The Orb of Time
Part II - Remember
by LDEJRuff
Chapter 1 - New Brian and Stewie
"So, basically," New Brian began, "we're going to stop your brother in order to retrieve a magical jewel that can control time and give it back to God?"
The seven friends were all in Brian's Prius, with Brian driving it.
"That's the plan, N.B.," answered Stewie. "If we fail, God knows what Bertram plans to do to rewrite history. He could change it again so none of us will have ever met."
"Oh, no!" Vinny feared. "I never wanna forget either Brian or you! So, how can we stop him?"
"I have no idea, Vincenzo," Jasper shrugged, "but we better think of something fast."
"I hope so, Jasper," Vinny replied. "I appreciate you referring to me by my full first name, but I prefer you call me 'Vinny' for short."
"Well, do you mind if I also call you 'Vin'?" Jasper continued.
"No, 'Vin' will also do nicely."
"Anyway, how did you and New Brian become friends in this universe, Stewie?" asked Scott.
"Universe, huh?" Todd wondered. "Never thought of a multiverse theory before I died."
"Well," Stewie began to answer, "it started the day after Brian left the house..."
We are treated to a flashback of what happened. Brian had packed up his suitcases and had just announced that he was leaving.
"Well," Lois said, approaching Brian, "We're gonna miss you, Brian."
With that, she gave Brian a hug. Brian had shed tears of grief.
"New Brian?" Brian said, turning his attention to the border collie.
"Yeah?" New Brian replied.
"You take good care of the Griffins for me," Brian requested. "Let them give to you what they gave to me. And always know that you're the closest thing to a brother that I have."
New Brian shed tears of joy, and smiled sadly.
"I will, Brian," he said.
Brian then went through the kitchen to the garage so he could start the Prius and leave the Griffin house.
Stewie ran to the window and watched the Prius go with a tear in his eye.
"Brian," he said, voice shaking. "Don't leave us forever. Don't leave me!"
The next morning in the kitchen, New Brian was reading the newspaper and laughed at a funny comic.
"Oh, Dagwood," he said. "You never cease to amaze me."
A few seconds later, he heard Stewie crying outside. He put down the paper and decided to go out, where he saw Stewie crying on the lawn.
"Stewie?" New Brian wondered. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh," Stewie began, wiping the tears from his eyes, "no. It's just that I have something in my eyes."
"Come on, Stewie," New Brian disbelieved. "I can tell if something's troubling you. What's wrong?"
Stewie sighed. "Fine," he replied, now sounding serious. "You want to know what's wrong? What's wrong is that since the fat man brought you home, everyone in the family is so damn thrilled with you, except for Brian, who just left last night. Well, I'm not thrilled! Brian's my best friend. You're not supposed to let your best friend leave at my age. You're not supposed to let him leave ever!"
What Stewie just said hurt New Brian emotionally on the inside.
"Look, Stewie," New Brian replied, "I know it doesn't seem like it now, but you'll be all right without him for a while."
"Yeah, right," Stewie scowled, crossing his arms. "How do you know?"
"Because," New Brian answered, "I once felt like you when I was just a puppy."
"Really?" Stewie asked.
"Yeah," New Brian replied. "Before your father found me at the pet shop, I used to be a loner. My parents abandoned me when I was just a puppy. They didn't have enough time to name me, I had no litter mates to take care of, I was neglected, just like Brian was."
"So," Stewie began, "were you happy when Peter found you?"
"Yeah," New Brian answered. "That's what made me get over that bad memory. When I saw him looking for a dog, I sensed he was going through the same feelings like I did. And I thought that I was meant to find him. Maybe he thought I'd brighten your lives."
"You know what, New Brian?," Stewie began, starting to smile. "I'm starting to think that may be true."
What Stewie just said felt heartwarming to New Brian.
"Come here, Stewie," New Brian said, offering a hug.
With that, the two friends gave each other a hug.
"So, anyway," New Brian said, letting go, "you have something that can freshen up that living room of yours? Because it smells a lot like vomit."
"N.B., my friend," Stewie answered, "you have a lot of stories to catch up on. I have most of them on DVD, even though none of them are by season."
New Brian laughed. "Well, that's something you don't hear everyday."
In five seasons' time, New Brian had brightened the lives of the Griffins even more, he got into a few arguments with Glenn Quagmire over his replacing Brian (even though the two made out), and he even gave a concert featuring the songs he wrote. However, what happened five seasons later shocked the family in a sad way.
It was on the afternoon of November 24, 2013. New Brian and Stewie were both ready for their street hockey game. New Brian was carrying the net while Stewie carried the hockey sticks. The two made their way to the street.
"Okay, N.B.," Stewie began, "I'm just putting this out there, but I'm a baby, and only dogs don't let babies win."
Finally, the two were on the road.
"God," New Brian said, "look at this day, huh? You know, usually, I'd be sitting inside writing songs, you'd be working on one of your machines, but here we are enjoying it."
"Yes, it is a nice change of pace," Stewie agreed. Then, he realized, "Oh, wait. I got to go grab my knee pads. I was using them for...for...for this other thing. Anyway, I'll be right back."
Stewie made his way inside the house leaving New Brian to put the net together. However, before he could go any further, Stewie heard the sound of screeching tires. A car was coming, and New Brian was in the way. This shocked Stewie.
"N.B.," Stewie called, "look out!"
This got New Brian's attention. As soon as he turned his head in confusion, the car hit him, running him over. Stewie watched in horror.
"N.B.!" he cried before rushing to New Brian. The rest of the family heard Stewie's cry, and rushed outside.
"Oh, my God!" Lois cried. The Griffins rushed to the sidewalk in horror to see New Brian's mangled body. "New Brian!" Lois continued, voice shaking. "New Brian, can you hear me?!"
"Holy crap," Peter said. "What the hell happened?!"
The Griffins rushed New Brian over to the Veterinary Clinic, and had to sit in the waiting room for news of his fate.
"Mom," Meg began, worried, "is New Brian going to be okay?"
"I don't know, Meg," Lois answered. "But this is the best veterinarian in Quahog. New Brian's getting the finest care there is."
The doctor then came out of the operating room, with scrubs covered in blood. The Griffins got up.
"Doctor, how is he?" Lois asked. "Is he going to be okay?"
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Griffin," the doctor answered her regrettably, "but New Brian's injuries are too severe for us to save him. I don't know how much longer he has, but I suggest you all go in and say your goodbyes."
Everyone's eyes widened in shock and sadness, and they dropped their jaws. The news was that New Brian was dying. The doctor led them to the operating room, and they walked to the table where New Brian's nearly-lifeless body lied and bled freely.
"Oh, my God," Lois said, voice shaking. "New Brian, no!"
"I can't believe it," Peter added. "Y-You're really...?"
"Dammit, N.B.," Stewie said, "you can't die. We were gonna do so many things together! We were gonna become windsurfers! I was gonna be a little better than you, but we were both gonna be good!"
New Brian struggled to move.
"You guys," Lois gasped. "I think he's trying to say something."
"You..." New Brian began, whispering. "You guys have made my life amazing. Thanks for everything..."
With that, New Brian smiled at his family, let out his dying breath, and slowly closed his eyes one last time. The doctor checked for a heartbeat as New Brian flat-lined, and turned to the Griffins.
"I'm sorry," he said. "He's gone."
"Oh, my God," Chris whispered, about to shed tears as the doctor walked away. "He's...?"
"Yes, Chris," Lois answered her son, following suit. "I'm afraid...I'm afraid that New Brian is dead!"
Peter and Lois held hands. Chris comforted Meg as she cried silently. Stewie's eyes trembled in sadness. The family then surrounded New Brian in a sad group hug.
On the day of the funeral, Lois allowed Peter to give a eulogy to the attendees.
"I know Peter wanted to say a few words."
With that, Peter walked up in front of the casket.
"Oh, boy," Peter began, "this is, um... this is probably the worst pain I've ever had to go through, and I've sprained my ankle twice. Um, the truth is, New Brian wasn't just a dog. He was a very talented creature who brightened our lives. He was smart, he was loyal, and, I guess what I'm trying to say is, he was like a brother to me. And," Peter began to break down into tears before continuing, "I'm gonna spend the rest of my life missing him."
"We're all gonna miss him, Peter," Lois said, holding his hand. "We're all gonna miss him very much."
The attendees, including Glenn, shed tears of sadness.
"Farewell, you lucky little bastard," he whispered.
As the casket was lowering into the grave, Stewie dropped one last rose to the top of it.
When the graveyard was bare save for the five remaining family members after the funeral was over, a familiar red-collared white Labrador retriever walked behind Stewie. It was Brian.
"Hey, Stewie," he said, getting Stewie's attention.
"Hey, Brian," Stewie replied, still shedding tears. "Have you come to pay your respects to N.B., too?"
"Well," Brian answered, "that and Lois called me to come back to you guys. She said that the void needed to be filled, and that you can't go on without a family dog in the family."
After hearing what Brian just said, he dried his eyes and started to smile.
"It's good to have you back, old friend."
Brian smiled, wagging his tail, and he gave Stewie a heartwarming hug.
We are now back to the Prius. Stewie had just finished his story.
"And that's how Brian came back to us," he concluded.
"That," Scott said, eyes filled with tears, "was the most powerful story I've ever heard, especially coming from a baby like you."
"Yeah," Vinny agreed. "It was also so sad."
"Real sad," Todd added.
"Maybe we'd like to hear how Brian and Vinny met in this universe," Stewie requested, "if that's okay with Brian."
"Very well," Brian agreed. "As soon as we get to the Founding Father, I'll tell you my story..."