//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Crying // Story: Ride On Shooting Star // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Epilogue: Crying A brown pony was walking through Ponyville on a warm day. His brown mane blew with the gentle breeze, making his tan coat shiver slightly. It had been a while since he had been in the town, but he knew his destination; a small cottage on the edge of the town. He took his time, enjoying the surrounds that he once grew accustom to. Arriving at the cottage, he looked at it carefully. A few things had changed since he was last there. There was a new type of flower growing flowerbed below the windows. There was also a fresh coat of paint on the exterior. The stallion knew it was the right house. He remembered it all too well. Finally gathering the courage, he trotted up to the porch and lightly tapped on the wooden door. The butterflies in his stomach told him to run. His mind agreed, 'What if she doesn't remember you? What if she's mad? What if she moved? What if-' His thoughts were cut off by a familiar voice of a mare from the inside. "Just a second, please!" The brown stallion's body froze up. The voice was just on the other side of the door. The wooden door opened, "And what can I do for yo-" the grey pegasus who opened the door also froze. Her gaze fixated on the brown stallion. "Hello, Derpy," the stallion softly spoke. The pegasus was still in awe. Her eyes, which normally would drift on their own, were staring at the pony before her. "D-Doc….Doctor? Is that really you?" Derpy didn't wait for a response. She flung her limbs around her long lost friend. She tightened her hold immediately, almost as if she wanted to make sure he wasn't an illusion. "How long?" the Doctor asked. "What?" Derpy relinquished from her hug and looked back at him with her hooves still making contact. "How long have I been gone?" he restated the question. Derpy smiled warmly to the Time Lord pony, "Ten months as of last week." "I'm sorry," the Doctor stated. Derpy's smile remained, "No, don't be! I looked up at the stars every night and wished each time for you to come back! And now you are here!" her voice was overjoyed, "Please, come in." The Doctor nodded and entered the house he for a time called home. He noticed little had changed inside. It gave him a nostalgic feeling. Derpy led him to the main room. She had a million questions and she wanted answers. "How are you a pony again? Why did you come back? Were you hurt? Are you okay? Would you-" The Doctor stopped the pegasus's questions by placing a hoof over her mouth. He gave a small smile before removing his hoof. Derpy then asked the biggest question on her mind, "How are you a pony, Doctor? I saw you as a Time Lord last time." "The universe works in mysterious ways. I came close to death not too long ago while dealing with some issues back on Earth. And during those moments of regeneration, I remembered that some Time Lords are able to have some control over their regeneration, so I tried gave it a shot. So I figured why not a pony? Ponies are cool," the Doctor gave a smirk at his last statement. Derpy was still puzzled, "But why come back here?" "As I was what I thought was dying, I remembered what the Master said to me during the encounter we had. He stated that he never thought that I would settle down. It made me think. Maybe it is something that I need. I've been traveling through out time for over a thousand years, or something like that. Honestly, it feels like more. Anyway, I've been traveling so long, it's all I know. So maybe I should settle down," the Doctor explained "With me?" Derpy asked, slightly flustered at the thought. The Doctor nodded. Derpy was bewildered, "But why? I'm not really a clever pony…." Her head looked down the floor. The Doctor placed a hoof under the pegasus's chin and lifted it up for her eyes to meet his, "My dear, I've traveled from the farthest reaches of the universe and back. I have fought enemies in all shapes and sizes. I've been to the beginning of time to the end of time and everything in between. I've been alive for so long that I don't even know how old I am. But despite of all I have seen, you are the most wonderful individual I have ever met. I could only begin to say what it is about you that I find charming. Derpy, I think you can understand what I am failing at saying." Derpy had a large smile on her face. Her eyes welled up with tears. A few rolled down as she hugged the Doctor again. "Yes…." she quietly said, "I understand that I'm lucky…." "Derpy? Why are you crying? You really shouldn't be sad," the Doctor pointed out. Derpy giggled slightly, "Silly, I'm not crying because I'm sad, I'm crying because I'm happy. It's happy crying." Hugging Derpy back, the Doctor echoed the pegasus's words, "Happy crying. Yes, of course." A smile came across his face as a couple tears formed in his eyes as well. Suddenly, a small blonde maned filly trotted into the room, "Mr. Doctor!" "Oh, Dinky, have you been a good little filly?" he asked, trying to wipe away his tears. "Yes, I have!" she exclaimed before joining Derpy and the Doctor in the hug, "I'm so happy you're home!" A few tears rolled down the Doctor's face, "Yes….I'm home." END