> Coming to terms
>  by The Infinity Doctor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A big green box
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I held my head as I groaned and sat up in a chair.

'Wat...'

"Oooh...ow...owowowowowee ouch ouch- what the hell?" I muttered.

"Ah, good to see you're finally awake" 
The voice was male, and sounded a little older than mine.

"What? Who's there?"
"Oh- just a friend, or an enemy, however you want to look at it...you're up now, I guess I'll just be on my way now; goodbye, Matthew"

"Wait, who are you? How did you know my name?!"

I was met with silence.

I groaned again as I opened my eyes, and was met with pitch-black darkness.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"
I slowly stood up, and stumbled as I searched for some kind of light switch.

"Hey! CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?" I shouted "IF YOU COULD TURN THE LIGHTS ON, I'D APPRECIATE IT!"

I was blinded as bright lights almost immediately flicked on, then dimmed as my eyes adjusted to the light.

"Oh my god..." I said breathlessly.

With the lights on, I could properly see where I was, and let me tell you- this was the last place I was expecting.

The room I was currently in looked almost exactly like the Tenth Doctor's TARDIS (Yes, I'm a Whovian, also a Brony as a matter of fact), save for the broken controls and loose wires lining the console- and it just...didn't feel right, y'know? Like everything was where it was supposed to be, except it wasn't; like I shouldn't have been there at all...

I ran my hands over my face and through my hair, everything was still the same, nothing had changed as far as I could tell.

"Okay...just keep calm...no reason to panic...you just have no idea just where the hell you are or how you got here, or why you're here..." I muttered.

Clothes were next, after a quick check, I discovered I had in fact changed clothes, I was wearing a dark blue jacket, a neck tie matching the jacket hung from the collar of my white dress shirt. A pair of suspenders reached from my beige pants, reached over the shoulders of
my undershirt, and held a firm grip on the waistband in the back.

"That's odd, to say the least..." I said to myself, patting my pants pockets and searching for my phone. It wasn't there.

"Are you kidding me?!" I shouted to the roof. I then searched the pockets of my jacket- I didn't find my phone, but instead found something else. I fingered the object in my grasp, still hidden from view in the pocket, but I was pretty sure of what it was already...
I took the object out of my pocket, and inspected it. 

Who's idea was it to leave a toy Sonic Screwdriver in my jacket? (Eleventh Doctor's, in case you were wondering) And a defective one at that, the green bulb on the end was instead a bright blue, like the Tenth Doctor's had been.

'This doesn't make any sense...first I wake up here, find myself dressed in these clothes, and find this- what's going on?'

I toyed with the Screwdriver for a while, for kicks I pressed the button, and aimed it at the console (what can I say? I'm a kid inside)- it still made that noise as I held the button down, a few minutes later, a knob burst into pieces. As soon as it did, I dropped the Screwdriver- it clattered as it fell to the floor, undamaged.

My hearts were beating a mile a minute, my brain kicking into overdrive as I tried to go over what was happening.

H-hearts?

I put a hand to my ribcage, and my heart was in its usual spot, chugging away. I then put my other hand to the other side of my chest, and found a second heart, beating in tandem with the one on the left.

"Oh...god...no..."

My breathing became ragged as I ran to the doors of the TARDIS, I shoved open both of the doors, and stopped in terror as I almost flung myself into space. A large planet looked to be hovering just below the floor, I scrambled back inside and swung the doors closed. 

'How did I get into this? I'm stuck in a broken time machine, floating who-knows-where, no way out...' 

I shakily stood up and walked back to where I'd dropped the Sonic Screwdriver. I picked it up and carefully set it on the console.

"Okay...let's see" 

Who was I kidding? I didn't even know where to start! What did I know about repairing a time machine?

Well, only one way to find out-

I tapped one of the few still-working dials, and put all of my weight onto a glowing lever, it flipped under my weight, and the TARDIS dropped like a rock- shooting towards the planet below. 

X X X X X X X 

Lyra sighed to herself as she stared out her window and up at the night sky, watching the stars and moon shimmer against the almost-black sky. She turned to go back to bed, when she saw a shooting star- this wasn't anything new to her, she'd seen them before; what had bothered her about this one was it was a dark green streak shooting across the sky and into the distance.

'This looks like a job for detective Lyra!' she thought, tip-hooving past her parent's room and grasping her father's lantern in her teeth. She wrapped herself in a scarf and galloped towards the general direction of where the star had landed. Despite the danger she thought she could've been getting into, she charged ahead- her curiosity demanding to be satiated.








   

> Oh perfect...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lyra shook as she held the lantern in her small mouth, not as sure as she had been about venturing closer to the fallen star. She stopped immediately as she found a big, glowing box smoking in a small crater- the lantern fell from her grip as two doors swung open on the front, and a tall biped fell out of the box, hacking as it thumped its chest with one of its appendages.

"Okay, not doing that again-" it coughed.

It stood up and dusted off its jacket and pants, then scanned the area. Lyra scooted closer to the box to avoid the creature's line of sight, and held her breath as the biped looked around the field. It took a stick out of its pocket, and pointed it at the ground, a blue light shone from one end as a whirring sound filled the air. The sound stopped, and the creature peered at the stick, then dropped its arms and sighed. Lyra let out a sigh of relief as the creature walked further from the box, and headed straight for the lantern she had dropped. 

"Hello?" it called, picking up the lantern.

Lyra's breathing hitched as she heard its voice.

"Is anyone out there?"

'Anyone?' Lyra thought

"I think you dropped this"

Lyra's terror spiked as she thought the creature had spotted her, but soon figured out it was just asking a general question.

"Is anyone out there? Hello? Nevermind...this is ridiculous" 

The creature turned and walked back towards the box, Lyra hid behind the box as it did, and waited.

The doors closed, and the everything was silent.

Lyra staggered to her hooves and got as far away from the box as she possibly could. A thousand questions were running through her young mind, such as 'What was it?', 'Where did it come from?' and, 'What was inside that box?'.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a low growling came from distance, her brain restarted and she bolted, her fear of the ravenous Timberwolves fueling her legs as they thumped against the ground- putting a small distance between her, the box, and the Timberwolves.

Huge, green eyes and gaping maws greeted her as she dug her hooves into the ground, turned tail and ran, fleeing for her life in the opposite direction. Her terror clouded mind pushed aside all rational thought as she panicked and looked for somewhere to hide.

'Where did the wolves come from?' she thought, growing more anxious each minute that passed. Biting her lip, she rapped on the door of the box, actually hoping the creature would offer her saftey. Just one of the doors swung open as the wolves edged closer, she bolted in almost as soon as it opened, and hid.

It stared at her in confusion, then back out the door, its eyes widened in terror and slammed the door shut and held it closed, its broad chest heaving up and down.

Only part of Lyra's fear had subsided, as she was now trapped in...wherever this was, with the creature- and she now had time to wonder just how the hay all of this could fit into this teeny box.

X X X X X X X 

The TARDIS shuddered as the Timberwolves clawed against the doors, attempting to get in. I stood just inside, scratching my head as I stared in wonder at the tiny, mint green horse that had just ran into the TARDIS, shaking as it hid under the console in the center of the 
room.

'Well, she's adorable, I'll give her that...' I thought  

I held my hands up and sat cross-legged in front of her, whimpering as I got closer.
"Wh-who are you?" she squeaked.

'Yep, she's adorable, alright' 

"I don't know...at least...not yet, are you alright? Those Timberwolves can't hurt you now"
"P-please don't eat me"
"I'm not going to eat you, Lyra- I don't eat ponies"
Those golden eyes stared at me.
"H-how did you know my n-name?"

'Dammit!'

"Er, lucky guess?"
Her small head tilted, as if she didn't understand.

"Well then, they should be gone by now- let's get you back home" I said, standing up.
"Wh-what if they're n-not?"
"We'll have to wait a little longer then, won't we?"

I walked to the doors of the TARDIS, and cracked one open- I cautiously peeked out and saw none of the Timberwolves, probably wondered off in search of food elsewhere.

"Alright, they're gone, let's go" I said, motioning to her.
She shot to the door, and trotted out, I went to the console and picked up the key, and  shut it as I followed her.

X X X X X X X 

"So...what are you?" Lyra asked slowly, trotting after me as we walked under the cover of the night sky.
"I'm a human" I replied.

'Or...actually Timelord now...'

"A- hu-muh-an?"
"Eeyup"

Lyra tested the word a few more times, rolling it around in her mouth and extending or shortening the vowels. 

I smirked as she fell silent and we continued to walk for what felt like miles. I kicked at the dirt as we went, almost making a game out of it, scuffing the dirt every couple of feet.

"What's wrong with your hooves?" she asked.
"They aren't hooves, they're called hands and feet" I said, doing a jump.
"How can you tell which is which?"
"My hands are up here"
I wiggled my fingers a few inches from her face, a look of interest and curiosity lit up her muzzle.
"And these-" I stomped "-are feet"
"Oh..."

We continued walking and a medium sized house came into view, Lyra walked up and tested the door.

"Shoot, it's locked- if I knock, my parents'll know I was out"
"Here, let me see" I said.

She scrambled out of the way as I knelt down and inspected the doorknob. I palmed the Sonic Screwdriver in my pocket, and hesitantly took it out- I held it to the knob, I pressed the button, and it activated, it whirred for a few seconds and the door silently opened.
I pocketed the Screwdriver and held a finger to my lips, indicating for her to be quiet, she nodded, and trotted inside. I locked the door from the inside and closed it, and headed off towards the TARDIS.

X X X X X X X 

I slid the key into the door of the TARDIS and went inside, closing it behind me. I sighed as I took in the damage; putting it lightly, it was a complete wreck.

'How did it get this way?' I wondered 'Does this TARDIS belong to the Doctor? Why is it all in disrepair?'

I messed with the various switches and knobs on the console, against my better judgement, probably. Simultaneously turning a large dial and flicking a switch, the screen hanging from the console column flickered to life, showing a picture of a fairly young woman. At the same time, the column itself sprung to life, a dull glow eminating from it. Music began to play throughout the room.

"...slipping through the cracks of a dark eternity with nothing but my pain and the paralyzing agony..."

'Well at least the radio works...I've finally got power!' 

"Hello? Who are you?" I asked, pulling the scanner closer "Where are you? Are you somewhere in the TARDIS?"

"You ask alot of questions" she said "I like you already" 
"Thank you- but you still need to answer me"
"Why should I?"
"Because I'm stranded in Equestria, turned into something I'm not, and not even sure if I'm still in my own universe!" 
"Fine, no need to shout; and you're not stranded, you've got me"
"Okay...how is that supposed to help? No offence, but I'm currently in a broken-down TARDIS, with no idea who or where you are, for that matter"
"Who are you calling 'broken-down'?"
"What?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet?"

I shook my head.

"I'm the TARDIS"


> Close Calls and Little Lyra
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What? How is that- nevermind...where are you?"
"Weren't you listening?" 
"Oh, right, well- what's your name?"
"That depends, what do you want to call me?"
"Wait, you don't have one?"
"Not that I know of..."
"Oh"

'Have to think of one later...' 

"So, why is everything so...broken?"

"That information is not in my files"

"Oh great...then can you at least tell me how long it'll take to get everything repaired?"

"Twenty-four hours"

"Alright...so what do I do until then?"
"Keep yourself occupied, I don't know- take what you need though, I'm locking the doors"

"Good to know- alright, I'll be back later" I said, making sure I had my Screwdriver and key while heading to the doors. I pulled open one door and glanced at the paint job.

'Huh, so it's green, not blue- interesting...'

She gave a wave and the screen fizzled to static as I left- the landscape was nice around here, not as nice as it was in Ponyville, but nice nonetheless, rolling green fields and lush foliage. It looked like it was somewhere between the Everfree and the borders of 
Ponyville, not quite the perfect angles of the town, and not quite the chaotic and overflowing mess of foliage of the forest.
I walked as quick as I could to Lyra's house, as it was almost daylight and I risked being spotted by passing ponies, especially worrying about the pegasi overhead. Thankfully I managed to get to her house without any earth-shattering consequences and knocked on the door, she yawned as she opened it, rubbing her eyes.

"Hello?" she asked, followed by another yawn.
"Lyra, it's me" I said.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head, and looked worriedly into the house.

"You? What are you doing here?" she whispered.
"Technical difficulty- listen, can I stay here for a bit?"
"You can't! My parents are home!"
"Well- do you have anywhere I can stay?"

Lyra hummed in thought. 

"There's a door to the cellar in the back of the house, how about there?"
"That'll work, see you later" I said, walking towards the back of the house.
"Bye" she said, closing the door. 

I went to a large door in the ground and opened it, I crawled in and closed the door behind me.

X X X X X X X 

'What is he doing here?' I thought, heading to the kitchen table. 

Mom and Dad were waiting, Mom sipping a cup of coffee as she and Dad sat down with their breakfast.
"Who was that, sweetie?" Mom asked.
"Nopony, a mare looking for directions" I lied.
"Oh? Where was she going?" Dad asked.
"Town Hall" I replied.
"Ah, wonder why"
"MmMmm" 
"Well hurry up and finish your breakfast Lyra, school starts soon"
"It's Saturday, Dad" I giggled.
"So it is-" he responded, ruffling my mane.
I wolfed down my breakfast and set my bowl in the sink, I took my saddlebags and trotted to
the back door.
"I'm going to play outside!" I called.
"Alright- watch out for Timberwolves, dear"
"Yes mom..."
I left the house and headed into the cellar.

"Honey" Lyra's father said "Have you seen my lantern? I could've sworn I left it the living room..."

X X X X X X X

"Tho what are humath like?" I asked, holding a pencil between my teeth, ready to take notes.
"Just like ponies, I guess, but ponies are definitely nicer if you ask me" the biped 
responded, toying with what he called his 'screwdriver'.
"Do all humanth look like you?" 
"No, some are short, some are tall, some are...large, some are skinny, different colored
hair, that sort of thing- we have different genders just like you, of course"
"Oh- what wath that green box out there?" 
"My house, in a sense" 
"How did you fit tho much in there? That place was enormous"
He coughed into his...what was the word? Hand- that was it, he coughed into his hand.
"Do you have any other questions?" he asked.
He still didn't answer my question, but I decided to drop the subject. I spit out the pencil
and put my notebook in my saddlebags.
"No, not right now..."
"So how long's it been?" 
"A few minutes" 
He groaned and sat against the wall.
"What's your name? You somehow knew mine, what's yours?"
It was still pretty confusing how he knew my name, I'd never met him before, and I don't 
think Mom and Dad did either...

'Maybe he had a magic portal that he used to watch what we were doing? Na, that's not it...'

He bit his lip as his eyes roamed around the basement. 

"Uh, Zero, my name's Zero" he said, seeming to be content with his answer.
"How did you know my name?"
"I thought you said you didn't have anymore questions" 
My eyebrows shot up and I backed away, thinking I'd angered him.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Ar-are you mad?"
"No, why would I be?"
"Nothing...but- how did you know?"
"Like I said, lucky guess..."
I shrugged and slipped on my saddlebags.

"I have to go upstairs for a few minutes, I'll be right back"
"Okay, I'll be here" he said.
I walked up the stairs and into the yard.

X X X X X X X

I sat in the basement, bored, as I waited for Lyra to return. The little filly seemed really interested in humans- that won't affect her later in life will it? Na, probably not... 

I lost my train of thought as a set of hooves clambered down the stairs. At first I thought it was Lyra, but the large shadow on the floor was at least twice her size- I ducked behind the furnace as a blue earth pony trotted into the basement.

'That must be Lyra's dad' I thought, watching the stallion search for something.

My anxiety grew as he progressively wandered closer to the furnace; I hoped he would find whatever he was looking for and leave, not even daring to imagine the consequences of what would happen if he found me. I let loose a silent shout of joy as Lyra came to my rescue.

"Whatcha lookin' for, dad?" she asked.
"My lantern, I can't find it anywhere" he said, rummaging through a box.

'Good luck, I left it in the Tardis' 

"I think I saw it in the attic" 
"What were you doing in the attic?"
"Nothing..."
"Well, I'll go and look up there, thanks honey" 

The sound of his hooves against the stairs faded as he headed back outside, leaving Lyra and I alone.

"Is it safe?" I asked quietly.
"Yeah, he's gone" she replied.
I got up from my hiding spot and glanced to the stairs.

"He's not coming back is he?" 
"No, at least I don't think he is..."
"What's so special about that lamp?"
"Dad said his grandfather always carried it around with him as a good luck charm, I guess Dad never wanted to throw it away"
"Ah, that explains it"
"Yeah...so what should we do now?"
"I think your parents might get suspicious if they think you're down here playing by yourself"
"But what will you do if I leave?"
"I don't know, I'll entertain myself, take a nap, whatever" 

She looked unsure, then shrugged as she trotted to the stairs.

"Okay, I'll see you later, Zero"
"Bye Lyra" I said, sitting on the floor out of the way of the staircase.

She went up, and it was silent in the basement as I sat back and stared at the cieling.

'I'm going to lose my mind...'

X X X X X X X 

Several agonizing hours later, I sat cross-legged on the basement floor across from Lyra, a deck of cards between us. I was currently in the middle of teaching her 'Go Fish', at first she didn't want to play based on the name alone, but had convinced her to play after 
promising to tell her more about humans. 

"Got any fives?" I asked.
"Nope, Go- ugh- Fish"
I picked up a card off the top of the deck.
"Got any kings?" Lyra asked.
"How did you know?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow as I laid down the king of spades and the 
king of diamonds.
"I didn't, you just told me"
"Foiled again..."
"Got any...twos?"
"Uh-huh" 
She slapped down three twos.
"Okay, how about-"

She was interuppted as my Screwdriver went off. I set down my cards and pulled it out, it was glowing silently.

'This can only mean one thing...'

"What's happening?" Lyra asked.
"I think the Tardis is done repairing itself" I answered, standing up "I need to go check it
out, I'll be back soon, Lyra"
"Okay...bye"

I quietly walked up the stairs and into Lyra's backyard, I snuck around the house to avoid detection by Lyra's parents as I bolted for the Tardis.

> Visitation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I looked on in wonder at the inside of the Tardis, it was still distinctly like the 10th Doctor's, but different at the same time. The previously broken wires and console were now fixed and fully operational, it was all impressive to say the least- I walked up the stairs and up to the console, inspecting the knobs and levers attatched to it, it was just now occurring to me that I was in an actual Tardis, and I- I was the pilot. As this concept was sinking in, I backed away from the console; I gripped the railing as I began hyperventillating. What if I landed in the wrong place at the wrong time? What if I do something in the past that effects the show entirely? Or set Discord free? Or...

'Okay...calm down...breathe...'

I walked back to the console and ran a hand over it.

"Very impressive" I said.

*Beep*

"You're welcome"
I pulled the scanner down and glanced at my surroundings.

"Alright, let's go for a test run, shall we?"

'Aaaannnddd I'm talking to a machine...'

*Kssshhh*

"Good, why don't we try..."

I set the controls as best I could, setting the place, not the time, not ready for it quite yet.

Whhiiirrr.
WhooOOOosh.
WhooOOOoosh.
WhoooOOooosh.
WhooOOosh.

I ran to the doors and took a deep breath. Pushing them open, I was greeted with four crude spears pointed at me, a diamond dog attatched to the end of each one.

"Whoops, sorry, I really must be going-"

I tried to slam the door shut, but a dog gripped the door and forced it open.

"You come now, meet Alpha" he ordered.
"Ah, no, thank you, I'm late for a very important appointment with a little filly, unavoidable-"
"You come NOW!" he shouted, threatening to skewer me.
"Okay, okay, now"

The four diamond dogs held me under close guard as we proceeded through winding networks of tunnels, other dogs at work filling in and digging new ones.

'Interesting' I thought 'But what do they want with me?'

X X X X X X X 

"Alpha, we bring prisoner" the guard said.
"Good, leave us" a male dog ordered.
His yellow eyes and matted fur especially stood out, considering the other diamond dog's coats were shades of grey- his was more of a light brown.

"But Alpha-"
"Leave us!" he commanded.
Their ears slapped against their skulls, and they obeyed, leaving the cavern.

"Who are you?" I asked, eyeing him.
"Snaggle Tooth, the Alpha of my pack- a better question would be, who and what are you?"

'At least his english is good...'

"Nopony you need to worry about" I said, pulling at my tie.
"Really? You don't think I need to worry about just how in Tartarus you managed to sneak a pony box into one of our most secure tunnels?"

'Well when you put it that way...'

"It was an accident, I swear- if you let me go, I'll leave you alone"

"No"

"No? Why not?"
"You could be a spy for all I know, for what species, I have no idea, but we won't allow you
to leave"
"Oh perfect..." I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Snaggle Tooth called for his guards, and I was escorted through more tunnels and placed in a holding cell.

"Hello?" I called into the dark cell "Is anypony in here?"

"I am" a little girl's voice answered "Who are you?"

"Just a visitor...what's your name?"
"Shimmering Dust; why are you here, Visitor?"
"Oh, just passing through" I answered "but why are you hiding? Why don't you come into the light?"

No answer.

"Hello?"
"The other dogs, Visitor...they're afraid of me"
"Why?"

I reached into my jacket for my Screwdriver as I heard something shuffle in the back of the cell.

"I'm going to turn on the lights for a moment, alright?"
"...okay..."
The Screwdriver whirred as the cavern lit, I staggered as an enormous mammoth of a diamond dog sat in one corner of the cell, staring at me. I turned off the Screwdriver and shoved it into my jacket.

"Are you Shimmering Dust?"
"Ye-yes"
"What happened to you? How old are you?"
"I'm s-six, there were these gems in one of the caverns, and- and- and-"

'Ah, so she's just a pup'

She sobbed inot her paws as she leaned against the wall, tears slipped from her yellow eyes as her crying grew louder. I walked toward her and reached up, placing a hand on her shoulder and the other under her jaw. She calmed somewhat and stared into my eyes.

"Wh-what are you doing?"
"Hmm? Nothing, has anypony else been able to help you?"
"N-no...they-they've tried..."
Well, let's get cracking then, where and when did this happen?"
"I- I was mining with my mom, and then, it just- it just happened..."
"I'll get this fixed, you'll see" I smiled. I turned and went to the bars of the cell. 
"How? You're locked in here with me"
"Not necessarily..."

I removed my Screwdriver from my pocket and toyed with it while trying to think of an escape
plan.

"Is that your wand? Are you a magician?"
"I...guess you could say that..."

'God, I wish the Doctor was here- but what would he make of me? Confuse me for the Master? What?'
Well here goes nothing-

I pointed the Screwdriver at the roof and prayed, it whirred for a few seconds before I shut it off.
'Come on, please work...'

"What did you do, Visitor?"
"Wait for it..." I said, pocketing the Screwdriver.
"Wait for what?"

Her question was soon answered as the Tardis materialized, surprising both of us. 
Then of course- 

"How is this supposed to help us escape?"
"You'll see, come on" I said, pulling one of the doors open "and close the door on your way in"

She managed to squeeze herself in, and gently closed the door. Staring on in wonder, the expression on her muzzle was priceless.

"It's bigger than me- it's- it's-"
"Smaller on the outside, yes I know; where did you say this cavern was?"
"I- I don't think I remember...I know what it looks like though..."
"Okay then-"
"You must have powerful magic to create this place, able to fit so much in that box"
"Heh, yeah, magic..."

'Sister, you have no idea-'

*Whoop*

"What do you mean, 'Who is she?'? She needs help, and I'm helping her. Why? Jealous?"

*Whirr*

"Yes you are, I can see you blushing"

*Beep*

"Knock it off! She's six!"

"Who are you talking to?" Shimmering Dust asked.
A blush of my own spread across my face as I looked back to Dust.

"Ah, nopony, I'm just insane-"
'Ha! As if-'
Who said that?

I rattled off a command on the keyboard of the console and checked the scanner.

"Hey Dusty, is this it?" I asked, running to the other side of the console.
"Dusty?" she asked, walking closer to the console.
"Figured it was better than calling you 'Shimmer'"

She shrugged and looked to the scanner.

"No, that's not it" she said.
"Okay, how about...this?" I asked, yanking two levers and pushing a switch.

"No"

It went on like that for what felt like hours, dancing around the console, searching for that
paticular cavern.

"This one?" I asked.
"No..." she responded tiredly.
"Alright, one last try, aaannddd- there!"
"No"

I swore under my breath and went back to the console.

"No, no, no, yep, no- wait! Go back, go back! That was it!"
"Ah-ha! There we are! Well what are we waiting for? Come on!"

She and I exited the Tardis, wandering into a small cavern filled with large orange gems.

"We moved, how did we move?" Dusty asked.
"'Tardis' stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space" I replied.
"You're a time traveller?"
"Not exactly- so you say you and your mother were digging here?"
"Yes, have you found anything?"

I pointed the Screwdriver at a nearby gem, and checked it.

"Found anything? I'll say! These gems are laced with chaos magic! No wonder you were transformed..."

'But where's her mother?'

"So how do we fix it...uh, me?"

'The Elements of Harmony could fix this, but I have no clue where they are right now, the start of season one isn't for a while...'

"Option One: We go and see Princess Celestia and see if she has any suggestions"
"And option two?"
"Option Two...we use the Elements of Harmony" 
"What are they?"

'Ah, right, that's going to be a problem- the Elements aren't overly well known in this time
period'

"You'll see, now let's go"

She and I went back into the Tardis, now that Dusty had at least some of her problem figured out, some of that information was beginning to sink in.

"Alright, time: I don't know, 900, I guess? Place: Canterlot Castle"

"Does it hurt? Travelling through time?"

"I don't know, but you know what?"

"What?"

"Allons-y!" I shouted, sending the Tardis hurling into the Time Vortex.

> That which walks in the light...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wait a minute" I said, stopping her from exiting the Tardis.
"What?" Dusty asked.
"Something's been bothering me, you said you and your mother were digging in that cavern, so what happened to her, and where is she?"

Her ears slapped against her head.

"Your mother didn't know you were digging in there, did she?" I smirked. 

She smiled sheepishly.

"I thought so, well no matter, come on"

I poked my head out the doors of the Tardis, and noticed no immediate danger.

"It's safe Dusty, come on- let's head for the throne room" I said, motioning for her to follow.

"Are you sure it's safe?" she asked, hesitantly stepping away from the safety of the Tardis.

"Er, no- but it's a shot, right?"
She gave me one of those looks and followed me down the hall.

"Awfully quiet tonight, isn't it? No guards or anything are around" I said, suspicious.

'Weird, I thought I set the controls for morning...' 

"Maybe they're on a break?" 
"I don't think so...something's off here..."

We soon reached the doors to the throne room.

'Weirder still...shouldn't there be at least two guards here?'

I pressed my ear to the door, and heard arguing on the other side.

'Please tell me we're not where and when I think we are...'

I silently cracked the large door open, bits of rubble fell from the edges of the large hole in the ceiling, revealing the moon and stars above. In the center of the room was Princess Celestia on the floor, laying on her side, breathing heavily with her eyes closed, the 
elements on the floor around her. I checked her with the Screwdriver, her vitals were dropping, and dropping fast.

'This doesn't make any sense, she should be fine...unless...'

I carefully took both of her forehooves and lifted the alicorn's front half off the ground, at the same time shoving the Elements into my pockets.

"Dusty, take her back legs, we need to get her back to her room" I said, struggling under the weight of the alicorn.

Thankfully, her altered-size made it easy for her to do heavy-lifting, as she almost effortlessly lifted Celestia's hindquarters (shut up perverts!).

She and I lifted her into the Tardis, and rematerialized in her room. Dusty and I set Celestia on her bed as comfortably as possible, setting her head gently on one of the fluffy pillows decorating her bed.

"What happened to her?" Dusty asked, nodding to the princess.
"You ever hear of Nightmare Moon?" I asked.
Her eyes widened.

"I take it you have?"
"Yes" she said breathlessly "That was today? It happened? Just now?"
"Eeyup, history in the making- could you keep an eye on her? I need to get a damp cloth and some medicine supplies...maybe I can find some in the Tardis..."

Dusty nodded and kept a close eye on the sleeping alicorn.

X X X X X X X 

I dunked the washcloth in the bowl of cold water and placed it on Celestia's forehead, just below her long, spiraled horn. Her ethereal mane billowed as she gave out a soft groan, barely audible.

"She's waking" Dusty whispered "What do we do?"
"Into the Tardis, we'll see if we can't activate the cloaking device"
"And if you can't?"
"..."

She and I bolted into the Tardis, I glanced at the screen as three guards entered the room as Celestia slowly raised her head.

"Highness? Is everything okay?" an armor-clad pegasus asked.

Celestia, still tired for her part, responded by laying her head on her pillow.

"Highness?!" 
The pegasus turned to the unicorn guard.
"Quickly, go and fetch the hoof-maiden, tell her the princess is injured!"
The unicorn saluted and dashed out of the room, his armor clanking as his hooves thumped against the stone floor.

I sighed in relief as I flopped into the chairs in front of the console as the White House scene from 'The Impossible Astronaut' flashed through my head.
"That's one crisis averted..."

'And they'll be none the wiser' I thought, watching the princess recieve proper medical attention.

"What happens to her now?" Dusty asked, watching the screen.
"Same old, same old" I replied "She'll mourn the loss of her sister, she'll go on ruling Equestria, and until we can find an opporitunity to ask her to use the Elements, we'll have to sit back and see what happens"
"So...we just wait?"

"Unfortunately..."

X X X X X X X 

Three days. Three days have passed since Dusty and I have watched the goings on in Celestia's chambers, waiting for the right moment. Three days of staring at the ceiling. Three days of being close to driving myself insane.

I boredly stared at the monitor as two guards exited the room, leaving Celestia alone. Or so she thought.

I poked my head out of the Tardis, Celestia's attention was diverted out the window. I slowly closed the door as to not make any noise, and silently walked closer.

I nervously pulled at my tie as I cleared my throat.

'First encounter with a grown pony, please let it go well' I prayed.

Celestia's gaze shot to me, eyes wide.

"Wh-what are you?" she asked, genuine fear in her voice.
"Nopony you need to worry about, you have my sympathies concerning your sister"
One of her eyebrows quirked in suspicion.
"What do you know of my sister?"
"Almost nothing" I replied honestly "But I've come regretfully, to ask a favor of you"
"You have managed to break into my chambers undetected, I believe that must warrant some form of congradulations"
"I need you to use these" I said, removing the Elements from my pocket.
"How did you manage to get ahold of those?"
"Very carefully"
"Why should I do this for you?"
"In all honesty, you shouldn't, but it isn't for me, it's for a friend of mine"

I turned to the Tardis.

"You can come out now!" I called
The still-cloaked Tardis door opened, giving the impression of Dusty stepping out of thin air.

"She's been greatly affected by chaos magic, we need the Elements to return her to her natural form"
"I see..."

"Dusty, this is Princess Celestia, Princess Celestia, this is Dusty"
> ...is not always good
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So...allow me to understand this..." Celestia said, nursing a cup of tea "You two have come from the future, and you wish for me to use the Elements of Harmony on..."
"Shimmering Dust, highness"
"...Shimmering Dust, who has been effected by chaos magic in her home"
"Correct" I said.
"You seem to have a valid reason, but why should I believe you?"
"Princess, with all due respect, I just managed to sneak a 'Pony Box' into one of the most secure places in Equestria, and you have yet to call your guards, which gives me the impression you already believe us"

"Very well..." she relented, then turned to Dusty "are you prepared?"
"Y-yes" she answered nervously.
"Return within a few days, and I shall be ready by then" 

Dusty and I nodded, I opened the door to the Tardis, both of us stepped in and I shut the door.

'She's no doubt already run into the Doctor, no point in explaining the Tardis to her'

"More waiting?" Dusty asked.
"More waiting" I replied.

X X X X X X X 

I snored as my mind wandered in dreamland, the inky blackness transformed into a dark landscape, trees, grass, all of that. I found myself standing on the ground, I felt around for my sonic screwdriver. Finding it secured in my pocket, I proceeded to explore.
The landscape shaped itself as I walked, blurring into a forest or castle as I went; this seemed familiar to me, I just couldn't place when or where.

'Really hope I don't run into Nightmare Moon' I thought, continuing to god-knows-where 'but still, it'd be pretty cool to meet her...'
 

I walked for what felt like hours, my feet were starting to get sore as I sat down to rest.

Zero....

I looked up and around at my surroundings.

"Who said that?" I asked myself.

A huge shadow loomed over me as I turned, standing there was a-

X X X X X X X 

I shot up as I awoke from my...whatever it was...sitting on the seats in front of the console.
Dusty blinked wearily as she raised her head, a questioning look on her muzzle.

"Bad dream?" she asked.
"No" I replied.

'At least, I don't think it was...'

She shrugged and lay her head back down to drift off to sleep once more.

'That was wierd...is that going to be a normal thing for me?'

I continued to question myself as I stood up and stretched, popping the kinks in my back. I went to the scanner and checked on Celestia, she was fast asleep in her bed, dozing peacefully despite the past few days.

'What a trooper...' I thought, watching her.

I quickly realized what I was doing and shut off the scanner, raising it.

'I wonder if Luna is imprisoned on the moon or in it, the craters seem to show she was on in it, but somehow I doubt Celestia was that cruel, I can only imagine Luna is 'chained' to the moon during her banishment, like handcuffs attached to a wire fence'

I filed that away for another time, getting Dusty back to normal and home safe and sound was my first priority right now.

Meanwhile, I turned back to my current predicament, I was technically a Time Lord now, but what did that entail? Have I truly lost all my connections with humanity? I doubt that I could take the Tardis back to my Earth, it could kill her in the process- this is another dimension, right? (Wait a minute...did I just refer to the Tardis as a 'she'? Better than calling her 'it' I suppose...) Unless, of course, this was just a different world, then I could get back home, no problem; but the question was, did I want to go home? Here I could actually do something, I could actually do something important with my life. (Is is 'life' or 'lives'? I don't know, oh, wait, I'm rambling again, aren't I?) But at the same time, I have none of the practice or experience of the Doctor, and probably never could- I could end up seriously screwing things up and changing the future. Doing that could...well it could ultimately throw the world into disarray, and not the good kind either, like Discord's, real, horrifying, earth-shattering, life-ruining havoc. That train of thought led me to another question; what happens when I regenerate? I don't know how I'll adjust to a new body, will I even be human? This is technically my first form, so wouldn't it make sense that I be something more fitting to this world? Or does any of that not even matter, and I'll be at the mercy of whatever the universe will choose?

I shook my head to clear it, and turned to the console. I checked all the systems before going back to the seats and falling asleep once more.







> Stand back, I have a Screwdriver and I know how to use it!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zero, awaken, there is an important matter I must discuss with you.

"Huh? Who said that? Where are you?" I asked, searching the console room of the Tardis, looking for the source of the disembodied voice.

Golden mist filtered into the Tardis through the doors, Dusty was still asleep, and I hoped whatever this was wouldn't wake her.
To my surprise, a wolf standing on its hind legs materialized in the mist, the mist disappeared altogether, leaving the wolf.

'Not just any wolf...' I realized, staring at it, or rather her.

"Bad Wolf" I said breathlessly "Wh-what are you doing here?"
"Do not fear me, little Time Lord" she said, laying a paw on my shoulder "I come with a request, nothing more"
"What d-do you need me for?" I asked.
"There is another of your world that has fallen through the void, and as such, I am asking a favor of you"
"What would that be?" I questioned.
"Do your best to correct my mistake, I tampered with the void, and now another pays the price- I wish for you to meet with her, do what you can, my intervention has ruined her enough as it is"

'That doesn't sound good...'

"Okay...I'll do my best" I said "What are the coordinates?"

She waved her paw over the console, the column turned gold just like the mist for a second, then returned to normal.

"I have set the correct date and time, be on your way, and do not be surprised"
"Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" I asked as the mist gathered around her once more.

"I must be off, goodbye Zero" 

She disappeared in the swirling, golden mist. It floated through the doors again and it was silent in the Tardis, save for Dusty's light snoring.

'Now I've gone and stepped in it, haven't I?'

I went to the console and flipped a lever as I set the Tardis in motion, where we were going, I had no idea. That's a good thing, right? Right? I don't have any reason to trust Bad Wolf (or is she Rose? Maybe the same person?), but hey, I did want adventure, didn't I? On the bright side, this'll give me something to do until the three days are up.

"Zero?" Dusty yawned "What are you doing? Where are we going?"
I checked the scanner as we materialized.

"The castle of the Royal Pony Sisters" I said, bewildered.
'That's odd, why would she be here?'

I stepped out of the Tardis, Dusty prepared to follow, when I stopped her.

"Dusty, I need you to keep an eye on things here" I said.
"But why? I can take care of myself"
"I'm sure you can, but it could be dangerous out here, I don't want you getting hurt"

Her ears slapped against her skull as she deflated.

"Fine..." she muttered.
"Good, I promise I won't take too long"

I walked out the doors of the Tardis, and found myself standing on a high walkway of the castle.

'Hmm, nopony around, wonder where they all went?'

I looked down and saw a Weeping Angel, staring at it's own reflection, therefore making it incapable of movement.

'Is this who she was talking about?' I wondered 'She must be, there aren't any Weeping Angels here, only Pegasi, but what if it isn't?'

I felt sorry for her, I really did, if this was just a human in the form of a Weeping Angel...

I shuddered.

'Poor girl...'

I finally resolved to set the Angel free, I pointed my Screwdriver at the mirror and activated it. Seconds later, the mirror shattered, and I turned and headed back into the Tardis, hoping I had made the right decision.

X X X X X X X 

"Where to now?" Dusty asked.
"Back to Canterlot, we're getting your situation straightened out, then I'm taking you right back home"
"What if I don't want to go home? Right after, I mean..."
"Dusty, I'm not arguing with you about this, half the things I might see could be too dangerous, you could be hurt, or worse"
Her ears slapped against her head and she grumbled as I reset the coordinates for Canterlot Castle.

X X X X X X X 

"I see you have returned" Celestia said upon spying us exiting the Tardis.
"Yes, we have" I said "Are the Elements ready?"
"Yes, they are" she said, raising the gems in her magic "Are you ready Ms. Dust?"
"Y-yes, you're highness" she replied.
"Prepare yourself" 

Celestia grit her teeth as the Elements charged within her golden magic, they connected and formed a rainbow. It shot towards Dusty and wrapped around her like a colorful snake, it constricted around her as she let out a cried out in fear.

The rainbow vanished and Dusty's now-small body fell to the floor, unconcious.

"Will she be alright?" I asked, picking her up.
"She will be able to recover within a few days' time" Celestia panted.
"Good, I should be going now princess, I need to take her home"
"Understood"
"Oh, and one more thing"
"Yes?"
"Please try to forget about me"

A puzzled look crossed her features as I entered the Tardis. I set Dusty down on the chairs in front of the console as I went to the controls, I set the time and place for the holding cell. The Tardis whirred into action and we soon stopped, I picked her up and left the Tardis. A pang of guilt struck me as I set her on the stone floor of the cell, I hesitantly scratched her behind the ears, causing one of her legs to kick. I stood up and went back into the Tardis, I slumped into the chair and held a hand to my forehead.

This is going to be a long millenia....







> Mane-iac on the loose Part 1 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting for Zero to come back. 

'I hope he does' I thought 'I really want to know more about 'humans''

What if he doesn't? What if he had to go somewhere far away and could never come back?
I dismissed the thought and went back to my duties of making sure the ceiling didn't move.

'I wish he'd get here soon' I moaned inwardly, flopping onto my front.

I found my wish suddenly granted as the green pony box appeared in a corner of my room, the light on top of the box glowed brightly as Zero stepped out of it.

"Hey there Lyra" he said "sorry I'm late, had some business to attend to"
"Where have you been?" I asked, more out of relief than anger "It's been hours since I saw you!"

"Wow, that late?" he muttered to himself "Well, no matter, I'm here now"

"What now, then?" 

"Oh, almost forgot" he said, running back into the pony box.

He emerged a few minutes later with dad's lantern.

"I believe this is your father's" he said, setting it down.
"Thank you" I said, taking the handle in my mouth "He'sh been lookin' everywhere for thish"

I trotted out of the room and down the stairs to return the lamp.

X X X X X X X 

I watched Lyra leave the room, and sat on her bed, wondering what I was going to do. On one hand, I had already told Dusty that she couldn't come with me, and it'd make me a hypocrite if I let Lyra come. On the other, I had given Dusty a valid reason, and I could just tell Lyra the same thing. I sighed as I held my head in my hands, wondering if there was some way I could break this easily to her.

'Why am I so confused about this? She should stay here, for her own safety...'

I settled on having her stay here, I've seen some of the more unfortunate ends to the Doctor's assistants, namely, Amy and Rory. I don't want to have the same thing happen, and I certainly don't want to have to explain to her parents that an alien biped went and got her
killed.

"I'm back" Lyra said, trotting into the room "You okay?"

"Yep, I'm fine" I smiled "Just thinking about a few things"

"Like what?"

"That's a secret"

"Oh...so when do we get to go on an adventure?"

"An adventure where?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"In your pony box"

'That's the second time someone's referred to it as a 'pony box', must be a pun since they don't call them 'police' here...'

"You can't come with me, Lyra"
"But wwwwhhhhhhhyyyyyyyy?" she moaned.
"It's too dangerous, something could happen and you'd just...no..."
"Don't you trust me?" she asked, her lower lip quivering.

'I think one of my hearts just gave out'

"I do trust you Lyra, but...it's complicated...I'll come back and visit you soon, okay?"
"Okay..." she said, downcast "When are you going to tell my mom and dad?"

'With a little luck, hopefully never' 

"When the time is right" I responded.

I booped her on the nose and headed back into the Tardis, I shut the door behind me and went to the console. 

'Well, that's taken care of' I thought 'Where to now?'

Where should I go next? The possibilities were endless, I could meet Starswirl, see the reign of Discord, watch the foundation of Equestria, find out how Cadence came to be.

'Wait, what was that last part? Never mind, probably not important anyway...'

Oh, hold on, I've got just the destination...not sure if it'll work, but still...

I prepared to adjust the Tardis for landing, when flashing red lights and obnoxious alarms went off, I ran to the other side to find the problem.

'I hate these alarms' I thought 'They never stop'

X X X X X X X 

Meanwhile, two construction workers for the city of Maretropolis sat on a steel girder high above the city, eating the dinners they had packed in their pails. The new addition was for the mane-care factory just next door, they had heard that the CEO was a complete lunatic, but their company had decided to take the job to earn the extra bits.

"Hey Piledriver, you got a hay sandwhich in there?" the rust-colored stallion asked.
"Nope, salad today, Bronze" the grey-coated stallion replied.

They dug into their respective meals, as they ate- one of the stallions noticed something was off.

"Hey Bronze, is it just me, or did it get really humid all of a sudden?"
"I think you're right" Bronze replied, removing his hardhat and wiping his forehead.

A ball of electricity appeared and crackled as a green pony box appeared briefly before disappearing. The electricity remained, however, and a nearby power station reacted to it, the tower sparked as smoke rose from it, an overload possibly imminent. The tower couldn't take the extra charge, and two powerlines connected to it fell, crashing through the roof of the production plant of the mane-care factory.

"I've gotta stop workin' overtime" Bronze grumbled, rubbing his eyes.

X X X X X X X 

"Oh perfect, out here too" I muttered, watching alarms blare as two thick powerlines, still crackling with electricity coursing through them lead into a large vat of liquid. 

'Oh no, please don't tell me...this was all my fault...'

A long, purple hoof suddenly appeared around the rim of the vat which contained the downed powerlines, followed by another, and a green mane.

'Oh no....'

The pony groaned as it slipped, and fell to the floor, dazed. The shredded remains of her clothes hung limply off of her body, the goop dripping from it.

I ran to her and checked her vitals.

'She's unconcious, but alive' I thought 'I need to get her somewhere safe'

I looked above and found an elevator on the catwalk above.

'I hope that leads to her office...' I thought dragging her to the stairs.

I looked up and sighed.

'This might take a while...'

X X X X X X X 

I struggled as I laid the Mane-iac head first on the couch in her office, her forehooves hung off of the side as she lay there, I then placed her flank and hindlegs on the couch and collapsed onto the chair next to the couch.

'I...I-I- created the Mane-iac...' I thought, amazed 'It- it just can't be...I- I-' 

Please let it be a mistake, tell me this isn't real...

She groaned as she cracked open an eye, her red eyes rimmed with green stared at me as she tried to comprehend what was happening. She continued to stare at me, then down to herself.

She did the only thing she could.

She screamed- loud.

> Mane-iac on the loose Part 2 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After her bout of screaming, I think the Mane-iac was beginning to calm down. 

And then she had a panic attack.

Her red-green eyes darted around the room as she hyper-ventillated, her chaotic mane was moving about of its own accord as she attempted to get up. She clumsily got to her hooves and tripped over both her mane and her hooves and hit the floor face-first. I cautiously walked closer and heard sobs from underneath the tangle of green. I lifted a few locks of her mane and saw her hypnotic eyes. 

"Are you okay, miss?" I asked quietly.

"Wh-what are you? Where am I? What am I?" she asked in rapid succession, tears leaking from her eyes.

"Miss, I'm afraid...you suffered an accident..."

"I can see that!" she snapped "How did it happen? I remember...I was...walking? Yes, walking, I was walking on the catwalk, funny name for a platform...and then...then...I-I- don't remember anything after that..."

"It's alright, take your time"

"I- I- I need rest" she said, shakily standing up.

"Here, let me help" I said, siding up to her.

I walked her to the couch and she laid down, out like a light almost as soon as her head hit the cushion.

I sat there, staring at her for a few more minutes, before I shook my head and sat down.

X X X X X X X 

The Mane-iac blinked as she came to, I watched as she stared curiously at me, then tried to get to her hooves, it was like watching a newborn attempting to take its first steps. I walked over to her and put my hand on her shoulder, she stared at it, then at me.

"Miss Silk, please forgive me...I-I- had no idea...it- it was an accident...p-please..."

She stared at me longer before she spoke.

"You...you did this?" she asked "I-I- r-remember...I remember! YOU! It was YOU! I saw that box appear! That was what caused me to slip! The power lines crashed through the roof! It was YOUR FAULT!" 

"P-please forgive me..."

"Forgive you? Forgive YOU?!" she laughed "Creature, I should be congratulating you!"

'What?'

"What?" I asked, puzzled.
"Oh, how I wished I could escape the tyranny of society!" she said, ignoring me "I have had my wish granted!"
"Bu-but...I-I-I'm confused..."

"I've hated living in this city for the longest time" she explained "The crime rate is too high, there's too much pollution, everypony is just outright rude! I can leave now- I can leave this company! I can leave this blasted city and its inhabitants, and I have you to thank for it!"

Before I could react, her long hooves shot out and took me by the shoulders, she compressed me into her chest as she stroked my hair obssessively. 

'This isn't weird...'

"What a strange creature you are" she cooed "Falling out of the sky in a box..."

"Could you maybe, please put me down?" I asked, struggling to breathe under the bone-crushing hug she had me in.
A mad laugh escaped her muzzle before she slicked back my hair with her tongue.

My mind drew a blank as we stared at each other.

"Creature, are you aware that you have two heartbeats?"

"*Cough* Yes, and my name is Zero, I'm a human"

"Well Zero the human, tell me, are you enjoying this?"

'Is it a bad thing that I kind of am?'

"No...not really...could you please let me go?"
"Please?" she asked, digging her muzzle into my neck.

'...a few more minutes couldn't hurt...' I thought, blushing at how awkward the situation was.

She continued to hold me as she rocked back and forth, humming a soft tune to herself.

'What's happening to my life?' I wondered, trying to figure out how I was roped into being cuddled by the Mane-iac. 

Wait a minute...wasn't the Mane-iac part of Spike's comic book world? If so, then I must've crossed over into a pocket dimension...this isn't Equestria, or at least a different version of it, that would explain the alarms...

I was snapped out of my thoughts by the Mane-iac, she's giving me a questioning look right now.

"Sorry, what?" I asked.

"I asked you how you knew my name" she said.

"Well...everypony knows you!" I thought quickly "You're the CEO of the company, who wouldn't know you?"

"Correction, dear Zero: I was the CEO" 
"What do you mean?"
"I'm leaving, and they'll wonder how I had managed to disappear into thin air, they'll be scratching their heads for months!" she laughed.

"That's all fine and dandy...but could you please let me go?" I pleaded.
"Oh, very well" she huffed, releasing her grip.
"Thank you" I said, straightening my jacket.

She was silent once more as she watched me.

"Can I have a mirror?" she asked suddenly.
"Sure..." I said, heading to the bathroom to retrieve one.

'This is not going to end well...'

I returned with a stray hand (hoof?) mirror and handed it to her.
She opened it and stared at her relfection, she seemed absolutely mesmerized as her pupils seemed to shrink.

She then shrugged and tossed the mirror, she didn't flinch as it shattered as it hit the floor.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"I think" she said "But...I have questions"

"Such as?"
"Why do I look the way I do?"
"I...don't think I understand"

"What I think I mean is, why do I look like this?" she said, gesturing to herself "Why was I not transformed into something more horrid than this? I'm not quite the same as I was before...there's just...no way to explain how I feel..."

"How do you feel?" 

"Like a weight has been lifted from me, like I could do anything, like I'm free"

"Well...that's good, isn't it?"

"But why me? There are plenty of other ponies out in the world that are worse off than I am, why was I made to be this, instead of another pony? Not that I'm complaining, I'm rather enjoying this"

"To be honest, I don't have the answer, maybe it's because that's how things work out"

"But that is not a satisfactory answer! Why had fate chosen me? I was not the most likeable pony, in fact, I believed my old self to be quite mean-spirited"

'First sign of insanity, she's referring to her self as two separate ponies'

I remained silent throughout her speech, more questions had been planted into my head by her train of thought.

'There is, indeed, a method to her madness' I thought 'she certainly doesn't see it as a punishment, I think she's happier than she's been in a long time...even if she is an insane lunatic'

I erased that last part from my thoughts, after having that whole conversation with her and seeing her react to her situation, I think she's enjoying her insanity, it's not very malicious, as the show portrayed her, then again, this could be a different Maretropolis than
what I've seen. Her playful insanity was kind of cute to watch, actually, she was content, and I guess that's all that matters in the end...even if it was my fault...

> Mane-iac on the loose Part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched from the shadows of the factory as the Mane-iac was incapacitated by her own mane, Twilight, Spike, and their friends dressed as the Power Ponies watching as she laughed madly to herself.

'Poor girl...she didn't deserve it...' I thought sadly, watching the ponies celebrate their victory.

Sure she was mad, but...I don't think I even have an answer to this one...I think both parties were at fault, the Elements for not understanding, and Mane-iac for taking her insanity just a bit too far...it sounds horrible, I know, but it's injustice is what it is!

I...I just need some time to think, okay? 

X X X X X X X 

I walked the halls of the mane-care factory, the factory's employees had been sent home until a new CEO could be assigned to run the plant.

'Heroes and villians...nice concept when you think about it...but who's right?' I wondered 'Is it really that important that each side neutralize each other? We all have our reasons for doing the things we do...what were their motives?'

I rubbed my eyes as I looked up through the hole in the roof, my prescence had already done this much...what if something worse happened? 

I shook my head as I realized I was walking on the same catwalk Miss Silk had slipped on, I stared down into the vat of green liquid, wondering if I could jump to end it right there.

'Probably not' I thought 'I'd probably just regenerate...'

Oh, the burden of being a Time Lord...

I sat down, letting my legs hang over the edge of the platform as I rested my arms on the railing. I lost myself in my thoughts as I sighed, finding my brain to be turning down a rather dark path. 

It all kept leading back to the Mane-iac, what she'd said just a few short hours before had been a bit of a reality check, I wondered why she was chosen, instead of another pony. It was mind-boggling, how had she known? If there's something else here, I'm obviously missing it...

'Why can't this be easy? Why is this so convoluted?'

I heard the faint clop of hooves echoing throughout the factory, it progressively grew louder as I tried to lose myself in thought.

"Wh-who are you?" a female voice asked nervously.

I turned and saw a light blue mare with an electric pink mane and tail wearing a business suit.

"Somepony, somewhere, sometime" I replied, staring back over the edge of the catwalk.

She cocked an eyebrow and (to my surprise) sat down next to me.

"So...who are you?" I asked.
"My name is Prench Braid" she responded.

It was my turn to cock an eyebrow.

"But most ponies know me as Silk Strand's sister" she sighed.
"Oh..."

'Wow, they're almost totally different, personality wise...'

"So...I guess you heard about what happened?" I asked.
"Y-yeah" she sniffled.
"Were you two very close?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"We were when we were younger...but, we gradually drifted apart, I guess..."
"I see...so what do you do?" 
"I own a small salon up the block" she said.

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

"So what are you doing here?" 
"I- I- was called in for an interview, they need a new CEO for the company"

'Makes sense, they're family...'

"Do you think you'll take it?" 
"I don't know...they'll have to accept me first"
"Yeah..."
"So, who are you? Where do you fit into all of this?" 
"We all fit in somewhere" I replied cryptically "We just need to find out where"

'What in the world is happening to my speech patterns?'

She shot me a quizzical look as I failed to retain a straight face.

"Okay...you want the truth? I was there when Silk had her accident..."

Her jaw dropped, failing to wipe the look of shock from her face.

"But- but- how did...it can't be...it was your fault?"

"I'm sorry! Okay? I didn't know it would happen! I'm sorry..."

"How did it happen?" she asked slowly.

"I was crossing over into this world when the excess energy surrounding the Tardis fried the tower...the rest is history..."
"First: You came from another world? Second: What's a Tardis?"
"You don't need to worry about either" I said, realizing I was beginning to repeat myself.

I shook my head and looked back to the mare.

"How was she?" 
"Sure you want to know?"

She nodded.

"I think she's happier than she's been in a long time...she said she was tired of this city, I guess this gives her the opporitunity..."

"What happens now?" she asked.
"I don't know..."
She sighed and looked over the railing.

"Would the same thing happen to me if I jumped?" she asked.
"What?"
"What would that do to me?" she asked, gesturing down to the vat.
"I-I- don't know, why?"
"I just think...maybe if I did..."
"Don't do it, please. I beg you" I said, taking her hooves "Please don't...I can take you to see your sister...but promise me you won't think about this again..." 

"It was just a suggestion..."

"No, it wasn't...it sounded like you were seriously contemplating jumping"

"I'm sorry, okay? This...it's just been alot to take in...."
"I know, but mutating yourself won't solve anything"

She nodded shakily as I stood up.

"Can you really take me to see my sister?" she asked quietly.
"Yes...would you like to see her now?"
"I think I would" 

I beckoned for her to follow me as I walked down the stairs to the floor of the factory, where the Tardis sat, waiting.

"Why is there a pony box on the factory floor?" she questioned.
"Science" I responded.

I opened the door and Prench followed me in, her expression was fish-like as she stared at the console.

"Incredible..." she said breathlessly.

"That's what I think everytime I walk in here" I said, dashing about the console.
"How did- we were just-"
"Eeyup"

The Tardis stopped, and I went to the doors. I opened them, and stepped into a padded room, a single occupant wrapped in a straight jacket, sitting in the corner.

"Ah, Zero" the Mane-iac grinned "you've returned"
"Yes, I have"
"And I see you've brought my dear sister as well"
"Yes" I replied again.

Her head snapped up, and those manic eyes stared at me.

"Would you give us a minute?" she asked.
"Sure...I'll just be....right in here" I said, stepping into the Tardis.

I shut the door and walked to the console, I had just sat down when the same girl from before appeared on the scanner.

"Well?" she asked.
"Well what?" I replied.
She rolled her eyes.

"The Loonatic?"
"She's the Mane-iac" I corrected.
"The Mane-iac" she sighed.
"So what do you mean by that?"
"Oh come on, I saw you blushing when she hugged you"  
"How did you know about that?" I asked "You were downstairs"
"Sensors honey, get with the program"
"Right...well...are they finished?" I asked.
"No- why do you seem so intent on avoiding me?"
"I don't avoid you"
"Yes you do, you're doing it right now"
"What's your problem?"
"What's yours?"
"Well...it's just weird, okay?"
"Weird"
"Yes, I mean, you're a living, breathing organism, right?"
"More or less" she responded indifferently.
"It's kind of odd that I'm running around inside of you...doesn't it feel...I don't know...
tingly?"
"Tingly?"
"You know what I mean"
"I guess it feels a little out of place" she relented "but nothing that causes me distress"
"Oh...so how do you keep a body? All of that energy from your matrix can't be contained in flesh and blood, at least for not very long"
"I can hold a mortal form for a few hours, a day if I'm lucky, if my body whithers outside, I automatically get sent back into the matrix"
"A fail-safe..." I realized.
"You caught on fast, I'm impressed"
I rolled my eyes as sat back in my chair, looking around the Tardis.

'Simply incredible...' 

Whoops, must have drifted off there...seems to be happening a lot to me now, doesn't it?

"Huh? What were you saying?" I asked.
"I asked if you had a name for me yet"
"Haven't you picked one out for yourself already?"
"I've had no use for one, but social convention requires I have one...so?"
"Wait a minute...what do you know about social convention?"
"What's the year again? I keep getting my Victorian values confused with my ballroom ettiquette"
"Well, try and come up with yourself, I'm not good nor comfortable giving names"
"Ugh...fine, if you insist..."

Silence once more dominated the console room as the girl on the scanner stared at me.

"Well see ya" she said suddenly.

The screen fizzled to static and returned to the conversation between the Mane-iac and Prench, both of them were huddled against each other, I assumed this was supposed to be some resemblance of a hug, given that the Mane-iac was restricted by her straight jacket, and mane still wrapped around her body.

"I guess I'll see you around then?" Prench asked hopefully.
"I would enjoy that" the Mane-iac responded, pulling away.
"Goodbye, Silk"
"Goodbye, Prench"

Prench turned and walked  back to the Tardis, she sniffled as she closed the door, her eyes concentrated on the floor.

"You alright?" I asked.
"I'm fine...it's just that...we haven't seen each other in so long..."

I nodded and stood up.

"So?" I asked.
"I think I'd like to go home now..."
"Alright...if you're sure...."
"I am"

I set the controls for the mane-care factory, and we soon stopped. I opened the door and made a 'you-first' gesture, she smiled a little and left the Tardis.

I watched her leave, and another pang of guilt struck me, if I hadn't come here in the first place...none of this would've happened...but I guess some good came out of it. I mean, Prench and Silk were on speaking terms again, right? So...in some convoluted way...yeah, I guess I could've done better on this...but it didn't all turn out that bad, did it? 


 

> Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everything in the Tardis fell silent as I passed through the Time Vortex, back into Equestria. The column reactivated as I went to the doors, I opened them and stepped out, finding myself yet again in a hospital setting. 

'A hospital...why's it always a hospital?'

I stared down at the single occupant, a light blue earth pony mare with a frizzy white mane.

'Ah, Screwloose, I must be in Ponyville' I deduced.

Screwloose barked, gaining my attention.

"What is it?" I asked.
I'm not going to treat her like a dog, she's a pony, she just thinks she's a dog.
"Bark!"
"What?" 
"I said- don't you hear them?"

'Wait a minute...that just came across as perfect english...guess the Time Lords really do understand every language...'

"Hear who?" I asked.
"Finally!" she cheered "Somepony who understands!"
I smiled a little, and knelt down.
"Hear who?" I asked again.
"The statues- don't you hear their songs?"
"Songs?" I asked.
"You know...the pretty music they make"
"What music?"
"You have to listen for it- the statues that move, they sing"
"They sing?"
"Oh yes, they sing, they laugh, they cry, all the things ponies do"
"Do you hear them often?"
"Yes, I hear them through my window, every night" she said, pointing to the barred window of the room above.

'I can only assume she's talking about Weeping Angels'

"How do you know they move?"
"They visit, quite often, the small ones can fit through, they stay for a few hours, then they leave"
"I see, what do they talk to you about?"
Her face went blank, then returned to a smile.
"Sorry, what?"
'That was weird...'
"Nothing- so where do they all go?"
"I don't know, they never tell me"
"Ah..."
"But they told me to give a message"
I cocked an eyebrow.
"What is it?" I asked.
"The biped angel says 'Thank you'"
"She's here? In Ponyville?"
"No...they say she never stays in one spot for too long"
'Well that's disappointing...'
"Alright, thank you" I said, standing up.
"Oh, one more thing" she said, ears perking up.
"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you scratch behind my ears? It's been driving me nuts"
> Only human
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 "Hold it" Tardis-girl said, locking the doors, blocking my escape.

"What?" I asked.

"...can I come with you?"

"By all means" I said. 

She smiled, then disappeared from the screen- in a flash, a dark blue earth pony mare with an electric green mane appeared. Her cutie 
mark on was an infinity symbol turned on its side, two lines cut through it, one above the center, the other below, something looked like it was in the space inside the symbol. I looked closer, and found it was sand.

I shook my head as I realized where I was looking.
"A pony, huh?" I smirked.
"Thought I'd give it a shot" she replied simply.

I shrugged and pushed open the doors, walking into a courtyard.

"This should be it," I said "unless we went too far"
"No, we're in the right place" Irdis replied (good name?) "Are your landings always like this?" 
"Not always" I responded. 

I turned and saw the Weeping Angel.

"Oh, there she is" I said, walking towards her.

I pulled my Screwdriver out of my pocket, and checked her with it- what? I can't be too careful...

"Eeyup, this is her alright" I said, pocketing the Screwdriver.

Not even a minute later, pies began hailing from the sky, splattering filling all over the ground.  A draconequus flashed into existence, an 
inside-out umbrella sheilding her from the pies. Irdis and I ran for cover as the pies continued to fall. Just then, water balloons joined the pies in their descent from the sky, exploding upon impact as we ran.

Both of us ducked behind separate pillars, avoiding the attack.

"Are all of your adventures this exciting?" Irdis asked "Can we do that again?"

I pulled her back as another water balloon imploded, water cascading over the floor.

"I know what you truly are!" I shouted over the battle field "You weren't a Weeping Angel! You were a human!" 

The barrage continued for a little longer, before it was finally calm. I cautiously peered out from behind the pillar, approaching the Angel.
I motioned for Irdis to follow, she trotted slowly after me, the draconequus appeared behind me, arms crossed in contempt.

'Female...odd...wonder if her name is Eris...' 

I turned back to the Angel, the smooth face in a placid stare.

"I have a message from Bad Wolf" I said.

'Please don't let her tear me apart...'

"She said that she's sorry for what happened to you...you don't deserve this...I'm sorry..."
"Who are you?" the draconequus asked.

"My name is Zero, I'm a Time Lord, and as I said, Bad Wolf offers her apologies, it was never her intent for this to happen..."

"What are you talking about?"

"She was probing the Void, and it...got out of control...I'm sorry..."

"Is that all?" the draconequus asked impatiently.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is..." I replied "If you need to contact me just...whistle, or something..."
"Believe me, when I call you, you'll know it" she said, mischief lacing her voice.

I coughed, and hesitantly walked back into the Tardis, Irdis following.

The doors closed, and Irdis and I were alone. I set the Tardis for a relatively unimportant spot in space, then sat on the chairs, a tear starting to fall.

"Zero...what's the matter?" Irdis asked, approaching.
"I can't do anything to help her...that's what's the matter..."
"There's nothing else you can do...you can't just change the biology of another living creature"
"I know..."
"Then buck up!" she said, pulling me off the seat, leading me by the hand "Come on! Where's that adventurous spirit?"
I smirked a little, then went to the control panel.
"Ready for a little journey?"
"Follow you anywhere, Z" she replied, her body fading back into the matrix.

'Well...it can't get any worse...right?'


'Right?'
> The Sands of Time 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I stepped out of the Tardis, an ornate room assaulting my vision. The room had a high-vaulted ceiling, the walls decorated with a few paintings. 

'Huh...wonder what time period this is...'

A black arm snaked around my neck, pulling tight as a blade was held to my throat. I struggled to breathe as my attacker ceased to release their grip.

"You will tell me what you're doing in my chambers right now" my attacker hissed, bringing the knife closer to my neck.

'Voice is female, definitely not a pony, possibly an assassin'

"Can't...breathe..." I rasped, clawing at the arm.
She released, letting me fall to the ground. I rolled over, and was staring at an Anubis holding me at knife-point, the necklace and gown led me to assume she was royalty.

"You have ten seconds to explain yourself" she said, still clutching the knife.
"I'm simply passing through, Highness"
"What do you know of me?" she asked, lowering the knife slightly.
"Nothing...I took a shot in the dark..."

She eyed me, then looked to the Tardis. Then surprised me by sheathing her knife.

"Stand" she commanded.
I obeyed, scrambling to my feet. I stared up at her, and realized she was almost a whole head taller than I was. (Maybe it was just her ears?)

"Why did you put your weapon away?" I asked.
"A creature such as you has nothing to defend itself with, my race believes in a fair fight"
"Uh...huh"

'This is new...the show never said anything about Anubites...'

I must be in the equivalent of Ancient Egypt...

"What year is this?" I asked.
"Of what relevance is that?"
"I need to know" I shrugged.
"It is year 92 according to our calendars" 

'I have no idea when I am, great...'

"Why do you ask?" 
"Oh...no reason..."
"You are very strange"

'You have no idea...'

"Thank you" I replied. 
'I think...'

"Where have you come from?" 

'Let's see how far I can take this...'

"I am a diplomat from the far north"
"What species do you represent?"
"Humans"
"I have never heard of them" she said, her eyes narrowing.
"We are very few in numbers, only a few know of us"
"I see...and what is your name?"
"Zero" 
"Zero, an odd name" 
"What's your name?" I asked.
"I am Queen Nevra, leader of the Anubites"
"Hello, I bear you no malice"
"Good to hear, very lucky, in your case"
"Why is that?"
"I don't think you'd be able to defend yourself, even if I gave you the advantage" 

'Uh...huh...'

"Well, anything weird going on?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" she replied.
"Unusual? Out of the ordinary?"
"I know what it means" she barked (ha, 'barked') "why do you want to know?"
"If I'm here, then something must be up"
"Why do you assume that?"
"I don't know, call it a hunch"
"I shall call it what I like, thank you very much" 

'Jeez, she must've really woke up on the wrong side of the bed...'

"I think if it pleases her highness, I'll go out and poke around" 
"What makes you think you have permission to leave?" she asked, blocking my way.
"I assume you don't want me in your personal chambers, and would much rather have me out of the way"
"You'd be correct- begone, and take that...thing, with you" she said, pointing to the Tardis.

I shrugged, and walked into the Tardis, Irdis waiting on the scanner.

"Did she just call me a 'thing'?"
"..."

X X X X X X X 

"Highness, we heard voices, is everything alright?" an anubite guard asked.
"Yes, it is well" she responded "return to your posts"

They turned and left, leaving Nevra alone in the hallway.

'An interesting creature has practically dropped into my lap, claiming to be an ambassador of an unknown species...' she thought to herself 'perhaps the royal scribe will find information on these 'humans'' 

X X X X X X X 

"Stop him!" the anubite guards called, chasing after a running figure "He's stolen property of the royal treasury!" 

Other guards joined in the pursuit, following the offender- they saw a glint of gold from ahead, no doubt from the stolen item, revealing the figure's position. The figure bolted again, the guards hot on his heels, practically snarling in anticipation of catching their prey.

The figure then ducked into a nearby street, the guards following.

"We've got him now!" One of the guards cried "This is a dead end!"

The group turned the corner, spears ready, and saw nothing but the empty alley.

"No..."

X X X X X X X 

I sat in the Tardis, reading a book- or rather, was. I could still read at a normal speed, but to do so just felt a little wrong...and speeding through it like the Doctor does...ugh...don't get me started, it makes my head spin just thinking about it.

*BAM*

I jumped at the noise.

*BAM*

"Looks like somepony's ticked" Irdis commented.

I rolled my eyes as I got up, walking to the doors of the Tardis.

*BAM*

"Can I help you?" I asked, yanking the door open.

A black, furred fist clutched my throat, an angry Anubis queen attached to it. 

"You...have much...explaining to do..." she seethed, her eyes boring holes into mine.


'Uh-oh...'
















> Detonation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What did he steal?" I asked, looking around the vault.

'If she says 'The Phantom Hourglass', I'm going to bust...' 

"We have no name for it, but it is an ancient artifact passed down from our ancestors"
"What is it?"
"The hourglass was utilized by our shamans to predict the future, only myself and a select few know of it" 
"Then how did he know about it, and why did he take it?" 
"I know the answer to neither" 
"He could have taken it in order to use it the way your oracles did" I suggested.
"Impossible, the hourglass chooses who uses it, only those with the gift may access it" 
"That's one possibility..."

"What is your guess as to why one of your 'humans' would steal this specific artifact from our treasury?"
"No clue, Nev..."

'Unless it's the Doctor...but why would he take something like that?'

Nevra sighed as she turned and walked down the hallway, myself following her. 

"You know, Zero-" she began "if it were up to the nobles of the court, you'd be hanging from the gallows"

"Wh-what?"

"The nobles believe this to be some sort of conspiracy, I, myself am not far from believing them, but since you were with me during the robbery, and you must be honest with me- what happened here today, was this truly a plot to pilfer our treasure?"

"If it was, highness, I wasn't a part of it" I replied whole-heartedly.

"That is good to hear" she said, placing a hand on my shoulder "come, let us look further into this"

She and I walked through the halls, past an open window, which looked down into the square of a small city, some buildings made with regular materials, bricks and wood and the like. Though a few looked like they were made out of the sand of the desert, baffling me. There were a few Anubites loitering in the square itself, even fewer of those wearing a cloak, despite the desert heat.

'Still so much to learn...'

"So, how do you suppose we track the criminal?" I asked.

"The Hourglass contains an energy signature, which can be tracked" she replied.

"Good to hear, so...how do we track it?"

"One of my subjects has a special connection with it, we may go to her to find our thief"

"Alright, so where is she now?" 

"Only a bit further, we shall be there before long"
"Oh..."

We soon reached what looked like an ordinary door, I was about to reach for the doorknob, when Nevra stopped me. I looked to her, confused, as she held out her staff and lightly touched the door with the head of the staff. The door glowed as it slowly creaked open, 
Nevra pushed the door open the rest of the way.

"Crystal Belle?"

'So close...' I thought.

"You may enter" a feminine voice responded.

We complied, and my nose was filled with the scent of burning candles as I followed Nevra into the room. 

An Anubis was seated at a desk in the corner of the room, scribbling on a piece of parchment with a quill.

"Please be seated Highness, I'll be finished in a moment" she stated, not looking up from her work.

We did, and I sat on the couch on the opposite side of the room as Nevra remained standing.

The anubis finally finished- setting her quill across the page, she stood up to greet the queen.

"Highness, hello, what brings you here this evening?" she asked, doing a small curtsey.

"Belle, the Hourglass was stolen earlier today, we need you to track it, so we might find the perpetrator"
"This is unfortunate..."

That's all she said.

"*Ahem* Alright, let's get going, then" I said, standing up. 

Nevra nodded, and the three of us left the room, we walked a good ways down the hall before Nevra stopped us.

"The thief ran through here" she stated.

Belle walked forward- kneeling down, she placed her hand against the ground. A short while later, her eyes glowed a dark shade of pink. The glow stopped as she stood up again, she then turned to us.

"The thief is male, and he most certainly did pass through here" she said.
"Where is he now?" I asked.
"I don't know, we must follow the trail to find him"
"Lead the way then" I said. 

Nevra and I followed Belle as she took off down the hall, leading us deeper into the winding halls.

"We're nearing the catacombs" Nevra stated as we ran "we might want to split up and look for the thief"
"Wouldn't we want to stay together?" I asked.
"We may find him quicker this way, and if you get lost in the labyrinth, just call for help- you'll be transported to the beginning of the catacombs"
"Good to know- good luck" 

"And to you as well" she said as I ran into a hall that branched off of the current one.

X X X X X X X 

'How did it come to this?' I wondered, struggling to keep my eyes open as a man approached, a wicked grin on his face.

"You know, thought you'd at least be able to dodge those traps" he commented, grabbing the collar of my shirt and lifting me.
"Y-you? What..."
"Introductions later, right now, I've got business to attend to" he said, dragging me down the now-darkened halls of the castle, towards a storage closet. He kicked the door open, where I saw my Tardis sitting.

He pushed the doors open as he walked in, and set me against the console.

"Wh...h-how..." I groaned as he went about the console.
"A Tardis is a Tardis" he said simply, passing me.
"Why did...you steal...the Hourglass?" 
"It contains certain properties, that when amplified, can- well...let's just say, it appeals to my interests" 
"Like...what?"

"You'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"
"Why do you need me?"
"In all honesty, I don't- but I'll take great pleasure in this-
"What are you-"

I didn't get much farther than that, as the Tardis halted, the man dragged me out, and tossed an object next to me.

"Enjoy yourself" he said coldly, running out of the house.

'Where am...I?'

"Zero? Are you okay?" 

'Lyra?!'

"Lyra- stay away from that thing!" her mother shouted, yanking the filly backwards.

'Oh perfect...'

I hacked as I pushed downward, and rolled over, feeling something hard poking into my back.

'Why'd he leave the Hourglass here?' I wondered, picking it up.

The glass then burned red, then reverted back to its original color.

'What?'

*Beep*
*Beep*

'Oh please don't tell me...'

*Beep*
*Beep*

'It's a bomb...'

I was filled with dread as my head shot to the three ponies.

"...run..."

"What?" 

"RUN! NOW! Run- because your life depends on it!" I said, putting the Hourglass on the floor.

"Why-" Lyra's father began. 

I whipped out my Screwdriver and pointed it at him.

"I swear, if you don't run now- you don't even want to know"

The two ponies eventually left the house, taking Lyra with them. They had positioned themselves a good distance away, over in a field someplace. 

I laid down on the Hourglass, covering it with my body. I locked the Tardis with the Screwdriver and put it in my pocket as the beeping sound progressively got faster. I screwed my eyes shut as a few tears escaped, waiting for the inevitable.

'I don't want to go...'

*Beep Beep*
*Beep Beep*

'...this is going to hurt...'





> Regeneration 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

My parents and I watched in horror as the windows of the house shattered, glass blowing outward as an inferno built from inside the house- a swirling vortex of red and gold consumed the house, then groaned as it began to collapse in on itself.

"No! Zero!" I shouted, my parents holding me back.
Dad looked to me, the look on his face told me everything.

"It's too late Lyra..."

"...no..."

"He was a brave...thing..." mom said. 
"He said he was a human" I mumbled.
"He was a brave 'hue-man'" 

A number of ponies had gathered in the street, staring at the burning house as the fire department arrived, their wagon loaded with the water tank and fire hose.

"Come on...let's go..." dad said quietly, turning away from the fireponies dousing some of the flames.

'Goodybe Zero...you were a good friend...' I thought, following my parents.

X X X X X X X

I coughed as I pushed open the doors of the Tardis, my damaged body beginning to give off golden mist. The door shut of their own accord as I crawled up the stairs, my breathing erratic as it felt like my entire body was falling asleep, the prickling sensation getting 
stronger as I grasped at the console, attempting to pull myself up.

'This...is it...'

I screamed as white hot pain and more of the mist enveloped my body, the pain so intense I collapsed back into a sitting position. I kept my eyes shut as the pain intensified, and I felt my body shift, bones cracking as I once more let an anguished scream escape. The flow
of mist began to stem its flow as I fell forwards, the pain numbing just the tiniest bit as I began to regain my senses. My breathing didn't start regulating itself until minutes later, my hearts beating at a faster pace than usual- I held a hand to my face, and was greeted with
a coat of fur. 

'What? What's this? I still have hands?' I wondered, blinking as my new eyes stared fixedly at the appendage.

'Hello...what have we here?'

My hands wandered through my hair (or mane, now), and I felt my ears, the furry things moving of their own accord as I currently had no control of them.

'Let's see...two eyes...two ears...no horn, darn it...no wings either...so earth pony? I can live with that...no canines...two hands...two hooves...interesting...thought I'd turn into a normal pony...ummm...is that it?'

I investigated my new body as I looked into the column of the Tardis, the reflection of a light blue, anthro earth pony with a disheveled purple mane staring back. 

'Huh...'

I was at a loss for words- and what I should do...I mean, I just changed bodies, I should be curled up on the floor, waiting for my own insanity to take over...

'Same height too...weird...'

I shook my head as I wandered away from the console, almost tipping forward a few times due to my hooves.

'This'll take some getting used to...'

If my parents could see me now...

Before I realized it, a tear escaped my eye as I thought back to my family on Earth. 

'No going back now, I suppose...' I thought somberly 

But that doesn't mean I couldn't try, right? 

Nervously walking around the console, I set the controls for Earth.

'Here goes nothing...'

I flipped a lever and the alarms in the Tardis went off, assaulting my eardrums as the Tardis lurched, the column stopped for a few minutes after I landed. 

I peeked out the door and found myself in a park, a crowd gathered around the Tardis, clapping of all things. 

"Thank you, thank you" I said, doing a small bow, when on the inside, I was sweating bullets, wondering how to get out of this.

'It worked for the Doctor, I guess it can work for me...' I shrugged mentally.

"The next performance will be along shortly" 

I recieved calls of amazement as I double-checked the door to make sure it was locked, then waded through the crowd.

"That was awesome!" one girl gushed, about ten "how did you do that?"
"A magician never reveals his secrets" I replied, stopping to answer her.
"That's a good costume too" she added "did you make it yourself?"
"In a manner of speaking" 

A few minutes later, the girl's parents ushered her away, apologizing to me, to which I said it was no problem.

Now, though, I was sitting on a park bench- wondering if it was the right thing to do to be sitting here, in a public place no less. But I was safe, in a sense, people don't want to believe that this is isn't a costume, and are just fine believing it is. My eyes wandered
around the park, watching the people go about their day, some playing with their kids, or just hanging out like I was. I practically jumped up in excitement and confusion when I saw my parents, with my younger, human self. The other me looked about four, babbling a few 
coherent words as he/me played in the grass, my parents sitting with him, er, me...

'I think I remember this...my little sister was born not too long after this...' I thought, watching him play contentedly as my mother held her swollen stomach.

Why am I here though? It's dangerous enough as it is with me being here, why did the Tardis bring me here? I knew the answer, I just wonder why it had to be this specific moment. 

'I don't think I can go towards them, I could cause a paradox...'

To my surprise, I waved to myself- that is, my other self waved to me, a little chubby hand moving through the air. I hesitantly waved back, then prepared to stand up and leave when he started making his way towards me. 

At the last moment, he turned and followed something else that caught his attention, just as my mother screamed in pain. My eyes darted to my parents as my mom clutched her stomach, my dad helping her up. I then looked back to my younger self, wandering toward the road, oblivious to the traffic. I began sweating again as I looked back to my parents-

'Come on...come on...' I thought, my eyes darting back and forth 'why aren't they doing anything?'

My mom's hand shot up as she pointed toward my younger self, calling for someone to stop me. The bystanders were too late, as the younger me wandered into the street, a speeding car on a collision course.

'Screw it' I thought, withdrawing my Screwdriver. 

I pointed it at the car and activated it, the hood of the car blew off, the engine sputtering and smoking as it rolled to a stop. I then pocketed my Screwdriver as I stood up and wandered back towards the Tardis, spying my dad scoop up my younger self as he and my mom went to the car, climbing in to go to the hospital. The driver of the car I'd stopped had since climbed out, scratching his head as he stared at the engine. 

I walked back to the Tardis, a good number of people still watching.

"Watch out, coming through please" I said, brushing past them. 
I removed the key from my pocket and unlocked the door, I stepped inside as I shut it behind me. 

"Where to next?" I asked aloud, my voice resounding through the empty Tardis.

Without warning, the Tardis leapt into the Time Vortex.

"Wh-what are you doing?!" I cried, holding onto the console for dear life.

The Tardis stopped, silence dominating the room. 

I stood up and walked to the doors, I pulled it open and was met with the city of Canterlot.

'Canterlot, once again- why?' I wondered, shutting the door behind me. 

Snow drifted silently in the streets and alleyways of the city, the glistening snow on the roofs and spires of the palace making a breath-taking sight as the moonlight was reflected off of it. In the distance, I could hear several voices singing, the source presumably from
inside a nearby house. 

'Hearth's Warming? Odd...'

I shivered as I shoved my hands into my damaged jacket, which reminded me to get some new clothes at some point- my hooves were actually relatively warm given the weather.

'Well...I'm fairly certain the Tardis needs to recharge...might as well take a look around here' I thought as the snow crunched beneath my hooves.

I then found myself wandering into an inn, a small one, despite Canterlot's population density.

How did I know that?

I dusted the freshly fallen snow off of my jacket as I stepped up to the registration desk, earning stares from the few ponies in the lobby.
The inn actually looked welcoming, quite a contrast from the supposed high-profile buildings in the rest of Canterlot.

"How much for a room?" I asked.
"Ten bits a night" the mare behind the desk answered nervously.
"I don't have any cash, would you put me up for the night in exchange for services?"
"What can you do?" she asked.
"Not much, I can help when you need me" I suggested.
The mare huffed, then passed a key to me.
"You've got room 5, down the hall and third door on the left" she said.
"Thank you, really" I said.
"Hey, it's Hearth's Warming" she said, a small smile on her face "nopony deserves to be out in the cold like that" 

I smiled myself as the mare left the counter, trotting to another room off to the side. 

"If anypony else comes in, check the log to see which rooms are open" she yawned.
"You're leaving a complete stranger to run the front desk?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"I've got a security spell going, even if you wanted to try something, you couldn't" she responed "goodnight- what's your name?"
"Zero"
"Oh...goodnight Zero..." 

And with that, she closed the door, and I heard her settle into her own bed, falling asleep.

'Hearth's Warming eve...' I pondered.

Well...it'll make somepony happy, why not? 

I removed my Screwdriver from my pocket as I approached the christmas tree.





> Celebration
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

My nose wrinkled as I tiredly glanced at my alarm clock, the arms on its face reading 8:30 a.m. 

'8...30?'

"Oh buck! I slept in!" I cried, quickly tossing off the covers as I ran to the bathroom. I got ready as fast as I could, taking a quick shower as I struggled with my uniform as I practically hopped down the stairs to the lobby. 

My jaw dropped as I spied the Hearth's Warming tree, looking vastly different than it did last night. There were actual presents under the tree, not just the ones I'd put there for decoration. Speaking of decorations- lights and decorations lined the tree, creating a dazzling
effect to match the mood of the morning. 

At least...for some ponies...

I shook my head as I ran into the small cafe attached to the lobby, expecting at least a few angry and hungry ponies waiting for it to open. I was surprised for the second time that morning as I saw Zero and at least one other waiter were taking orders and occassionally
switching off duties, Zero heading into the kitchen to prepare the meals as Silver Tray took the orders. 

"Tray? What...what's going on here?" I asked.

"Serving the guests, ma'am" she responded, as if it were obvious.

"But- but- how? Why?"

"It was Zero's idea, ma'am, he said it 'might make a good Hearth's Warming present'"

"Huh..."

"Ma'am?" Tray asked.

"Yes?" 

"Would you like to take a bit longer getting ready?" she asked carefully "things are a bit slow right now..."

"Er...yes...I think...I would..." 

X X X X X X X 

'Alright, let's see...eggs and toast'

I set down the slip with the order on it, and dished out a good portion of scrambled eggs onto a plate as I grabbed some freshly made toast. 

"Order up" I said, ringing the little bell on the counter as I set the plate down.

"You don't need to say that every time" Silver said, taking the plate.

"I know, it's just fun to say" I replied.

Silver took the plate as she set another order on the counter.

'Oh goody...let's see, pancakes...shouldn't be too tricky'

X X X X X X X 

"Um...Zero? Do you want me to do kitchen duty for a little while?" Silver asked, watching me wipe pancake batter off of my face.

"Uh, sure...careful though, I think the stove is broken..." 

She laughed as I left the kitchen, still wearing my apron. I walked to a table that seated two ponies and their son. 

'Let's see...slight fidgeting...appearance is attempting to be as inconspicuous as possible'

"So...what would you folks like this morning" I asked, pencil and pad in hand "Pancakes? Eggs?"

"Um...I don't think we're quite ready yet..." the stallion said, looking up from his menu.

"How about a nice big helping of love?" I whispered.

The mare's jaw hit the table as the colt shrunk back.

"How did you know?" the stallion growled quietly.

"I had an idea, but you just told me" I replied.

The stallion stood up, discreetly scraping his hoof on the ground. I took it as a challenge and I held up my hands.

"Hey pal, I don't have a problem with it- if it'll make you feel better, I won't tell anypony" 

"You...won't?"

"Yup, why not? It's Hearth's warming, and you haven't done anything"

'...that I know of...' I thought.

"Th-thank you" he said, shocked.
"Nothing to thank me for" I said "now, what would you like?" 

They ordered a small breakfast, and I took the order to the counter as the owner trotted into the cafe.

"Hey there boss, sleep well?" I asked.
"Uh, yeah- what's...going on here?"
"I thought this might make a good Hearth's Warming present for you" 
"Well...I..er...thank...you?" 
"Happy to help" 

I set the order on the counter as the mare prepared to take a notepad from the counter.

"Things are pretty slow right now, I don't think we'll need three waiters" I commented.
"But...but..."
"Happy Hearth's Warming" I said, taking a finished order from the counter.

X X X X X X X 

"Well...breakfast is over, now what do we do?" I asked, removing my apron and hanging it as Silver Tray, Notes (the owner) and myself exited the dining room. 

"Presents!" one of the foals cried.
"Ah, yes, the presents- how could I forget?" I said, doing an overdramatic face-palm.

"Were in Equestria did you manage to find presents?" Notes asked, barely restraining her voice to a whisper.

'You'd be amazed at what kinds of things you'd just find lying around'

I put some distance between Notes and myself, walking towards the tree as I stepped around a few of the excited foals.

"Alright...is there a...Silver Bells here?"

'Oh god...the puns...'

A small blue filly with a silver mane stepped forward.

"Here ya go" I said, handing the box to her. 
The filly took the present by the bow, and trotted a few feet away to open it. She tore into the package with heart-stopping cuteness, quickly removing the wrapping as she removed a small stuffed animal from the box. The filly let out a cute squeal as she hugged the toy.

The rest of the presents were soon passed out, each foal getting the corresponding present from under the tree. 

The rest of the day went by, as holidays often will do, and I spent much of the day helping out Notes and Tray around the hotel, learning how to celebrate Hearth's Warming along the way. We sang carols, ate a big meal, (which we prepared for the guests, naturally), and just generally hung out. Notes still couldn't get over the redecorating I'd done to the lobby, how I'd managed to do it all before morning baffled her to no end. 

The three of us were currently sitting on the couch, in front of the fireplace, myself seated to the far right as the two other ponies occupying the couch sat on the other two seats. The other guests had long since gone to sleep, leaving just us three awake- we passed the time by simply talking, enjoying the company. 

The fire crackled as the three had remained silent for some time, staring into it as we sat watching it.

"Silent night....holy night...all is calm....all is right..." 

"That's a beatiful song" Notes commented softly "I've never heard it before"
"Family tradition" I lied.

"Well...*yawn* I'm going to bed...I'll see you in the morning..." Notes said, getting up from the couch.
"I guess this is goodbye, then" I said.
"You're leaving?"
"Yes, I'll be gone by morning"
"Oh...well...goodbye Zero, thanks for everything"
"You're welcome, both of you" 

They both said goodbye and goodnight, and left the room. 

'Sleep in heavenly peace...' I thought, exiting the hotel as I made sure the doors were locked. 

The snow crunched beneath my hooves once more as I walked down the street, towards the Tardis. My eye caught a particularly large snow drift, and I ignored it, thinking it unimportant. 

That is, until I saw it shift.

Almost automatically, I reached for my Screwdriver as I approached the snow drift, unsure of what might lay inside it.

I dusted away some of the snow...and a tuft of someone's mane popped up. I moved more of the snow, the ice biting into my hands as the weather took its toll- I cleared away enough to find a shivering foal- her greenish mane wet from the snow. I sighed as I removed my jacket, and picked the filly up, carefully placing her in the jacket before picking her up and continuing the walk to the Tardis. 

'Still need to get some new clothes...' I reminded myself as I walked. 

The little girl shifted in my arms as the jacket did some good in warming her up.

I unlocked the door to the Tardis, and stepped inside. 












  
> Salvation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The little filly lay spread across the chairs in front of the console, still dozing peacefully in the comfort of my jacket.

You know what else? I don't feel that different, despite regeneration. I honestly don't feel that different...maybe I'm just a 'late bloomer'? That can't be right...but...my 'original' body...ugh...

Something isn't right, that's my point!

The filly shifted in her sleep, comfortable in her current state- or so I assumed.

I saw her awaken through the column, her sleepy little eyes and tired yawn almost forcing my hearts to give out from the sheer adorableness. She suddenly became aware of the jacket, as well as her surroundings.

"Hello" I said carefully.
Her ears perked up, and tried to make herself smaller in the jacket- appearing terrified as I sat down next to her.

"I'm not going to hurt you" I said.

My words did nothing to reassure her, as she remained silent, her huge eyes staring at me.

"Well...are you hungry?" I asked.
She slowly shook her head 'yes', still enveloped in my jacket.

"Right, anything specific you want?" 

She shrugged as I stood up, and just as Idris popped into existence. She basically took on a R63 version of myself- she scooped up the filly, eliciting a shriek from the little pegasus. 

"What are you doing?" I asked, failing to hide the smile on my face.
"I'm pwaying with the wittle fiwwy, yes I am, yes I am" she giggled, tickling one of the foal's wings with her hand.

"Um...which way is the kitchen?" I asked, blushing.

'I really need to know which rooms are where...'

"You're helpless without me" Idris smirked, rolling her eyes. She carried the foal under her arm as she walked out of the console room, myself following.

"Down that way is the library, coming up on our left is the Testing room-"

"What's it used for?"

"Testing, of course"

"Test what?"

"Alien tech, anything out of the ordinary you might find, that sort of thing"

"Oh"

"To the right here is the dressing room"
'Have to remember this one for later...'

"Hmmm...here we go! The kitchen is right here" she said, walking into one of the rooms.

The kitchen itself looked like any ordinary kitchen, white walls, a small island a little ways from the counter, and a table with a few chairs accompanying it. 

"Neat" I said, or rather, was all I was capable of saying.
"Like it? I designed it myself"
I smiled a little as I took a loaf of bread from the cupboard, removing a jar of peanut butter as well. I set them on the island, then went to the fridge to fetch a jar of jelly.

I set to work making the sandwiches as Idris continued playing with the filly, and it was just occurring to me that I still didn't know her name. I placed the plate on the table in front of the filly, who was currently situated in Idris' lap. She dug into the sandwhich 
with vigor, a groan of contentment eminating from her as she ate her meal.

"She's cute, isn't she?" Idris said, running her fingers through the filly's mane.
"Yeah...so...why hasn't she said anything?" 
"Haven't you been able to tell?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"She's mute"

...wh...oh...

"How...how can you tell?"
"Here" she said, holding the filly up "see for yourself"
I took the filly in my arms, and lay the palms of my hands against her ears.

'Well...I don't know how...but she is, most certainly, mute'

The filly's eyes widened in surprise, the little bit of jam smeared on her face from the sandwich making her heart-stoppingly cute.

'I can hear you in my head' she said/thought, amazed 'I can feel you inside my mind'

"Some of the links between your brain and vocal chords are missing" I said, peering into her eyes. I released her, sitting down at the table as Idris looked on in amusement.

The three of of sat at the table, the only sounds coming from the rest of the Tardis outside.

"Well...um..." I started "I think we'll let you warm up a bit more...and we'll...send you home..."
"Awww, but why?" Idris moaned, picking up the filly "she soooooo adorable!"

Both of them were giving me the puppy-dog eyes, making me feel as if I were staring into the heart of darkness itself.

"Well, I didn't say she had to go right now" I said.

"Yeah...but do we have to send her back?"
"Yes" I responded simply.
"Why?"
"I think you know why" 
"Please...enlighten me" 

"It's just...I'm...there are thousands of hundreds of different species out there, right?" 
"Go on"
"And...whatever we get pulled into next...I'm just...there are a lot of chances for something to go wrong, okay?"

I stood up and left the kitchen, leaving Idris and the filly alone. I walked through the halls of the Tardis, searching for the dressing room. My hooves resounded off the metal floor as I went, filling the hall with the noise. 

'Nope...'

'Nope...'

'Nope...'

'Ah-ha!' 

I walked into the spacious room, spying dozens of suits and dresses lining the walls.

'Damn...there's a lot to choose from...' I thought, walking up the steps and to one of the racks.

"Hmm...um..."

I picked a purple dress shirt off of one of the racks, along with a green tie and a pair of black pants. I shucked off my pants, thankful that I was alone, and replaced them with the black pair. I left out the suspenders altogether, and replaced my old shirt with the purple one, and wrapped the tie around my neck. I quickly tied it, then glanced in the mirror. 

'It's missing something...' I thought, adjusting my tie. 

'Fedora maybe?'

I gave the hat a glance.

'Na...'

I finally settled on what I was wearing, and left the room. I got lost at least two times before I managed to find my way back to the kitchen, where Idris and the filly were still waiting.

"Well? How do I look?" I asked, doing a small spin.
"Nice" Idris whispered, looking me up and down "shhh, she fell asleep while you were gone" 

I carefully picked the filly up, and Idris and I walked back to the control room, I set her down on her spot on the seats in front of the console. I turned to Idris, who was flicking at something on one of the panels.

"So..." I started, leaning on one of the panels "what now?"
"I don't know- you're the Time Lord here"

"No..."
"What?"
"No...no, I'm not a Time Lord..."
"Y-"
"Don't you even start with me" I snapped "Face it, I'm just a sad little human pretending to be something I'm not-"
"No Zero- don't you-"
"Don't you get it?! I'm not even half the hero the Doctor is! I haven't even done anything important!"

Idris' hand collided with my face, sending me into shock as I stumbled backwards.

"Don't you dare say that ever again! Do you hear me?!" she cried. 
"What-"
"No, you listen to me- you threw yourself on top of a  bomb, are you telling me that's not important?"
"But it's-"
"Do you even know what that device could've done if you hadn't done that?"
"What?" I asked, somewhat fearful.
"It could've ruptured the Time Vortex, all of time would have literally shattered into pieces" 

I sat there, contemplating what she said.

"You helped the Mane-iac and her sister get back together- the Mane-iac Zero"

"..."

She leaned down, cupping my face. 

"You might not compare to the Doctor when it comes to saving worlds and galaxies- but you've got a good heart....er, two hearts, and a good head on your shoulders"

"..."

"Well...you just gonna sit there? Or do I have to come down there?"

I coughed as I stood up, staring her in the face.

"...thanks..."

"Hey, no problem" she grinned "now, as you were saying, where to next?"

'The age-old question...'












  

     
> Forestation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

??? P.O.V

I watched curiously from my perch as the green box appeared out of thin air, the light atop it glowing as bright as the moon. The light cut through the mist of the forest, illuminating the area around it as three figures stepped out of the box- two being rather large, the other being rather small. My ears swung forward, attempting to listen to the conversation.

"-not my fault!" the female shouted to the male "How was I supposed to know one of the thrusters would give out?"
The stallion sighed in frustration as the three looked around the surrounding areas of the lush rainforest. 

"Well...at least we landed here, we could have wound up somewhere a lot less...nice..."
"..."

The silence was heavy in the air, the stand-off between the two larger of the ponies mixing with the usual sounds of the forest.

"I'm going to look around a little..." the male finally said "...maybe find some food..."
"You know we've got plenty!" the mare shouted after him.
"But what fun is there in that?" he asked, turning and walking backwards to face her as she picked up the foal. 
"I swear...sometimes I don't know what runs through his head..." she mumbled, walking into the box and closing it.

'Such an odd bunch' I thought, swinging through the trees, closer to the box. I inspected the words written near the top, as well as a smaller sign on what appeared to be one of the doors.

'Pull to open?' I wondered 'Then...why did the doors appear to swing in?'

The sound of the forest floor being disturbed made itself known, I quickly reacted by diving into the bushes, the foliage giving me a proper disguise.

The male swore to itself as it removed thorns from its hide. He stopped, and inspected the forest. He slowly reached into his pocket, producing a stick- it activated, a light turning on as it resounded. It shut itself off, and he checked it, before placing it back into his
pocket.

"I know you're out there" he said, his voice quivering a bit as his gaze shifted.

I stopped cold, as I realized that he had, in fact, heard me.

"No point in hiding anymore" he continued.





"No point in hiding anymore" I said, praying that whatever this was wasn't some jungle-form of Timberwolves.

The foliage to my right rustled, and looked like a flower walking out.

Well...I was half-right...

A large, blooming flower sat on the back of the 'pony', leaves and everything. The eyes were a deep green, barely contrasting with the lighter green coat. Smaller flowers decorated the frame- and now, I noticed, some of her body was...well...let's just say...'decaying' for the sake of argument...I could literally see the ribs showing through the left side of the chest.

"Hello" I greeted "who might you be?"
The pony was quiet, staring at me through those emerald orbs.

"..."

The doors to the Tardis opened, revealing the pony filly. She was venturing out, presumably because Idris had slipped back into the Time Vortex. 

She stared at the both of us, and we stared back. 

"You...you have a little one?" the floral pony finally asked.
"Not exactly- we found her out in the cold, thought I'd find out how she got out there in the first place" I responded.
"Then...why have you come to this section of the jungle?"
"That...isn't so easy to explain" 
"Why ever not?"
"It just isn't"

The pony looked me up and down, sizing me up in her mind.

"So, how did you get out here?" I asked, pointing to the large flower on her back.
"That tale might require some time...would you care to join me in my hut?" 
"How far?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Just a little ways" she responded "Come, you must be tired after venturing so far"

I stared at the leaving pony, and looked to the filly. I motioned her to follow, and she came, trotting at a fast pace in front of me.

'Well...here we go again...'





"Pardon the mess" the plant pony said, walking into a rundown shack "I don't have many visitors out here"
"Don't mind at all" I replied, the filly following me "I'm a bit messy, myself" 

'Or...my other self was...'

That's gonna take some getting used to...

She smiled a bit as she sat, the two of us doing the same.

"So...perhaps I should begin?"
I nodded.
"Well...I suppose it happened a few months ago...hard to keep track of time out here, you see"
"I imagine it would"
"Can I ask what your name is?"
"Only if you tell me yours"
"I'm Zero"
"Blooming Lotus"
"...well...I suppose we'd better talk?"

"Very well..." 

She took a deep breath.

"I was madly in love, and you know what? I don't even remember his name..."
I stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.
"We were hiking, it was our honeymoon...he suggested that we go camping, and- and- when our guide left us...he...he..."

I knew more than enough, based on her tone and stuttering.

"...what happened after...that?" I asked, watching my wording carefully. 
"He just...he left me...here...he didn't even...even look back..."
"I'm so sorry..." I said genuinely.
"It's alright...I get a bit broken up when I think about it...but...it happened...and there's nothing I can do to change it...so...no reason to...dwell on it..."

I had a time-machine, and I could, theoretically help her...but if I did...it would cause a paradox, and I wouldn't want Reapers around, would I? So, in the long run, there was nothing I could do...at least in that respect...

"So I've lived here ever since" she said, gesturing to the hut.
"...and...what brought on your...transformation?" 

"I became one with the jungle..." she said, a small smile gracing her features "it saved me...and I've no desire to go back...to my old life, I mean"
"You're content here, I take it?"
"Oh yes, I absolutely love talking to the flowers"
"..."
"I know what you must be thinking- and yes, they do talk, you must listen hard enough"
"Ah"
"Well...I suppose that would be about it for me..." she said. 
"Lotus, hypothetically, what would you do if presented with the chance to go back home?"
"I believe I would turn it down" she replied, a bit of uncertainty in her voice.
"But?"
"But...I'd very much like to go back, if nothing else, to give my family closure..."
"Well, I think that could be arranged" I said, standing up.
"Where are you going?"
"Surprise, now come on" 

She cocked an eyebrow, and hesitantly followed the filly and myself back to the Tardis- it took a while, given that the Tardis was almost the exact same color as the trees and foliage surrounding it.

"Here we are" I said, removing the key from my pocket.
"How will...this...help us in anyway?"
"You'll see" I said, unlocking the door and stepping in.

The filly walked in, followed by Lotus, her jaw hanging open in surprise.

"Which city did you live in?" I asked, ignoring her reaction.

"F-fillydelphia..." she responded, staring amazedly at the console room.

"Let's see...Fillydelphia...aaaaaannnnndddd...here we are!" I shouted, stepping away from the console.

"Stay here" I said, setting the filly on the seats before the console.
Her ears flattened against her head, as she watched me leave with Lotus.

"This should be the right place" I said, staring out at the city as I closed the doors to the Tardis. We had apparently landed on the rooftop of an apartment building, the time being about three in the afternoon.

"We moved? How is that even remotely possible?" she asked, looking around in confusion.
"Tardis stands for 'Time And Relative Dimension In Space'." I explained "Is this the right area?"
"I know it is" she confirmed "I remember coming up here as a filly- my parents should be downstairs"

"Do you need me to come with you?" I asked.
"Would you? I think it would make it a bit easier to tell them..."
"Of course" I responded.

I walked to the doorway leading down, and held it open for Lotus, before the both of us walked down two flights of stairs.

"Here we are..." she said quietly, the both of us stopping in front of a door marked 'F-6'.

I knocked, and stood back. 

The door opened, revealing an aqua-colored earth pony with a silvery mane.

"What do you want?" the stallion asked gruffly.
"Dad?" Lotus asked.
"W-willow?" he stuttered.
"Dad..." she said in relief.

The door flew open, practically thrown from its hinges as the stallion stared at her.

"...you're not my daughter..." he said.

"Wh-what?!" Lotus cried.
"My daughter doesn't look anything like you! Who are you?! Who is he?!"
"Sir, if I may" I interjected "If you would allow us to do a bit of explaining, I'm sure you can verify for yourselves that this in fact, is your daughter"

The stallion stared at the both of us, his blue eyes flicking back and forth between Lotus and I.

"Let me get my wife, and then we can talk" he said stiffly, walking into the apartment.

Lotus walked in ahead of me, and I followed, closing the door behind me as we entered.


 


> Secrets Revealed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The stallion had returned with his wife, both of them trotting into the room as I sat on the couch, waiting with Lotus. 

"Who are you?" the mare asked, sitting with the stallion.
"Do you not recognize me?" Lotus replied.
"No...I'm afraid not..."
"I'm not surprised...the last time we met, my coat was blue"

The mare peered at Lotus, as if attempting to connect the dots to some complicated puzzle. It took her brain a few minutes to turn over, before her eyes widened in surprise. 

"N-no...it...you can't be...it's not...possible..."
The mare stood, then embraced Lotus in a tight hug, Lotus herself returning it.

"Can somepony tell me just what the buck is going on here?" the stallion asked, watching in confusion.

I cocked an eyebrow.

"And just who the heck are you?" he asked, his head swiveling to me.
"Zero, pleasure to meet you" I said, turning back to the mare and Lotus.
Lotus's mother was weeping tears of joy into Lotus' mane, despite Lotus appearing to be a bit larger than Big Macintosh.

The stallion was still puzzled, his brain having not yet made the connection.

"Tinker, this is her-" his wife choked "-this is really her"
"I-I- don't...I-I-I-"

I rolled my eyes and reached for the stallion, dragging him across the floor as he let out a squeal of surprise. 

The three of them hugged, each of them holding each other as they did so. I subconsciously wiped a tear from my eye as I watched them.

"Z-Zero..." Lotus' mother said, looking up "Th-thank you so much for bringing our daughter back to us..."
"No problem" I said, waving dismissively.
"Mother..." Lotus said, her parents still hugging her "I should tell you now...I won't be staying..."
"Wh-wh-why? You just came back!" her mother cried.
"I know...and I will spend time with you...but...I feel that the jungle is my proper home now, I wouldn't fit in here anymore"

I stood up, and began to leave the room, the stallion saw me, and cocked an eyebrow.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"Family affair, I've got no place in it- I'll just be up on the roof" I called back, closing the door behind me.

I hiked up the stairs, my hooves clopping against the wood as I went, not stopping until I reached the roof. I sat down, my back against the Tardis, as the beautiful day continued around me, the clean, blue sky and cotton-ball clouds hanging above, as the sounds of the city rose from below. 

I looked up boredly, and by chance, caught the lamp on the roof of the Tardis glowing, as it did before takeoff. I shot up and scrambled inside, clumsily slamming the door shut as I crossed the threshold and stumbled into the Tardis. My mind was churning as my thoughts turned to Lotus, who had probably assumed that I'd just left her there, and why the Tardis had just decided to go off on its own. 

"Irdis- Irdis!" I shouted, running up to the console, almost tripping over the small filly "What the hell's going on?!" 
"I don't know! I can't even keep a lock on the time period!" she replied, appearing on the scanner "It's like something's pulling us through the Time Vortex!"
"Where to?!" I shouted over the roar.
"No idea!" she shouted back "Hold on tight!" 

I made a grab for the filly, and held her under my arm as I gripped the console for dear life, afraid of what was happening, and what would happen. 

The entire room rattled and shook violently as I felt us come to a stop. I still gripped the console, my eyes screwed shut as I waited for something to explode. One of my eyes opened a crack, and I shakily let go of the console, setting the filly on the floor as I slumped onto the floor. I took a deep breath as I stood, and inspected the damage, it didn't look too bad, most of the damage should be relatively easy to fix. 

"Irdis?" I called.

No response.

I looked up at the scanner, found her image gone, and pushed it away.

'Might as well find out where we are...' I thought looking around the room.

A number of knobs came free of the console, the panel itself sparking and sputtering as the knobs clattered to the floor. 

I sighed, and spotted the filly waiting.

"Oh no you don't" I said, picking her up "You stay right here, I have no idea what's out there, and whatever it is, it can't be good"

She pouted adorably- her lip quivering as her large eyes bored into me.

"No" I stated.
"Pf"
"Stay here, and don't touch anything" 

I turned, and walked to the doors of the Tardis- I prepared my Screwdriver as I pushed one of the doors, peeking out. 

Imagine my surprise, when I found a gun in my face- and not just any gun. 

"We have been expecting you" the dalek stated. 





"Why are you here?" I asked, walking as I was positioned between two daleks, one in front, and one in the back "This isn't your universe" 

The daleks didn't respond, only leading on as we walked.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" I asked "There aren't nearly enough of you to even exterminate a dwarf planet" 

The two daleks stopped, and I found myself staring into the eye of a red dalek, whereas the other two were gold. 

"Can I assume you're the head of this little catastrophy?" I asked.

"Body parts have nothing to do with it" the red dalek stated "we have brought you here"

"Ah, so you're the ones behind that- nice work by the way, how'd you do it?"

"I will never divulge" Red replied "we...need...you..."

"Really- you need me? Whatever for?" I asked, genuinely curious as to why they'd need me, compared to the Doctor.

"We are stranded here" Red stated.

"I can see that...pity, now you don't have a chance to exterminate any races- must suck for you" 

"We only strive to exterminate one" 

"Oh, and who would that be?"

"The Predator"

"Ah, so you do know the Doctor is here" 

"Affirmative"

"How exactly do you plan to do that, though? There are only like, what? Four of you? Good luck with that- you're going to need a lot more daleks, and a lot more firepower if you want to kill the Doctor"

"Affirmative, that is why we have you" 

"I don't follow"

"Your entire existence belongs to us"

"What?" I asked.

"We have created you, for the sole purpose of exterminating the one known as 'The Doctor'"

"Exactly how much damage did the Void do to you? I'm not your creation, I'm a living, breathing, person"

"Incorrect, you are Experiment #571"

"I'm Zero- I was a human, before I was turned into this" I said, gesturing to myself.

"Tell me...if you really were like the Predator, you would take a companion"

"That's just how I travel"

"Incorrect" Red said again "You only have one purpose- exterminate the Predator"

"No" I stated firmly.

"Your choice matters little, at one time or another, your eventual path will lead to your one purpose"

I began breathing heavily, my hearts hammering away as I considered the possibility- yes, there was a chance they were lying, but at the same time...anything could be possible...

"At last, you realize your role" 

"No..."

"EXPLAIN!" Red roared.

"I will never...and I repeat...never ever...not in a million years...not in my entire lifetime...kill the Doctor"

"That is what you think" 

"Shut up!" I spat.
I removed my Screwdriver, and shoved it into the plating of the red dalek, and activated it- it whirred before the top blew off, landing harshly a few feet away as I continued to use the Screwdriver. 

"Self-destruct sequence activated" a robotic voice from somewhere inside the dalek stated.
I then turned and used the screwdriver on the other three daleks in the room, preventing them from moving.

"I am immobile!" one of them stated.

I ran back to the Tardis, hoping that I was going to get inside before the dalek exploded. My hooves struck the metal flooring as I ran, clearing about a foot at a time as I went. I found the Tardis, and scrambled inside, firmly locking the door behind me. I looked down, and saw the filly, waiting just in front of the stairs, giving me a look that asked 'What happened?'.

Her response was a loud explosion that came from outside, rocking the Tardis as I flinched. 

"Everything's fine" I said, a fake smile on my face "I'd say it's about time to get out of here...don't you?"

She nodded eagerly, completely oblivious to what had happened outside, and not caring to find out what it was, based on the context of the situation.


       
> The Impostor Doctor 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Are you okay? What happened out there?" Irdis asked, appearing before the filly and I, this time taking on the form of a griffon. 
"Fine...just peachy..." I huffed, gasping for breath.

'Yep, everything's just fine- my entire existence is a lie, is all'

"So...what happened with you? With the Tardis?" I asked.
"Turns out there was something drawing us here" she replied.

"What was it?"

"Vortex Transmitter- it locked onto the Tardis, and drew it here, like a beacon"

"Ah" 

Irdis suddenly looked down to the filly, as if she had just registered she was there. 

"Why don't you go down to the pool and swim for a bit, hon" she smiled, bending down to stroke her mane.

The filly cocked an eyebrow, and trotted out of the control room, shooting a glance back to the two of us. 

"How does she know where the pool is?"

"That's not important right now" Irdis replied, placing a claw on my shoulder "What's important, is getting this whole thing sorted out"

"What thing?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"You know perfectly well what" she said, her voice level.

"I don't kno-"

"Z, I might've been in sleep mode, but-"

"...how much did you hear..."
"Well, ya see, the thing about that is-"
"How. Much. Did. You. Hear." 

"...everything..."

"Well...we both know why we're here...what do you think we should do?"

"What do you think we should do?"

"I don't know...the rational part of me is demanding I find somewhere to settle down and switch the Tardis to back-up..."

"And me?" 

"You are the Tardis-" I said, rolling my eyes "-and of course I'd never forget about you"

"Alright, granted we can't actually meet the Doctor- like, ever" she relented "but we both know that living down there wouldn't change anything"

"Well, we couldn't live in Ponyville, maybe somewhere like-"

"Nowhere would work!" she shouted "What about when you need to regenerate? What would they do then? Huh?!"

"Irdis, you're scaring me-"

"Well you scare me sometimes! You know that?!"

"W-what?"

"When I was shut off, I was so worried that those daleks were going to kill you..." she sniffled, placing her feathered head in my lap "You worry me..."

"Yeah...it was my fault that the daleks brought the Tardis here" I said, rolling my eyes.
She flinched from underneath my hand, her crest ruffling a bit as she did so.

"I'm kidding" I sighed "I didn't mean it..."

"...I know..."
"I'm sorry..."
"I am too..."

"You don't need to be"
"Yeah I do...I just blew up..."
"With good reason" 

"Just shut up and let me be sorry this time, okay?" she laughed.
I smirked in return, staring up at the ceiling as we sat. 

"You know what?" I asked.
"What?" Irdis replied.
"After we take Lotus home...why don't you pick where we go next? Anywhere, anytime"
"That sounds fun, despite the fact that I'm the living incarnation of the Tardis Matrix"
"Glad you think so"