Another perfect day thought the Doctor. The sun was shining brightly in its illogical path, and just the right amount of clouds hung over his head. They were like accents on a beautiful blue canvas. It was perfect, from a mathematical standpoint at least. The optimal weather pattern in Ponyville had been determined years ago and the weather ponies had been trying their best to make the sky bend to their ideals ever since. For all of the natural beauty of the place, he still couldn't get over the weather. He could comprehend the fact that pegasus could simply kick the clouds away. What he couldn't understand was why. The weather was something that was supposed to be chaotic, a variable that was out of control, that humbled everyone in its awe at its presence. It could shake you with its wind, feed you with its rain and just when you aren't expecting it wow you with an impressive rainbow. It made you appreciate the simplicity of a sunny day.
Of course nobody liked rainy days. In the Doctor's travels he had come across very few civilizations that hadn't tried to take the randomness out of weather. With their science they could predict the weather anywhere from flawlessly to in one fond memory, almost as well as a man guessing. But Ponyville was the first place he had seen where the randomness had completely left the equation.It was at once impressive and disconcerting. For ponies to have the ability to interact with weather showed a bond of great strength. To domesticate it like an animal was troubling. Of course weather didn't really have feelings, but when the Doctor saw a new cloud float in from the Everfree he still felt sad. The oncoming storm, coming into a place that had no need for it. Or at least in its present form.
But enough pondering the Doctor finally decided. Today was going to be a day of relaxation. He had finally found himself a copy of Octavia's work and he had decided today he would figure out just how she did it. Simple everyday tasks were one thing, but to play music of that caliber with hooves? He wasn't just envious, the Doctor was amazed. Oh how he loved Equestria. Maybe because the weather wasn't random, the people just needed to step up their game. Everyday he saw something new and exciting. As if to prove his point, as the doctor turned to walk inside he saw off in the distance a surprising rainbow.
Rainbow Dash. The Doctor hadn't talked to her much in his time in Ponyville, but you can't go far without hearing of her exploits. She was Loyal, she was competitive and she was fun. But man o man was she fast. The Doctor would usually take a boast such as the fastest flier in Equestria with a grain of salt, but the fact that she broke the sound barrier still astounded him. The fact that a rainboom happened he had chocked up to magic, but that speed was impressive. As a pony who had grown up seeing many less talented ponies, one that could break the speed barrier was still fantastical. But he had never really gotten a chance to know her beyond the descriptions he had heard, and the Doctor was looking forward to making a new friend. Oh how this place had made him soft. And he didn't mind one bit.
"Rainbow Dash! What an honour to meet Ponyville's flier extraordinaire!" cried the Doctor. "What brings you to my humble abode? Has your cloud home sprung a leak? Actually, is that even possible? I would assume that would be a problem with living on a cloud house. Well, it would be my second biggest problem after falling through it to the earth the second I opened the door. Actually, my second problem would probably the velocity of which I'd hit the ground. But after that, I certainly wouldn't want my house to be leaking on me. Horrible." The Doctor looked back at Rainbow Dash who was in no mood for rambling. She had something on her mind he could tell, something important. And it wasn't a leaky cloud.
The Doctor recalculated. "Silly me Rainbow, your cloud is much too white to leak I'm sure. Now I wouldn't say that I'm terrible at guessing because I could do it for hours but I'm sure that you have other plans. Not that I wouldn't mind guessing. Does it have to do with Clouds? Nevermind. Just tell me." The Doctor made an effort to close his mouth. He didn't talk as much as he used to, but it just made his ramble come out all the quicker.
Rainbow Dash looked confused for an instant. She had came here with a single purpose, and the Doctor's nonchalance had completely derailed her. but it wasn't the type of thought that went away. She regained her thought before the Doctor could cut back in. "Scootaloo was telling me about her visit with you." Rainbow said seriously.
Scootaloo? Were they related? Now that would be a question for another time. What did Rainbow want to know about our visit thought the timelord.
"Ahh yes Scootaloo! A wonderful pegasus. If she doesn't find her cutie mark soon I'd be amazed. But I'll tell you one thing. When she does I'm sure it will be completely brilliant.! And her Scooter! A modern marvel. Of course I've seen better but the fact remains-" Rainbow dash realized that she had better cut him off before he goes off on another tangent.
"I'm sure it will be Doctor. But more importantly she told me about the story you told her. Of a place where the "ponies" walk on two legs and there are great beasts of metal everywhere."
The Doctor laughed. Sometimes he got so into telling a story he realized. "Did I really say great beasts of metal? Ohh I have been here too long, much to dramatic. Sorry for that horrible description. I sometimes get a bit too involved when I'm telling stories to the foals."
Rainbow chuckled "I was going to say. "Great beast of metal" is a bit much for a car. I'd try rustbucket or jalopy next time. I'd say it paints a much more accurate picture." Just like Rainbow Dash had hoped the Doctor had frozen when she said car. He thought he was the only one who had been to Earth. Now he wasn't sure. However Rainbow was sure now that she had a lead on a way back to her "Dad".
The Doctor was still thinking though. They had trains in Equestria. Did they have cars? Did the trains even have engines? What does Rainbow know? More importantly, what does Rainbow want. Because the doctor knew that whatever she wanted, he didn't need another adventure. Not after what had happened the last time. The Tardis was parked for a reason, and it wasn't internal damage. At least of the Tardis. Finally The Doctor decided he would try laughing it off. "Ha, yes those are very, uhm appropriate names. But you know in fantasy, really you can say whatever. In fact I have a few even more dramatic names for Cars! Yes here let me-" But he was cut off again.
"Not really Doc. I don't know what type of fantasy you think your spouting but cars are really just cars. They don't really in my humble opinion deserve nicknames. There pretty dull actually." Rainbow was floating around the doctor by now. She knew that he was hoping she was just guessing luckily. That with every word she said, he was squirming inside his big ole brain of his. She didn't have to be applejack to know that the Doctor was covering up something and now was the time to hit it home. "I mean on earth there are highways full of them. More of them than there are people I'd even say."
Earth. The word rang in the Doctors head. He could almost see his idyllic country life crack. He could swear one of his hearts stopped beating. And as much as he dreaded it, he knew his natural curiosity would get the best of him. That didn't mean he was leaving Equestria. But it did mean he was going to find out how Rainbow had seen Earth. "Ohh Earth," he thought, "it just had to be you. Haven't I given you enough?" Regardless, The Doctor needed to know how this had happened. And maybe he could do it all while staying in Ponyville.
Rainbow Dash was ecstatic. The Doctor was flabberghasted and that in itself was amazing. He was even speechless. Rainbow Dash didn't know much about what had happened or what was going to happen next, but she knew enough to know that there was still hope. And this madman before her was her key in.
The Doctor sighed. He was going to have to help Rainbow and she knew it too. "But," he thought, "that doesn't mean she can go around shocking me." He chuckled to himself as he opened the door to the Tardis. "Care to come in? I feel as if we have a lot to talk about."
As the door opened he heard a small noise. He wasn't quite sure if it was Rainbow's jaw hitting the ground or the squeak of the proverbial tables being turned but either way he just thought "Gets them every time."