*ghosts of the past*
Things open with Sonic flying over the ever-free forest in the zip craft that Pinky had given him. testing out some upgrades that the mare had provided for him. But then begins to panic as the craft starts to lose altitude. Eventually crashing into the ever free forest as a result. Sonic then wonders around looking for an exit, but can’t seem to find any sort of trail or markings. Meaning that he must be in a part that not many visits. Contemplating abandoning the zip craft and using the chaos emeralds to go into his super form and fly off. He runs into Derpy Hooves wandering around the forest as if looking for something. The two meet and the mare lets slip that she’s waiting for some and that they said to stay in this location. However, she ended up wandering off and is now lost. So, the two wander through the woods and eventually find a clearing. Derpy exclaims that this was the area she was supposed to meet her friend. This worries Sonic since it’s rather far out, but before he can inquire further a blue police call box materialises into existence before him. Resulting in an uncharitable yelp, as the hedgehog leaps back and demands to know what just happened. To which Derpy cheerfully answers that it’s the Doctor, but before the hedgehog can ask who this doctor is. The door to the call box opens and a brown pegasus steps out and greets the mare. Then turns to Sonic and states that he’s earlier than expected. But then drops it and asks Sonic to follow him inside. Since he must have a lot of questions and it would be better to answer them away from prying ears. Sonic reluctantly agrees. And begins to ask how everyone is going to fit, but then cuts himself as he steps in. Commenting on how it’s bigger on the inside.
The brown pegasus chuckles and comments how he never gets tired of hearing that. Before introducing himself as The Doctor that Sonic stands within his Tartarus. However, before the stallion can explain further. Sonic notices a familiar individual standing at the ship's control panel. This is Zonic who seems obvious to Sonic’s presence and continues to type away at the controls. Sonic then approaches the Zone Cop and asks why he’s in Equestria. This gets the other hedgehog’s attention who uncritically hugs Sonic and states that it’s good to see a familiar face. He then explains that Sonic had disappeared from the main timeline and that he was tasked with finding him. And manages to get this dimension by following Sonic’s last know coordinates that were left behind during his battle with Robotnik, but his equipment was damaged during his trip and is currently stranded in Equestria with one of his subordinates. The Doctor states he’s here for a similar reason. Since he was investigating a tear in the space-time continuum and ended up in Equestria as a result. With no way of getting back. So, the two decided to join forces to find a way home. Since neither of them is supposed to be there.
Sonic then asks why the Doctor is a pony. To which he replies that he initially didn’t survive the trip, but due to his unique timelord physiology. He was able to regenerate and was in the process of regenerating when Derpy found him and For reasons he can’t explain, nor understands. He turned into a pony. Rather than a human. Terrorizing that it might be to help blend in better. However, before this can be explained further Zonic’s subordinate arrives on the scene announcing her presence by comments on there being two Zonics and that it's not her birthday. This individual is introduced as Zlaze, who has a similar job to Zonic. But is still a rookie, since her division was only created recently due to the events that occurred that caused the Mobius and Sol dimension to merge. (The events of Sonic Rush, essessenly.) It is also revealed that the two had started a relationship with one another.
A/N: There was also a bit where Derpy compared them to rabbits in the springtime, but that seemed to be a bit much. As well as how they’re both out of shape due to the isolation. Though that seemed trivial.
The two then explain that they've been trying to acquire resources to repair their gear or at the very least set up a beacon for help. But since they would stick out too much if they went around and started asking the locals. Progress has been slow. The Doctor also comments that he isn’t much help. Due to the technology being even beyond him. Sonic then suggests a workaround but asks that they meet his friends beforehand. Because they would be the first to know that something is up. This workaround is that if they can keep in character. The two Zone cops could Splunk as their prime dimension counterparts. Provided it was ok with the person they would be portraying themselves as. (Blaze, since it was ok with him.) It would also mean the doctor wouldn’t have to constantly hide his activities from the crown and be able to assist when needed. Provided it doesn’t have negative effects. The three agree to at least try and Sonic ventures off to prepare for their arrival.
A/N: Derpy gives him a lift back into town.
~***~
This then shifts to the mane 6, Blaze, and the two princesses sitting in the throne room. Conversing with each other about what they think Sonic wanted to talk to them about. It’s then that the Tartarus appears in the middle of the throne room. With Sonic casually stepping out. He thanked everyone for coming and that he’d like to introduce them to some old friends of his. The group seemed confused by this, but go along with it. Since they trust Sonic. So first outsteps Zonic. He is in full Zone cop attire, so his face is obscured by the visor on his helmet. He introduces himself as a long time friend of Sonic and is happy that he’s able to meet the hedgehog's friends he’s made in this realm. Then Zlaze steps out and goes on about how there ‘sort of’ friends by proxy, but has heard a lot about Sonic from her superiors. She then also jokes how everyone looks like a starburst with feet. Prompting an enthusiastic chuckle from Pinkie. Who comments on how true it was and that she was waiting for somepony to finally say it. And then Finally outsetpes The Doctor who is accompanied by Derpy. Stating that he’s been there a while, but hasn’t been able to meet with everyone. Both princesses recognize him instantly and demand to know why he's waiting so long to introduce himself. (since he’s been travelling through time and space.)
They then go on about how they’ve decided to reveal themselves. Rather than continue the isolation. Since it would be more beneficial to work alongside Equestria denizens. Instead of working in the shadows. But then state that does to the prime directive. They can’t share their technology. Since it would disrupt the natural development of this dimension. Eager to meet her ‘new friends’ Pinkie attempts to enthusiastically welcome the other hedgehog to the group, but is easily sidestepped by the Zone cop. She then tries with Zlaze but also sidestepped. Zonic then asks what she’s doing, but is caught by surprise when the mare ploughs into him from behind. Knocking his helmet off and causing it to roll across the floor. Reveals his face to the others. Causing a collective gasp from the group. Glaze the decision to follow suit, since ‘the cat’s out of the bag’ gains an equal gasp as a result.
Sonic then attempts to rectify the situation by explaining his plan he had to allow them to be out in the open and not raise any submission. Pretending to be their respective counterpart. And that he called everyone who knew him best. So, he could explain what he had in mind. Since they’d instantly know something is up. And then states it would only happen if everyone is ok with it. To which Everyone reluctantly agrees.
A/N: Ok, I'm doing something different here. Since this is taking a lot longer than I anticipated and most likely will fill several dozen pages. If I keep at the rate I'm going. I’ve decided to explain the events that occur later on. Rather than the entire chapter that they are from.
*Date Night*
After a series of delays, setbacks, and cooling in a few favours. Twilight is finally able to make a reservation at a high-end restaurant in Canterlot. However, to the dismay of both Sonic and Twilight. They learn that the mare simply named dropped the hedgehog's name. She wouldn’t have had to jump through as many hoops as she did. Though this seems to be for nought. Like every restaurant on market, the street seems to serve the same thing. That barely passes as a snack, let alone a meal. The duo runs across the pony responsible for this ‘travesty.’ Sonic at first believes the pony to be malnourished due to her extremely slim figure. He then scoops her up in his arms (prompting the mare to blush and seem oddly ok with being picked up.) and is about to run her to the nearest hospital. Until Twilight informs the hedgehog that some ponys intentionally look like that. Hearing this, the hedgehog abruptly drops the mare. (Much to her annoyance) and asks why she wants to look like a walking skeleton. And then for her to explain why anyone would want to eat food that Bareilly passes off as bird food. This angers the mare, who promptly storms off. Prompting the two to find a restaurant off the market street that serves actual food. This in turn has other restaurants ditching the terrible menu and returning to dishes that made their restaurant famous.