The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. Sky spent most of the day as he normally did, which is to say, studying and reading. After he had finished planning for school tomorrow, he re-read his favorite sections in one of his astronomy books (mostly involving stars and their many types; he was currently trying to determine if he was seeing a white dwarf, or a strangely persistent speck of dust in his telescope). He determined that he simply needed to clean his lens more vigorously, and then went about finishing the last few chapters of Daring Do and the Gryphon's Goblet. Once that Sky had finished his pleasure reading, and he had finally caught up in his reading for Equis class (he still couldn't see what was so funny when he told Melody his school reading would get in the way of his study time, it was a serious matter!), Celestia finally began to lower the sun, making way for the night. This was his cue to head out onto the balcony and begin his nightly ritual of scanning the sky through his telescope until his father came up and sent all the youngest members of the family off to bed. Sky lay his head down, thinking about what the next day might bring with a strange sensation in his chest. Was that excitement, or terror?
The next day began with a feeling Sky WAS familiar with. It was the same feeling he got on the first day of the new school year. He was eager to see what would happen, but was absolutely dreading the process of actually getting up and facing it. 'Why cant life have a save-load button?' His salvation, or perhaps damnation, from this state of lethargy, came in the form of an all-powerful voice coming through the door to his room. The voice of Faust herself. "Night Sky, you where suppose to be up and getting ready for school ten minutes ago mister! Up, out, now." His mothers call had the desired effect, though not with as much enthusiasm as she would have liked. Groaning and moaning the morning zombies that young children often are, Sky rolled-over to remove himself from his bed. This was a mistake. A loud thump and a sharp yelp could be heard from the other side of the door. Gentle heard this and opened the door to see what it was that had gone wrong. The sight she was gifted was one that even now she will say was one of the "most hilariously-adorable" things she has ever seen.
At some point in the night, the tossing and turning Night Sky had managed to wrap a corner of his blanket in a primitive, but tight, not around his back-right hoof. As a result of the warming nights of a Canterlot Spring, the young Sky had subconsciously shrugged off said blanket, and it had then proceeded to get itself caught on his now dormant heater, right next to the foot of the right side of his bed; the result? A young colt now hung from the end of his bed, upside down, with only his head touching the floor, which he was now tenderly rubbing with a wince and a small tear in his eye.
His mothers tear ducts would never be the same.
After his moms riotous laughing fit settled down, and Sky had finally managed to extricate himself from the accursed blanket-trap, and was standing on his own four hooves, the two of them went downstairs where Gentle Breeze gave her son his breakfast and, feeling just a bit guilty for laughing at his pain, went about gathering his things for school for him. Sky just sat and ate his eggs and toast next to his sisters, save Sunny, who was still to young to go to school. Melody and Autumn gave him an evil eye for causing the ruckus woke them early this morning, where Evergreen just seemed a curious as to what had happened, as she was already awake when it had occurred, but was still to tired to care enough to ask. She did, however, give a non-verbal question in the form of a raised eyebrow. "Tell you later," Sky mumbled, "Not in the mood." Evergreen just shrugged.
"Well dear if your -snerk- 'interesting' way of waking up this morning is any clue, today should be very interesting." Sky rubbed his head, running his hoof through his deep orange and brown mane. "Ya, hopefully it will be a little less painful, or surprising... or humiliating..." Sky mumbled the last part. Gentle giggled a little at his comment. "Well, whatever it brings, you had better hurry, or you'll miss it. Your little, hehe, incident, probably left you a bit behind, and I would suggest getting a move on." This caused Sky to pause, a bite of egg halfway to his mouth, as he looked up at the clock. His mother did the same. There reaction was almost identical.
"7:53?!"
"8 o' clock?!"
"LATE!" they both looked to the door, where Evergreen was looking at Sky with a amused look on her face. "Maybe a mark on that perfect record of yours will finally convince you to go to bed at a reasonable time," she called as she walked out the door, closing the door behind her with a flare of magic. Melody and Autumn both laughed at their brothers expense, finding this a great form of retribution for their abrupt awakening.
School started at 8:00 on the dot, and it was a five minute walk to the building. Gentle also had to be at work, with a still sleeping Sunny Day, by 8:45. Sky practically threw the fork from his hoof and ran to briefly comb his wild mane and quickly go over his teeth with a toothbrush. Gentle rushed up to his room to grab the last of his things for him. They met at the door, him taking his bag from her, her giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Notimetomakeyoulunch," she cried, "I'll have your father give it to you on his way back from his lunch break!" He nodded, and looked at the clock; 7:57. "ACK!" Sky quickly kissed his mom back, and bolted through the door. "AND TRY TO MAKE SOME FRIENDS!" She reminded him as he dashed from the lawn and onto the streets.
'Great start to a day', Sky thought as he raced through the crowded streets of Canterlot. 'What else could possibly go wrong?', he asked himself, thinking that it couldn't get any worse.
Deep in the palace garden, a stone Draconequus statue, frozen as it was, felt an increase in ambient chaos magic, and chuckled. 'Who said it this time,', he wondered?
Author's Note
I had fun writing this chapter. A distinct lack of distractions let the creative juices flow. Hopefully more will follow soon.
As always, help and critics are approved, and thanks for reading
Author's Note
WARNING, SPOILER ALERT!
I have a deep, deep respect for Doctor Who. It was my first real fandom that I got into, and reigns king as my favorite Sci-Fi series of all time. In this chapter, I introduce a the pony version of the 11th Doctor (http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120702233600/mlpfanart/images/c/c5/11th_whooves.png). Before reading this chapter, I want all Whoovians to know that I The Doctor's and Sky's relationship will be expanded later on, but as it is, this is more of a prequel story to a larger (still slice of life with possible adventure/romance tages!) story. Understand that I tried my best to keep the Doctor as close to Smith as possible, but as with everything, everyone looks at the world through their own set of glasses. And this will not become a Doctor Whooves story. Yes, the Doc will appear, yes, he will be an occasional part of the plot, but he will not ever become the main character of this fic series. Please tell me if I wrote him well!
Thank you for listening to that. As always, thoughts, help, and critics are welcome. Now as a reward, the longest chapter I've written on anything. Ever. ENJOY!
Chapter 3
Sky burst into his class at the last toll of the tardy bell, panting. He had run most of the way here, sides the moments he was forced to slow down for the waves of ponies that made up the city. His sudden and rather frantic entrance left everyone staring at him, some with confused looks, others with disinterest, and a large number with varying levels of disdain and condescending amusement, as if he were some animal that disgusted them, but was entertaining to watch dance around in a pink leotard. The image of himself dancing around in such an outfit crossed his mind, and he blushed in embarrassment of being stared at by his peers. Some of the foals giggled at his ragged appearance, one or two outright laughed. 'Something else to add to my list of embarrassments. Who knows how bad my mane must look, after that sad combing and then a run through the city.' Sky didn't obsess over his appearance like some of the more... refined, colts in his class, but looking as he must have at the moment certainly did him no favors.
"Are you alright Sky? A bit rough around the edges this morning. Looks a bit like you lost a fight with an angry sontaran. Granted a bit less crispy around the edges, but all the same. No actually looks more like I did back when me and... rambling, I'm rambling aren't I? Stop me when I do that, ya? NO, WAIT, no, don't interrupt me, I am the teacher after all... Right?" The foals changed target, and giggled at their apparently very confused teacher, Clockwork. The blueish-gray stallion donning an hourglass on his flank had a look on his face like he was actually confused for a moment. This broke Sky out of his funk, in a way that only the eccentric stallion knew how. Sometimes Sky thought that Clockwork acted crazy on purpose, many time apparently to help him. Sky didn't now what type of diploma one needed to be a teacher, but as a high school science teacher, he was fairly sure Clockwork was not a 'Doctor'. "Yes sir, I'm fine," he said, smiling at his teacher. Clockwork nodded, still a bit befuddled if his face was anything to go by. "Alright-y then, sit down and we will begin." Sky gave an affirmative, trotted over to his desk, and pulled out his textbook. He liked Clockwork. He had only been around for a few weeks, but they had hit it off right away... well, sort of.
Flash back two weeks ago, on Clockworks first day, he had introduced himself as their new teacher as their old one needed to 'take a break.' The oddities of their new teacher began to manifest themselves right away. Clockwork, instead of using the attendance board, had insisted on spending the first 20 minute of school hours to get to know everyone in the class. It had been innocent enough, if not a little odd that a teacher, a substitute no less, took such interest in getting to know their students. Then Clockwork got to Blueblood, PRINCE Blueblood, son of one of the wealthiest families in Canterlot, no, all Equestria, the colt that everyone, even the adults seemed to suck up to, and he did the weirdest thing.
He just passed him by. The look on Bluebloods face was priceless. A look of utter confusion, shock, and indignation all at once.
Then, Clockwork got to him, and the thing that still puzzled Sky happened. Clockwork looked at him and said, "Ah, and you Night Sky, anything to proclaim to the class?" Sky had opened his mouth to say something when he realized something. Clockwork said he hadn't bothered with the role sheet. The class had watched as he had thrown it away in a showy fashion. How does he know my name?' Sky was instantly both cautious and curious of this new teacher, and had sided with his cautious side and simply shook his head 'no'. At that point in time, he decided that he was going to stay away from Clockwork. He was far to strange, and a little creepy to bother himself with. But that changed not a week later, and all it took was one talk. One small, but very important talk.
Two Weeks Ago
Then one morning, Sky entered the class, having just escaped Blueblood and his lackeys. No physical harm mind you, even Blueblood wasn't stupid enough to lay a hoof on another student, but the verbal beating had been severe. Sky was use to it, he didn't bother crying over bullies anymore. But that didn't keep his mood from being utterly ruined for the remainder of the day. Then, at the end of the period, just before the bell, Clockwork had looked at Sky and stopped. "We will finish this lecture tomorrow kids, but before you all leave, Sky, would you stay behind after the bell?" A collective oooh rose from the class, and somepony asked "Kids? We're not goats." Sky sagged 'Great, what did he do this time?' teachers would occasionally singled him out. Most of the time it was because some colt thought it would be funny to place a tack on the teachers chair or something of the sort and blame the earth pony. Sometime the teachers did it themselves. Ms.Function, his math teacher, had never liked him.
The bell rang, his fellow students left, and head and ears down, Sky rose to walk to the teachers desk. "No, that's quite alright, stay right where you are." Ok, not the strangest thing he had said. Sky sat their as Clockwork walked up to him, and took a seat in the desk next to his. "So, do you know what you did wrong?" he asked. Sky nodded. it was best if he just went along with whatever he said, rather than be punished for 'denying' it as well. "Really? Is that the truth Sky?" Sky looked up to reply, and saw the look in his teachers eyes. 'Don't lie,' it said. He paused, then slowly shook his head a negative. Clockwork hummed and nodded his own head. "Well let me tell you," he began. Sky closed his eyes, braced for the chastisement to follow.
"Absolutely nothing," he said, much to his surprise. Sky looked up, confused. A moment passed, and no one said anything. "Then... why am I here?" "because you don't deserve to think you did." More confusion. 'If I haven't done anything, why does he want me to stick around to tell me that?' Sky looked up to Clockwork and gave pause. He saw a look in his eyes that he had rarely seen in there. Clockwork was serious, and not just 'listen to what I am teaching now' serious. All humor was gone from his face. "... Mr.Clockwork, why am I hear?" Sky asked. Now Clockwork gave him a sad smile. "Sky, what do those colts say to you?" Sky was quite for a moment. "...When?..." "Oh don't give me that. You know when."
Sky stopped again, this time for much longer. Clockwork waited. "...They tell me that I don't belong, that I'm trash, that I should just leave. Not like I wouldn't if I could." he huffed. Clockwork was still for a moment. "Nope, rubish, don't believe any of that for a second," he told Sky. "What?" Sky questioned. Clockwork re-iterated "Non of it, any of it, zilch nada, not a bit of it is true, so don't listen. You belong here just the same as they do." Sky was staring. "What, do I have something on my muzzle?" Sky blinked. 'Whats... going on here?' he asked himself. "Why... are you saying this? I mean, what are you doing? Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Because," he said, beginning to loosen that ridiculous bow-tie he wore around his neck. As he did so, Clockwork noticed a faint shimmer, and looked to his head, and his jaw dropped. Clockwork the unicorn was now an earth pony. "Your not the only one in this boat," he said with a wink. Sky sputtered. "Bu...but...h-how... Buaa?" The Stallion chuckled, and bounced the tie in his hoof. "A little hologram projector I had implemented into my cool little accessory so I could teach at this joint." Sky was still staring at the empty space that used to hold Clockworks horn. Sky had been wondering why he had yet to see his teacher use magic. "H-how... why... just why?" The science teacher grinned as he began to miraculously retie his bow-tie around his neck on his own, and as he did so, the horn reappeared, in it's rightful place. Clockwork looked to the clock, and his smile lessened just a tad. "you know, I wanted to talk to you more, but seeing as I have another class to teach, and you have another to get to, and all that wibbly-wobbly stuff that might be important as well, lets just say that I'm here to help." "...Why?" Clockwork began, then stopped. "...Lets just say, as a favor to an old friend of mine. Which reminds me, the next time you visit Ponyville, be sure to talk with a bloke named Time Turner, good fellow, if a little vain, lovely friends of his though. Derpy is a name I remember... ya." He seemed to lose himself for a second, before shaking his head and coming back to the present. "Listen to me ramble, I have to stop doing that. Now, off you pop, don't want to be late again do we?" This snapped Sky out of his stupor almost instantly. "Right, yes, well... ya, I gotta go," Sky said as he packed to leave. "And don't be a stranger will you? If you need me let me know." Sky nodded, and smiled at the crazy stallion. "I'll do that, thank you." He left with a smile on his face, and the question of how an earth pony could enchanted a bow-tie with an illusion called a 'hologram,' presumably by himself. Something he was not expecting not hours before. Clockwork had been smiling to. "So odd to see them like this, all... tiny and squeaky. So different between then and now. Or is it now and later? Here and there? Well, time to dwell on that later, I have a class to teach!... Celestia whats happened to me?" the old pony mumbled to himself as his next period students wandered in.
Present Day
Sky woke from daydreaming to a quite "psst!" He looked up to see Blueblood staring at him. Of course it had to be Blueblood, it couldn't have been anyone else. "Yes?" he replied dryly, showing he was not in the mood for Bluebloods antics today. The prince did not care. "What happened to your mane?" he asked. Sky did a mental double take. Was Prince Blueblood actually taking an interest in something about HIM? "I woke up late for school, I had to leave in a hurry." Maybe today wouldn't be so bad. "Oh, that explains it, for a moment I thought that perhaps you had misplaced your personal groomer." Personal groomers? That was a thing ponies had? "I don't have a personal groomer." Sky responded with a frown. Then he saw the wicked grin spread across the princes face. "Truly? Very good, I was worried some poor mare somewhere was being paid to handle that mess. Good to see that is set aside for someone worthy of the task." Never mind then, same as ever.
The filly behind Blueblood giggled. The colt in front of Sky chuckled. And Sky went to his normal position of nose-to-book, back to frowning. "Aww, don't be like that, father says that its important to have the approval of the peasants." Sky took a deep breath. 'Don't respond, he can't keep it up forever.' The young prince was now sporting a frown, slowly morphing into a scowl as he realized he was being ignored. He began to poke Sky discreetly with a pencil, pretending to take notes with his magic. 'ouch... ouch... OUCH... ok this is getting ridiculous.' Realizing that the proding was not getting a reaction either, Blueblood decided to simply call Sky out. "You, earth pony, look at me when I'm talking to you!" That tore it. "Why, what will you do, sick your daddy's lawyers on me? Cry to your mum that an earth pony in your class wont kiss your hooves? Whine to someone who cares you're majesty." This came as a surprise to all that heard it, even Sky. He never fought back. EVER. What had gotten into him? He finally looked up from his textbook to asses the damage. The colt in front of him was no longer laughing, and was instead looking between him and Blueblood with a look of shock. The filly behind the prince was now staring intently at her upside-down textbook, finding a particular spot in the center to be highly interesting. And Blueblood himself... Sky knew that what had just happened would have ramifications, but the sight of seeing the pompous prince gulping like a fish almost made it all worth it. "You... y-you little urchin! How DARE YOU-"
"Ahem"
Both colts looked to the front, and saw one Mr.Clockwork looking at them, eyebrow raised. Sky sunk into his chair. He never liked being the center of a teachers focus, even Clockworks, it made him feel uncomfortable. Of course, Blueblood saw an opportunity to retaliate against Sky's harsh words. In as an authoritative "Teacher! This tramp has insulted my good name! I demand that he be punished! At once!" Suddenly, Sky realized just how quite it was. No one moved, some fearful what would happen next. Others where to busy following the drama to make a noise. Clockwork, for his part, was deathly still, staring at the duo. 'Well, it was good while it lasted, maybe when I finally get kicked out of here mom will consider homeschooling.'No-pony ever challenged Blueblood, especially ponies who's salaries where probably paid by a business owned by the Blueblood clan. Even if Clockwork liked Sky, there was no way he could do anything but what Bluebood demanded, his job depended on it. He wouldn't hold it against him, or any-pony in this situation really. Sky watched as Clockwork slowly rose from his desk, and made his way to their part of the classroom. Sky began to consider saving everyone time, and what little dignity he had left, and just packing up right away. Deciding to go ahead with his plan, Sky rose from his desk, only to be stopped by Clockwork. "NO, Sky, you stay right there. I'd like to have a word before any-pony does anything else." Sky gulped. Blueblood beamed. Sky prepared for the worst, closing his eyes and preparing for the punishment. He could take it like a stallion. No tears, he wouldn't give the rotten bully the satisfaction.
"Sky, do you remember what I told you a couple weeks ago?" Sky paused. A lot had been said that morning. "Y-yes?..." "About you being able to come to me about anything?" Another pause from Sky. He had no idea where this was going. "Yes?" Clockwork gave a curt nod, then very slowly turned to the unawares Blueblood. "Listen here you sorry excuse for royalty," he started. The class gasped. Sky's immediate reaction was to pinch himself. He remembered having a dream like this once. Ouch, no, very much real. Bluebloods reaction was a bit delayed, not expecting this result. It finally came when his eyes bugged out and his hung ever so slightly ajar. "Their are very few things in this Universe that get me angry. World domination, plunger wielding salt shakers, and accordions among other things. But let me make this perfectly clear. No one who knows me, in their right mind, hurts my friends. You got that?" Blueblood was at this point a quivering wreak, the look in Clockworks eyes easily cutting him down a size or eight. It was a miracle that he had not soiled himself yet. Even being outside of Clockworks wrath, many of the student in the class where now looking extremely uncomfortable. Some were downright scared. Their teachers face was terrifying to behold. Sky's face was blank, his brain momentarily shutting down to compute all of this. 'Blueblood is being scolded? For me? I have a friend? He is a bit older than me, is that normal?... Saltshakers? Why the hay...' Sky shook his head. He wanted to hear the rest.
"You already bother me enough as it is. You are to whinny, so demanding, to privileged. Not a single thing about you speaks anything good about you, or your family, or your dog, who, for your information, agrees with me! And ENOUGH with the kibble, some real food would be nice!" 'Ok, this has passed weird and now become insane... I am strangely ok with this.' Sky knew he was enjoying this to much.
"SO, let me tell you what you are going to do. ONE! You are going to sit their, quietly, and not bother me any longer. TWO! You are going to go home after school and give Atlas a big, no HUGE, juicy bone, and he would prefer it seasoned. And THREE, you are going to apologize to Night Sky here and NEVER bother him again. Not exactly in that order. AM I CLEAR?!" At this point, the stallion that would haunt Bluebloods dreams for the next five months was just an inch from his face. The prince was now sunk as far back into his desk as equinely possible, and Sky was debating weather or not he could get Clockwork to have Blueblood to do a little dance while he was at it. He decided that was a question for later. Maybe on his birthday.
Blueblood nodded, and when he saw that the nightmare that was his science teacher was not going anywhere until he said something to Sky, snapped his head to the right. "SORRY!! I'M SORRY!! GET HIM AWAY!!" Clockwork looked over to Sky, who was having a hard time fighting a large, goofy grin for control over his face. He shook his head yes, not trusting himself to stay calm at the moment. And just like that, Clockwork was back to his normal self. Using the term 'normal' loosely. "Good! now open your books to page 209 class. Answer the questions at the end after reading the chapter." The mad pony that was their teacher turned and walked up to his desk, and continued to do... whatever it was that he was doing. The class remained blissfully quite for the remainder of the period.
The bell rang, the class left, and soon the day had gone by. Ever sense he had settled down in Equestria for the time, Clockwork had begun to understand the meaning of the term 'time flies.' He set to cleaning away the days mess, wiping the homework from the last class off the blackboard. Then he heard a set of hooves walk up behind him and stop. Taking a moment to finish, he turned around. "Yes, do you have a question on the assign..." He stopped when he saw it was Sky, with a serious look on his face. "Hi Sky! Oh, hey, that's fun, almost as great as that allons-y Allonso bit of tens! You wouldn't mind if I used that more often would you? Anyways, what was it you needed?" He stopped when he saw Sky refused to smile, even after his ramble, which he understood the students found amusing. He decided to wait for Sky to speak first. After a few moment, he did. "First, I want you to promise that you won't lie to me." An odd request, but he would agree. "Of course." "And not only that, but whatever you tell me isn't a half truth, part truth, or anything but absolute fact." This has to be serious. Had he figured it out? He didn't think he had done anything to blow his cover. Not really... Maybe. Well, only one way to find out. "Yes." Another pregnant pause, one longer than any before it. Clockwork considered asking what was wrong till Sky finally spoke. "...Are you really, REALLY my friend?" What, that was it? No life altering, history-shattering questions? A well, can't be fun all the time. "Yes of course." Sky lowered his head. "And you did all that for me?" "Yes, why, is this a supri-humph!" The science teacher was interrupted when a small blue colt latched himself onto his barrel. At first the stallion didn't know what to do. "Ummm," he eloquently put. ""Thank you..." Sky said quietly.
Well, this was unexpected. Clockwork didn't think any of those things where big enough to encourage such a reaction. What could have caused this? He was acting almost like he had never had a... friend... before... 'Oh I am so thick. So very thick and old.' Of course he didn't have any friends yet, cursed dates where to scrambled in his head. He hasn't met them yet. Quick or the rest. And he hasn't even VISITED Ponyville yet.' Clockwork sighed inwardly. 'This is what you get for playing with the time-stream! It's been far to long since your last adventure, you've gotten careless.'
After a moment, Sky finally removed himself, and Clockwork could see that their was a trace of a tear in the corner of his eye. "Are you... feeling better... now?" he asked carefully, not sure what could happen. Sky nodded, and had the grace to turn a tinge red in the cheeks, and wiped his eyes. "Ya, sorry for, you know... crying and hugging and, being weird." Clockwork smiled. If only he knew just how strange that statement was, an apology for being weird directed at him. He remembered the time Discord had described him as, "just as half backed as me, maaaybe just as smart, but no fun at all." Good times. Clockwork grinned "Ehh, don't worry about it, I've seen stranger sights. And stranger folks, trust me." Sky smiled. Unfortunately, this light heart'ed statement was followed by a long, drawn out pause in which no-pony said anything. Then Clockwork realized that Sky's parents would probably start to worry if he did not return soon. "Lets get you home then, eh? I'll walk you there." Sky nodded, and grabbed his things, standing next to the door for Clockwork. The stallion grabbed his own bag, and together, the walked out of the building.
