Chapter 4: Let's Do The Things We Normally Do
After what seemed like a few moments from when the TARDIS disappeared, the blue phone box returned. A few meters from where it was before, the machine materialized back on the ground. It was in a more roughed up condition than before it left. The door of the blue phone box opened and two ponies walked out of the TARDIS. They were the pegasus Derpy and the earth pony known solely as the Doctor.
The Doctor was the first to speak upon exiting, "Dear, I know it was a gesture of good will, but I don't think offering a muffin to the Cybermen is all that nice. I mean, they don't have any organs to enjoy them."
Derpy replied with a puzzled face, with one eye drifting away, "Not even stomachs?"
"I think those were the first things to go," the Doctor thought aloud.
"Aww…." the grey mare was saddened by the response.
The Doctor placed a hoof on Derpy's head, "Fret not, Derpy, for we shall enjoy your muffins. After all, the idea you had about enjoying your muffins back here at the Everfree Forest was a simply charming idea."
Derpy giggled and smiled, "Well, I do think we should have a break after going to the last few places and all."
"Quite right! Telos was very cold, and I don't believe we would survive the night on the surface without the scarf you made for me," the Doctor smiled back, messing her mane up with his hoof affectionately.
The pegasus giggled again, "At least we weren't attacked there. Unlike that planet with the weird slimy things with eyes."
"Ah, you mean Polongus? True, that planet was a much unfortunate visit. At least it wasn't to Skaro, Tigus, or Spiridon. Though the visit to Shan Shen was quite pleasant, and so was the trip to the forest planet near Androzani Major, was it not?"
"It was just like winter there!" Derpy commented happily.
"Yes, and without all of the wrapping up! It really is a pleasant planet, very peaceful. Now, shall we have our lunch? We did just come back from the museum on Xeros," the Doctor asked.
"Yes! I'll get the basket! You go find a place for us to sit!" Derpy replied excitedly. She then dashed inside the TARDIS and flew out with a basket in her mouth.
The Doctor, who waited for his companion, kept pace with the pegasus. They two found a spot on top of a small hill within the forest meadow. Derpy took the blanket out of the basket and laid it out for them to lie on. As Derpy began shuffling through the basket, the Doctor smiled as he looked at her. After all the places and adventures he had with the pony, the Doctor was thinking that he had not such a fun companion in quite a long time. It made him feel a euphoric feeling. Something that he had felt with another companion he was sad to see leave.
However, his smile quickly vanished from his face. He sniffed the air around him. It was a scent that was unmistakable. The Doctor was fearful.
Derpy noticed this, "Doctor? Is everything okay?"
"No….oh no….please no. Not here. Not now," the Doctor's words were filled with anxiety and terror. Even though his nose was now a muzzle, he still recognized the scent.
"Derpy, we need to leave. Now," the Doctor's behavior had changed drastically. He was serious, terrified, and even scared.
"But what about the picnic?" Derpy asked.
"Forget about it for now, we have something far more important right n-" the stallion cut himself off. "No. He's closer now. Worse, he's right on top of us. No, no, no no, no."
Just as the Doctor was about to run off, a figure appeared in front of the ponies. However, it was something that Derpy had never seen until recently. It was a bipedal life form. The pegasus had just learned about such creatures existed. To the Doctor, however, he recognized this life form. His white skin, his brown hair, and his formal black attire; there was no mistaking it. It was a fellow Time Lord, the Master.
"It's been a while, dear friend," the Time Lord said with a wicked smile to the ponies.