//------------------------------// // Pink Part 4 // Story: The Misadventures of The Doctor and Pinkie Pie // by Bronytype //------------------------------// Everfree Forest The Doctor grumbled as he pushed another branch out of his face. He was followed by Pinkie, with Emerald leading the way. He found himself envying the equines, their height lent itself well to traversing this wooded area. Emerald apparently knew this forest well through frequent meetings with someone named ‘Zecora.’ Celestia and Luna flew above as a lookout just out of view. While Twilight and her friends kept guard outside the forest in case Eileen tried fleeing “Are you sure this Eileen character will show up?” Pinkies ears were pinned back. As she looked around. The Doctor understood her worry, he’d hardly believed his ears during Celestia’s briefing. timberwolves, manticores, cockatrice. Creatures he’d known as myth in flesh and blood. It really was a big universe. “Trust me, once she senses a Time Lord, she’ll come running.” He turned to Pinkie and flashed her a smile to calm her nerves. “You just remember to play your part.” Pinkie saluted before breaking off from the group and ducking into a bush. Emerald looked up to The Doctor. “Are you sure we can save High?” The Doctor winced at the worry in her voice, he completely understood. “Don’t worry. She won’t be able to resist taking the body of a Time Lord.” The two walked in silence for a moment before Emerald spoke up again. “I’m sorry for exploding on you as I did earlier.” She sounded genuinely remorseful. He had no idea she’d been dwelling on it. He gave her a reassuring smile. “I understand, the past two days have been stressful for everybody. I don’t hold it against you.” She smiled back and looked forward. “Are you sure this plan of yours will work?” “As long as everyone does their part,” he responded. Celestia landed gently as Luna continued to circle overhead. “Remember Celestia. You are to remove that ring for her when she asks.” Celestia nodded but added, “Your regenerations are well documented, but I fail to see how that energy will be helpful here.” “Hopefully it won’t. I mean to give her the opportunity to leave in peace.” The Doctor pushed another branch out of his face as he spoke. Celestia seemed to be having the same problem now that she was no longer airborne. “And if she doesn’t? Are you sure you can do it?” Celestia was dead serious. The Doctor gave her a disapproving look. She rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me that look Doctor, you never could intimidate me. Your bleeding heart is refreshing,” she looked away, but The Doctor caught the sad look in her eyes, “but experience has taught me that not every conflict can be solved with words.” Seeing how to hurt she was, he softened his gaze and put a hoof on her shoulder. “I will do what needs to be done. But it is the right of every sentient creature to be given a choice.” Eileen flew clumsily above the trees. Still not used to the wings, she swayed this way and that. It was an annoyance, but a worthy struggle if what she sensed was what it seemed. ‘A Time Lord? Here?’ It almost seemed too good to be true. But if it was, it was her ticket out of here. The orb had no power left for space travel, but a TARDIS could take her anywhere. Scanning the area, it wasn’t long before she spotted a rather lanky-looking creature posed up casually against a tree in a clearing. “BINGO!” Swooping down she rather ungracefully on a rock on the other side of the clearing. Beside the Time Lord, she could see that white harpy that had trapped her in that body, sitting casually by the same tree. She shot her a glare, but the horse seemed to ignore it. She looked instead to the Time Lord. She chuckled. “I’m a bit disappointed Time Lord. Siding with these primitives, honestly I expected better of your kind.” “Us ‘primitives’ got the better of you. Or am I imagining that ring around your neck?” She looked up at the sound of that familiar accent to see Emerald descend from a tree, landing gracefully beside The Doctor. Eileen bared her teeth in a grin. “Ah, the Ms. I’m afraid you’re too late, your husband stopped responding a while ago.” She had expected Emerald to charge at her in rage, but the zebra merely smiled. She looked up to the Time Lord. “Up to 72 hours did you say, Doctor?” The Time Lord nodded. The zebra returned Eileen’s grin with one of her own. “There’s still time then.” Eileen was going to retort when she realized something. “Did she just say, Doctor?” She let out a hearty laugh. “Yes, I know you. Quite the entertaining file you had. Quite the reputation for meddling” The Doctor scoffed. “I prefer to call it ‘lending a hand.’” Eileen wiped a tear from her eye. “So what’s your plan hear Doc? Beg me to leave this body?” “That’s the general idea, yes…and don’t call me Doc.” “That’s all very well and good DOC,” she emphasized the word, “but aren’t you forgetting something?” She gestured to the hoof. The Doctor shared a look with Celestia. She nodded and he nodded back. She flared up her horn. With a flash of light, the ring disappeared from Eileen’s neck. She reached up to her neck and smiled. She turned a hungry eye to The Doctor. “Now Doc, if you would be so kind.” She motioned for The Doctor to approach. He shared a look with Celestia and Emerald. They again nodded, and The Doctor approached. Eileen moved to meet him in the middle. “Let’s make this quick.” She attempted to separate from the pegasus and was relieved to find she had no trouble. She quickly separated, watching the zebra run to the limp pegasus. She chuckled to herself as she merged with The Doctor. But at the last moment… “NOW” Everything happened in an instant, dozens of streamers erupted from the trees, tangling her arms and legs. She frantically looked around for the pegasus, only to look up to see Luna flying off carrying him and Emerald. She tried to leave but immediately found the ring back around her neck. “AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH,” Emerald screamed in rage before passing out. Pinkie hopped from tree to tree, examining every streamer. She’d been developing this in her party cave. Streamers were a must-have at any party, but foals did have a tendency to break them. These streamers could hold back a raging manticore. Pinkie completed her check and circled back to the Princess. Celestia was prodding at one of the streamers. “These really are remarkable Pinkie. Would you be open to coming work for the castle guard, they could use your inventiveness.” Pinkie blushed at the compliment but shook her head. “I’m flattered but I’m a party pony at heart.” Celestia nodded respectfully. “I understand. Surely you wouldn’t object to sharing your designs.” Pinkie smiled. “You only need to ask.” She turned a worried eye to the Doctor. “But just wait until this is all sorted out first.” “Of course.” Black. Endless black stretched out as far as the eye could see. The Doctor floated calmly in that blackness, eyes closed, hands behind his head and whistling to himself. He became aware of a presence in front of him as it cleared its throat. He cocked an eye open to see a serpent-like creature attempting to glare a hole into his chest. “Eileen I presume?” She nodded, or at least what The Doctor assumed to be a nod. “I must say, three years on the run haven’t done you any favours.” “Yes well there was a war on,” she spat. “It’s hard to live a quiet life under nightly Dalek assaults.” The doctor chuckled, “Yes, I suppose that would be hard.” He flashed her a playful grin, she returned it with a spiteful one. “Have a seat.” A chair appeared behind her, she slithered up to it and curled her body beneath her, tail dangling off of the chair. “Do you like it? Welcome to my mind.” A table appeared between them, along with two cups. “Coffee?” He took a sip from his cup and placed it back on his plate. “Ah. That’s the stuff.” Eileen’s eye twitched. “You know, this coffee is plucked from the memory of the best barista I ever knew, John Benton. You wouldn’t believe he was a soldier by looking but-“ “ENOUGH WITH THIS PRATTLE DOCTOR.” In one swift motion, she swiped both cups off of the table. “More of a tea person then?” “DOCTOR.” Her shout had a hint of a warning in it. “Okay, I wanted to be civil about this, but if you insist I’ll cut right to the chase.” He snapped his fingers. Suddenly a ball of golden energy appeared next to them. The Doctor regarded it casually. Eileen’s eyes widened. “Is that-“ The Doctor nodded. “Soon that will be expelled from my body and my regeneration will be complete.” He turned his gaze to Eileen. “You know what that will mean for you, don’t you.” She gulped and turned a frightful stare to The Doctor, all her earlier bravado gone. “You can’t be serious. The Doctor avoids killing, it was in your file.” She gave him a rather weak attempt at a confidant grin. “Quite the bluff Doctor.” The Doctor raised an eyebrow. “Well, that is true. Even if you are expelled it will not be fatal.” “HA.” The fire returned to Eileen’s eyes. “Foolish of you to reveal that.” He snapped his fingers. The golden orb began to diminish in size, and Eileen doubled over in pain. Being unable to stand it, he snapped his fingers and the orb stopped shrinking. Eileen started panting. “You-ghh-think you can scare me with pain. I did worse things to myself in my experiments.” She said that, but The Doctor could see through her facade of confidence. The Doctor decided he was getting nowhere. “Here’s the deal. You have three options. Leave, I can take you to a planet with no intelligent life, you can feast off the insects, it may not be perfect, but it is the best I can do considering your condition, and it will mean no other sentient creature has to die by your hand, er, so to speak” “And the other options.” “You stay here until both of us die.” She motioned for him to continue. “I expel you and finish my regeneration. You’ll lose your physical form. You’ll live, don’t worry. And you will never again feel that hunger that eats away at your mind. Never again have to eat. Would you like that? Freedom?” Pinkie stared at The Doctor, suspended in mid-air, now and then he would mumble something incoherent, Pinkie assumed it was snippets of the conversation he was having with Eileen. It didn’t matter though, as soon as she had entered The Doctor’s body, she had lost. The Doctor would give her three options, though one particular option she hoped would not be taken. Whatever happened though, there was nothing more she could do. As this thought crossed her mind, she heard something. A faint ringing sound, she looked to the source. The Doctor. A golden light began to gently gather around his hands and, as quickly as it came, it exploded out with a thunderous sound. It only lasted a second but Pinkie reckoned it could have been seen from Canterlot. Not long after, The Doctor started to move. Pinkie hopped around to look at him. “Ah, Pinkie.” He flashed her a smile. He looked around at the streamers, “I must say this is new. Tied up in party supplies. Could you let me down please?” “Hold it,” Celestia said as she approached. Her horn lit up, and a gold light passed over The Doctor’s body. Once she was done she smiled. “Welcome back Doctor.” At her confirmation Pinkie began to untie the Streamers from the trees, Celestia used her magic to hold The Doctor up so he didn’t fall. Once Pinkie had untied the last of the streamers, she waved to Celestia, and she let them down. The Doctor stood up and brushed himself off. “Thank you. Always nice to have a smooth landing.” Celestia smiled. “You’re welcome.” She then looked to the sky where the golden energy scattered and frowned. “What about her?” “She’ll live forever. One day the regeneration energy will seep into some dying planet, revitalizing it. Rather than taking life, she’ll be helping it.” He grinned, apparently quite pleased with himself. “Quite the optimal solution if I do say so myself.” Pinkie laughed. “Be careful not to toot your own horn too much.” The Doctor and Celestia chuckled to themselves. Celestia composed herself turned to leave. “Come. We should meet up with the others at the forest entrance.” Pinkie gasped. “That’s right.” She scooped The Doctor onto her back and made to run for it. With everything that’s happened, I never got to throw you a welcome party.” She made it 3 steps before she collapsed under The Doctor’s weight. The Doctor got up and held out a hand to help her up. “Maybe it’s best if I walk,” he laughed as she accepted the hand. Pinkie nodded sheepishly, and she and The Doctor followed after Celestia. “Celestia could get this ring off?” He called. Luna pulled her ear back from the pegasus’s mouth and looked up to Emerald. “His breathing is stable but we should get him to a hospital. Twilight perked up and approached Luna. “Princess. I’ll go.” Luna nodded and Twilight ignited her horn and was gone in a flash of light along with High Flyer. Emerald breathed a sigh of relief. Luna heard galloping hooves and instinctively lit up her horn. The two figures skidded to a halt and a frantic, familiar voice called out from the smaller figures back. “DON’T SHOOT!” Luna’s horn stopped flashing, and she sighed her own sigh of relief. “Spike, Rarity, Bluebl-“ Her face dropped and she spat the next words. “Hello, Blueblood.” But the scorn on her face disappeared when she saw the state he was in. He was bleeding in a few places, and blue and black marks dotted his body. He looked pitiable, and she found that she could not direct hate at such a sorry sight. He didn’t say anything, too proud possibly, but she could see the pleading in his eyes. She was about to tell Emerald to let Celestia know where she was going. But at that moment, Celestia, Pinkie, and The Doctor emerged from the trees. She opened her mouth to say something, but as soon as her eyes landed on blueblood she galloped over to him and, without a word teleported away. Before they left, Blueblood locked eyes on The Doctor and Luna saw a hatred burning in his eyes such as she had never seen in any pony she’d ever met. All she heard was a hate-filled, “YOU!” Before he was gone. Luna turned a questioning look to The Doctor, who seemed just as confused as her. Rarity trotted up to The Doctor and gave him a reassuring smile, “Don’t worry about him. He’s very easily offended. I’m sure it’s nothing you’ve done.” She didn’t sound too sure of herself. “Y-y-yeah.” Scratching the back of his head, he looked as sure as Rarity sounded. Before clapping his hands together trying to lighten the mood ”NOW,” he turned to Pinkie, “you mentioned a party?” Pinkie’s face split into an ear-to-ear grin. “OH YES, YOU’LL LOVE IT! THERE’LL BE CAKE AND BALLOONS AN-what’s that glowing in your pocket?” The Doctor looked confused for a second before his eyes widened and his hand flew to his breast pocket. Out of it he produced what appeared to be a glowing key, Luna recognised it, but everypony was completely lost. He turned to Pinkie with his own huge grin. “Wanna see something cool?” “You bet.” With that, they rushed off. Pinkie followed The Doctor to the crater the TARDIS had made. The small blue box sat proudly in the centre. The Doctor ran up to it and embraced it. This didn’t really phase Pinkie, she had seen and done weirder in her time. The TARDIS itself, unlike its owner, showed no evidence of the scratches and torn paint it had had when Pinkie had first seen it, the dark blue colour stood out against the bright orange the rising sun cast over the land, and Pinkie could make out a white ring on its door that hadn’t been there before. ‘St. John Ambulance,’ it read. The Doctor spun on his heel and spread out his arms, clearly proud of his TARDIS. “So. What do ya think?” Pinkie looked the box over. “It’s not like anything I’ve ever seen before.” “Want a demonstration.” “But if you leave how will you attend your party?” The Doctor halted her with a finger on her lips. “Not a problem my equine friend. Just give me the time and place. The TARDIS needs a test flight after the experience she’s had.” Ignoring his strange habit of talking about the box as if it were alive, she grinned. “7 pm. Twilight’s castle, that’s the crystal place.” The Doctor clapped his hands together, smiling like a foal on Hearths Warming. “Now watch this.” Taking out the key, he unlocked the door and slipped inside. A moment later a strange whirring noise flooded the area as the light on top started to flash. A strong wind stirred up the dirt around the base and it gradually faded from view. Pinkie stood in shock as Princess Luna appeared beside her in time to see the TARDIS disappear. She rolled her eyes. “That’s just like him, leaving before the clean-up starts.” She then cast a confused glance to Pinkie. “Why are you still-never mind.” Pinkie turned to Luna and cocked her head. She was going to question her further but decided against it. “He’s not gone, Princess.” She turned to Ponyville. She had a party to plan. The next few hours were hectic. Construction efforts had begun to repair High Flyer’s and Emerald’s home, meanwhile, the two were offered a room in the palace. High had also been moved to a hospital in Canterlot to be closer to Emerald. He had not woken up, but the doctors had said he would be back to normal in a couple of weeks. Derpy had been bogged down with so much work, she seemed more confused than usual, and Pinkie had heard her complaining about some old stallion with a broken clock. Blueblood had been dead silent since seeing The Doctor and glared daggers at her when she had visited the hospital. Celestia and Luna had returned to Canterlot to file reports on what had happened. But had assured they would be back to attend The Doctor’s party. Rarity had been preparing her boutique for The Doctor’s visit tomorrow, she had not accepted any new customers today, though most of Ponyville had just chalked the cause up to the TARDIS crash. It had impacted a lot of Ponyville. The Cakes, hearing of what happened, had returned from their trip early. They had looked about ready to explode on Pinkie, but after a letter from Princess Celestia explaining everything, along with a hefty check to cover repairs plus compensation, they were quick to sweep it under the bridge. They were also offered temporary rooms at the palace. Pinkie had managed, together with her friends, to set up the party. Everyone in Ponyville had come. They would never miss a Pinkie Pie party. She had explained about The Doctor. Luckily, since the Zecora incident, they had become a lot less xenophobic. 7:00 PM The allotted time had arrived. The castle was dead silent, and everypony waited with bated breath. Only the distant sounds of insects filled the castle. Suddenly, a wind began to pick up at the entrance to the castle, and the room was flooded with that wheezing sound. Everypony gasped as the TARDIS began to fade into view, but nopony panicked. They had all been warned. With a low thud, the TARDIS fully materialised, and the door opened. The lights came on, and streamers popped from the walls. “SURPRISE!” Everypony shouted in unison as The Doctor stepped out of The TARDIS…completely soaked from head to toe. Pinkie along with Celestia and Luna began to laugh. The Doctor just gave them a deadpan look and approached Rarity. “Could I perhaps take you up on that offer?” Rarity chuckled. “Of course.” She then motioned to Pinkie. “But how about you enjoy the party first.” The Doctor clapped his hands together and turned to Pinkie. “Well, I suppose I can just wash off later.” He spread out his arms and turned to the room. “LET’S PARTY.” The room erupted into cheers. The party was beginning to calm down as ponies began filing out. The Doctor had entertained everypony on the dance floor, waving his arms about in what Pinkie assumed to be a dance. He was funny. He didn’t seem to care who was watching, or what anypony thought of him. One of the top qualities she looked for in her friends. He currently stood at the entrance, all smiles, happily seeing everypony off. He gave a particularly hearty hoofshake to Doctor Whooves. The two had spent a considerable time discussing a lot of things that went over Pinkie’s head. Derpy gave him a hug, which he didn’t seem to know how to respond to, Pinkie had seen her copying his dance, the troubles of covering High’s shift seemingly a distant memory. Her smile was short-lived though, as Pinkie watched as an elderly stallion ambushed her as soon as she passed through the door, and Pinkie heard an audible groan as the stallion started lecturing her. The Doctor looked on in amusement. The Princesses were the last to leave, The Doctor turned to them smiling ear-to-ear. But Celestia motioned for him to come closer. She appeared to whisper something into his ear, and Pinkie saw his smile falter, just for a second. She made a note to ask him about it later. As Celestia and Luna left, she saw Luna give Celestia a whack behind the head. Celestia looked at Luna indignantly but did not retaliate, indicating whatever had happened Celestia acknowledged she was in the wrong. Twilight had long since disappeared, claiming she was going to take Spike into bed, he had fallen asleep in the punch bowl. The Doctor turned to Pinkie and an awkward silence fell over the room. Pinkie wondered if she should say something. The silence dragged on. Until finally, The Doctor spoke. “So.” “So.” The Doctor approached Pinkie. “What do ya say?” He grinned. Pinkie raised a questioning eyebrow. He continued. “Well, I was thinking…I’ve been traveling alone for a while and your energy would be welcome.” Pinkie’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean in there?” She pointed at the TARDIS. “Trust me, it’s more spacious than it looks.” Pinkie shook her head. “That’s not the point. Doctor, I have a life here.” “It’ll be like you never left.” “How do you mean. You can’t expect me to believe it’s a ti-but then that would explain how the princesses know you while you don’t know them.” Pinkie got a little satisfaction from The Doctor’s look of surprise. Most ponies misjudged her intelligence from her demeanor. She put a hoof to her chin. “Hmm. Before I give my answer, I have two questions.” “Ask and I shall answer.” He gave a bow. “Why me?” He looked up with a smile. “Well you were a big help and, yours was the first face I saw after regenerating, call me a sentimentalist but, I feel a special connection to those I see after regeneration.” Pinkie smiled at that, it was sweet. “My final question is this.” She sighed deeply. “Can you promise me it’ll be safe?” The Doctor frowned but answered. “I can promise that I will do my best to protect you and see you return safely.” Pinkie nodded. “Ok then let me rephrase my question. At this point, I’m used to life or death situations. Can you promise me you won’t needlessly put me in danger?” The Doctor nodded, “that I can promise.” Pinkie smiled instead. “Ok then, I’ll go.” The Doctor looked slightly shocked. “Just like that?” Pinkie chuckled. “I’m not stupid Doctor. I can see it in your eyes, you’re lonely. And I can see sadness there too. Is it not a friend’s duty to cheer up a friend when they’re sad.” She gave him a completely serious look. He gave rueful smile. “You’re perceptive, I’ll give you that.” She returned his smile with a teasing one. “Yep. So don’t go thinking you can hide anything from me.” She lowered herself to the ground and hopped up to The Doctor’s chest hugging him and throwing him off balance a bit. She didn’t know what would come next, but she would not let her new friend go through it alone. The Doctor laughed and tousled her mane. “Look forward to having you along Ms. Pie,” he replied through giggles. She let go of him. She looked him down, his clothes had long since dried, but they were absolutely wrecked. “But first we need to get you some new clothes.” They both laughed as they left through the castle doors.