Chapter 1: The Future
Sweet Apple Industries, Ponyville Central, Equestria, Gaia, Spring, 2002 C.E.
The Doctor and Twilight held on tightly as the TARDIS gave one final jolt. The wondrous sound of the TARDIS faded away and the two confused ponies slowly regained their balance. Twilight had never ridden in something as bumpy and wild as the TARDIS and she groaned slightly as her insides finally settled back into place.
"Well that could have gone better!" exclaimed the Doctor.
"Take me back, Doctor! Now's not the time for me to go galloping off on wild adventures!" said Twilight.
"Sorry but the TARDIS needs time to rest. That darn Dalek damaged it to the point where it can only make one trip every few hours."
"Every few hours?!"
"Yeah and even with that I've got to fix some of buttons and levers so that I can properly take you back home. It seems that the TARDIS is stuck on random for right now so, for a while, we'll be jumping through time and space at random."
"Wait a minute! Did you say that we'd be jumping around through space...and time?!"
"Oh yeah. This isn't just a spaceship. It's a time machine too!"
"That's...practically impossible!"
"Oh I'm sure you magical lot have some sort of time traveling spells in your arsenal."
"We do, I've used one, but they're very tricky to pull off."
"Well time machines can be pretty tricky too when they're not working properly."
"So where...or when has it taken us?"
"Don't know. It was set on random. Outside that door could be anywhere in the universe at any time."
"Can...can we take a quick peak?"
"Why not?! The TARDIS needs a couple hours to recharge so I think we can spare a few hours exploring the unknown. This is exciting! A whole new universe for me to explore! We're on the same page here, Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight chuckled and the two ponies proceeded to walk through the front doors.
They stepped through the doors to find themselves in a long hallway with metal walls. Everything was shining like polished gold.
"Interesting," said the Doctor as he shut and locked the doors to the TARDIS.
"What is this place?" Twilight asked.
"Don't know. Let's find out, shall we? But first!"
The Doctor reached into his suit pockets and sighed.
"Yes! Still got my Sonic Screwdriver and my psychic paper on me!" he exclaimed.
"What's psychic paper?" Twilight asked.
"I'll tell you when we need use of it. Right now, let's find out exactly where and when we are."
Twilight nodded and they continued to walk down the hallway.
They eventually found a doorway leading out of the hallway and they passed through it. The doorway led into a small lounging area.
"I'm guessing that we're in a factory of some sort," Twilight guessed.
"I was thinking the exact same thing myself," said the Doctor. It was just then that they noticed the room was full of futuristic technologies. A high definition TV hung from the wall, three computers stood next to each other on a long desk, several telephones lines the walls, a mysterious metal circle stood in the middle of the room, and several pictures of ponies lines the walls along with the phones. "Amazing! It seems we're in your world, Twilight, but definitely in the future! Look at this! Computers! Televisions! Modern appliances!"
"This stuff is all so...alien. This is our future?" Twilight asked.
"Looks like it. Now all we need to do is find a date. Ah! Here's a newspaper from today!"
The Doctor reached down towards the newspaper and tried to pick it up with his hooves.
"Blast! Damn! Ugh! How do you pick things up with these hooves?!" snapped the Doctor.
Twilight rolled her eyes and said, "I'll just take care of it."
The newspaper lifted off of the ground and the two ponies looked for a date.
"There's the date! Let's see. Today's date is...June 19, 2002," said the Doctor with a smile.
"WHAT?! WE'RE 1000 YEARS IN THE FUTURE?!" screamed a shocked Twilight.
"No need to shout! The last thing we need is someone...uh...somepony coming across us."
"And just who the hay are you two?" asked a southern voice from behind them. The Doctor and Twilight turned around and Twilight's mouth dropped. There, standing a few feet away, was her friend Applejack wearing what appeared to be a lab coat.
"Sorry to barge in like this! We're safety inspectors," said the Doctor. He reached into his pocket and carefully balanced a small black leather wallet in his hooves. He opened it up and presented it to Applejack. "I'm Doctor Smith and this is my plucky assistant, Susan!" Twilight snapped out of her trance for two seconds to shove the Doctor. "She's very temperamental! I apologize if she acts strange or unprofessional."
"Everything seems to check out alright. Okay. Ah guess you're the real deal. Though I have to admit that I've never heard of the North Equestria Health Inspection Company," said Applejack.
"It's new. Princess Celestia founded it."
"Don't you mean Queen Celestia? She's been going by that title for at least 895 years now if I remember correctly."
"What? Oh! Yes! That's what I meant to say! Sorry! I forgot to have my dosage of morning coffee."
"Oh I've been there partner! Take care you two!"
Applejack nodded to the two visitors and stepped onto the metal circle. There was a series of three dings and Applejack disappeared.
"Why it's a teleportation pad! Ingenious! It's amazing what you ponies were able to invent in only 1000 years!" exclaimed the Doctor as he bent down to examine the pad. He looked up at Twilight to see that she was still in a daze. "You alright there, Twilight?"
"That...that pony we just saw," she breathed.
"I liked her. Definitely a southern pony."
"She's my friend, Applejack."
"What?"
"I have a friend back in my time named Applejack. She runs a farm outside of Ponyville called Sweet Apple Acres. That pony we saw was her! But it couldn't have been her if we're 1000 years in the future! Besides, she didn't even recognize me."
"Let's see what type of factory this is."
The Doctor stood up and beckoned Twilight onto the pad.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Exploring! That's the best part of time traveling!" replied the Doctor. Twilight looked over towards the wall and noticed a sign.
"Floor Six. Lounge Room 29."
"This pad must rely on thought so we just have to think of where we want to go and we're off."
"Doctor, remember floor six, lounge room 29. So we can come back here and find the TARDIS."
"Right. So where do you want to go?"
"Let's follow Applejack. I want to find out how a friend of mine is still alive in 2002 without any memories of me."
"Okay. Follow that Applejack!"
Twilight chuckled slightly as she stepped onto the pad. The Doctor and Twilight closed their eyes, pictured Applejack in their minds, three dings rang out, and...they were off.
Canterlot Castle, Canterlot, Equestria, Gaia, Spring, 2002 C.E.
Two guards, a pegasus and a unicorn, stood guard outside Queen Celestia's bedroom.
"Is it true what the others are saying?" asked the pegasus.
"What are they saying?" asked the unicorn.
"That the Queen is losing her sanity."
"I highly doubt that. She's ruled over Equestria for almost 2002 peaceful years. Sure there have been a few hiccups here and there but I highly doubt that something's going to happen that's going to cause our Queen to go nuts!"
Just then an earth pony guard ran up to them. He was definitely in a hurry.
"Where are you off to in such a rush?" asked the pegasus.
"I need to talk to the Queen, immediately!" said the guard.
"She's sleeping right now. What do you need to tell her?" asked the unicorn.
"That they've found it. One of our men has found the blue box that the Queen has been looking for."
The bedroom door flew open and Celestia stared out from the doorway. Her hair was strewn and a crazy look was etched onto her face.
"They've found the blue box?" she asked hungrily. "Tell them to bring it to me! Bring it to me now!"
"Yes, your majesty!" said the guard as he ran off.
"Your majesty," said the unicorn. "I'm puzzled. What do you need with a blue box?"
"You'll find out soon enough!" chuckled Celestia as she retreated back into the room. The unicorn and the pegasus stared at each other.
"Maybe the others are right," said the unicorn nervously. "Maybe she is losing her mind!"