Silent Sky was the only guard next to Luna. She was a jet black pegasus that looked a lot like her sister Fluttershy, but carried herself in such a way that made it very clear the stern mare was a very different pony. I still thought her neon pink hair looked nice, and her silver armor looked good on her. She was also glaring intently at The Doctor. Luna on the other hand, smiled widely.
"Ah, good to see you again Doctor. It has been so long."
"Does everyone know me?"
"It may seem that way, but you have simply been running into some very interesting ponies like Lady Doo."
"Oh, I lost that title a long time ago Luna." Momma laughed "The nobility got very mad at me for a few incidents here and there. Eventually I couldn't go any lower and they even took away my title as a knight of Equestria."
"Ah yes. But don't you usually do something to earn those back?"
Momma shook her head. "They made a law specifically to keep me from ever gaining a title again. It was flattering really." Then she giggled
"Ah yes, I have missed thy sense of humor. We should have talked more before now."
"Hmm, this is new. A monarch that actually likes me after having met me previously."
"Of course I like you doctor. I even traveled with you once. However most of the time I simply run into you the slow way, which can be quite confusing."
"The slow way." He blinked. "So you really are immortal?"
Luna nodded. "When I said a long time I mean it has been slightly over a thousand years. A meeting most unpleasant, for both of us. I know you have been around on occasion, but the only occasion I had to even see you was during the young flyers competition."
"Which clearly is in his future." I added
"Ah yes, this is your daughter Dinky, yes?"
I barely managed not to gasp.
Momma nodded. "Yes, this is Dinky. Star couldn’t be here, she was busy babysitting. I still can't figure out how Bon Bon convinces her to watch Tootsie so often, but she does."
"Ah. I see." Luna paused, then nodded. "So Doctor. Is it true you really haven't been here that long?"
"Yes."
"EXCELLENT. THAT MEANS…" Silent Sky rose a wing to block Luna's face. "Ah, of course Sky. Sorry about that."
"Well that was certainly interesting." Said the Doctor "So you and your sister are co-rulers of Equestria, and you want to talk to me. Let me guess there is some crisis only I can solve and…"
Luna shook her head. "While your skills are certainly rare Doctor, they are certainly not unique. In fact that is why we called you here. She should be here momentarily."
"She?"
I gasped. The two of them together are always interesting. Then with a very familiar sound a similarly familiar guard box appeared. Except it was mostly bright pink with white trim and heart designs all over it. Pinkie was the only pony I knew of that didn't think it hideous, and even she thought it needed some more color. Painting it wouldn’t work because the Tardis didn't recognize the paint as part of it so it would leave the paint behind when it vanished. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I never would have believed there was ever a time when ponies thought that much pink was a good idea. Then she stepped out.
They were of course remarkably similar. The same unending confidence and that certain look in their eyes. Right now at least even almost the same haircut. But currently she was also a much paler brown, had freckles, and red hair. The Professor smiled. The doctor stared open mouthed at her.
"Y..y..y…y, you're ginger."
The Professor fell over laughing. "Of all the bloody things to say and that's the first thing that comes to mind. Oh it was so worth waiting. Should have known to trust you Dinky. Should of known you knew what you were on about."
"To save time…" said Sky. "Yes, she is this universe's version of you. Yes, she is female, yes, she is ginger, and her Tardis is stuck like that because the 80s were horrible."
"Ah yes, quite right." The Professor then got back to her hooves. "You look smashing as always. Too bad that…" She then looked at mom glaring at her and fell backwards.
Luna laughed
"Both eyes, right. Not mentioning it. Also still not clear on the whole lusting after your alternate self thing. I don't think there really is an answer obviously."
"Now hold on a minute here." Said the Doctor. "How can you really be the alternate version of me if you're a woman. I mean…"
"Widely socially accepted lesbianism."
The Doctor just stared and stared. The Professor just smiled back. The Doctor seemed to think we were strange about sex and stuff, but he never really elaborated. On the other hoof maybe he just never elaborated around me. He then shook his head.
"That is not the answer to my question."
"But it gives you an idea, doesn't it? We even have very similar companions, at least in character, if not appearance. It's wonderful to finally meet you for the first time."
"Wait, the 80s, do you mean the 1980s?" said The Doctor
The Professor nodded. "Oh yes. Apparently your universe even uses the AD demarcation as well, but it stands for something other than After Discord."
"Hmm, interesting. But did the chameleon circuit get stuck in the 1980s?"
She nodded. "Yes. Tried to fix it a few times since then, but it ends up the same Braytish guard box from the 80s every time."
"Hmm, well, how are you ginger. I'm never ginger."
"Really? That's odd. This is the third time for me. I was even a zebra once. I don't think stripes suit me."
"Three times?"
"Its all just chance Doctor." She said "In this universe I was much more likely to be born female than male, and just as in your world for some reason there is a strong chance to not even change ethnicity, much less species."
"Species?"
"Yes, at least appearance. We are of course both Gallopfreean to the core, but I've regenerated into a number of different species. The horn was useful, but really it's the wings I miss most. You should really hope for wings, flying is just marvel."
"A chance of…"
The Doctor then shook his head. He walked up to her and looked her in the eyes. For a time they stayed like that, then he walked around her. When the Professor smiled momma and I both sighed, knowing what she was going to say.
"So, can't resist checking out the flank, can you? I know I'm gorgeous, but the way I remember it you're usually the one admonishing me for that sort of thing."
The Doctor marched back in front of her and glared. "I was not…"
"Stallions always say that, but is it ever true? Even with you?"
"Now listen here…"
"No thank you. Anyway, here is the real reason I came." The Professor then threw a small part of what looked like a clock at the Doctor, which he failed miserably at catching but I managed to grab with my magic.
"Something really important. You'll see what I mean soon enough. See you later Doctor. Right now I have an alien planet to show two fun loving mares."
"Wait, but you can't just leave?"
"I can. Oh, and by the way. Unlike you I already know what it takes to make my Tardis work perfectly, and I'm willing to take the risks, so I will get there, and exactly when I want to. Just like I got here right on schedule."
Then she laughed and ran into her own Tardis. It was soon gone. Luna hadn't said anything during this exchange, but now had a huge smile on her face. Of course really the Doctor knew what it took too, he just doesn't allow himself to do it yet. But he will. Once the Tardis is repaired he'll leave and the beginning of his story will end, and we can get back to somewhere in the middle.