//------------------------------// // —Coming Soon— // Story: Doctor Whooves - The Series: Episode Three - Along Came a Spider // by Loyal2Luna //------------------------------// —COMING SOON— Doctor “So, girls... where to next?” Rarity “I think it would be wonderful if we went someplace nopony has ever gone before.” *Scene opens onto a great Chinese-esque palace within a crystal globe, a wondrous wintery, frozen landscape outside of it.* “Somewhere... elegant... Regal... Exotic.” *Scene changes to an oriental courtyard, moving rapidly into a set of large golden and scarlet doors opening.* —— *Scene reveals a well-dressed equine, but he is clearly not a pony. He has a pair of curved horns far longer than that of any creature, stiff, wiry hairs that make up a spiky silver mane, and rather than fur, his exposed skin shimmers with sparkling white scales. He carries himself with a regal demeanor, standing over a head taller than the gathered ponies, while sporting an elegantly groomed set of whiskers and a finely combed, wispy tail.* Lord Kir “Welcome to Qing, Travelers from the Heavens.” —— *A gong sets off a vibrant oriental background music.* *Scene showing a thriving socialite upper-class existence; a lavish party among the elite to welcome their new guests.* “Home of the last vestiges of the Quilin. I am Kir, Lord Prince of the Last City. Please, consider yourselves... friends.” *Kir pauses as his eyes fall on Rarity, then finishes his sentence with a slightly alluring tone. He smiles at her warmly as she is equally taken.* Rarity “Hello~” —— *Scenes change quickly, to Pinkie dancing on a stage, dressed in a harlequin outfit to the delight of the audience. Then to a scene of Rarity moving in an elegant dance next to Lord Kir.* Lord Kir “Ours is a utopian society. Protected from within and without. We have risen above petty needs and concerns, and indulge in the finer things in life.” *Scene of Rarity, leaning into Lord Kir intimately as they stand in front of a large clear window, looking out onto a glistening frozen landscape. She is fixated on the view, but Kir is focused only on her.* Rarity “It’s so beautiful here. So... perfect.” Lord Kir “It is now.” *Scene shows of the Doctor, who is clearly concerned as several obviously female quilin cut him off from following after Rarity and Lord Kir, who slip out from the party in the distance.* *Scene changes, Twilight who seems amused and content to stay back and out of the formal affair, accepting a drink from a waiter, a being slightly shorter than the average pony with dull scales and short horns.* Twilight “I’m sorry, what was your name?” —— *Scene with the four ponies sharing a meal around a large round table with the Lord and several other quilin who share similar traits to him, all dressed in finery. Focus on Twilight, who’s eyes narrow in concern.* Twilight “Now, I do have some questions about the Sai…” *Several scenes flash by rapidly, showing more of the smaller beings with short horns, each shown working: In a kitchen, tending to a quilin’s personal grooming, massaging Rarity in a spa, and cleaning up around the city.* *The inquiry at the meal table seems to draw out some displeasure as an elderly quilin, his wiry mane and whiskers long enough to reach the floor, offers a chastising tone.* Unnamed Quilin Noble “Take care, Lady Sparkle...” *Scene interrupts, Pinkie and Twilight sneaking out of a room, down a darkened corridor.* “Curiosity…” *Scene of Rarity standing alone in a room, looking around in wonder at the mountainous piles of gemstones that glitter with an inner warmth.* “...can be a very dangerous thing.” —— *Music drops with a shrill note from the string section.* *Scene changes to the Doctor, tapping his hoof against his lip thoughtfully.* Doctor “Something’s... not quite right, here.” —— *Music comes back with a vengeance, suddenly frantic and dangerous as the oriental instruments take on an urgent edge.* *Scene changes to a close-up of Pinkie Pie.* Pinkie Pie “RUUUUUUUN!” *Scene of a large drill-head chasing after Twilight and Pinkie in a tunnel.* *Scene of multiple quilin outside the TARDIS, clearly attempting to break in as sparks fly from an unidentified machine near the door.* *Scene of the Doctor on a snowy bank, frost covering his face as he struggles against the biting subzero cold.* *Scene of one of the smaller alien creatures from before with the short horns slamming a hoof against a transparent barrier, clearly terrified and attempting to get away from an unseen danger.* *Scene of Pinkie and Twilight in a dungeon-like cell, a chill air apparent as their breath turns to steam. Twilight wears an expression of defiant agitation while Pinkie Pie, dressed in a red and black harlequin outfit with three diamond shapes on her flank, grins enthusiastically.* Pinkie Pie “Don’t worry! I have a plan.” *All sound stops.* Twilight “Does this plan happen to involve confetti?” *Pinkie Pie blinks once… twice.* Pinkie Pie “Okay, I have a new plan!” Twilight “...We’re doomed.” —— *Scene comes to light with Rarity, facing a mirror that is turned away from the audience, a look of pain and anguish in her eyes as her coat seems to have dulled and her mane hangs limply along her neck and back. A shadowy figure moves around behind her, the silhouette obscure but equine in form.* Unknown Figure “We have conquered the cruelties of Fate.” *Scene of Twilight, in obvious pain as she tries to push herself up, gripping onto a railing as tears form in her eyes.* “We have bested the ravages of Time.” *The Doctor gritting his teeth as he looks up, his coat smoking and muscles twitching before a burst of silent energy throws him back.* “Such a flawless gem deserves to be among us...” *Pinkie Pie is hanging onto a broken railing, her legs kicking as she tries to pull herself up.* *The unknown figure leans forward, whispering into Rarity’s ear.* “Our Eternal Princess...” *Pinkie’s hoof slips as she is jostled.* “Forever young... and beautiful.” *The pink mare falls as a brown stallion slides into the scene, reaching over the edge... but a moment too late, as she is beyond his reach, plummeting to a certain doom.* Doctor "PINKIEEEE!" —— *Scene opens up with the Doctor standing opposite of the elderly quilin noble, the grey-whiskered, horned equine smirking smugly.* Unnamed Quilin Noble “I always win, Doctor.” *Focus shifts to the Doctor, whose eyes are red and shimmering with suppressed tears, glaring angrily, a hint of terrible sadness clear in his expression as the camera slowly closes in on him.* “Can you say the same?” ————————————————————————————— What lies beneath perfection? Doctor Whooves: The Series - Episode Four “Only Skin Deep”