A.N. Only one chapter left! I hope you're enjoying this story so far. I should have this wrapped up soon!

"Who exactly are you?"

Standing behind Doug was an eccentric looking woman. She was somewhat tall and was dressed eccentracally. She was wearing what appeared to be a purple dress, but the bottom of it was covered in leaves and vines. She was also wearing a golden headpiece, also containing many leaves and looked as if the sun was eminating from her head. Doug was baffled, not only at how she could have possibly gotten in his house but why someone would dress this way.

"I'm known as Mother Nature. And you, Doug Whittle, are becoming the next Father Time."

"Rubbish."

"Haven't your notice your hair magically regrowing after trimming it? Or that time seems to bend to your whim?"

"I suppose. But things have been erratic lately. That has nothing to do with fairy tales."

"Oh? Then I suppose all of these time slips and my magically being here aren't proof enough? How about this?"

Mother Nature becconed to Doug to follow her outside, where is was starting to snow. Doug watched in awe as Mother Nature waved her hands, the clouds following her movement before she snapped her hand shut, causing them to disappear. The sun now shined down and a ray of light enveloped Mother Nature, following her like a spot light. Doug couldn't believe his eyes and he became extremely uncomfortable. I can't believe this. I can't be here right now. To his awe, time fast forwarded and soon he was standing outside in the night. Mother Nature stood next to him, unaffected by the alteration of time.

"I don't know who you are or what you're doing but I demand you leave right now!"

"OK, but just know that if you want to learn how to control these powers and fulfill your new role, I'll only be a holler away."

Before his eyes, Mother Nature disappeared. He looked around frantically for her but she was gone. I must be hallucinating. I gotta find Calvin. Maybe he has a doctor he could recommend me. He locked the house behind him and got into his car, driving to the address on the card and watching as time slipped several times on the drive there, making the trip almost instantaneous. He frantically got out of the car and banged on Scott's door, ringing the doorbell several times but to no avail. He peered in the windows and cursed in frustration when he realized he wasn't there. I'll call his cell phone and see if he's nearby.

Doug grabbed his cell phone out of his car and called Scott, but to his dismay, it appeared he had either turned it off or forgotten it at home as he could not get through. He slumped in defeat and got back into his car, deciding to wait for Scott to get home so he could ask him about his personal story. He began to worry, not about projections and charts like usual but instead about his life. His health. His future. His bills. He leaned back in his seat and his hands bumped into someone. He was shocked to turn around and find none other than Mother Nature waiting for him.

"I can show you everything Doug. You just have to trust me."

"...I'm worried."

"I know. We're all like that when we start. But if you're willing to watch over time and become this world's new father time, I can help you control your powers and help you become father time."

"...What do I have to lose at this point? Sure. Let's go."

"Fantastic!"

Mother Nature put her hand on Doug's shoulder and before he knew it, he was being whisked away to somewhere unknown.


Doug looked around and saw a magical castle in front of him, overrun by vines, leaves, hourglasses and clock hands. He looked around in awe at the majesty and size of the building. It had to have been at least five stories tall, built from stone and as he walked its halls, there were numerous paths splitting off into different rooms. He followed Mother Nature along the main path and soon they arrived in a throne room, where there were two thrones awaiting, a natural looking wooden throne and an hourglass shaped throne, complete with clock hands for arm rests.

"This could be your throne Doug."

"...OK, let's say I believe you. What's in it for me?"

"Well. You'd be doing a great service for the world, fixing time slips like the ones you've been experiencing. You'd also be granted immortality and be privvy to the mythical workings behind the real world. Of course, you'd be leaving behind your friends and family..."

"Truth be told, I don't have a family. I'm a work horse."

"I believe you'd be perfect for this job if you're willing to take it."

"...And this would become my new home?"

"Of course, this castle is all ours!"

"OK, you've got a deal!"

"You don't know how wonderful this news is! Thank you Doug!"

"That's Father Time."

Mother Nature beamed and walked into one of the rooms, emerging with a large staff and a traditional robe. Doug looked warily at it.

"Your official uniform."

Doug took them and changed in the other room. He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled. You know, I could get used to this! He beamed as he walked out to meet with Mother Nature and begin his training.


Father Time had been training for several days and was starting to understand the basics of his role. Mother Nature had explained his various powers from manipulating the flow of time to being able to see and correct any time lapses or errors before they happened. She also explained he could travel through time, but this was only to be used in extreme cases and his job was to uphold the structure of the timeline, not alter it. She explained that there was a lot of responsibility to this job and there were many rules to uphold, but the basic premise was to keep time flowing forward at a steady rate. He was beginning to like this new role and Mother Nature was very happy that the frequent time lapses were slowing down to a halt. Doug seemed to be the perfect fit for the job.

"So tell me, Mother Nature, how do you know all of this?"

"Truthfully, each legendary figure has a backup in case of emergencies. Santa has his head elf, Bernard, Cupid has Venus and we are back-ups to each other. Because of that, I was trained to do both my job and yours."

"So eventually I'll learn to do your job as well?"

"Of course, but I would rather you learn your job first before overwhelming you with mine."

"Fair enough. But why need me if you can do both?"

"Well, my job is taxing enough. I really can't devote myself to both at the same time or there will be time lapses and severe weather outbreaks."

"I got it."

Doug spent the rest of the day training his techniques and at the end of it, Mother Nature announced she had a surprise.

"It's completely against the rules but I feel it necessary to make sure you're capable. We need to test your time travel powers. Using what I've taught you, I want you to take us back 200 years ago. The coordinates are 51.5074° N, 0.1278° W. Can you do it?"

"Let me try."

Doug called upon his new powers and closed his eyes, feeling time swirl around him. He opened his eyes and found himself in rural London with Mother Nature.

"Done!"

"OK, now follow me."

Father Time followed Mother Nature down several paths and ended up at a small farm, where a man was outside playing with his kids, his wife sitting in the shade beneath a tree watching them. The man chased his children and looked up, spotting the two. His face scrunched as he tried to place them and a look of recognition came about him. He smiled and waved and the two waved back.

"Who is this?"

"Your predecessor. I simply wanted to make sure he was alright. Take us back please."

Father Time did as he was told and returned them to the castle in present day. He looked incredibly confused and Mother Nature smiled, assured in her past decision.

"I thought this was a permanent job. What happened?"

"He grew tired of the role and missed his family. During the night the new Santa Claus was chosen, he illegally manipulated time and was removed from the role."

"I see. Should I be worried about our time jump?"

"No. It was for the sake of training. And to reassure that he made it back safely."

Father Time felt reassured. That won't be me. I'm loving this! I can't wait to wrap up training and step into my new role!