It'll end up in... · 1:19pm Nov 20th, 2019
...well, actually, I know exactly where this goes.
This is what will most likely be the intro to what is, at this time, planned as the final story concerning my main two timelines.
However, it will probably take me at least the next two years to get to this point. So, I don’t mind a few small spoilers if you don’t.
Small ones. Honest.
If there is interest, I might post a few other fragments I have written out. I do get so tired of just sitting on this stuff, you know? But this one should be relatively spoiler-safe even if you haven’t read any of my various tales yet.
The rain was coming down in sheets, almost completely obfuscating the little house from the air. It was nestled in the small town of Ponyville, boasting a large yard with a swing set and a large oblong object obscured by the rain. Somewhere above the black clouds, the moon painted a silver crescent among the stars. In the distance, whippoorwills called.
The stranger landed on the front porch with little difficulty, shaking his wings as he folded them in. The rain was a minor nuisance to him, the winds an obstacle he could easily bear. He had certainly been through worse. His saddlebags had become well-worn over the years of wandering, his long mane and beard were weighted down by the rain. He raised a hoof, knocked on the door smartly.
No answer.
Unperturbed, he knocked again, louder.
A light came on in the rear of the house. Then, another, nearer the door. Finally, the door opened. The gentlepony of the house was a tan stallion, with white mane and tail, a finely maintained horn and a neatly trimmed moustache. He squinted at the stranger before him.
“Yes?” he asked. “Can I help you?”
“Doctor?”
The frown became a playful smile. “I’m… a doctor,” he replied carefully.
“No, sir,” the pegasus said. “I need the Doctor. The genuine article, you might say.”
Eyebrows went up. “I see,” he said with a welcoming smile. “Well, I guess you had best come in, then.”
Once the door was closed again and the pegasus was drying himself off, Whooves observed the stranger carefully. Sky blue coat, ginger mane, beard, and tail. Cutie mark of a Roman numeral clock without hands. Then the Doctor put the kettle on, and started fetching things from the cupboard and refrigerator.
“Is something puzzling you?” he asked.
“Sorry, sir,” the stranger answered. “It’s just that I was expecting a pegasus.”
“Well, sometimes I am,” the Doctor said. “but not today.”
The stranger nodded. “Of course. Forgive me.”
The Doctor winked. “Not at all. I love curiosity. It’s the perfect inoculation against boredom.”
For the first time, the stranger smiled. “Yes. It is that.”
Soon thereafter, tea was ready and fruitcake was cut. The Doctor served his mysterious guest on fine china, the two of them sitting comfortably while the storm raged outside.
“Now then, how can I be of service?” the Doctor asked at last.
His guest took a sip. “There’s a fire, sir.”
The Doctor stared.
“I’m sorry, what did you say, young man?”
“There’s a fire.”
Doctor Whooves nodded, suddenly grim. Absentmindedly, he took a bite of fruitcake. “How long, do you think?”
“No idea, sir, though it may be soon. I can only describe its origin, perhaps a likely manifestation. You’ll have to piece the rest together yourself, I’m afraid.”
“Mmm.” Eyes narrowed, he scrutinized the other stallion over his teacup. “And how can you be so certain, may I ask?”
“Because where I’m from, it’s one possible future. Which makes it an inevitability along at least one finite curve of probability.”
“And you think this world lies along that particular curve?”
“I’m almost certain.”
“Almost?”
“I’d hate to gamble.”
“Mmm, yes.” The Doctor nodded. “Yes. Yes, indeed. So would I.”
“If it helps any, I’m here to give whatever assistance I can.”
“And what can you do?”
“I’m a navigator.”
“Ah.” Smiling again. “A good navigator, I trust?”
The stranger smiled. “Yes, sir. One of the best.”
“Oh, very good!” Then, the older stallion frowned. “Do forgive me, but I never caught your name.”
“Justin Nicholas, sir.”
The Doctor stared for a second, then burst out laughing, with Justin joining him.
“Well, then,” said Doctor Whooves pleasantly, “I think we meddlers should stick together.”
Justin grinned, raising his teacup. “To meddling.”
“To meddling!” Their cups gently tapped together.
“Grandfather?”
The grey mare in the doorway was still sleepy, but no amount of fatigue could conceal the beauty in her golden eyes.
“What’s going on?” she asked. “You’ll wake Dinky.”
Both stallions rose.
“Sorry, my dear.” Doctor Whooves gracefully moved to her and they exchanged an embrace. “But it looks like we’re going to have a guest for a while. Business, I’m afraid.”
She gave a glance at their guest, part askance, part accusation.
“Oh, no, my dear, this is a friend,” her grandfather assured her. “Forgive me, please, both of you. Justin, this is my granddaughter, Ditzy.”
She nodded. “Pleased to meet you,” she said cautiously. “But, isn’t it a bit late to be calling?”
“Oh, no, dearest, not at all,” Doctor Whooves assured her. He gestured to their guest grandly. “Ditzy, this is Justin, the Nick of Time.”
Smiling, Justin bowed.
“Your servant, madame.”
Boooo.
Looking forward to seeing what comes of this in due time.
5158017
No regrets.