//------------------------------// // Part 11: The Orb of Storms // Story: Adventures in the TARDIS // by Scroll //------------------------------// Water World Part 11 The Orb of Storms “Well isn't that interesting?” says the Doctor as he returns to Ashwin, Feather Wind, and Stern Wing along with Vision and Derpy accompanying him. “I just got a tip that my timetable in this adventure is thinner than I thought, so I'll get straight to the point. Ashwin,” the Doctor calls to the worker stallion. When the Doctor secures that stallion's attention, the Doctor then asks rather bluntly, “where did you hide The Orb of Storms?” Feather Wind, Stern Wing, and Ashwin are all shocked by that question. Likely Ashwin most of all. Feather and Stern both give sharp and sudden surprised gasps over to Ashwin. “Who . . . who told you that?” Ashwin asks with a guarded expression and stance. “Ashwin . . .” the Doctor begins but trails off for a moment as he looks straight down, takes another step to be right in front of Ashwin, then gazes up above the Doctor's head and slightly to the left because of the Doctor's tilted head. From that position, the Doctor gives the worker stallion a hard stare as he slowly repeats, “. . . where . . . did you hide . . . The Orb . . . of Storms?” the Doctor asks with frequent pauses in his question to put more weight on each word he spoke. At first, Ashwin's expression is aghast, but then it sinks into depressed acceptance as he asks, “How did you know it is me who has it?” “Because you just confirmed it by asking me that question,” the Doctor replies matter-of-factly. Ashwin widens his eyes as he looks momentarily aghast again, then looks down with a stunned and almost numb expression on his face as he asks them, “Who are you ponies?” “If you were paying attention earlier, you would've noted that I've already answered that question. At least, as far as you need to know for now,” the Doctor replies but then widens his eyes in realization. “Except for my new companions. I forgot to introduce them. Behind me to my left,” he gestures to the gray pegasus mare, “is Derpy Whooves, and to my right,” he then gestures to the little white blind filly, “is Vision.” At first, Ashwin does not regard them. He is still looking down, feeling depressed. Eventually, though, he does look above his head to regard the two new companions. What he saw surprised him enough to look at them more fully because something is off about both of them so he wanted a more careful look at them to confirm if what he saw is accurate, and indeed, something is strange about both of their eyes. In the case of the older mare, only one of her eyes is staring right at him. The left, in this case. However, her other eye is eerily gazing in another direction. If both of those eyes work, it is mind-boggling to imagine what she is actually seeing between two inconsistent perspectives. As for the smaller filly, her eyes seem to be obscured by a milky white filament. That visual detail seems to suggest that that little one might be blind entirely, and didn't the Doctor just tell him that her name was “Vision”? Because, if so, that is strongly ironic. Ashwin almost asks about those two newcomers' visual condition, but then decides it might sound too rude to ask so he shut his mouth seconds after opening it. Besides that, there is a much more important issue to address. “It's safe,” he answers simply. “Why would you use The Orb of Storms against your own fellow ponies?” Stern Wing asks with rising fury. “And against yourself, too. You're a part of this community as well. Surely you must be aware that you're also destroying yourself.” “I don't care,” Ashwin says quietly and bitterly. Stern Wing's eyes flare and her fur stands up straight as she starts to roar, “YOU DON'T-” “Stern Wing, please. Let me handle this,” the Doctor calmly requests as he holds up a hoof to Stern Wing. Stern Wing almost complains about that request, but when she gazes back at the Doctor, she notices him giving a soft and pleading look. There is also a hint of confidence in his eyes that seems to assure her that he knows what he's doing. So, instead of complaining, she just whips her gaze away and closes her eyes in a huff. “Thank you,” the Doctor replies gratefully to Stern Wing then turns to re-address Ashwin. “There are many things I am wondering about in this situation. I'll admit that motive is one of my questions, but I got a few theories in that regard as well. Right now, what I want to know the most is how you even got The Orb. It should have been in the Alphalmians' capital city and guarded by no less than their king himself as well as his most elite guards, not to mention the entire population of the city because they are telepathic and empathic. They share a very similar mindset and values and one of those is to guard The Orb. If anyone tried to sneak into that city to steal The Orb, it would be too easy for any of those citizens to sense that intention and they have the motive to work to prevent that. Add to that, their city is located very deeply underwater where no average species from the surface could even endure the water pressure let alone the fact that there isn't much air down there. What few places do have air is where they permitted it to be, primarily for honored guests who won the trust of those who can scan very deeply into the minds of others. “So, considering all of that, how did you get The Orb? How did you even use it, for that matter? It should require at least a minor form of telepathy.” Ashwin shook his head as he says, “I did not steal it. I have never been to the city at all, in fact. The only reason I have any memories of it is because I gained it from one of them. The Princess, in this case.” “Oh! I see,” the Doctor says as his expression alights with realization. “Now The Princess could get access to The Orb, but again, her people would sense anyone's intentions to steal it. This still doesn't make complete sense. Besides, why would she want to steal it and give it to you anyway?” “There are ways to shield their minds from being scanned,” Ashwin informs them. “She told me that herself. First of all, it requires an awareness that their minds can be scanned and an intention to prevent that. After that, it requires something about the right visualization technique and . . . I don't know. I'm not an expert on these things, but what I do know is using that technique while being directly observed is still suspicious among her kind because they know that they should be able to sense anyone who is there, and if they can't then that already indicates they have something to hide and might be up to no good. To get The Orb out, she couldn't be observed at all. She had to be sneaky.” “Okay,” the Doctor accepts with a confused wince of one eye, “but again, why give it to you? This is a race that can sense others' intent very deeply. She should have no motive to give The Orb to someone who would intend to use it to harm anyone else.” “Exactly,” Ashwin agrees as he looks back at the Doctor sharply. “She didn't hoof me The Orb to harm my kind but rather to protect us.” “Huh?” the Doctor, and his companions (with the exception of Vision), all look taken aback. “Okay.” The Doctor shakes his head. “You lost me there, so explain this more clearly. How is using The Orb to conjure a deadly storm protecting your people?” Now it's Ashwin's turn to look confused as he asked, “Pee-poll?” “Your kind,” the Doctor clarifies. “Your race, basically.” Ashwin continues to regard the Doctor a little strangely for a moment since he is wondering why the Doctor would choose that foreign word to begin with or how he learned it, but then Ashwin shook his head and decided to get back on topic. But, before he speaks, he carefully observes the other ponies in the background. Because he does that, the Doctor glances over his shoulder at the others too. They both notice that the other ponies in this room have gathered together in one corner and speak quietly amongst themselves. Sometimes they also glance over to this group as if to suggest that they are talking about this group. They look a little weary as if nervous about what this group might be discussing. “We're in danger just by discussing this,” Ashwin quietly warns those around him. “I think you are all in danger by just talking to me.” “We'll deal with them shortly if we have to,” the Doctor assures as he turns back to Ashwin. “For now it is important to get my facts straight, so continue with your explanation.” “Do they know you have The Orb of Storms?” Stern Wing asks aloud while subtly gesturing back to the other group with a flick of her right wing back at them. “I don't think so,” Ashwin answers with a little uncertainty. “But that doesn't matter to them. What is more important to them is I'm not involved in the plot to kidnap, sell, and enslave some of the Alphalmian population and they don't want you to know about it.” The group, with the continued exception of Ashwin himself as well as Vision, gives a collective gasp. The Doctor then says, “Okay, now that is pertinent information!” the Doctor says in approval. “And now we're talking about good motivation for an Alphalmian to do something unusual, but if she still had to sneak The Orb of Storms away from her people, then I suppose it means she still didn't have a popular opinion. My guess is using The Orb itself is what they would've opposed.” Ashwin shrugs as he says, “When it comes to the motivations of her kind, I can only guess. I know what they are generally like but that doesn't mean I can guess what they want and why they want it with precision. What I do know is she was determined to rescue her kind and hoofing me The Orb of Storms was kind of a backup strategy just in case she fails.” He looks down gravely. In fact, he looks like he's downright grieving. “And the fact that she hasn't responded or called to me after this long leads me to conclude that she's failed in her mission. Worse, she's probably been captured, too.” “Of course,” the Doctor says with a sigh as his eyelids droop half way. “It's practically in the job description for a Princess to be easily captured. I just hope we end up searching the right castle when we finally do go searching for her.” The Doctor regards Ashwin again. “But that still doesn't explain why she'd . . . um . . . 'hoof' you The Orb in the first place. And by the way, Alphalmians don't have hooves in the first place so the term is a bit of a misnomer.” Ashwin waves a hoof dismissively to disregard the last thing the Doctor said and instead says, “While it is true that the storm is choking the life out of my kind, it is doing something else important as well.” He focuses on the Doctor as Ashwin asks the green tie stallion, “You have heard about the fact that the storm is delaying relief supplies from coming here, correct? Shipments that would have provided us with a fresh new stock of food, medical supplies, and lumber. In exchange, we provide them with refined metal ore. Sometimes we also supply finished products using said ore.” The Doctor nods as he confirms, “I am aware of this.” “Well,” Ashwin tilts his head a bit, “there is something else that the storm is keeping at bay, but unlike the first example, the second does intend us harm.” “Oh?” the Doctor asks with sharp intrigue. “And, whatever it is, it is something too powerful for us to oppose,” Ashwin informs them so quietly, he is almost whispering this. “Whoever they are, I suspect they are after the captured Alphalmians. In exchange, we are receiving some critical supplies for when . . . um. Well, the mines have had problems lately. I don't know exactly know what the problem is and this is not supposed to be public information. On top of that, I think some of my kind are accessing technology we never could have invented. Among that, I think one of them is helping my kind to capture and secure the Alphalmians in the first place. I suspect that, whoever is coming for the captives, they are not from this planet.” Feather Wind widens his eyes in realization then looks at the Doctor as he asks the taller stallion, “Do you think it might be the unicorns and the pegasi? You did say earlier that they were capable of space travel and that they delivered these earth ponies to this planet in the first place.” The Doctor shakes his head as he regards Feather in return before he says, “I don't think so. At least, not if this world follows the pattern of the other dimension that I know of. Not only are the unicorns probably not responsible for this, but they should be doing the opposite and guarding this world against extraterrestrial interference.” The Doctor notices that the others, minus Vision, seem confused, so he explains further. “That's the point of bringing the other earth ponies to this world,” the Doctor explains. “And the humans in the other realm. If this dimension follows the same example as the other dimension, then the unicorns planted the earth ponies on this world on purpose to observe how the earth ponies interact with the rest of this water world and, more importantly, observe how they interact without any outside alien interference. Watching the earth ponies develop here in this world is kind of a social and science experiment. To them, it is important to observe this development while also protecting their project from external interference and making sure that such influence doesn't taint the results. To the natives here, at least the earth ponies, the unicorns may seem remote and aloof, but the truth is the unicorns are actually paying very close attention. “Unlike the other dimension, however, one curious difference here is the unicorns seem more interested to provide occasional advice and warnings if the earth ponies are on a very obviously self-destructive path. After all, if the earth ponies die, then the experiment ends and all future data they would have collected remain permanently out of their reach. As such, they have occasionally sent in the pegasi to act like spiritual messengers but the real purpose of their visit is something like, 'Hey! I'm here to warn you that if you continue on this path, it's going to lead to your deaths.'” “I see,” Feather responds with an intrigued expression. “In that case, I take it that means that those who used to live in the drowned city below probably didn't heed those warnings?” “Most likely,” the Doctor concurs then looks confused again. “But if all of this is true, the unicorns should have worked to prevent this other external influence. Furthermore, I happen to know that, in the other dimension, what is equivalent to the 'Alphalmians' are aware of this experiment and some of them are in contact with those who guard their world. In this case, it seems clear to me that at least one of the Alphalmians was aware of this plot and that race can easily spread their information. If the Alphalmians were aware of this external interference then the unicorns should be tipped off about it too, so why aren't they stopping this? Is the communication between their two species cut off? Are the unicorns perfectly aware of the interference but can't stop it for some reason? Or is there corruption within the unicorn society? A sect of them that turns a blind eye to this interference? “Whatever the case may be, I have decided that I'll pay the unicorns of this world a visit next and find out what's going on with them from their side of the story.” “You can do that?” Ashwin asks the Doctor in awe. “Just drop by in front of the throne of the gods like that whenever you want?” “I am a man of many talents,” the Doctor informs smugly. “Such is within my power.” “So, the only reason you are using The Orb of Storms is to prevent this other race from coming and interfering?” Stern Wing checks with Ashwin. “I have some personal and vindictive reasons for using The Orb too,” Ashwin tells Stern darkly and honestly. “But that is not why The Princess gave me and taught me how to use The Orb. The Orb was only meant to be a safeguard just in case she failed in her mission. As long as the storm continues, then it is too strong for even this other race to approach us. In other words, it's keeping everything at bay.” “Um, clarify something for me,” the Doctor requests as he looks down for a second, taps his noggin on the side of his head with four hoof taps, then regards Ashwin again as he lowers that hoof back to the ground. “So the plan was to use The Orb to keep this other race at bay if The Princess's mission fails. A sufficient enough time passes and it has become clear to you that she has indeed failed, so you use The Orb as planned. In doing so, it is choking the life out of this community but it is also keeping this great evil at bay. However, with all the damage that the storm is causing, as well as the diminishing supplies, it should be clear, by now, that this strategy is not sustainable even if it also has a good side effect, so here is my question; what comes next? The storm has successfully delayed the arrival of this other hostile race. Great! But if this continues, there'll be no pony left to guard in the long run, so the next step to more permanently solve this problem is . . .?” He trails off as he gives a swirling, inviting gesture to Ashwin to encourage him to finish that sentence. Ashwin looks down with a defeated sigh before admitting, “I don't know. I just don't know. To be honest . . . I've kind of lost hope here.” The Doctor casts a long sigh that kind of also sounds like a frustrated grunt. While he does that, he looks down, shakes his head, wipes a hoof down along the bridge of his snout then reaches forward to rest a hoof on Ashwin's left shoulder before expressing, “My dear friend, you are sooooo lucky that we have come here.” “Luck had nothing to do with it,” Vision mumbles quietly under her breath. Since the Doctor still overheard her, he looks back and stares at her silently for four seconds then turns to regard the rest of his friends. “Okay! I have decided,” the Doctor announces. “By now, I have collected some really good and relevant information about this latest adventure. This includes some information that I've gathered from some rather cheating sources, but hey! It still appears accurate and I'll need to react accordingly. So . . . here's what we're going to do,” he declares as he rises on his hind hooves and then falls forward to stomp his forelegs on the ground hard. “Step one: We are going to find this Princess of the Alphalmians and rescue her. Step two: We are going to use The Orb of Storms and get the artificial storm to end.” This statement he says very emphatically to Ashwin in particular. “Gladly,” Ashwin replies enthusiastically. “I love her, Doctor, and I would do anything for her. If you can free her, I have no reason to continue to use The Orb of Storms except for one thing.” The Doctor nods in agreement as he says, "Right. Step Three: We deal with these foreign intruders and get them to knock the heck off of their nefarious schemes around here. We'll also give them adequate pressure to convince them that returning the Alphalmians they already stole is in their best interests. “Finally, we have step four; pay the unicorns a visit and find out what is going on from their end of this deal. Once we do that, we provide whatever assistance is necessary to course correct their little ship and then it's onwards and upwards through all the rest of time and space, and voilà! That'll all wrap up this adventure in a neat little bow, making it all ready for Hearts Warming Eve.” “Sounds like a tall order to me filled with a lot of ifs,” Feather Wind observes cautiously. “For now, it sounds like a general plan, but I advise we all continue forward carefully.” “What? Me? Cautious?” Stern Wing asks Feather Wind sarcastically. “Perish the thought.” In response, Feather Wind snickers a bit. “Well, whatever you all are going to do, you better do it soon,” Ashwin warns as he looks out the porthole window of the pod. “We're almost to the underwater base of Allon.” He looks back across at them. “And I know somepony down there is guilty of kidnapping the Alphalmians. Whoever they are won't take too kindly to you all snooping around down there. Not when they actually do have something to hide.” “I expect we'll be done with this adventure in short order,” the Doctor assures pretty confidently. “With all the information I've collected so far, it's almost time for me to go to 'go mode' towards the end of this story. Aside from that, I have access to some new assets that I usually don't have in my previous adventures. As a result of these new trump cards, I can cut straight to the answers I need and dig these problems out at the root. I've been plenty formidable enough on my own in the past so, for any antagonist who remains in my way from this point on, I kind of feel sorry for them.”