Celestia's revelation was greeted with a short silence. Everypony, including the Doctor, kept looking at each other, trying to urge one another to say something. Eventually the Doctor gave in, and words managed to fall out of his mouth. "Well that's… unexpected."
Celestia chuckled to herself lightly and said "I apologise if that was not what you were expecting."
"But Princess, why did you bring the Doctor here? For that matter, how?" Twilight cut in.
"My faithful student, all of that will be revealed when you join me and my sister for dinner this evening."
The Doctor didn't like this, something felt off. Judging from Luna's expressions and reaction to meeting him, she was completely out of the loop. The rest of the Elements of Harmony seemed to think the same thing too, judging by their expressions. Even Twilight, Celestia's own pupil seemed to have doubts and there was just something… off about her that she just could not place. The Doctor decided that it would be best to decline the offer and if he was lucky, he might be able to leave this universe.
"Well I very much appreciate the hospitality your majesty, but I must respectfully decline as I must get back to… timey wimey stuff, and yes that is the technical term."
"Oh, Doctor. I am afraid you misunderstood me, so I should clarify. I wasn't giving you an option to stay or go I'm afraid. You are joining me and my sister for dinner. You have no choice in the matter."
The Doctor heard hoof steps approaching behind him and they all turned around to see a number of guards blocking the exit. Shining Armour looked on in panic. "Twiley, please convince your friend here just to come along,” he asked. “I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding that will be sorted out if he goes without a struggle."
The Doctor looked around him, clearly none of the elements wanted to fight Celestia but Rainbow Dash was getting pumped just in case the eventuality arises. She flew up to the Doctor and whispered in his ear.
"Hey, listen, I'm not really into fighting the co-ruler of all of Equestria and all, but she doesn't seem quite right. If you want to fight our way out of here, then I'm with you."
"So you would be prepared to fight me Rainbow Dash? You are the element of loyalty after all, but let us hope that it doesn't come to that. Right, Doctor?" Celestia spoke.
The Doctor looked down at a very worried Twilight who mouthed to him the word 'please'. This was certainly not the Celestia he knew from the show, but he had no choice but to give in. "Fine, there won't be any trouble."
Celestia looked very happy all of a sudden. She clapped her hooves together and actually hugged the Doctor. "Oh thank you, you have no idea what this means for all of us. Sister, you show them to the dining room. I'm going to speak to the chef and organise the food for the Doctor. I assume you would like something a bit more filling… maybe not for a pony."
Her emphasis on the word filling led the Time Lord to believe she meant meat. Knowing he would potentially be stranded in Equestria for some while, the prospect of not eating any kind of meaty food was near unbearable. He wasn't in the mood to question why she had meat, so he just went along with it. "I suppose if it's not too much trouble…"
"Oh no trouble at all, and thank you so much. Luna, show them to the dining hall."
"Tia, wait I…"
Luna had forgotten her previous hunger, and was now more annoyed and confused than anything else. As her sister flew off towards her bedroom, she turned back to this Time Lord. She still wasn't sure what to make of him, but he didn't seem hostile so for now, that would have to suffice.
She let out a sigh as she remembered her hunger again and it was getting late. She turned to the guard captain. "I know you are eager to return to your beloved, Shining Armour, but I must ask you to guard the dining hall. Take a few of the guards and make sure no pony enters or leaves until either me or Tia command so." He saluted the princess, quickly hugged his sister, and then made his way into the castle. Luna turned to everypony else. "Come then, I am as eager as you to find out what this is all about."
They were all now seated at a long table, minus Princess Celestia who had not arrived yet. The table was rectangular and Celestia's empty chair sat at one end while the Doctor was told to sit at the opposite. Everypony else were seated along the sides, Luna and Twilight were closest to Celestia's seat while Dash and Applejack were closest to the Doctor. The others were located near the centre.
To say the atmosphere was tense would be an understatement. Nopony was talking and they were giving each other nervous looks. Even Celestia's sister and student didn't know exactly what to expect. The Doctor didn't like this kind of atmosphere, he cleared his throat and spoke.
"Anyway this is a nice castle isn't it?"
Pinkie bounced up. "Oh you're super-duper right, Doctor. This is my most favourite castle ever, although this is the only one I've ever actually been too but it's still the greatest one ever."
Twilight found a smile and soon joined in. "Yeah, it is nice. I've missed coming here. I hardly ever see it since moving to Ponyville. Can you tell my friends about this place Princess Luna?"
"Why yes I can, Twilight,” Luna said proudly. She lifted a foreleg dramatically. This castle has stood here for nearly eight hundred years. My sister moved here when she had recreated stability across the world after my battle with her. It took her two hundred years, but the world was a peace again. We had to leave our original home that our mother built it, she was known simply as Faust, Queen Faust. I miss her very much."
"Sorry, did you just say Faust?" The Doctor asked.
"Yes I did. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason. "The Doctor had a mischievous smile on his face, but another question came to his mind. "May I ask, what happened to your mother?"
"Neither I nor my sister know. One day she was just gone. We miss her dearly though, the fact is that my sister took it worse and removed many statues and paintings of her. I've never been able to get her to put them back up. She’s nearly forgotten by our ponies.”
Before another word was uttered, Princess Celestia entered the room. She strode in as majestically as she could but she had trouble holding in her excitement. She took her seat so she faced the Doctor directly. When Celestia entered the food soon followed and it was placed in front of the guests. The finest food in all of Equestria lay before them, but the Doctors dish held a special surprise. Hidden under the salad was bacon and other various meats.
The Doctor carefully took some when nopony was looking. There was no conversation at first before Celestia broke the ice. "So, Doctor. Let's begin shall we. May I ask how you know our language?"
"Oh, you mean… Equestrian?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Well to me you are all speaking Time Lord. The TARDIS which is my time and space machine translates all languages so I and anyone that I come in contact with can understand each other."
"So you're saying that you and ya blue hickity are connected?" Applejack asked, a little flabbergasted at the notion.
"Yes, that's correct. I imagine it's hard to get your head around but…"
"Actually, it makes a lot sense. At least it would in your universe." Celestia interrupted him.
Fluttershy was barely audible. "So you were aware he was from another universe, if you don't mind me asking that is."
"You are correct, Fluttershy. Should I explain how I came across you and your machine, Doctor?" The Doctor nodded firmly and Celestia began to explain.
"I was in my room the previous day when I felt something quite off. Recently I have returned to some old research of mine. After the recent wedding and their attack, I felt relieved after there were no further sightings. The changelings appeared to have returned from whence they came from. Of course they could return, but our new detection equipment and other security protocols make me confident that the changelings will not return so easily.”
"After the attack, Luna said she would take care of any further political situations for a while which left me a lot of free time. That's when I stumbled across this. Twilight, you might find this quite interesting."
Celestia lifted a book from under her chair and placed it on the table. Twilight took note that the author was none other than Starswirl the Bearded, one of her heroes. The Doctor only had to read the title to know what it was about. 'The Multiverse – A realm beyond our reach'.
"Princess, how did you get this? Why have I never read this?" Twilight questioned her mentor.
"It was Starswirl's request that this should only be shown to limited numbers and not the public. This book contains the theory of the multiverse. Essentially, every possible reality exists, if you can think of it, then it exists somewhere. Even a reality where magic doesn't exist. The Doctor is from one of these other realities, however, Starswirl theorised something slightly different. He believed a universe was created through something in other universes, but he never specified what it was."
"What does this have to do with the Doctor?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"I believe that Starswirl was correct, so I was hoping the Doctor would have the answer that I'm looking for."
"And what is the question?" The Doctor asked cautiously.
"How was Equestria created?"
Silence filled the room. How could the Doctor even begin to answer her question? He knew he could lie to her and theoretically if Starswirl was correct with his theory, then the only reason this entire world existed was because of a children's television show.
"I don't know if you'd like the answer. Are you sure you…" The Doctor said quietly, trying to prevent her from asking further.
"Oh come now, it couldn't be that bad. Was it some great higher powers idea for creating our utopian society? Or a well-crafted machine of visionaries?" Luna looked nervous; she was worried for her sister who was definitely not herself.
"Sister, why is this so important? Perhaps it is best that we don't know everything for…"
"Quiet, Luna! You don't understand the importance of this! You have been gone a thousand years while I have had to work day and night to protect and look after this kingdom. Do not tell me what I need and don't need to know!"
Luna's jaw hanged open. The Doctor thought it would drop off but it remained attached. Twilight was wearing a similar expression to Luna, Fluttershy was hiding under the table, Dash kept her eyes on the ground with AJ, Rarity wanted to excuse herself but didn't dare speak and Pinkie Pie… was actually speechless. Celestia wasn't done. "Now tell me! How was this world created?"
"You're a children's TV show."
That wasn't the answer Celestia was expecting, she didn't even know what a TV was. She asked "What is that? Is it some sort of code?"
"No, your Majesty. A TV is like a projection device with moving pictures. People in my world write and create television shows and then they are shown to everyone on these screens."
Celestia was getting a picture and so was Twilight who asked "So this is sent to the entire planet to view."
"Relatively yes. There's more to it than that, but you get the general gist of it." Applejack was starting to see it also.
"So humans on your planet just sit around and look at this screen all day?"
"Some do, but most not to the level you are probably thinking."
"So were for kids?" Pinkie Pie cut in.
"I guess so. Your show has quite the following in my world though so all ages watch it. Of course, if Starswirl was correct in his theory."
Twilight then realised something. "Wait a second, that's how you knew who I was. You can't really read minds at all can you?"
The Doctor let out a heavy sigh. "I can, but I need physical contact with the person, or in this case, the pony.. Things were different then and your mind had taken so much trauma from all the reality bending things you found out about me and my TARDIS. It was safer for you not to know."
Twilight nodded affirmatively. Rarity asked "So who was this 'Human' who created us then?"
"Her name is Lauren Faust, she's the main creator of the show, but there was a team that helped her. She wrote and created all of you specifically."
"Ah, so she created my dazzling mane, I must give this mare my thanks when I can."
"So she wrote that I was banished to the moon for a thousand years? Why would she do that?" Everyone turned to an upset looking Luna.
The Doctor answered "You have to understand, she has no clue she's even creating this reality. To her, it's just a story. A good story has to have a good antagonist and that's what you played, however she wrote your redemption also Luna. She wrote that you reunited with your sister. Again though, this is only assuming Starswirl was right. He could be wrong and this reality simply came to be. Alternate universes are infinite you see, there is no end."
Dash quickly asked "So there are people in your world watching us right now?"
"Well it appears that you have adventures outside of the shows, and I doubt this would be broadcasted so their likely not watching us now. Also remember, it's a kid's show, which is relative to something for foals so they won't see you doing anything… private."
"N-no that can't be right. There has to be more to this!" The Ponies turned to Celestia. They were concerned with her sudden outburst. Celestia continued on but looked very distressed with her natural flowing mane falling out of place.
"You don't understand Doctor. It can't be just from one person's idea. I need to know how to change things here. You're seriously telling me that I can't do a cursed thing and every fundamental decision about our lives and history was decided by just some writer." Tears nearly came to her eyes. No one interrupted her as it looked like she was about to break down.
"I-I just can't accept that. I lost my sister for a thousand years, I haven't seen my own mother for longer than that and our idyllic society is now facing a problem that can't be changed unless I can change the way this world works."
"Sister, what do you mean?" A silence filled the room as Celestia lowered her head down so no pony could see.
“The population crisis is getting worse. For now were at a sixty to forty split, but our researchers…”
What they had heard around that table to many was life changing. It was surprising though that Celestia took it the worst. Celestia's head was suddenly raised and her expression had become a disturbingly happy one.
"Thank you for coming to dinner my little ponies. Thank you as well, Doctor. I must retire for the evening so be safe and goodnight." Twilight tried to call out to her mentor.
"Princess, what did you mean you had to change the way this world worked? What's wrong?" her words fell on deaf ears as Celestia left the room for the others to continue their meal.
One hour later…
The Doctor and co had not said a word to each other since they left the castle. Luna had assured them before they left that she would look into the matter, but it didn't fill them with confidence. There were a lot of unanswered questions after that meal. They had returned to their homes and the Doctor and Twilight found themselves in the library, both had many thoughts running through their minds.
Twilight had just witnessed the pony she idolised above all others, who she had never even seen break a single sweat, practically have a nervous breakdown in front of her. The Doctor had witnessed a beloved creature act completely out of character. If he had only heard of Celestia, but had never seen her, then he would have been certain that the pony he met that evening wasn't her.
Twilight had stayed calm though, but she also wanted answers for her mentor's unusual behaviour. Spike was fast asleep by the time they got back so Twilight made them some tea. Twilight wanted to ask some further questions while they were sitting at the kitchen table.
"So what do you think is the problem with this world then? I just can't figure it out." Tilight asked quietly. The Doctor took a big gulp of his tea. He thought intently about what had transpired.
"Has there been any border issues? Perhaps the Changelings or…"
"Shiney has told me constantly that there have been no such issues. They're still looking for any signs of Chrysalis but she’s completely disappeared. I’ve been trying to dig up some information on them with little success. There were reported sightings of changelings with Nightmare Moon a thousand years back, but no detailed records exist, only speculation.”
"Really? Quite interesting. Then perhaps it's a social issue, but whatever it is, it's drawn the TARDIS here which is not a good sign." Twilight let out large yawn which made the Doctor chuckle. "It looks like somepony is getting sleepy. You should probably hit the hay. We could all do with some rest."
"I suppose you're right. I'm not sure how much sleep I'm going to get though. Sleep well, Doctor." She trotted towards her bedroom but stopped halfway up the stairs.
"Just one question Doctor, do you think you were born from one of these shows?"
"Oh no, that's just silly." Twilight nodded and went to her room, leaving the Doctor alone with his tea. The Doctor looked at the bottom of his cup for a second before finishing the contents.
He washed the cup and took a look at Luna's night sky before returning to the TARDIS. However, when he got to the door he found a small envelope stuck there. What was also interesting was that a heart was drawn on the front of the envelope.
He took it off and looked inside to see that the envelope had a bowtie in it. A brown bowtie that surprisingly, fit him perfectly. Although he didn't really like them there was something about this tie that really appealed to him.
He took the tie and examined it further that night before he went to sleep. One thing that stuck to his mind though was who would leave him that envelope.
Meanwhile…
Celestia couldn't sleep. She buried her head in her hooves as she sat next to her contraption. This device told her the Doctor was by a tear she could take advantage of and it had taken all her power to bring him here. The next day she knew she would have to send him back, but then she heard something.
"Y-y-you wa-ant help?"
"Who said that?" She received no answer at first. She leant against the device that was a combination of magic and current era technology that resembled a speaker system with a screen.
"W-w-we can hel-lp you." It was coming from the speaker system.
"You're like the Doctor?"
"We c-can help you ch-hange your w-w-w-orld. We can save it." This was all so sudden for her. The Doctor couldn't help her and she knew the inevitable would soon arrive.
"Will you ace-ept our off-fer? Just let us in."