Chapter 8: The Grave and the Mysterious Mare
Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 930 C.E.
Everypony was silent when Map Maker's body was lowered into the earth. Annie's father had quickly built the wooden coffin and had cleaned up the body to the best of his abilities. Now it was the early evening and Twilight, Pinkie, and the Apple family were sharing a moment of silence following the burial of the unfortunate, time-displaced stallion. After the burial, a few members of the family spread out to do some harvesting. It was the best method for them to feel better. Twilight and Pinkie Pie walked over to the edge of the farm. It wasn't long before Annie joined them. "How're y'all holding up?" she asked.
"Better," Twilight replied as she looked between her and Pinkie. She then looked at Annie. "Annie...we've got something to say."
"Would it have anything to do with y'all being from another time?" Twilight and Pinkie turned to look at each other before turning back to Annie. "I was able to put two and two together from what that statue had said. I guess Map Maker wasn't crazy after all."
"He didn't even get to return home to his own time," Pinkie said sadly. The three mares sighed sadly.
"How about you, Annie?" Twilight asked. "How are you holding up?"
"Better, like y'all. I'll get over it but I'm definitely not going to forget what happened," Annie replied.
"Hey Twilight," said Pinkie. "Do you think the Angel's gone for good?"
"I'm not sure. As far as I'm aware of, there hasn't been any historical mention of strange statues in Ponyville." Twilight proceeded to rub her forehead with her hooves. "I certainly hope it's gone for good because I'm starting to get tired of all these Weeping Angels. First it was Fort Rice, then what happened with Trixie, and now this."
"Y'all look like ya could use a nice, long vacation," Annie chuckled.
"You've got that right."
"Vacation! There's no time for a vacation!" Pinkie snapped as she stood up. "Now that all of this is out of the way, I need to continue planning out Donna's welcome party!"
"Who's Donna?"
"A friend of ours," Twilight replied as she stood up. She proceeded to present the envelope, which held the letter to the Doctor, to Annie. "Speaking of that, I asked you for a favor yesterday, Annie."
"Oh yeah! I remember that!" Annie stated.
Twilight extended the letter to Annie. "This is it."
Annie took the letter and examined it. "What is it?"
"A letter to a friend of Pinkie and me. He's known as the Doctor."
"The Doctor? I remember that statue mentioning him."
"Yeah. Anyway, what I need you to do with that letter is keep it safe for seventy-two years."
"Come again?"
"Seventy-two years. Wait until three days before Hearth's Warming Eve of 1002 and deliver that letter to the library in town."
"Library?"
"I'm guessing there's no library yet. Well, there will be. And that's where you'll deliver the letter."
"Three days before Hearth's Warming Eve of 1002, seventy-two years from now, deliver this letter to the Doctor at the library in Ponyville."
"Yes. Can you do that for Pinkie and me, Annie?"
A confident smile appeared on Annie's face. "I most certainly can!" Just then, a familiar, alien sound began reverberating through the air. VVRROOMMPP! VVRROOMMPP! VVRROOMMPP! "What in tarnation is that?"
A large smile appeared on Pinkie's face and she began to jump up and down. "Our ride home," Twilight replied. The three mares watched as the TARDIS materialized in front of them. The doors flew open and out stepped none other than the Doctor.
"Hello, Ms. Sparkle. Ms. Pie. I hope I haven't kept you waiting for too long," he said with a grin.
"Just in time."
Pinkie flew forward and wrapped the Doctor up in a huge hug. "Oh, Doctor! You would not believe what Twilight and I have been through! Weeping Angel! Zap apples! Sinkhole! Jam!" she exclaimed.
"That's nothing. Wait until you hear what happened on my end of things," the Doctor chuckled with that usual gleam in his eye.
"Why do I get the feeling that you already know about the Weeping Angel?" Twilight asked. The Doctor winked at her. "You better start explaining when we get home."
"Don't worry. I'm planning on it."
Twilight and Pinkie turned back to Annie and each gave her a nice hug. "Well...see you in seventy-two years!" chirped Pinkie.
"Right!" said Annie as she clutched the envelope tightly in her hoof.
"Bye," said Twilight as she waved at Annie before boarding the TARDIS.
Annie waved goodbye to Twilight, Pinkie, and the Doctor and began heading back towards the farmhouse. It wasn't until she heard the doors to the TARDIS shut that she remembered something. "WAIT!" she cried as she ran towards the TARDIS. "TWILIGHT! YOU FORGOT YOUR WINTER CLOTHES!" However, Annie's words weren't heard for the TARDIS disappeared right then and there. Annie sighed, shrugged her shoulders, and once again began making her way back over to the farmhouse. "Oh well. I'll just put them in a box and deliver them to the library with Twilight's letter then."
Home of Twilight Sparkle, Ponyville, Equestria, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
"Twilight!" cried Spike as he lunged at her. Twilight happily wrapped her dragon friend up in a big hug. Pinkie shot out of the TARDIS and tackled Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.
"There's no place like home!" she shrieked happily as she hugged the two pegasi madly.
"Good...to have you...back...Pinkie Pie," choked Rainbow Dash. Pinkie let go of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with a huge grin on her face.
While Twilight and Pinkie began discussing what had happened with the others, the Doctor walked over to Colgate. She was sitting on a cushion at the edge of the room and was recovering from what had happened at the farm. The Doctor sat down next to her and she quickly moved away from him a bit. "Are you feeling better?" he asked.
"I don't really know how to feel," she replied. "So much has happened...I just don't know how to process it."
"That's to be expected. But, now that it's over, things will most certainly get better."
"It can't. Not with what I can do."
"You're talking about the temporal touch, right?"
Colgate nodded. "My f...that Weeping Angel may be gone but I still have this terrible power. There's still the potential of me unintentionally sending more ponies back in time."
"When I told the Angel that I can help you with your situation, I meant it. The temporal touch appears to be the biggest thing for you right now."
"Yes. I can deal with the invincible skin but I don't want to send anymore ponies back in time."
"I can help you get rid of it. Your temporal touch."
Colgate's ears perked up. "You...you can?! How?!"
"Call it a Time Lord thing. Normally, I wouldn't be able to remove a Weeping Angel's temporal touch. However, you're not a full Weeping Angel. You're also a pony and this can allow me to work my way inside and put a biological lock of sorts on your temporal touch. You'll never be able to send anypony back in time ever again."
A look of hopeful joy appeared on Colgate's face. "When can you do it?"
"Right this second. Are you ready?"
"Of course!"
"Okay then." The Doctor moved himself in front of Colgate. "I want you to close your eyes and relax." Colgate did what she was told and the Doctor placed his hooves on both sides of Colgate's head. He himself proceeded to close his eyes. "Just relax."
A warm sensation moved through Colgate's body as the Doctor entered her mind. She felt him working about her insides. Quickly searching for that spot that was in charge of her temporal touch. Then he found it. A slight burning sensation began to appear deep within Colgate's head. "It's starting to hurt," she gasped.
"It won't hurt that much. It's just like pulling off a bandage. Just relax," said the Doctor as he worked his way about the spot that was in charge of the temporal touch. Colgate felt every part of her body tingling with excitement. The Doctor's presence inside her made her feel comfort as well as fear. A lot of power was flowing within her to suppress another power that had been with her for all of her life. "I'm almost done. Just keep relaxing." Colgate's heartbeat started to increase and the pain grew slightly more noticeable. She began to twitch. "Just a few more seconds." Colgate focused on the Doctor's voice. She pushed the pain away and just focused on his voice. "Almost there." The pain reached its peak. Colgate was mustering up every ounce of strength in her body to keep still. "And...there!"
The pain stopped and Colgate's eyes shot wide open. The Doctor pulled his forelegs away from her and smiled. "Is...is it gone?" she asked.
"Not gone. Simply blocked," the Doctor replied.
"But...I will definitely never send anypony back in time, right?"
"From this point on, as long as you don't have me unlock that ability, you will never accidentally send anypony back in time ever again."
Colgate instantly lunged forward and gave the Doctor a big hug. She put all of her strength into the hug, both mentally and physically. She shook with joy upon realizing that the Doctor was still there. He hadn't disappeared. "It's truly over now," she said.
"Yes," said the Doctor. "It's truly over now."
Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville, Equestria, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
That evening, Sugarcube Corner was packed with ponies from all over town to attend Pinkie's welcome party for Donna. Music was playing, the air smelled of sugar, and everypony was having a great time. It was certainly a well welcomed change from all the drama and such that had been occurring lately. "Thanks for throwing this party, Pinkie Pie," said Donna as she took a bite of cake. "I think everybody needed this."
"It's no problem! Just wait until the next welcome party!" Pinkie squealed.
"For who?"
"For Twilight and me, silly! I've got to celebrate us returning to Ponyville!"
Donna happily rolled her eyes. Something tells me that's just her excuse to have more parties, she thought.
Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike were sitting at a table by the entrance to the shop. "Twilight, you've apologized like a hundred times already," said Spike as he munched his way through a bowl of jewels that Rarity and Pinkie had prepared for him.
"I know but I feel horrible that I just keep up and disappearing on you and the others all the time!" she said.
"I've begun to accept the fact that to know the Doctor one must be prepared for any unexpected surprises."
"Certainly words to live by." Suddenly, something caught Twilight's eye. She noticed Colgate walking in front of the bakery and pulling her luggage behind her. "Where's Colgate going?" Twilight and Spike got up and walked outside. "Hey! Colgate!"
Colgate stopped and blushed as she turned towards Twilight and Spike. "Where are you going?" Spike asked. "And what are you doing with that luggage? I don't remember you bringing it to the party."
"I sort of snuck out a little while ago to pack up my things," Colgate replied.
"You're leaving? Without saying goodbye to everypony?" Twilight asked.
"The Doctor was going to tell you later."
"The Doctor knows about this?"
"Yeah. I know this probably comes off as rude but I'm ready to just...head home. I've been running for so long. Now that the Angel and my temporal touch are gone, I can finally return home." Twilight fell silent. She recalled what the others had told her about Colgate, the Weeping Angel, and how what had happened back in 930 and what had happened in the present linked together. "I really want to see my mother again and learn the full story behind what happened. I want to enjoy what little part of my long life I have to spend with her."
Twilight couldn't help but find that one statement to be odd. "What do you mean by that?"
"You know about Weeping Angels, right?" Colgate asked in response.
"Definitely. I've had to deal with them three times already," Twilight replied.
"And you know how Weeping Angels obtain potential energy by sending others back in time, right?"
"Yes."
"Well...the same applies with me. The Doctor explained it to me after he blocked my temporal touch. With each creature I sent back in time, I gained a great number of years to my life. According to the Doctor, I'm going to look like this and be alive and well for centuries to come."
"I...I don't know whether to say congratulations on the long life or that I'm so sorry."
A somewhat sad smile appeared on Colgate's face. "Don't feel sad about me, Twilight Sparkle. Thanks to the Doctor, I've been freed from two horrible aspects of my life. I can start over." Colgate looked over at the Ponyville clock tower and cleared her throat. "Well, my train's leaving in a few minutes." Colgate extended a hoof. "May we cross paths again."
"We probably will," said Twilight as she shook Colgate's hoof. "That tends to happen when you know the Doctor."
"Yeah," Colgate chuckled. "Well...goodbye." Colgate turned around and began to walk away.
"Wait a moment!" Colgate turned back to look at Twilight. "Before you leave, can I ask you one last thing?"
"Sure."
"I've been wanting to ask this since I first heard about you coming to Ponyville to get help from the Doctor. How did you know that the Doctor was the one who could help you? How did you find out about him?"
"Before I came here, I visited Canterlot. I was looking for anypony to help me with my situation. This mysterious mare I ran across recommended the Doctor to me and told me about where to find him."
"Mysterious mare? Who was she?"
"She didn't give me her name. She had a red coat, a purple mane, and was wearing a large, pink, brim hat with a feather on it." Twilight's eyes widened. "Does that remind of somepony?"
"Yeah. In fact, I think I know who this mare was."
"Who?"
"Just an old friend."
Colgate's eyes drifted up towards the clock tower again. "I've really got to go now! Goodbye!" said Colgate.
"Goodbye!" said Twilight as she waved her hoof.
"Have a safe trip!" called Spike. Twilight and Spike stood and watched Colgate as she ran off towards the train station. "Do you think she'll be okay, Twilight?"
"Yes, Spike. I think she'll be okay."
"Well...you want to return to the party now?"
"In a minute, Spike. First I want to go and check something out." Twilight took a few steps and then stopped. "How about you come with me, Spike?"
"I'd be happy to."
Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville, Equestria, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
Night had begun to fall as Twilight and Spike made their away across the snowy apple orchard. "Where are we going?" Spike asked.
"A grave," Twilight replied as she came to a stop. They were deep within the orchard, particularly within a large cluster of zap apple trees. Twilight and Spike looked at a wooden cross nailed into the ground. The wood looked old but well kept.
"Is this where that stallion you told me and the others about is buried? Map Maker?"
"Yeah." Twilight sat down and Spike hugged her. The two of them sat quietly for a few minutes as they looked at the grave.
"I've waited a couple years to say this, but you haven't aged a bit," chuckled a familiar voice. Twilight turned around to see Granny Smith standing a few feet away. Her usual, toothy grin was plastered on her face but this time appeared to have an extra layer of depth to it.
Twilight smiled at Granny Smith. "Seventy-two years sure do fly by. Don't they, Annie?"
Ponyville Train Station, Ponyville, Equestria, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
Colgate could see the train in the distance as she ran up onto the platform. There was nopony else there so Colgate figured that she would have a fairly lonely trip back to her hometown. As she stood on the platform, she couldn't help but think of how excited she was to finally be heading home to see her mother again. "Got places to go and ponies to see, right?" asked a voice from right next to her.
Colgate jumped a bit as she noticed a mare standing immediately next to her. It seemed that the mare had appeared out of thin air. Colgate only grew more unnerved when she realized that she recognized the mare. It was the exact same mare that she had met in Canterlot who had the red coat, purple mane, purple feather cutie mark, and large, pink, brim hat. "It's...it's you!" Colgate gasped.
The mysterious mare known as Matilda turned to look at Colgate. Her eyes flashed with their usual gleam of excitement. "I'm happy that you remember me."
"What...what are you doing here?!"
"Making sure that everything falls into place." Matilda gave a sad expression. "I know that you currently really wish to head home to your mother, Colgate, but today is sadly not that day."
"What are you talking about?!"
"A great storm is on the horizon, Colgate. A storm unlike which Equestria has ever faced! The Doctor and his allies are going to need to come together to help prevent this storm from bringing about the end of life as we know it." Matilda presented her vortex manipulator to the confused Colgate.
"What is that thing?!"
"I'll tell you and the others about it in Elmheim. Good luck."
"Wait! What are you-"
Matilda activated her vortex manipulator, waved it in front of Colgate, and the confused unicorn disappeared in a quick flash. "Good luck to you all."
Sunny Beach, Sunny Island Port, Elmheim, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
Colgate ended up getting a mouthful of sand upon hitting the ground after getting blinded by the flash of light. "What...where am I?" Colgate asked as she sat up. Her eyes first fell on her luggage, which was lying right next to her, and then moved upward. She gasped as she was realized that she was now sitting on a beach in the middle of a hot, sunny afternoon. A shipping port was situated a little ways down the beach and there were several buildings scattered about the beach's edge. Beyond the edge of the beach and the line of buildings was a vast, thick jungle. "Where the hay did that mare send me?!"
"Hello. Do you need some help?" asked a familiar voice. Colgate turned and gasped. A stallion and mare had walked up to her. They looked exactly like the Doctor and Derpy Hooves...and yet Colgate could tell that they weren't the Doctor and Derpy Hooves.
"You appeared in this bright flash of light! It nearly blinded me!" exclaimed the mare, who was wearing a mailmare uniform.
The stallion adjusted the black, square glasses situated on his face as he examined Colgate. "That didn't quite look like a normal teleportation that's usually seen from unicorns. My name's Clockwork and this is my assistant Bright Eyes. Perhaps you could start off by telling us who you are."
To be continued...