//------------------------------// // Chapter XX: The Journey Continues // Story: Four Ponies & A Time Machine // by SkelePone //------------------------------// “Fifty years," I hackneyed, "is a long time." "Not when you're looking back at them," she said. "You wonder how they vanished so quickly.” ― Isaac Asimov, I, Robot * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Must you go so soon, Master Porter? Doctor? Miss Derpy? Miss Roseluck?" "I apologize, Starswirl. But we really must return to our own time. The past is not the right place for us, you must understand." "I do, Doctor. I do. But... Could you...?" Time Turner stopped packing up their garments and restocked supply of food and drink (notably all alcoholic). He looked to the elderly wizard. Time Turner felt a pang of sadness as he realized this was the last time they would chance upon Starswirl the Bearded. Time Turner noticed that the wizard now wore a hat with several bells dangling from it. Which reminded Time Turner of history lessons. The wizard's legendary battle with Grogar was to come. And then the Princesses would imprison Discord. Then Starswirl would pass away. All before they would reappear into the time-stream. "Starswirl." "Yes, Doctor?" "Beware the name of Grogar," Time Turner worded carefully, "find the Bell." "What the hay is that supposed to mean?" "I can't tell you... but I can say that it is a warning. Your history will get quite rough, but what is to come will go down into books and records for ages to come. So... just beware." "Ah, I see. Thank you, Doctor." "No problem." Just as he was about to recommence his task of packing, Starswirl spoke again. "Doctor." "Yes, Starswirl?" "This will be the last time I see you, correct?" Time Turner felt that pang. He looked to the old stallion in the eye and nodded. "Ah well. I'm well over a century old. From what you say, I still got a length to go." "You are known in our time also as the oldest pony to ever live." Starswirl let out a hooting laugh. Time Turner couldn't help but grin. The wizard was a good friend, and his laughs were infectious. "Well that's a relief. Thank you, Doctor." "No problem." "One final question." "Yes?" "What is your doctorate in?" "I tell everypony that it's in Engineering, but it is really not." "Oh? What is it in, then?" "Cheese-making." Carnegie, as wasted as ever, had given the wizard and the Princesses very tight and uncomfortable hugs (each of whom shared a startled expression as he clambered into the TROTIS). Derpy and Roseluck had merely bowed to the Princesses and wished Starswirl the best of luck. Time Turner bowed as well, but chose to speak to Starswirl one last time. "Starswirl, remember my warning." "I will, Doctor." "Well, I guess this is goodbye." "Farewell, my friend. I've only seen you twice, but I feel like I've known you all my life." Then, with a hoofshake and a nod, they parted ways, Starswirl and the Princesses off to the castle, and Time Turner into the TROTIS with the others. They were already strapped in, with Carnegie slugging a giant bottle of gin. The tan Earth pony gave the Doctor a wicked smile and pointed a hoof at the beeping dashboard. "Get crackin', Doc." Time Turner pulled the lever, releasing the brakes. He pressed the buttons for the correct coded sequence to jump-start the transdimensional matrix. He flicked a switch, turning on the chameleon circuit, which made sure they didn't instantly turn into raw energy by maintaining them in a matter state. He looked up at the flux capacitor, the three shining lights blinking in rhythm. He smashed the button that pumped fuel into the matrix. And with that, Time Turner knew, they would open a hole into the fabric of reality for a split second, long enough to shoot themselves in before it sealed itself back. Time Turner smiled as they rocketed into the time vortex, launching forward exactly one hundred years, give or take a few months. He loved science and making such amazing things. But he wasn't very fond of making cheese. A quake, a crash, a shudder, and much cursing on Carnegie's behalf later, they had successfully landed in 1100 A.B. "Now, quick history lesson. 1050 A.B, Starswirl the Bearded successfully defeated Grogar and saved Celestia. He died in 1075." Time Turner paused as the mares gasped and Carnegie gaped. "Now, around 1050 A.B. was also when Discord took over Ponyville and the surrounding areas. The Princesses worked together to imprison Discord in stone with the Elements of Harmony. Discord was imprisoned in 1090. Now, we have twenty-four hours before we can make the next century leap. I believe we are somewhere around the Fillydelphia area, from that the radar says. But I trust that piece of junk about as much as I trust Carnegie after a vat of mead." "Ahahaha! I see whatcha did there, Doc!" "But, Fillydelphia is a small town right now. It's probably best to approach the town with caution. New towns are often chaotic, mostly just a trade outpost surrounded by pubs and-" "Oye, there's pubs 'ere?" "Yes, and no, Carnegie. We are not going to any of them." "Well split me 'ooves an' call me a donkey. Why not?" "After what happened in Canterlot, do you think I'm letting you in another bar?" "Maybe." Carenegie mumbled, but he didn't argue further. With that being said, Carnegie refilled his satchel with various alcohols and another towel (again with the number '42' monogrammed into the fabric). They leapt out, relieved to see that they had landed in the season of spring rather than in the dead of winter. They had landed among the brush at the edge of a crudely paved road, which led in one direction towards a small town. In the other direction was a thick, dark forest. The four wisely decided to stick to their plan and head straight for Fillydelphia. The town, as they grew nearer and nearer, was very loud, despite the fact that it was nighttime. Ponies could be seen running about in the lantern-light. Trading, drinking, gambling, and fighting was audible from the closing distance between Time Turner and company and the little village of Fillydelphia. The smell of smoke, beer, and something especially foul wafted over the troop. All but Carnegie covered their muzzles. Porter was apparently immune to the stench. "Oye, whatcha guys coverin' yer schnozzes fer? It doesn' smell tha' bad!" Carnegie said, inhaling a deep whiff of the ripe scent. "Easy for you to say. From what I understand, you spent several months being homeless. It has the smell of rotten sewage." Time Turner muffled. "Nah mate, tha's not the smell o' sewage. Tha's the smell o' freedom." Carnegie announced with a grin. He turned and stood on his hindlegs, cupping his mouth with his hooves. "'QUESTRIA!" He bellowed. Immediately, a roar of drunk, happy voices bellowed back. "'QUUUUESSSTRIAAAA!!!" "Hey, Doc. Summin' tells me this'll be my kinda place." Time Turner simply replied with a groan.