Doctor's Visit
My Clockwork Stallion
Part 5: Doctor’s Visit
Princess Celestia smiled with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes while the royal gardener she’d summoned snip-snip-snipped at the branches of the sticker berry bush. Before long, they’d rescued Twilight and Time Turner from its thorny clutches. “Who’s your friend, Twilight?” the tall white mare said, lifting her wings in greeting.
Time Turner limp-stepped off of Twilight, then promptly bashed his nose on the ground to bow to her. “Princess Celestia! I-I’m sorry we ended up at the royal gardens!” he said. “It was an accident, honest!”
“Rise, my little pony,” Celestia said, tittering a chuckle as Twilight came to nuzzle her. “It’s not often I see my most faithful student running about with a stallion,” she trailed off a moment, looking at them sideways, “Or in a bush with one, for that matter.” She grinned as Time Turner turned scarlet in the face.
“I-it’s not what it looks like!” Time Turner babbled.
“Have you come to receive my blessing, young stallion?” Celestia leaned down to his eye-level. His pupils shrank and his ears tucked back. Nickering, the alicorn pecked his nose. “You may have it then, if I may have your name.”
“I-I’m Time Turner,” the brown earth pony mumbled, unable to take his mind off the buzzing feeling in his nose. Had she just touched him with magic? He couldn’t tell.
“Well met, Time Turner,” Celestia said, straightening.
Twilight finally found herself, “W-well I’m glad we ran into each other, but I’m sure that we should be going befo-!”
“Now Twilight, don’t be silly,” Celestia walked past then, gesturing to her guards with her muzzle. Both armored pegasi snapped to, and started herding Time Turner forward. He step-limped, wincing and looking down at his bad leg. “You’ve teleported almost fifty miles, I don’t think even somepony as powerful as you could just teleport straight back to Ponyville. You must be exhausted.” Twilight blushed as she spoke. “Atop that, the next train doesn’t leave until nightfall. Why don’t you two stay for a bit?” She made a wide, white gesture to the palace, which made Time Turner a little intimidated by its size. “I’m sure your coltfriend would love to see the palace,” the princess said, smiling.
“He’s NOT my coltfriend!” Twilight blurted. Silence suddenly reigned.
Celestia stopped. The two guards stopped. Time Turner looked hurt, his ears turning back. “I’m not?” he whispered to her. “But we’ve been getting on so well… and you kissed me just then…”
“Uh-buh-w-well…” Twilight blushed, looking over at him. “I-I-I mean, I just meant…” she was backpedaling hard, but the stallion had already hung his head in a forlorn sort of way. Both guards winced.
“Can I use your infirmary? I think landing in that bush jarred by bad leg…” Time Turner asked Celestia, very carefully not looking at Twilight. The alicorn saw the swell of hurt moisture in his eyes. She nodded once, folding one wing so he could go by. One of her guards went, with Celestia’s gesture, to accompany him.
=-=-=-=
Princess Luna sat in the waiting room of the infirmary, a Sunday Paper hovering in front of her. She did love the comic strips and the economic statistics after all. It was her job to keep with the times, now that she was back.
She was a little surprised when a plain brown earth pony sat down on the bench next to hers. Their eyes met for a moment and he looked frightened. “Sorry!” he shifted to the bench across from her.
“Neigh,” she gave her horn a flick, moving him bodily to the first seat he’d chosen. “Be not intimidated, my subject, we are all patients here,” She watched him slowly sit on his haunches, looking over at her nervously. “There see. We do not bite.” She made a little whipping motion to straighten her paper, then turned the page.
A long silence went by. “You’re Princess Luna,” he whispered reverently, looking rather star-struck. She gave a polite, disinterested nod. “My father told me all about your work pioneering Chronomancy and Clockwork Medicine back in the Pre-Classical Era. Really brilliant stuff,” he blurted before he could stop himself.
Luna looked up from her paper, startled, “You’ve read of such things?” she asked with a frown. Most everypony that ever spoke to her only asked about her fall as Nightmare Moon. Then out of the blue comes a random earth pony praising her work in early medicine? She watched him nod enthusiastically. “And you understood it?”
“Well I have to!” he smiled broadly, “I’mma--!” he suddenly stopped himself, putting a hoof over his mouth. His eyes searched hers, terrified.
Luna frowned at his sudden fear, gently folding her paper and setting it on the coffee table in front of them. He hunched a little, eyes darting to one side and away from her. Her horn lit and he flinched like she might hit him. Remembering herself, Luna coughed. “Er… may we?” the Princess asked. “It’s been a thousand years, I would like to see what advancements…” she trailed off when he slowly offered her his bad leg. Deciding against the cold touch of night time magic, she slowly scooted until she was next to him. She studied his face. “What is thy name, friend?” she whispered, slowly taking his ankle between her large hooves.
Hoof.
Ankle.
Cannon.
Luna’s ears slowly turned down into an expression of pity. Time Turner studied her. He’d opened his mouth to answer, but he’d never seen such an expression, much less on a Princess’ face. He hung his head guiltily, looking down at the floor. Her large hooves kept going up his arm.
Chestnut.
Knee.
Forearm.
The Princess took a deep, hollow breath as a chilled, icy feeling began to lick its necrotic tongue down her neck. This was far, far more than she was expecting. Too much for one pony to possibly have endured. She shuddered, pausing at his forearm and feeling it back and forth a few times. It rolled like it was supposed to, firm and supple like a stallion’s real… she looked at his face. Why, he looked ashamed of himself. “Please, your name?” she whispered.
“If it weren’t for your work in medicine all those centuries ago, I wouldn’t even be alive,” Time Turner mumbled as her hooves roamed ever higher up his bad leg. Her expression changed from horror to one of illness as the color began to drain from her face. No. No it just wasn’t possible!
Elbow.
Shoulder.
Ball-joint.
One. Two. Three Ribs.
Luna’s hooves JUMPED off of him before she went any further. She didn’t want to know. She didn’t want to know how damaged this poor creature was anymore! She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep, cleansing sort of breath. He eyed her with a neutral, hurt-wild-animal sort of expression. “Does it… hurt?” she whispered. The sentence seemed to calm him, for he’d heard many crueler ones.
“Only in the mornings, when I get up,” he smiled kindly. There was a long, terribly awkward silence. She stared at his bad leg, as though looking through it.
Suddenly a nurse poked her head out of the office. “Princess Luna? The doctor will see you now,” she smiled.
“What’re you here for?” Time Turner wondered wildly. “I didn’t know alicorns could get sick.”
“We art pregnant,” Luna said, turning her muzzle up at him as she cantered away. The nurse rolled her eyes, shutting the door and shaking her head at the poor startled stallion. After Luna was gone to her appointment, he hung his head a little guiltily. Asking a Princess about her health was probably a terribly private thing to ask about, especially since he was a perfect stranger.
Perhaps half an hour passed. Time Turner sat there, massaging his bad leg where Luna had rolled the muscles with her hooves. He glanced at the clock, pawed through the magazines, and finally settled on a ‘Where’s Maredoe?’ book. He was puzzling over the third challenge in the book when the dark alicorn re-emerged from the back of the doctor’s office.
“—and remember Princess, these are potent things,” the stallion in the doctor’s coat said. “One per sleep cycle, no more, and that should cull your night terrors.”
“Thank thee,” Luna mumbled, all too aware that Time Turner was listening. She levitated the small pill bottle into her saddlebags, where it rattled when it settled to the bottom.
“I-I’m… I’m Time Turner,” the brown stallion finally said before she could say anything. “I fix clocks in Ponyville.”
“Time Turner,” Luna’s eyes flicked up to his face. “Twilight Sparkle’s beau?” she seemed to forget where she was, and eyed him up in a completely different way. A female way. An appraising sort of way. He felt just a little bit flattered.
“Er-well, sort of. She said I’m not her coltfriend just a while ago.”
“Bah, she is ancient in her thoughts and young in her heart,” grumbled Luna, folding her saddlebag shut. “Even we may visualize you standing next to her for nuzzles. She speaks fondly of you in her letters.”
“She does?” his face lit up a little.
“Yes,” the Princess of the night said, nodding.
“She… she doesn’t know about…” he looked to one side, waving a little with his bad leg.
“I don’t imagine it’s something to run around shouting about,” Luna said soothingly, nodding her understanding. “But I do not think she will find it repulsive.”
“No, just unattractive,” he slipped before looking quickly away, “S-sorry. I’ve had other marefriends, you see, and it… they just didn’t…”
“Do not think to hide this, young stallion,” Luna said severely, standing a head taller than he. “Especially from somepony as smart as Twilight Sparkle.” He wilted at her gaze, but she soon smiled at him. “But, nevertheless, good luck to you,” she blessed with a nod of her head and horn. “Twilight escapes my net because of distance, but not thine, go forth with my blessing.” She snickered.
Time Turner opened his mouth to thank her, but the nurse had reappeared, “Time Turner?” she asked. He looked over, “C’mon hun, you’re up.” She said kindly. He hopped from the bench, limp-stepping as he went.
Luna smiled, watching him go, waiting for him to connect the dots. Suddenly his eyes widened and he turned about as the door was shutting behind him. “You LIKE--?!” it shut and he was cut off. Luna laughed scandalously. She never bored of pranking her subjects. Shaking her head, she was away from the palace infirmary.
=-=-=-=
That Evening…
=-=-=-=
“Dear Princess Celestia,” Twilight recited, standing next to Time Turner at the train station. The alicorn smiled while she spoke, “Today I learned that love and attraction are nothing to be ashamed of, that you should embrace the things you like without fear of being judged for them. There’s no reason to hide that you like somepony, especially if you know they like you back. That leads to pointless drama and we’ve all seen that too many times in too many books and movies and other such things. I think I might… date, Time Turner now. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” She was beaming by the time she finished.
Time Turner grinned a big goofy grin, looking up at Princess Celestia. While he’d been in the doctor’s office, the the princess and the purple mare had apparently had tea or something together. Twilight’s confidence had taken a huge leap upward. “Thank you for uhm… hosting us, your majesty,” he said awkwardly.
“It was nice meeting you,” Celestia said, smiling in a motherly way. “Perhaps I’ll hear about you in Twilight’s future letters, or see you on a visit!” she said, prompting nods from her two guards. The brown stallion smiled politely, nodding back.
Twilight and Time Turner stepped onto the train, letting the door close behind them. As the giant metal caterpillar hissed into motion, they went to find their seats. Time Turner sat on his haunches with a tired sigh, slowly leaning back and closing his eyes. What a day!
About ten minutes after the train was well underway, the purple mare suddenly turned to him in shock. “Ohmigosh! I didn’t even ask! I have to ask to make it official!” she took him by both shoulders, steering him around to face her directly.
“Huh-what?” Time Turner startled out of his doze.
“Do you… do you wanna be my... my very special somepony?” Twilight mumbled, staring at his chest and not his face. He nodded, his charming coltish smile filling her vision before he leaned over to kiss her.
End of Part 5
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Heh, Luna.
Time turner possibly suffering massive physical and mental trauma? Interesting...I wonder who or what did that, and why?
Probably a bunch of dudes jealous of their "Waifu" being stolen.
You shut up.
YES
hmm.
Not quite sure what to make of this.
regardless of my befuddlement, good chapter.
So, I'm guessing Time Turner had to replace his entire leg, and portions of his torso...
Anyone else?
Curiouser and curiouser.
And yet, still adorkable Twilight.
Much approval. Please, continue when ready.
Was Time-Turner perhaps a subject of the famed amniomorphic spell? Starswirl's most famous accomplishment? You know, the famous spell by the famous unicorn, who was famously involved with the night princess? Well. maybe not famously involved...
Um...well. Uh...I don't. I just...
"I, Clockbot"?
Interesting, didn't give the title much thought before but now this.... Also loved Twilight's reaction and Luna's teasing.
Gonna call it. Clockwork bionic limb.
Automail. I like it.
Oh Luna. Why must thou teaseth thine subjects? You have created a great chapter. Thou hast outdone thineself. Okay. I'm done with ye olde English speak. Great chapter.
I've got an I, Robot vibe going with Time Turner.
So then.... What exactly HAPPENED to Time Turner? .... I'm completely confused as to what his injuries are exactly and what could have caused them.
So, clockborg. Wonder what happened...
Or when she said she liked Twilight for that matter?
Bigger question, was Luna trolling when she said she was pregnant?
3548392
The fact that the dialogue is an obvious shout-out to "I, Robot" kind of gives it away, doesn't it?
3548908
Yeah she was joking, since the nurse said that Luna had nightmares, and it says that she was pranking him.
3548976 Granted, it did take me a second or two for it to click, mentally.
3548990
Can't pregnancy cause night terrors though?
Night terrors and nightmares are not the same, and I think night terrors can be caused by things such as hormone imbalance, though I do not know this as fact.
3549416 But then, most medicines are contraindicated (not suitable) to pregnancy for obvious reasons.
Aww... I really though Luna was pregnant.
I wonder what's damaged in Time Turner. Using my detective skills, I shall closely examined the text.
Luna was examining Time Turner the entire time. She felt pity during the first examination, guessing it probably be the hoof and/or ankle (I have no idea what 'cannon' meant). The second examination, the knee and/or forearm. Chestnut would be the coat colour. The last one would probably be a number or all of it. Ball joint would be part of the elbow and shoulder. Three ribs, huh? That means only three were replaced. The others are still intact. There are probably more somewhere at the lower body, since Luna won't look lower than that anymore.
I don't know if I'm right or wrong, I just like finding and solving mysteries for fun.
I also love it how you added some Doctor Who reference in it. Time Turner having many ex-mare friends would be referenced to the Doctor always changing companions.
Good story, though. Can't wait for the next one.
Wait a minute... magical clockwork medicine as in... prosthetics? Time Turner is a cyberpony?!? It sounds pretty extreme too, an entire leg and shoulder joint extending into his chest! Either it was to correct a birth deformity or an accident so severe that it was nothing short of miraculous that he survived! Or... there's a third option. He's a sentient hippoid - a robot pony who has a fully-sapient artificial mind. Luna would have noticed, Celestia too, so I doubt it but it would certainly fit the story title... Who better, after all, to be the special somepony to an immortal alicorn than a near-immortal artificial stallion?
I think Twilight will not mind about TT's prosthesis. The big challenge will be for her to not forget that he is her coltfriend first and a walking, talking example of pony/technomagic synthesis second.
So, is Luna pregnant or was she just yanking TT's tail? With her and her somewhat... dour sense of humour, it is difficult to tell sometimes!
3549520
This is very true.
I enjoyed the chapter; things are progressing nicely. It all felt so rushed though!
Oh, this is good. This is really good. All we need are some Converse and the three universes would be linked
I love what you do with literally every single character. Great job
Magical clockwork prosthetics? Awesome.
Nice to see the developing relationship become a bit more official.
This has been a most enjoyable read so far - simple, fun and entertaining, all meshing together well in a result that is easy to digest and appreciate.
The mysterious clock serves as a good storytelling hook and personally I am looking towards its mysteries being unraveled. Who knows what else might be hidden in the depths of it. While this does seem a bit disrespectful towards Luna's wishes (the clock is pretty much hers after all), I can't really fault the pair for their curiosity - I'm curious as well, after all. And since it was intended as a gift, I kinda doubt they risk Ponyville being blown up (Twilight will manage that on her own anyways, sooner or later :P) from tinkering with it, as it's unlikely to hold anything overly dangerous.
And then there is the question of what exactly happened between Luna and Star Swirl to leave her upset over their shared past. A romance that didn't work out and Luna feeling like a scorned lover feels like the immediately obvious answer, but somehow I doubt it was that simple. Otherwise I doubt Luna's thoughts on the issue would have been cut short.
Could be that he simply ... died, as most things are wont to do, leaving a heartbroken Luna behind? Or simply went missing? Wouldn't that be rich, if Twilight and Turner unearthed Star Swirl himself in the clock's depths, where he had somehow managed to fall in to while poking around it and has been preserved by the very same seal that kept the clock going over the millenia *snicker*
Likewise, the budding relationship between Turner and Twilight is an enjoyable one to follow as well. Figures she would fall for a stallion who is well versed in some form of a science (of a sorts) and being a pair of nerds make them a pretty good match. Also sounds like Turner could use something to brighten his life - what sounds like a whole quarter of his body replaced with clockwork prosthetic (suddenly, the title of the fic makes a whole other kind of sense, not just being a play on Turner's job), his previous relationship(s) falling apart when the other half learned of it, forced to graze because of money being tight? Sounds like the guy is overdue for some happiness indeed.
Speaking of which, I can hardly wait for the time when Twilight finds out about it - I imagine her reaction won't be what he expects (or has learned to expect), as I very much doubt she will think less of him for that, much less abandon him. I imagine this will come to light the next time the two get touchy-feely again, seeing the feel of it is something that apparently stands out (and Twi has had several chances to observe that something is wrong with one of his legs, even if she hasn't had too much time to dwell on it). Looking towards to seeing where their newfound relationship takes the pair.
And thank you for not expanding on the overused "romantic misunderstandings" type of drama - there are far too many of those around, and I admit the start of the chapter had me worried somewhat ... it was a relief that by the end of the chapter, Twilight was reciting why such drama should be avoided. I'm all but ready to worship Celestia, seeing it was her who set Twi straight on that.
And last but not least, thank you for not making this yet another bloody Doctor fic - I swear I'm developing a migraine that triggers each time I see a Doctor insert whenever Time Turner is involved (which is to say, like nearly always) - it's almost a rare treat to see the character used for the pony he is, instead of adding to the silly time lord oversaturation that centers around him.
Looking towards the next chapter!
I'm fairly certain Time Turner isn't a robot, its only seems to be that limb that causes problems for him so unless on top of being a robot he got a damaged leg I don't think it fits.
Being a cyborg seems a little more likely but it does seem that he has sensation in that limb so unless it's a really good replacement (not impossible in magical pony land) I don't think that fits. However, it would fit with the story itself particularly if his hearts clockwork to.
I think it may be an organic replacement for a lost limb presumably produced by magic but the process isn't perfect.
3551543
I think it was made pretty evident that Turner has an artificial limb (and three ribs ... perhaps something else as well, seeing as Luna didn't check further, though I imagine not much more than that). That his leg specifically has issues has been clear for a while now.
I honestly don't know where the "cyborg" line of thought even comes from
(And I doubt even Luna herself could manage augmentation on that level, despite pretty much pioneering the field - she was surprised Turner has survived as it is).
3551668
Well having an artificial limb does make you a cyborg. Technically using glasses could be considered you being a cyborg or even using tools,
The dictionary definition is 'a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device.'
An artificial limb would defiantly be covered by this.
Well man, You may have just outdone yourself. I mean: TIME TURNER IS A CYBORG???!!!!
Yes Pinkie, I learn from the best.
This is some crazy awesome stuff! We should call it Crawsome!
Missed a break in there, you'll see it...
Also, never knew nickering was a work :O I learned a new word, which is rare nowadays xD
Awwwwwwwwwwww <3
Processing... data...
3549709 A chestnut is a part of the leg's bone structure.
"chronomancy", stemming from the Greek word chronos (meaning time), and the word manteia (meaning divination) refers to a school of magic involving supernatural manipulation of time.
This could be taken two ways, either:
A. Foretelling time aka telling time
or
B. manipulating time magically
3552222
Really?!
That sounds amazing!
Adoreableness follows!
sssssssohhhhhhh
tough break der buddy
3549709 I'm relatively sure that the cannon is a bone in a horse's/pony's leg, i.e. like a radia or ulna in humans.
Three ribs, time and medical magic, cold hoof pointing to lack of circulation.....
I do believe our dear Turner is suffering from some sort of major heart disease, and has the magical equivalent of a pacemaker, Maybe even an artificial heart of some sort.....
Edit: Scrap that, reread the passage.
3551261 This assessment seems more accurate. Some sort of prosthetic covering for at least his arm and several ribs. That is...wow.
I wonder if it has any sort of sensory feedback. I would assume so, seeing as he's capable of working with clocks.
Bravo!
Now if only the Japanese would learn this lesson, anime would become a whole lot more interesting.
3547741 Probably more I would assume.
I detect an I-Robot reference! Am I wrong? I doubt it :D
3548263 I saw it too. Good movie it was. Clever reference it is.
Luna gets night terrors?
I wonder if Turner lost a brother to ... illegal equine magic.
Love that the guards show sympathy here. You can see that they are having one of those moment where they are hurting for a brother who just got shot down. Feel ya man.
Yet she didn't hesitate to feel up said perfect stranger.
But Twilight and Time Turner are dating now? Neat, can't wait for Cadance -and especially Shining Armor- to find out. That will be entertaining.
now this is how to do a romance (most of the time not all) nice , slow , allowing the two to gently grow to like each other.
this story is really growing on me.