Adventures in the TARDIS

The TARDIS crew, along with the newly acquainted mysterious green unicorn mare, are flying through the air at unbelievable speed, yet curiously they do not feel the momentum at all. All of the inertia of their flight seems curiously canceled for those standing on the disk. To them, it almost feels like they are beholding a virtual image of motion all around them but without any of the actual gravity thrust to prove it. The visual sight of motion alone, though, makes some who stand on the disk dizzy from vertigo.

Not long after they take off, Derpy starts to rise in consciousness but she's not fully there yet. Doctor Kelly Saddler is monitoring the walleye mare as she awakens.

So far, only Derpy is unaware how tightly Feather Wind is clinging to Stern Wing's right foreleg with all four of his legs plus his neck hugging around her. Since he is so small and she is so large, it makes it look like he's clinging on to something about the size of a medium tree trunk compared to him. As he does so, he whimpers due to the injury she suffered still fresh on his mind. This is intensified by this experience conjuring the thought of how he would feel at her permanent death which, in turn, adds more weight to his sorrows.

For Stern Wing, she understands why he feels this way in light of their recent experiences. In a way she's touched, too, because she knows the source of his sorrows now is a sign of how much he loves her.

But, in another way, this is a bit irritating to her too. She's thinking that he'll need to develop a thicker hide about this concept because she plans on being in the front lines as much as possible. Part of her is haunted by the notion that if anyone else in this party had been struck with the same force that she suffered through then, then that other pony probably would not have gotten back up as soon as she did. Perhaps not ever! She knows she's the toughest in this party and, to her, she was just doing her job. Something she got her cutie mark for. Something to be proud of.

That said, she's not masochistic either. If she can avoid getting hurt at all while still protecting everyone else then so much the better. That means she would be able to remain on the front lines longer.

Back when she first got hit, it frustrated her to remain down while Doctor Kelly was busy healing her. The doctor did a good job and it's good to know that Stern can rely upon such assistance later on too if necessary, but everything she recently went through makes her all the more desperate to someday get the martial arts training that Daring Do has both for defensive and offensive purposes. If she can dodge or block the blows then she can hold the front lines better, and if her offense is more refined than she can down her opponent faster so that they don't even get as much of a chance to damage her party.

Stern knows she's working with a lot of raw potential but the sheer idea it could be better is like a splinter in her mind. The untapped potential is so frustrating to her because of its potential importance on any future battles.

Stern also knows that her blue friend's emotional fragility really is one of the reasons he dropped out of the Wonderbolt Academy. They had a rigid structure that wasn't conducive to his flighty nature, but such things should have been expected in a military structure like that. The fact that their aim was also showmanship really is a poor fit for a pony who is naturally shy. Working with teams was important back then and it's all the more important while adventuring now.

She's well aware that he also comes from an aristocratic background that can handle certain types of pressure, particularly social ones of high society. Generally speaking, though, they don't otherwise tend to get their hooves dirty so she has to admire his willingness to come this far.

That said, there clearly is room for progress here and it is important for those traits and skills to be developed soon. Until then, he's somewhat of a security risk in addition to being a major potential asset. It's like he is really good raw iron, but it has yet to be fully refined into a more useful form.

She's well aware that applies to herself as well in different ways.

From a psychological standpoint, Doctor Kelly is musing much of the same about her fellow party members. She recently had an experience when she got to observe them relaxed and under pressure in a different time. In her estimation, she has a good grasp on their emotional baseline now, including Daring Do, which thus helps to tip her off when they are off kilter. Any observation she makes that informs her they need some psychological assistance becomes at least a “note to self” for her.

For the moment, though, she's also aware that there is a new observer here who, in turn, warrants further observation herself. Assistance with Feather Wind's personal trauma can wait just a little longer until they get a more opportune moment of privacy. He'll need to be in a more relaxed setting to discuss and decompress from this stress. Like Stern, Doctor Kelly also has a pretty good idea why this pain is there because she interviewed him earlier in which he discussed certain elements about his background.

“Can I talk now?” the new young adult green mare requests. She openly looks curious, to the point of being giddy with excitement, but she also looks confused and concerned. She raises her forelegs beside her and literally shakes with excitement as she asks, “You all actually fought with the creature? A class four chaos creature?! Oh wow! You all must be really, really strong.”

“There's certainly room for improvement,” Stern Wing replies a little bitterly while struggling not to look down at her crying friend who is desperately clinging to her right foreleg right now. “But that said, any battle we can trot away from I refuse to call a total loss.”

“Class four chaos creature?” Doctor Kelly reiterates. “You're familiar enough with these creatures to categorize them?”

“In a manner of speaking,” the green mare replies in a more subdued tone. “I was merely out on a scouting mission. I wasn't specifically looking for such a creature but such a thing is among those I was ordered to keep a note of. Normally this is something I'd report to The Authority by now but, this time, I didn't have enough time. Matter of fact, I still haven't,” she adds with a frown at a transparent, laser outlined and floating virtual computer panel. “I might get in trouble with that later for delaying this long with a subject this important.”

“The Authority?” Daring Do echoes to prompt for clarity. Doctor Kelly was almost about to ask the exact same thing but Daring beat her to it. This wins a flashing glance of Doctor Kelly to Daring for a moment but her gaze returns to the green mare as she answers.

“A recent military group that has risen to power, particularly over matters like this,” the green unicorn answers. “Only in the last fifty years was a group like this even necessary, but with the recent rise of chaos creatures like that, certain initiatives had to be made.”

“I beg your pardon, Feather Wind, but I require your attention now,” speaks a voice Feather Wind certainly did not expect to hear. In surprise, Feather Wind's head and ears perk up and his yellow eyes pop open. He views to his left and notices the very unexpected sight of Crystal Sage standing there beside him and looking down at him. Just like in the Crystal Mind Palace in the Red Crystal, the very dark gray stallion is wearing nothing other than a long red scarf.

“Wha-” Feather Wind almost speaks until Crystal Sage cuts him off. While the dark gray unicorn does that, Daring Do continues to interview the new green unicorn.

“Use your mind, Feather Wind,” Crystal Sage commands. “I'm communicating to you from the Red Crystal, of which you're attuned to enough to permit me this ability. I am projecting a virtual image of myself here so I can interact with you, but no pony else here can see or hear me.”

“Then you stand corrected,” Doctor Kelly mentally argues as she directly observes Crystal Sage. That action and telepathic words catches both stallions off guard.

“Who is running this new military faction?” Daring Do checks with the green mare while Feather, Crystal Sage and Doctor Kelly have their own secret conversation. “For that matter, who are you?”

“Oh! I'm sorry!” the green mare exclaims in sudden embarrassment. “Where are my manners?” She then gestures to herself. “My name is Margret Wessle and I'm what you might call a field research scientist, or more like an apprentice of one.”

“You do seem young,” Daring Do agrees to Margret.

“That's a strange name,” Stern Wing mentions. “But a type I've encountered before, and speaking of names,” Stern Wing uses a wing to gesture to her chest, “My name is Stern Wing, and this is my foalhood friend, Feather Wind.” When she introduces the latter, she transfers her gesture down to him.

“You can mentally communicate with us?!” Crystal Sage says aloud in shock. “That means you're still attuned to the crystal. Huh.” He rubs the bottom of his chin thoughtfully. “It is starting to look more and more likely you might be an extended relative of my family, for only those of my bloodline should be able to properly attune to this crystal.”

“It's either that, or the method I've employed,” Doctor Kelly mentally proposes as an alternative. “My species is very well adept at attuning to magic crystals. That said, though, I'm well aware there are some that can be more picky. I may have to take a closer look at Feather Wind's D-N-A sample and compare it to my own. That may help to calculate genetic comparability probability.”

Crystal Sage returns his virtual hoof down to the red force field floor as he says, “In any case, this is noteworthy since that also means you two can mentally communicate to each other through this Crystal, at least while the two of you are in close proximity to it.”

“I'm Daring Do,” Daring introduces to Margret. “And those two mares over there are Derpy Hooves and Doctor Kelly Saddler.”

“A pleasure to meet you all,” Margret says happily at first then her expression shifts to concern as she regards Derpy. “Um . . . is she alright?”

“I'm monitoring her condition. Don't worry,” Doctor Kelly quickly tells Margret then returns her attention to that which the rest can't see other than Feather Wind.

“She isn't like this because of the battle,” Daring Do clarifies to Margret. “This happened to her before when she danced with a bunch of kirin.”

“You all actually met the kirin?!” Margret asks in amazement.

“Indeed,” Daring confirms with a lift of an eyebrow. “Is that rare?”

“Usually,” Margret answers. “The kirin are an elusive and evasive species. They're very picky about who they choose to manifest in front of. Not long ago they used to be regarded as a myth and legend among my tribe. The Earth Bound below claimed to have closer association with them which we've only recently verified.”

Feather Wind looks amazed with Crystal Sage's recent declaration, but Doctor Kelly is indifferent because she is accustomed to this technology and ability. Nevertheless, she is well aware she can't do this with the majority of this party and the fact that she's now aware that she can do this with Feather Wind is noteworthy.

“This actually makes my job easier,” Crystal Sage expresses with delight. “I wanted to involve you anyway,” he says to Doctor Kelly.

Doctor Kelly quickly mentions to Margret that the maji doctor is monitoring Derpy's condition, then looks back at Crystal Sage as she mentally says, “I'd be happy to help in any way I can. How can I help you today?”

Crystal Sage lifts a hoof as he says, “Before I get to that, I have a question for you. Is anything about what you have all recently encountered familiar to you in any way? Namely the magical technology this new young mare here is employing.”

“Actually, yes. I have made that observation,” Doctor Kelly mentally answers. “And I was going to bring that up later when we have a better moment of privacy.”

“Really?!” Feather Wind mentally asks Doctor Kelly in astonishment. “So you think this mare here is a fellow maji?”

Doctor Kelly shakes her head slightly as she mentally says, “Nothing is confirmed yet. I just have a suspicion.”

“Could you interface with her technology using your magic?” Crystal Sage checks with Doctor Kelly.

“I suspect I can, but it might not be prudent or polite to try right now without permission,” Doctor Kelly replies. “And I'm not sure if I even want to ask because, if I do, that could tip her off that I might be able to do that. I don't see it as fully necessary for her to be aware of that at this time.”

“A wise precaution,” Crystal Sage agrees. “A better opportunity for that might come about later while you are less observed. Still, it may become vital that we get an answer to that question at some time.”

“Forgive me for asking this, but are any of you native to this time? Or even this entire world?” Margret asks her new passengers curiously.

“Do you get visitors from other worlds and times regularly?” Daring Do reflects.

“Regularly? No,” Margret answers as they all continue to fly through the air on the disk at very high speed. The whole landscape below them is quickly shifting whenever it is visible through the puffy and gorgeous-looking clouds. “But it has occurred enough to make me wonder. I've observed some of those travelers from a distance. Encounters are also recorded in our computers as well.”

“So you have one of those things too?” Stern Wing questions Margret with a wince of one eye.

“One of what?” Margret reflects questioningly. After all, she's so familiar with her own technology that it doesn't occur to her that it might be strange to another.

“Never mind that,” Daring says with a dismissive wave of a hoof. “I'd like to return our attention to a more critical issue. You said that we encountered a class four chaos creature and that you've encountered others of its ilk. Please tell me if you're familiar with the reason those creatures exist. Were they forged from a creature that can appear and disappear at will? A floating cat-like creature with the torso of an iguana and-”

“Do you mean to tell me that you actually met Trouble?!” Margret interrupts in horrified but also fascinated astonishment.

The others participating in this conversation are stunned silent for a brief moment.

Meanwhile . . .

“I think I see where you are going with this,” Doctor Kelly mentally mentions to Crystal Sage. “But I'd like to verify it if you don't mind. Why are you so interested in this technology?”

A cunning look sinks into Crystal Sage's virtual face as he tells Doctor Kelly, “It isn't just this technology that I'm interested in. I am also interested in yours.” He then looks down at Feather Wind. “I believe it is within my power to download a sample of each of Doctor Kelly's magical gemstones.” He looks back at her. “With your permission, of course.”

“You plan to scan the resonant frequency of each of these stones and download a copy of them into the Red Crystal,” comes Doctor Kelly's educated guess. “First of all, yes. You have my permission. Second of all, to what end? I'm intrigued where you might be going with this.”

“If I can download a copy of your magi gems, I might be able to duplicate their magical energy signature,” Crystal Sage says to Doctor Kelly then looks and speaks to Feather Wind. “If I have that, it might be possible to train you to use magi technology and to use the Red Crystal as a focus for it.”

Doctor Kelly nods as she mentally says, “That's what I figured. Your Red Crystal essentially acts in a very similar manner to my native tribe's Magi Crystal Computers. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that I'm aware you used to be a biological stallion, I would have otherwise called you an artificial intelligence much akin to many of those who operate on my homeworld. ”

“Crystal Sage isn't nearly that empty,” Feather Wind argues, feeling a little miffed by the comparison. Until he just spoke, he felt a little too shy to jump into the conversation between Crystal Sage and Doctor Kelly. He was, and still is, also fascinated to keep up.

“It's somewhat apt, actually,” Crystal Sage agrees with an impressed glance at Doctor Kelly. “I haven't been biological for a very long time now. I'm just a memory I've impressed upon this Crystal as a last ditch defense mechanism.”

“Wait. Time out here,” Stern Wing requests with a lift of a wing in a halting gesture. She says this only after recovering from Margret's recent question. “I take it you mean 'Trouble' as in the name of the draconequus we've encountered and not describing a problematic situation?”

“Draconequus?” Margret reflects questioningly then nods with a little uncertainty. “Um . . . yes. I think so. The creature you all seem to be describing identifies herself by the name Trouble.”

“So it is female!” Stern Wing declares triumphantly then smacks her right wing into her left. “I knew it.”

“More like a trans-dimensional entity,” Margret corrects. “Honestly, we're not even sure if it can be identified with labels like gender at all. It can become anything it wants in an instant and all of it is equally just as real and fake.”

“The important thing to note, here, is we have some verification on how these creatures were formed,” Daring Do brings up. “And it seems the purpose for this is pretty typical for its species; to bring chaos and disharmony wherever it goes.”

“That was my working theory a long time ago,” Stern says with a disgusted wince.

“Wait! Do you mean to tell me you've all encountered other members of this species before?!” Margret asks with rising excitement. “Ooo!” She squees with another shake of her forelegs. “You have to tell me all about it! I have to write all of this down and post it on my next scientific journal!”

Just then, the whole group notices Derpy stirring and starting to get up.

“Easy there,” Doctor Kelly says to Derpy in a soothing voice. “Easy does it.”

“What happened?” Derpy asks as she gets up and shakes her head which makes a rattling sound.

“What is the last thing you remember?” Daring Do checks with Derpy cautiously.

“Where are we?” Derpy asks with further bewilderment, seeming to either ignore or didn't hear Daring's question yet. “This place is strange.” Sweeping her gaze across what is here, she locks eyes on Margret and blinks. “Oh! Hello. My name is Ditsy Do, but most call me Derpy Hooves.” She closes her eyes and gives a bright smile. “Pleased to meet you!”

“She seems coherent enough,” Doctor Kelly professionally observes. “She knows her name at least and she's reacting in a manner consistent with her personality. That's a good sign.”

“Um,” Derpy regards Doctor Kelly with one eye in confusion. “Was there any reason to doubt that?”

“What's wrong with her eyes?” Margret asks with confusion.

“I, um . . . I've been this way for a long time now,” Derpy admits to the new stranger with bashfulness. She ends up idly swinging her left hoof back and forth unconsciously.

“Oh. Aren't you adorable!” Margret squees again.

“I am?” Derpy asks with a brief moment of confusion then says more brightly. “Oh. Of course! Of course I am.”

“What was the last thing you remember?” Stern Wing reiterates Daring's earlier question since she agrees that it might be important to know.

“Well, um . . . the last thing I remember is . . .” For a moment Derpy tries to think back, but she trails off when she notices Feather Wind tightly clinging to one of Stern Wing's legs as if terrified of something. That reaction is very familiar to Derpy, but not the root cause in this case. This prompts her to ask in concern, “Um . . . are you alright, Feather Wind?”

“Yeah,” agrees Margret as she looks at the small blue unicorn and still the only stallion of the bunch. “I've been wondering that as well. You haven't said much lately.”

“Sah . . . sorry,” Feather stutters with a shy blush. “I've had an intense day lately.”

“We all have,” Stern agrees, subconsciously stepping up in Feather's defense.

“That much I get,” Margret agrees with a nod. “Fighting a chaos creature is no laughing matter.”

“What chaos creature?” Derpy echoes in concern. “What fighting?”

“I'll fill you in on that in short order,” Daring Do promises the concerned and confused messy yellow maned mare. “But first tell us the last thing you remember.”

“Um . . . let's see.” Derpy takes a moment to think back then pops in, “Ooo! I know! We were all singing together in some kind of crystal cave.”

“You don't recall dancing and singing with a bunch of kirin?” Daring checks.

“Um . . . a what now?” Derpy reflects back in confusion.

“Oh boy,” Daring rolls her eyes. “I got a lot to fill you in on, so listen up. I'll give you the brief version.”

“Okay,” Derpy replies with a confused and cautious wince.

“While she does that, let me complete by saying what I came here to say,” Crystal Sage proposes during Daring's recap to Derpy. He then nods at Feather Wind. “Yes, Feather Wind. I'd like to download her magi stones by recording their resonance frequencies. After that you could learn to cast some of the spells she has equipped to her person. Imagine the possibilities if you were able to cast the scanning spell, healing spell, or even computer interface.” He briefly tilts his head towards the virtual computer panel before adding, “This is now the second time you've encountered this technology and that is starting to form a pattern. Someday it might become important for you to learn how to interface and interact with this kind of technology with the doctor's guidance, of course,” he adds with a brief and grateful nod to Doctor Kelly.

“Do you really think this can be done?” Feather Wind asks with rising excitement and awe.

“Not only is it possible, but it might become necessary,” Crystal Sage states to Feather Wind. “And with the scanning spell, you can download records of not just other creatures' biology. You can also scan a book or scroll, for example, and a virtual copy of it will appear somewhere within the Mind Palace of this Crystal.”

“In that case, you could probably also interface with the operating system of my drones as well,” Doctor Kelly proposes while she keeps a close eye on Derpy as the gray mare absorbs the confusing, fascinating, and scary information she is learning from Daring Do.

“Hold on,” Feather mentally says with a shake of his head. Stern Wing felt that gesture then looks down at her friend and wonders why he did that.

Looking back at Crystal Sage, Feather Wind asks him, “Is it also possible we can go the other way around with this too? Maybe we can do an exchange of information here. Doctor Kelly Saddler managed to get within the mind palace before and time runs differently there.” He then looks straight at Doctor Kelly. “If able, would you be willing to learn traditional unicorn magic too?”

“That's a good question,” Crystal Sage agrees as he looks over at Doctor Kelly as well. “You have a magical horn too. Theoretically you'd be equally capable of it like the rest of us unicorns.”

“Are you kidding me? I thought you two would never ask,” Doctor mentally replies excitedly as she gives a subtle glance back at the two of them. “Yes! By all the stars, please yes! It's knowledge like this that I was hoping to gather by traveling with the Doctor. Nothing would please me more than recovering lost knowledge. My species has been dormant for far too long. Such is the nature of complacency, I wager.

“But I'm not like that. That's why I am here. If you're able to help train me in traditional unicorn magic then count me in. I'm all for it. I'll gladly teach you two to cast magic magi style if the two of you teach me how to cast traditional unicorn magic. That way I have a backup option just in case my gems somehow become unavailable for any reason.”

“Once again, I approve,” Crystal Sage replies. “A worthy and wise endeavor. It also pleases me that you're so willing to learn and expand your horizons.”

“I didn't become a doctor and scientist to ignore new knowledge,” Doctor Kelly argues. “Many of my species are dismissive of any serious profession in favor of just constantly playing video games, but my mind hungers for knowledge.”

“T'would be my pleasure to aid you on thy quest then, Milady,” Crystal Sage says to her with a formal and courteous bow.

“Oh wow!” Derpy says with a stunned look on her face at Daring Do's conclusion. For the same reason she plops down into a sitting position unknowingly then says, “I didn't know any of that.”

“Well now you do,” Daring says with a satisfied nod to Derpy. “I'll fill you in on the rest of the details later. I'll answer any questions you have at that time too. For now,” she regards Margret again. “I have more questions for you. For example, just where are you taking us?”

“Well, uh . . .” Margret trails off as she looks at and reads the information on her virtual console. She smiles at the information she sees then looks back at Daring as she says, “I could tell you, but you'd be able to see it yourself in a few seconds.” She wipes a hoof at Daring. “It's nothing dangerous, though. I assure you. At least, not usually.”

After being told that, Daring looks past Margret in the direction they have been flying at this whole time. What she sees beyond the laser line barrier of the platform they are standing on is a pyramid-shaped structure starting to emerge from the clouds around it. Many other glowing balls of light swirl around it and travel in various different directions.

“Oh wow!” Stern Wing says in stunned awe as she observes this too. “Feather Wind, you might wish to get up and see this yourself.” She looks down at him. “You can hop on my back to help you see.”

“Your offer is appreciated and accepted,” Feather replies. When he does so, Stern notices he sounds much better than he was at the start of this journey. That makes her smile but she’s also confused why he recovered so fast from such a severely bad state not long ago.

True to his word, Feather floats up using his own magic on himself then stands on top of Stern's back while facing the direction they have all been flying to.

Daring Do reaches up her left wing to pull down her pith hat. With it, she presses it to her chest and bows her head, closes her eyes, and makes a quick and silent prayer before opening her eyes and looks back at the approaching city with a daring and excited focused look while returning her hat back on her head.