Glory On The Side

The Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS with a disappointed frown.

"You know, I honestly thought it would be more exciting." He said looking around the small town. Ponies were conversing all around, balloons were all over the streets, and a few clowns actually passed by. "I think we've run into a fair." He said grabbing the plate of muffins.

"What?" Dash joined him in the doorway and gasped. "Doc, look!" He followed her hoof to a young fawn with a cardboard crown. "I think that's the king! Geez, time-travel is trippy." The Doctor slammed a hoof in her mouth.

"I think you're right..."

"Of course I am! I saw my own dad once...as a foal!" He shook his head.

"Not that, the fawn. He's wearing the same necklace that the king had." A tall buck suddenly grabbed the brooch around the stallion's neck.

"What did I tell you about stealing my brooch?" He asked with a huff. He snapped the necklace from the colt's neck and stuffed it into his robe pocket. "And get rid of that fake crown, you look like an idiot." The small colt obliged and removed the crown from his head.

"Who is that?" The doctor asked, rubbing his chin.

"I dunno." Rainbow shrugged, stuffing a muffin in her mouth.

"What's up?" Griffon asked, resting his arms on each of their shoulders. "Did you find something...intriguing?" He asked, attempting to sound smart.

"Yes, quite...." He set his head on a hoof with a huff. The Doctor just had to be quaint.

***

"Excuse me?" The colt looked up at the doctor with a frown.

"Are you my new tutor?" The stallion laughed.

"Oh, no. I'm just curious."

"About what?"

"Well, I just wanted to know-" He paused. "Why do you need a tutor?"

"My etiquette tutor? My father says I need to learn proper etiquette to be a king." He sighed. "It's really boring!" The Doctor chuckled.

"My good friend, you don't need to be proper to be a good leader! I have a very good friend who is a great leader, and she chews with her mouth open!" He laughed. The colt giggled as well. "Know, tell me the real reason you take these classes."

"I have to do what my father says, or I get in trouble."

"Well, I happen to know somepony who gets in a lot of trouble. Do you want to know who?" The colt nodded. "It's that mare I mentioned earlier." He gasped.

"Really!?" The Doctor nodded. "I'm scared to get in trouble...my dad is really scary." The colt's new friend smiled.

"I can see that. Can I give you some advice?" He nodded. "My job involves defeating monsters, and I love it. Do you know why?" The colt shook his head. "Because I know that my friend would never let me get hurt, and you have to live in the moment! I never let my fear get the best of me." He rubbed the colt's head with a smile. "Now I have to get back to her. You have a good day." The colt nodded.

"Doc! Did you find out what's going on?" Rainbow asked with a hopeful smile. He smiled and nodded.

"I think I know what's going on." He chuckled. "Yes, very."

***

"Doc, what's going on with you? You're usually not this quiet..." The tan stallion gently lowered a picture of a grey mare.

"I am when I'm brooding..." He said with a grin.

"Doc, why do you have to use such big words?" She sighed. "Nevermind. Don't know, don't care." Griffon slammed his cards onto the table.

"Ha! Take that, Jack! Or should I say, Jack-Squat?" He said with a smirk. Jack slammed his hooves on the table.

"Darn it! How do you keep doing that?" He groaned and rubbed his head. "Doctor, when are we going to intervene?" Rainbow floated onto his back with a laugh.

"Yeah, when are we gonna start adventuring?" She asked, resting her head in his mane.

"Soon," He said chuckling at the mare on his head. "Be patient."