//------------------------------//
// The Forest at Night 
// Story: Doctor Whooves Episode 7: The Good, the Bad, and the Derpy 
// by Doctor Perseus 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 3: The Forest at Night


Castle of the Regal Sisters, Everfree Forest, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 1002 C.E.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash certainly weren't getting any sleep. Being tied to each other wasn't exactly the most comfortable sleeping position to be in. At least the night air was somewhat relaxing. Thalia had been gone for some time now. The ruins were guarded by living dolls and Twilight was sure that Thalia had other creatures under her command. All she could think about was her friends. Where were they now and what were they doing? Were they continuing to protect the town or were they searching for her in the forest? Rainbow Dash had given up trying to break free from the ropes. It was obvious that there was no escaping the ropes without getting some external help.
"You awake, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah. I've tried to get some sleep but I just can't. Not with Thalia out there," Twilight replied.
"I'm right there with you. Do you think the others are okay?"
"I hope so. Wait, I know so. As long as the Doctor's with them I know that they're safe."
"Why do you trust the Doctor so much, Twilight?"
"I've gotten to know him during our time together. I've learned about his past and seen what he's capable of. You have no idea what he's done, Rainbow Dash. He's been helping ponies throughout time and space and is going to continue to do so. He's an amazing pony."
"Looks like somepony has some feelings for the mysterious Doctor."
"What?!"
"Come on. I can see it in the way you talk about him. You have feelings for the Doctor, don't ya?"
"I don't know. Maybe. He is a wonderful stallion. I'm not even sure if I have those types of feelings for him."
"I bet you do. Well, if you trust in him then I guess I should trust in him too."
"Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

Forest Clearing, Everfree Forest, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 1002 C.E.

The New Doctor gasped for air as he broke free from his watery prison. Derpy, Spike, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity followed him up to the surface. They were all soaked to the bone but at least they were alive.
"How long...were we down there?" Spike asked.
"A few hours at least," Applejack replied as she looked up towards the starry sky.
"I hope our Doctor's okay," said Derpy.
"Don't worry. My past self has company of his own at the moment. We better get moving," replied the New Doctor. Fluttershy was shivering in the cold, night air and Spike was trying to produce a flame. Rarity cast an illumination spell that lit up the area quite nicely.
"There we go! Much better!" she said happily.
"Thank you, Rarity," said Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy together. 
"What happened down there?!" Applejack snapped.
"The Aqua Incarnate," replied the New Doctor.
"The what?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"The Aqua Incarnate. That's what attacked us. I haven't come across them in a long time so I forgot their involvement in all of this. They're basically creatures made out of water. They can easily capture any creature and kill them by letting them drown inside their bodies."
"Why are we still alive then?" Derpy asked.
"It's obvious that they didn't come to kill us. They came to capture us and hold us while Thalia searched for my past self."
"It sure was easy to escape though," said Spike.
"Yes well the Aqua Incarnate have the ability to sedate their prisoners. We were all in a deep sleep. However, something managed to wake us up."
"And what was that?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Interference from my past self."
"The Doctor, our Doctor, woke you and us up?" Derpy asked.
"Yes. Not intentionally, though, because he was unaware of our predicament. He's just been rescued from the Foggy Abyss so his mental limits were extended temporarily. It allowed our minds to cross paths for a moment and thus a shock wave was sent out throughout the bubble that woke us up."
"Why didn't the-er-Aqua Incarnate stop us from leaving?" Fluttershy asked.
"It looks like the shock caused its sedation effect to bounce back on them."
"So they put themselves to sleep?"
"Precisely!"
"Well at least we don't have to worry about them for a while. What's the next step, New Doctor?" Spike asked.
"We need to go to the Castle of the Regal Sisters."
"You mean the ruins that once held the Elements of Harmony?" Fluttershy asked.
"The very same."
"Great. Never thought we'd have to visit that place again," Applejack sighed. The group then turned towards the dark forest and continued on their way.

Timberwolf Territory, Everfree Forest, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 1002 C.E.

The air was filled with an uneasy tension. Caroze led the way while the Doctor and Opal followed. The zebra came to a quick stop and the ponies followed suit.
"Careful. We're now in timberwolf territory," he warned.
"Timberwolf territory? What's a timberwolf?" the Doctor asked.
"Everypony knows about timberwolves. What planet are you from, Doctor?"
"Gallifrey."
"Huh?"
"He's new here! I'll explain it to him!" Opal interrupted. The mare then stepped in between the Doctor and Caroze. 
"So what's a timberwolf?" the Doctor asked.
"They're basically wolves made entirely out of wood. They're very dangerous and extremely aggressive. They gave the first Ponyville settlers a lot of problems. That is until their fear was discovered."
"And that was?"
"Loud noises, such as pots being banged together."
"Really? That's what scares them? For such ferocious creatures they sure have petty fears."
"Just be thankful that they're easy to scare off!"
Opal turned back to Caroze and the Doctor cleared his throat.
"Are you ready to go?" the zebra asked.
"Yes," replied the Doctor and Opal together.
"Good. Be careful. The timberwolves will not hesitate to attack us whilst we are in their territory."
"Good to know," said Opal nervously. They then began their quiet trek into the timberwolf territory.
They walked in silence for several minutes. Opal remained incredibly close to the Doctor. Caroze was always a few steps ahead of them but always made sure that the distance between them didn't grow too big. The only lights were that of Caroze's lantern and the stars and moon shining up in the sky. The occasional timberwolf howl would echo through the trees but other than that it was completely silent in the forest. The Doctor had actually expected to see more animals but, from what he had heard about the forest so far, he didn't want to meet any of the animals there. 
"We should be out of timberwolf territory soon," said Caroze after about twenty minutes of walking.
"That's good," Opal sighed. The Doctor took in a deep breath of air and realized that something tasted funny. There was something in the air. It didn't taste like normal air. It tasted bitter and salty. The taste of energy.
"I suggest that we keep our guard up," the Doctor suggested. 
"Another good idea, Doctor."
The trio took a few more steps into the forest when a slight growl began emanating from the trees. Caroze stopped in his place.
"Don't move!" he whispered. "Be very still!"
The Doctor and Opal froze up as a group of timberwolves emerged from the darkness. Their eyes glowed of purple fire and their teeth longed to sink into the fleshy body of a pony. Within seconds, they were surrounded. Opal pulled out her Sonic Screwdriver.
"Will that help us?" the Doctor asked.
"I hope so. I'll only use it if they attack first," Opal responded. 
"Anypony got any pans to bang together?" Caroze asked.
"Sorry, I left my pans in the TARDIS," the Doctor replied with a frightened smirk. The timberwolves seemed to grin as another figure emerged from the darkness. The Doctor stood firm as a black and white unicorn approached them. She giggled with glee and laughed as the timberwolves surrounded them.
"Hello, Doctor. It's nice to see you again, in the flesh," Thalia cackled.