to settle neatly on a nearby bench.

West trotted calmly into view: "Turner."

"West." Tony's voice lacked his normal exuberance, as if he was greeting his nemesis.

"Calf?" West questioned, though in the same tone.

"Say, Turner, how do you know this kill joy?"

"Ah … we met maybe seven years ago in Balitmare. Since then I've bumped into him every so often while riding the train."

“That's a new look for you, calf. Looks nice. How's your Grandpa?"

"Stampeding with his fathers."

"I'm sorry, Anthony, I didn't know."

Tony nodded.

"So, is anypony else is up there?" West looked up at Tony's shoulder.

"Hi, Mr. Time Turner!" Cherryloma poked her head up and waved.

"Come on down." West's tone was warm and reassuring, "You too, friend Jackalope."

In moments both Radish foals and Little Strongheart had climbed down.

Then Jackalope jumped down and Tony returned to normal size and stopped shimmering.

"So, working together you were able to transport the foals?" West asked.

"Certainamundo! With Captain Jackalope along for the ride-" Jackalope was pointing to gold braiding on his sleeve as if that explained everything, "-I was able to, heh, you know, be their transporter…. Ummmm … You're not gonna call the constables on us, are you West?"

"In case you've forgotten: I am the 'constables.'" West informed, lifting his hat to reveal a badge attached inside: "Special Agent West of Her Majesty's Secret Service. You, Mr. Turner, landed yourself a spot amongst my case load last week: just routine because of Appleloosa so nothing scary. When I saw you wearing Anthony's old hobo duds last night I figured he must have been involved too."

"Why bring them here?" Time Turner asked, pushing the fact that he was on any secret service pony's case load as far from his mind as he could.

"Therein lies a tale. But the short, short version is my Bro, Jackalope, here was worried about Cherryloma's safety and when her parents and mine got together they decided the other munchkins should be removed from any potential harms way too."

"I don't need protecting." Little Strongheart protested.

"I'm sure you don't." West chimed as he put his hat back on.

"What did that pony mean when he called you a 'hobo?'" the calf demanded of her brother.

"Later, Munchkin. I'm guessing Special Agent West here wants to know why you do need protection?"

"Please, Anthony."

"When Turner and the Little Dudette confronted my compadre, Jackalope," Tony's voice had changed and he sounded a lot like his father just now, "something still did not seem as it should so I journeyed on a dream walk to see what it was that was amiss. Several days and nights I wandered lonely paths in meditation when, the last night, I saw a ghastly vision of horses, not little pastel ponies with decorous flanks, but horses: gaunt and terrible charging across the sky. Their hooves, eyes and breath were all like fire and their pelts like hot coals that rippled bright red where muscles strained. As I watched the path they were running on seemed to curve downward, leading to the ground, but at the last moment, just as the stallion at the head of the herd managed to set one hoof on the ground, they just jumbled up against each other and were thrown back up high into the sky. After some really old school cursing, not something I'd repeat before the calfs, they charged away.

"When I saw how close they all came to making land I immediately ran as fast as I could, and maybe a little faster than I should, to one of my people's sacred places where we preserve the wisdom of our people from long ago in carving. There I saw an image of these very horses and I was able to recall the part of the litany that dealt with them: the Hunters of All Flesh, a cursed herd from the place of the Sixteen Wanderers doomed to try to catch us buffalo as we stampede across lands they once ruled."

His voice returned to normal: "It is most embarrassing that we buffalo had forgotten that … sorry."

"But they didn't escape?" Time Turner asked.

"They caught up with the herd." Little Strongheart accused grimly, "Now, I wonder how that happened?"

Tony gave her sidelong glare: "Anyway, they didn't get free, free. So a celebration was in order and I'm not one to pass up on a little celebrating. Which is what I was doing when Jackalope showed up with Chief Thunderhooves and company in tow. With his shadow puppetry he was able to convey the rest of the story. It seems that he'd been sleeping by Turner here and had managed to wake him up before the herd could charge through."

Time Turner shrank and trembled as he remembered Razor calling for her hunters.

"After that he stayed with the foals since he was concerned that they would try again using Cherryloma. When Turner left town, Jackalope somehow impressed on her parents to look for me. One thing led to another and, well, here we are. Cherryloma to keep her away from the stallion and the other munchkins to keep their moms happy."

"Anthony, are these horses carnivorous?" West pressed.

"My distant forebears did not pass down in the Litany just why they were called 'Hunters of All Flesh.' Sorry. If it means anything, I'm already planning a hiking trip back to make sure nothing else of importance has been forgotten."

"You brought the foals to me?” Time Turner beamed, “Thanks, I'm honored!"

"S'pose. But TT, we were really thinking they could stay with any heavy hitters you happened to know."

West laughed: "Canterlot's defenses should suffice. Turner, why not take them to stay with your Aunt and Uncle? Then get back here with that novelty hour glass of yours pronto."





"I really didn't need any protection." Little Strongheart protested again as they trotted up Switchback.

"It's for Strongheart's sake. Try to keep that in mind." Time Turner encouraged her.

"I guess." she sighed.

"Is there any ice cream where we're goin', Mr. Time Turner?" Hedley was hopeful.

"More than that, lad!"

The trio visibly brightened.





"So, have you figured out what you're going to tell the Princess?" Time Turner asked as he trotted up to where West, Tony and Jackalope were.

West just glanced his way before going back to eating a slice of apple pie: "This is my job. No need to bother her for just one stallion."

A plate with pie floated over to land in front of him.

Time Turner looked around: "Where were you hiding the plates?"

"Just eat and I'll explain. First, we will avail ourselves of this transportation technique that Anthony and Jackalope have concocted to return south. It seems his flesh and blood body is back there being protected by the Thunderhooveses and Radishes and I've no intention of leaving either him or them vulnerable. Then Anthony thinks Chief Thunderhooves may let us see these cave paintings he mentioned: just to make sure we've got all the facts straight. Then, and only then, will I consider bothering Princess Celestia."

West returned to eating his slice of pie.

"You still didn't explain about the plates." Time Turner grumbled.

He supposed he was going to have to graze on the pie like Tony was.

"TT, that box on your back looks heavy."

“I’m used to it, Tony."



Chapter 2: Badlands



Jackalope climbed up on Tony's head and they went through a check list: with Tony the one calling "Check!" to Jackalope's chittering. Then the bull started to shimmer and grew again.

"All, aboard!" West announced and Time Turner found himself and his case hoisted into the air and deposited on the back of the giant bull. Then the unicorn disappeared below in a puff of smoke and reappeared on Tony's back the same.

Tony took a few steps forwards.

"Everyone off!" a suddenly smaller Tony chimed.

"That was … different." West muttered.

"Behold! The Blonde Surfer returns!" Chief Thunderhooves announced.

Time Turner glanced around, Canterlot was nowhere in sight. Instead they were at the mouth of a box canyon. The Thunderhooveses and Radishes were there tending a roaring campfire and seemed to be cooking. Something sure smelled good at any rate.

"Like, off I say?"

He glanced down. Tony was his normal coal black self. A pleasantly grinning Jackalope had apparently given up his yellow shirt for a blue dress-like outfit and matching jaunty hat and seemed to be indicating the way off. He cheerfully waved at West as he hopped down. Then waved at Time Turner as he was again hoisted into the air to be deposited on the ground right by a yellow shirted Jackalope.

"Okay…." Time Turner considered two jackalopes for a moment; but, now there was only one.

"Mr. Turner?" Horsey stood up, "Good to see you again. Tony, I thought you said you were going to get the cavalry?"

"That's us." West indicated, lifting his hat to show his badge.

"Chief Thunderhooves and Mother, Mister and Misses Radish: this is West, a secret agent pony. West, this is … you know."

"Honored to meet you all!"

"And where is my Little Strongheart?" Strongheart demanded.

"All the foals are safe within Canterlot's defenses." Time Turner informed.

Three quarters of the parents showed intense relief.

"Good!" Strongheart stamped a hoof, "NOW you can try whatever fool stunt you were thinking about pulling, Thundy."

"You have a plan?!" West sounded hopeful.

"More of an idea." Chief Thunderhooves admitted.

"We were trying to think of a way to lure the stallion into a trap and capture him so he can't free his companions." Horsey explained.

"With no results so far." the Chief added.

"It's actually a good start. At least it lets me know what's expected." West trotted over to the campfire, "Chief Thunderhooves, your son Tony, The Blonde Surfer, explained the situation here rather well but I was wondering if I and Time Turner could see this sacred cave for ourselves? Maybe then we could-"

"No!!!" the Chief snorted.

"-have something intelligent … to ask… horsefeathers…." West softly muttered.

"Usually 'no' Father?" Tony pleaded in his formal voice.

"Yes!" Strongheart poked her bull with a hoof, giving him an "or else" look.

In turn he gave her a look that Time Turner had seen cross his own dad's face often enough, the: "not in front of the guests" look. But it was too late and the damage was done.

"Very well, BUT these two ponies shall only see the sacred carvings of this herd and none of the others! My Son, you will see that this is so."

"Yes, Father!" then his voice returned to normal, "Say, West, help me free Turner from his box. I'm pretty sure he can't take his do-dad given the Chief's explicit command."

A few moments later and West swore: "Trust a newspony to use a knot no one can untie!" he then stamped a fore hoof against the ground at an odd angle causing part of his shoe to fall away. It turned out to be a small knife. Once Time Turner had been cut free he returned it to its hiding place.

"This way, ponies." Tony was pointing further on into the canyon.

At the end of the box canyon were a number of watersheds from higher up. Tony led them into one, commenting that they were no place to be in a thunderstorm. As they climbed up over dazzling polished sandstone surfaces West asked if it really was possible to only see just those cave paintings.

"It is," Tony whispered, "provided we can all agree beforehoof that those were all you saw and we stick to the story. Otherwise we need to turn back now."

"Oh, I didn't see anything else." Time Turner whispered back.

"There were other paintings there?" West wondered in mock innocence.

"Good."

After a few moments Time Turner asked for clarification if these were paintings or carvings. Tony said they were both.

Having scrambled upwards some 200 or more feet towards the mesa they came out into another small canyon that soon let out into a larger and deeper one with a small lake surrounded by little stone mushroom things.

"Mineral deposits. Don't drink the water." he warned, "West, there are some torches kept up there," he pointed to a ledge above them, "can you get me one."

West leaned against the wall, then stepped back still on his hind legs trying to get a better look.

"Yeah, can just see them."

One floated down.

The sun was going down fast and Tony picked up the pace. Soon they were at the mouth of a cave like the one the village was built in. It had blank walls and was empty save a for a low stone wall in the middle.

Tony took the torch and put it into a stone sconce in the wall.

"You didn't see this either." he advised as he struck the ground with a hoof producing purplish fire that clung to him till he transferred it to the torch.

The walls came to life in vibrant, moving color.

"Moving paintings!" West whistled in admiration.

“They’re carved so they stand out too.” Tony pointed out.

“All the more impressive.” West added.

"Over here!" Tony called.

There was the buffalo herd being chased around the stampede grounds by stylized horses. After a few moments the image reset and started further up on the wall inside a circle of fifteen critters of all types. The horses ran from there, or rather were being chased Time Turner noted, all the way to the stampede grounds where buffalo were already running.

"Say, Tony," West was pointing at the picture, "it looks like your people were stampeding here before the horses started chasing you."

Tony and West watched while Time Turner was concentrating more at the other end of the story.

"I can see that. Cool beans! At least I know my tribe hasn't been running our legs off all these years just to keep some horses occupied!"

"That's the Sixteen Wanderers?" Time Turner asked.

"Yeah, all fifteen of them." Tony snorted.

That caught Time Turner's attention.

"But what about this wolf," he pointed as it chased the herd from the other wanderers to the stampede grounds, "he's the sixteenth, right?"

Tony and West watched the image more closely before asking: "What wolf?" in unison.

Time Turner waited till the image reset.

"He starts here in the middle of the others with the herd, and chases them all the way. You can't see him?"

They shook their heads.

That one stumped!

Then: "Tony, is that fire of yours like dragon fire?"

"My people did not need dragons-"

"No, 'like dragon fire' … you know magical fire that's also real, ordinary fire-fire too?"

"S'pose. Yeah."

Time Turner laughed: "Your ancestors were very, very clever!"

"Of course!" Tony trumpeted, before looking around for a bit while silently pawing at the ground, then: "Why?"

"Unlike magical fire, ordinary fire happens in something we Time Ponies call Thingtime. There are these two kinds of time, you see, Thingtime is the time for, well, things, and then there's … a different kind of time for living creatures like you or I. Living things in this instance including magical fire that is only magical fire. Most folks don't notice because these happen together." then he pointed to the moving painting,"But your ancestors made a magical painting within another magical painting that is revealed by Thingtime fire rather than just the magical fire that keeps everything else going."

"This wolf we can't see?" West was tapping a forehoof.

"I get it!" Tony shouted, "Without being aware of this 'Thingtime' of yours we can't see the wolf it gives life to. That way … whoa!" he was looking all around the cavern, "About that trip back here I mentioned, I may have to double down on my studies before I take it. There are some achievements I obviously still lack. Bummer! So much for the surfing competition...."

Time Turner marveled that Tony's powers might still be immature.

"But why hide only some of the image when it's all hidden?" West was shaking his mane in annoyance.

"To make sure only someone with the right abilities can see them properly." Time Turner prodded, "Say, West, do the Sixteen Wanderers remind you of anything?"

He considered them.

"The animals shown and that one is missing?"

"No."

Okay….

"Tony, is there a statue of a wolf anywhere along the stampede grounds. Maybe fifteen or so feet tall?"

"Could be. Just a lot bigger." he chuckled.

West's ears snapped to attention: "The Stone Grove!"

Then he paced back and forth for a few minutes before announcing: "I have a plan!"

High above them on top of the mesa another pair of ears turned together in rapt attention.





"You want to do what?!" Chief Thunderhooves thundered.

"Blindfold the wolf." West was grinning.

"So you can let these horses go free?"

"No, Sir, it won't get that far. The Stone Grove, what you call Sixteen Wanderers, is incomplete anyway so it would probably be useless to them. I only want to lure the herd to a fake set of wanderers so we can separate the stallion from the others and deal with just him."

"Can you deal with this stallion?"

"Oh, I think I can do what needs to be done." West smiled wickedly, "I was tops of my class in magic and I've picked up some tricks since then."

"And how do you propose to remake these Sixteen Wanderers?"

"I believe that your son and Turner here can manage the trick if they work together."

"I realize that you are an accomplished pony; but, do you know the ways of The Blonde Surfer?"

He bit his lip.

"Do you even understand Time Turner's magic?"

"Not as such."

"Do you see my problem?"

"Father, it's a good plan." Tony jumped in, "once we use a fake Sixteen Wanderers as bait, with the help of Appleloosans wearing wolf masks, we can force the rest of the herd back onto the Stampede Grounds where they've been contained all these generations. Unmask the wolf and they'll bother no one."

"Why use the ponies, my son? We are bigger and stronger than they are."

"These horses have also been chasing your herd for who knows how long. No way to know if they hold a grudge against you." West explained.

"Granted." Chief Thunderhooves sighed, "So who do you plan on cutting this stallion out of the herd?"

"I believe I know just the mare for the job." Time Turner offered, "Provided we can get her to agree to help us."

The four parents talked it over and decided it was as good a plan as they were likely to come across, and so gave it their stamp of approval.  They then broke camp and started back towards Appleloosa with Chief Thunderhooves, Jackalope and West leading the way.

At one point during the night Time Turner noticed Tony lagging behind and looking troubled so he stood still to let the bull catch up to him.

"I figured you'd catch on sooner or later, TT." Tony softly said.

"What's wrong?"

"Eh … grammar. Don't laugh, TT. It's just that I've been thinking about that wolf I still can't see. In Old Bison, which is what the Litany is in, there's an issue with transitive verbs and multiple subjects that's got me thinking. You see, a wolf chasing the herd become a second subject and without knowing about it the cadence might have got thrown off a bit. Now that I've had some more time to think about it the 'Hunter of All Flesh' should actually refer to the wolf and not the horses."

"Makes more sense than carnivorous horses."

"Yeah, then there's me wondering why my people would stick your Stone Grove all the way up north. That doesn't make much sense either."

Time Turner nodded.

"So while we’re up north looking for this mare of yours, maybe we could try to find out if there's anything you ponies may have forgotten about too? Just to be sure."

"Ponyville had a good library even before its new librarian came along. It'll be a good place to start asking questions."

"Thanks, TT! … … You know, Gramps and I never managed to get that far north: what's Ponyville like?"

Time Turner thought for a moment: "Imagine a city that doesn't look or smell like a city. Ponyville is like that. Even the newer parts of town are old fashioned. About the only modern anything is the bowling alley! Half the town still hasn't forgiven the architect."

"Sounds nice."

They walked on through the night talking about parts of Equestria that Tony hadn't seen or parts of the Land of Stampedes that Time Turner hadn't even a clue about but which Tony was pleased to describe. He started to wander if maybe he shouldn't explore the south with Tony rather than go on some grand tour that so many had gone on before him. In the back of his mind he pondered if he might also help Tony with Thingtime, what with his Grandpa no longer available.

They made Appleloosa in the in the dark hours before morning and were welcomed into the Radish home where West was afforded the foals’ bed while Time Turner and the buffalo slept on the floor.





Dreamless sleep.





Time Turner awoke and found himself buried between Chief Thunderhooves' and Tony's backs, not able to move because of their combined weight. Both were snoring.

A few moments passed before a rumbling snort announced the arrival of Strongheart who used her head to gently pry a way out for the trapped pony.

"Only two snores." she softly explained as he freed himself, then she led him away through the kitchen where the Radishes and she were keeping themselves very busy.

Out back of the Radish home a small crowd had gathered in a town meeting rather less formal and much less intimidating than the last one they had had for Time Turner's benefit. West was midway through explaining the plan referencing a map someone had produced that somehow included the area near this wolf they were to blindfold. It was soon decided that Sheriff Silverstar's jail would be the safest place to keep Tony's helpless body while he and Time Turner went north. Several of the foals in the local art class presented their designs for wolf costumes, happy to have things besides apple trees or horse drawn carriages to sketch. Modifications were suggested to make the wolves look a little less like toothy squirrels and the foals went back to work.

Before long the bulls had roused and been brought up to date by West.

"I never thought I'd be putting you in jail, Anthony!" West laughed as the doors to Sheriff Silverstar's office swung open.

Even if Chief Thunderhooves didn't find it funny, Tony seemed to enjoy the humor, at least until he'd stepped inside and his vision adjusted to the light.

He stared for a few moments at the well secured iron cage on the wall to the right of the door that held an array of lances and other sharp, pointy things. Then he grabbed hold of Jackalope and silently hugged him.

The critter produced a crow bar and tried valiantly to free himself but quickly gave up. Seemed to chitter: "What are you gonna do?" as he shrugged.

Once Tony had let go, though, "Captain Jackalope" — he was still wearing that yellow shirt with the gold braid — was quick to reinstitute his authority and proceeded to inspect both the bull and Time Turner like he was their drill sergeant.

Then he hopped back up on Tony's neck and they went through their check list. Finally Time Turner was hoisted up by West's magic.