Nexus lay there nearly motionless as Derpy and the Doctor rushed to his side. Derpy picked up his glasses as she slid to his side, hoping to keep from crushing them. The Doctor rolled Nexus over and scanned his neck with the Sonic Screwdriver.
"It's him! It's the real him!" The Doctor said ecstatic.
"If that's Nexus, the who was that?" Looking back at the fake Nexus and found his place taken by a red insect looking pony.
"Questions for later Ditzy. Right, Nexus, can you hear me?" Nexus groaned and his eyes cracked open and all Derpy could see was the bottom of his iris. The Doctor reached forward and lightly slapped Nexus on the cheek and that somehow helped him wake up a bit more. "Nexus, look at me."
Nexus' eyes shifted over to his right and locked with the Doctor's. "Doc…" Nexus wheezed. "I… It… Hurts."
"I can see that. Just hang in there Nexus." The Doctor scanned him again. "Oh my…"
"Wha…What?" Nexus asked.
"Nothing, you're going to be fine." Derpy said trying to keep Nexus calm.
"Everything…. Your life signs are low. The Angel couldn't've done that."
"I…I'm dying?"
"Slowly. Your life signs are getting lower. It's like your body's energy's just… stopping."
"I… I can…."
"Stop talking, I'm going to help you just hang in there."
"De-Derpy." Nexus shuttered.
"What? What is it?"
"Do… do you trust me?"
"You're going to be fine Nexus. Just let the Doctor do his work."
"Clo… Closer." Derpy leaned in closer and Nexus put a hoof on her shoulder. He motioned for her to come ever closer as the Doctor continued wiring his Sonic Screwdriver at him. "I'm gonna regret this." Nexus groaned before using his hoof to pull Derpy in.
Their lips met and Derpy's eyes grew as wide as dinner plates and the Doctor for the first time in a while was left speechless. It wasn't a kiss kiss but it was certainly a long kiss. Nexus' eyes were wrenched shut while Derpy seemed locked in place. Derpy wasn't sure what the Doctor was thinking at the moment but he was definitely at a loss for words or even actions. Derpy could feel herself growing tired. She could feel it setting in as he held her in place. Something started seeping into her mind… Images… scenes from somewhere else. She saw changelings standing over her with a saw in their magical hold, a gray unicorn with red eyes laughing at her, horrifying images of dozens of dead ponies and blood on her hoofs. Powerful feelings…Sorrow, fear, anger, hate, sadness, adrenaline fueled rage… She wanted it to stop.
After only about thirty seconds, Nexus let her go with a smooch. Nexus gasped and coughed as he sat up. He pushed the Doctor back as he filled his lungs with air. He coughed a few more times rubbing this throat.
"Well that worked." Nexus said blinking.
"W…What?" The Doctor said backing up a step.
"I feel kind of funny…." Derpy said holding her head.
"That'll ware off in a few minutes, give your body time to adjust to the aftershock. What'd you think you're staring at Doc? Let's get a move on." Nexus said standing up.
He took his glasses from Derpy and placed them firmly back on his nose. He gave a spin on his heels and notice the creature on the floor. "Oh. And you thought my dying was bad."
Derpy's mind slowly started to come back to her, the fog Nexus had… left was starting to clear. "What is that thing?"
"That my wonky eyed dear, is a changeling."
"I thought changelings were green."
"Wh-What'd you do that for?" The Doctor asked still trying to figure out what had just happened.
"They're suppose to be… I've only ever seen a handful of red ones. I'm not really sure why they're red. Different hive from a different country maybe." Nexus continued knitting his brow as he stood over the changeling he'd just killed. "Thing is, they don't work like normal changelings. I've never found one using another pony's emotions to feed on. I'm not sure if they even feed like that."
"Why… What possible reason was there for-"
"No time Doc. Where there's one there's bound to be more. We need to get moving." Nexus said pushing past the Doctor before he got into another coughing fit.
"You alright?"
"My throat's not doing so hot." Nexus croaked. "On account of that statue trying to break my neck and all. You still waiting around? What's that word you use Doc? That word you used in the…." Nexus clopped his right hoof on the floor trying to remember where they were when The Doctor said the word. "TARDIS?"
"A… Allons-y." The Doctor told him still wrapping his head around what he just saw Nexus do.
"Good. I like that word. As you say Doctor… Allons-y!" Nexus said helping Derpy to her hoofs.
Now Nexus understood why she had bubbles for a cutie mark. He felt completely rejuvenated despite having only recharged hardly any of his energy, just enough to live he thought. Thankfully they were starting to level out. Her energy made him feel slightly light headed and bouncy. She'd started leveling out too. Some of her generally light demeanor had returned. He hopped she didn't see anything. Nopony should have to see any of that again. As they walked, The Doctor kept mouthing to himself all the reasons he could think Nexus could have kissed Derpy but the answer never really could've come easy enough he'd imagine.
Nexus was concerned about the Doctor though, he kept giving him just the worst look he could muster. He'd had a feeling doing what he'd done had more than crossed a line. Part of him was sure he'd end up with that symbol the Doctor's on his flank at the wrong end of his Sonic Screwdriver. After a few corners they came to a dead end that really wasn't.
"A door?" Nexus thought out loud. "Kind of boring after the day we've had ay?"
"Uh… Yeah. You sure we should go through it?" the Doctor asked breaking his thoughts. A light barrier flashed behind them and the maze started to lift off again. "We could wait for it to come back down."
"Unless this is a dead end on the other end then no. You know backtracking is a bad idea in a maze. Especially this one."
"Well… Something tells me we're not going to have much of a choice." Derpy said as the maze section started back down with a solid wall facing them.
"Suppose it is." Nexus tried the door but couldn't make it budge. "Doc?"
"Yeah." The Doctor said drawing his Sonic.
It whirred and the lock on the wooden door came undone. The door creaked open slightly as the maze settled behind them. Nexus was the first to enter and was surprised to find the open ceiling lighting an empty room. It wasn't totally empty, there was a thin layer of fog in the air but not enough to obscure the exit on the other side.
"Seems simple enough. I do suggest we hold our breath." Nexus said taking a clean breath before walking in.
The Doctor licked the air as he entered with his brow knit. "Nothing to worry about." The Doctor reassured, "Just regular old mist. Quit holding your breath Ditzy!" the Doctor said slapping her on the back to force the air out of her cheeks.
"Alright then." Nexus sighed. "Shall we?"
"After you." The Doctor said waving his hoof at Nexus.
"And they say chivalry is dead."
"They might be right."
'Well fuck you too.' Nexus thought to himself.
Nexus began walking through the oddly wide room. It stretched about thirty feet in any given direction. He couldn’t really think what reason this room would exist. Just a completely empty room with nothing to speak of. Nexus moved forward and turned to say something until he saw both Derpy and the Doctor were staring off into space.
The Doctor entered ahead of Nexus and Ditzy eager to see what was on the other side. Despite the past few hours, The Doctor was trying to keep an upbeat tone. He was still trying to understand why Nexus… did that thing to Ditzy but he had to keep it out of his mind for now. If he could get a moment alone with Nexus he could probably think of something he could or couldn't do to Nexus. Looking back at his companions The Doctor froze at what he saw. Ditzy stood perfectly still with a noose around her neck. She choked and kicked as another rope held her body, holding her wings down. The Doctor fumbled through his "pockets" for his Sonic but found nothing. He turned to see Nexus was in a similar state. He struggled harder but got about as far as Derpy.
"Hang on!" The Doctor shouted. "I'll think of something!"
"H-*hack*-Do-*hack*"
"Don't talk Ditzy!" The Doctor replied trying to hold her up. "I’ll fix this! I can fix this!"
"Nexus!" Ditzy shouted after the Doctor pushed her up.
Derpy blinked and the ponies in front of her were gone. She spun around the room looking for The Doctor and Nexus but for some reason she couldn't see the dark blue unicorn or the brown Time Lord what so ever. Derpy called out for the Doctor.
"Ditzy!" She heard him call form what sounded like a distance away.
Derpy turned around and found nothing until it came from behind her again. She spun around and found the Doctor finally. He paced back and forth quickly and licked his lips nervously.
"What's wrong Doctor?" she asked.
"Oh nothing Ditzy. Just hoping we get moving."
"What about Nexus?"
"He already left while you zoned out." He mumbled something to himself like he always does but something was wrong.
"What is it Doctor?"
"It's… What the hell, 'bout time I just come out and say it.
"Say what Doctor? Where'd Nexus go?"
"He went on ahead of us while you were day dreaming. You're… You're a burden to me you know that? Constantly in danger and in my way."
"That's not true Doctor." She said trying to stay positive despite what the Doctor was saying. "I've-"
"Saved me? HA! I could get out of any situation I've gotten into and all you is distract them so I can."
"And that's not saving you?" she said getting angry now.
"Oh far from it Ditzy. Guess what? I don't need you. In fact, maybe, you should stay here. At least maybe then you'll have some kind of purpose. Live bait sounds like a good use of your talents eh?"
"Doctor stop it!"
"No, you stop. If you somehow get out of here when I destroy the paradox machine, I'll be dropping you off at your home and never turning back."
"Doctor stop it!" Derpy shouted grabbing him on the shoulders. She could feel her heart cracking with every word he was saying. This wasn't like him at all, no matter how mad he'd get at her, how mad she'd be at him, they'd never say things like this to one another."What's gotten into you?"
"Get off me you stupid pony!" He shouted throwing her off of him hard. "Look at yourself, you're pathetic. Begging me with those wonky eyes of yours. You can hardly walk straight and you think you're fit to travel with me? The last of the Time Lords!? I don't think so."
"Doctor please…" She sobbed.
"You. Are. Worthless to me. You get that little filly? I'm done with you. Now you can go run off crying or stay here and be the good little destraction you're so keen on thinking is saving me. I'm going to go do this on my own." He turned with a huff and started to the other side of the room
"Doctor! Doctor stop! Please Doctor! Doctor!"
All of a sudden they both fell to their knees sobbing. Nexus had no idea what was happening. His thoughts raced across what spells could do this to them but without his ability to feel the magic around them he had no chance of helping them. He ran to Derpy's side first and tried to pick her up. She responded by throwing him off and told him to go back to the Doctor before sobbing about being left behind.
He moved to the Doctor but he wasn't any better, sobbing that he was sorry to him and Derpy. This was bizarre even by what Nexus had seen. He was about to start shaking them to snap them out of it when a familiar little voice shouted.
"Dad!" a young colt called out afraid.
Nexus jumped hearing the voice, instantly knowing who it was. "Astral!" He called back taking his attention away from both Derpy and the Doctor. He looked around the room but found nothing until he turned back to Derpy and the Doctor. Standing where he thought they were, his son Astral stood with tears in his young eyes. It was his son as well, not the version that came from Firebrand.
"Dad… Help me, I'm scared." He whimpered.
"Come here son, it's gonna be alright." Nexus replied kneeling down to grab his child.
The moment Astral made a step towards him, several long metallic objects shot up from the stone floor. They twisted and writhed in wide arcs around Astral, causing him to retreat back to where he'd been standing before. As their movements leveled out somewhat, Nexus recognized the sharp points of barbed wire.
"Dad!" Astral screamed.
"ASTRAL!" Nexus shouted in his Canterlot Impression.
He lunged forward with all his strength and was met with a strand of barbed wire wrapping around his left foreleg and digging the barbs into the metal. It flicked him back and let the barbs drag through the metal it was made of tin. Nexus shouted in pain as the living metal was ripped apart. He looked down and saw his exposed metal endoskeleton. A few of his wires were either nicked or cut completely, sparking every time he tried to move his ankle.
"Daaad!" Astral cried as the wire whipped at the air around him.
"Hang on son, I'll think of something!" Nexus said doing everything to keep himself from panicking.
A strand of wire came around and whipped Astral across the face. The barbs cut two gashes to the bone in his left cheek. The five year old let out a blood curdling scream of pain that made Nexus' boil. Nopony, absolutely nopony, hurts his son without losing a piece of their body in the most painful way possible. Nexus shouted at the top of his lungs as the last bit of sensible thought left his head. He ran forward as fast as he could before the wire wrapped around his chest and spun him off to the side.
Nexus' body slammed into the ground like a sack of rocks. Looking down, he noticed the blood pouring out from the slices in his chest plate. But something was getting strange. Before he could think about it too much before a strand struck Astral like a snake biting its pray. The head pierced through his leg and came out the other side. Astral stumbled on that leg as it drug through him, barbs and all. All the while he screamed bloody murder. Charged up his magic but felt it shoot back through him.
He slowly stood up and looked at his son, now with another strand of barbed wire through his left wing. He prepared to lunge forward, ready to feel a mass amount of pain in his chest only to hardly feel anything. Well there was something but it was more numbing rather than pain. His heart pounded against his ribs like a sledgehammer but he wasn't bleeding that bad. It only looked like it.
Astral screamed in pain as the barbed wire caught around his neck. Nexus fought ever instinct to attack the wire with everything he had. He looked around again and noticed Derpy and the Doctor were nowhere to be found in the room. This couldn't be right. Astral started screaming louder to get his Dad's attention. When he looked back at him, his mane was dirty blonde like when he left. That wasn't right in any way. That's when it clicked. He was in an another trap.
He closed his eyes and did everything he could to block out his son's crying. He couldn't really block it. The sound of his son crying for him to save him when he couldn't do anything hurt more than anything that the barbed wire could do to him. He thought back to his weekend in the Zebra Tribes. Just clear all thoughts of the world around you and you'll see it for what it is.
"Astral's in Canterlot." He told himself over and over again. "Astral's in Canterlot. He's safe and far far away from me." The sounds of the wire whistling through the air faded but blocking out Astral's crying was much harder. The crying got louder until his vocal chords started to be turned inside out.
Nexus did everything he could to get his son out of his mind and the crying slowly but surely vanished. He sighed, feeling his energy start to settle. When he opened his eyes he could see Derpy and the Doctor sitting in front of him where they'd been before. He grabbed the Doctor by the shoulders and forced him to look him in the face. His iris' were red until he saw Nexus. They slowly faded back to their bright blue hue.
"Nexus?" He asked looking at his neck, still seeing the bruises where the angel has strangled him. He looked at him just like he did when they'd found him killing his imposter. "Nexus!" he shouted throwing his forelegs around his neck, stopping just short of snapping his neck. "You…" He gasped. "You…" he chuckled. "You…" he said like somepony out of a swing movie musical.
"Yes it's me. I'm alive and kicking thankfully. Now get up and get Derpy. I need to go check the door."
"Check for- Ditzy!" The Doctor said realizing his companion was in the same position he'd just been in, complete with red iris'.
"Get away from me you psychopath!" Derpy shouted in fear scrambling away from him holding her cheek.
"Ditzy…It's okay, I'm here now. It-"
"No shut up I don't want to hear it!" She cried.
"Derpy!" Nexus shouted from the door. "Snap out of it!"
"Don't leave me behind Doctor… Please…."
"I wouldn't imagine leaving you behind Ditzy. I need you." Derpy finally looked him in the blue eyes. Hers returned to their normal dandelion yellow.
"You… need me?" she asked confused.
"Of course I do. You're-"
"Shit!" Nexus shouted the second the top of the door started to drop down. Nexus put himself underneath the dropping stone and used his piston powered hindlegs to meet it half way.
"Come on!" The Doctor said grabbing Derpy's foreleg and started running towards Nexus who was groaning under the massive amount of pressure being put on his body. "Pistons?" the Doctor asked seeing Nexus' hindhoofs a few inches from the ankle. "Well done!"
"Praise me later…" Nexus groaned. "The ends may be metal but I've got a squishy center. Now get out of here!" He shouted as the pistons started to come closer to the ankles.
The Doctor snapped out of his usual ADD flip and ducked past Nexus' left side. Derpy wasn't far behind and Nexus shouted in relief as he collapsed forward through the door. He rolled onto his back panting as the door started to finish closing. He glanced back inside and saw a glimpse of something. It looked like a pair of eyes that seemed like they were under the magic in the room but different. The iris' weren't read but an orange-ish hue and the eyes themselves were a shade of pale orange themselves.
They were very familiar, but the door shut before Nexus could connect any dots. Nexus leaned back and continued trying to catch his breath.
"Oh that was a hell of a call Nexus, guarding the door. Good instincts. You alright?" The Doctor asked.
"Pain…. everywhere…. I'll live but…. ow….."
"I thought your legs made you like a super hero or something. That door couldn't have been pushing down hard on you."
"Stronger, not invincible… I'm thirty two years old Doc. I'm not as young as I use to be."
"Oh come now Nexus." The Doctor said. "Thirty two isn't that old, especially for you."
"Whatever you say Doc." Nexus said holding out a hoof. The Doctor grabbed it and helped him up. "Guess we should get moving." he said glancing back at the door.
"What is it?" Derpy asked stepping as close to the Doctor as she could without touching him.
"It was uh… Nothing. Let's go." Nexus said pushing past them.