Celestias bright sun was shining down on a small field in the outskirts of Ponyville. A yellow mare with a long pink mane and tail was in the field playing with her small animal friends. She had invited her friend Rainbow Dash to come play with her. Dashie had promised to be there but she hadn’t turned up yet. Fluttershy knew Rainbow Dash to be a very loyal pony and she waited patiently for her friend to show up. As she sang with her waxwings a small white bunny jumped on her back and violently stomped up and down on her. Fluttershy turned around and said “What is it Angel? Is something wrong?” The bunny hopped off her back and pulled at her tail while pointing towards a hill. “Angel I can’t leave. I told Rainbow Dash to meet me here and if she showed up and I was gone she might think that I stood her up and then she might not want to be my friend any more.” Fluttershy said with a concerned tone in her voice. Angel placed his paw on his face. He ran over the small hill and began franticly jumping and squeaking. Fluttershy look up towards the blue sky. There wasn’t a cloud in sight, she slowly flew over the hill and what she saw made her jump a little. Lying on the grass was another pony.
Fluttershy flew down and timidly walked up to the pony. As she got closer she could see the pony on the ground was a stallion. He had a stunning chestnut coat and a deep brown mane and tail to match. His cutie mark was an hourglass. Fluttershy immediately realized that he was unconscious. This time she didn’t hesitate she trotted up right beside him and said “Excuse me sir, a-are you alright?” The stallion remained motionless. Suddenly a rainbow streaked across the sky and a cyan coloured mare with a bright rainbow mane and tail landed beside Fluttershy. ”Rainbow Dash I am so glad you’re here.” Fluttershy began “Angel bunny found this poor pony just lying here on the grass. I tried asking him if he was OK but he didn’t respond. I think he is unconscious.”
“Well then, if he won’t get up make him get up!” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Dashie, NO!” Fluttershy said suddenly panic stricken “What if he is hurt.” Rainbow Dash wasn’t listening and grabbed his mane in his mouth and pulled with all her might. Rainbow was a strong pony but as she pulled the stallion didn’t move. She turned towards Fluttershy and said “Lend me a hoof here.” Fluttershy stood there and kicked at the ground. “Come on Fluttershy you need to stop being so weak and help me.” Fluttershy was hurt at this and it strongly showed on her face. Rainbow Dash imminently felt guilty “Fluttershy… I didn’t really mean it-” but before she has a chance to finish Fluttershy pointed behind her. Then Rainbow Dash realised that the stallion was getting up.
“Well, this is different. I don’t believe I ever seen a horse like this before.” The stallion said like he hadn’t even been unconscious in the first place. Rainbow Dash jumped back around and began circling the strange pony. Then she stood next to Fluttershy and asked the stallion “Who are you, and where did you come from.”
“Well I’m The Doctor and… wait a moment did you just speak?”
“Yes I did speak not like you’ve never heard speech before.” Rainbow Dash answered slightly annoyed.
“But you’re a pony and a very strange one to I’ve never seen a pony with wings and your blue with rainbow hair and it’s the same for your friend.” Doctor gestured towards Fluttershy who was now cowering behind Angel. Fluttershy looked up at Rainbow Dash who had imminently flattened her ears back against her head at this rude remark. Fluttershy then covered her ears with her hooves to embrace herself for the volume of the next words Rainbow Dash was about to say. ”LOOK HERE MISTER YOU’RE A PONY TOO!” Rainbow Dash exploded with anger “I DON’T KNOW WHO THE FLYING FEATHER YOU ARE AND I REALLY COULDN’T CARE LESS BUT YOU DO NOT INSULT MY FRIENDS!” Rainbow Dash sprang a few centimetres of the ground and raised her hoof ready to hit the Doctor. She brought her hoof down hard and fast but before it made contact with the stallions face she heard soft muffled crying. She quickly flew beside Fluttershy and lay down next to her. She rapped her wing around the sobbing pony. The Doctor walked over to the mares on the ground and said. “Look I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings but if you’d just let me explain.” Rainbow Dash opened her mouth as if she was about to bounce back but Fluttershy placed her hoof on her back and shook her head. Fluttershy looked at the Doctor her eyes still shining with tears “Y-you can e-explain… I mean if you want to.”
“You see I’m not actually a pony. I’m a time lord.” Began the Doctor. “I don’t come from this planet or this universe. I travel through space and time in my time machine the TARDIS.”
“TARDIS?” Mimicked Fluttershy confused.
“Yes. TARDIS. Time and relative dimension in space.” The Doctor said
“Well then where is this TARDIS thingamabob?” Asked Rainbow Dash
“Over there.” Replied the Doctor as he pointed to a blue box. Fluttershy seemed satisfied with this explanation. She whispered something to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash nodded in approval. “Excuse me mister you were passed out on the grass and you look so exhausted. Um how would you like to come back to my cottage to rest a bit?” Fluttershy kindly offered.
“Okay then.” The Doctor said “Show me the way.”
When they arrived a small squirrel approached Fluttershy and chattered. “Oh my. Where is it?” Fluttershy asked the squirrel. The squirrel made more confusing chattering noises. Fluttershy then flew over her cottage to her back garden. “How did she do that?” Began the Doctor.
“It’s her super special talent. She can communicate with animals of all kinds.”
“How do you know that?” Asked Doctor.
“Her cutie mark and she is my best friend we’ve known each other since when we were fillies.” Rainbow Dash replied.
“Do all ponies have cotie marks?” Doctor questioned.
“Yes you see on my flank I have a cloud and a rainbow lighting bolt. The cloud represents my awesome cloud kicking skills and the bolt represents my need for speed but you have to earn it as a foal and it’s called a cutie mark.” Rainbow Dash seemed proud of being the smart one for once. The two ponies walked around the cottage to see Fluttershy standing in front of a huge manticore. The Doctor seemed to be alarmed by the beast and tried to help the yellow mare but Rainbow Dash held him back. Fluttershy flew up so the manticore was looking right into her beautiful turquoise eyes. Fluttershy spoke soothingly to the manticore. The manticore made a strange grunting noise and flew back into the Everfree forest. “Wow Fluttershy that was wicked awesome you’re totally cool.” Rainbow Dash commented.
“It’s nothing really.” Fluttershy said blushing. “It’s getting dark lets go inside.”
“So, Miss Shy how do you communicate with those animals?” Doctor asked. Fluttershy was about to answer when Rainbow Dash said “Gosh you do ask a lot of questions don’t you.”
“Well its not every day when you encounter a whole new universe filled with a completely different species.” Doctor countered.
Fluttershy was tending to a swallow with a broken wing. She was slowly wrapping the wing in a silk bandage. “Doctor are you hungry? I can get you something to eat if you want.” Fluttershy said while placing the swallow in a small bird house.
“Yes please.” Doctor said while admiring the structure of Fluttershy’s cottage. Fluttershy walked into the kitchen. Rainbow Dash was stretching her wings when she told Doctor her life long dream. “You know I’ve always wanted to be a Wonder Bolt.” She said standing up.
“A Wonder Bolt?” Doctor said
“Yep their only the best fliers in all of Equestria and one day I’m going to be one.” Rainbow Dash boasted.
“Equestria? Really.” Doctor said in a more than less than impressed tone. Rainbow Dash looked at Doctor confused. To her Equestria was a perfectly fine name. Fluttershy came back in while balancing a tray of chocolate chip cookies on her head. She placed them on the table beside Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash saw the cookies on the table and ran over and grabbed one in her hoof. She placed it on her nose; she then flipped her head back. The cookie flew into the air and she caught it in her mouth. Fluttershy took one and ate it. Doctor looked at the two pegasi enjoying the cookies. “Um Doctor are you going to have one?” Fluttershy asked.
“How did you pick it up with your hoof?” Doctor said dumfounded. Rainbow Dash looked at his face and then turned to look a Fluttershy then she bursts into fits of laughter. Fluttershy picked up a cookie in her hoof and handed it to the confused colt. Doctor stared at the cookie in Fluttershy’s hoof. “You- you just pick it up.” Rainbow Dash said in between her childish laughter. Doctor placed his hoof on the cookie and to his surprise he picked it up. Doctor stared in amazement. He was holding something, with a hoof! He ate it by now Rainbow Dash was on the floor and drowning in tears of laughter. Rainbow Dash slowly got up. “I’ve got to go. Tank is properly wondering where I am.” Rainbow Dash said with a stupid grin while wiping away the tears.
“Good bye Dashie.” Fluttershy said while yawning. She stayed outside to watch Rainbow Dash fly away into the darkness of Luna’s magnificent night. She walked back into her cottage “I’m going to bed now.” Fluttershy told Doctor “If you need anything just ask Angel Bunny.” A small snow white bunny looked at Doctor and then he started waving his paws franticly in the air then he jumped in a small basket and went to sleep.
The next morning Doctor woke up to the sound of birds singing in perfect unison. On the table in front of him was a glass of orange juice and a plain muffin. After he finished eating he went outside and saw a purple alicorn sitting beneath a tree listening to the sweet harmony of the birds chirping. Fluttershy was flying in front of the tree the birds were perched on composing the sweet symphony. The purple mare spotted the stallion and said “Fluttershy who’s your friend?” Fluttershy stopped the birds singing a spun around to see the Doctor standing at here back door. “Oh um his name is…….. Time Tuner.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you Tuner. I’m Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said holding her hoof out. Doctor saw she was wearing a tiara and golden horse shoes. Twilight laughed. “It’s okay I may be princess but I’m still the same old unicorn inside.” Chirped Twilight in a cheerful tone.
“Well then hello Miss Sparkle.” Doctor smiled.
“So Twilight were they good enough to perform at the ceremony?” Fluttershy asked.
“Of course Fluttershy they were wonderful.” Twilight praised.
“Have you seen Rainbow Dash by any chance?” Fluttershy added
“I think she is practicing her sonic rainboom.” Twilight answered “anyway I have to go welcome Cadence and Shining. I’ll see you later at the ceremony. Twilight clumsily launched herself of the ground and carefully flew away. Fluttershy trotted back into her cottage and began brushing her mane. “Why did you tell her my name was Time Tuner. I mean really of all the crazy names in this universe Time Tuner?” Doctor asked Fluttershy.
“Well Twilight is a very intelligent mare. If I told her you were a time travelling pony she’d think I’ve gone insane. So I thought of a normal pony name that would go well with your cutie mark and I think Time Tuner is a wonderful name.” Fluttershy explained. She began to brush her mane so it became wavy she then began placing small blue flowers that shone like crystals in her mane. She did the same with her tail. ”Okay then why are you doing that with your hair?” Doctor asked keen to learn about pony culture.
“Dashie was right about you asking so many questions.” Fluttershy giggled “Princess Cadence is coming to Ponyville. Cadence is the princess of the Crystal Empire so it’s a very special occasion. Cadence requested for the Elements of Harmony to wear there mane and tails in a traditional crystal way and before you ask the Elements of Harmony are the most powerful magic in all of Equestria. There are six elements mine is kindness, Rainbow Dash is loyalty, Twilight is magic, laughter is Pinkie Pie, honesty is Apple Jack and generosity is Rarity. For the elements to work we need to be in complete harmony with one another and that’s not a problem because we are best friends.” Fluttershy said as she carefully did the traditional mane style. Doctor gazed at Fluttershy as she stood up. “Doctor come with me Cadence should be at library already she still needs to cast the crystal spell on us.” Fluttershy flew out of her cottage and Doctor followed her out.
Doctor was enjoying the scenery of Ponyville. The ponies were all living together in harmony. A grey pegasus with a blond mane and golden autumn eyes seemed to have caught Doctors attention. She was with a white pegasus with a big bushy yellow mane and an excited expression on her face. As the ponies approached Twilight’s library a blur of rainbow crashed into Doctor. As the pony sat up she looked at the shocked look on Fluttershys face. “Rainbow Dash! Why did you do that?” Fluttershy managed to say. Rainbow Dash’s mane was pink, purple, orange, blue, and yellow instead of her normal red, orange, yellow, green and purple. Her forelock was curled upwards and her bottom half of her mane was tied up. Her tail was done how Fluttershy’s tail would normally be but a little shorter. “Turns out that I had to dye my mane for this stupid ceremony pink is so not my colour.” Rainbow Dash complained.
“Would you please get off me!” Doctor said. Rainbow Dash looked down and she saw that she was still sitting on top of him. “Oh. Sorry.” Rainbow Dash jumped off him and walked inside the library. “Come on Doctor. Cadence will be waiting for us.” Fluttershy said as she walked inside the library. Inside the library was a white stallion with a blue mane and tail and a tall pink alicorn with a beautiful long pink, purple and yellow mane and tail. “Oh!” Cadence said “Fluttershy is this a friend of yours?”
“Yes Cadence. He’s not from here he is from…uh… Trottingham.” Fluttershy said in a cheerful voice.
“Fluttershy, here.” Twilight handed Fluttershy a golden necklace with a crystal pink butterfly in the middle. Fluttershy put on the necklace and it locked around her neck. It was a perfect fit. Doctor realised that the other four mares in the room were wearing the same necklace but instead of the butterfly in the middle it was the other ponies’ cutie mark. Twilight was wearing a big golden crown with a purple crystal star. “Fluttershy would you like to go first?” Cadence asked.
“Sure Princess.” Fluttershy said. Cadence began to use magic. A light blue aurora appeared around Cadence’s horn and it lifted Fluttershy of the ground. She began to glow blue and as she opened her eyes they shone white. There was a blinding flash and Fluttershy fell to the ground. She landed on her hooves and all the ponies in the room stared at her. She was shining like a real Crystal Pony. The whites of her eyes were now shaped as jewels instead of circles. “OH OH me next!” Rarity pleaded Cadence.
An hour later Town Hall was filled with ponies of all sorts. Fluttershy’s songbird choir was singing a sweet harmony. The curtains opened and Mayor Mare came out from the curtains. Doctor was in the crowd of ponies his eyes were fixed on the mayor and he was listening carefully to every word. Like all the ponies he was anticipating the arrival of the Crystal Princess. “The ruler of the Crystal Empire, PRINCESS CADENCE!” Mayor Mare was gestured towards the balcony and Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Amour and the Elements of Harmony walked out. The crowd of colourful equines stomped there hooves against the ground. “It is wonderful to be here today for this momentous occasion. The Crystal Empire has returned and as the Crystal Princess I have come to Ponyville to say that I am most grateful for all the help you have given the Empire to get back on its hooves. Now that the Crystal Empire is back…” Cadence was cut off by a dark green beam of magic aimed at the powerful ponies standing on the balcony. Fluttershy stared at the beam of magic. Her eyes dilated as she covered herself with her wings ready for impact but it never came. Rainbow Dash had grabbed her and pulled out of the firing range. The two pegasus quickly flew to a safe distance. When the magic made contact all the ponies that were still standing on the balcony they disappeared!
“Oh my. Twilight Pinkie Cadence there all gone!” Fluttershy stuttered. A black unicorn stepped out of the shocked faces. Her horn was unnaturally curved backwards and her hooves were tinted red. Her eyes were as black as the night sky. Her mane and tail were abnormally long and silky and a beautiful dark blue colour. The mare had something about her that seemed familiar but utterly terrifying to Fluttershy. She laughed like nightmare moon and teleported herself on the stage. All the ponies had there eyes looked on her. “WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY FRIENDS!” Rainbow dash yelled at the strange pony.
“Well look what we have here. Rainbow Dash the Element of loyalty. I thought I got you to.” The strange pony said. Her voice was itchy and scratchy like a badly carved rock. Fluttershy looked at the unicorn her ears were flat back. Her coat still shone like a crystal. The unicorn looked at the terrified faces in the crowd “FOOLS do you not know who I am. I am princess Milan. The daughter of the true King of the Crystal Empire. NOW squirm my little ponies.” Milan smiled a wicked smile. All the ponies broke out in blind panic. Doctors smile had faded he ran out of the town hall and headed for the streets of Ponyville. “Fluttershy come with me. We need to find out what that guys up to.” Rainbow Dash flew out of the hall and Fluttershy followed. Doctor was galloping after the mare who was now heading towards the library. Rainbow Dash flew ahead while shaking her head to bring her old mane style back. Rainbow Dash landed in front of Milan blocking her path. The unicorn stared intensely at the necklace around Rainbow Dash’s neck. Rainbow put her hoof on the necklace. “What do you want!” Rainbow Dash asked and she wanted an answer. “Well it be nice if you gave me that.” Milan pointed towards Rainbow Dash’s element. Rainbow lashed out with her front legs “NEVER” Rainbow yelled. When it made contact with the mare it sent an electric current through her body. She fell to the ground in agonising pain as she gasped for breath, powerless for the coming events. The air around the mare grew thick and dense. Her eyes slowly closed as she black out. Milan took no chances. She stole Rainbow’s element and ran off. When Fluttershy and Doctor reached her she could feel reality slowly coming back to her. It took her no time at all to realize that her element was gone and what had just happened. “Dashie can you hear me.” Fluttershy said while waving her hoof in Rainbow Dash’s face. Rainbow Dash jumped back on her hooves and looked around her. Where is she? Fluttershy do you still have your element? Have you found Twilight?” Rainbow Dash was pacing up and down in worry and fear. “Do you to know who that was?” Doctor asked
“Well,” Fluttershy murmured still shocked. “She said she was the daughter of the ‘true king of the Crystal Empire’ there has only ever been one king of the empire and that was King Sombra. The crystal ponies lived in fear until Celestia and Luna banished him to the shadows. That only means on thing Milan is Sombra’s daughter.”
The three ponies arrived in the library to find Spike curled in a ball in the corner shaking. “Spike! What happened in here?” Fluttershy spoke clearly she was looking around there was pages of books everywhere. Twilights pet Owlishious was no where to be found. Ink was dripping from the book shelves and the windows were blocked out. “She came a-and she just took it.” Spike cried while cradling himself in his own arms.
“Purple salamander” Doctor said “Who came and took what?” Spike stood up. His eyes were red from crying and he was covered in scratches and blood. “One I’m a dragon not a salamander.” Spike sobbed “and it was a unicorn I’ve never seen before, she took all of Twilights advanced spell books. I tried to stop her but she stabbed me with her horn and said something about a stone chamber.”
“Do any of you know any chambers around this place?” Doctor asked turning to the mares behind him.
“Well there are a few in the Everfree forest.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Right then lets go.” Doctor said satisfied. Fluttershy squealed but didn’t say any thing. They walked through Ponyville. Fluttershy was flying slowly beside Rainbow Dash. “So we are really going into the Everfree forest?” Rainbow Dash said trying to break the silence.
“Well yes. I mean if you want to save your friends.” Doctor replied.
“Of course we do. We wouldn’t abandon our friends for all the bits in the world.” Rainbow Dash said nudging Fluttershy “Right.” Fluttershy looked into Rainbows eyes. Rainbow Dash was desperately trying to hide the concern in her eyes but Fluttershy saw past them. She weakly smiled and nodded. As they approached the Everfree forest the weird abnormal air engulfed them. Fluttershy stopped in her tracks and hovered in the air. In her eyes was sheer terror. Doctor stared ate her. He obviously had no clue how frightened Fluttershy was of the secrets that lurked in the murky forest. Rainbow Dash knew instantly what was wrong. “Come on Fluttershy. You need to stand up to your fears. I know any creature in that forest you can take on.” Rainbow Dash pleaded.
“Y-you don’t know what its like. I mean to have so many fears. I just can’t. I’m so sorry.” Hot tears were pouring down Fluttershy’s face. She desperately wanted to help but she knew that she would get in the way and slow things down. She felt utterly useless as she flew away in the direction of her cottage. “Fluttershy wait!” Rainbow Dash was about to go after her when she realised time was at the essence. If she wanted to save her friends she had do go now. “Right then lets go. There’s nothing we can do about her.” Rainbow Dash’s eyes were shining with tears. She so desperately wanted to go and comfort Fluttershy but she had to do the right thing. They were going after Milan.
To be continued in Times Feathers (The Crystal King’s Daughter) Part 2