//------------------------------//
// Night Time - Ch. 4: Don't Follow 
// Story: The Doctor And Derpy Adventures 
// by Closer-To-The-Sun 
//------------------------------//

Night Time - Chapter 4: Don't Follow

The three ponies and the robotic dog rushed across the lunar landscape, back to a familiar blue phone box. Stopping right at the door, the Doctor turned to his metal companion.

"K-9, any danger or threats nearby?" the brown stallion was panting.

"Negative, Master. All hostile threats have ceased," the satellite ears on K-9 moved as he spoke.

"Excellent!"

"However, a temporal threat is possible," K-9 continued.

"Huh? How Mr. K-9?" Dinky asked, looking at the metal machine with a puzzled look.

"There are currently two Doctors on the surface of the moon. If they were to interact, an anomaly will occur."

Derpy was also puzzled, "But the Doctor told me has met himself plenty of times before, and they even worked together to save the day."

The Doctor spoke, "But I knew I would each time, save a few times. But now that I am the last of the Time Lords, and for that matter, a pony. While I trust my past self, it's too much of a risk. So, I hate to say this, but we have to part ways from K-9 here."

Dinky was surprised. She wrapped her front limbs around K-9's neck, "I don't want to leave him. I like K-9!"

A small smile appeared on the Doctor's face, "I do too," he trotted over to the two and patted him on the head, "he's a very good dog."

"Affirmative!" K-9 cheerfully expressed.

"And I'm going to miss him just as much, Dinky," the Doctor continued, trying to quickly wipe a single tear from his eye, "Come along, everypony back in the TARDIS."

"Okay. Bye-bye, Mr. K-9," Dinky gave one last hug to the metal dog. The little unicorn's mother joined in the hug as well.

"Farewell, Mistress," the metal dog replied in crestfallen tone.

Derpy led her daughter through the TARDIS doors, leaving the Doctor and his metal dog.

"K-9."

"Yes, Master?"

"I know this is highly unlike me to do, but I want you to keep this little adventure to yourself. Don't tell a soul about this. The results could be….well, who knows, right?"

"Understood. This event will be kept private."

Despite his sad eyes, a smile reappeared to the stallion's face, "You are a very good dog."

"Thank you, Master."

Overcome with emotion, the Doctor gave a hug to the robot. He held tight to K-9, knowing it would most likely be the last chance he would ever get to do so. Breaking the hug, the Doctor finally bided farewell to his old, trusted friend. He then turned to enter the TARDIS and closed the door behind him.

The phone box slowly disappeared as the engines came to life, leaving just the metal dog on the lunar surface to watch the TARDIS go. K-9 then came into life as he rolled across the moon to another blue phone box. With his muzzle, he pushed the doors opened and let himself in.

K-9 parked himself inside the console room and waited for the return of the Doctor he knew. Within a few moments, the Doctor returned to the TARDIS with Leela.

"Hello, hello! Did you enjoy yourself here, K-9?" the Doctor asked, taking off his hat and lengthy scarf.

"Affirmative!"

END (for now)