//------------------------------// // So Many Wonders // Story: The Adventures of Doctor Whooves: Series 1 // by Time Pony Victorious //------------------------------// Fluttershy’s Cottage, Ponyville, Equestria 47th of Summer, 8:00am, 1002 C.R. Fluttershy smiled as the woodland critters from all around scurried up to her and ate out of their bowls with enthused vigor. She was going through her feeding rounds for the critters before she set of for Sweet Apple Acres, the beloved farm of Ponyville and home to one of her best friends, Applejack. Angel Bunny was the least enthusiastic about this abridged breakfast and displayed his impatience by stamping his paw against the hardwood floor. While Fluttershy attended to the birds, sprinkling bird feed into the dispenser, he glared frostily at her with an expression that read, Why do you have to leave so early?! Fluttershy meekly hugged her bag of bird food as she pondered the question. “Applejack isn’t feeling too well,” she said, picking out her words deliberately. “I thought I would drop by to see if there is anything I can do to help.” Angel rolled his eyes and picked up a carrot, nibbling it with deep despondency, which Fluttershy took as resigned acceptance of her going away so early. It had been three days since Applejack and Pinkie returned from their impromptu trip with the Doctor and the esteemed farmpony was still feeling under the weather. Applejack had explained that because they had gone to the moon (and apparently diverted a war while there, oh my) that trying to orientate herself back on Ponyville was difficult. Pinkie Pie, however, was perfectly fine. Bouncing all over the place and recounting her adventures with Twilight and Fluttershy when the pegasus dropped by for her afternoon tea with the librarian. She had explained everything that occurred on the moon and why it took so long for them to get back home. Twilight was initially concerned about the war that nearly escalated on the moon but Pinkie reassured them that it was fine. “It was just a silly misunderstanding,” Pinkie had promised with a bright smile. “Everypony is okay.” Fluttershy couldn’t shake the feeling that Pinkie was mostly saying that to herself rather than Twilight. Then she had explained another scary part, apparently, the dormant spirit of Nightmare Moon was still alive and around on the moon. Fluttershy nearly dropped her tea cup when she heard that, she could barely stop herself from shaking. She was absolutely terrified of Nightmare Moon. Her dad told her stories of her when she was a filly and grew up fearing the monster. Just last year, during the last Nightmare Night, Princess Luna had graced Ponyville with a visit and Twilight brought her around to Fluttershy’s house for some quick elocution lessons. Fluttershy was so paralyzed with fear, she’s embarrassed to say she tried her best to run away from Princess Luna. Now, Fluttershy knows it isn’t Princess Luna’s fault she became Nightmare Moon and she knows that the princess is no longer that evil alicorn but she still couldn’t help being scared. The fact that Nightmare Moon wasn’t an alter-ego of Princess Luna but a physical, primal force scared Fluttershy even more. “What happened?” Twilight had asked, her quill writing so fast it began to smoke. That’s when Pinkie got uncomfortable. Fluttershy knew Pinkie longer than Twilight did and could recognize when she wasn’t feeling well in a situation. That didn’t make sense. Pinkie Pie and uncomfortable went as well together as Applejack and laziness, it simply didn’t add up. Pinkie Pie doesn’t get uncomfortable. Fluttershy was about to stop Twilight’s line of inquiry when the party pony finally answered meekly, “I don’t really remember,” Pinkie scratched the back of her head, making sure not to look Twilight in the eyes. “We just opened up the, um, vents for the TARDIS and Nightmare Moon was blown out into space, voom!” The answer seemed to satisfy Twilight who mused at the idea of keeping a journal of their adventures with the Doctor somewhere but Fluttershy wasn’t so convinced. She stared warily at Pinkie, as if trying to force the truth out of her with sheer willpower. But alas, Pinkie was immune to Fluttershy’s psychic abilities and stood to bid herself goodbye. Right before she left, however, Pinkie did something… odd. She had gotten up from her spot, approached Twilight, who responded in raising her eyebrows and asking what was wrong, and hugged her. Now that wasn’t the strange part, Pinkie was a very affectionate pony (rivaled only by the Doctor) and loved to give hugs and even kisses if the mood was right but this hug was different. She hugged her tightly and with so much love and intimacy that Fluttershy blushed because she was in proximity of an intimate moment. Pinkie hugged her like she was afraid she would disappear. When she broke the hug, Pinkie grinned broadly. “What… was that for?” Twilight asked, blushing slightly. “Just a promise to a friend,” Pinkie answered cryptically. Fluttershy sighed as she patted Barry, the grizzly bear, on the head. What could’ve happened to make Pinkie that awkward and having to make her lie to Twilight? Pinkie was an honest pony, sometimes too honest. The first week of their friendship, Pinkie gave Fluttershy regular updates on the curvature of her mane. So, to see her lie like that was disconcerting. Perhaps Applejack would know? Since they arrived back, Applejack hadn’t been feeling well. She had complained about headaches and a fever and was resigned to bed rest by the doctor, like, an actual medical practitioner not the Time Lord. Thing is, Applejack rarely, if ever, got sick. She claimed it was because of the moon but Fluttershy wasn’t so sure. “I’m heading off now,” she told Barry who nodded lazily and rested his head on the couch. A swarm of birds floated over, carrying her saddle, and placed it on her as she prepared to leave. “Thank you,” she said sweetly, making the birds blush and tweet nervously. Fluttershy headed off from her cottage and headed straight into Ponyville. She could’ve easily flown to Sweet Apple Acres but enjoyed the novelty of walking there. Like all pegasi, Fluttershy enjoyed the feeling of liberation upon taking flight. Her fear of heights didn’t impede it, it felt amazing to fly; the wind in your face, the adrenaline pumping through your body, it was incredible. But there were so many things pegasi missed when they flew. So many wonders that went unappreciated, like the squirrels in the trees or the cute little bunnies. Fluttershy always enjoyed it, she’d never grow bored with it. Once she was in town, the sleepy village was already bustling with activity. Vendors were setting up to start the day, ponies milled about, taking at the cafes and flirting apparently. It was a lovely sight but Fluttershy had to swallow back her trepidation as she made her way into the crowd. It felt illogical to her to fear crowds and other ponies but it wasn’t something she could help. Her chest tightened, invading and intrusive thoughts popped into her head and anxiety gripped her throat. But still, Fluttershy took a deep breath (as Twilight had taught her) and stepped in. She walked past a dozen little shops and homes, one shop in particular was in construction right in front of the Golden Oak Library, she didn’t recognize the new shop but she silently wished it luck. “Hey, Fluttershy!” a silly voice called from the sky. Fluttershy glanced up and noticed Ditzy Doo nosediving toward her. Fluttershy yelped and ducked for cover but Ditzy immediately slowed down and landed gracefully in front of the whimpering pegasus. “Uh, you okay, Fluttershy?” Ditzy asked, watching Fluttershy curiously as she was balled up and shivering. Fluttershy snapped up and nervously met Ditzy’s eyes. “Sorry, for some reason I thought you were going to crash into me.” “That’s silly,” Ditzy said with a smile. “I’m a trained mailmare, which means I’m one of the safest fliers out there. I may act silly from time to time but it’d be weird if the Post Office hired a clumsy mailmare.” “Oh, I suppose you have a point,” Fluttershy agreed. “I suppose the assumption just goes back of you silly personality and wall-eyed expression.” “Never judge a book by its cover, Fluttershy,” Ditzy said. “And speaking of covers, look!” Ditzy brandished a book from her mailbag. Fluttershy scrutinized the cover, it read, PARADOXICAL IMPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS AS ELABORATED BY THE ELITE. “It’s a really interesting book, it talks about socioeconomic disruptions due to popular trends as implemented by the social elite.” “Wow,” Fluttershy said, nodding. “I almost forget how intelligent you are, Ditzy.” Ditzy smiled bashfully and put her book away. “Anyways, where are ya heading?” Fluttershy continued walking and Ditzy followed her pace. “Sweet Apple Acres,” she answered, pointing at the farmland as it materialized in the horizon. “To visit Applejack. She’s feeling a bit sick.” “Oh no,” Ditzy gasped, frowning as if it were her fault. “Did she called the doctor?” “Yes, the doctor says she’s just a bit under the weather,” Fluttershy answered. Ditzy nodded firmly. “Good, that’s good.” “Hey, do you know that new shop being set up?” Fluttershy asked, pointing behind her at the construction site. Ditzy looked back and frowned, shaking her head, her golden eyes glittered with curiosity. “No,” she admitted. “It just popped up overnight.” Fluttershy frowned. “Popped… but that’s impossible,” she said. There was no way a construction site that large and nearly finished could happen overnight. “Well, I deliver mail every day and I’ve never seen that before this morning,” Ditzy insisted. Fluttershy thought about it. That really was strange that a new building just appeared out of nowhere. She wondered if it was the intervention of aliens. “Anyways, I gotta go, Fluttershy,” Ditzy said, turning around. “Still got my rounds to go through.” Fluttershy considered the time. It was a bit early for her to be working but she didn’t mention it. Instead, Fluttershy nodded and squeaked slightly when Ditzy hugged her. “Say hi to Applejack for me!” In a flash of gray and gold, Ditzy flew off and headed straight for the town. Fluttershy waved goodbye and when she was out of sight, she turned back around and continued down the path, Sweet Apple Acres only a few minutes away. As she got closer to the farm, she heard something strange… singing? Fluttershy listened as the sounds of music assailed her. Somepony, or rather someponies, were singing Fluttershy’s lullaby “Hush Now” but in the style of rock n’ roll. Fluttershy giggled as she heard Scootaloo yell out a soulful scream to conclude the song. A lullaby like that probably wasn’t intended to blow anypony’s ears out. Fluttershy entered to see Big Mac by the stove cooking up some stew. “Oh, good morning, Big Mac,” Fluttershy greeted with a smile, pulling off her saddlebag and settling it on the table. Big Mac regarded her calmly and gave her the subtlest hint of a nod. “It is a beautiful day isn’t it?” Fluttershy agreed. “I was wondering how Applejack was doing.” The stallion glanced up at the ceiling then back at Fluttershy. “Oh, the poor darling. Well at least she’s getting better, right?” “Yeeup,” Big Mac drawled out, putting his attention back on the stew. Fluttershy smiled as she headed upstairs. She always did like talking to Big Mac, he was so insightful and wise. Heading for Applejack’s room there were sounds of chaos erupting from there, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were running around her room, firing a barrage of questions at Applejack while simultaneously asking themselves what they were doing. She opened the door. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were outfitted with white lab coats (they looked professionally made, perhaps Rarity designed them?) and running around Applejack with thermometers, wet towels and bowls of soup. The Doctor was sitting bedside to Applejack, watching the hyperactive fillies run around with an amused expression. “Blimey, remind me never to get sick,” he remarked. Fluttershy looked at Applejack and smiled warmly. Applejack definitely looked sick. Her coat’s vibrant color faded to a sickly shade of white-orange, her mane was messy and matted on her forehead and dark circles showed up under her eyes as if she had trouble sleeping. “G’morning, Fluttershy,” Applejack greeted. “Fluttershy?” Sweetie Belle echoed. The Cutie Mark Crusaders turned and faced Fluttershy, their expression of shock turning into happy smiles. All three of them dropped what they were doing and ran for Fluttershy, stopping respectfully before her and grinning from ear to ear. “G’morning, Fluttershy!” Applebloom greeted respectfully. “How are ya doing, Fluttershy?” Scootaloo asked. “Would you like some water?” offered Sweetie Belle. Fluttershy giggled at the Crusaders’ sudden change in attitude and the Doctor gave her a strange look. “Blimey, look at that, they’ve stopped. What have you done, Fluttershy? They were like this all morning.” “It just takes a caring hoof,” Fluttershy said wisely, patting each Crusader on the head eliciting giggles from them. “So, what brings you here, girls?” “Applejack is sick,” stated Scootaloo. “We wanna nurse her back t’ health,” Applebloom added. “Yeah, and maybe get our cutie marks while we’re at it!” Sweetie Belle finished. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS DOCTORS!” Fluttershy nursed her ear and when she was sure she didn’t lose any hearing ability, she smiled warmly at the Crusaders. “That’s wonderful. Do you mind if I help?” “Of course not!” Scootaloo said. Fluttershy approached Applejack, nodding respectfully at the Doctor, and began setting up a tray. “How’re you feeling, AJ?” Applejack smiled, trying to sit up straight but couldn’t gather the strength. “Ah’ve had better days,” she answered. “This bug has really got me pegged.” Fluttershy was setting up the tray for some nice, warm tea when she noticed the Doctor glaring solemnly out the corner of her eye. She thought she imagined it because when she turned to look at him, he was smiling broadly. “The girls here insisted on doing the nursing,” the Doctor added. “How could I say no? I had to keep Applejack here in bed, however, doctor’s orders.” Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you were an actual doctor, Do—er, that is, Time Turner.” The Doctor smiled and winked. “Oh, I dabble.” “Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, ya’ll can go now,” Applejack said. “Go play in yer clubhouse if ya want.” Applebloom frowned, giving Applejack her famous puppy-dog eyes. “But, Ah wanna help you get better, sis!” “We’ll be fine,” promised Fluttershy. “We’ve got a doctor, after all.” Applebloom wanted to protest but Sweetie Belle spoke up, “Applejack will be fine. Besides, didn’t you want to introduce that pegasus to us?” “Pegasus?” Scootaloo repeated. Applebloom blushed as red as her mane. “He’s just a friend, Ah met ‘im th’ other day.” “Cloudchaser, right?” Sweetie Belle asked. Applebloom nodded. Scootaloo’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not trying to replace me, right?” Both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened, Applebloom looked aghast at such a suggestion. “Ah’d never do that, Scoot! We’re best friends, and nopony ain’t gonna get in th’ middle of that. Ah wouldn’t just heartlessly dump ya and suspect ya of doin’ scandalous things, that’s just wrong.” The girls shared a hug which warmed Fluttershy’s heart. “Sorry,” Scootaloo muttered. “I just get a bit worried, but then I remember that we are best friends and no matter what happens that isn’t changing. I’m glad we talked this out rather than bottle up our feelings, creating misunderstandings and escalating into a full on fight.” “We’d never fight!” said Sweetie Belle. “Because friends don’t do that.” The girls hugged one more time before walking out of the room together… wherein they started to argue because Applebloom stepped on Scootaloo’s hoof. The Doctor raised an eyebrow. “Blimey, that was odd. What were they talking about? Sounded like they were trying to give someone advice or a lesson on how to progress their story—“ “Anyway, Doctor,” Applejack interrupted. “Not that Ah mind, but what’re ya doin’ here? Ah thought you’d be back in th’ TARDIS for another adventure.” The Doctor smiled. “Well, perhaps later. Right now, my friend, Applejack, isn’t feeling too well. I thought, I’d be a rubbish doctor if I didn’t try to help.” Fluttershy was sitting on the bed listening intently but couldn’t help sense there was a nervous edge to the Doctor’s tone. Like he was here for an entirely different reason but didn’t want to say it aloud or something. Fluttershy didn’t dwell on it too much and prepared Applejack’s tea. “Here you go, Applejack,” Fluttershy said, handing her the cup. “It’s a bit hot, so be careful. Would you like me to cool it off for you?” “If ya don’t mind.” Fluttershy took back the cup and gently blew over the top of it, cooling it off quickly and spreading the scent of warm vanilla tea throughout the room. It made the Doctor yearn for some good old British tea. “Say, you wouldn’t happen to have Earl Grey in those bags, would you?” Fluttershy shook her head, her expression was perfectly confused. “Earl… who?” “Never mind,” he said, standing up and feeling Applejack’s forehead as she sipped her tea. “Looks like your fever is gone completely. You should be fine after a little more rest.” “That’s good,” Applejack said but she winced and nearly dropped her cup. “Applejack?” Fluttershy asked, starting to get up but the farmpony waved her off. “A-Ah’m fine. It’s just a headache,” she grumbled. “It feels like somepony is banging drums in mah head, ugh.” The Doctor’s expression paled and for a second panic was evident in his expression. To see the Doctor look so scared, Fluttershy couldn’t help but be scared as well, she was going to ask what was wrong but then the Doctor’s expression returned to its placid, neutral state. “I’ll see to it Big Mac gets some more medicine,” the Doctor said. “Get some rest, Applejack.” With that the Time Pony left. Fluttershy was tempted to run after him to ask why he had looked so scared when she mentioned drums but she didn’t want to leave Applejack. She turned to apologize for being so distracted but found that the farmpony was asleep already. Smiling softly, Fluttershy took her tea cup and set it aside, got up and packed her bags again. As quietly as she could, Fluttershy exited the room and headed downstairs. She gave more herbal medicine to Big Mac and Granny Smith and explained the instructions to them. Once they understood, Fluttershy left the farm and headed back to Ponyville. She wanted to find the Doctor. She found him by the newly constructed shop. The place was nearly done, it had the outline of a sign set up protruding from the side of the building. The shop was small, much smaller than Rarity’s boutique or Sugarcube Corner, so it was probably going to be low-key. Rainbow Dash was flying above the shop, holding up a bright neon sign and the Doctor was scrutinizing the placement of the sign. Fluttershy saw on his back were a stack of fliers. “Hm…” he hummed, looking intensely at the sign. “A little bit to the left.” Rainbow Dash sighed impatiently and moved it as he ordered. The Doctor frowned like that was the wrong direction. “Now, about a millimeter down,” he said. Again, the cyan pegasus sighed explosively but followed his order and pushed the sign down slightly. But the Doctor still wasn’t satisfied with it, he kept frowning as if it were completely off but Fluttershy didn’t see anything wrong with its placement. “A smidgen to the north…” She pushed it up. “No, no, I said the north.” She pushed it away from the Doctor. The Doctor stayed quiet for a really long time. … “A tiny bit to the right—“ “DOCTOR!” The Doctor laughed and pulled out his sonic. “Alright, alright, here you go.” He tossed the screwdriver to Rainbow who barely caught it with her hooves. The device was a lot lighter than she expected but there weren’t any obvious buttons on it. “Psychic interface,” the Doctor explained. “Point and think. Seal up the fastenings for me, will you?” Rainbow didn’t know what a psychic interface was but she thought about sealing the fastenings as the Doctor asked and the sonic buzzed in her hoof, nearly making her drop it. She got a firm grip on it and stared at it, as if reappraising its worth. “Cool,” she remarked as she got to work fixing it up. “Um, Doctor?” Fluttershy asked. The Doctor turned around and gave Fluttershy a smile. “Ah, hello, Fluttershy,” he said but Fluttershy was too focused on the fliers. “What’s that?” she asked. The Doctor looked at the fliers. “Oh, this?” He grabbed one with his mouth. “Ish ah flyah fuh duh hop.” Fluttershy took the flier from his mouth. “What?” “It’s a flier for the shop,” he said, still grinning. “Time Turner Clock Emporium!” She read the flier. It had a cartoon drawing of the Doctor standing next to a large hourglass with a big smile on his face. On the top of the page read the shop’s name and contact details. “Oh, okay, but why do you have a shop?” The Time Pony threw his foreleg over Fluttershy. “Dear little Fluttershy, my naïve little Fluttershy, oh well when you learn?” “I’m not little. I’m twenty-f—“ “People will think its about odd that I live with Twilight yet bring no income,” the Doctor continued. “This shop is a perfect cover, so I could be incognito.” “Done!” Rainbow tossed the screwdriver to the Doctor and he tried to catch it with his hoof but he stumbled and dropped it, cursing. Rainbow landed in front of the duo, chuckling under her breath. “Geez, Doc, when are you gonna learn how to catch things with your hoof?” The Doctor muttered another curse. “It’s these blasted hooves! If I ever make it back home. It’s impossible to pick anything up!” Fluttershy picked up the screwdriver and handed to him. But the Doctor stared at her as if she grew a second head. “How did you…” “How’d you get it built so quickly?” She asked, interrupting his question. The Doctor looked like he wanted to continue his line of inquiry but shook his head and pulled out his psychic paper. “Did a little convincing with Mayor Mare. Don’t worry, it’s a legitimate business. I just need some workers…” His eyes went over Fluttershy. “Say, what do you know about watch repair?” “O-oh, I can’t, Doctor,” she said, backing off. “I’ve got my little critters to look after and—well, I’m no good with watches… Sorry.” The Doctor frowned as he looked over Rainbow Dash with interest. “Say, Rainbow, how would you—“ “No.” She said firmly and before the Doctor could refute, she took off at the speed of sound and left. The Doctor huffed at the difficulties of being friends with someone more free-spirited than he was. Fluttershy looked apologetic, like she wanted to cry but the Doctor raised his hoof. “It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll just have to look for someone—“ “Somepony,” Fluttershy corrected. The Doctor glared at her. “Et tu, Fluttershy?” “Um, excuse me?” They turned around to see a bright blue unicorn behind them. Her mane was blue and white, so it resembled toothpaste to Fluttershy, in her magical grip she held a flier and behind her was a bag packed to the brim. On her flank was a cutie mark of a Golden Hourglass. Fluttershy recognized her. She was Minuette, or Colgate, she helped up with Winter Wrap Up last year then traveled to Manehatten for a while. “Is this where I go to apply?” she asked. The Doctor huffed. “Can’t you see we’re having a conversation?” he said, turning back to Fluttershy. “Anyways, I need somepony to look after the shop while I’m—oh, OH!” He turned around and embraced Colgate who was so startled she dropped the flier and her bags. Lifting up the poor unicorn, the Doctor spun around slightly before placing her down and kissing her cheeks. “Doctor!” Fluttershy exclaimed, fanning her face. “Apologies,” the Doctor smiled but he didn’t look very apologetic. “Yes, yes of course you apply here. What’s your name?” Colgate wiped her cheeks slightly and frowned. “Minuette,” she answered. “But everypony calls me Colgate. I think it’s my mane…” The Doctor laughed but Fluttershy couldn’t help but look at Colgate’s cutie mark. It was exactly the same as the Doctor’s. That was strange. There were no two same cutie marks, like, ever. Even siblings had different cutie marks, but these two strangers had the exact same one. “I’m the Doctor, this is Fluttershy,” he said, gesturing to Fluttershy. “I know Fluttershy already,” Colgate said, respectfully nodding at the mare. “And I thought your name was Time Turner?” “That’s a ridiculous name,” the Doctor grunted. “Why would you think that?” “Uh…” Colgate slowly pointed at the flier which said the name of his shop with an impression of him underneath. “Ah, well, yes that’s my name but I didn’t like it so I picked another. Picking a name is like a promise, after all,” he said, winking at Fluttershy as if they were sharing a joke. “Right, so I’d like to apply,” Colgate said, pulling out her resume and handing it to the Doctor. “It’s been a while since I was a watchmaker, but—“ “Right, ooh, quite impressive. Studied at Pranceton? Really?” He looked at Fluttershy like he couldn’t believe the school was called that. “Hell of a record. Why’d you want to work here? With your skills you could easily land a job at a university.” Colgate frowned, that was a bit of a weird question, like he didn’t want her here or something. “I spent the last year traveling Equestria, trying to figure out a few things. By the end of the year I realized something. I was homesick. I was no closer to my answers than I was when I started.” “Answers to what?” “Doctor who?” she asked coyly. The Doctor smiled. “Oh, I like you,” he said, patting her. “Alright you’re hired. There’s room and board on the upstairs bit and, ah, good luck.” “Wait!” she stopped the Doctor from leaving. “What’re my duties?” The Doctor frowned like he was confused. “I thought it was obvious, you’re running the shop.” “What?!” cried both Colgate and Fluttershy. The Doctor stepped back from the outburst. Fluttershy flew over and took the Doctor aside. “Are you sure that’s a good idea, Doctor?” she whispered, which made the Doctor strain his ears because she whispered when she normally spoke. “You can’t start up a cover shop and let somepony else run it.” “She’s qualified,” the Doctor answered, showing her the resume. “She could run a high-grade chemical lab by herself much less a shop.” “Yes, but—“ “I-I can do it,” Colgate said. They turned to see her with a firm and determined look in her eyes. “It’s no problem, it’s just… do you really trust me to run a shop, you barely know me.” “You’ll be fantastic!” the Doctor said, clapping her shoulders. “Now, d’ya need help with your bags?” “No, I’ll be fine. Is it okay to live there, the building isn’t done, after all.” The Doctor waved his hoof. “It’ll be fine. Listen, if you have any questions, you can run them by the Elements of Harmony. Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack (though she’s a bit sick now) or Fluttershy and I’ll get back to you.” “Okay, but what if I need to reach you—“ “Momentai,” he said, walking toward Twilight’s home. “I’ll catch up with you later!” Fluttershy bowed her head awkwardly and followed the Doctor into the library leaving Colgate a bit confused. “But what about my pay?” she asked but nopony heard her. After apologizing to the construction crew, she made her way inside and up the stairs to the little flat she’d be living it. It was a simple and humble abode. There was a bathroom-bath, a little kitchen unit and a big sitting room/bedroom that you walk into upon entering. Colgate began to unpack and organize most of the things that were already there. Thankfully there was already a bed there so she didn’t have to worry about that and a bookcase, weirdly enough. Once she had unpacked everything, Colgate could see the barest foundation for a nice home. She stepped back to look at her lovely little place. “Well, not bad for a new place,” she said to herself. “Time to stop running away, Cole.” Colgate magically levitated one last item from her bag and placed it on one of the top shelves of the bookcase. It was a simple fob-watch, very old and weather worn. It had a nice chain attached to it and strange circular designs on the face of the watch. “I’m home,” she said to the watch. Colgate always wondered why that watch never worked for her, it never even opened yet she felt so attached to it. Huh, one of life’s little mysteries, eh? ~==~ The Basement of the Golden Oak Library, Ponyville, Equestria 47th of Summer, 9:30am, 1002 C.R. “Where’s Twilight and Spike?” Fluttershy asked as she entered the basement, right behind the Doctor. The Doctor grumbled under his breath before answering, “They went to Canterlot for an audience with the Queen.” “You mean Princesses Celestia and Luna?” Fluttershy suggested. “Yes, them.” The Doctor looked a bit annoyed that they weren’t here so Fluttershy didn’t say anything. They stepped off the last stair and Fluttershy looked at the TARDIS with a smile. She was only in the TARDIS once but she felt a connection of sorts with her. Normally, she would’ve been scared to approach a machine like this but the TARDIS was so warm and caring that it was impossible for her to be nervous. “Hello, Old Girl,” the Doctor grinned, patting the wooden frame. He opened the door and stepped through. Fluttershy looked at the threshold, a smile coming to her face and she wasn’t sure why. She could feel this tickling sensation against her mind that just made her unconditionally happy. Fluttershy realized it must’ve been the TARDIS sending her a warm greeting. “Hello, to you too,” she said, patting the frame as the Doctor had and following him inside. She had only been in the TARDIS once, the very first night she met the Doctor, but it still felt like walking in here for the first time. Fluttershy fought disorientation as the scale of this room hit her, it was much bigger than her little home. She also had to fight the urge to go outside and make sure the TARDIS wasn’t the size of a house. Fluttershy wasn’t sure about everpony else, but she enjoyed the Nature Desktop, as the Doctor had called it. Large branches spread from the base of the console and upward to the ceiling with foliage growing on the limbs that dipped lazily below, providing a natural canopy over the console. The console base was a large circular area with a glass floor and lights underneath it that glowed iridescent randomly, Fluttershy wondered if the colored lights were based off the TARDIS’s mood. The console itself was an array of confusing controls that both intrigued Fluttershy’s curiosity and intimidated her. The controls were a mix from sci-fi to random stuff like an old-fashioned keyboard and a hammer tied to the console. It was beautiful to look at. The Doctor trotted up to the console and began inputting something in the keyboard. The TARDIS hummed and beeped to the Doctor’s typing and Fluttershy approached, intrigued at what he was doing. “Um, what’re you doing?” she asked quietly. “The TARDIS is still having trouble navigating,” the Doctor answered. “It’s difficult for her to get around the place which causes bumpy rides. I am just updating the software and zeroing out her calibrations.” Fluttershy looked at the Doctor with a confused expression. The Doctor sighed. “Basically, she can’t fly in this universe too well. The travel puts a strain on her engines and power supplies because she has to compensate. What I’m doing is… changing her old navigation system and inputting a new one to align to this universe.” “Like when we have to help the birds fly to the south during the winter and fly them back when its warmer,” Fluttershy said. “Exactly!” the Doctor smiled. “Well not exactly like that, but if it helps, imagine that.” The Doctor pressed a switch and a noise ran through the TARDIS that reminded Fluttershy of a squeaking bunny. “There she should recalibrate in a bit,” he said. “I’d need to take her for a test run to see if she’s working properly…” He frowned as he glanced at the scanner and went back to inputting buttons. Fluttershy almost wanted to volunteer to go but the idea scared her too much. From what Rainbow and Pinkie had recounted from their respective adventures things were… scary with the Doctor. Fluttershy had agreed to become his companion but merely for the sake of being his friend and not for the prospect of traveling with him. Fluttershy was more than content with her little cottage in her little part of Ponyville, space adventures didn’t agree with her. Still a twinge of guilt gnawed at Fluttershy. There wasn’t anypony available to go with him. Applejack was bed-ridden, Pinkie Pie was busy with Sugarcube Corner, Rarity had her own business to run, Rainbow flew off to Celestia knows where and Twilight and Spike were in Canterlot; something that seemed to bother the Doctor a lot. Fluttershy did consider the Doctor her friend and she wondered what kind of friend she would be if she didn’t accompany him somewhere at least once? “Um,” Fluttershy called but when she looked up the Doctor wasn’t there. He was on the other side of the console, throwing levers and smashing buttons. “Yes?” he called, not looking up. “What is it, Fluttershy?” “I’d like to go somewhere, if you don’t mind,” she mumbled silently. “You’d like to go home?” the Doctor guessed. “Well, I don’t mind flying you there but I feel I must remind you that your wings work.” “No,” Fluttershy said, shaking her head. “I said… I’d like to go somewhere, Doctor.” The Doctor looked up, his expression quizzical and reminiscent of a confused puppy. “What?” “I want to see something,” she continued. “Something… new. Somewhere I’ve never dreamed of going, Doctor. Let’s go somewhere amazing.”