//------------------------------// // Part 14: Spark of Youth Before the Twilight // Story: Adventures in the TARDIS // by Scroll //------------------------------// “Where is he going?” I ask with worry while I watch our Silurian guide wander off beyond the light of our campfire on this hilltop. It does not take long for my view of our guide to get swallowed up in the shadows of this starry night. “Scouting, I believe he said,” Doctor Smith answers as he stirs up our campfire with a stick. A spray of embers billows up as a result of his efforts and seem to be carried up further by the column of smoke. “Scouting for what?” I nervously ask my two remaining travel companions. “Nothing you need to worry about, I'm sure, or else our guide would have said so,” Doctor Smith calmly assures as he looks over to me. “We're not anywhere near the forbidden temple yet. I'm sure our guide is just keeping an eye out for standard fanfare within this jungle.” “You should get some rest,” advises Tanon as he uses a floating rag to wipe his gear. “You'll need your strength for tomorrow.” “So will the two of you,” I return a little more calmly as my gaze shifts back and forth between these two stallions. “And rest we shall,” Doctor Smith assures. “We'll just keep watch a little longer my darling. You can be sure of that.” I yawn and stretch my wings as I gaze downward with a bit of a nod. Eventually I say, “Okay. I won't argue with that much.” I trust these two anyway. I lay down on my bedroll. I feel only mildly disturbed by the fact that we're not sleeping in a hut or tent tonight. We're out here on this hilltop exposed to the starry night. As I grew up while I was a filly, I went through experiences like this with my grandfather Fourwind. I recall I used to be nervous about that at first, but his presence helped to sooth me and assure me that everything would be alright. That I was well protected. As a result, I was eventually able to just relax and enjoy the experience back then. This moment is similar except I've already learned there indeed are very threatening things out in this jungle. Two of our party already died because of such a creature. I can't blame myself for being more nervous after an experience like that, but with these two, I sort of feel like I'm a foal again and protected by very capable professionals. It's weird how this all works out. My consciousness very slowly drifts down. Considering how exhausted I am, I likely would have fallen asleep quite a bit faster if only I felt safer, but that stubborn exhaustion is slowly claiming me anyway. That is why I don't know how long it has been when I finally hear my two companions speak to each other. The moment they do, my ears perk up and I almost turned about to look at them, but something stilled me this time. I decided instead to just listen for once. Aside from that, what they speak of immediately intrigues me. “I know who you really are,” Tanon broaches in an offhoof manner. “I don't know why you decided to hide it this time. You haven't always done so in the past.” In reply, Doctor Smith scoffs for a moment before he says, “Well . . . you're an archaeologist among other things. It doesn't surprise me that you've heard of some of my adventures and encountered evidence thereof. Well done, Sir, for putting it all together though. Bear in mind, however, that some of the adventures you read or encountered somehow might be some that I haven't done yet, so I'd appreciate it if you just leave it at that.” “I don't recall them all off the top of my head,” Tanon says back. “So have no fear from me when it comes to spoilers in your life. I just remember enough right now to establish the general pattern about you and your Box. It's enough to know that this adventure fits the pattern. It doesn't really surprise me that you'd join an expedition where ponykind ventures out to a lost continent for the first time in recorded history. Heck, part of me even expected this. Exploration typically isn't the only pattern when it comes to you, however. Usually there is something else epic involved within the adventure itself, and my guess is these Naga fit that bill in this case. I guess you're here to save the world again.” What in Celestia's name are these two talking about? I wonder. “Believe it or not, no. I did not come specifically because of the Naga,” Doctor Smith replies. “If there is something that needs to be done about them then of course I shall do as I must. Honestly, a great deal of the heroism I've done before is just something I've stumbled into. Timey-whimmy stuff happens to me all the time while I ride into new adventures on the old girl. Perhaps greater credit should be given to that.” “Well . . . if it isn't the Naga, then why are you here?” Tanon asks the Doctor, perplexed. “Again, this may be difficult to believe, but I tell you the absolute truth, Sir, when I tell you that my original purpose for coming into this timeline is for her,” he says and probably indicates towards me. Me? Why me? And what does he mean by the phrase “timeline”? Is he a time traveler? Now I'm beginning to wonder if everypony with an hourglass cutie mark is part of some secret time travel society. “Her?” Tanon asks, sounding as perplexed as I feel right now. “Yes Sir,” Doctor Smith confirms. “It's very important for her to fulfill her full potential in this world, and I'm here to see to it that that potential is sparked. So much is at stake with that one that I'm here to ensure the ball gets started. I'm not here to take the spotlight this time, though. That's why I didn't present myself with my traditional name. Really I'm here just to offer a little encouragement.” “She's that important, huh?” Tanon asks in a way as if he just realized something. “Surely you've seen it too. That glimmer of greatness she has,” Doctor Smith figures. “She just needs a little encouragement to coax it out. Believe me, Sir, once she realizes what her full potential is, she'll be unstoppable. Arguably more important than that, though, is exactly what she does with that potential. Things that need to be done. Let me just put it that way.” Oh my Celestia! Does he really mean that? Why do I feel like crying? I hear Tanon give a long winded sigh before he says, “Apple certainly didn't fall far from the tree in this case. Seeing her in action these past few days heavily reminds me of good ol' Fourwind. I just can't help it. I see that similar zest and potential just ready to burst out of her. Fourwind before her was like a living, breathing deus ex machina. Whatever needed to be done got done. I see what you mean when you mention that potential to be 'unstoppable'. I know because I've seen it before.” “Runs in the family, I guess,” Doctor Smith figures in what sounds to me like he's somewhat amused by that fact. “No kidding,” Tanon agrees with a chuckle, before going on to say, “Although, in this case, it seems to have skipped a generation.” “It happens all the time,” Doctor Smith assures. “I've seen that plenty of times too. It's almost as if a family bloodline needs a generation to pause and relax before getting right back on that saddle and kicking it back into high gear.” Tanon gives another long winded sigh before he says, “Well, I'm glad I get to be a part of something like this one last time. Having her travel with us almost feels like I'm nurturing Fourwind's old spirit within her. Helping her feels like it helps me repay many debts I've accumulated over . . . Gosh. Half a dozen decades it seems. I've lost track of how many times good ol' Fourwind saved my life and encouraged me in far more than one way. By helping her in return, part of me feels somehow . . . I don't know. More complete, I guess.” “'One last time'?” Doctor Smith reiterates then says, “Oh don't be daft, man. I'm sure there are plenty more adventures in those old bones of yours. Believe me when I say I know what it is like to adventure as an old man. Don't let my current appearance fool you. I'm much older than I look.” “I know, but that is because of what you are,” Tanon figures. I wonder what he means by that statement. “But I'm not like you. None of us ponies are. When we get old, that puts a time limit on our life that is way easier to feel. In my case, it is a terminal illness.” I think I'm not the only one shocked to hear that announcement. Doctor Smith is noticeably quiet too for a moment, but he is the first among us to speak again. “I'm sorry to hear that. I really am,” Doctor Smith says sympathetically. “If you wish, I do have some equipment I've been hiding for this adventure and perhaps some of that can . . .” When Doctor Smith trails off, it's easy for me to imagine it is because he is observing Tanon shake his head. I feel doubly confident of that after what Tanon says next. “It's just my time, Sir,” Tanon assures. “I've accepted that.” He sighs again before he goes on to say, “Having said that, now you know for sure that I'm not on this expedition for anything like money. I won't be taking that on my next adventure.” “Then why are you here?” Doctor Smith asks in a way that sounds like he already knows the answer. He's just asking to see if Tanon confirms it. “I'm here because I recently realized something important about myself,” Tanon answers. “Shortly after I learned that my time in this life is now short, I did a lot of reflecting upon my life as you may well expect a pony in my position to do. In my case, however, I didn't just look back. I also looked forward and thought about how I wished to spend the rest of my life, as short as it may be. When I did that, a strong part of me cringed at the very notion of spending the rest of my days peacefully wasting away in some retirement home where I do nothing but reflect on my good old glory days. I hated the very notion that reflecting back on my life was the only value my life had left. Instead of that, I much prefer to die as I had lived, as an adventurer and explorer who accomplishes very meaningful things in his life. I wanted every last second of my life to actually count for something important. When I caught wind of this adventure, it felt like an invitation being sent to me by my late and great partner. “One last adventure. One last glorious hurrah. Indeed, even, the greatest discovery I have ever made so far. “I really don't expect to survive this adventure and that's alright. Maybe I could have lasted years in that retirement home but that is not me. That's not who I am. I'd rather have a few moons on a meaningful quest rather than living years reflecting on the fact that I'm now nothing more than a glorious has-been. It actually feels liberating to know that because it means I can afford to push myself to any limit this time. Pushing myself beyond the brink is only slightly accelerating what will soon happen anyway. If I am to face my end, then I'll do it on my own terms. “Perhaps far more important is what I accomplish with this time. If my sacrifice ends up saving the life of another then facing my end comes with tremendously more meaning for me. It feels like I'm passing on the torch that I'm simply incapable of holding anymore no matter how much I want to. To find an actual worthy successor of my legacy, as well as Fourwind, actually feels like an act of providence to me and helps me to face my end in even greater peace. It's much easier to accept my end knowing that I'll be leaving this world in capable hooves after me. In this case it feels very personal to me too. I could not ask for a more fitting end to my story. I've never had foals, you see. I guess I really was married to my career far more than Fourwind ever was. This really is the next best thing.” There is a heavy moment of silence which is broken by Tanon again. “So now that the chips are down, it's time to cash in everything I got. With all the time I have left, I can't think of a more worthy or noble deed than to use all that I have left to invest in the next generation of heroes, and then . . . when I meet my final end, I can look forward to the next adventure. That shall always be my legacy. I . . .” Tanon's voice cracks for a moment due to heavy emotion so he pauses for a bit to recover before he goes on. “I'm looking forward to rejoining my old partner again on the next adventure. I'm also looking forward to retiring from the 'old' role script. No more creaking bones and waking up in pain every morning. I want to be young again and face the next adventure with zest and full of life. I want to reclaim that wonder again as I make marvelous and awe-inspiring discoveries, and I know it will happen again. I don't even question it. I see that as inevitable. I look forward to that even while I fight to make the most of what I have left as well.” “I love you all,” Doctor Smith replies at last. “Mortals, that is. You're all so fantastic! That zest for life is what I seek as well, Sir, and I'll fight like hell to make sure that flame doesn't die out in my own soul. That is why I tend to travel with companions like you all the time. It is because I refuse to do what most of the rest of my people once did, and that is forget what it feels like to be young again. Young and excited to explore life. Forsaking that turned some of them inwardly as cold as a statue. I won't surrender to that fate as well.” “I suppose I've never known what it feels like to be so old that I forget what it is like to be young,” Tanon muses. “If one were to live that way long enough, it might eventually feel like one never was young to begin with. That that level of existence is completely and totally severed from one's own life.” “You have remarkable insight for a mortal,” Doctor Smith commends. “I think it is your imagination that reveals to you that potential. That's something else that tends to disappear in those who surrender and forsake their inner spark of youth. Life is all just a bunch of meaningless numbers and cold, emotionless facts to them. One needs emotion to spark creativity and endlessly ask one's self, 'What if . . .?' When the, 'Been there, done that,' attitude gets too old, depression sinks in. Depression which extends from the root of stagnation, I think. Sometimes it even sneaks in without them realizing it. They've lost something and they often don't know it, especially if they took it for granted. 'I already know everything' takes them over instead of the attitude of, 'Let's see what's out there! What if it is this or this? Ooo! I can't wait to find out!' “Giddy excitement. That is what my kind tends to eventually forget, and I'm not going to let that happen to me without a struggle. “But you . . . you'll be facing your end soon, and when you do, you'll have a chance to meet all the former companions I had that I wasn't able to follow to that point so far. Death is the final and ultimate adventure, and while it is a veil I was able to peek around many times by now, I've rarely been able to fully look beyond that curtain. That is where I envy you, Sir, so please do me a favor: When you go to that great beyond, please remember me. Remember us. That way a little piece of us is carried with you on that great journey. If you do that, then part of me might feel what it is like to join you up there too.” “I shall,” Tanon promises in what sounds like solemn, very sincere, and firm conviction. “You have my word, Sir.” There is another long pause of silence before Doctor Smith finally says, “Well, it's getting late. We should retire to sleep too.” “That is the right of it,” Tanon agrees before I hear both stallions settle into their own bedrolls. Which gives me a lot to think about too until I finally drift off to sleep as well.