//------------------------------//
// Luna Faces Her Fate 
// Story: Doctor Whooves Episode 12: A Dalek in Celestia's Court 
// by Doctor Perseus 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 4: Luna Faces Her Fate


Canterlot Castle Throne Room, Canterlot, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 1002 C.E.

Luna had taken off towards the hospital ward in quite a hurry, leaving Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Shining Armor alone in the throne room.
"I can't believe you've been traveling around with some strange pony all this time," said Shining Armor.
"He may be strange, Shining, but he's an enjoyable kind of strange you know?" Twilight replied with a warm smile.
"Whatever you say, sis. You sure know how to pick them, Twiley."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Suddenly, the entire castle shook.
"What on earth was that?!" Rarity exclaimed.
"Ah don't know but it didn't sound good!" said Applejack.

Canterlot Castle Dungeons, Underneath Canterlot, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 1002 C.E.

"Well you didn't have to do that!" snapped the Doctor as he stared at the charred hole in the dungeon wall. One of the Daleks aimed its death ray towards Trixie and Monty.
"RELEASE OUR BROTHER OR YOUR COMPANIONS WILL DIE!" snapped the head Dalek. 
"Don't do it, Doctor!" said Monty.
"Oh what's the point anyway?! There's four Daleks out. One more isn't going to make things that different!" sighed the Doctor. He pulled out his Screwdriver and walked over to the cell. He unlocked the cell door and deactivated the cage. The once-caged Dalek rolled forward. 
"NOW WE MUST FINISH THE JOB! EXTERMINATE PRINCESS LUNA!" announced the Dalek.
"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" cried the Daleks together. Three of the Daleks began heading towards the staircase while two of the Daleks remained.
"GET INTO THE CELL!" ordered the remaining Daleks.
"You know, it's kind of pointless. I can just Sonic our way out of the cell," said the Doctor as he presented his Screwdriver.
"Don't tell them that!" Trixie snapped.
"IT MATTERS NOT! YOU WILL DIE IF YOU TRY TO ESCAPE!" stated one of the Daleks.
"Now hang on. Why would you kill me? Aren't I the one who sent you to complete the task in the first place?" the Doctor asked.
"WHAT BECOMES OF YOU DOES NOT MATTER TO US! WE DO THIS TASK IN NAME OF THE DOCTOR! THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT!"
"Okay. I'm confused now. You don't care about what happens to me, the Doctor, but you care greatly about fulfilling the task given to you by your master, the Doctor."
"THAT IS CORRECT!"
"But I'm the Doctor."
"THAT IS OBVIOUS!"
"And your master's the Doctor."
"ALSO OBVIOUS!"
"But you don't care what happens to me, your master (or apparent future master in this case) the Doctor."
"YOU ARE NOT OUR MASTER! THE DOCTOR IS!"
"But I'm the Doctor!"
"YES YOU ARE. BUT THE DOCTOR IS OUR MASTER AND WE OBEY ONLY HIM!" A series of sparks shot from the Dalek's armor. "NOW GET INTO THE CELL, DOCTOR, FOR YOU CANNOT INTERFERE IN THE COMPLETION OF THE TASK GIVEN TO US BY THE DOCTOR!"
The Doctor, Derpy, Trixie, and Monty walked into the cell. The door was shut tight behind them.
"I didn't make heads or tails of what that thing was saying," Trixie admitted.
"You're not alone," Derpy sighed. She turned towards the Doctor. "Doctor, are you okay?"
"No I'm not, Derpy. I'm stumped. I'm completely and totally stumped," replied the Doctor. "I'm rarely stumped. Strange feeling. I don't like it. Let's start hypothesizing so that I can escape this cursed curse of stumpedness!"
"Stumpedness isn't a word, Doctor," said Monty. 
"Well it is now because I just invented it! Ha!"
"Whatever you say, Doctor."
"So I'm the master of these Daleks and yet I'm not their master."
"I think I have a headache," said Derpy.
"I can tell. Your eyes are inverting again."
"What? Oh! Not again!"
"Have you gotten somepony to take a look at that?" Monty asked.
"Sadly, yes."
"Alrighty then! Any ideas about what the flying jelly baby is going on?!" the Doctor asked with a forced smile.
"Maybe the Doctor in charge of them isn't you at all."
"I think I see where you're going with this, Ms. Hooves! Please continue."
"Well, you know how the TARDIS has begun to gain the ability to travel through dimensions? Well, what if, the Doctor in charge of these Daleks is a Doctor from another universe?"
"Oh ho! I knew I made a smart choice in bringing you along with me, Ms. Hooves! Yes! That certainly sounds like a very possible scenario!"
"Okay, so we've come up with a possible idea. Now what? That Dalek is heading up to kill Princess Luna and we're stuck down here with those two watching us," Trixie stated.
"Maybe we're not so trapped after all."
"Do I detect a plan up your sleeve?" Monty asked.
"Possibly."
The Doctor smiled like a devious little schoolboy. 

Canterlot Castle Hospital Ward, Canterlot, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 1002 C.E.

Luna walked calmly into the hospital ward. Celestia was standing up now. 
"Sister! You are feeling better, yes?" Luna asked.
"Better than I was earlier, though I still have a few pains in my head," Celestia replied. The two sisters fell silent as they stared at each other.
"We'll be outside if you need us," Spike said awkwardly as he, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy slowly walked out of the hospital ward and shut the doors behind them. Once she found that she was alone with Celestia, Luna smiled and chuckled.
"It's been a while since we've been alone together, Celestia," she said. Celestia looked down and sighed deeply.
"Luna...I...I just wanted to say that-"
"I know. I forgive you, sister."
"It's not enough. I want to say it, Luna."
"Okay then. I'm listening."
"I...I'm sorry, Luna. For everything. I haven't been a very good sister of late. I've been troubled recently by the possible recollection of lost memories. Memories I wish dearly to remember but can't for some reason. I was angry about the possible death of Twilight, my prized pupil. I took my frustration out on you, my sister. It was not fair for me to do such a thing, especially to you of all ponies. You've suffered long enough because of my mistakes. I'm sorry, my sister. I'm sorry, Luna. I'm so, so very sorry."
Luna smiled again.
"Like I said, I forgive you," she said with a happy gleam in her eye. The two sisters walked forward and hugged each other. Suddenly, Celestia collapsed onto the floor. "Celestia?!"
Luna knelt down next to her weakened, elder sister.
"The battle...it's not going so well," Celestia groaned.
"What are you talking about?!"
"The battle...we're losing. We're losing. Wait. There's...a box."
Celestia watched as the hospital ward disappeared around her. She found herself standing on top of a high hill situated just a few miles away from the base of the mountain the held Canterlot. She was wearing a golden suit of armor with an Equestrian symbol painted on the side.
"Here they come!" she cried. An army of armored Canterlot guards was around her. A sea of Changelings was flying towards them at incredible speeds. "Brace yourselves!" Suddenly, she heard an odd noise. She turned towards a small forest located about a mile away. A strange light was emitting from it, as well as an alien sound. She recognized that sound. She had heard that sound before. "Can it be?" A small, blue box appeared just on the edge of the forest. "Doctor. I'm glad you decided to arrive now of all times. Equestria needs you, now more than ever."
The vision faded and Celestia found herself back in the hospital ward. Luna was kneeling down next to her.
"My sister...are you okay?" Luna asked. Celestia grabbed onto her younger sister in order to regain her balance.
"Sorry, Luna. I was just...reliving old memories," she replied.
"It looked like you were having a heart attack!"
"It must have, for it felt like I was."
The two sisters jumped at the sound of a scream emanating from outside. Spike, Pinkie, and Fluttershy burst back into the ward.
"We have a problem!" Pinkie shrieked.
"What sort of problem?" Luna asked.
"Take a guess," Spike gulped. 
"EXTERMINATE! PRINCESS LUNA! MUST EXTERMINATE PRINCESS LUNA!" echoed the voice of a Dalek. Celestia turned towards her sister.
"Sister, you must flee! Now!" she ordered.
"No, Celestia!" Luna stated. "I'm not running from this!"
"Please, sister! I just got you back! I don't want to lose you!"
"These creatures are obviously persistent. They won't give up until they find me! They'll continue to chase me, ruining the lives of innocent ponies in the process. It ends here, sister! If I am meant to die at their hoof, then I guess I just have to face my fate!"
"Luna."
"This ends here, sister."
Luna turned around and ran out of the ward. Celestia looked after her sister and, after a second of thought, raced after her. 
"I don't think Daleks have hooves," said Pinkie Pie.

Canterlot Castle Throne Room, Canterlot, Equestria, Gaia, Autumn, 1002 C.E.

Twilight tried to trap the Daleks in a force field but it was no use. Like the first Dalek, they had the strange ability to phase through magical barriers.
"How do we stop them?!" Rarity asked.
"I don't know!" Twilight replied.
"Whatever you do, don't tell them about where Princess Luna is!" Shining Armor whispered into the mares' ears, just out of earshot of the Daleks. 
"WHERE IS THE PRINCESS?!" asked the Daleks. "YOU WILL TELL US WHERE THE PRINCESS IS!"
"She's on a coffee break!" Rainbow Dash choked.
"Really? Is that the best excuse you could come up with?" Twilight asked.
"Oh shut up, egghead!"
"Gals, now's not the time for arguing!" said Applejack. The Daleks continued to advance on them.
"YOU WILL TELL US WHERE THE PRINCESS IS OR WE WILL BE FORCED TO EXTERMINATE YOU!" the Daleks ordered.
"I don't want to be exterminated, and especially not looking like this!" Rarity stated. 
"You look fine, Rarity! Now's not the time to worry about how you look!" said Shining Armor in the most polite/annoyed tone he could manage.
"Hey!" called a familiar voice. The Daleks turned to see Princess Luna standing a few feet away. "You looking for me?!"
"PRINCESS LUNA!" cried the Daleks. More sparks shot off from their armor. 
"I'm right here! Come and get me!"
"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"
The Daleks aimed their death rays at Luna and fired. Luna dodged the attacks and sent a series of magical blasts back at the Daleks. One Dalek was hit by a spell that sent it flying through the air and into the wall. The Daleks continued to fire at Luna. 
"LUNA!" cried Celestia as she raced into the room.
"Why are you here?!" Luna asked. A Dalek fired but the sisters dodged the attack.
"I'm not letting you face these creatures on your own!"
"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" cried the Daleks as they fired at them. Celestia and Luna returned fire. Their magical blasts meet the death rays in mid-air, sending a shockwave through the room. Sparks began flying off of the Daleks' armor. "NO! WE MUST NOT FAIL! WE MUST NOT LET THE DOCTOR DOWN!"
"The Doctor? What are they talking about?" Twilight asked. The Daleks fired again and the sisters followed suit. This time, their blasts met and interconnected. Celestia and Luna quickly found themselves in a life-or-death tug-of-war in which they pushed their magical blasts against the death rays of the Daleks. 
"Hold on, Luna!" cried Celestia.
"I am!" cried Luna.
"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!" cried the Daleks. The collision of energies was too much and another, larger shockwave rocked the throne room. Sparks began flying off the Daleks' armor. Celestia felt a familiar pain in her head as she fell to the floor.
The throne room disappeared and she found herself staring through what appeared to be a telescope. The Doctor appeared before her, only he didn't look like the Doctor she knew. His hair was black, he had a black bow tie, his eyes were sunken in, he had a gray coat, and he had a pair of large, menacing, pegasi wings. 
"Doctor?" Celestia asked. It was apparent that the Doctor couldn't hear her.
"I want you to kill Princess Luna. She's been a thorn in my side, as well as yours, for long enough. The time has come for this all to end. Kill her and don't let anypony stand in your way," said the Doctor.
"YES, MASTER! WE SHALL COMPLETE THE TASK THAT YOU HAVE ASSIGNED US!" came the voice of a Dalek.
"Good. Good."
The Doctor let out a cold laugh as the vision faded.
Celestia was lying on the floor of the throne room. Luna was once again engaged in battle with the Daleks.
"MUST EXTERMINATE PRINCESS LUNA! MUST EXTERMINATE!" cried the Daleks.
"L...Luna," croaked Celestia as she reached for her sister.
"Daleks! Cease fire!" ordered a cold, controlling voice. Celestia instantly recognized the voice. It was the voice of the Doctor, but not her Doctor. It was the voice of the Doctor she had seen in her vision. She looked and saw the Doctor strolling into the throne room. Thankfully, he looked like his normal self: chestnut coat, brown mane, blue suit, red tie, and no wings. Derpy, Trixie, and Monty were walking behind him, as well as two Daleks. "Put down your weapons, Daleks! Your master commands you to do so!"
Celestia didn't like the voice that the Doctor was using. It was too...out-of-character in relation to his normal personality. But, for some reason, the Doctor's empty voice seemed to work as the Daleks stopped attacking Luna. Spike, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy walked into the throne room after the two other Daleks. 
"Doctor?" Twilight asked.
"Sorry about the grim voice, everypony. Talking like this is the only way in which I can control them."
Sparks flew off of the Daleks' armor.
"WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND!" they stated.
"Listen here! You are to not do anything unless I tell you to do so! Is that clear?!"
"YES! IT IS CLEAR, MASTER!"
"Good!"
The Daleks lowered their weapons and fell silent. 
"Doctor? What did you just do? Why were you talking like that?" Twilight asked as she approached the Doctor.
"Brilliant, he was!" stated Monty. "He came up with an excellent plan!"
"And that was?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, these Daleks appear to be working for an alternate, darker version of myself. I heard a recording of this darker me through one of the Daleks' speakers. It didn't take long for me to see that these Daleks are somewhat confused about things. I simply mimicked the voice of my darker self and voila! The Daleks obey every command I give them!" the Doctor replied in his normal voice. 
"I'm a little bit confused but good job, Doctor!" stated Twilight.
"Well, it wasn't that hard of a plan to concoct."
"So now what are we supposed to do with them?" Trixie asked.
"Lock them up and try to figure out exactly why they were sent here by a darker me to kill Luna."
Celestia's head was still hurting as she stood up. She had heard everything that the Doctor had said. It was confusing and yet it made perfect sense. She looked and noticed that one of the Daleks was emitting a sea of sparks. Its death ray began to raise up and point towards Luna.
"EX...TERM...IN...ATE!" the Dalek croaked.
"L...Luna," Celestia warned. Luna didn't hear her sister's weakened voice. These visions had drained a lot of strength from Celestia. The Dalek's death ray was now aimed straight at Luna. "L...Luna!" Luna was still unable to hear Celestia's weakened voice. The Dalek shot out a couple more sparks before firing its death ray at Luna. The beam of energy shot across the throne room and towards the unsuspecting, blue alicorn. Celestia, using the last bit of her strength, rushed towards her sister. "LUNA!"
Luna turned just in time to see the death ray rushing towards her. She then felt a violent shove as Celestia pushed her out of the way. Celestia let out a cry of pain as the death ray collided with her body.