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The following is a work of fiction copyright Radical Gopher. This story contains adult themes and situations and should not be read by anyone under the age of 18.

______________________________ THYME AFTER TIME - part 14

Rekooh had spent the last twenty minutes going over the temporal logs trying to figure out where Sherman and the Maestro sent the Powerpuff Pony known as Cymbalaria. Frustrated, she decided to tie the trace program in with records for multiple passenger jumps. After a few seconds she got a hit. Two machines and a humanoid had been shunted off to coordinate arm 34Delta by X-ray Lima 5. Cross referencing she found it was the equivalent of the pre-Paleozoic era on Bandersnatch Four.

"Figures," the prefect muttered to herself. "Whenever any of these meglomaniacal time masters exile people, it's always into some planet's pre-history. Do they really think dinosaurs like fast food?"

She focused on the control board and punched a series of buttons. A large hole opened in the air above the work pit. Seconds later a huge, lizard-like head came into view. To Rekooh it looked like a cross between an ancient Earth Chinese dragon and tyrannosaurs. Two large frilled 'ears' stuck out from each side. Fortunately the hole was only large enough to allow the creature to push its head through.

The copper-skinned alien was somewhat surprised. She thought she had locked onto the coordinates of Cymbalaria. Scanning her board she rechecked the control setting. There was no mistake, other than the fact she was confronting a dinosaur and not the cybernetic pony she'd been looking for. Before she had a chance to wonder where her intended target was, the creature's mouth was forced open from the inside.

There stood Cymbalaria, two hooves braced against the monster's lower jaw, one arm ratcheting the upper jaw open and another clinging to the coat of a male human.

"Come on Professor. I've got the mouth open... let's GO!"

"One second. My carpetbag's caught on a tonsil." There was a brief flailing and then whatever was caught came loose. "GOT IT!"

The cyber pony immediately tossed the humanoid onto the floor of the pit then jumped down herself. Angry jaws snapped after her but missed. Both figures landed softly thanks to a layer of null gravity Rekooh had set up.

Seeing its prey escape, the monster roared in frustration, then withdrew its head. The portal closed behind it. Looking down into the pit, Rekooh couldn't help but admire the alien who accompanied Cymbalaria. For a human he was quite a striking individual.

"What is it about giant monsters and time travelers?" the Professor groused. He looked around and found himself once more in Sherman's control room. Instead of the bespectacled computer avatar however, he found himself looking into the emerald-green eyes of a copper skinned alien with small, delicately shaped antenna. She wore a jumpsuit that looked like it had been tailored for a 1950's science fiction movie. He couldn't help noticing how nicely it hugged the alien female's form.

Standing, he faced the alien and took off his beret, holding it in his hand. "Good day miss... My name is Professor..."

She interrupted him. "I already know who you are Professor. I have a complete log of your earlier activities onboard the time ship." Her voice shifted into a softer, more admiring tone. "I have to admit I am quite impressed by your ability to not only find my ship, but successfully board it as well, despite the numerous obstacles placed in your way by Sherman."

"Uh, yes," he responded. "To be honest, I did have some help." He paused for a moment. "May I inquire as to who you are?"

"I am Continuity Operations Prefect Jatee Rekooh, and despite someone else's claims to the contrary this is my ship."

"You must be talking about Sherman," Cymbalaria responded.

"Yes. He's a rogue systems program who, at present, has escaped the ship's computer by installing himself within one of my deputies. Your 'family' has gone in pursuit of him."

"Can you send us to where they are?" asked the Professor.

Rekooh nodded. "I have a rough fix on them thanks to the cosmic multi-tool I gave Cassia. I can place you within a few hours of their initial arrival, but you will have to find them and stick together in order to facilitate an easy return." The copper-skinned alien paused for a moment while she searched through a drawer in the console. Pulling out a small disk she tossed it to Cymbalaria.

"Take this and keep it on you. It's a temporal tracker. With it, I can maintain a 'fix' on your location and bring you back "

The Professor looked at Rekooh. "Shouldn't I get one as well?"

"Sorry, I only have the one and it's much easier to track cybernetic beings and devices through the time stream than organic ones. I recommend the two of you stay together."

Cymbalaria nodded, opening a small panel on her torso and placing the disc inside for safekeeping. "Ready Professor?"

"Only if there aren't any dinosaurs on this world."

Rekooh chuckled. "There aren't, as far as I know. Be aware though, my instruments show there is a strong thaumaturgical energy field surrounding this world. You might undergo a minor physical adaptation based upon the parameters of that field."

The Professor smiled slightly and held up his wand. "Not to worry. Thaumaturgy is something I know."

The prefect flipped several switches on her console and a large portal opened up next to the Professor and Cymbalaria. "Also be aware there is a slight temporal difference between here and there, so there will be a time lag between when you activate the recall signal on your device and actual pick-up."

"How much of a time lag?" asked the android pony.

"Approximately a 100 to 1 ratio, though my last readings indicate this has been fluctuating somewhat due to some kind of internal temporal manipulation; possibly due to Sherman's influence."

"Then we'd best shut him down and get our family back," said the Professor, taking Cymbalaria's hand. Nodding, the two figures stepped into the portal.

There was a bright flash and they staggered out into what looked like a forest clearing The Professor looked down at himself and chuckled. "If this is what Rekooh means by a 'minor' physical adaptation, I'd hate to confront what she considers a major one." Spotting a small pool of water, he ambled over and looked down. What looked back at him was a blue-gray furred unicorn pony with black mane and tail and green eyes. His carpetbag had been turned into a set of canvas saddlebags. His flank carried a tattoo consisting of a laboratory beaker and a wand. He looked up at Cymbalaria. "You on the other hand don't seem to have changed at all."

The android quickly examined herself. "It's probably because I am more of a cybernetic than organic being. It would have been interesting to see how I might have looked had I undergone your transformation."

"Be glad you didn't, at least you still have hands."

Before the pony could respond she was interrupted by a voice that came from behind a clump of nearby bushes.

_ "It seems you two have traveled far, Would you please tell me who you are?"_

The Professor and Cymbalaria turned and looked in the direction of the voice. Moments later, a zebra stepped forth wearing a large quantity of African style gold rings and jewelry. Across one shoulder she carried a simple tote bag filled with various roots and plants.

"I am called Cymbalaria, and my companion is the Professor," the cybernetic pony responded.

_ "Zecora is what I am called, A shaman... come don't be appalled._

_ It is an ancient, honored trade; A healer who has potions made._

_ To cure the sick and infirm folk, I do not have to prod or poke._

"Interesting," said the Professor. "Well, we're looking for a group of four ponies who might have passed through here recently."

"These ponies four of which you speak, I've met just one within the week.

_ She was in need of a good guide, I think her name was Cyanide."_

"One of them was named Cyanide, but the Cyanide we're talking about is male."

The zebra smiled knowingly.

_ "A mixed up pony to be sure, I gave her my own herbal cure._

_ She came here as a maiden fair, And left, a stallion bold and rare."_

The Professor reached a fore hoof up to his head and scratched it slightly. "How on earth could Cyanide have gotten himself changed into a mare?"

_ "A pony wise plays not with clocks, they can be like Pandora's box."_

The unicorn nodded to himself. "That would make sense. He must have been the victim of some kind of trans-dimensional event horizon feedback loop." He looked over at the zebra. "Where did Cyanide go after you fixed him up?"

_ "I sent him on to Ponyville. You'll find it just beyond that hill._

_ But heed my words and go there fast. Without your help your friends can't last."_

The Professor turned to Cymbalaria. "Are you getting any unusual readings on your sensors?"

Then android turned through about 240 degrees before facing in the direction Zecora had indicated. "I'm picking up a large, non-organic energy signature approximately 7.2 kilometers in that direction..

The Professor looked back towards the zebra, but found she had suddenly vanished from sight. He glanced around in surprise. "Where'd she go?"

The android followed his gaze. "I think she went into the wood. At hiding she is really good." She stopped when she saw the Professor glaring at her. "What?"

Instead of responding he simply jumped up on Cymbalaria's back and wrapped his forelegs around her neck. "We'd better not waste any time; not if the girls are in trouble."

Nodding in agreement, the android ignited her hoof rockets and launched herself in the direction of Ponyville.

* * * *

Cassia circled the large, teardrop shaped 'body' of the machine looking for a weakness in its armor. Below her she saw Cinnamon, Cyanide and Clover. They had each picked out one of the machine's tripod legs to attack, but were finding it slightly difficult to adjust their fighting style to their new quadruped bodies.

Cinnamon charged one leg, ramming into it horn first, driving it back about five feet and leaving a gouge in the soft grass of the town square. The machine compensated for the impact and kicked out at the unicorn, sending her tumbling back end over end like a soccer ball.

Cyanide had actually tried to balance himself on his rear hooves and punch at the leg with his fore hoof. The effort overbalanced him and blunted the effectiveness of his attack.

"That ain't no way to shake things up, sugar-cube."

The alicorn turned in time to see Applejack run up to the support he'd just attacked, spin around on her forelegs and kick out with her rear hooves. They connected with a solid, metallic clang. The giant machine did not move at all, but the vibrations traveled back up the cowpony's legs and hips and caused her to collapse to the ground.

"OW!"

A small hatch opened in the belly of the machine and it extended what looked like a cylindrical camera lens on the end of a flexible, metallic neck. A bolt of green energy leapt from it aimed at Clover. The blue-furred mare quickly danced aside and the blast struck the ground where she had stood, leaving a pit about six feet deep and twelve feet around.

The blaster shifted targets, aiming for Applejack who was just getting back to her hooves. It fired, but the energy bolt was intercepted by Cyanide who blocked it with his own body. A number of wing feathers were torn loose and he was sent flying into the side of the town hall. Crashing through the wall he came to rest in a pile of kindling that had moments before been the Mayor of Ponyville's desk.

The weapon focused once more on Applejack and would have undoubtedly vaporized her had not Clover dashed over, scooped the cowpony onto her back and carried her in an instant to the relative safety of the library. Dropping her off, the blue-furred mare raced back to one of the tripod legs and kicked at it the same way Applejack had. The support immediately crumpled under Clover's attack, bending double and dropping the machine about ten feet before it rebalanced itself on its now shorter leg.

The blaster immediately turned on the pony, firing a series of gattling gun style attacks which she artfully dodged.

Cassia dove under the machine's body and clamped her teeth onto the flexible arm to which the weapon was mounted. She ran it out to its full length and then pulled, putting as much strength into her wing muscles as she could. There was a bright, electric flash and then the armature tore free. The pink pegasus tumbled through the air before righting herself then spat out the now useless weapon.

A second hatch in the top of the machine opened and another blaster extended itself aiming straight at Cassia. Before it could fire there was a streak of rainbow hued blue fur that dove vertically at the machine. An instant before impact, the object suddenly veered off. The whole sky lit up with a brilliant, multi-colored shockwave. Windows in nearby buildings shattered and the machine staggered like a drunken sailor. Overbalanced because of its shorter leg, it took three wild steps then crashed heavily to the ground, gouging a long groove in the earth.

Cheering erupted from a group of ponies who had gathered at the entrance to the library tree. Cassia thought she heard the phrase "Rainbow, Rainbow..." being repeated over and over again.

The gigantic machine shuttered and slowly tried to raise itself up again. There was a flash and a green-furred unicorn suddenly teleported herself right next to the main body of the armored behemoth. Lowering her horn, Cinnamon fired a sonic blast from it that was so powerful the machine was actually lifted several feet upward. Armored plates shattered leaving part of the internal mechanism exposed. A powerful bolt of lightning leapt out of the town hall and struck the exposed circuitry. The machine flailed around for several seconds like a dying insect then went quiet. Smoke slowly rose from its crushed hull.

The four ponies gathered in front of the dead machine. Cyanide was limping heavily and parts of his fur had been charred off, but he was moving under his own power. They were joined by a blue and rainbow maned pegasus who touch down lightly next to them.

"That... was... AWESOME!" she cheered. I mean the moves you guys made on that thing. Crunch, clang, bang, ka-boom, zap and it's down for the count."

Cassia smiled. "Well, that rainbow attack of yours wasn't shabby either, miss..."

"Oh... the name's Rainbow Dash, and yeah, the Sonic Rain-Boom is my signature move."

"We're called the Powerpuff Ponies. I'm Cassia, this is Cinnamon, Clover and Cyanide."

"Cool. So you're a team just like the Wonderbolts."

"Yeah," replied Cinnamon. "Just like... whoever you just said."

Moments later they found themselves surrounded by Twilight Sparkle, her friends and at least half the town of Ponyville. A small, sleepy looking purple and green dragon rode on the lavender unicorn's back.

"I don't know where you came from," said Twilight, "but you certainly arrived in the nick of time."

"Y'all can say that again," observed Applejack. She strolled up to Cyanide and gave him a quick once over. "You okay there big guy?"

The alicorn nodded. "I heal pretty fast."

"Well here. Maybe this will help some." The cowpony brought her lips together with his in a sincere thank-you kiss. Mouths all around them dropped open in surprise at Applejack's uncharacteristic display of affection.

She pulled away from him and smiled shyly. "It's not everypony who'd take a hit like that for me," she said so quietly that only those closest could hear. They all smiled in response, including Twilight Sparkle who glanced down and pawed nervously at the earth. As she did the lavender unicorn noticed a few pebbles bounce in response to a tiny, seemingly distant vibration. A moment later, the vibration repeated itself, only a fraction stronger. When it happened a third time she looked over at a pastel yellow pegasus with a long, flowing, light-pink mane and tail.

"Fluttershy," she whispered, "Could you take a look around from that small cloud up there and tell me what you see?"

"Oh... Okay," she replied in a soft, almost breathless whisper of a voice." She gently lifted into the air until she was standing atop the small, low hanging cloud. The pegasus scanned the area for a moment, then pointed with her fore-hoof and screamed in fright. In an instant Rainbow Dash, Cassia, and about half-a-dozen other pegasi were by her side.

"They're coming!" Fluttershy said softly, pointing off into the distance. The others looked. There, crossing over a ridge of low hills several miles distant were nearly a hundred more of the tripod war machines.

"Oh SNAP!" muttered Rainbow Dash.

TO BE CONTINUED...