The Orb of Time

Part I - Recruit

by LDEJRuff

Chapter 1 - Visiting the Apartment

Upon learning that there was nobody named Vinny living inside the Griffin house, Stewie went outside and started running off.

"Stewie, wait!" Brian called.

"Don't try to stop me, Bri," Stewie replied. "I have to find Vinny."

Brian had run on his fours and caught up to him.

"Stewie," Brian began, halting him, "I don't know what you're doing, but if you want answers, let me take you downtown."

"Downtown?" Stewie repeated. "What is it you'd like to show me there?"

"Well, basically," Brian began to answer, "there's nobody named Vinny living inside the Griffin house, but I do know a dog named Vinny who lives in an apartment building."

"Really?" Stewie asked. "That's where I'm going."

"You're not going to get there fast enough on foot."

Stewie sighed. "Very well. But first, let me answer on what I want for breakfast. I want some oatmeal."

"You got it, kid."

After Stewie had his breakfast, Brian drove him all the way to Vinny's apartment building in his Prius.

"Well, this is it, Stewie," Brian assured. "The apartment building where Vinny lives. He currently lives with..."

"An old man named Leo," Stewie interrupted. "Yes, I know that. But didn't Leo die?"

"No," Brian answered.

"Why?" Stewie asked. "Didn't Leo go to a yoga class?"

"Of course he did," Brian replied. "I don't know why you know some of this stuff about Vinny."

"That's because I just woke up," Stewie shrugged.

"What's wrong, Stewie?" Brian asked. "Did God send you a vision of the future or something, like he did Joseph?"

Cutaway: A boy had just awakened in his tent in biblical times.

"Wow!" the boy said. "I dreamed that my brothers' sheaves of wheat, the stars, the sun and moon all bowed to me.

Back to Brian and Stewie in the Prius.

"This wasn't some vision of the future, Brian," Stewie answered. "It really did happen."

"Look, Stewie," Brian said, laying a paw on his shoulder. "Let me prove to you that Leo didn't die and still has Vinny as his dog."

With that, Brian took Stewie inside the building and walked with him to the apartment. Brian then knocked on the door. The door opened to show an old man. It was Leo, Vinny's owner.

"Hello, Brian," Leo greeted with an Italian accent. "I see you've come for a visit, I presume. Who's your little friend?"

"Hey, Leo," Brian greeted back. "This is Stewie, my owner Peter's youngest son."

Stewie gasped in surprise. "I don't believe it. Leo's actually alive."

"Hey, Leo," Vinny said, walking to the door, collarless. "Is there someone at the door?"

"Yes, Vinny," Leo answered. "It's Brian, and he brought a little friend with him."

"Well, let them in," Vinny requested, wagging his tail. "It's been a long time since I saw Brian. Last time was before he left to return to his owners."

"Huh?" Stewie said. "What the devil is he talking about?"

"Long story, Stewie," Brian answered.

Inside the apartment, both dogs decided to chat with each other.

"So, what brings you to the apartment, Brian?" asked Vinny.

Brian answered, "It's Stewie, Vinny. He must have dreamed that you were my family's dog."

Vinny laughed. "Oh, Brian. It would be nice if that were to happen, that is, if Leo were to have either died or given me to your family."

Stewie watched as the two dogs talked.

"Leo," Stewie began to the old man, "you have such an amazing dog."

"Well," Leo replied, "he can cook, and prepare me for lectures away from home, and is an easy-goer for the women. You should hear the story of how he finally got to sleep with Mary Lou Gallo."

"Leo," Vinny began, "you don't have to tell it to him now."

Leo giggled nervously. "Siamo spiacenti, Vinny."

"Oh, I did forget to tell Stewie one thing, Vin," Brian realized. "Stewie, when I had nowhere to go, Leo and Vinny took me into their apartment when you had New Brian."

This brought a surprising look to Stewie's face.

"Really? Leo took you in."

"Yeah," Brian answered.

"So," Stewie began, "what made you decide to come back to us?"

"Don't you remember?" Brian replied. "New Brian died."

"Oh, that's terrible," Stewie said placing his hands on his cheeks. "How'd he die?"

"You'll have to forgive him, fellas," Brian said. "He's a little forgetful at times. I'll tell him about it..."