//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - What The Future Holds // Story: A New Stallion // by Ephraim Blue //------------------------------// Chapter 7 - What The Future Holds Outside The TARDIS ??? The Doctor eventually stepped out of the TARDIS and got a look at the world around him. Massive buildings from left to right were all the nine ponies could see. Some were too high to see the actual top of them. "Wow! Where are we?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Like I said Pinkie, I don't know," The Doctor responded. he looked to his left and saw a small group of ponies walking by them. He ran up to them. "Excuse me, but where are we, and what day is today?" They all looked at him. "Where have you been living, in a hole?" one of the ponies asked. "We're only in New Ponyville, one of th newest towns in modern day Equestria." "As for the date," another pony began, "it is November 7th, 2001 of the reign of Celestia and Luna. I would think that would be pretty obvious." They then walked off, leaving the group of nine ponies in front o the TARDIS. "Year 2001?!?" Twilight asked. "Are we really 1000 years in the future?" "It would appear so," The Doctor said. "I did say the TARDIS could travel to anytime. And as for our location, it would seem that we're in a newer version of your old hometown." "Woah," Rainbow said. "This is pretty amazing." "W- What happened to our Ponyville?" Fluttershy asked, barely above a whisper. "Fluttershy," Blue started, putting a hoof on her back, "not everything will stay the same with time. Everything has to change eventually." She looked at him. "What about my animals? Will they have gotten lonely if I wasn't there? What happened to them?" "I'm afraid I cannot answer those questions. What has happened to them is a complete mystery at the moment. But I do know that you will see them again." He smiled at her as he said that last part. "H- How do you know that?" "Because The Doctor is going to take us back. Maybe not right at this moment, but he will take us back." Blue turned to the chestnut stallion. "Isn't that right, Doctor?" "Of course it is!" he replied, a bit offended. "What kind of time traveler would I be if I didn't take you all back to your respective times?" "Enough about that," Rarity said. "What should we do now?" "I want to have a look around!" Pinkie said before she darted off in some random direction. "Hang on!" The Doctor called, but it was too late. She had already been out of earshot. "She's gone. She didn't let me finish. I was going to say that we should stick together." "Don't you worry Sugarcube," Applejack said. "I'll find her." She then ran off in the same direction as Pinkie. "Well," The Doctor began, "since it seems to be us splitting up, we can each view our own part of the town. So, who's going with who?" "I'll go with Twilight," Rarity said. To which, Twilight nodded. "I want to go with Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy said. Rainbow looked a little unsure, but simply nodded anyway. "Well then," Derpy began, "I guess Blue and I will be traveling with you, Doctor." "Please," Blue scoffed, receiving several looks from those around him. "I'd rather experience this place for myself." "But we should stick together," Twilight said. "What if we get into trouble?" "I can take care of myself," he said as he turned to walk away. Suddenly, he stopped mid-turn. "Oh, and a fair warning to you all. Don't meet any of the princesses." "Why not?" Twilight asked. "Why shouldn't we meet any of the princesses?" "Just don't." That's all he said before continuing his path. "What's with him?" Derpy asked. Nopony had an answer for her. "He seems a bit familiar," Twilight said. "Like I've seen him from somewhere before, but I don't clearly remember." The Doctor turned to her. "Well, don't push yourself. You'll remember eventually." Twilight nodded. "Right! So, does everyon- pony have their partners?" "Yep!" Rainbow replied. "Then meet back here at-" He looked at a clock on the wall that read 12:00. "3 o'clock, alright?" They nodded. "Then let's go!" They all then turned in different directions, each about to experience a different part of the New Ponyville. Pinkie And Applejack "Pinkie!" Applejack called out as she ran through the streets of the unfamiliar Ponyville. She had seen Pinkie until recently. She saw her, and then she didn't. "This ain't no time for jokes." "Silly Applejack," a voice from behind her spoke, making her jump. "There's always a time for jokes!" She turned to see Pinkie right behind her. "Where'd you come from?" "I was following behind you ever since you lost sight of me!" she responded. "Anyway, come on, Applejack! I found something you're going to like!" "I think we should get back to the TARDIS," Applejack said. "The Doctor wants us to stay together." "But that's why you're with me, silly! Now come on, lets go!" Pinkie then began to bounce away. Applejack shook her head and reluctantly followed her. After about five minutes of bouncing(and trudging), they came across some huge building. "And where are we?" Applejack asked. "Come inside and see!" Pinkie said as she went to the doors. Right before she ran into them, they opened on their own. "Come on!" Pinkie said when Applejack showed no sign o coming in. Reluctantly, Applejack moved toward the doors, that had closed. When she was about two feet from the door, it opened to her. She stepped back, but walked forward again when Pinkie motioned for her to come in. "Where is this?" Applejack asked. "Just look at that," Pinkie said, pointing a hoof at some machine. Applejack turned her head to look at it. On it, hundreds of apples were being moved through the building. "W- What is this?" Applejack asked. "This is the Apple-Transport Facility," a voice behind them said. They turned to see a pony in a workers outfit trotting over to them. "This is where we transport apples that we grow on a farm not to far from here all around Equestria. This is actually the main building to the entire country." "A farm?" Applejack asked. "Yeah," they said. "Don't tell me you've never heard of Sweet Apple Acres before." Applejack's eyes went wide. A wide grin formed on her face. Some tears formed in her eyes. "Ma'am, are you alright?" "Ah'm fine," she replied. "Ah just need to step outside." She turned and walked through the doors and sat on the sidewalk. About a minute later, Pinkie Pie came out and stood behind her. "Are you alright?" she asked. "I'm sorry if I made you sad." "Ah'm not sad Pinkie," Applejack replied. "Ah'm happy. To think that mah farm is still going, even this far in into the future. Ah'm happy to know that all of Equestria has come to enjoy the Apple Family's apples." "Well, that's great!" Pinkie said, a lot happier than earlier. "I wouldn't want to be wandering around town with one of my friends being mopey all the while!" Applejack wiped a tear from her cheek. "So where are we goin' to go now?" "Hmm..." Pinkie hummed. "Why not check out the farm the worker mentioned? I'm sure you'd love to see how your farm has done for the last thousand years." Applejack nodded. "Yeah, Ah'd like that." Rarity and Twilight The two unicorns walked down the road. Each one of them were looking at a different side of the street. "You know Twilight," Rarity began, "this place reminds me of our old Ponyville." Twilight turned to her. "How? This place doesn't remind me of our old home in any way." "Well, besides the streets being paved in this... weird black stuff, and the buildings being as tall as the castle in Canterlot, there are still ponies going about their daily lives." Twilight looked around. It was true. Other than the streets, the buildings and anything else that was different, all the ponies still talked between one another and trotted to different areas, as if they knew exactly where they were going. It actually was just like their Ponyville, in a way. Rarity sighed. "I guess to them, it is just like every day. It only seems strange to us, for they didn't come from the past." Twilight nodded. "I guess." She looked down at the ground, obviously lost in thought. "Something wrong dear?" Rarity asked. "I was thinking about what Blue told us," she admitted. "He told us not to see the princesses. Why did he say that? There's also the fact that I feel like I've seen him someplace before." "We did see him when we first met The Doctor. Perhaps you're just referring to that night." Twilight shook her head. "No, I recognize him from some other time. Before I met all of you..." "Before you met us?" Twilight nodded again. "Yeah... I think it was somewhere in Canterlot..." "Well, don't you worry about it. I'm sure you'll remember it eventually." "Perhaps..." Rarity looked over to their right. "Why don't we find someplace to visit? I think that would be better than just walking on these streets." "Alright," Twilight responded. Fluttershy And Rainbow Dash The two pegasi took the skies to view the world below them. Most of the buildings were still taller than their current elevation, but they still managed. to get around. "So what do you think about this city?" Rainbow asked Fluttershy. "I- Its alright, I- I guess," she replied. "That's good," Rainbow said. The two were silent as they flew above the city. No words seemed to come to mind. They took several turns before Rainbow spoke again. "So... What do you think the others are seeing." "I- I'm not sure..." Fluttershy replied. "They're all probably seeing something that they enjoy." She looked down at the ground. Rainbow saw her small disappointment. "You don't like it here, do you Fluttershy?" Fluttershy looked at Rainbow Dash, and then back at the ground, nodding silently. "I... just can't help but think about my animals," she admitted. "Even though Blue said that I will see them again, I don't think I'll feel better until I do." Rainbow reached over and put a hoof on her back. "Don't worry about them," she told her. "If Blue says that you will see them again, then you have to hope that you will. Don't let something that might not happen worry you." "But what if it does happen?" she countered. "What if I don't see them again? Will they have been left alone for all the time I was gone? What if-" "Fluttershy, stop!" Rainbow snapped at the pegasus. Fluttershy stopped flying and looked at Rainbow, a shocked expression on her face. "You can't continue worrying like this! You will see them again." "But-" "Don't say that Fluttershy," Rainbow cut her off. "Say it with me. 'I will see my animals again.'" "But-" "Say it, Fluttershy!" "I- I w- will see my animals again," she said quietly. "Again." "I- I will see my animals again," she repeated, a bit more confident this time. "Once more!" Rainbow encouraged. "I will see my animals again!" Fluttershy exclaimed. Every bit of fear in her voice earlier seemed to be gone. "Now," Rainbow began, "do you still think you won't see your animals again?" Fluttershy shook her head. "No, thanks, Rainbow." "Anything for a friend," the rainbow-maned pegasus replied. She began to fly off. "Come on, let's find something." Fluttershy nodded and flew after her friend. The Doctor And Derpy The Doctor and Derpy trotted through the streets of New Ponyville. "So who are these 'princesses' that Blue mentioned?" The Doctor asked. "The princesses are the ones who rule our land of Equestria," Derpy replied. "There are three that I know of. The first is Princess Celestia. She raises the sun each day at dawn." The Doctor looked at her strangely. "Did you just say that she raises the sun?" "Mm-Hmm!" Derpy nodded. "Her sister, Princess Luna, raises the moon. Together, they rule all of Equestria." "That's amazing!" he said. "You said that there were three that you know of. Who's the third?" "Huh? Oh, the third is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. But everypony just calls her Princess Cadence. I heard that she was going to get married soon." "Where'd you hear that?" "When you're the mailmare for an entire town like Ponyville, you tend to hear a lot of things." "Ah, I see. So, is this Princess Cadence the princess of anything?" Derpy shrugged. "I'm not sure. I don't hear everything that goes on around Ponyville. All I heard about her was the wedding." "Okay," The Doctor replied, turning his head to get a better look at the city around him. "You know, this city, New Ponyville, kinda reminds me of Earth." "Earth?" Derpy asked, confused. The Doctor nodded. "The planet that I was at before this one." "Really?" Derpy asked, glancing at the buildings. "In what way?" "Well, it just that everything seems to be the exact same as Earth. The buildings are tall, technology seems to be modern, stuff like that. It just reminds me of Earth." "Well, to me, its all different." "Time has a tendency to do that to my companions. Take them to the future, and everything is advanced to them. Take them to the past, and they worry about the lack of entertainment. But no matter where we end up, it has always been an adventure." "In what way?" "Oh, the usual. Some old enemies of mine sometimes make another appearance, and I stop them." "Like the Dalek?" The Doctor nodded and quietly replied. "Yes, like the Dalek." They continued walking down the street. Blue The gray unicorn immediately teleported once he was out of sight of the others. With only one destination in mind, it was simple to do so. He found himself at his new location, far from New Ponyville. There was a familiar voice behind him. He turned and looked in its direction, seeing the familiar face before him. "Hello Blue," the owner of the voice said, smiling. He smiled back at them. "Hello Celestia. How's Luna?"