New Doctor, New Life
The defeat of Discord, the saving of Equestria they barely registered in my mind neither compared to what was happening before me, the Doctor had been replaced. Gone was the elder grey pony who raised me from a filly to the mare I am now. In his place a new stallion who now lays on the floor of the TARDIS recovering from the burst of energy that was just released. I am uncertain of what to make of this new pony, does he even deserve to be called Doctor? He is an interloper destroying my happy family, yet did the Doctor not say to be kind to the one who replaces him? There is so much going on I do not know what to make of it all.
My sister is perhaps doing worse than I. She loved the Doctor from the start, calling him Grandfather out of love and respect. Now a new pony has taken his place just by looking at her I can see pain and confusion in her tear stained eyes. I can only imagine what could be going through her mind this loss is confusing for both of us. When we lost our parents we understood that we would never see them again, this loss is not the same. Our Doctor was gone, but a new one now lays in his place and we are uncertain how we approach this.
The new Doctor started to shift and move around making grunts and groans. We watched as he moved about try to get up on his hooves struggling like a foal who is just learning. His mane is no longer white instead it is black and disheveled covering his head. His coat which was once a light grey has turned darker a dirty type of grey. If he was not wearing the Doctor's old clothes and had taken his place I would never think them to ever of been the same pony.
"No, no this is not good at all," he spoke for the first time in a gravely voice. "This won't do at all far to tight," he muttered to himself as his left the room ignoring us completely.
"What happens now sister?" sadly spoke my sister. "Who was that pony?" not accepting the facts before her.
"I believe that pony is the Doctor," not fully trusting my own words.
"That pony is not Grandfather," she spoke in spite towards the new pony.
"No he is not," I admit to her. "However, before he left us Grandfather wanted us to be nice to this new pony. It was his last request to us," giving her the Doctor's last wish.
"We will try sister," respecting the final request. "But we will never call that stallion Grandfather," she said stubbornly, but I was inclined to agree with her.
"Is that so?" came the voice of the Doctor catching us off guard. "Well I am not one to impose anything. You two our fully grown mares able to make your own choices," his voice sounding hurt to our decision. Turning away from us fiddling with some of the instruments. I notice his clothes had changed. His jacket was different type than before, though still black in color. The thing I noticed most was now he wore a strange bow tie.
"We are sorry Doctor," I apologized quickly. "It is this is just so new to us," as he ignoring us as he blew into device and sound came out. "We don't know how to accept all that has happened," trying to get him to notice me with my flimsy excuses. Moving closer wanting his attention and forgiveness. I notice his cutie mark, it is unchanged the hourglass remains. It was this tiny detail the revealed me the truth he was the Doctor and now I knew if this ever happened again something would remain the same.
Despite my revelation he still ignored my attempts at getting his attention. He just continued to play a strange device that he held in his hooves. It was time I changed my approach if I learned anything from the Doctor is that he loved to hear himself talk and teaching inquisitive minds. I just hoped that this Doctor does as well.
"What is that device you are playing?" honestly curious about it. "You are using it to play music, is it an instrument?" thinking about the instruments I know of such as the horn and drums.
"You are very observant," giving me a response. "Yes it is an instrument," confirming my thoughts. "It was a gift from another planet, they enjoyed their music there. It is called a recorder a wood wind type of instrument. I never thought of playing it before now," taking in rambles and playing the device.
"I would of never known you are quite good with it," giving him praise and feeding his ego.
"I suppose so," playing it a little more. "I see right through you plan to butter me up," he stated stopping his playing looking at me.
"Did it work?" admitting my plan. "Are we forgiven?" giving him the saddest eyes I could.
"I suppose I can't stay mad forever," breaking his stubborn nature under my gaze. "Alright you are forgiven," he smiled at me. "It is for the best anyway a new start and be my own pony, beside be called Grandfather would make me feel old. I have felt this spry in years," jumping around clapping his hooves.
"I suppose re-introductions are in order then," I giggle at his antics. "It is a pleasure meeting you Doctor," offering my hoof for a shake.
"No the pleasure is my Cel... no Princess Celestia," bowing instead of taking my hoof. He truly was different before the Doctor would never bow before anypony. "And a pleasure meeting you as well Princess Luna," turning and bowing to her.
"We thank you Doctor," my sister acknowledging him as a different pony. "We treated you unkindly before we apologize for our behavior," giving the Doctor a bow to show her regret.
"No need to bow before me you are a Princess...," giving pause as his eyes open wide in panic. "No, no we shouldn't be in here we need to leave," fumbling with the controls.
"What do you mean Doctor?" not sure what the rush or the danger is.
"You two are Princesses you should be out there with your subjects," finding the controls. "They need you right now. They have just been freed of years of oppression and then their saviors disappear into a blue box, they might be panicking for all we know," giving us his reason as the doors of the TARDIS open. We rush outside uncertain of what we might find.
We did not meet with panic like the Doctor predicted instead we meet with the opposite, celebration. All around the cavern ponies danced playfully celebrating their freedom. A few of the younger ponies danced around the Discord statue without the fear of the elder generation. I was glad that we did not meet panic I guess this Doctor can be mistaken some of the time.
"Princess Celestia you have emerged from that blue box," came the concerned voice of Dusk. "We did not know what to do when you and your sister entered, so we decided to celebrate while we waited," his reasoning for the festivities.
"It is alright Dusk," assuring him. "After so long under Discord's rule all ponies deserve to have fun," approving of the celebration.
"May I ask what is that strange blue box?" staring at the Doctor's ship. "How were you and you sister able to fit inside?" asking question I was not sure I could explain.
"It is the TARDIS," the Doctor making himself know. "And it is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside," explaining it as it was obvious to all.
"Princess who is this pony?" Dusk asked meeting the new Doctor for the first time.
"Dusk do not ask me to explain, because I am not sure I can," sighing as I accept the truth. "Trust me when I say that this is the Doctor," reintroducing Dusk to the Doctor.
"Forgotten about me already Dusk," he spoke playfully. "Do make sure to try and remember my face this time," giving a smile.
"Of course Doctor," looking shock but shaking his hoof. "How silly of me to forget you," going along with our game.
"Father," called out a voice in the crowd of ponies. "There you are Father," coming out of the crowd was a young mare Unicorn. She had white lightly tinted purple coat with a mane that had streaks of purple and white and even a streak of red. Her cutie mark was that of sparkling star with a turn on it side crescent shape moon which look to be hugging the star.
"Midnight come and meet the Princesses," Dusk called out to the mare. "Celestia, Luna allow me to introduce my Daughter Midnight Twinkle," beaming with pride as he spoke about her.
"It is a pleasure meeting you Princesses," Midnight bowing to us. "I am glad to see my Father was right about believing in your return, however I was among those who doubted that your return. I ask for forgiveness," bowing to us once more.
"There is nothing to forgive," spoke up my sister. "Even we doubted our return at times," assuring the mare she was not in the wrong.
"Is there something you wanted Midnight?" Dusk asked most likely wondering why she sought him out.
"Yes there is a disagreement at the statue on what to do with it," she spoke about the Discord statue in which the young ponies had danced around not to long ago.
"Let me guess Vortex," he spoke with a sigh while his Daughter nodded. "Let go before he causes more trouble," leading us toward the statue.
"Who is this Vortex?" I ask Midnight.
"Oh that is right Princess you have been gone so you wouldn't know how this place was founded," flustered to be talking to me so closely. "It is interesting tale would you like to hear it?" I nod. "After your disappearance and Discord started his rule ponies were lost and confused. They did not know who to turn to or what to do," I felt bad for those left behind. "Starswirl lead a resistance against Discord, however he need ponies that other ponies would follow. Who better than the original founders of Equestria. He sought out help from each one of them gathering ponies to protect from Discord. For the longest time it was just hiding place to place until Discord took the castle. They made a base of operations underground with working weather and a sun. This place became their home and as you can guess they had descendants and Vortex is one. He is the descendant of Commander Hurricane. All of the descendants took on leadership roles taking over follow the founders hoofsteps. With my Father as the untitled leader of the group," full of pride for her Father.
"Did they make your Father leader because of his relation to Starswirl?" ask my sister listening to the story with interest.
"Well no," she said sheepishly. "Many ponies assume that, however it is because he is also the descendant of Clover the Clever," revealing the truth about Starswirl's family.
"I knew he had a family," remarking to the revelation. "I just never knew who with," getting over the shock.
"Most tend to keep their private lives secret," the Doctor joined in the conversation. "Starswirl was no different," sounding not surprised by what we just heard.
"I suppose you knew all along," I accuse him.
"Of course," giving me a familiar smile that I associated with the Doctor. Despite the difference of appearance deep down he still is the Doctor.
We arrived at the statue of Discord a large gathering of ponies surrounding it. From what I could tell it looked like a heated dispute between two ponies the other ponies taking one side or the other. The looking at two ponies who argued I could see a multicolored maned Pegasus, most likely Vortex and another pony who appears to be an Earth pony.
"Doing that may set him free," catching the Earth pony mid argument.
"Better than risking him getting free on his own," countered the Pegasus.
"What is going on here?" rang out Dusk's voice stopping the argument. "Vortex, Cinnamon explain," as the two tried to shout over each other. "One at a time please. Cinnamon you go first," picking the Earth pony mare.
"Gladly," spoke the reddish brown mare. "Everything was going fine until Vortex came along," earning a grunt from the Pegasus. "I was keeping the younger ponies away from the statue, they just didn't understand the suffering he caused. Then Vortex being all high and mighty that he is says we should smash the statue rid the world of Discord once and for all," earning a shocked look from Dusk.
"Vortex is this true?" earning a nod from the Pegasus. "Continue Cinnamon," looking back at the mare.
"I was against it," Cinnimon continued. "I believed that Discord would only escape and cause terror once more. That about sums up the argument," giving her side to the story.
"Anything to add Vortex," from the looks of it the Pegasus had something to say.
"I am right it should be smashed," sharing his thoughts with everypony. "We let him sit in his statue and he will escape on his own. We should smash it and be free of him once and for all," not caring what we thought.
"I would advise against it," spoke out the Doctor.
"Who the hay are you?" challenged Vortex.
"This is the Doctor," Dusk countered. "Also with me is Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The reasons why we are free from Discord," making the ponies aware of our presence. We were graciously met by each of the ponies except for Vortex who only grunted his greeting to us.
"Perhaps it would be best if we left it up to the Princesses on what we should do with Discord," Dusk reasoned. Which was made with approval by the other ponies there, even Vortex relented.
My sister and I were at a loss on what to do. This may be our first act as rulers of Equestia we did not want to get it wrong. We looked at it from both sides and found good reason within both. Vortex may be right Discord may one day escape and inflict chaos on the land. However Cinnamon may also be right and trying to break the statue of Discord will only free him that much sooner. Neither of us knew what to do. I looked to the Doctor for some guidance only to find him gone. I looked around finding him looking at the statue in question.
"I think he would look quite nice in a garden, don't you?" he spoke when he noticed me looking at him.
"He is dangerous Doctor," I reasoned. "We can't put him in a garden like an ornament," not making sense of his antics.
"Why not?" he countered. "I think it would suit one quite nicely. Imagine the insult greatest threat to the world a lawn sculpture," he laughed.
"This is serious Doctor," I sighed at his foalishness. "We are deciding if the statue should be destroyed or not," trying to take back the situation.
"Of course what was I thinking," I can tell he is being sarcastic. "Let's smash it that would solve all our problems. It will destroy everything as we know it, but who cares smash away," he huffed as I caught the phrase everything that we know will be destroyed.
"Doctor what do you mean everything will be destroyed?" want clarification on his statement.
"Have you forgotten already Celestia?" I could hear the disappointment in his voice. "He may be the Element of Chaos, but he is also the Element of Change as well as the source of magic," as the realization dawned on me.
"I am sorry that I forgot Doctor it was foalish of me to even consider his destruction," turning back to the ponies watching us. "For those of you who don't know Discord is much more than the embodiment of Chaos he is a source of change and magic," many of the ponies did not believe this. "His destruction would mean no magic, no flight, and no change in other words life would cease to exist," I could hear the ponies gasp as they realize his true importance.
"Also Discord is very much alive," the Doctor interrupted. "He is only in state of stasis or sleep if you will. Destroying the statue would be the same as murder," the ponies who wanted his destruction now looking sorry for the suggestion.
"My sister and I will keep Discord contained," making my promise to the ponies. "We will do everything we can to make sure he doesn't get free and should he ever then we reseal him to keep his threat contained," many of the ponies cheered for us. "Thank you Doctor," giving my thanks for leading me on the right path.
"No need I am sure you would of come up with the solution on your own," being modest as he gave a smile.
"What should we do if the statue does become cracked?" questioned my sister. "Will he break out?" I too was not sure what to do.
"Don't worry about that," the Doctor spoke calmly. "Only his own power or that which sealed him away can free him. You could slingshot his statue into a crystal wall and there wouldn't be a scratch on it," he grinned as I realized the Doctor had played us all.
This new Doctor was still a mystery to me every so often I could see who he once was, but most of the time he was somepony else entirely. He smiled often and acted like a foal doing things that made little sense to all, but him. He is a very strange pony indeed, but I know deep down he wants to help and has a drive to so. While I may not understand his methods, yet I am certain that he has a reason for it I will have to learn to trust him.
"Doctor why are pacing around like that?" asked my sister as we and the other ponies enjoyed the celebration.
"Oh it is nothing, I am just worried over nothing," as he continued his pacing.
"If it were nothing you would not be so nervous," she countered. "You can tell us we will listen," I can see my sister is trying to reach out to this Doctor.
"I am worrying about the other ponies outside this cavern," he explains. "They must be confused about what is going on," reminding us of the other ponies who have freed.
"We think we understand Doctor," Luna nodded. "You fret over the fact that they are free from Discord power and likely don't where they are and may panic," as she try to understand the Doctor worries.
"Well yes there is that," agreeing with her reasoning. "However, I am more worried the fact when they realize that there is no sun or moon in the sky."
"What do you mean Doctor?" I interrupt the topic getting my attention.
"Well with Discord gone that means the rising and setting of the sun and moon has stopped," I nod following his thoughts. I believe the constant rising and setting of the sun would be more of a relief than worry. "If he is not moving them than what pony is?"
"If he is no longer controlling them then they should be under our power, should they not?" reasoned my sister as I nodded with her in agreement.
"Are they under your control?" answering back with my sister own question. I thought on the Doctor question the way he asked it troubled me. With Discord no longer in power the sun and moon should be under our power. However that is not what he asked, he asked are they under our control. I could only come up with one terrifying answer, no. The sun and moon were not under our control which meant the sky was a void with nothing in it. If it were to stay that way then all life would end, we needed to hurry.
"Sister we must go," I tell her. "We must run get to the top of the castle the sun and moon will never rise unless we do," as she realizes the situation and spreads her wings as if to fly. "No sister we will teleport," as I use my magic and whisk us and the Doctor away.
When one is using teleportaion magic they always must aware of where they are teleporting to. If a pony is not aware of there surrounding they could end up teleporting themselves into a wall or some object. While I lived in the castle for a few years before escaping with the Doctor many things of could of changed since then. Therefore I went to the room I knew best and the one most likely not of been changed, Luna's and my bedroom.
We arrived in a flash of light falling in a heap in the center of the room. I took a few minutes to get my bearings and look over the room I once slept in. Nostalgia swept over me along with my tears it was just how I left it all those years ago. My bed was a mess unkempt with blankets everywhere. I remember I did not want to get up that morning tired of learning the same lessons over and over again. The only thing that seemed to be on my bed was my pillow and on it was a stuffed toy pony stitched together by my mother. The tears leaked out as remember how she made me the toy for the day I was to be born. It was her sky blue color as she made it to look a bit like her. My sister had one as well made out to look like our father. Her side of the room was different than mine her bed was made and everything neatly put away. There was only one thing off about our room that caught me off as odd.
"Sister," spoke Luna breaking out of my thought. "This is our room," I nod it was the only place I could think of bringing us. "If no one has been in this room for a hundred years then why is there no dust?" asking the same question I was thinking to myself. The room was just as we left it except clean and free dirt and dust I could not explain it.
"Well this is all very nice and all, but don't we have something important to do?" the Doctor reminding us we still had to gain control over the sun and the moon.
We raced to section of the castle where our parent's rooms were. We entered the room not knowing what we would find. To our surprise everything seemed to be in order all of Discord's influences gone, unless he left this room untouched. Attached to the room was a balcony on the balcony was alter dedicated to the sun and moon. The alter was large it had a set of stairs to walk up to it. Four columns stood around the center two were black with the moon carved into them. The other two were white with the sun carved into them. The center was a large round stone carved into it was the sun and moon sharing the same place as equals it was here we would make contact with the two.
"We are here," taking my place on the alter looking up to the empty sky. "What do I do Doctor?" unsure how to proceed.
"How should I know?" a response from him I did not want to hear. "I was kind of hoping you knew," admitting the he knew nothing.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I only watched my mother do this once," as I started to panic.
"Now calm down Celestia," the Doctor trying to relax me. "While I was not given all the secrets I did ask your mother what it was like raising the sun. Do you want to know what her answer was?" I nod. "She said it was like talking to an old friend. That is what you should do talk to the sun," he smiled at me as if it would be the easiest thing in the world.
I close my eyes and concentrated. I remembered when I was younger I thought I could hear the voice sun on the planet that had both night and day. The Doctor had to stop me from talking to it for fear that I would gain control of it. Ever since then I had to block out the voices of every sun for each world we went. I could hear them no more, I had become deaf to their voices. Now I had to reopen that ability and try and reach the sun.
Reawakening an ability that has become dormant proved to be a challenge in itself. No matter how hard I tried I could not form the key needed for my lock. I tried everything I could think of to unlock my ability to speak to the sun nothing worked, perhaps I lost the talent. The idea of losing something that was ingrained into my very being was heart wrenching. I was lost, alone, and confused nopony could help me here I was on my own. I was trapped in a void all alone searching frantically for somepony anypony to end the loneliness. Then I felt it, another's presence in the dark. I could feel their desperation begging to be free the loneliness. I could feel their sadness I wanted to hold and console and tell them they were not alone. So I did.
"There is no need to be scared you are not alone," I spoke up hoping I could be heard.
"Who is there?" from the darkness came a soft mare like voice. I could feel that she was frightened.
"I am a friend," searching the darkness, but finding nopony.
"That is what the other one said, but that was a lie," sounding both angry and hurt at the same time.
"Who lied to you?" wanting to punish that individual. I have this strange desire to protect this voice though I have no clue who they are.
"The distorted one," could she be speaking of Discord? "He promised fun and laughter," confirming my thoughts. "All I had to do was tell him my name. I refused if he were truly was my friend he would know my name already. Then he said he did not really need to know my name he only wanted to control me," I could hear the pain that she been put through as tears came to my eyes. "Then he shoved me into darkness where I have been trapped ever since. You are the first voice I have heard in a very long time," I could feel her hope, but her past pain made her wary.
"The distorted one is gone now," wanting to give her hope. "You are free, you do not need to fear anymore," hoping the voice would come out of hiding.
"I am glad the distorted on is gone," I could feel the warmth of her relief. "However I am still not free," sadness over came me.
"How can you be free?" wanting to help her no matter what.
"A true friend must speak my name to free me," a rush of heat covered me as she spoke. "Once they do I will see my sky once more," I saw a light small yet vibrant and full of energy. I quickly realized who I was speaking with it was the sun. Now I understood the Doctor's words I could not control the sun I had to treat her as an equal, be her friend.
"I understand to be your friend I must know your name," I could see the glimmer of light as it burned brighter. The waves of emotions washed through me as I realized her name, it was if I always knew it even though I was never told it. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mitra, I am Princess Celestia I hope we can be great friends," the glimmer burst into a rainbow of colors I could feel her joy pulse through me.
"Thank you Celestia for setting me free," everything glowing around me as I looked into the heart of the sun. "I look forward to bringing to light to your would everyday," sending her thanks to me. The bright world around me melted as I looked around I was back on the alter.
"How did it go?" asked the Doctor. I could see him smiling as he looked at something bright light on his face. I turned to look and the sun was now in the sky.
"It went well Doctor," I smiled looking at the my new friend as she shined in the sky.
"It is Luna's turn now," spoke the Doctor as my sister made her way to the alter. "The sun will need to set in order for her to connect with the moon," I nod in understanding.
"Of course Doctor," asking my new friend to go down. "Remember sister it is like talking to a friend," I encourage her as I step off the alter. I watch as she take a breath and closes her eyes. I do not know what she is doing to contact the moon. I can see her face as it is all scrunched up and her breath speeding up and slowing down and her body reacting erratically. I can only guess the she is having as a difficult time as I was. Soon it all ended as she relaxed and a smile grazed her lips and I watched the moon rise. It was a beautiful sight as the stars came out appearing like tapestry in the night sky.
"We did it sister," Luna spoke out in joy. "We spoke to the moon we did as you said and treated him like a friend. It was a wondrous experience," she spoke in elation.
"I understand I had a similar experience," smiling along with her.
"I for one am honored," the Doctor bowing before us. "To witness the coronation of the two of you is a great honor. Watching take your places as Princess of Equestria fills me with pride or is it Queens now?," surprising us with his question.
"No Doctor," I answer. "We are Princesses. The title of Queen belongs to our Mother," my sister nodding in agreement.
"Very good," he nodded accepting our decision. "Have you decided if your going to make it day or keep it night?" changing the subject to the time of day. "As of right now nopony knows which it is they haven't had a stable day in many years," reminding us of Discord's influence.
"I believe it is best to keep it night for now," coming to a decision. "Let the ponies rest easy and sleep without fear. When the sun rises again it will be the dawn of a new day and the start of our rule," acting like the ruler I was meant to be.
"Splendid," the Doctor exclaimed as he head back inside. "Come along you two there is still much to do," as we followed him back into the castle. Unfortunately our joyous mood was cut short.
Inside the castle the room felt different than before it had an odd feeling it sent shivers down my spine. I could see the Doctor and my sister felt it too. Could this be some trap left behind by Discord? Out side the wind picked up and the moon seemed to glow brighter.
"Luna," noticing the moon's glow. "Are you doing this?" unsure if this was her doing or not.
"No sister," surprised as I was. "I do not know what is going on," as the shadows from the moonlight stretched into the room.
"I had hoped they were gone," the Doctor seeming to know what is going on. "Apparently I was wrong," his tone filling us with fear. "Don't worry they won't hurt us, well Luna at least," as the shadow surrounded us in a circle. I wanted to ask who he was talking about, but I never got to as the shadow separated into ten pieces and took shape. Each shadow took the shape of a pony, but that was where the similarities ended everything else was from a nightmare. They had golden reptilian like eyes and leathery bat like wing and there teeth were sharp like that of a lion's. They grunted and hissed stomping their hooves scaring my sister and I.
"Who are they Doctor?" came the timid voice of my sister.
"Luna say hello to you loyal soldiers the Night Guard," we were both surprised by this revelation. These terrifying ponies were Luna's protectors? Before we could decide what to do one of the Guard step forth and started yelling at the Doctor in some language I did not understand. I could only tell he was yelling by the volume in which using while speaking with the Doctor.
"Sister we can understand what that pony is saying," I look at her in surprise. "We don't understand how, but the language he is speaking it is as if I knew it my whole life," the sounds of bat winged pony's voice were meaning less to me.
"What is he saying?" wanting to know why this odd pony was yelling at the Doctor.
"He is yelling at me for being so informal with Luna," replied the Doctor as the Guard stopped yelling at him and stared. "What are you surprised I can understand you?" he mocked the stunned Guard. "Here check this out perhaps you remember it," showing the Guard his cutie mark.
"Doctor," it's nightmarish voice spoke out is spite and anger.
"I guess that is a yes," he backed away as it looked like it may attack. "Don't be to hasty now," the Doctor trying to calm it. "Don't want to attack a friend of your Mistress in front of her do you?" the Guard halting his movements. "No, I didn't think so," acting like he wasn't scared from before.
"Doctor," I call out. "What is going on? Who are these ponies?" frustrated with what was going on around me.
"I would rather avoid the issue if I could," earning a stubborn stare from me and a pleading one from my sister. "Fine I will tell you," he relents with a sigh. "You may not like what your about to hear," he warns as he goes into his tale.
He tells us of a dark time in our world before Equestria was formed. The tale was about our Father, he was apparently a much different pony before he met our Mother. He lived in fear of being betrayed not knowing who his friends were and who were his enemies. Therefore he came up with a plan to change all that. He gathered ten of the most loyal of his followers and offered them immortality. The price they would pay for his gift would be their bodies and become creatures of the shadow. They would never see the sun again and if his power was to ever leave this world they would fade away only to awaken if his power returned. They would be his soldiers for all eternity and all they had to do was swear absolute loyalty to him and they did. It seems these Shadow Knights have returned to serve the one with my father's power, my sister.
"We do not want to force these ponies into servitude anymore," my sister speaking out against our Father's sin. "Doctor is there anyway for us to set them free?" pleading to him for an answer.
"I do not know," he said somberly."Your Father never told me how the deal worked and I was not there to stop it," he spoke in regret. "How about it?" turning to the Knight. "Your Mistress asked a question. Is there anyway to set you free?" the Guard grunted and shook his head, I was uncertain if he wanted to be free or not.
"You will answer the Doctor," demanded my sister. The Knight's attitude change as he spoke in his strange language to the Doctor and my sister.
"Well that is not good," the Doctor replied after the the Knight stopped speaking. "Luna I will do my best to find a way to set them free," he promised my sister. "However for now they follow you. It will be up to you to guide them, I know you can do it," placing his confidence in her abilities.
"We under stand Doctor," as her horn admits a light glow and the Knights faded back into the shadows.
"Well that was interesting," the Doctor acting excited once more. "However we still have other pressing matters ahead of us. Such as what to do with the ponies living in the caverns below?" the Doctor was right we had forgotten about them.
"We will give them lodging here in the castle," I replied. "In the morning they will will be free to go where they wish. Reuniting with loved ones and rebuilding their lives," the Doctor nodding his head in approval.
"Splendid," he replied ecstatically. "Let get to work shall we," beaming a smile at us.
Moving the ponies from the caverns to the castle was an epic migration. I had no idea so many ponies lived down there, to think it was like that for generations. Some were hesitant to stay in the castle in which Discord once ruled, but with some persuasion we were able to empty the caverns. After it was empty we decided it was best to seal it off. Though it was a refuge for many ponies it was also a reminder of Equestria's dark past. We wanted to move on from the past and look towards the future. Before sealing the caverns we made sure to retrieve everything of importance such as Starswirl's books, the Elements of Harmony and of course the Doctor's TARDIS. We sealed away the caverns closing the door forever, I could feel the strong magical flow within. The cavern could perhaps be a refuge again someday, hopefully it will never be needed.
"You two look tired," came the concerned voice of the Doctor. "Perhaps you should rest, It would not be wise to rule while your weary. You don't want to fall asleep on the job," chuckling as he joked.
"You are right Doctor," I yawn in agreement. "Equestria needs it rest and so do we," bidding my sister good night as she left to rest. "Doctor you will be here in the morning won't you," afraid he may disappear on me.
"Of course I will be Celestia," putting my mind at ease. "I wouldn't miss your coronation for the world. Why do you ask?" wanting me to reveal my fears.
"I believed I lost you once today already," remembering his transformation. "I don't think I could handle it if I lost you again so soon," I cry.
"I won't lie to you Celestia," the Doctor looks down sadly. "I can't stay forever. There is a whole universe out there for me to protect and explore," reminding me of his own duties. "However I am not leaving right away," giving me a smile. "I have to repair TARDIS and besides you might need me to meddle to keep you on your hooves," giving me that trouble making grin which caused me to laugh.
"Thank you Doctor," biding him goodnight. As I traveled to my new room I thought about the events that occurred, but mostly on the Doctor's change. This new Doctor acted very differently from the old, yet still held onto the same ideals. I am growing into accepting that they were same pony, but each is still different in their own way. My sister was right he will never replace Grandfather, but I don't think I want him too. He is fine the way he is. He can be silly at times, but that is part of his charm. I look forward to getting to know this new Doctor. Right now I need to focus on the new responsibilities I will have, as a ruler of Equestria. Will I be a good ruler? I can only hope. I can only put one hoof in front of the other as a step into a new day and new life.