//------------------------------// // Corruption in Dodge Junction: Part Four (S1C2) // Story: DOCTOR // by Deidorimu //------------------------------// "That is correct, Tumbleweed. I am indeed challenging you! And I challenge you to a street duel!" said the Doctor. "A street duel? You and ah?" "Indeed, you and I, one on one. It'll be a twenty pace march, longbow, single shot." "And why should ah accept yer challenge?" The Doctor smiled, extracted a paper from his vest pocket, showed it off to Tumbleweed, and said, "because if you win you get this!" Tumbleweeds deputies gasped at what the Doctor held. Tumbleweed nearly took a step forward at the sight of his reward. It was a property document with three signatures at the bottom. A signature from Dean, Mr. Do, and Mrs. Do. All giving Tumbleweed full ownership of their farm. "If you defeat me at our duel, then this document is yours. And you will have every property belonging to Dodge Junction, giving you full, and legal, ownership of the town", the Doctor explained. "And if ah lose?" asked Tumbleweed. "Then you burn all signed documents that had previously given you property ownership, giving everypony their land back! You are also to leave this town and not step a single hoof within the town border ever again! Do I make myself clear?" Tumbleweed chuckled, "why don't ah just take that document from you right now?" "Because you're smart enough to realize I could just rip it up. None of you will be fast enough to stop me, not even your unicorns could take it from me. Their magic will rip it out of my hoofs if they try." Tumbleweed rubbed a hoof to his chin. "If ah beat you in the street duel while everyone's watch'in, that might just get em to never fight back against me! I won't just be a stallion kill'in an older stallion, this'll be a fair fight! It will be fair, won't it?" Tumbleweed asked with a threatening tone, narrowing his eyes to the Doctor. "Rest assured it will be fair. None of my friends will interfere as long as your deputies do the same, agreed?" "Yeah, yeah alright. As long as its a fair fight then ah agree! As soon as ah beat you in the duel, all of Dodge Junction will be mine!" Tumbleweed shouted, receiving a cheer from his deputies in response. "Then in that case. Three thirty sharp this afternoon. One longbow, one arrow, twenty five pace march, do you accept?" asked the Doctor, extending a hoof. Tumbleweed grinned sinisterly, shaking the Doctor's hoof. "Ah accept yer challenge!" "Then it is settled. We will begin at three thirty. I will wait inside of Dodge Desserts until it is time. You can leave a deputy to watch me, in case you feel that I will abandon our challenge during the wait. While I wait, however, I do request a bow and arrow." "I'll send a deputy to give you what you need. Don't do anything funny during our wait or else!" "Do not worry. Like I said, I will remain inside Dodge Desserts until it is time." "Alright, in that case, I'll be see'in you tonight", said Tumbleweed, turning right to walk down the road towards the sheriff's office. Tumbleweeds deputies followed in suit. As they did, however, the Doctor had spotted something. A gray earth pony with black hair, magenta eyes and a black raggedy beard. He wore a black vest with a white, dirty, ripped undershirt and a very familiar looking hat. The Doctor approached him, swiped the fedora off his head and placing it comfortably upon his. "I'll be taking that back! Thank you very much!" said the Doctor, turning and walking away from the agitated deputy, returning inside to Dodge Desserts. Upon entering Dodge Desserts whilst being followed by the deputy assigned to watch him, the Doctor was confronted by Dean and his parents as they headed for the stairs. "Are you absolutely certain this was a good idea?" asked Dean. "If you didn't think so then why did you give me your signature?" "It only sounded like a good plan at the time because they were threatening to shoot us with more spells! After that display you put on I'm beginning to have my doubts!" "Well there's no going back. What's done is done- oi! What are you doing!" the Doctor asked angrily. He had taken notice that Tumbleweed's deputy was following the four up the stairs. "I'm here to watch you- ." "You were assigned to make sure that I do not leave this building! I can't very well leave on the second floor can I?" "You have wings, you can fly out the window", said the deputy. The Doctor looked to his wings, then to the deputy, "do you not see how old I am? Do you really think I could just fly away like a bird to freedom!? I'll tell you what, if I try I'll be flying as well as a rock! And even if I could fly well i wouldn't dare leave. I didn't waste all that time and energy getting all these ponies out of Tumbleweed's prison just to abandon them now!" The Doctor took a threatening step to the deputy, placing his face an inch to his. Narrowing his eyes, the Doctor said, "I will not leave this building. And I am going to fight your boss, do I make myself clear?" The deputy nodded awkwardly. "Good, now leave me alone so I can get ready. If you want to make sure I don't leave then go wait by the front door. Three twenty sharp I'll be exiting through it. Watch a clock if you don't beleive me". The Doctor turned suddenly and proceeded quickly up the stairs, the deputy walking the opposite direction towards the front door as he did so. Once at the top in the master bedroom, now empty from stacking the piles earlier, the Doctor sat on his rear against a corner, facing the Do family. The Do family all stood uncomfortably, looking to each other and the Doctor with mixed feelings. The Doctor, sensing the insecurity asked, "do you all have such little faith in me?" Dean coughed to clear his throat and said, "it's not that we don't have faith Doctor. It's just that, well, no one really believes you could win- ." "That's the same thing!" "Look Doctor, ah appreciate everything yer do'in fer this town. But yer about to fight against Tumbleweed in a duel! Now ah could be wrong, but even if you knew how to work a bow, ah don't think a stallion yer age has a chance against a stallion like him!" said Mr. Do. "You doubt me because of my age?" "Doctor I've seen the things that you could do. I've seen you use your phoenix magic against Oswald's stallions. But this is different. You directly told me that you weren't going to use your magic, that you were going to fight them another way- ." "I'm going to fight and win without killing them, is that wrong?" "No Doctor, its just, well, it's just that I'm not comfortable with this! I can't imagine a stallion winning a fight like this without magic! You fought that last fight with magic and won without killing! If you said you were going to do that again then I'd be fine, but your not! I just can't see you winning without magic!" There was a brief silence between the four as the Doctor glared at the Do family. Not one of them able to read the Doctor's emotions. After a few seconds, the Doctor said, "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." The Do family all shared confused expressions as Mrs. Do asked, "w-what about them?" "The princesses are alicorns, the only one's within Equestria as of currently. They possess the three types of equine magic: earth pony magic, pegasus magic, and unicorn magic. With a lifespan of over thousands of years and powers that could move the sun and moon! They could bring harmony to Equiis or tartarus to those who deserve it! They are strong, they are brave, and they kind. But, do you want to know something that they are not, something that most ponies seem to beleive. Something that almost everypony in this country all seem to beleive in? Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are not gods!" The Do family gasped in unison. "H-How could you say that!?!" asked Mrs. Do. "They can move the sun and moon! Only gods can do that- ." "No, no, no, of course they can't! Gods don't move the sun and moon! Alicorns are the ones to move the sun and moon!" "But what's the difference?" "The difference, Dean, is that there is a god. God does exist but he most certainly isn't an alicorn. Because alicorns are just like us, alicorns are born, they age, and then they die. Just like the rest of us! The difference between gods and alicorns are that gods are immortal and alicorns are not! Alicorns are just beings with far too much power. Power that could save pony kind, or destroy it. That is, if they can surpass those beneath them." "Beneath them?" asked Mr. Do. "Yes! Beneath them! I'm talking about the earth ponies and the pegasus and the unicorns! Ponies like you and me!" Suddenly, the Doctor leaped to his hooves. "You all spend so much time hailing and glorifying those two ponies. Just because of how strong you think they are! Or how powerful they may be! Yes their strong, of course their strong! But as strong as they may be they would be nothing without us! Without the common pony!" "Alicorns are treated like gods just because they have the traits of all three types of equines. That some, if not all, would even make them princesses just for the shear fact that they are alicorns! But do you want to know what they do? Well there's only two so it'll be quite easy to say what alicorns do. They do their jobs! Exactly like they should!" "Because this planet can't function on its own, you all know that. We control the weather, we control the nature, we control, well not really control, more like assist, the living situations of animals! We do as a species on this planet should do! Tend to the mandatory functions of this planet to prevent it from dying!" "Earth ponies take care of the land, and the nature, and the growth of vegetation! Pegasus take care of the weather, and the clouds, and help breezies with the wind! And unicorns, unicorns keep magic in the balance! And they help to study and invent new ways to use it! Without them, the use of magic would be almost meaningless!" "And what do alicorns do? Well, since they have all three traits they could do pretty much anything! They could tend to the land or the weather or even study magic? But do they do that? No, they do not. They sit in their castles, tend to politics, and move the orbits when it is time." "Now do not get the wrong idea, I am not against the princesses for doing this. It is understandable for them to not have the same job as we do. Taking care of an entire country takes a lot of work, and princess Celestia and Luna are perfect for it!" "However, when it comes to taking care of our planet, the princesses do just as much as we do. They are glorified for their jobs because everyone seems to think that they are the only ones to do it. Yet no pony has ever even tried to see if they could do the same? One because it would be illegal, only the princesses are allowed to move the orbits. And two, because everyone already has this mindset that we are too weak. That they are superior and that we are dirt compared to them!" "However, without us the world would die. Plain and simple. Without elementals, or animals, or equines, the world would surely perish as one species that tends to the earth would no longer be able to. And the planet would lose that mandatory need that keeps it alive, thus causing its death." "Why are you telling us this Doctor?" asked Dean. "Because, Dean, it is okay to worship your princesses and treat them with the respect that our country's rulers deserve. However, it is most certainly not okay to treat royalty as gods! They are just as ordinary as we are. And I think, if everypony had as much faith and trust in the common pony as they did with the alicorns, then the bad guys would have a much harder time trying to fight us good guys." "Yes I am old, yes I am frail, and yes I am going to fight without magic. But I assure you, after today, once the duel is finished, then you will see! That the common pony can be as good, if not better, then an alicorn!" Smiling, the Doctor asked, "do you believe in me Dean? Do you trust that an old pegasus can win? Even though he isn't using magic?" Dean gaped for a moment, just as his parents did, before smiling. "Yes . . . yes, absolutely! I beleive in you Doctor!" Dean's parents looked to him in shock. "Dean! Yer side'in with him after the way he disrespected our princesses!?" "But mom he's right! Three days ago I was lost in a forest. I was attacked by a manticore and do you know who saved me? Not the princesses, the Doctor did. A common pegasus! And even after that, he and I found ourselves facing an entire camp full of criminals! Criminals that would kill a pony without even caring! Just like Tumbleweed! And do you know who stopped every last one of them, without killing a single one, and had them all sent to prison? It certainly wasn't the princesses, it was the Doctor! The Doctors right mom, we can't just think we'll survive off of miracles and magic! We have to take a stand and beleive in ourselves! In our own strengths!" Dean turned to the Doctor, "I have faith in the Doctor. That he will save us all." Mrs. Do gaped at her son for a moment, then looked to her husband. "What do you think Dean?" Rubbing his chin, Mr. Do said, "well . . . seeing as how things are ah don't think we have a choice". He looked sincerly to the Doctor, "Doctor, tell it to me straight. Do you have a plan? And will it work?" "Yes, and we'll have to see". Sighing, Mr. Do asked, "but can you win?" The Doctor's grin widened to a smile, "absolutely!" "Then that's all I need to hear". Looking to his wife, Mr. Do said, "if he say's he can do it, he can do it." "B-But, this is . . . he . . . w-we don't even know him! How can we think this stallion can- ." "Mom!" Dean yelled, cutting his mother off. Mrs. Do looked to her son, taken aback at his outburst. Dean took a deep breath, "you just need to have faith, especially when the ones you need faith in may just be your only hope." Mrs. Do thought for a moment, looking desperately to her husband for an alternative answer. When receiving none, she realized that there was indeed no other option. She sighed in defeat, "alright . . . fine. If you think the Doctor can do it, then I'll beleive in you." Dean smiled to his mother in response. She returned a smile for a moment before shooting an angry glare towards the Doctor. "But don't you dare let us down! If ah have faith that you can win and you go and die! Ah swear, I'm gonna find a way to bring you back to life so ah can kill you again!" Chuckling, the Doctor said, "alright, alright, I'll be sure not to lose then". 'Funny, I haven't heard that one since . . . nevermind', thought the Doctor, stopping himself before he could think of his past. "So Doctor, what's your plan?" asked Dean. "Hmm? Plan?" "Um, yes, your plan." "Um, oh! Right! Plan! Yes! You see, my plan is, if I say so myself, very, very brilliant!" "Well what is it?" asked Mr. Do. "Ah, okay, how to explain this. Its a little complicated. Well first off, the three of you know what a twenty march duel is, correct?" the Doctor asked. "You and Tumbleweed are going to start off facing each other twelve inches apart. An assigned pony will act as the referee and tell you two when to go. When he does, you two will turn and march opposite directions from each other. Once you two have taken twenty steps, you will each turn and fire your weapons to each other. If one injures the other more or kills em, they win. And neither of you are allowed to move once you've hit the twentieth march", Mr. Do explained. "Nice! Somepony knows how street duels work! Now, can you explain the difference between longbows and shortbows?" asked the Doctor. "Short bows allow a pony to hold the bow with one hoof while pulling the string with their mouth. Although this reduces your accuracy, it does allow a pony to move while firing. Longbows on the other hoof don't allow this. Longbows can fire arrows at a longer range, giving the arrow more distance and dealing more damage then the shortbow. However, it also prevents a pony from using it while moving, as it is too long. When using a longbow, a pony must stand still in order to use it properly", Mr. Do explained. "Precisely! I specifically made sure to have us use longbows to make absolutely sure that Tumbleweed would not move when he reaches his twentieth step. He's a murderer! Did you honestly trust him when he said he would fight a fair duel? Because personally I didn't! This is to make sure he doesn't cheat." "Okay but is that all? I was expecting more then why you chose that particular weapon", said Dean. "Indeed, there is more. And this part's a little tricky to explain. You see, although I do have a plan, it is quite a risky one- ." "Ah remember you say'in someth'in earlier about yer plan hurt'in?" asked Mrs. Do. "Yes, indeed it will. Again, it's quite a risky plan. You see, in order for this plan to work I am going to have to get shot by Tumbleweed. There is no way out of it." "What!?! But you said you could win!" "Not every win can be won painlessly Dean. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made. And in this case, in order for me to win, I will have to be shot." "You all doubt me because of my age, and although I can indeed prove you wrong. That an old stallion such as myself can in fact win. What I cannot disagree with you on is the weaknesses that come with my age." "When it is time for us to make our attacks, Tumbleweed will fire first. My body will not be able to move nearly as fast as Tumbleweed. He is younger, faster, more nimble then I am. And for me to take the proper shot, I will need a very precise aim, which of course will take time." "But what if he kills you?" asked Dean. "Ah! You see, I have a plan for that as well! More risky then the first plan and quite possibly unreliable. Yet, it is the only plan that i have." "For this plan to work, I am going to need assistance from the air elementals. From the breezies!" FIVE HOURS TWELVE MINUTES LATER All of Dodge Junction was dead silent. Every citizen was brought to the street outside of Dodge Desserts. Standing in a row along the side, forced to watch the duel by Tumbleweed. Tumbleweed stood in front of Dodge Desserts, facing the side opposite of the town entrance, standing tall and confident with a longbow and arrow held in his left hoof. His deputies all stood to the side, as close to their boss as possible, yet out of harms way for when the duel commences. Looking to a random citizen, Tumbleweed asked, "hey you! What time is it!?" The yellow earth pony shook in fear as he was asked this. He look to his pocket watch and stuttered, "t-three t-twenty eight Mr. Tumbleweed sir!" "Is that so? Well, he's got two minutes before ah send ma deputies in there and shoot every last pony to- ." Tumbleweed was interrupted by the sound of a door, slamming hard against the building outerier. Everypony in town stared with a combination of shock, awe, and fear to the Doctor. Who stood to his hind legs, both forehooves placed horizontally as he pushed the double sided door open with great force. Some of the citizens feared for the old stallions death. Others thought he was mad, having ever challenged Tumbleweed in the first place. The rest had hope. Silently watching their hero with great concentrations. Internal wishes of good luck as they hoped for the Doctor's victory as they semi believed the Doctor could save them. The Doctor fell to all fours and continued forward. Marching with confidence to Tumbleweed. Tumbleweed smiled as the Doctor stopped a foot from him. "So you did show up?" "Of course, I'm the one who challenged you after all." "I just thought you were try'in to buy yerself some time before ah had ma deputies kill you." "Clearly you were wrong. Now, my bow." Tumbleweed turned to his deputy named Pat, "give him his weapon." Pat nodded and ran to the Doctor, handing him a single arrow and a well maintained longbow. 'This bow is in great shape. Clean, polished, practically new, manufactured by Rags Co. The arrow is perfect as well. Sharp, straight, no signs of ever being used. It might just be new, more so then the bow. Tumbleweed gave me a fine weapon, he clearly thinks I don't stand a chance. Or perhaps this is his way of showing off to the spectators. Giving me a weapon such as this one does make the duel seem fair. Either way, it looks like I'm going to have to show him just what I can do', thought the Doctor, inspecting his weapon. "You think you can handle a piece like that?" asked Tumbleweed. The Doctor shrugged, "it'll do. Shall we begin?" "You seem eager to get this duel started Doctor, are you in that much of a hurry to die?" "When you get as old as I am you'll find that your patience begins to fade until you either no longer have a care for time or are in a constant hurry for everything! I'm part of the latter, so if you don't mind I would like to get started before I die of old age!" "Which shouldn't take too long", said Tumbleweed in an insulting tone, gaining laughs from his deputies. He looked to a deputy he assigned as their judge. "You ready to count?" "Yes sir!" said the coffee brown pegasus. Returning his look to the Doctor, Tumbleweed said, "ah assume ah don't have to explain the rules?" "No, that won't be necessary, however, there is something that I want done before we begin", said the Doctor. "What? A body bag?" asked Tumbleweed, mockingly. Gaining more laughs from his deputies. The Doctor's eyes narrowed slightly. "No, not that. I want you to make a promise to me. That if I win, you will follow our agreement. That you will give all of the townsfolk their properties back and you will leave Dodge Junction forever." Chuckling, Tumbleweed said, "ain't ma word good enough fer you?" "No", the Doctor said simply, gaining a few "oohs" from the spectators. Tumbleweeds grin waned for a moment before regaining itself. "Alright, fine! Ah promise to-". "No, not an ordinary promise, a special promise", said the Doctor, cutting Tumbleweed off. "Special promise?" asked Tumbleweed, growing annoyed. "Yes, it is called a Pinkie Promise. This kind of promise must never be broken. If one is to break it, then dire consequences will follow- ." "The buck is this nonsense! Ah don't want to waste ma time with silly little!-" "If you don't do it, then I'll call the duel off! And you won't be able to kill me in a fair fight in front of the town", the Doctor explained quickly. Tumbleweed thought for a moment, sighed, then said, "okay fine! How do you do this "Pinkie Promise?" "Its quite simple, just do as I do". The Doctor placed a hoof to his chest, crossing it in an "X" shape. "Cross my hearts and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye, that I solemnly swear to not break the terms and conditions of this dual", he said, finishing by placing a hoof to his left eye. Tumbleweed groaned and followed suit. Matching the Doctor's movements as he said, "cross ma heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in ma eye, that ah solemnly swear to not break the terms and conditions of this dual. There! Are we finished?" "Yes, you have made the Pinkie Promise. You cannot by any circumstances break the promise, or else!" Tumbleweed, thinking nothing of what the Doctor said replied, "Alright, then let's begin." The judge walked close to the two. "You both know how the duel works, so I'll just skip to how you win. Its simple, it don't matter who fires first as long as you can get yer hit. The loser is either the one who misses, the one who has received the worst injury, or the one who dies. You both only got one shot, if you both miss then you both get to try again. You ready?" "Yes", said the Doctor, getting annoyed. "Ready", said Tumbleweed, excited. "Alright, on ma count then", said the judge. He walked backwards until he was close to the crowd, making sure he was out of harm's way. "Tumbleweed, Doctor, make yer turn!" The two turned on command, facing opposite directions from each other. "I'd wish you good luck, but ah reckon it'd take a miracle to save yer sorry flank!" said Tumbleweed. The Doctor ignored him, choosing to focus on his plan then to respond. "Begin yer march!" said the judge. The two began marching forward, the judge counting aloud with each step they took. "One! Two! Three! Four! Five!" The Doctor glanced to his right, looking to the prisoners the stood spectating the duel in front of Dodge Desserts. They all watched with deadly anxiety, sweating, shaking, and gritting their teeth as they did so. The prisoners stunned earlier had awoken now, some were too injured to stand but chose to watch sitting or lying against the outer wall. Mr. and Mrs. Sugar were awake as well. Mr. Sugar leaned against his wife for support due to his leg injury, both watching with equal anxiety as the rest as they glued their eyes to the Doctor. Next to the Sugars were the Do's, watching with weaker anxiety then the others. Dean himself had the least of them all, feeling the most confident that the Doctor could win. Placing every bit of hope and trust into the Doctor that he had. Of course, to the Doctor, this was understandable. The Do's were the only one's to know of his plan, only they knew what was going to happen. Everyone one else, the Sugar's included, hadn't a clue of the Doctor's secret plan. The Doctor internally swore not to let Dean down as he shifted his eyes away from the spectators, focusing on the direction he walked in. "Eleven! Twelve! Thirteen! Fourteen! Fifteen!" Tumbleweed grinned through the entire march, feeling that his chances of losing were an absolute zero. 'Come on breezies, don't let me down!' thought the Doctor, taking a deep breath and preparing himself for the plan to commence. As the Doctor thought this, he felt a sudden shift in the air. He could sense it, it was approaching towards them. Keeping its constant pace, yet coming ever so quickly. He smiled, knowing that it had arrived. "Eighteen! Nineteen! Twenty! FIRE!!!" the Judge roared. Simultaneously, a sudden gust of wind blew hard through the street as Tumbleweed and the Doctor stopped and turned. It was quick, but easily noticeable. Tumbleweed was fast, too fast. He turned first, placed the arrow to his bow, aimed for the Doctor's chest, and fired. There was a crack, and a whoosh as the arrow soared through the air, entering directly into its target. The Doctor gasped in pain as he felt the arrow peirce into him. A simultaneous gasp echoed through the town as everyone witness the Doctor take a direct hit. The Doctor held the bow and arrow in his hoof, only having enough time to place the arrow to the bow. He leaned forward for a moment, appearing to fall over. The older ponies held their children close to them, comforting their scared fillies and colts as they watched their hero die. Some had even began crying, a single pony with a weak stomached began vomiting. The prisoners reactions were nearly identical, although none were sick, a few had began crying. Mr. and Mrs. Sugar held tightly to each other, tears falling from Mrs. Sugar as they did so. And through all the sadness and disparity, Dean and his parents were the only ones who felt anxious. Not out of fear or worry, at least, not anymore. Instead, they were anxious, because only they knew that the duel was not over. Tumbleweed, feeling that the duel was indeed over, laughed sinisterly as he stood to his hind legs. His deputies all cheering as he did so. "Welp! That takes care a that! AH WIN!!!" The cheers strengthened through the deputies. "Ha! Ha! HA! Well what did you all expect anyway!?! You trusted an ancient stallion like him to fight yer battle fer you! And what do you get! Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Now that I've won that officially makes this town mine!-" "Not so fast Tumbleweed", said the Doctor, gritting his teeth hard to surpass his pain. A second gasp echoed through the town as all eyes once again glued onto the Doctor, whom was standing triumphantly on his hind hoofs. Completely ignoring the arrow sticking out of the right upper side of his torso. "I haven't taken my shot yet", said the Doctor, grinning slightly through heavy breaths. Baffled and wide eyed, Tumbleweed stuttered, "w-what! B-But ah shot you! Ah shot you right in the heart! You were too slow! Ah had plenty a time to aim and get the shot right! H-How are you still stand'in!?!" Gritting his teeth hard as he felt a surge of pain pass through his chest, the Doctor waited a moment. As soon as the pain passed, he responded, "you should really work on that aim of yours Tumbleweed, that's the second time you've missed a ponies heart." "Second!?!" he shouted. Freezing in place, he looked to Mr. Do in the crowd, then to the Doctor. Growling as he put two and two together, "so that's how he's still alive!?!" "Indeed so, you missed his heart and dropped him in the desert without bothering to check and see if he was still alive- ." "Whatever! It doesn't matter! He's going to die anyway because I have won!-" "Oh no you have not!" said the Doctor, taking a firm grip to his bow as he pulled the string back far. One eye close, the Doctor shakily took his aim to Tumbleweed. Tumbleweed froze, dropping his bow and lifting his hoofs in defence. "Now hold on, y-you really think you can hit me? An old stallion such as yerself!?" The Doctor ignored him, keeping absolute focus on what he was aiming for. Tumbleweed, feeling genuine fear shouted, "you can't Doctor! A-Ah am the winner a this duel! You won't be able to get as good a shot as ah did! So you might as well give up!" The Doctor's continuing silence increasened Tumbleweeds fear. Shaking slightly, Tumbleweed roared, "You senile old fool!!! Just stop try'in!!! Can't you see you've lost!!! Ah am the ruler a this town now!!! Ah own the place!!! So that makes me the KING!!!" "In that case, check mate", said the Doctor, releasing the string to his bow. There was a crack as the bow fired the arrow fast into the air. Tumbleweed shouted in pain as he felt the arrow peirce into him. Entering and exiting through his shoulder. He fell to the ground sideways, twitched for a second, then remained motionless. If silence could kill, the whole town would have died. For everyone fell both frozen and silent as they looked between Tumbleweed and the Doctor. Tumbleweeds deputies stood slack jawed in shock as they stared at their fallen leader. Every prisoner, every citizen, and every deputy all processing what had just happened. Suddenly, earsplitting shouts of victory roared throughout the town as everypony (excluding the deputies) cheered. Jumping into the air, hugging one another, and throwing their hats into the air. The deputies could do nothing but watch as the town celebrated in Tumbleweed's loss. "YES!!!" Dean shouted, cheering as loud as the rest as he leaped to his parents, embracing them in a hug. The Doctor took hold of the arrow still inside him, grunted for a moment as he pulled it out hard, then tossed it aside. He fell to all fours as he observed his wound. 'An inch, a single inch more and he would have gotten my heart. Lucky those breezies came in handy. At the healing rate of a Phoenix Pony, this wound should take about a day to heal completely. Just bandage and clean it and I'll be fine', thought the Doctor. He looked to Dean and his parents and began walking towards them. As he did, however, Dean, his parents, and practically the rest of the town all began galloping towards the Doctor. All of them surrounded the Doctor, cheering, thanking him, and shouting his name. Dean and a few others shouted to clear room for the Doctor. The crowd of ponies obliged, allowing the Doctor room to walk straight to Tumbleweed. A few minutes later, the Doctor stood several feet to Tumbleweed, who at this point, was still on the ground. Tumbleweeds deputies stood behind Tumbleweed as all of Dodge Junction stood behind the Doctor. Each side facing each other, the Doctor's side feeling more brave and confident with the Doctor's victory and vise versa with Tumbleweeds side. Looking down to Tumbleweed, the Doctor said, "not feeling so tough anymore, are you?" Tumbleweed could only move his head as he looked to the Doctor. Glaring angrily, he said through gritted teeth, "y-you . . . haven't won!" "No, I have. And as promised you will return all the property you have taken from these ponies. Then you and the rest of your deputies will leave Dodge Junction forever. If I hear that any of you dare to step a single hoof within this town again, I'll be sure to make each and every one of you regret your action! Do I make myself clear!" Tumbleweed spat at the Doctor, "you fool! Do you think I have lost that easily! You may have won a one on one duel! But let's see how you can handle all my deputies at once! Deputies! Kill him!!!" All of Tumbleweed's deputies reached for the lethal weapons on their belts. All of which consisted of a short sword. As everypony behind the Doctor took a step back in fear, the Doctor remained still. He tsked at Tumbleweed, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." "Well yer not me!!! Deputies!!! Kill him!!! RIP HIM APART!!!" The deputies screamed and charged at the Doctor. However, mere seconds before they could reach him, every deputies was thrown into the air. A wave of blue fire, appearing out of nowhere, smashed into the ground between the Doctor and the deputies. The force of the fire had thrown the deputies off their hooves, launching them several feet into the air and causing them all to land with heavy thuds. Harmed but nowhere near fatal, the deputies got to their hooves and stood shakily with their swords pointed to the fire. The fire itself had begun forming a wall that separated Tumbleweed's deputies from the townsfolk. A small opening in the fire allowed only the Doctor to be seen. Everyone else was hidden behind bright, blue, raging fire. Tumbleweed glared to the Doctor with a mixture of confusion and anger as he shouted, "what in the name of tartarus is this!?!" "You made a promise Tumbleweed, you made a Pinkie Promise to agree to the terms and conditions of the duel. And now that you have chosen to break them, the consequences that come with breaking the Pinkie Promise shall commence!" Suddenly, the gap that allowed the deputies and Tumbleweed to see the Doctor sealed, and the wall of fire rose higher as it slowly began to approach the stallions. Tumbleweed, trying and failing to move, shouted, "what are you doing!?! What's happening!?!" "I'm not doing anything Tumbleweed", said the Doctor, his voice audible through the fire. "You are the one doing this. This is your consequence for breaking the Pinkie Promise. This fire will consume you and the rest of your deputies, and you will all suffer in burning agony until there is nothing left of you but ash!" "Make it stop!!!" shouted Tumbleweed. He looked to his deputies for help, only to find them running away. However, before they could a second wall of fire, just as big as the first, appeared out of nowhere. Blocking the deputies path. They had nowhere to run, all means of escape were blocked by fire. They were trapped between two walls of fire, both sides inching its way towards them. Two more walls and a ceiling had formed. This prevented the deputies from escaping through the buildings and from allowing any pegasus a means of escape. They were trapped, stuck within the center of a flaming box. A box that grew smaller and smaller, soon to be too small to fit anyone. Sweating and breathing heavily, Tumbleweed looked back to the first wall of fire and gasped as he saw it was only two feet away. "No! Please! Ah don't want to die! I'm sorry Doctor! I'm sorry!" "Sorry won't bring back the ones you have killed Tumbleweed." "Ah don't want to die!!! AH DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!" Tumbleweed shouted. He tried desperately to drag himself away from the fire but it was no use. He just couldn't move, moving any part of his body made the injured part of his body feel like tartarus. He looked to the wall of fire as it came within half a foot of him. He could feel the intense heat of the flames, slowly beginning to burn the fur of his lower torso. His tail had begun smoking, about ready to catch on fire. Tumbleweed didn't notice his scared deputies dropping their weapons and backing away from the fire that came closer to them, he was too concerned with his own situation. In desperation, Tumbleweed shouted, "I'll leave! I'll leave Dodge Junction forever! I'll keep ma Pinkie PROMISE!!!" Suddenly, the fire disappeared, leaving nothing but scorch marks on the ground. A very stern Doctor could be seen glaring at Tumbleweed. "You mean it? You will leave?" "Yes! We'll leave! Just don't let the Pinkie Promise kill us!" The Doctor smiled, "well then". He looked to two random Tumbleweed deputies, "you two carry your boss. He won't be able to move for a while, his body is in shock from the sudden impact of damage it has received. He'll need a hospital as well, take him to the nearest one in Coltorando, about forty miles north from here." The deputies nodded and ran to their boss, lifting him onto their backs as they stood side by side. The Doctor then looked to a separate pair of Tumbleweed deputies, "you have four deputies missing. One is chained inside Tumbleweeds prison, two are inside the sheriff's office, and one is in an alley next to the quills and sofa shop. Get them, now!" The deputies nodded and did as they were told. The Doctor glared fiercely to the rest. "The rest of you, get your things ready. You have a long walk ahead of you and you'll die without supplies. One hour, that's all you're getting! And in one hour sharp, all of you, every single last one of you, GET OUT!!!" the Doctor roared, pointing to Dodge Junctions exit. The deputies obeyed, running off in different directions to prepare for their journey. The Doctor smiled a very small grin as he turned to the cheering crowd behind him. ONE HOUR FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER After the hour had passed, every single last one of Tumbleweed's stallions (Tumbleweed still laid on the two deputies backs) stood at Dodge Junction boarder. During that hour the Doctor had time to explain to Dean's parents who he was and how he and Dean had met. After he finished explaining, the Do family began talking about themselves. Talking about their likes, passions, and interests. Dean at one point told the Doctor about his dream of discovering a new constellation, saying how he needed to find a strong enough telescope in order to do it. After forty five minutes of conversing, Mr. Do told the Doctor that he and the his family were leaving to return home for awhile. Saying that it had been so long since they had been on their farm and that they really wanted to see it again. The Doctor, understanding how they felt, said his goodbyes to the Do family and agreed to see them again later after he made sure Tumbleweed and his deputies left. After the Do family had left, the Doctor had made a request to Mrs. Sugar asking for a messenger bird. Mrs. Sugar, who conveniently had a friend that owned a messenger bird, complied to his request. Borrowing the bird, the Doctor wrote a letter to the guard post near mane city, requesting a squad to comprehend Tumbleweed and his deputies at Coltorando and arrest them. After placing in a photo of Tumbleweed, the Doctor sealed the scroll with a small rope and tied it to the bird with a string. He released the bird and watched it fly off into the distance. A few minutes later, it was time for Tumbleweed and his deputies to leave. The Doctor stood away from them at the town entrance, watching as they left town. He watched until they became a spect in the distance, slowly fading away until they disappeared over the horizon. The Doctor then returned to Dodge Desserts to ask if Mrs. Sugar needed help with cleaning up her building. She kindly denied his offer, saying that he has done enough for the town as it is and felt that he didn't need to do anything more for her. When the Doctor pressed on, saying that he felt he should help anyways, Mrs. Sugar pointed out that lots of townsfolk were already helping her, she had too much help as it is and that the Doctor would get in their way if he tried to help. The Doctor agreed and said his farewells to Mr. and Mrs. Sugar before leaving. He was waved at and greeted by many of the townsfolk, being thanked and almost praised for the kindness he had given to the town. Nearly everyone had tried to pay back the Doctor but he refused every offer, saying that what he did was free. This increased the towns liking to the Doctor and actually caused a few ponies to give him more things as a reward. Again, the Doctor refused their rewards. It took awhile but eventually, after walking through Dodge Junction, all the way to the other side of town, down a dirt road that seem to disconnect from the rest of the town. The Doctor finally entered into the Do family farm. It was a very large farm, filling nearly every bit of ground with dying date trees. In the distance, the Doctor spotted a brownish red farm house, placed within a large clearing of the date trees. He quickened his pace, approaching the house within seconds. The Doctor knocked thrice, waited a few seconds, then was greeted by Dean as he opened the door. "Doctor!" "Hello", said the Doctor, smiling. "Come in", said Dean. "Thanks", the Doctor said as he entered, following Dean to his living room. It was a medium small room with brown, red, and white striped walls. There were picture frames, white vases with dying flowers, and ornaments placed along the walls. A red bricked fireplace sat lit in the front center of the room. Across from it was Mr. and Mrs. Do, sitting together on a large brown couch. A couple of glasses filled with ice tea sat on a wood and glass coffee table in front of the couch. Beneath the coffee table lied a brown, red, and white striped carpet with flower like designs. Overall, it was a nice living room, except for the dust. Comfortable enough to the Doctor, yet the family's absence has caused the room to collect dust. The Doctor assumed that would change with the family's return. Dean's parents greeted the Doctor as they saw him and offered him a seat. He accepted and sat in large brown sofa that was placed beside the couch. Dean sat next to his parent, took a sip of iced tea, then looked to the Doctor. "So Doctor, are you heading out soon?" "Yup, my job here is done. Tumbleweed and his deputies are heading to Coltorado and the guards I messaged should be there to pick them up and send them to prison." "You sure have everything planned out, don't you?" asked Mrs. Do. "More or less", said the Doctor. "Oh don't be so modest! You were amazing today!" said Mrs. Do. "You took that arrow like a real champ! And trick'in Tumbleweed with that fire, hoowee! That was quite a show! By the way, are you sure Pinkie Promises aren't actually that dangerous?" asked Mr. Do. "Of course not. Like I said back at Dodge Dessert's, the Pinkie Promise is meant to make the bonds of friendship stronger. It can't actually kill someone! I just made Tumbleweed and the rest of the town beleive that it could when I used my Phoenix magic to form those firewalls." "So how come you only told us and no one else?" asked Dean. "Because, the entire town now has a reason to fear the Pinkie Promise. Only you three know that the Pinkie Promise making those firewalls from earlier was just an illusion. But nopony else knows that, so from now on, they'll be taking the Pinkie Promise very seriously. I'd dare say if anyone is ever to use it, rest assured it'll never be broken!" "Wow, that's clever Doc!" said Mr. Do. "Yeah! Hey I just remembered, did you ever patch up Cletus?" asked Dean. "No, I didn't. However, he is in good hooves now. His injuries were near fatal so there is little that my magic can do. What Cletus needs is bed rest and a doctor who will stay for him. And that's exactly what he has right now! I saw the deputies, the original deputies, taking Cletus to your town hospital earlier. So he'll be fine, don't you worry about him." "That's good, Cletus is a kind stallion. I hope he makes a full recovery", said Mrs. Do. "Don't worry, he will", said the Doctor, smiling. Dean smiled at the Doctor as he thought for a moment. He was amazed at how much this stallion had achieved in a matter of only two days. After everything this town had gone through, all of the hardship it was forced to endure, it was over. Just like that, it was all over, in just two days. Dean wondered how the Doctor had achieved this, he wondered how brilliant one needed to be to have thought of such amazing plans. As he thought of this, he remembered the Doctor explaining his plan to them from earlier. NEARLY THREE HOURS AGO "The breezies? Why would they help us?" asked Dean. "They won't be helping us directly, they'll be helping us without realizing it", said the Doctor. "I don't understand", said Dean. "Its a little complicated but it makes sense! Here, let me ask you this, Mr. Do, can you remember how close Tumbleweed was when he shot you with his bow?" "Er, I don't know. If ah had to guess ahd say he was about six meters- ." "The same as our twenty step march for the duel. Okay, now, why do you think Tumbleweed missed? He was aiming for your heart and you were chained to shackles. You couldn't fight back so Tumbleweed had all the time in the world to fire at you and kill you but he missed. Why is that?" "Ah don't know, he's a bad shot-". "Oh believe me, you can be the worst shot in the world but given the situation he was in you'd still be able to kill your target. Wrong answer, what other factor might it be, why did Tumbleweed miss?" "Um . . . the sun was in his- ." "Incorrect! Anyone else wish to try a guess?" "What about the wind? Was it windy that day?" asked Dean. The Doctor beamed at Dean, "brilliant! Perfect guess! Mr. Do tell me, was it windy that day?" "Very windy, but what does that have to do with this?" "Because! Wind plays a huge factor in this! Most ponies seem to forget that wind will affect your arrows trajectory when using a bow! It can move your arrow off course if it is strong enough!" "How does this involve the breezie?" asked Dean. "Because the breezies were the ones responsible for the strong winds that day! Because Equestria is currently in the summer, the breezes are moving winds to the colder parts of the world. However, some of that wind starts off in a country away from Equestria and the breezies use Equestria as sort of a passing point. This is a routine that the breezies have always taken, even before Equestria was founded. Most don't know this because one: elementals don't associate with common ponies, and two: everyone had always assumed that this was natural and never thought that the breezies were involved. But in actuality, on a hot summer day, when the day is scorching and calm, then a sudden burst of wind blows hard out of nowhere! That is the breezies moving the stronger winds through Equestria to the colder parts of the world!" "So you're going to use the winds provided by the breezies to help you fight?" asked Dean. "Precisely! If a hard wind blows at just the right moment, it'll knock Tumbleweeds arrow off course just enough to still hit me, but it'll hit me in a nonfatal place!" "But there's no wind today, how are you supposed to know when the wind will blow? Its wind after all!" said Dean. "Oh I don't need to figure that out, because I already know." "You what?" asked Mrs. Do. "Isn't anyone curious as to why I specifically chose three thirty as the time for our duel to start? I'm an elemental after all- ." "Your a what!?!" Mr. and Mrs. Do exclaimed in unison. "I'll explain later, you see, I'm an elemental. And with being an elemental, you receive these natural connections to other elementals, more so if that elemental is the same type as you. Such as fire to fire or water to water. Along with this natural connection, I have previously studied the schedules and routes that breezies take when directing their winds. You won't see them, but their wind will blow through Dodge Junction at around three thirty. Possibly three fourty, either way, it'll be here, and it'll be a strong one!" "And I'll know when they arrives, because I'll be able to sense their magic! There wind will blow Tumbleweeds arrow off course, he'll miss my vital spots, and I'll be able to deliver my attack from there! That, is my plan." PRESENT TIME 'And boy what a plan that was!' thought Dean, awakening from his memory and looking to the Doctor. "So what about Tumbleweed? You didn't kill him but that wound you gave him seemed pretty bad", said Dean. "Ah, yes, well. He's not going to die but chances are he'll most likely never be able to use that leg again. My arrow had pierced through his shoulder bone. He can get it replaced but I don't think he'll be able to use that leg the same afterwards. So he won't be able to use bows anymore." Mr. Do chuckled, "well that's good, serves him right fer what he did to this town. Speak'in a which, did you ever find those last documents? The one that said who Tumbleweed was look'in for?" "Oh, no I didn't. I searched Tumbleweeds house after you left before I went to watch Tumbleweed and his deputies leave. But I couldn't find it anywhere", said the Doctor, lying. "So we'll never know who assigned Tumbleweed to take over Dodge Junction?" asked Dean. "I'm sure we'll find out someday, until then, however, I've sent a letter to princess Celestia asking her to look into this situation for you. She's a friend of mine so she'll be more then willing to help you", said the Doctor, lying again. "Your friends with the princesses?" asked Mrs. Do. "We've met a few times and I've done her a few favors. Its complicated really", said the Doctor, now telling the truth. "Wow! You've lived quite the life haven't you! World's only Phoenix Pony to leave his country! Associate'in with the princesses, and be'in able to see the world! That's more then most ever do in their whole lives!" said Mrs. Sugar. "Well a lot can happen when your alive for over ninety years. Anyway, I think it's about time I headed off." "You have to leave now?" asked Dean. "I've been here for two days and a lot has happen during this time. I think I've had my fill on Dodge Junction for now. I will return someday, you can count on that! This town has too many nice ponies to not see them again!" "Would you like to take some food or drinks with you Doctor?" asked Mrs. Sugar. "No thank you, I have all the food and water I need for my travels." Mr. and Mrs. Do raised a brow in confusion, seeing as the Doctor carried nothing on him except for the clothes he wore. The Doctor, seeing their confusion responded, "just trust me, I've got all I need." "Well, alright. But at least take a photo with us before you go", said Mr. Do, reaching behind his couch and extracting a self print camera out of nowhere. "A photo?" asked the Doctor, looking curiously to the camera and wondering where Mr. Do had grabbed it from. "Just so we don't forget about you. We never want to forget the things you did fer this town. You've done so much fer us, and that makes you our friend!" The Doctor smiled, "well . . . alright. As long as I get to keep a copy." "That's the spirit! Come close so you can be in the camera." "Okay", said the Doctor, walking and sitting close to Dean. Mr. Do lifted the camera up and everypony smiled as he did so. Mr. Do counted to three before pressing a large red button on the top side of the camera. There was a flash and a few seconds later two large square photos slid out from a slot on the camera. Mr. Do handed one to the Doctor, "there, one fer you and one fer us." "Thank you", said the Doctor, placing the photo in his vest pocket, feeling a familiar scroll rub against his hoof as he did so. "Welp, time to go now. Thank you for you hospitality Do family and I'll be sure to stay in contact." "You better! Or we might just have to come find you ourselves and teach you a lesson!" said Mr. Do. The Doctor chuckled at his joke, "oh I'll make sure it doesn't come to that. Good bye everyone." "Good bye Doctor", said Mr. Do. "Goodbye", "said Mrs. Do. "Farewell Doctor, stay safe, alright?" said Dean. The Doctor gave Dean a warm smile, "don't worry. I'll be fine. Take care of yourself and never give up on your dream." Dean returned the smile, "I'll do my very best!" The Doctor nodded and headed for the door. He opened it, exited, shut the door, and walked four feet before freezing in place. The Doctor stared to the path that lead back into town with an empty expression as he thought for a moment. 'Time to head back to the M.E.I.D.P.H.A.T . . . the empty . . . empty . . . box.' A second thought pop into the Doctor's head, interrupting the first thought. A flashback of four days ago. "You want me to travel the world with you?" asked Dean. "No, just until we get to Dodge Junction, that way the trip won't be so boring if either of us are alone." "Oh, well I wouldn't want to distract you from where you're going- ." "I told you, I'm an adventurer! I don't have a destination! I go where the wind takes me! Not literally of course, I'd be stuck at the poles right now if that were true. But nevertheless! You can travel with me until we get to Dodge Junction, then the trip is over. You can consider this paying me back. Is that alright with you?" "Well, yes I guess so. Thanks." "What are you thanking me for, your repaying me, I should be the one thanking" said the Doctor, smiling to Dean. Dean smiled back and looked to the manticore. "How did you get him to follow you without him attacking?" "I just told him we were going somewhere to eat and he followed." "Really? That's all it took?" The Doctor nodded. "Wow", Dean muttered. They walked in silence for a few moments before Dean asked, "so, do you always bring someone on your adventures?" "No, you'd be the first actually. My adventure's becoming stale due to my loneliness is actually a rather new predicament that I have not encountered before. I have always felt lonely every now and again, but not like this." "So, you need a companion?" asked Dean. "I don't need one" said the Doctor, annoyed. "Sounds like you could use one." The Doctor looked to Dean for a moment, then sighed. "I guess it would be nice to have a companion." As this memory ended, the Doctor slowly reached into his vest pocket and extracted the photo. He looked down to the photo, observing the smiles on the Do family's faces. He smiled to the photo as an image flashed before his eyes. The same photo, only the Do family had been replaced. There were seven ponies now, all of them smiling towards the camera like the Do family had. The one on the very right was a very large and strong black earth pony with a silvery gray mane and dark brown eyes. Beside him was a yellow timid looking pegasus with pinkish red hair with bright blue eyes. Besides her was a skin colored unicorn with thick square glasses, a brown messy mane, and green eyes. Beside him was a blue, tall pegasus with a red and blue two toned mane, reddish orange eyes, and standing in a heroic pose. Beside him was a dirty, yellow, brown, earth with orange hair, who held a smoking cigarette in his mouth with yellow eyes. Beside him was a light yellow, peach colored pegasus with fiery red hair and eyes, smiling with confidence. And beside her, the last pony farthest to the right, was a small colt. A white pegasus with red eyes and bright, two toned, blue hair. Who smiled a wide, innocent smiled to the camera. He had both forelegs wrapped around the mare next to him as far as his legs would let him. She in return had her right leg wrapped around the colt. As the Doctor saw this image, a voice spoke in his head. "You should always be with your friends. They help you feel better all the time, no matter what situation you're in. They'll be there for you when you're scared or alone, and they'll help you feel brave! Never be alone Doctor, never be alone." The image disappeared, returning the photo to its original look. The Doctor and the Do family smiling. With the Doctor sitting furthest to the right. 'A companion . . . just like the old days', thought the Doctor, as he looked back to the Do family house. The Doctor, finishing his thought, made his decision. He tucked the photo back into his pocket and ran to the door. He knocked four times and waited impatiently. A few moments later, a surprised looking Mrs. Do answered. "Oh, howdy, what are you still doing here?" "i need to talk to you and your son about something. Its very important!" "Really? Well come on in and tell us", said Mrs. Do, making way to allow the Doctor entrance. Mr. Do and Dean looked in confusion as they watch the Doctor speed walk into the living room. "Doctor? What are you doing here? I thought you left", said Dean. "The Doctor said he needed to tell us something", explained Mrs. Do. "Oh, what is it?" asked Dean. The Doctor decided to get straight to the point, attempting to fight pass his nervousness. "Well, I wanted to ask you Dean if, well, would you like to come with me?" "Come with you? Come with you where?" "Anywhere! Absolutly anywhere! We can go to Britain and to Cloudsdale and, and, and the Great Falls of Marzipan! I can take you anywhere you like, anywhere at all! That is, if you want to come with me." "Your . . . inviting me to travel the world with you?" "What do you say Dean? Want to fly away with me?", asked the Doctor. Mr. Do, both he and his wife looking to the Doctor in confusion asked, "now hold on! Why do you suddenly want our son to leave with you!?" "Because . . . Because . . . Dean. Do you remember those friends I told you about, the ones I used to travel with?" "Yes." " . . . Ever since they left I have been alone. I never stopped traveling the world but I had always done it alone after their deaths. I thought I didn't need friends anymore, that if I had new friends they would just die and I would feel even worse. But I was wrong, I can't stand being alone anymore. My M.E.I.D.P.H.A.T used to be filled with laughter and joy and excitement! Now . . . it's just echoes. The inside just echoes because of how empty it is now. And . . . I don't like it . . . I'm so alone . . . but if you want, I won't force you, you could . . . come with me . . . and change that. We can travel together, you and me, partners, or as a companion. What do you say?" Dean was silent for a moment before responding, "well . . . I don't know. I have things that I need to do here. I need to help fix my town and we need to find a new mayor. Plus, I still have a dream I need to accomplish, I can't abandon that for adventure. You understand, don't you?" "Yes, of course I do. And I am fully aware of your dream, therefore, I want to help you." "Help me? How so?" "You need a telescope strong enough to see farther stars! Well, what if I told you I know just the person who can build one for you." Dean's ears perked up at this, "y-you do!?!" The Doctor nodded, "Vincent Conneraft, a minotaur inventor, lives in Germaneigh. He can build this telescope for you. He's been wanting to build this telescope for years but hasn't found the right materials for it. What if you and I took a look at this telescope and figured out exactly what it needs to be properly built? We can find the materials he needs, get the telescope built, and you can discover your own constellation!" "Are you serious!?! You'll take me to see him!" "Absolutely!" Dean smiled wide, "that sounds-". He stopped, his smile waned as he looked to his parents. "Great", he finished, his tone having diminished. Confused, the Doctor asked, "what is it Dean?" Dean thought for a moment then said, "I-I'm sorry Doctor, I can't. This town needs my help right now. I have to help the townsfolk get everything fixed and help them find a new mayor and- ." "No you don't", said Mrs. Sugar, cutting Dean off. Dean looked to his mother with confusion. "What do you mean? You've been trapped in prison for who knows how long! You're going to need help with the farm and nursing you back to health and-". Mrs. Do lifted a hoof, silencing her son. "Dean I understand your worried, but I am a full grown mare, I can handle myself. And I have your father here to help me with anything I need. And you don't have to help the town at all, we have everything under control now that Tumbleweed is gone." "But shouldn't I- ." "I know you care for yer town sweetie but everything's going to be fine now! Yer father and ah know just how important this dream a yers is. And the Doctor is giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity! He's going to help you with your dream! And after seeing what he's done fer us today, ah trust him completely with keeping you safe! We'll be fine here on our own, you should go with the Doctor and keep him company. I know you want to go just as much as he wants you to come with him." "You're alright with me leaving with him? Just like that?" asked Dean. "Well, sweetie, if you want to accomplish yer dream you don't really have a choice. Mane city had the only astronomy college in the country and the city's gone now. If you really want to find yer constellation, yer gonna have to go with the Doctor. And after everything he's done fer us, I have full faith that he'll help you succeed." "But . . . I . . .", Dean looked to his father. "W-What do you think dad? Should I stay or should I go." Mr. Do sighed, "ah think you should do what you think is best. Yer eighteen, and ah think this is a decision that you should make." "But . . . I just got here, and I haven't seen you for long." Mrs. Do smiled, walked to Dean, and embraced her son in a hug. "And we'll be here safe and sound for when you return." Dean, accepting the hug responded, "I'll make sure to write to you as often as I can." "Once or twice a day is fine sweetie, don't go hog wild on the letters again like you did back at the university. Ah don't think our mailbox can handle that many letters again!" Dean chuckled and looked into his mother's eyes. "I love you." Mrs. Do kissed her sons forehead, smiled brightly and said. "I love you too. Now go have an adventure sugar cube!" Smiling in excitement, Dean rushed to his father, gave him a hug, then rushed up the stairs to the second floor. "I'll be quick! Just need to grab some things before I go!" "Don't worry, I won't leave without you! Just meet me at the M.E.I.D.P.H.A.T!" the Doctor shouted to be heard from the first floor. "Alright! I'll meet you there as soon as possible!" shouted Dean, running into his room. The Doctor turned to Dean's parents and said, "thank you for allowing your son to travel with me." "And thank you Doctor for helping Dean. But please keep him safe, and make sure he keeps up on his hygiene. He often forgets to keep himself clean with all the study'in he does", said Mrs. Do. "Don't worry, Dean will be in my care at all times. And I'll be sure to bring Dean home every once in awhile", said the Doctor, turning to walk out the door before being stopped by Mrs. Do. "Oh, and Doctor, what's a M.E.I.D.P.H.A.T?" "Oh it's just how I travel around, get from place to place." "Like a ship?" asked Mr. Do. "Sort of, now, I best be off. Take care!" "Goodbye!" said Mr. Do. "Goodbye Doctor!" said Mrs. Do as she and her husband watched the Doctor exit their house. TWENTY MINUTES LATER Dean opened the wooden door and entered into the M.E.I.D.P.H.A.T, looking around the wide, white, circular room as he carried several packs of supplies on his back. Food, water, clothes, soap, toothbrush, etc. He saw the Doctor standing at the hexagonal table in the center of the room, looking at the black box he had called a "screen". Dean still had no idea what that was. The Doctor looked to Dean as he heard him close the door. "Ah! Took you long enough. You ready to go?" "Yup! As ready as I'll ever be. Didn't think I would ever be in this thing again. Sorry about the wait. I had to say goodbye to nearly everyone in town on my way here", said Dean, continuing to stare in awe at the room. "Ah don't worry about it. I didn't mind the wait . . . too much. And yes, this old box is quite the sight isn't it? And it'll be better as soon as I figure out how to change its desktop theme, never did quite figure that out. Anyway, I know that I said I would help you with your dream but there's something I need to do first if you don't mind." "Oh? and what would that be?" "I need to find someone, a friend of mine before we head off to Germaneigh. I think she needs help with something so I need to assist her as soon as possible." "Is she in trouble?" asked Dean. "No, well, maybe. I honestly don't know. But don't you worry about it, it's a concern that you don't need to worry about. For now, why don't you go find a room that you can rest in and store all your things. Just go through the doors behind me and search for a room you find to your liking." "How many rooms are there?" asked Dean. "About twenty . . . or thirty . . . well, to be honest I don't know. Sometimes a new room pops up that I didn't even realized I had! Although, the plain white walls in the hallway doesn't help. It makes you feel like you're in the same place with every turn around a corner! Hence why I want to find out how to change that blasted desktop theme! Anywho, go find your room. I'll take care of finding my friend while you're gone. Take as much time as you like!" "Alright, be back in a bit", said Dean, running past the Doctor and through the white double door. As soon as Dean left, the Doctor pushed two buttons and pulled a switch. Causing the machinery in the center of the table to move up and down and for the machine to give off a metallic groan. WHIRR! WHIRR! WHIRR! WHIRR! As soon as he got the M.E.I.D.P.H.A.T moving, the Doctor turned away from the doors Dean had entered into and reached into his vest pocket. He moved his photo aside and extracting a scroll. One the had large bolded red words saying "CLASSIFIED" written across the front. Expression hardening, the Doctor tore off the ribbon keeping it tied and unrolled it, reading its contents. As soon as he finished, the Doctor quickly went to the opposite end of the hexagonal table, pressed a few buttons, then held the paper against the table. A red light beamed beneath the paper, scanning its contents. It made a beep as it finished. The Doctor reached for the black box, the monitor, and turned it to his direction. On the screen he read: Scan Complete. Signature: %100 match. The Doctor growled, "impossible, that's impossible!" He looked to the letter, then to the monitor. "That can't be, it just can't! Whatever is going on, whatever is happening, I will find out!" "I don't know how you're involved princess, but once I find you, I will get my answers!" said the Doctor, looking to the document one last time before stuffing in back into his vest pocket. Dear Mr. Tumbleweed You have been assigned by the Equestrian royal order to claim legal ownership of Dodge Junction. You must obtain the signatures of everypony who owns land within the town of Dodge Junction. You will be given fifty of my own stallions to help you with your assignment. You will accept this mission, refusal to do so will result in punishment. If something occurs and you find yourself unable to complete your task, a stallion by the name of Oswald Dohnavein is located thirty miles south east within the forests. Send him a messenger bird and he will send reinforcements to assist you. And I expect you to do the same if he is to ever contact you for help as well. Along with this letter you have been given three separate letters. Each one is a strict set of instructions that should guarantee the success of your mission. But only if you follow each set to the letter. Do not allow anyone to gain the knowledge of your plan or anything within the four letters sent to you. If anypony but you do gain this knowledge, all association with you or any of your partners will be denied and you will be punished severely. Any further details or questions you may have are all answered and explained in the instructions. If you have any further questions that the instructions could not answer, I expect you to figure it out on your own for I will be unavailable. Therefor, you are forbidden from sending me letters and you are forbidden from attempting to come into contact with myself or any other pony with royal status. The success of your mission shall grant you a reward of two and a half billion bits. Failure in your mission shall result in your execution. I expect you to do your best and not fail, or else. Sincerely. Princess Celestia, high monarch and ruler of Equestria. ( ( ( NEXT TIME ) ) ) "Dean, you have to do this!" "I don't know if I can Doctor!" "Dean you have to! You are my only hope!" "I think you're over exaggerating this a bit- ." "Please Dean! I need you to do this!" "Alright! Alright! I'll do my best". With all the strength he could muster, Dean grabbed the top surface hard. He attempted to turn the lid as best as he could, his veins popping as he did so. Eyes wide and tongue sticking out, Dean groaned as he felt pain pass through his leg as he began putting too much stress on his muscles. Finally, at last, Dean was successful. The lid, making a pop sound as he twisted it open, revealed a fresh batch of pickles within. The Doctor smiled, took hold of the pickle jar, and placed it against the kitchen counter. As he began pulling out pickles, the Doctor said, "thank you so much Dean! I haven't had a pickle in so long! Those jars are hard to open when I'm alone." Sweating, Dean said, "no problem. Now, you were going to answer my question, right?" "Hmm? What question?" asked the Doctor as he began spreading mayo on his sandwich. "You said you were going to tell me about the elementals and about your species." "Um, oh! Right! Well alrighty then!" The Doctor finished his sandwich, took his plate to the table, and sat down facing Dean. "You want to know about the Phoenix Ponies? Well, here's everything you need to know about us!"