Feather Wind turns about on some kind of soft surface before he fully realizes that the surface is a bed. If that is true, then it means the reality he just experienced a moment before was a dream.
Feather Wind's eyes pop awake and then blink tiredly. As his waking memories flood back to him, he recalls how the last time he awakened on this bed, he was confused and delirious.
But not this time. This time he awakens more fully aware that he is on the TARDIS. Along with that knowledge comes the realization that this ultra-strange reality he's been waking up to lately is very gradually becoming the norm. Becoming that which he expects to find when he awakens. That, in itself, is already a strange feeling.
As he rises out of bed and the silky bed sheet slides off of his upper body, Feather Wind dwells on the triumphant moment yesterday when he got out of the submersible pod and looked up to a clear purple sky. That, at first, struck him as strange, but then he recalled that he was, indeed, on an alien planet. Something in the atmosphere, the ocean, or the alien sun caused a different hue in the sky, but that feeling of strangeness soon passed back then as he took a deep, clean breath in. Magic and a feeling of oneness with the air flooded into him. Moments later he also realized a subtle feeling of gratitude flooded his system as well. For several weeks the sky was tickled and agitated into a raging state, and finally, it had a chance to relax. There was freedom in that. Freedom to be what the sky naturally wanted to be.
Feather Wind soaks in that peaceful feeling of gratitude and triumph again as he did that previous day. It feels and felt so good to know that all of their challenging efforts had paid off in the end. The world did become a better place again because of their efforts, and that is a very great feeling!
Feather Wind's ears above his head perk up then shift to his left when he notices more noise pick up outside of this room. Curious and excited, he climbs out of bed and moves to investigate.
Upon arrival at the TARDIS's main control room, Feather Wind discovers that it is the Doctor that has returned. When he sees that, more memories come flooding into the adolescent unicorn's mind. Principle among this is an explanation of why the Doctor wasn't here until this moment. While everyone else was exhausted from their latest journey, and Vision was already asleep, the Doctor kept on going. He, once again, credited his unusually robust stamina to the fact he had two hearts.
Aside from that, the Doctor made the claim he still had a few loose ends to tie up in this adventure. Chief among them is to return to Allon shortly so he can finish the task of gathering the medicine needed to help cure these ponies.
When the Doctor said that, those of his companions that were still awake voiced their concern for him, but the Doctor assured them that he could probably easily handle the rest. Now that he knew one of the Alphalmians was around, and their princess no less, the Doctor felt confident that they could quell the rage of the tatavaxs guarding the coral reefs where the medicine would be. Once that is secure, all that is left is to distribute it among the sick ponies who need it.
Judging by the goofy grin the Doctor is wearing on his face now, Feather Wind can already assume that the Doctor has, once again, returned triumphantly. Feather didn't really expect any less considering the scope of challenges that appeared to be left, but like everyone else, there was at least a thread of concern that the Doctor was going about the rest of this alone. Still, it appears that everything has, indeed, worked out in the end.
“So how did it go?” Stern Wing asks the Doctor with an affectionate pound on the Doctor's back using her left wing.
“Um,” the Doctor pauses a moment to consider his answer then says with a nod, “pretty good, actually. Of course, things could be better. The sick ponies are going to need more time to recover their health but, armed with the medicine they need to do that, Doctor Waston and I are confident that they should make a full recovery.
“The fact that the radio tower has collapsed is a bummer, but the extra food supplies we gave them from here, along with the extra medicine they secured from under the ocean, should tide them over long enough to build a new radio tower. Once that is complete, they can radio the rest of the ponies to signal that the storm has finally passed and that is now safe to resume trade.”
“I'm glad to hear that our efforts helped here, but Doctor . . . we needed those food supplies too,” Stern Wing points out. “I have no objection to what we used them for in this adventure, but I hope it is the plan to re-stock our supplies again. Not only for our sakes but for the sake of others we might encounter later who might be under similar constraints.”
“I know, and we'll soon address that,” the Doctor assures. “There are plenty of destinations I know of where we can safely re-gather supplies. Among them, I know of some cultures that owe me a few favors, or at least they did in the previous universe.” He lifts a hoof and twists it from side to side as he says in an iffy way, “There might be some valuable opportunities among that. That could also give me a chance to check on some old friends. If they have been ponified as well, then I really look forward to catching up with them.” He lowers his hoof back to the ground as he goes on to say, “It may be that I'll have to build a rapport with them again, but as it has possibly become clear to you all by now, I don't shy away from a challenge.”
“What about the collapsed wing of the mine?” Derpy asks the Doctor in concern. “Chovix said he could no longer access one of the most important wings of his mine shaft due to discovering lethal pockets of gas. That was the very circumstances that originally encouraged him to cooperate with the klaxians. Also, what will happen to Chovix and Ashwin now, and what do[/i ]you know of the klaxians anyway? Are we going to chase them down next and pester them to return the Alphalmians they stole?”
“Whoa! Easy there, girl. One question at a time please,” the Doctor encourages. “First of all, there's no easy answer to every problem we encounter. It is likely going to take time to work around the problems they encountered in the mine shaft. I passed a few suggestions that may help eventually, but even then will take time to fully come to fruition.
“But considering the need in play, it is likely Chovix and his cronies will be sentenced to community service, not jail. That is because his services are too invaluable right now. Chovix was telling the truth that he doesn't have the personnel to spare considering the crisis he was under. That same logic can easily be understood by everyone else in Salvage. It may take a long time for Chovix and his crew to fully earn the trust back of the rest of the community, but they are committed to doing precisely that and they have the means to do it. With dedication and hard work, they should be able to accomplish whatever they set their minds to.
“As far as our role in this affair is concerned, it is not a wise policy, in general, to bog ourselves down solving every tiny little problem that we observe other societies having. We should instead concentrate on the big crisis that they can't handle. Once that is quelled, it is typically time for us to mosey on unless we have some other purpose to tie us to the same place and time. That includes fun, by the way. I want to make that clear to you all right now. Solving a crisis is not the only reason I'd want to linger somewhere. If there is a really fun-looking theme park in the area, for example, I may want to stick around to check it out even if no danger is involved.
“As far as my knowledge of the klaxians is concerned, what I will tell you all now that they are traditionally space pirates essentially. In most systems that they operate in, they do so illegally. They are merchants too, but a particularly dirty kind. Not only does that mean they are willing to sell off immoral goods, but they'll do it with rip-off prices if they feel they can get away with it. They're not above arranging external circumstances to fall into their financial favor as well. If they think it would benefit them to sell weapons to both sides of a war, for example, then they would do so with no hesitation even though they know it would continue to drag out the war and make it far more bloody for both sides.
“I generally can't stand most of them. They are among the worst lifeforms I have ever encountered. Not the most powerful or dangerous, mind you, but well worth the negative attention they earned from me simply because of the sheer evils that they have wrought into the universe and with very little redeeming qualities to boot beyond a few very special specific individuals who have helped me out in the past.
“Like anyone else I have encountered, they are at least manageable if you know what buttons to press. Money talks very well in their society, for example, and that is their biggest weakness as well. If I want, or need, for them to fear me, then I need to threaten their wallets and bank accounts. There is usually no surer way for me to get their attention than that, but exceptions exist for anything, everywhere, and everywhen.
“As for my intentions to chase them down to make sure they maintain some incentive to return the Alphalmians they stole, the answer is an emphatic yes. I have absolutely no intention to revoke the ominous promise I gave to them because I genuinely can't stand bullies and slave traders. I know the Alphalmians they took did nothing to deserve this fate either, but that's beside the point. For me to be me and uphold the principles that I hold dear, I simply must punish them until they relinquish that which they took from this planet.” He shakes his head as he then adds, “I made a promise to this effect anyway. Not just to the klaxians, but to the Alphalmian Princess as well.”
“Much like everything else you have encountered, this particular scenario isn't likely to go as smoothly as you hope, Doctor,” Vision warns from within the same room. “It was difficult to sense their emotions through all the turbulent chaos that I was suffering at the time, but I picked up this much at least. Doctor, the moment you promised their leader that you would not relinquish your pressure against them until they return all the Alphalmians they stole unharmed, I felt their leader momentarily panic. The most likely reason is that he already considers that option too late. It is very likely that they sold some of them off, and as for the 'unharmed' clause of your condition, what if some of them are already dead? If that is true, then it makes it impossible for him to return that which he stole in a sound condition.
“Whatever the case may be, he ended that encounter with a determination to harden his resolve. When he realized that he may have no choice but to consider you an enemy because of the circumstances that already pin him to a corner, he was trying to find the courage within himself to plan around what he must.”
“Yeah, well . . .” The Doctor trails off for a moment as he looks down and briefly rubs the back of his neck. When he looks back at Vision, he resumes. “That happens sometimes. Sometimes it is too late to save someone because the harm already occurred before I arrived, or occurred during my adventure despite my best efforts. I am formidable, but I'm not perfect. I can only do the best I can.
“To that end, I'll continue to apply my best efforts to get those Alphalmians back eventually. It could be quite a while for us to finish that quest personally, but we have a time machine so it's at least possible to go where we need and when we need to achieve the best odds of success.
“That said, there usually aren't many options to undo a situation once it occurs. I cannot mess with my own history, for example, once I applied myself to a particular adventure. If someone dies during the course of an adventure then that sort of becomes a fixed moment in time, at least for me. I can't go back in time and save them again further into the past if that would also result in negating the very reason my attention was brought to that adventure in the first place. Timey-wimmy shenanigans pervade throughout much of my life, but there are rules that I have to follow as a Time Lord. That's not just for my own sake, but for the very integrity of the whole universe and all of time and space, believe it or not. I learned firsthand what happens when I try to undermine the integrity of a fixed point in time. Trust you/me, there are indeed consequences that even Time Lord Victorious cannot ignore.
“Thanks to Chovix's report to me, I now know there are a total of six Alphalmians that he sold to the klaxians from this planet. That information was also verified by the Alphalmian Princess. If there are any more taken from this world, then both Chovix and the other Alphalmians are somehow unaware of it.
“So . . . okay. There are six out there that I need to find. Going after the klaxians themselves is still probably a good start, even if they already sold some or all of them to other clients. I might at least be able to wrestle a contact list from them. Using that, I can trace my quarry down and otherwise do my best to secure the Alphalmian's safety. While I am at it, I might as well make a firm impression on the bad guys involved. They need to be taught that there are consequences to their actions as well. I'll make sure of that.”
“Speaking of which, I never heard you lay down the law so hard on anypony else before,” Feather Wind comments. “I didn't know you were capable of so much anger. I thought you sought peaceful resolutions to every conflict and that no pony is beyond forgiveness.”
“That is actually true, in a way,” the Doctor counters. “I am always hopeful of a path to redemption even if I don't think it is very likely. There is always that desire nonetheless. I do generally always seek a peaceful resolution to every encounter, but I have to take my knowledge of what I'm dealing with into account. While I might hope for some peaceful solution, that may be a sentiment that the other party doesn't share. Whenever that is the case, I'll have to adjust my tactics to minimize damage as much as possible but I'll have to balance that out with the odds of success. What value is there in committing to some effort if it ultimately proves futile? To speak the same language as other bullies in the universe, sometimes it requires me to give them a bloody nose every once in a while just to ensure that I at least have their attention and respect. If I can't prove that I can be a threat against them at some level then that could also close off potential opportunities for them to listen to me later. I'll need their attention if I'm to have any chance at a negotiation, so it sometimes becomes necessary to step outside our own comfort zones in order to give us a fair chance at success in whatever endeavor we happen to face at the time.
“Also, when dealing with somebody that been rescued, they may feel the need for retribution rather than justice. There is a fine line to walk between the two that is also worthy of consideration.
“Furthermore, we have to always be open to the possibility of adjusting our tactics as the situation gradually unfolds. I often find that adaptation is typically key to success.”
“Point well taken,” Feather Wind accepts with a reluctant nod. “It's too bad we have to get aggressive every once in a while. I have always wished that the universe could be more peaceful.”
The Doctor suddenly looks apologetic as he says, “Speaking of which, I promised myself that I would later apologize to you for calling you out when we first arrived at Allon. I used your heritage as a unicorn to impose negotiating leverage in an attempt to non-violently circumvent an obstacle we faced at the time, but doing so has hurt your feelings. I know you generally don't like focused attention on yourself from strangers so, for that, I apologize.”
Feather Wind looks back at the Doctor as he gives a faint grin while saying, “That's okay, Doctor. I'm not going to lie to you by saying I wasn't wounded at the time, but I would have been far more hurt by resorting to a violent solution instead. In your place, I might have done the same. It at least follows my general intention even if I couldn't think of it at the time. The reason I trust your judgment, Doctor, is because I also trust your general intentions. You and I are much akin in that respect. The main difference is you have significantly more experience in affairs like this than I. I'll adjust to this lifestyle eventually, I think, but in the meantime, I may rely on your insight very often.”
“And on that note, I'm curious about something, Doctor,” Stern Wing speaks up to the Time Lord. “Considering the fact that this is the first adventure that Feather Wind, Vision, and I have participated with you off our native planet, how did we do in your fair assessment?”
“How did you do?” the Doctor reflects which earned him a nod of confirmation from Stern Wing. When she does that, the Doctor looks down as he reflects on her question before looking back at her with a small smile. “In my, admittedly, very long life span and throughout the various cycles of each of my regeneration, I have been blessed with many fine companions. Companions that I have not only enriched by showing them all that time and space has to offer, but it is simultaneously a time when they have enriched my life in return. I said it before and I'll proudly say it again. The companions that I have traveled with in my lives have affected me very deeply just as I have affected them. I would not be the man I am today were it not for those valuable lessons, and the exciting thing is that I have found every single individual I traveled with to be wholly unique. As a result, I learn a new lesson from each one which is then carried on into all of my future journeys. All the wisdom and experience you see in me now is the byproduct of all who came before you. If you appreciate what you see in me, then thank them as well, for they are still very much a part of my mind and hearts. You will be too. We shall all grow together.
“Up until this point, starting with Derpy in particular, I have mostly traveled with a species that have largely called themselves humans, but they have been known by other names in other worlds. Their influence and spread are that legendary. That is why I kept such a close eye on them and traveled with them for so long. They were inherently capable of anything. From the best of what the universe has to offer and simultaneously the worst. Results vary from time to time and world to world, but that general rule usually stuck except, over time, they mostly evolved for the better. I might have had something to do with that.
“No. Scratch that. I had something to do with that general path line towards their higher state, but the fact remains that they were responsible for their own improvement too. With every encounter I make, there are always at least two sides to the coin. A vast variety of choices that we sculpt together, and together . . . that makes for a legendary story. I was proud to play some part in that. I always have been and I always will be.
“Now, with ponies, I am noticing a similar pattern here as I had with humans. There seems to be that same inherent quality of destiny and legendary potential. Beyond the fact that ponies are quadrupeds and humans have mostly been bipedal, the strongest difference that I have observed is the more innocent nature of the ponies. That can work both for and against them. They also seem to have a naturally higher morality in general.
“For example, had I encountered this same adventure but every pony was replaced with a human counterpart, then the odds are strong that at least one of Chovix's underlings would have betrayed him and sided with the klaxians in the end purely because of their own sense of insecurity and fear. However, in this universe, there is a stronger sense of camaraderie and harmony that naturally seems to pervade even the most basic of pony instincts. A 'follow the herd' mentality if you will. Humans didn't lack that quality, but overall they were naturally a blank slate and, as such, they had an equal chance to be inherently anything. That, in turn, made them much more unique. As such, it is never wise to judge any individual by the standards of the race as a whole. Being exceptions to any rule actually was, in itself, the most common pattern about them.
“Now, because of the more inherent innocent qualities I have observed in ponies but mixed with that same infinite potential that I have observed in one other race, I feel a little more protective of ponies here. In them, I see a spark of something very precious and I'm quickly developing a pet peeve towards anyone who attempts to corrupt that innocent spark like the klaxians tried to do in this world. I do think that the pony race, as a whole, will eventually mature beyond that innate innocence and child-like wonder. However, until then, I feel driven to protect them especially carefully because there is a special quality to that. That is why, for as long as they need me to, I will uphold the promise I made. You ponies are now under my protection. When other races heard such promises from me before, they eventually learned to rightfully respect and/or fear that bold declaration. That is a big deal and I'll spend eternity, if I have to, proving why that is so.”
The Doctor pauses a moment as if to gather himself again for what he is about to say next. When he is ready, his face beams in a brilliant smile that is so bright and proud that he is nearly in tears. His face actually scrunches up for a second as if it is painful to even attempt to reveal how proud he is of them all.
“And you are all so brilliant!” the Doctor cries out with nearly overwhelming emotion. “You are like brilliant stars ever shining against the backdrop of an otherwise eternal night. Such shining examples you are of the best of pony potential. It not only fills me with hope but gratitude to see. Thank you! Thank you all for this overwhelming privilege to travel with you, even if it is but a moment in the vast stretch of time and space. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot possibly say it enough.”
Driven to tears by his words and display of powerful and raw genuine emotion, Derpy waves at all of her friends here to collect together using her wings as she says, “Hugging. It is time for hugging now!”
The group gladly acquiesces. They collect together and reach wings and hooves across the backs of each of them and they bunch up together to share a happy, warm, and deeply affectionate hug. Vision needed a little guidance towards the group but, once she had physical contact with any of them, she is pulled into the group without fail.
“Wherever we go and whatever we do on our journey together, I want you to know how much you all mean to me,” the Doctor very gratefully restates as they continue their hug. “I'll do everything in my power to protect you as well, for if I lost any of you . . . then I'll lose a precious part of myself.”
“Well said, Doctor,” Feather Wind agrees while his own voice is a bit shaky with emotion. “Very well said. I'll have to write a new poem immortalizing this moment of affection we are sharing soon.”
“Actually, why don't you try to capture this energy right now in the Red Crystal?” Stern Wing suggests.
“Because I still need to learn how to attune myself to the crystal,” Feather Wind answers. “I wasn't given the time for that yet. We just dove into this adventure.”
“I'm sure you will,” the Doctor assures Feather as he is the first to break off from the group. The others do so as well a second later. After that, the Doctor then gallops up to the TARDIS's controls and declares once there, “And now then, we are off to boldly explore where no pony has gone before. Strap yourselves in as we launch to yet another adventure. Onwards and Upwards, I say!”
“But there are no seat belts to strap ourselves into!” Stern Wing complains. “And, actually, there should be! That is a very good idea.”
The Doctor merely flashes Stern Wing a playful wink before he boldly yanks a switch back that launches them off into yet another of their amazing adventures together.