Chapter 5: Mirror of the Jabberwocky
Gaia, 1413 C.E.
"Step forward!" ordered one of the soldiers. The Doctor and Carrot Top carefully stepped through the TARDIS doors. They had parked in the middle of what appeared to be a massive throne room. Computers, monitors, and high definition televisions spanned one of the walls.
"I see that Equestria is well into its next technological boom right about now," the Doctor guessed.
"What is your business here?!" snapped another one of the soldiers.
"Soldiers! Stand down!" snapped a familiar voice. The Doctor looked and felt a feeling of relief wash over him as Princess Luna approached them. "This stallion and whomever is with him bear us no harm. They are allies to us, not enemies!" The soldiers nodded and lowered their weapons. Luna took a few steps towards the Doctor and both the Doctor and Carrot Top bowed.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, your majesty," said the Doctor.
"The pleasure is mine as well, Doctor," said Luna.
"You're friends with Princess Luna?!" Carrot Top whispered into the Doctor's ear.
"Oh yes! We go way back...but not in the correct order," the Doctor replied.
"Huh?"
"Wibbly wobbly timey wimey."
"So, Doctor, to what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected visit?"
"Aren't all of my visits unexpected?"
Luna chuckled and replied, "Yes, I suppose so."
"But," the Doctor continued, "Ms. Top and I do come with a purpose."
"And that is?"
"Do you happen to have any Green Spore? There's an alien monkey that I need to help because he's been poisoned with Red Flora Toxin."
"Yes. We have a large supply of it. Where is this alien monkey waiting for you?"
"In a forest on the outskirts of Ponyville over four hundred years in the past."
"A bit late, aren't you?" Luna asked with a smile.
"I can easily fix that," said the Doctor as he nodded towards the TARDIS.
Gaia, 1002 C.E.
Night had fallen by the time Derpy and Lyra began heading back to the Jabberwocky's ship. Bon-Bon had decided to stay at the campsite and watch over Paulie, who was doing well but could only hold off the main effects of the poison for another few hours at best.
The Doctor will come back in time. I know he will, Derpy thought as she trudged on. Pretty soon, the light of the campfire had faded away and the only source of light for the mares was an illumination spell emanating from Lyra's horn.
"So, you're going to distract the monster while I play this song?" Lyra asked.
"That's the plan," Derpy replied. Lyra let out a nervous laugh. Derpy turned towards her. "Something funny?"
"Kinda. When I woke up this morning, I didn't expect to end up helping you, of all ponies, fight a monster from another dimension while Carrot Top travels into the future with a time-traveling stallion to help save the life of an alien monkey."
"Who in their right mind would expect something like that?"
"Celestia knows." The two mares laughed a bit before falling silent. The cry of an owl echoed through the trees. A cool summer breeze pressed against Derpy's coat. It felt nice.
"It's funny how things turn out. I never expected us to ever talk to each other without scowling."
"Derpy, just in case something goes wrong and we don't make it out of this, I just wanted to say that...I'm sorry. And I mean it this time. I'm truthfully sorry." Derpy let out a loud sigh.
"I'm sorry too, Lyra. You weren't even the worst of the bullies...but that didn't stop me from attempting to get payback."
"You succeeded in that, alright. I'm sure there's still a few ponies around here who talk about my weird sitting habit."
"Why do you like sitting that way, if it's not too personal?" Lyra smiled.
"It actually all started because of a dare. Somepony, I don't remember who, dared me to sit like that during a game of Truth or Dare. Others say how uncomfortable the position is but I personally found it to be quite comfortable. After a while I began doing it more and more. I grew to like sitting in that other position versus the normal position. Of course, I kept it a secret because I knew others would tease me about it. I guess I had it coming when you revealed my secret. It was so afraid of being teased about my habit that I grew into the habit of teasing others about their weird habits and traits." Lyra fell silent. Derpy knew that Lyra was staring at her eyes, which had begun to invert again. "Why are your eyes like that?" Derpy sighed. "If it's too personal then you don't have to say anything!"
"No. That's not it." Derpy felt a sudden, quick pain rush through her head. She rubbed her temple and the pain disappeared. "My eyes weren't like this when I was born. Something happened to me when I was a young filly that resulted in my eyes becoming like this."
"What happened?"
"That's just it, Lyra. I don't remember. I remember being young and my eyes being normal...then there's just a large white space and then my life picks up with me moving to Ponyville with my aunt and a pair of screwed up eyes."
"Something traumatic must have happened to you and that's why you can't remember."
"Maybe...but I know one thing."
"And that is?"
"Whatever happened to my parents is related to what happened to my eyes."
"Your parents?"
"Oh look! We're here!" Derpy and Lyra emerged from the trees. The spaceship that held the Jabberwocky stood before them. Everything was quiet. Derpy turned to Lyra and whispered, "Turn off your horn!" Lyra nodded and the light coming from her horn disappeared. The two mares quietly approached the ship. Derpy kept her breathing to long, soft breaths. She didn't know whether the Jabberwocky was unaware of their arrival or if he were waiting for them to come in so he could trap them. Derpy gulped as she approached the door. She turned to Lyra and the green unicorn nodded back to her. The two mares held their breath as they passed through the doorway.
Gaia, 1413 C.E.
Luna led the Doctor and Carrot Top down a long hallway. The smell of sanitiser and soap began filling the air.
"We're nearing the castle hospital. Our collection of antidotes is located here," said Luna as they turned another corner.
"So, where are you and Derpy going after all of this is done with?" Carrot Top asked. The Doctor turned towards his temporary companion and sighed.
"I'll probably help her take care of all the things we have to do in this sequence of events and then I'll drop her back home. I, on the other hoof, will search for a way back to my own universe," said the Doctor.
"You mean you're not going to let her travel with you?"
"Occasionally I might come across her and bring her on a trip or two when I find myself seeking some company but I will not make her a full-time companion."
"Why? Do you not like Derpy?"
"It's not that. Of course I like her. She's a wonderful mare who is much smarter than what she appears, though I have noticed a few bubbly moments here and there. I...I wouldn't mind traveling with her."
"Then why don't you?"
"I...let's just say that I've traveled with others in the past...many others."
"Why is this a problem?"
"If there's anything I've learned while traveling amongst the stars for all these years it's that everything must come to an end. Stars, planets, entire galaxies...and friendships."
"Do you not consider them your friends anymore?"
"No. I still consider all of them as my friends. It's just that...I've had to say goodbye so...so many times. Some said goodbye to me, others I said goodbye to, many others were forced to say goodbye to me and vice versa, and some...some never even got to say or hear the word goodbye before they were torn away. I may look young, Carrot Top, but I am old. I am very old. I've met so many, befriended so many, grown close to so many...and yet I've always been forced to part with them. It's the sad cycle of life. You make a friend, grow close to them, and then you part ways in sometimes the most cruel of circumstances. Perhaps...this old creature is tired to saying goodbye."
"You wanna know what I think?" The Doctor turned as Carrot Top placed one of her hooves on his shoulder. "I see a stallion who could really use another hello. I know it's hard to not dwell on the past and to push away the pain of losing your past friends...but making new ones tends to always be a good step in finding peace."
"You know, for a mare who teaches her friends to slap others, you're quite intelligent yourself." Carrot Top smiled and blushed a bit.
"Here it is," said Luna as she opened a door in front of them. "The Medicine Chamber."
Gaia, 1002 C.E.
The ship had become dark once again. Derpy wasn't happy about this. Though, she admitted that she preferred to be safe in the dark versus being shot at in the light. She and Lyra refused to utter a single word as they made their way through the black corridors of the ship. Lyra cast another illumination spell to provide light but she made sure to dim it down. All Derpy could make out of Lyra in the dim light was her outline and nothing more. Soon, Derpy and Lyra finally came across the double doors that Bon-Bon had told them about.
This is it...prepare yourself, Derpy, Derpy thought as she made her way towards the open doors. Lyra readied the lyre and the music sheet. They slowly approached the doors and peered into the chamber. They saw nothing but could definitely hear low, deep breathing. Derpy turned toward Lyra's outline and nodded. Lyra nodded back. Derpy turned forward and walked into the chamber.
Instantly, Derpy was hit by a blast of hot air. The air reeked with the scent of rust and meat. A wretched taste began building up in the back of Derpy's mouth. She wanted to cough or gag but feared of waking the beast too early. Lyra had turned her illumination spell off so Derpy was now in total darkness. She could hear muffled hoofsteps shuffling away from her. Good. Lyra was following the plan. Derpy came to a halt and waited for a moment. She decided to give Lyra a bit of time to find some sort of hiding place in the darkness. After a moment of silence, Derpy began walking forward again. The air grew hotter and the stench grew worse as Derpy continued in her straight line. She knew the Jabberwocky could spring on her at any moment, but she was ready. All she had to do was distract the beast long enough to allow Lyra to play her song. She knew once the song would begin to play, the Jabberwocky would awaken. Derpy eventually came to a halt when she felt the presence of something tall and powerful in front of her. The hairs of her coat began to stand up. Derpy pressed one of her hooves forward. The icy touch of glass met her hoof. This was it. She was standing in front of the Looking Glass, the Mirror of the Jabberwocky.
Derpy turned back into the darkness and whispered, "Now!" She hoped dearly that Lyra had heard her. After about ten seconds of silence, a dim light appeared in the far corner of the room and a lovely musical chime began to play. It was beautiful. Each chord and note was like a feast for Derpy's ears. The peace didn't last long for it was at this moment that a loud roar broke the calm. Derpy, while terrified, was impressed for Lyra continued to play. Derpy looked up to see a pair of red eyes staring down at her. The lights in the room burst to life. Derpy gasped as her eyes fell on what stood before her.
The room was simply a large chamber with metal walls and a massive chandelier. The Looking Glass was about the height and width of the chamber, which was about the height of two floors and the width of half a house. It had a golden frame and its glass surface gleamed like a freshly-polished carriage. The Jabberwocky was truly a hideous creature. He had green, scaly skin; wide, insect-like wings; piercing red eyes; sharp, jagged, yellow claws; sharp teeth coated in the blood of his previous meals; and strange, tentacle-like protrusions sticking out of his face. Behind the creature, Derpy could make out what appeared to be a large room with velvet red curtains covering the walls and mounds of treasure spilling out onto the floor.
"At last you have come, Derpy Hooves," chuckled the Jabberwocky. Derpy felt her body freeze. His voice seemed to scratch at her ears like nails. Even though he was on the other side of the mirror, the glass was so clear that it was almost as if the glass weren't even there. The monster gave a wretched smile as his eyes looked over to a bookcase behind which Lyra was hiding. The wondrous notes of the Song of the Looking Glass spilled out from behind the bookcase. The mirror shook with the performance of each note and chord. Cracks began forming on the glass. "I see that you wish to destroy my gateway. I'm afraid that I cannot allow this." Derpy watched as a golden energy began flowing out of the mirror and into the walls of the ship around it. Several security guns popped out of the walls and aimed at the bookcase.
"Run, Lyra!" Derpy called. Just before the guns fired, Lyra ran out from behind the bookcase. The lyre floated alongside her and continued to play. "Why did this song have to be so long?!"
"I so wish that I could kill you physically, Derpy, but as I cannot pass through this barrier I must simply make do with what I can do." Derpy gasped as black shadows began appearing around her. Miniature shadow versions of the Jabberwocky began popping out of the floor and approaching her. Derpy looked to see that Lyra was busy dodging the guns and playing the song.
"Lyra! Finish that song quickly!" Derpy cried as the shadows began to surround her.
Gaia, 1413 C.E.
The Medicine Chamber seemed to stretch on into infinity. Bottles upon bottles of solutions and potions were packaged into the shelves of the chamber.
"Shouldn't be too hard to find what we're looking for in here!" said the Doctor with a smile.
"With me, it won't take long," said Luna as she took a step forward. Suddenly, a ghostly apparition popped out of the floor. It looked like a pony wearing a long cloak and surrounded in a dark blue aura.
"What the hay?!" gasped Carrot Top.
"What is your request, your highness?" asked the apparition.
"I need some Green Spore please," stated Luna.
"Yes, your highness." The apparition then disappeared into the floor. Luna turned to face the Doctor and Carrot Top.
"Poe Ponies," stated the Princess.
"Poe Ponies?" asked Carrot Top.
"Yes. Creatures from another realm of existence. Their entryway into our world is located over in the Scott Empire."
"Scott Empire? Clever," chuckled the Doctor. The Poe Pony reappeared and was now holding a bottle containing a green solution.
"Thank you," said Luna as she took the Green Spore.
"Anytime, your majesty," stated the Poe Pony before disappearing. Luna turned around and presented the Green Spore to the Doctor.
"Thank you, Princess," said the Doctor as he accepted the bottle. "Now, Carrot Top and I would love to stick around and chat but, you know."
"Places to go, creatures to save."
"As always."
"I look forward to your next visit, Doctor. I wish luck to your troubled friend in the past."
"Thank you." The Doctor then turned to Carrot Top. "Come, Carrot Top. We have an alien monkey to save."
"Right!" said Carrot Top. The Doctor and Carrot Top turned around and began making their way back to the TARDIS.
Gaia, 1002 C.E.
Derpy flapped her wings and took into the air as one of the shadows jumped at her. A few of the shadows launched themselves into the air and grabbed onto Derpy's legs.
"Let go!" Derpy ordered as she kicked away at them. Derpy gasped as she dodged a bullet from one of the guns. Lyra continued to dodge the bullets and play the song on the lyre. Derpy wanted to enjoy the beauty of the song but had to focus on other things such as the shadows sprouting wings and flying up to her. The Looking Glass was vibrating faster now. Cracks were spreading and the Jabberwocky was snarling. He didn't have much time left before the song completely destroyed his gateway.
"Kill them! KILL THEM!" ordered the Jabberwocky.
"Not so powerful from within your cage, are you?" teased Lyra. The Jabberwocky roared and began scratching away at the glass. The song from the lyre was growing louder and louder. Derpy began to feel a suction of air drawing towards the mirror. Derpy kicked at several of the shadows before they began to get pulled into the mirror.
"It's over, Jabberwocky. Your gateway's finished!" Derpy snapped.
"SHOOT HER! KILL THAT BLASTED UNICORN!" the Jabberwocky snapped at the guns. Lyra was having success in dodging the guns but she was quickly growing tired. The notes of the song were beginning to slow down.
"Lyra! You can't stop now!"
"Only...a few...more...notes," Lyra breathed. Suddenly a gun popped out of nowhere and caught Lyra by surprise.
"LYRA!" Derpy flew as fast as she could. She managed to push Lyra out of the way. Derpy proceeded to give out a frightened gasp as the bullet flew right through her right wing. Derpy fell to the floor with a loud thud.
"DERPY!" Lyra cried. Derpy could hear the Jabberwocky laughing in the background. Derpy looked to see a warm, red liquid surrounding her. She turned to look up at Lyra.
"Finish the song, Lyra. Finish...the...song." Derpy could hardly see. The pain was too intense to allow her to see clearly. Derpy smiled as her hearing focused in on the sweet tunes of the song. She could make out the sound of the Looking Glass breaking apart. Then, the Jabberwocky spoke to her.
"I do hope that shot is fatal, Derpy Hooves, and you should too. If you survive this day, don't think that this destroyed gateway shall end our conflict. I will find a new gateway to your world. I shall find you once again and I shall finish you myself. I will find a way, Derpy Hooves. Mark my words. I will find a way." Derpy forced her eyes open just in time to see Lyra finish the song and the Looking Glass disintegrate into a pile of broken metal and glass. Derpy suddenly felt herself grow weightless as a green aura surrounded her body.
"Stay with me, Derpy," said Lyra. "Stay with me."