//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: I Alone // Story: Hitch A Ride // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Chapter 6: I Alone “That’s it! The cable is fused perfectly fine. Now, we just need the zeiton 7 and we can get the TARDIS back and running,” the Doctor hopped up from his position of lying below the console, “Open up the door, we need to see how much time we have.” “Yes, sir!” Scootaloo trotted quickly to the door and opened them up. The light from the star flooded the console room yet again. The star was much closer than it was before. “It’s so huge….” the pegasus commented. “And until we get that zeiton 7, it’s going to get much larger with each passing moment. Amy and Tegan need to hurry up,” the Doctor spoke, also looking out at the door. “Amy and Tegan? You mean Applebloom and Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo looked directly at the Doctor. “Yes, that’s what I said,” the Doctor insisted. “No, you called them Amy and Tegan….and you called me Ace earlier,” Scootaloo countered. She wasn’t going to let the Doctor escape. ‘Nonsense, I know what I said.” “And I know what you said. Who are Ace, Tegan and Amy?” Scootaloo raised her voice. The Doctor closed the doors, closing off the bright light, “Old friends,” his voice dropped in tone. “Old friends? I don’t understand.” “Remember when you asked me if I travel alone? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. When I do, it’s with some of the most amazing individuals, ones I could have only imagined,” the Doctor mused. “Curious individuals like Sarah Jane Smith and Rose Tyler. Spunky characters like Adric, Donna Noble, and Ace. Sly and mischievous like Turlough and Leela. And so many others….Harry, Romana, Ian and Barbara, Wilfred, Tegan, Martha, Amy and Rory, Jamie, Grace, River, Jack, even my own granddaughter Susan to just name a few….and of course K9, such a good dog.” Scootaloo was dumbfounded at the Doctor’s reply, “What happened to them?” A small, sad smile appeared on his face. He closed his eyes as he spoke, “All journeys must come to an end. While I still have a long time to go, none of my friends had the luxury. Some come and go as they please, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The smile suddenly disappeared, “Others, unfortunately didn’t….survive.” Scootaloo raised a hoof up to her mouth in astonishment. Opening his eyes again, the Doctor spoke in a hushed tone, “To answer your question, Scootaloo, they are my friends. I guess I just haven’t gotten over the fact that they’re gone. Guess I might never get over it.” Looking up into the Doctor’s eyes, the pegasus replied, “I can tell you haven’t, Doctor. All this time being alone has shown. You seem to have the deepest, saddest eyes I’ve ever seen.” Another small smile appeared on his face. Raising a hoof up to her head, the Doctor roughed up Scootaloo’s mane a little, “You certainly are just like Ace. Can you promise me something, Scootaloo?” “What is it?” The Doctor’s voice was serious, “I want you to never take your friends for granted. I know the three of you have a strong bond together, it’s quite apparent. But it worries me that the three of you might not understand how great it is to just have friends by your side. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Can you promise me this if we get out of this predicament?” “You mean when we get out of this,” Scootaloo said with a bout of confidence in her voice. The stallion couldn’t hold back the smile, “Full of confidence and spunk, that’s what I love to see in a companion.” “I promise you, Doc,” the filly nodded. “Oi! That’s ‘Doctor’ to you!” the brown pony roughed up the pegasus’ purple mane. Both ponies shared a laugh like close friends. A voice called out into the console room, interrupting their laughter, “We’re back!”