Chapter 6
A Ponyville Day In The Life
Crystal Wind secretly assured his daughter that Derpy was not normally this demanding when it came to her favorite pastries, but this version of Derpy had an exhausting and harrowing adventures in the TARDIS. All of this she found worth it. She would not trade those experiences for anything else, but often the thing that helped her pull through and summon enough inner strength to endure these challenges were the thought of muffins, and of those, the ones baked in Sugarcube Corner was an especially strong comfort food for her. Crystal Wind assured that Derpy knew how to make her own muffins in the TARDIS, but nothing she could bake could feel quite as authentic or nostalgic as the ones made by the pony who originally caused her to fall in love with the treats. Every time Derpy bit into a warm and fluffy muffin in Ponyville, it felt like a confirmation that she was finally home. The ordeal she recently suffered before that moment made that reassurance feel especially desperate for her.
The shop baker, Mrs Cake, obviously did not know that. More than likely, she probably saw Derpy no more than a few days ago tops, delivering mail as Derpy usually did (which was, frankly, not entirely competent). Mrs Cake had no reason to suspect that another version of Derpy from another reality stepped into her shop on that day and demanded the treats for reasons that were far beyond what the innocent baker could imagine.
Which was probably for the best, Star Breeze decided. The citizens of Ponyville seemed to have a warm and charming atmosphere which was likely far from ready for the rigorous adventures of the TARDIS, such as visiting other planets and timelines where fire and brimstone were coming down from the skies, rivers flowed with lava and seas boiled, the dead were rising from the grave, ponies were sacrificed, dogs and cats lived together. Mass hysteria!
In other words, far beyond the norm of a typical day in Ponyville, and even that sleepy town had a few “epic” moments on occasion. After all, when the occasional stampede of bunny rabbits rushed through the center of town and accidentally broke the stem of one of the zinnia flowers, it was enough to cause one to faint and twitch in horror.
In thinking of that and comparing it to the tales she heard of in Ponyville verses the adventures her parents had in the TARDIS, it almost made her question if she was really having a “true” adventure right now. Everything she was going through at that moment felt so much more tame compared to what her parents said was out there in the universe. Eventually Star Breeze decided that the lower scale of an adventure does not dismiss the fact that it was an adventure. By exploring a place she had never been to before, it was still enough to warrant her story to have the “adventure” genre, but probably also “slice of life” considering how tame her adventures were.
But the day was still young, and so was she. She had a lot more to explore, and so she did with the rest of her friends.
Most of Star Breeze's company were strangers to the citizens of this town, but they still got an occasional nod and a “howdy”, or something to that effect. Of her company, only Time Turner occasionally got more of a reaction from the rest of the town citizens, but it still usually wasn't that much.
In fact, the one pony who interacted with Time Turner the most was a red mane flower seller mare named Rose. When she first spotted Time Turner, she waved for him to approach. He did, and the rest of his company either paused or approached along with him. Star Breeze did not eavesdrop on their private conversation too much, but she gathered enough to ascertain that Rose wished she could accompany Time Turner on his rounds through Ponyville, but she was stuck on flower selling duty. A duty made more important due to the fact that she was making decent sales today which usually happens anyway during certain festivals. She especially made a killing in sales on Mares Day. Rose did, however, express interest to join the group after she finished selling late into the afternoon. By then Ponyville would be too busy participating in this years main activities, so there was no point in continuing to keep her shop open. This year she heard that Ponyville would have some classy events that she would be interested to attend, and asked the “Doctor” if he would be interested to join her in a classy dance with her. Not only did Time Turner say yes, but he also then introduced Rose to the rest of his companions for the day. Upon being introduced, Star Breeze found Rose to be exceptionally pleasant, but that no longer surprised the little filly. Before Star Breeze and her friends departed, Rose gave a few complimentary flowers to the other mares and filly of Star Breeze's party, which notably did not include Star Breeze herself. For a brief moment Star Breeze felt left out, but she had to remind herself that she was wearing her father's body at that moment. This was another stabbing reminder to her that she was not herself today, which felt momentarily very painful. If Crystal Wind was not secretly traveling along with her, it would have made the moment even more painful, but at least she could say that she kind of traveled with both of her parents during this adventure.
After her friends left Rose's stall, Vision secretly tucked the flower she received in Star Breeze's father's mane, right between his left ear and white cloud-like mane. Looking at Vision in surprise, Vision explained that the psychic empath felt how Star Breeze felt left out, and Vision couldn't see the flower anyway. Star Breeze argued that Vision could still smell it at least, but that only made Vision pat the disguised filly on the back and pass a reassuring kind of grin.
Considering her current predicament, Star Breeze felt a little weird to have a rose tucked on her father's mane, but she just couldn't bear to part with it, especially since it was a gift from a recent friend.
Star Breeze got the impression that Ponyville was busier that day than it typically was. No where else was that more apparent than the Market street. That area of the town, more than most others, had a lot of hoof traffic. It felt like more than a mere day for shopping. It felt like a festival, especially since they had a few more activities that day than the town typically did.
For example, and this was something that made Star Breeze especially interested, there was an emphasis in expressing Ponyville's history on that day. On Market street there was a few ponies hawking old wares that they claimed had historical significance to the town somehow. It happened a bit too frequently to take their claims without some level of skepticism, but the items for sale did indeed look pretty old. For all Star Breeze knew, everything they said about the item might be true.
Star Breeze ended up more interested in the folks that did nothing more than talk about Ponyville history, and one old mare in particular especially caught Star Breeze's interest, and that was Granny Smith. Granny Smith sat on an old rocking chair and elevated up about three feet above the crowd around her. The reason for the height was the fact that she and the rocking chair was on a block of wrapped hay.
Star Breeze was well aware that the old green farm pony might recognize Star Breeze's father, Feather Wind. Accordingly, Star Breeze cautiously managed to secure a position behind and somewhat to the right side of the old mare.
From there, Star Breeze just stood there and listened to the old mare ramble on with the level of fascination Star Breeze usually had with the stories from old ponies. This story, in particular, Star Breeze found especially captivating because the disguised filly knew for a fact that Granny Smith was indeed one of the original founders of this town. By this time period, she was likely the oldest one left. While listening to the stories, Star Breeze marveled how today, of all days, was the perfect time period to visit Ponyville. How appropriate that on the very day Star Breeze explored Ponyville for the first time, that just also happened to be the day the citizens celebrated the anniversary of the founding of the town itself. Accordingly, they were prone to talk about the history of the town which thereby explained to Star Breeze all the years she had missed in skipping this far ahead in time.
Star Breeze was almost twenty years younger than Granny Smith, so it was possible for Star Breeze to survive this long and trot around this town as an old mare herself, but there was no proof of that so far. For all she knew, getting a recap of Ponyville's history today might be her one and only chance to find out what happened to this town after all these years. Considering the fact that Star Breeze did feel some personal connection to this town, that made the stories she heard from Granny Smith have all the more impact.
Star Breeze's companions noticed her interest so they patiently stood with her. They looked delighted too, for they somewhat understood why this was so important to her and to themselves.
In fact, most of the citizens who paused to listen to Granny Smith did so with a smile on their face. In general, it was the younger citizens of the crowd that were much more bored. They wanted to go out and either play or eat something delicious while this old lady rambled about a time long before they were born. The older ponies, however, were more personally involved with some of the stories Granny Smith spoke of, so they had a stronger investment in her story. Star Breeze could see hints of recognition on the faces of the older listeners as they nodded and seemed to indicate, “Yeah, I was there! I remember that one too.” Seeing that made Star Breeze briefly envy them due to that historical and also emotional connection to the story.
Overall, Granny Smith's stories lacked focus. They seemed to shift from topic to topic, and more than once she seemed to have forgotten where she left off. This was especially evident when she paused for awhile as she tried to recall what happened next, or ended up repeating something she already said a few minutes ago. Sometimes she was annoyed with others when they reminded her of the fact that she already said that a few minutes ago, and sometimes she looked embarrassed at her blunder. She seemed at least partially aware of that weakness in her.
This was quite different from the younger version of Miss Smith that Star Breeze knew, or at least enough to feel familiar. Miss Smith still had that bossy, matriarchal attitude that Star Breeze recognized so much. A lady who was in firm control over her own destiny and was proud of it. The main difference was the fact that the younger version Star Breeze knew was much more active in manifesting her destiny rather than simply sitting in a rocking chair and reminiscing about the good old days. It made Granny Smith look and feel somewhat displaced in time as well, as if this wasn't really her world anymore. That belonged to a younger generation, but at least most of that generation proudly looked upon her and listened with rapt attention, especially on that day of all days. On that day her stories felt especially poignant. Star Breeze was glad to see that.
It was a bittersweet moment for Star Breeze to watch Granny Smith ramble on about her life and the important events that made Ponyville what it was on that day. Bitter because she got to see a version of Miss Smith who had less active fire within herself, but comforting to see proof that Miss Smith will indeed have a very long and mostly very good life. Not only was Miss Smith an important foundation for this town, but she got to live long enough to witness it grow and develop far beyond her initial efforts. It was amazing to realize how much importance she, her family and those Zap Apple trees put an indelible mark on this town and even the whole of Equestria. Just like those apple trees, the start of a grove or forest begins with the seeds from a single tree.
Star Breeze's heart glowed when she thought about how everything that was done here helped to mark the beginning of many other important events which ultimately lead to the saving of all of Equestria multiple times. By listening to those stories, she got a vivid picture of the web-work of life. How one event caused this which later resulted in this and then this and followed up by this. It made everything in life feel important to her, and reminded her of something her father always said to her many years ago, about how all life and nature was connected. Her grand uncle, Ramadon Mesmer, claimed that magic was everywhere in their reality. On that day, Star Breeze was feeling the proof.
There were other events during the course of the day Star Breeze and her friends took part in. She sampled lots of snacks such as cinnamon nuts, muffins, cupcakes, ice cream, cotton candy, and popcorn. She also spent a few hours in the Ponyville Day Spa (and to do it on Ponyville Day, no less), and nearly an hour at Rarity's Boutique in order to rent a classy outfit for the dance later on. Rarity herself was not there at that moment. Instead, her friend Spike helped out the customers pick an outfit then directed them to the dressing room. For a moment Star Breeze contemplated the fact that this might be the first time Spike and Feather Wind have met each other, which should mean that Spike's time clone recognized Feather Wind on sight, but Crystal Wind reminded Star Breeze that their meeting in the ancient past would not occur to Spike for several more years ahead of this day, and he was too busy anyway to memorize other ponies in detail.
Star Breeze felt weird to dress up in a classy tuxedo, but her father managed to convince her to think of it as little more than a costume for Nightmare Night. Thinking of it in those terms made wearing the outfit feel less awkward and more fun.
Time Turner paid for the rental of the outfits, although he had to bring up a tab for that and agreed to pay for the rest later. The cruel irony of that was the fact that they met up with the Doctor shortly later, and he reminded the group that he had plenty of outfits like this back in the TARDIS. Upon reflection, it occurred to Star Breeze how unusual it was that no pony else who traveled on the TARDIS before thought of that fact.
The dance itself was fun, but it also felt a little awkward to Star Breeze since she was not wearing her own body at that moment, and that body had a sentimental history with the other members of the party. To help alleviate that a bit, Derpy herself danced with Star Breeze instead of Stern Wing. The Doctor danced with Stern Wing, Time Turner danced with Rose as promised, and Vision didn't dance at all, nor did anypony else expect her too since she looked like she was blind.
The next event the others participated in was a wine sipping. Star Breeze sat that one out and waited for the others to finish along with Vision and the secret mental projection of Crystal Wind. Together, they talked about philosophy.
The last major event of the day to take place was a runway show where Rarity showed off a few of her outfits. Rarity herself posed in a few of them. Star Breeze wasn't too worried about being spotted within that thick crowd. She enjoyed the atmosphere of that moment, including the lights, sounds, the excited crowds and the outfits themselves. Being a secret filly herself, Star Breeze was lulled with fascination of some of those outfits and wished she could wear some of them herself, but gained an empty feeling when she realized that, A; she wasn't a filly at that moment, and B, these outfits would not be invented for nearly a century when Star Breeze did return to her own body and time period. At least she got to see the outfits for a moment, and it could inspire other ideas back in the past as well.
For dinner, she and her friends had a good time at the Hay Burger joint where they had a simple and messy meal as they ate slowly and talked a lot, mostly about what happened over the course of the day. The conversation was somewhat modified because Rose continued to hang out with them because of Time Turner in particular, ever since their visit to the Boutique. As a result of her presence, the group modified what they said to each other in her company. They did not want to startle her with all the knowledge they accumulated about the rest of time and space. Considering that point, Rose seemed to take the presence of Time Turner's apparent twin brother fairly well. Star Breeze guessed some logical explanation was given to Rose on that point quite awhile ago.
After dinner, the group retired back at Time Turner's clock tower, except for Rose. She parted company with the group after leaving the Hay Burger. Of those who returned to the clock tower, some also went back inside then slept in the TARDIS. Star Breeze was the only one, besides Time Turner, to opt to try to sleep in the clock tower itself. She suspected she'd have trouble sleeping with all that clicking noise, but she also hoped that her mind would eventually phased it out as background noise. Star Breeze ended up sleeping on a guest cot bed that Time Turner pulled out, and he slept on the bed that was strapped to the wall but he lowered it in order to sleep on it.
“So what did you think of your first day in Ponyville?” Crystal Wind asked his daughter with a warm voice. “Is this adventure all you hoped for?”
“Not everything was ideal,” Star Breeze mentally told her father. “I wish I had done this as myself.”
“Perhaps you will next time,” Crystal Wind consoled. “You can already do it as yourself in the past.”
Facing up on the cot and resting her father's right hoof to his forehead just below the blue horn, Star Breeze mused. “It was fascinating and comforting to see how Ponyville will develop. It felt strange to me at first to witness the future like this, but the casual indifference of the other pony citizens eventually rubbed off on me. It made me feel like I could regard this like an average day. Just another ordinary day in Equestria, except for the excitement of the festival. I'm really glad I was able to catch that. The recap I've gained over this town's development in history helped me to connect with all that I've missed. It's mind boggling to me that they are speaking in past tense of events which will occur in my future. That made me feel somewhat displaced.
“That's kind of how I imagine Granny Smith felt, except I didn't see even a hint of an empty feeling in her. She didn't look bored or depressed about her life at all. Instead, she looked fulfilled. The rest of us would be so lucky if we can look back at our own history so fondly when we get to be that age.”
“Granny Smith has been through a lot by now,” Crystal Wind verified. “She has a lot of good memories. Memories which you can help to build in the past if you want to. Do not forget, Honey, that this is your world too. You help to build it up into whatever wonder that you want. Thanks to us, the glory of the Crystal Empire's rainbow light will illuminate the skies of Equestria again, and we of the Scroll family also have the honor to document every important event that we witness. I do it through my poetry. You still need to find your own way.”
Star Breeze turned her father's head to look at Crystal Sage as she asked, “How did father feel about this day when he reviewed the memories you are leaving for him in the Red Crystal? For instance, does he remember that I'm having a conversation with you right now?”
Crystal Wind shook his head. “No. I left out the parts where you and I have a conversation with each other. I mainly focused on the memories of what you did and said while here, not what you thought and not our conversations with each other. I did not want to grant too many spoilers.
“As for how he felt,” Crystal Wind paused for awhile as he looked down and to the left for seven seconds of silence while he gathered his thoughts and memories, then said, “it felt surreal to him to review the memories in the crystal that are so vivid, it would feel like reliving those memories all over again except he could not control his actions. It almost felt like witnessing somepony else's life. Part of him felt like he was intruding because of that.”
Crystal Wind looked at Star Breeze. “Believe it or not, this still isn't his first clue that he would have a daughter someday, but this is the most direct interaction by this date. He felt sadden by the fact that he couldn't talk to you himself.”
“I felt that way too today,” Star Breeze expressed. “I wished he could be with me as I explored this time. Having you here with me helped on that front.”
Crystal Wind smiled lovingly at her as he said, “I'm glad I could help.” His expression softened as he said, “Your father wrote a poem later on about his experience with you temporarily possessing his body. Would you like to hear it?” he offered.
“Yes please!” Star Breeze eagerly invited.
“Okay.” Crystal Wind took a moment to review the poem which was recorded within the Red Crystal, then he spoke.
“Generations shared through the winds of time.
Generations shared through the eyes of another.
The echo precedes the voice, and shared right back unto itself,
like the glimmer of stars sparkling across endless eons stretched to meet the eye,
across the valley of space and time.
Love is the bridge upon which they met, even for a brief moment.
The future is endless.
The past is endless.
Only the present is the infinite now. Blink, and you'll miss it.
Void filled me as I embraced myself,
for it was the closest thing I came to hugging her.
It is all that I have of her. All that existed yet.
To hug myself, I hugged her vicariously.
All that I have is her shadow.
And, of course, her mother.
I gaze upon the stars with foalish wonder, even as I traveled among them.
Wondering to myself . . . when will she finally make me complete?
When will this void within me be filled?
Both me . . . and her mother.
Patience is a virtue.
I am oft reminded.
In the meantime, I have this indefinite now.
That's all I have.
That's all I'll ever have.
Life is a river of destiny which flows from one moment to the other.
Like the doors to the TARDIS, infinite wonders beckon beyond
to the sea of stars and endless possibilities.
I must be brave.
I must go on.
One hoof in front of the other.
One gush of wind blowing into my sails.
My adventure continues to draw me to endless horizons.
To endless hopes, dreams, and possibilities born over and over again.
I can only hope that it is enough to prepare me for my ultimate adventure . . .
Fatherhood.
This I vow to you, my dearly loved unborn one,
I will be all that I can be . . . for you.
You . . .
and your mother . . .
are the reasons I push myself to be the best pony I can be.
May all the stars hear my voice and my solemn vow.
My name is Feather Wind, and I am going to be a father.
For every day of my existence, I shall strive to be worthy of that ultimate blessing.
May she ever know the joy my love brings.
For it is her inheritance, as it was mine,
This is the family legacy we share in all of creation.
So it was,
And so it shall always be.”
Tears were in Star Breeze's father's eyes as she gazed upon the phantom image of her father's eyes.
Eventually, with the glow of love filling her heart, she turned to her side, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
“I love you, Daddy,” Star Breeze mentally projected with her heart exploding with intense gratitude and love.
“I love you too, Sweetheart.” Crystal Wind returned softly. “May Luna's kiss carry you off to pleasant dreams.”