Adventures of Dr. Whooves: A Trip to Sherwood
A/N: Applejack here again. Sunrise Blossom is still chasing Lyra and I've learned that Dede42 hadn't really seen that many Timon and Pumbaa episodes, so that's why she ain't familiar with those vultures that showed up in yesterday's deleted scene. Anyhoo, this is just gonna be a two-part story that Dede42 did as an experiment for future Dr. Whooves stories, and she hopes that you'll enjoy it, Roleplayer48.
Read, review, and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from My Little Pony: Magic is Friendship. I just own any and all characters that I just happen create.
A TRIP TO SHERWOOD PART ONE
It was a beautiful day in Equestria and on the train to Canterlot, Dr. Hooves and Derpy were in one of the passenger cars. They were on their way to see Princess Celestia, who had sent a message to the time keeper yesterday with a request to see her, and he had invited Derpy to go with him. They didn't know why the Princess wanted to see him, but when one was summoned by one of the Princesses of Equestria, it was best to answer the summons as soon as possible.
"I don't often get to travel by train," Derpy commented, admiring the view outside the window. "Normally I just fly everywhere. Why didn't we just use the TARDIS to travel to Canterlot?" she inquired, curious as to why her friend wouldn't use his time machine.
"The TARDIS would draw too much attention," Dr. Hooves explained after making sure that they wouldn't be overheard by any other ponies riding the train. "And I've always enjoyed riding on trains."
The pegasus accepted that answer and they shifted to other topics, which included trying to guess what was so important that Princess Celestia wanted to talk to the time keeper about.
A few hours later, the train arrived at the station, where Dr. Hooves and Derpy exited with a few other ponies, and they were surprised to see a pair of pegasi royal guards waiting for them with a coach, which was getting glances from passing ponies.
"Dr. Hooves, sir," said one of the royal guards. "We are to escort you and your friend to the palace immediately."
"Of course, my good sir," Dr. Hooves agreed. "Come along, Miss Derpy." And he helped her into the coach before boarding himself. Once they were settled, the royal guards took to the air, flew over the city, and they soon landed in the front courtyard.
Dr. Hooves and Derpy both exited the coach, thanked the guards, and turned to the front door, where the captain of the royal guard, a unicorn named Shiny Armor was waiting for them. "This way, please."
Princess Celestia was in the throne room and talking with Princess Luna when Shiny Armor entered to announce the arrival of the two ponies. "Your Highnesses, Dr. Hooves and Derpy of Ponyville." He stepped aside to let them into the room, and when Princess Celestia thanked him for his help, he bowed and left to return to his duties.
"Thank you for coming as quickly as you did, Doctor," Princess Celestia said with a royal smile. "Luna, this is Dr. Hooves, who looks after the clocks in Ponyville," she added to her sister. "You met once a long time ago as I recall."
Princess Luna nodded and turned to the two ponies, unsurprised to see that Derpy was looking a bit nervous since it'd been a while since she was last seen by any of the ponies in Ponyville after the Nightmare Moon incident. "Of course, we are happy to see you again, Dr. Hooves," she said, using the royal "we".
"And it's good to see you both together again," said Dr. Hooves.
"If you will excuse us, my sister," said Princess Celestia, "I have something important to discuss with my guests."
"Of course, my sister."
After the Princess of the Night left, Princess Celestia escorted her guests out of the throne room and toward a flight of stairs leading downward. "Luna knows why I have summoned you here," she informed them. "And it is of utter importance to keep this quiet for the time being, for only a limited number of ponies know of what I am about to show you both."
"Of course, your Highness," said Dr. Hooves, nodding. "You can count on us to keep quiet until you say otherwise. Right, Derpy?"
"Right!"
After descended several set of stairs, Princess Celestia lead the two ponies into a part of the palace that few ponies ever saw, and that was the dungeons. The dungeons were different from most, for the walls were might out of light gray stone, which were lined with torches, and the cells themselves were made out of white stone with comfortable cots, a sink, and a private area that served as the bathroom, and each cell had a window, too.
Standing guard at the doorway to the cells was a tall unicorn stallion with pale blue skin, purple eyes, dark red hair with light blue streaks, and a silver shield cutie mark. He was wearing the traditional armor, and he went to attention when he saw them.
"Warding Shield," said Princess Celestia with a nod of her elegant head. "How is our guest today?"
"Still complaining about the food and why he shouldn't be locked up, your Highness" Warding Shield answered. "And he's been demanding to see the pony in charge, which he still thinks is a King instead of a Princess," he added.
Princess Celestia wasn't too surprised to hear this. "I and my guests will see to him," she informed the unicorn, who nodded and his horn glowed purple, opening the door for them. "Thank you."
"Your Highness."
"Who are we seeing?" Derpy asked as she and Dr. Hooves followed the Princess down the cell-lined corridor, looking around with interest.
"A lion by the name of Prince John," Princess Celestia answered and explained when she saw their confused expressions since the only Prince John they knew came from Disney's Robin Hood. "Some time ago, a dragon chose to set up in a cave high above Ponyville for his nap, and when my students, Twilight Sparkle and Sunrise Blossom, went up there with their friends to convince the dragon to nap elsewhere, they found Prince John. Apparently he had escaped his jail in Nottingham, and convinced the dragon to bring him to Equestria to share in the treasures of the realm. The Mane Seven were able to lure Prince John out of the cave and captured him. Since then, I've had him locked up until I could figure out a way to return him to his proper place. Unfortunately, I haven't had time and that is why I have asked you to come, Doctor."
Dr. Hooves, nodded, having guessed. "You're hoping that I will be able to return Prince John to Nottingham."
"Exactly," Princess Celestia confirmed as they reached the only occupied cell, where Prince John was standing at the bars, shouting for the guard to come to fulfill his demands.
The former Prince was wearing gray prison clothes and it was clear that he wasn't a happy camper. "Let me out!" he shouted, tugging on the bars. "I demand to see the ruler of this place right now!"
'Give me strength,' Princess Celestia thought, stepping forward so that the lion could see her, and he stopped shouting, but he was still scowling. "Prince John, I am Princess Celestia and I am the ruler of Equestria, which I thought you would have figured out by now," she said, doing her best to remain calm, but that wasn't easy when dealing with the former Prince.
Prince John scoffed. "Like you could be the ruler of anything," he said. "Now, either bring me the king that rules this land or just let me go," he demanded.
Princess Celestia's eyes flashed with annoyance, but that was all. "As luck would have it, Prince John," she said as calmly as possible, "you will be released today to be taken back to Nottingham and you will be reunited with your brother, King Richard."
Prince John's eyes widened with alarm and he backed away from the bars. "Oh second thought, Your Highness," he said quickly. "Maybe I'm better off in this cell after all."
"Too late," said the Princess as two unicorn guards appeared and they opened the door to enter the cell while the former prince whimpered.
Barely an hour later, Prince John was cuffed and he was being escorted into the back of a special carriage that two pegasi guards were already hooked up to. While this was happening, Princess Celestia was speaking with Dr. Hooves and Derpy. "The guards will help escort Prince John to Ponyville, and I know I can count on you to return him to Nottingham, Doctor."
"You can count on us both, Your Highness," Dr. Hooves promised as the back of the carriage was locked. "Once we're back at my house, Derpy and I will personally escort Prince John back to Nottingham and his brother."
Princess Celestia nodded and watched as the two ponies boarded the carriage, which then set off toward Ponyville. 'Good luck to you both.'
A/N: Yup, that there Prince John had been locked up this whole time since we lured him away from that there dragon months ago. R&R everyone!