//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Rahska’ Quri // Story: Time Bubbles // by Janicethelight //------------------------------// “Derpy.  Where did this come from?”  The Doctor asked. “Velmenni was completely alone in there doctor.  She’s still alone in there. She has no pony to talk to...no pony to rely on.  Her eyes...reminded me of yours. They were sad, and lonely, and angry and-and I felt of sad for her, stuck in there for so long...long enough that she had to make puppets of ponies  to feel less alone. I don’t want you to feel that way. I knew you would come back for me...even though we don’t know each other well...and I broke your Tardis ship. I believed in you.  I saw your risk your life for Carrot Top and the little filly, so I believed you wouldn’t leave a pony to fend for themselves. In Equestrian culture, friendship has always been seen as a powerful force.  There have been legends of the power of friendship defeating some of the worst threats we’ve ever faced. They’re only legends mind you. But, it’s important for me to let you know that I think of you like a new friend, Doctor...There’s so much I want to know about you...if you’ll allow me to…” The Doctor stared dumbfounded.  “Derpy...the truth is...I’m still learning about myself.  When I came to ponyville, I had every intention of staying in one place...a place to call home.  Then, I saw you crying, and I just...I had to help...to get you away from there, if only for a while.  I didn’t intend for more than one. For what it’s worth, I didn’t leave you. The Tardis decided to show me the snowglobe you were trapped in...she wanted me to have it before getting to you.  I don’t think she blames you for your accident, and I don’t either. You were so brave to figure out your surroundings.” “It was a bit odd to know I was that small.  Can you imagine what she must have felt, seeing such huge ponies, but never be able to talk to anypony...it’s no wonder she went a little off the deep end.  Any pony would have.” “Is that why you offered to help her?” Derpy noded, “ thought about how I might act if I had been that lonely...She did want to help me...in an odd way.  She thought she was doing what’s best.” “That’s the problem, Derpy.  Not everyone who thinks they’re doing what’s best are, and who it’s best for changes from person to person.  Even in your town, the people...or ponies...they wanted to have what was best for them...so they didn’t think about what’s best for you.  What you tried to do for her took a lot of courage, but you need to be careful in the future. Sometimes showing mercy only ends in more p-ponies getting hurt in the future.” “But you should always try!” Doctor smiled, “That’s true.  It’s fine to give them a chance so long as you don’t give too many.  It’s good to know when to take a stand.” Derpy gave a confused look, “Did I worry you, Doctor?” “Yes.  I was scared that I might not be able to find you, and the way I found you was odd to say the least.  When I saw her with you, I thought-I’ve lost too many to count, and I couldn’t lose you.” “I don’t think she meant to hurt me, Doctor.” Derpy sighed. “Yes well, she would have whether she meant to or not.  Now, let’s get you back home, shall we? We can talk more in Ponyville after you have a nice rest.”  Derpy nodded, keeping her distance as the Doctor worked his magic on the ship. Derpy wondered what it looked like outside the doors.  She walked over to the door. The Doctor noticed with a grin. “Well, go on then. Take a look!” Derpy opened the door while Doctor found his sonic.  He tested walking around clumsily at she opened the door. Her eyes lit up as the vortex met them. “B-utiful, in’t it?” “It. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!  Though...it’s weird…” “Weird?  Wha-dya mean, Derpy?” “Well...I know this seems impossible, but it feels familiar to me.  Like something I saw in a dream as a filly. The colors, and circles and-Doctor, what are you doing?”  Derpy had turned to see the Doctor Who had his sonic in his mouth. “Well, walking wasn’t working, and I need my shonic, sho until I find a decent outfit wif pockech, dis will haf to do.” Derpy stifled a snicker.  “Right then. First thing we can do when we get home is get you some clothes.” “Shounds good to me.”  He grinned back. “Hey Doctor.  Is there usually a green light coming from the side?” “What?”  The Doctor looked out with Derpy, spitting the sonic out, “no.  No, that’s impossible.” Somehow, something was pulling the TARDIS towards it. “Derpy!  Hold onto something!” He pulled Derpy in, shutting the door behind them. He rushed to the center of the Tardis, wrapping Derpy’s hooves around the railings that protected the console. “Doctor!  I’m going to break it again!”  Derpy worried. The Tardis shook around them.  The Doctor notice her Whooves unwrapping from the safety of the railings, and wrapped his own around hers.  What I wouldn’t give for fingers!.  He thought.  “I would rather the railings break than you, now hold on!”  The shaking grew violent. The Doctor held onto Derpy for dear life.  “Don’t let go, Derpy!” He managed. The shaking stopped after a few minutes in one last huge bump.  The Doctor breathed before letting Derpy go. “You alright?” “Yeah, Yeah.  Just...just scared.  What happened?” “Something pulled us out of the time vortex.  Not sure what or how. But something out there plucked us out and put us here.” “Where is here?” “I don’t know, but we’re going to find out.”  He nodded, going over to the computer. “Ah bigger letters for bigger Whooves.  Good. Was worried about that. Let’s see here. According to the Tardis, we’ve landed in a planet...called Rahska’ Quri.  Never heard of That one. There’s something I don’t say often. Well, don’t know much about it other than the name, so I guess the only way to find out is by having a looksie ourselves.” “But Doctor.  We don’t know anything about what’s out there!” “I know!  Isn’t it fantastic?”  The Doctor opened the door to the strangest creatures Derpy had ever seen.  Some were in four legs while others stood on two. Black, white, and grey fur jutted from their body in a scruffy mess.  They had no manes to speak, but each had a white rings around their tails. The weirdest part was each and every creature’s fur shaped into a mask around their eyes, as if they were all dressed as robbers.  The moment the two ponies came out, the group celebrated. There had to be at least thirty there congratulating one another shaking clawed paws and hugging. The Doctor laughed as they cheered, “Well, how about that.  First a world inhabited by ponies and now one inhabited by raccoons. That’s brilliant.” He grinned. “Wait.  You know what these things are?!  How?” “I’ve known creatures like these long before I knew of a world of talking ponies.” “But, Doctor, you are a-“ “And they seem very proud of themselves. These creatures definitely made us come here, but why?  Why? That is the question. We will have to keep our wits about us. Raccoons are omnivorous creatures with insatiable curiosity, and a knack for getting into trouble.  They’re also kleptomaniacs, so be careful, Derpy.” “Klepto-whatsiacs?” “Maniacs. They will take anything they get their claws on.” Derpy’s good eye looked up at the Doctor his box can go back in time, get really small, and go to different planets...he talks about Ponyville and ponies as if we are as alien as these creatures...slowly realization dawned on Derpy.  The Doctor isn’t from Equestria, or any part of our world...