//------------------------------// // Chapter 6--Meeting the Doctor // Story: What You Don't Know // by Flaming Pulsar //------------------------------// Chapter 6--Meeting the Doctor Over the next week, I tried doing some research on Discord. That effort was quickly ended when I realised that I could only gain more knowledge by reading the history of the other sentient species that apparently exist on this world. Unfortunately for me, the only way I could meet other species is if I wait until the Mareidian party or seek them out myself. Twilight has allowed me to leave the library without her but I still can’t leave town unless she’s with me. That means I can’t explore the Everfree like I wanted to do. So instead, I just wandered around town for some time. On this particular day, I ran into a mare known as Derpy. I only knew who she was based on what others have said about her. Apparently she worked for the Equestria equivalent of UPS, Pegasus Packers. She was a notorious cluts and her unfocused eyes were a physical example of that. I’ve asked many people--or ponies--how her eyes got that way but they all seem to ignore the subject. But I digress. When I ran into Derpy, she appeared to be off-duty so she was volunteering to help patch up the town hall. Of course, having a clumsy person like her trying to fix something usually ends in the something being more broken than before. “Hey Derpy,” I yelled up to where she was holding a hammer on the roof. “Hi Síor!” she yelled back waving the hoof that was somehow holding the hammer. She waved it so hard that it flew out of her hoof that it had somehow stayed in until then and flew through the roof that she was working on, causing even more damage. “How’d you know my name?” I asked, honestly confused. “Oh, the Doctor told me,” she answered. “Doctor? Doctor Who?” Being a sci-fi fan, I was giggling internally when I asked that question. “Oh, you haven’t met him yet? I always get time mixed up with him. I can introduce you to him if you want.” “Sure,” I said, already theorizing what this could be. If this turns out to be a pony version of The Doctor, that would be both weird and awesome. She flew down shakily and landed with a thud next to me. She then led me to a blue police box and then I knew my theory was correct. We went into the bigger-on-the-inside TARDIS and I saw what looked like a pony version of Matt Smith--the 11th incarnation of The Doctor (12th if you include John Hurt)--standing at the console. “Hello, Síor,” he said. “Hi, Doctor,” I responded. “Ah, so you do know who I am.” “Sort of. I know that there was a television show in my time that starred a human version of you.” “Those were all actors with a stunning similarity to each of my incarnations. I lived in a parallel dimension to yours. There was a hole in the fabric of space and time that connected our two worlds. The people at BBC saw this and began recording my journeys. What they didn’t see is what happened after my final humanoid incarnation died. I became a pony version of my first body. I traveled around much the same as I did in my humanoid forms. After billions of years, I decided to travel through the space-time hole into this universe. When I arrived on this side, I noticed that the inhabitants were ponies much like myself. This was 1000 years before today. I assisted ponies as I did humans. I became a good friend to Celestia and gained her trust enough for her to tell me about Discord. In return, I told her about myself. That is how I know you. Celestia told me that Discord let a single human survive and that his name was Síor. Obviously you being the only human left, you must be Síor. Derpy became my travelling companion for some time so she knows a bit about you as well.” “So, let me get this straight. You’re real, you have a TARDIS, and now you’re a pony. So you could take me back to see the other humans.” “I’m afraid not. My TARDIS seems to not want to run properly. Until I can figure out what’s wrong with her, I’m stuck. I suspect this is Discord’s doing. He needs you for his plan so he made sure you would be in this time and also that you would have no way of leaving this time period.” “This Discord guy is really starting to get on my nerves.” “Well, there’s one thing I don’t quite understand. If he’s trying to kill himself, and the only way to do so is to ensure all sentient life is dead, why did he let you live?” “Beats me.” “Well, if you find out anything, let me or Celestia know.” “I’m already supposed to report to Celestia any findings about Discord.” “Splendid!” “Say, do you know about any other sentient species in this time?” “Well, there’s the ponies, zebras, dragons, naga, some changelings, some sea creatures, dogs, griffons, minotaurs, sheep, goats, centaurs, onocentaurs, and satyrs. But that’s only what’s known.” “Some of those are half human, how can none of the ponies have heard of humans?” “An extreme case of historical cover-up coupled with none of the species knowing of their own true origins. The alicorns weren’t the only species created by man.” “Interesting. Do you know where I might find some of these species?” “Ponies, you already know are mainly in Equestria, which used to be the States, though there are colonies elsewhere. Zebras were originally from Africa, what is now the regions of Timbucktu, Djenneigh, Damarescus, and Manegolia, but since then they have moved to many places in the world. I believe there is one living in the Everfree. Dragons are a nomadic species but they are typically found in Russia, now the regions of Stalliongrad, Marescow, Maresaw, and Yacoltsk. Keep in mind that these are only the Equestrian names and they are typically not used by the native species. The naga are also nomadic but their home tribe is in Egypt which somehow maintained its name. Changelings live in several hives, the locations of which are unknown. Sea creatures live in just about any body of water, dogs typically live underground but there are some surface dwellers in various pony cities and they have a capital on the surface but its name and location are unknown to any that are not themselves dogs. Griffons live in Canada, which is now Gryphus. Minotaurs, centaurs, onocentaurs, satyrs, and goats live in Greece, which has also maintained its name. Sheep live in Israel, same name. All other places are either inhabited by nomadic species, widespread species, or nothing at all.” “Well, thanks, Doctor. Now I just need to get Twilight to let me leave town.” “You’re friends with Celestia, aren’t you?” “Acquaintances at most, why?” “Ask her for an exploration pass, I’m sure she’d be willing to give it if it’s for the sake of finding out more about Discord.” “True, I’ll have to ask her. Thanks again Doctor.” “Your welcome. Now, just make sure no one finds my TARDIS and I’ll be happy.” “Will do.” I left to go back to my walk. It was nearing nightfall so I decided to go home. I needed to talk to Twilight anyways. When I got back, I found Spike cooking dinner and Twilight in the lab again which I swear was not there unless its mentioned or there’s someone in it. I went downstairs to talk to Twilight. “Hey, Síor. What do you need?” I think she has a crush on me, she never has that demeanor with anyone else. “It’s about the food.” “What’s wrong with the food, you said you could eat fruits and vegetables so it shouldn’t be a problem.” “Yes I can eat fruits and vegetables but my main source of nutrition should be meat.” She shuddered at the word. “And Qene needs it too.” “What are you suggesting then?” “I need a way to hunt and a place to hunt in.” She sighed. “I knew you would ask for that one day. I’ve been paying close attention to some of the ‘primitive’ weapons you talk about and I was able to make a crossbow. I couldn’t fire it because it wasn’t made for hooves but I was able to make sure that it does fire. I made twenty bolts for it as well. You can talk to Fluttershy and she will tell you where it is safe to hunt in the Everfree.” She gave me a very crudely made crossbow with twenty also crudely made bolts. At least they're real bolts and not just practice bolts. “Thanks Twi,” I said, giving her a hug. She was surprised by the hug but eventually returned it. Noticing how dark it was, I decided to talk to Fluttershy in the morning so I went up to my room with a book to read until I was finally able to get to sleep. A note from Discord. Celestia was right in thinking that I still had some control and I have used that control to write in Síor’s journals in a special ink that only my followers can read. One such follower was the very same Doctor that Síor had visited earlier that day. From the very moment Síor walked into the TARDIS, I was watching the conversation, constantly whispering in the Doctor’s ear to make sure he didn’t give anything away. Yes, 1000 years ago I had created the Cult of Random Shady Nachos I and he was a member. Of course, he didn’t know I was the true leader. For all he knew, the leader was the famed Lusitano Mistress. Only she knew the true purpose of the Cult. But I digress. I took on the Mistress’s voice in my whispers to ensure the Doctor didn’t give away my secrets. He knew much more than he told but I couldn’t let Síor know too much just yet. His role in my plan is yet to come. Once Síor had left, I gave him an approving word and left his mind until next time.