Why?
Why did the Doctor feel this uneasy? Everything had turned out fine. He had cleared the Changelings of the attack. He stopped the war. The Cybermen where nonfunctional. N'Zeera was being regarded as a national hero to both sides. Not bad for a days work.
But still... Something was wrong.
Maybe it was that conversation with Flint. He mentioned "lynchpins," talking about them being out of "his" reach. He couldn't accept the first part. He had heard Lynchpin theory on the Academy at Gallifrey and dismissed it as bunk. It couldn't be true. The Multiverse simply doesn't work that way.
The Doctor realized that he had said that over a thousand times. He had always been proven wrong.
And then there was what Apple Bloom brought up to him. All of those little things falling perfectly into place. That couldn't be coincidence. The Doctor was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but someone was manipulating him here. And he didn't like it.
"No," the Doctor said to himself. "I'm just being paranoid. I've been traveling too long. I have to get myself together. So far there is absolutely no proof of anyone controlling my life. Who would be powerful enough to arrange all of that anyway? I'm... I'm just getting a bit lucky. After all there's a first time for everything..."
The Doctor had managed to put the uneasy feelings out of his mind.
And then something happened to make them come rushing back.
A Minotaur official handed the Doctor an electronic tablet. "Message for the Doctor," he said. "From Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria."
"Oh," the Doctor was a bit surprised by this. "Thank you."
The Doctor tapped the tablet and Twilight appeared on screen. She didn't look much older, but she did look wiser, and a bit sadder. She hid it with a smile, but there was something gnawing away at her.
"Hello Doctor," the pre-recorded message began. "It's been a long time. At least it has for me. I hope that my greasing the wheels at Daedalus helped with your little problem. When you told me you came here, I made a note to mae sure I could help in any way I can."
"Oh, Twi," the Doctor smiled. "Oh you beauty..."
"You're traveling with Applejack now right?" Twilight asked. "I hope she's alright. At least she will be when I see her again. The farm is still doing well! Over the years the Apple Family business has only grown. She'd be proud of where it is now! I still miss her... But her family still keeps me company. All of their families do."
The Doctor gave the tablet a sad smile. He knew better than anyone that a long life came with a price.
Twilight moved from wistful to very serious. "Doctor," she said sternly. "While I'd love to keep reminiscing, an old friend of yours said you needed this information. Otherwise we can't get any future. You'll need to know this in order to see your way through to the end."
"See what through?" the Doctor asked. "And who's he?"
A few numbers flashed on the screen. "These are the time/space coordinates for your next destination. When you get there you are going to want to send Applejack and the Crusaders home. You can't. They have to be with you. He may have kept things vague, but he made that crystal clear."
The Doctor stared at the screen for a moment, unsure of what he was hearing.
"He told me that you'd be hesitant," Twilight continued. "He gave me six words to get you moving..."
"Time Lord, you are not alone."
Applejack and the Crusaders were waiting outside the TARDIS. The fillies were getting restless.
"How long is he gonna be?" Sweetie Belle whined.
"We've been waiting forever!" Scootaloo added.
"And I wanna get the heck outta here!" Apple Bloom pouted.
"No hold up there, girls," said Applejack. "The Doctor needs to make sure everything's okay here. You don't want him takin' off and having the Cybermen come back, do you?"
"No," the Crusaders admitted.
"Right," Applejack smiled. "Besides, after the day we had, I appreciate the time to relax-"
"Alright!" the Doctor was galloping down the street. "Everypony back in the TARDIS, now!"
"That lasted," Applejack said dryly.
They all entered the TARDIS and the Doctor started it up. All the while chanting, "Please let me be wrong. Please let me be wrong."
"Wrong about what?" Scootaloo asked.
"It would take far too long to explain," the Doctor responded.
"What happens if you're wrong?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"If I'm wrong it's quite likely that the whole of reality is going to come crashing down around us," the Doctor answered.
"Uh..." Apple Bloom was afraid to ask. "What happens if you're right?"
"It's almost a certainty," the Doctor answered.
Over four thousand years in the past, a false bride was preparing for her wedding day as an adviser watched.
"How do I look R'Stame?" the false bride asked.
R'Stame wasn't his name. Not anymore. She'd never call him by his real name. Her ego wouldn't allow.
Soon she would. Soon everyone would. But for now he had to play along.
"You look resplendent," he said. "As always, Majesty. Princess Cadence's shape looks much better on you than it does on her."
"You do good for my ego, R'Stame," the false bride smiled. "Is everything prepared."
He nodded. "I followed you're instructions to the letter. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza will not be appearing at your wedding," he grinned. "I hope that your majesty would fulfill my request, since I have performed most admirably."
"You have my word," the false bride said. "When she's said our vows, Princess Celestia will leave her sun unguarded."
"Your majesty does me a great kindness," he bowed.
"Leave me," the false bride examined herself. "I have to prepare."
"Yes, Queen Chrysalis," he backed out of the room.
He got to a place where he could be alone, and looked up at the sky.
"Oh, Doctor," he smiled. "How I wish you could be here to see this. I've never had an easier time at manipulation then I've had here. Even if I must take this form, it's worth it. A whole new universe. A whole new timeline. A whole new start. And I still want you to see me Doctor. Perhaps you will... No. No, I know you will! I know you'll be here to visit. I know that soon we'll be matching wits again. Oh, how I have missed it Doctor! I can feel you coming. So come...
"Watch as this world meets its new Master."