//------------------------------// // Time & Space // Story: In the Name of Sanity // by Featherheart //------------------------------// "So what's the plan?" "There is no plan. We wait here until the Doctor comes out." River leaned against the wall facing the TARDIS, refusing to move her eyes from it. "But isn't there something to do?" Rarity's voice had a tinge of whining to it, but River still wouldn't move her gaze. "It's Cardiff." "And that means?" Pinkie Pie had even lost interest in bouncing up and down, and was now playing weaving her fingers through her hair. "No. There is nothing to do." River crossed her arms with finality. Pinkie and Rarity sighed in unison. "Um… River?" Ditzy tugged on the other woman's arm. River raised an eyebrow, but her eyes didn't waver. "The Doctor gave me a map before we left, and told me to remind you that there are things…" "No. We're staying here. I don't want the TARDIS to leave my sight." Ditzy paused for a second, and then muttered something incomprehensible. "What?" River sighed, shutting her eyes momentarily. "Well I thought maybe you can stay here, and we can go somewhere." "Sure," River snorted sarcastically. "Really? Great!" Before River could stop her, Ditzy was announcing her success to the other ponies, who cheered gratefully. She turned her head for a split second, throwing them an incredulous look. It's not even worth it, River thought. "Be back here in an hour or we'll leave you!" she called. Happy acknowledgments were returned, but River's mind was already back to the TARDIS. "Please don't do anything stupid." "Doctor," Eleadora's stolen voice echoed across the TARDIS as the Doctor darted around, searching for various gadgets. He was already holding two funnels, a few wires, and tubes. "I missed arms. And hands. Oh, hands, we will never part again!" he mumbled to himself. A funnel dropped in front of Twilight. "Doctor." Eleadora said through Twilight as the Doctor bent to retrieve the item. This time she caught his attention, and he looked up at her warily. "This girl is dying Doctor." Her eyes flickered again. "Don't you think I know that?" he hissed angrily, shoving the funnel into her hands. Her eyes lowered to gaze neutrally at the object. "It's not like her." "Like who?" the Doctor asked absentmindedly. "The TARDIS. Idris." Eleadora hesitated, a smile forming on her lips. "Sexy." The Doctor dropped everything he was holding and knelt in front of thet's body. "How do you know about that?" He put his hands on either side of her face, but she tore them off, the silver mist of her eyes almost touching his own. They stared at each other for a tense moment. "Doctor," Celestia mumbled. After a moment's hesitation, the Doctor picked back up his stuff and began working. Eleadora smiled, leaning her head against the console, and the TARDIS purred. The Doctor wouldn't look in her direction, even when he connected a tube to the funnel she was holding. Eleadora's eyes followed him, though, as he ran across the room, setting up the contraption. Suddenly, a gasp escaped her lips and she slumped over. The Doctor rushed to her, supporting her weight. Their eyes met, Twilight's purple eyes slowly fading over the silver. "Doctor, I'm scared," she whispered. The Doctor grabbed her face and kissed her forehead. "I know, Twilight, I know," he whispered into her hair. "But I will do everything I can to save you." Twilight nodded, eyes slowly turning back to the silver mist. After a slight pat on the head, the Doctor unceremoniously opened her mouth and shoved the funnel in. "Okay, now. This… is going to be fun." River could probably count the amount of times she had looked away from the TARDIS on one hand. Once when the group of girls ran off, a second time when a child dropped his candy almost on her. But when a young woman had stopped near the blue box and inspected it, River watched her suspiciously. The perception filter shouldn't attract attention, she thought, but the woman reached out towards the TARDIS tentatively, the pulled away, and walked off quickly. Before River could wonder about the woman, the TARDIS rocked slightly, and the doors opened. The Doctor jumped out, being pushed a little farther by an explosion of gold and silver mist. He landed on River, almost slamming her into the wall. He quickly cradled her head, making sure that she was unharmed. He beamed down at her, and she couldn't help but smile back. "Everything alright, sweetie?" After giving River a quick peck, he stood up quickly, eyes already turned back to the TARDIS. "I hope so." Gold and silver light flooded out of the open doors, and two shapes stood in the doorway. "Yep, I'd say it did!" he half-giggled, throwing his arm around River. The shorter figure, Twilight, suddenly slumped over. "Or not," River whispered, rushing to help the girl up. When Twilight's eyes opened, they were no longer silver. But they were still not her normal purple; rather glowing with a gold light. "Oh, what now?" the Doctor hissed. Celestia looked down at her student, and her eyes welled up in fear. "Twilight, what's wrong?" Twilight's eyes landed on the Doctor. "Oh! Hello!" she jumped towards him, but River's hand was still on her arm. She turned energetically, eyes scanning River excitedly. "Oh, you! I've always wanted to meet you." She pulled River into a bear hug. River's eyes widened as she looked at the Doctor, whose eyes were just as large in astonishment. Twilight pulled away from River, and noticed her staring. "Oh, right. Time. It's hard for me. I'm Sexy." The Doctor let out an astonished laugh. Twilight turned to look at him. "Oh, you've changed again. Or… you've not changed." Her hand slowly moved up to his face. "No… we've talked. I can see it. But… this is the wrong face." He grabbed her hand and whirled her around gracefully. "Well, you know me, old girl, always full of surprises." He led her back into the TARDIS, which was quiet and dark. Celestia's eyes wandered the room, but she remained quiet. "Oh, please, I know all of your surprises." She stopped, turning to look at him. "Speaking of, yes, it's her." "Who?" River asked. The Doctor simply shrugged at her. But Twilight turned to face River. "Oh, child. Can't you recognize me?" she smiled, and her eyes glowed a brighter gold. River started, mouth open. A blue blur blazed through her eyes. "Doctor, what did you do?" River muttered. "Well…" he started, rubbing his hair. "I created a closed connection between Twilight and Celestia." He showed her the tubes with funnels on the end. "I connected to the TARDIS's console to create some quantum potential, using the tube as an axon of sorts—" "Yes, but you forgot to reverse to polarity to prevent discharge from the console." Twilight interrupted, helping him rearrange the equipment. "And here I am!" "Here you are," River mumbled. The TARDIS was a huge part of her life, basically her mother. But in a body… not to mention the body of someone who hated her… it was just wrong. Twilight turned to her and smiled sadly. Of course you're psychic. "Anyway, it's not an issue to get you back in here, Sexy," the Doctor said, opening her mouth to put the funnel inside. "Hnngh bu' nigh—" she choked around the object. The Doctor removed it for a second, letting her talk. "I just wanted to see you." The Doctor held her face tenderly, and River looked away. Whatever was going on, she didn't want to know. After a moment, the Doctor cleared his throat, and River realized that he was letting her know that their moment was over. Twilight had the funnel in her mouth again, and her eyes were apologetic towards River. "Doctor," Celestia's voice was surprisingly timid. All eyes were on her. "Is this going to work this time?" The Doctor laughed nervously. River looked at him, knowing that he was asking himself the same question. Without answering, he flipped a switch, sending an electric current to Twilight and back. Within seconds, the TARDIS was glowing gold again. Twilight slumped into her teacher's arms, but a quick check from River ensured that she was breathing normally. The Doctor stroked the console fondly, smiling to himself. Everything was back to normal. "I can't believe that took so long," Twilight muttered, her eyes still closed. The Doctor patted her on the back. He smiled fondly at her, then suddenly looked up at River. "Where is everyone?"