Adventures in the TARDIS

*Knock-knock-knock.

Feeling startled by the knock, especially since he was so engrossed in his writing, Feather Wind whips his head at the entrance of the room and pauses a moment to calm down before he calls out, “Come in.”

The door cracks open and Derpy timidly pokes her muzzle through the entrance and calls within, “I hope I'm not disturbing you.”

Feather Wind grins at her and says, “Actually, you were, but come in anyway.”

Derpy frowns as she pushes the door open the rest of the way using her face then steps inside. As she does so, she says apologetically, “Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't want to disturb you.”

Feather shakes his head at her and proclaims, “No need to apologize. Maybe you have news for me?”

“Um,” Derpy steps a few paces into Feather Wind's room in the TARDIS. She notes how it is dark in here again aside from a few lit candles. There are a bunch of scrolls on his desk. Some of them are rolled up.

At first both of her eyes are focused on this scene, but her left eye lazily drifts away a few seconds later.

“You were busy writing?” Derpy guesses based on her observation here.

“Yeah. Trying to,” Feather replies as he looks back at all the supplies on his desk. “I was hoping to do more of that while we were in Ponyville.” He looks down with a frown. “We originally came to your home village to get a break and recover from our previous adventure before that. Truth be told, I was looking forward to having a little downtime.” He looks back at his desk. “Not only would that give me some time to recover, but it might also give me some time for my writing.” He looks back at her. “We were there for only one day, Derpy. I didn't sleep there even once.”

Derpy frowns again as she says, “Yeah. I know what you mean. I, too, would've appreciated showing you all around my home village some more. It really is a pleasant place.” Her right eye drifts in the same direction as her left as she adds more quietly, “Most of the time.”

“I feel unsettled that we just left Vision there too,” Feather adds. “But your folks did seem nice and we left in a time machine. We can pop back in before she even knows we left.”

“That's true,” Derpy agrees as she looks back at Feather with both eyes, at first, while also wearing a slight smile. “It's still strange for me to think about. Whole adventures could occur in the span of a few seconds potentially. Adventuring with the Doctor in the TARDIS sure opens up my mind to whole new horizons of possibilities.”

A few seconds of silence passes between them before Feather says, “We've arrived at our next destination, haven't we? The one Daring encouraged us to go to?”

Derpy nods with a slight rattling sound as she says, “Apparently, yeah. The Doctor seems convinced that this is the time period that some extinct cure exists for an ailment somewhere in my timeline.”

Feather Wind tilts his head slightly at Derpy when he says, “Since we've come all this way, maybe we should take more than just one sample of this extinct cure and plant it in your native timeline again, or potentially in mine as well. With all of this effort we're making to secure it, it seems a shame to limit ourselves to exactly one sample.” Feather Wind shrugs. “What if this disease comes up again or something else like it? Diseases and viruses have a nasty habit of mutating. To keep up with it, we have to adapt too. Getting and planting another sample would save us the effort of coming back to this timeline to secure it again.”

“I totally agree with you,” agrees Derpy. “One-hundred percent.” She shrugs. “The only thing is we don't know what this sample is that we have to secure or how easy it'll be to secure it. We need at least one. Can we get another? We'll just have to wait and see.”

“If we secure only one sample, maybe Doctor Kelly can replicate it somehow,” Feather muses as he looks back at his desk. “She seems to have access to science and technology far beyond either of our time periods.”

“I haven't thought of that. Great thinking, Feather!” Derpy cheers. “Her or the Doctor. Both of them seem to have access to advanced tech. In the Doctor's case, if he can't do it himself, he might at least be able to go to another place where he can replicate it.”

“Well, since we're here,” Feather ignites his horn with silvery magic. “I better take a few extra scrolls, quills, and ink with me. While the chances of me getting another calm moment to write during this adventure is thinner, I'd have no chance at all if I don't bring any of these supplies. Besides, these might come in hoofy in other ways later on, and I need to bring a saddlebag anyway to store and retrieve my Mist Cloak.”

Derpy approaches Feather and his desk further. Along the way she says in an admiring tone, “I've always admired and envied ponies like you, Feather. Artist who uses words like sculptor sculpting a . . . um . . . a sculptor,” she finishes with a bit of a blush at her own lame description. Despite her embarrassment, she goes on to say, “Those words create an enduring legacy and help capture a moment like taking a picture. Poetry can do that with emotions too. To me, that's magical.”

“I've had many years of practice,” Feather explains as he floats a saddlebag close and starts to float some supplies from his desk and neatly tucks it into his saddlebags. One side in particular. “In the soul of an artist, something builds inside of us and it creates a sort of pressure. We need an occasional outlet to let it out.”

“Taking supplies like this with you on your travels seems like a necessary step, then,” Derpy muses. “One extra layer of preparation you need because you'll never know when a moment of inspiration is going to strike.”

“Exactly!” Feather agrees enthusiastically.

Derpy sits down, closes her eyes, flaps her wings slightly in a cheerful manner and claps her hooves together which sounds like two halves of a coconut bowl being slapped together repeatedly. She also cries out, “Yay!”

Warm joy passes through Feather's system when he hears Derpy cheer like that. Looking at her for a second, he also notices how the tip of Derpy's tongue is sticking out the left side of her mouth just slightly. It seems unlikely to Feather that she is doing that on purpose. It gives her a dopey but also adorable expression.

Then Feather looks forward at nothing as he widens his eyes. The warm feelings that passed through him a moment ago also reminds him that moments like this are the kinds of emotions he needs to capture and store in the Red Crystal. He looks at it hanging on a hook in his room while the Crystal is secure on a necklace. He has the necklace and Crystal float over to him. From there, he pokes his head through the necklace's opening then has it hang on his neck.

“Good idea,” Derpy agrees again. Since she just spoke, her unconscious tip of her tongue sticking out goes back inside fully. “You never know when that might come in hoofy either. You'll need that to capture other good memories.”

“Agreed, and it has a sentient soul in it besides,” Feather Wind adds. “He's been teaching me a few new spells, too. He actually has a whole virtual library in there.”

“Virtual like Doctor Kelly's world?” Derpy wonders.

Feather shakes his head as he says, “It's an entirely mental construct in there so not exactly. Doesn't feel as hollow either.” Then he thinks about it before amending, “Well, in a different way, it is hollow since nopony else is in there. He's got a recreation of the entire Crystal Empire in there but it seems sad and lonely with him being the only resident there.”

“Hmm. I guess I can relate,” Derpy figures. “If I imagine all of Ponyville empty of every soul except for me, I don't think it would feel nearly as warm and friendly. At best it would feel sad and lonely and at worst it might feel downright spooky.” She looks up as she recalls, “Come to think of it, there were a few moments like that in the past where the town seemed empty.” She looks back at Feather with her walleyes. “We used to be spooked by a zebra named Zecora before we got a chance to know her. Back then, whenever she attempted to visit the town, we'd all hide in our homes. It made the town seem abandoned.”

“That's terrible!” Feather says at Derpy with a disapproving frown. “Why was she so mistreated?”

Derpy gives a shy shrug as she explains, “We weren't accustomed to her kind around there back then. We didn't even know what she was. Add to that, there were some nasty rumors spreading about like she was an evil enchantress.”

Feather looks at his desk with a frown but looks back at Derpy when she speaks again.

“Hey! Don't judge us! You don't know what it was like. It might seem easy to you since you have all this high-class education. It isn't like that with small-town folks, though. We can get highly superstitious. Canterlot has way more security anyway, but small towns feel more vulnerable.”

Feather's frowning expression relaxes as he admits, “True. I didn't grow up in such a town so I have no right to judge. If I did grow up in those exact same circumstances, I probably would have reacted the same way.”

Derpy grins as she says, “Funny enough, it was a pony like you that initially opened our minds to broader possibilities. Twilight Sparkle was also a highly educated unicorn wizard from Canterlot.”

“Well, that was bound to happen eventually,” Feather says as he hops off his seat and floats his saddlebags on. “Ponyville really isn't that far from Canterlot.”

“Yeah, but most trained wizards either stay in Canterlot or go somewhere else they perceive needs them more,” Derpy figures. “For some reason they don't tend to go to or stay in an area filled with country bumpkins. Maybe they tend to think we’re beneath them?”

“Their loss, then. Ponyville seemed very pleasant to me for the most part,” Feather says with a soft smile. “And it is so reassuring to me that the future of Equestria, relative to my timeline, is moving forward to such a pleasant state.” He shakes his head slightly. “Sometimes ponies can worry about their personal future, or the future of Equestria at large. To get feedback that the future actually turns out very well really does help me to sleep better at night.” Feather Wind takes a quick but deep breath in and out before adding, “Stern Wing and I both agreed, though, that we'd both do our own parts in our timeline, when we eventually return, to help ensure a time like yours comes to fruition. Just because we saw it doesn't mean it'll occur effortlessly. We each have to do our own parts.”

“Your writing was probably your own contribution,” Derpy figures. “That and all that energy you, and your family, have secretly gathered to help the return of the Crystal Empire.”

“I figured you hadn't read any of my works considering your disability,” says Feather. “You said that to me earlier anyway. I am curious, though, if you have any idea what kinds of ponies do enjoy my work in your time.”

“Poet enthusiasts probably,” Derpy figures. “That, and probably others in high social circles or highly educated at least. Any of those are the types of ponies who tend to read more and are, therefore, more likely to have come across your work.”

Derpy's information makes Feather thoughtful.

“Your work isn't overwhelmingly popular from what I can tell,” Derpy adds. “Not like required reading in school or anything like that. Probably more like others who tend to be into those sorts of things. More than likely, you helped to inspire other poets who then inspired other poets and so on.”

“An endless cycle that started long before me as well,” Feather figures. “Eh. Well.” He shrugs then looks back at Derpy. “Whatever comes, comes. I'll let the future sort itself out and do my part in the meantime.

“In the meantime, the others are probably waiting for us so we should meet up with them.”

“Yes. Let's,” Derpy agrees.

“There you two are,” Stern expresses when Feather Wind and Derpy enter the TARDIS console room along with everyone else that is still aboard this ship. For the moment, that includes Daring Do.

“Sorry. I just needed a few moments to gather my thoughts and some supplies,” Feather explains and apologizes to the group. “I assure you, it had nothing to do with Derpy. She was a good girl and informed me that you all were waiting.”

“What supplies, if you don't mind me asking?” Daring Do checks with Feather Wind as she examines him, and his saddlebags, curiously.

“Well, aside from my Mist Cloak, I also brought some scrolls, quills, and ink,” Feather explains and even floats out a few samples of them for a moment before floating them back into his bag. “I'm a writer, you see, and I like to be prepared just in case inspiration later strikes me during the adventure and there is a safe opportunity to write it down.”

Feather Wind notes that the answer seems to please Daring Do for some reason. The kind of smile she gives him makes him think that she is beholding a kindred spirit.

“Well, anyway, since we're all here,” Doctor Kelly says as she transfers her look from the group at large to the Doctor who is still near the center console. As she looks at him, the stem of her lollipop switches from her right to left side of her mouth. “Where and when are we exactly?”

“Still on the homeworld of the rest of these ponies here,” the Doctor nods to indicate every pony standing in this room aside from himself and Doctor Kelly. “The only difference is the time period. Since you're all aiming for a sample of an extinct cure, we've gone backwards in time. To an ancient age, actually.”

“Same continent as Equestria?” Daring checks with the Doctor. “Also, does Equestria still exist at this time?”

“The answer to both of your questions is no,” the Doctor answers Daring.

“I see,” Daring replies with a very thoughtful and analytical look.

“Check with your monitor at the console,” Stern Wing requests of the Doctor. “It should give us a preliminary look at what is around us. If it's snowing, for example, we'll know to put on warmer gear before we step outside.”

“Sure. I can do that,” the Doctor agrees then knocks on the rail around the console four times. Between that gesture and the look on his face, it indicates to the rest that the Doctor has an important announcement to add. When he notices he has all of their attention, he goes on to say, “But first I'd like to make a very important announcement. For this particular adventure,” he nods in such a way to indicate the exit of the TARDIS with his muzzle, “I shall not be joining you all. Moreover, as soon as you all leave, I will take off to settle a few issues.”

The entire present group regards the Doctor in alarm. Stern Wing just happens to be the first to voice it.

“Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a cloud-kicking minute. You plan on abandoning us in this time period?!” Stern Wing asks incredulously.

“No,” the Doctor replies. “Abandon implies I won't return to reclaim you all. In my case I do plan to come back when you're all done here with your mission.”

“Why are you taking off?” Derpy asks in alarm. “What's so important out there that you have to do this all now?”

“I just think certain issues would be simplified if I go at this alone,” the Doctor explains. “Some of them would otherwise be . . . shall we say? . . . sensitive if I had all of you with me, or even any of you. For example, certain questions I need to ask others and the answer may change, and not in our favor, if I don't ensure that conversation is private. The discussion of state secrets and the like.”

Feather Wind knew enough to know that this group wouldn't normally be considered a burden to the Doctor. The explanation that the Time Lord is going to certain groups to discuss sensitive issues gives him a rough idea what the Doctor is talking about. Still, he feels compelled to request, “Can you give us all more of a clue as to what issues you will be discussing?”

The others present looked at Feather Wind when he asked that question. Upon reflection, they all realized that they agreed with his question then almost simultaneously looked at the Doctor for an answer.

“Timey-wimy stuff,” the Doctor answers. “For one thing,” he looks at then nods to indicate Doctor Kelly. “When we first met, you told me that you found certain clues in the annals of history which indicated that the two of us might meet. By telling me that, it also informed me that you were an important pony and I'd need to pay attention to you carefully. Back then, I didn't know that I'd later do any of that yet, but thanks to your tip, that's been on my to-do list ever since. I'd like a chance to check it off the list at least partially.”

“Well . . . that I understand,” Doctor Kelly says with a nod to the Doctor. “But you can just pop in and out of this time period a few seconds apart. Who else are you trying to meet that might go unfavorably if any of us are there?”

The Doctor sweeps a scan among every pony here as he says, “Let's just say I plan to build a little more momentum with the Knights of the Hourglass. I'm playing 4-D chess here and it's time I started making more moves on a few of the other boards.”

As soon as the Doctor says that, Daring Do widens her eyes in astonished recognition when she realizes that one of the members the Doctor plans to recruit is her own past self. Feeling anxiously curious, she gives the Doctor an earnest, questioning look and hopes he's smart enough to realize what she's silently asking.

In response, the Doctor meets her gaze and gives Daring a very subtle nod that every other pony, other than Feather Wind, missed. Feather Wind also notices how the answer gives Daring a very deep look of realization and contemplation.

For Daring's part, she has mixed feelings about that announcement. On the one hand, she knows how important it is for the Doctor to do this. She wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for what he's about to do with her past self, nor would any of her other adventures likely occur either. She owes him a lot for that action.

But on the other hand, she was also looking forward to finally joining the Doctor on more even footing since she finally feels, more or less, ready. Daring has been very stubborn about doing her adventures alone for years but three things have changed since she last met the Doctor.

For one, she has gathered much more experience as well as feeling considerably more confident in herself and her skills. At this point partnerships aren't likely to hurt that. If anything, gathering more alliances is far more likely to make her stronger thanks to the extra resources those useful allies could provide.

For two, Daring recently encountered another adventure that she would have failed if it weren't for the stubborn help of a certain rainbow-maned fan of hers. That adventure taught Daring that independence has been pushed too far. That, and it felt nice to get further proof that there are indeed others trustworthy on both a technical and moral front. She promised that she'd remain open-minded to that possibility and it finally happened recently.

And for three, Daring isn't the only one who has been improving over the years. Some of the antagonists Daring has faced have a team of their own. As the bad guys' teamwork gradually gets better with each encounter they have against her, it causes Daring to realize she's gradually playing a losing strategy if she sticks to her independence too strictly. Even if it is only two against one, then her enemies are still capable of twice as many actions per second than she can pull off.

Considering all of that, it's such a shame, to her, that the Doctor is backing off now just when she finally feels closer to being his equal. At least equal enough not to feel lost or dependent in his shadow.

“Given the fact that Daring is a guest in this adventure, that she is a professional adventurer too, that she knows history well and the fact that this adventure is her personal request, I'm leaving her in charge of this mission if there are no objections,” the Doctor proposes.

“I object,” Stern Wing says immediately to the Doctor. She then looks at and gives Daring a respectful nod as she adds, “I'm not objecting to your personal leadership. You seem to have some brass in your spine and steel in your nerves. You'd likely do fine in the context of this mission even if you,” she looks back at the Doctor and goes on to say, “choose to join us, Doctor. It's your departure that I'm objecting too. If none of us are there to protect you, then the next disaster you suffer may have dire consequences. We need you, Doctor, likely far more than we know. Maybe the whole universe needs you more than we know. And besides, if you die out there while you are away, then that leaves us stranded in this time period. I don't think any of us would want that no matter how pleasant this world and time period is. We have goals of our own too, you know. Things that we have to do.”

The Doctor lifts a hoof as he says, “A perfectly reasonable concern, I'll admit, but please have some faith in me as I have with all of you. That's why you're all standing here on my ship. I trust you all with my life.” Using the same hoof that he originally raised in objection, the Doctor now tightens his green necktie as he continues. “Believe me, I've been traveling through time and space for many centuries now and I know my limits very well. I'm not throwing a random course in the TARDIS this time. Instead, I have very focused objectives and plans of action. I even know the exact sequence I plan to accomplish each of these objectives. Of course the details will vary depending on what I encounter. Plans can only get one so far, but in this case I'm asking you to trust me and the fact that I have a solid plan this time. In the end, it'll only serve to our benefit. We need these allies in place for us to fulfill our own missions. If I don't, then it'll be my enemies who will gradually gain more and more of a lead.

“Trust me, I'm well aware what the stakes are. My friends, and everyone in the universe, needs to have its innocence protected. You all know me and what I stand for. Please believe in me.”

“Is anything you're about to do could help us gain some leads on the kidnapped Alphalmians too?” Feather Wind checks with the Doctor.

“The what now?” Daring asks Feather in confusion.

“I'll explain the details later if you wish,” Feather offers to Daring. “Long story short, some aquatic aliens were captured from an innocent world and the Doctor promised one of its leaders that he'd help to return those that were stolen from that world. So far we haven't returned any and we even suffered an ambush with one of our most promising and recent leads. That's why we were later in Ponyville. We were trying to recover from that emotional blow.”

“Oh. I see,” Daring says with an accepting, understanding, and also sympathetic nod.

“It just might,” the Doctor answers Feather Wind. “With extra allies joining our cause in the fringes, some of which may invite others too, this gradually expands our network of allies, resources, and information. I'm not going to lie; it may add to our 'to-do' list too since they're aware of other problems that need to be addressed, but still. In the long run this will be a boon.”

“With a time machine on your hooves, time becomes very subjective,” Daring Do realizes. “Those kidnapped aquatic aliens you're all talking about might not suffer more than a few seconds of absence from their home world if the Doctor approaches the situation from a very prepared stance.”

“That is always where I am at my strongest,” the Doctor agrees with Daring. “Typically the first phase I go through is gathering information. That includes the realization that there even is a problem to solve. As I continue to steadily gather more information, a plan of action gradually gathers into sharper focus.” He waves a hoof in the air. “That includes putting forward initiative that will help me gather more intel later and/or put a plan into action.”

Daring gains a worried frown as she says, “Well, alright then. All of that sounds perfectly fine except . . . Doctor, I don't have much experience in teams at all right now let alone leadership. You may wish to consider nominating another here. Or, better yet, join us yourself.”

“I'm aware that you don't have much experience with this,” the Doctor concurs with Daring. “Nor do they have any experience traveling in a time/space adventure without me. You see,” he points at Daring, “right there is the problem and the solution is simple. Believe me, I'll be monitoring you all closely enough to realize you'll need my help if it ever comes to it, but for now I think this will be a valuable experience to you all to know that you can rely on yourselves and each other if need be. That I don't always have to be beside you to ensure your success. For other reasons, perhaps I'll be unable to help you in the future. I need you all to know, right now, that if and when that ever occurs, you'll still be fine because you can still rely on each other.” When he says that, he brings his fore hooves together while also leaning on the rail for support.

Stern Wing grunts and says, “Eh . . . I suppose you have a point. Are you sure you'll still be monitoring us?”

“Absolutely,” the Doctor vows then lifts a hoof. “I swear that I will appear when you need me.”

Stern Wing shakes her head as she says, “I still don't like this because we can't monitor and/or go after you if you're in trouble. We don't have access to our own time machine.”

“I think you'll all be surprised what you're capable of when the need arises,” the Doctor proclaims with a shrewd look to the group. “Don't count anything out yet. You may still find the resources you need to come after me during your adventures if need be.” He waves behind him. “One of the very reasons I'm taking off now is to help us gather more allies. Allies who are also prepared to travel through time and space or at least monitor it. Help them with their problems and they should be able to return the favor.”

“Like me with my problem right now,” Daring brings up as an example. “If I don't get the help I need with my current problem then the disease I've been talking about will spread with no way to halt it.”

“That's not a future I'd want to see,” Feather Wind agrees then focuses on Stern Wing. “We promised each other that we'd do whatever we could to help ensure a brighter future. That includes traveling through time and doing whatever we can.”

“Agreed,” Stern Wing concurs with a firm nod of her head. “Past and future don't really matter to me. I'll only deal with the issues that are right in front of me, and right now that includes Daring Do and her noble mission. I'm proudly willing to help her with that objective regardless.”

“Me too,” Derpy chimes in. “Since Vision isn't with us this time either, I don't have to babysit her so I'm free to join all of you this time.”

“As for me, I am a medical doctor,” Doctor Kelly announces. “I made a sacred vow a long time ago that I'd do whatever I can to improve the health of others. Plus,” she looks at Daring Do, “I'm interested to at least scan this would-be extinct medical cure on your world. Perhaps I can synthesize a suitable replacement for it in preparation against whatever ailment that has you concerned this time or any other in the future. For the sake of scientific discovery, I'm also interested in the medical techniques of my ancestors. Who knows? Maybe some of those methods are actually better than the ones I have in my home world. As a scientist and serious medical practitioner, I must always endeavor to be curious and active towards any potential improvements to this sacred art. As such, I proudly declare that you can count me in on this mission.”

“In fact, you might find Doctor Kelly a worthy second-in-command for this mission,” the Doctor recommends to Daring Do. “She has a lot of experience, knowledge, and a good head on her shoulders. Her motives are also trustworthy, especially in this case since medical issues are involved.”

Daring Do nods at the Doctor as she says, “Noted . . . and I trust you to your mission as well. Whatever it is you plan to do,” she pauses a moment as she grows a grateful smile. “I just want to say . . . thanks.”

There is a sudden deep knowing look in the Doctor's eyes and smile towards Daring Do. He nods at her as he says, “You're most certainly welcome, Milady.”