“‘John’ put the funds together, and had a second carriage house built. Derpy couldn’t bear to part with her grandfather’s barouche, from when he worked The Park in Manehattan just to make more room. Nor could she sell the moderate sized wagon she used for the maintenance of the property; which was actually fairly good sized, he discovered. The small barn held her other equipment, hayrake, team plow, a pair of carts, some other pieces nice to have for a moderate stead like hers. Rather than crowd her, he decided a small shop of his own would be best.
Derpy agreed.
A few weeks later, a second mailbox joined the first out front. This one also suspended a small sign: “Dr. ‘John Smith’, esq. (Formerly of Croupwich), Clockwork, Appliance and Electrical Repair. Engineered Devices. Scrap Merchant. Blue doors in back,” with an appropriate arrow pointing the way.
He smiled as he worked, setting the screws holding the sign’s chains. And as he worked, he softly sang along to the tune Derpy was humming, a smile on her face.
‘John’ had found out something amazing about being a pony. They liked to sing. A lot. He had a marvelous voice for it, but didn’t indulge it as a Time Lord. Too busy saving the ‘verse for that.
But somehow, the ‘magic’ in the air that supported Pegasi also did something for everypony, too. Get one to start up singing, and everypony nearby joined in, just like a show on the telly. And the words would pop into your head as you went along. He really didn’t know the words or the tune for “Smile, Smile, Smile”, but Derpy did. It was what she was humming. And now, so did he.
Invaders could take over the planet in minutes if they toted along a catchy enough, ridiculous polka tune. It had worked for parasprites well enough.
He set the last chain in place holding the sign, and then wiped the sweat off his brow, before it dragged itself into his eyes. Derpy sighed, watching him.
Always fiddling, she thought to herself. Always having to adjust or tweak or twiddle with something. At least in his own shop, he wasn’t so tempted to disassemble the record player inside the house.
Behind the carefully color matched blue doors, matched to another pair of blue doors on something else, the large front of the new carriage house held some of his gizmos, various things in stages of repair, and finished items waiting for pickup. The décor was a study of 18th to 19th century Earth. Damask wallcovering hung from the walls of the shop, which had chair rails and wainscoting in dark, somber woods. An impressive desk with a leather writing pad, lit by a single green-shaded desk lamp, provided a lovely workspace. Most every other vertical surface was buried behind stack upon stack of bookcases, with books from everywhere in the universe, though the ones customers could easily see were Equestrian in origin.
A tidy corner was furnished with a hat rack, (now properly repaired), draped with a meters-long scarf; both now standing next to a comfy old overstuffed chair, side table, decent lamp, and a pair of books.
In the back…nothing, except a large blue box…and a telephone, now adjusted to ring the one in the house, waited behind the door with the sign...
“Finished!” he proclaimed loudly, as he set the final screw. Dinky cheered as Derpy smiled.
“Hooray!” she shouted. “Mister Smith, Mommy and I have decided to take you to celebrate!”
“Oh? Why’s that, luv?” he asked happily. “New digs, eh?”
“That; and the record player is relatively safe, for now,” Derpy said, chuckling. “Besides, you now have your own place these days, too. I get some of that bric-a-brac of yours out from underhoof, you get a refuge. Win all around for everypony, so let’s go. You can take Mister Cake’s small hand blender with you and drop it off, since Sugarcube Corner is our destination. You could do with a touch of ice cream.”
She sat down, started fiddling with his tie. Straightening it out, she slid the knot back into place. He didn’t even blink, even when she gave him a gentle kiss on the nose.
‘John’ was undeterred. “I love Saturdays! We could do a bit of shopping, too. I may even see if Twilight Sparkle has a new book or two! That last; ‘Thaumaturgery for Dummies’, certainly helped. Bit loud, that silly yellow and black cover thing, though; makes you feel thick reading it. Still, Saturdays are the greatest,” he said, laughing at the lovely Grey Angel in front of him, the gentle twirling golden ponds of her eyes he loved so much as they took in him and the world.
“Don’t be surprised that Pinkie Pie wants to throw you another party now that you’re shop is done,” Derpy said warmly.
“Pinkie party!” Dinky cried, laughing.
‘John’ facehoofed. “That last “Welcome Home” party nearly did me in. Three days is a bit much for anypony.” He started to grin even more. “But, I suppose I can endure it…especially in present company.”
They went inside, the three of them, to get ready.
They made a wonderful day of it, Derpy and Dinky shopping for fresh food and visiting with everypony, lingering with Carrot Top and BonBon in their stores, where Bonny slipped a pair of wonderful smelling sacks into the little filly’s saddlebags. He stopped by Roseluck’s cart for a big dozen of those lovely peach roses Derpy loved, and paid for them with his own bits, handing Derpy the bouquet sheepishly, while Dinky bounced up and down with excitement. He then spent a decent amount of time with Twilight Sparkle, looking through books, then his slinking downstairs with her as the marefolk engaged with Rarity and Sweetie Belle, giving Twilight and him time to look at her instrumentality, as he tuned up things here and there with his Sonic Screwdriver, making suggestions, which Twilight took down.
Spike stuck his head downstairs. “Mister Smith? Derpy and Dinky are looking for you…”
Twilight smiled. “Well, ‘John’, looks like it’s time to go. Thanks for the help with my machines. Do you think I can find these parts in Fillydelphia or Manehattan?”
“If not, Princess, ring me up. I’ll see if I can throw some equipment together for you. Got some wibbly-wobbly things lying around in my blue box you can use, I’m sure.” He bowed, cheekily.
“Oh, you,” she said, as she hugged him. “I don’t know if you do that to be respectful, or a smarty-pants.”
“Probably a bit of both, Twi. Friends and all that. When Pinkie sets up, would you come by? And the rest? It’s nice to have all of you over. Warms my hearts, it does. Can you also drop a line through Spike to the Princesses, too?” he asked earnestly, as they walked up the stairs.
“But of course, ‘John’. Anypony else? You know Pinkie…if you don’t set a limit, everypony in Equestria able to come over will show up at your door. I’m sure you still need some privacy, correct?” she asked impishly.
“I leave it in your capable hooves, Princess. Derpy will probably ask Tavi, Vinyl, Lyra, Bonny, Roseluck and Carrot Top, and maybe some from work, like On Time. Me, I’ll stay with the Heroines, the Diarchy, and probably both of us will ask Discord. We’ll have to keep it quiet with Derpy’s friends, but no worries there. Hard to believe the story, regardless.”
“True. In any case, I’ll try to rein in Pinkie. I’ve had plenty of practice with that.” She smiled grandly, as they arrived on the main floor.
Derpy walked over to them. “‘John’, Rarity has some things Dinky and I would like to see, and I know how mare’s fashions bore you to tears. Want to take a walk in the park while we spend a few minutes? Then we can go to Sugarcube Corner after and have some ice cream and refreshments. I’ll take the mixer with me and drop it off at Sugarcube Corner while grabbing a corner booth to wait for you.”
“I can certainly do that, and thanks for it. Clothes can be rubbish. Have absolutely no idea what fashion is about. A little time in the park, a bit of sun…that would be lovely.”
Derpy smiled, delighted. “Oh, you’re wonderful! Go ahead and start that way…Rarity will take us over after she gets finished talking to Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She kissed his nose, as his eyes crossed watching her, blushing at the public affection. “We’ll be along soon.”
“Love you,” he said, as he left for Ponyville’s lovely little park. She smiled brightly, waving a hoof.
‘John’ walked to the gorgeous spot he liked best, seeing the fillies and colts at play, parents enjoying the lovely day, the couples spending time with each other. One interesting stallion caught his eye…the cool trench coat…
‘John’ looked over the stallion…and saw his own eyes looking back at him. He decided to calmly walk over to the nearby park bench and sit down. The Other also came over, taking the bench opposite.
They sat in that odd way Lyra did. Some things never quite change.
He was a few pounds heavier, and the fur had lightened slightly. The mane still sparked spikiness, though the roots had begun to fade a tiny bit. And the face…
‘John’ studied it. There were slight lines here and there; the most notable was a slight wrinkling at the corners of both the eyes and mouth. Smiling even more, the Other lounged a bit insolently, grinning at his younger counterpart. The tie was bright red, matching with the red Cons All-Stars on his rear hooves.
“’Ello, mate. Second thoughts?” the Other taunted.
“There’s too much, you know. Not just the Angels. What about the other things? Sontarans. Cybermen. And what if there are Daleks here? Gallopfrey existed once, here, like Gallifrey did in the other reality. What then?” asked ‘John’.
“You’ll do as we’ve always done. You’ll stand here, right here, look up and tell them that Equestria is protected, eh? That the Oncoming Storm still stands against the tide. And should that prove to not be enough, you’ll remind them…oh, yes, you will!” The Other grinned. “And, on those occasions, you’ll have that mare by your side, to also remind them why.”
“And when did we start to age? We’ve never aged before...”
“We’ve never sat still long enough to find out, have we?” The Doctor grinned, his fore hooves in his coat pockets. “How many of us have there been, ‘John’? And how long have we lived? You know the maths.”
“On the average? Each of us? ‘Bought a long eighty or so years…” The light came on. “…a lifetime…”
The impossible grin on The Doctor grew.
“A lifetime…” he whispered, repeating the words. He looked at The Doctor. “But you already know.”
“I know, mate. But it’s still your decision, ‘John’. Always has been. True…one day, it’ll hurt, like nothing we’ve dealt with before. She’ll be gone, or we will, or perhaps if life is kind, together. We’ll regenerate, and there will be a hole, a hole nothing but time and strength on our part can endure. But you also need to know the other parts. Yeah…the monsters, the villains, and the despots; and the running, and all those ruddy corridors. Irritating gravel quarries. There’s also lovely quiet times, ‘Johnny’. Homework with Dinks. The fixing things for ponies. That lovely spot with our chair in the carriage house, reading. The Princesses asking for your advice. Hours of talking books and such, with Twilight Sparkle and your other friends.” The Doctor leaned in, conspiratorially. “The record player, ‘John’. Remember? You still want to know what makes it work. Oh, yes…the record player, whispering at you.”
“And Derpy?”
The Doctor somehow grinned even wider. “Spoilers, ‘John’. You have to take the next step to find out. Up to you.”
He stood up. “So?”
‘John’ stood up also. “So.”
“And?”
“Yes.”
“Sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good.” He handed ‘John’ a small box. “Get all the friends together, have them watch Dinky. Give Luna a call, and ask if she would send her Nightwing Threstral carriage team to pull Derpy’s barouche for you tomorrow. The restaurant in Canterlot with that obnoxiously rude loudmouth head chef, the one who says ‘buck’ a lot. Eight O’clock. I’ve already made all the arrangements. And have Derpy handle the secondary flow console afterward when you ask the old girl for a nice spot; our Angel always has a fine touch with it. That old box will find the perfect place. Trust her. Trust them both.”
‘John’ opened the box. A diamond ring sat in it. And it glowed.
‘John’ sat down heavily. “A warp star.” He looked at his elder version, tears in his eyes. “Where?”
“Spoilers.”
‘John’ shuddered, wiped his eyes. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, then stood up.
“Right.” The Doctor gave him a once over, reached out, and skewed the tie, pulling it down slightly. “She ever figures this out, we’re done for, lad. Never let her know.”
‘John’ smiled. “Allons-y!!” he cried, as he walked down the road toward Derpy, and his future.
Home. But not alone. Not anymore.
The Doctor watched warmly as ‘John’ walked away, smiling. Fifteen years of memories jostled around in his head, each speaking their part, and then yielding the stage for another. He raised a hoof, waved at the retreating figure. The grin gained wattage.
“Allons-y, ‘Johnny’. Welcome to your greatest adventure.” He walked to the back of the park, pulling his key fob out. There was a chirrup, and the TARDIS appeared.
The door popped open with a well known squeek, and a very dear somewhat bluish grey, well, more grayish than bluish, or something, puckish face leaned out. He smiled at the right eye, the cuter one, he always said, as the gamboge colored orbs with a hint of apple green whirled around and focused on him.
“Are you finished, Dearest?” Derpy said. She was a bit older, too. But all he saw was a thirty-youngish something filly, an impish smile, and a simply brilliant mind. And he loved her with all of both his hearts.
“All finished. Where off to now?” the Doctor asked, still smiling.
“Time to go home, clever boy. Sparkler invited us to dinner. I think she has a fiancée to show us.”
“Oh, joy. Been dreading that. He’d better…”
Derpy laid a hoof gently against his lips. “Shhh. Tie.”
Derpy retied the tie, concentrating mightily, the tip of her tongue sticking out as she worked the knot. “No Oncoming Storm, Doctor. You behave. She’s your daughter; she has the wits. If she’s sure, give her the benefit.”
His face fell a bit. “Not even a little bit?” he asked, jokingly.
“No, Dearest. No frightening the greatest enemies of the universe looks. No burning planets in your eyes. He’ll be part of this family; that’s enough for anypony. Be good.”
The TARDIS key she had tied into her mane’s ponytail flickered and flashed in the slow decent of Celestia’s Sun, as she worked the cloth
He inhaled. Deeply. That exotic perfume he got her on Bernard’s Station; it had a way of latching on to the cortex. She slid the knot up into place, still smiling.
“Perfect.” Derpy continued. “And, since Dinky is back from college on break, she said she would watch Aurora for us. I think she misses her little sister. We can take a bit of time over at Sparkler’s.”
“But our friends! They were so looking forward to coming over. Even Luny promised to stop by for a bit.”
“And so they shall. After all, we have a time machine, right? Dinky is making dinner, with Bonny’s help. Maud and Trixie are helping getting the place set up. Bonny and Ly-Ly are bringing Iris; when she gets tired, she can sleep in the old crib in Aurora’s room. I’m glad we added the expansion to the house. Vinyl and Neon. Octavia and Concerto. All of the Six, both old and new. Starlight Glimmer is away visiting Sunset Shimmer, but she said they'll both come by if they can manage it, today, or more likely, tomorrow. Apple Bloom is coming by later, but Scootaloo is on her Wonderbolt tour right now. Sweetie Belle and Button had to beg off; she’s due any day now. Discord is bringing the drinks; not chocolate milk, either. Flufflepuff, Chryssi, and tacos, those miniature ones you adore so much as appetizers. Cadance and Shining couldn’t get away this time, one of the children came down with a cold, and they have to stay home. Cely is handling dessert, a cake from the Royal Bakery, as usual. Luna and Lionheart are coming, but she is on watch tonight, as usual, just in case. We can all visit together afterward.”
She turned around, started back in the door. The ring on her tail and its fiery diamond glowed.
‘John’ smiled. So many things changed.
He caressed the door, grinning like an insane pony. “Thank you, you mad, brilliant, old box, you,” he whispered. “Not where I wanted to go. Where I needed to go. Always a Saturday. I simply love Saturdays, good things always happen on them. Once more, dear friend, oh, yes. No. Friends. All of us. Together. Right, friends is better. Allons-y.”
He closed the door with a squeek, just as the TARDIS started to dematerialize.