Dr. Whooves: Equestria Divided

Fillydephia.

it was a rather large city, and one that was the most contested, being that the territory around it was contested by the other houses. It was a dangerous place to hold a meeting- but, seeing as the council usually accompanied Commander Applejack, it wasn't all that much more dangerous. At least, there, they could do it properly.

There were few civilians around here- the ones with any sense, that weren't commissioned by the others, were waiting out the war in refugee camps near the Everfree Forest- but many remained, refusing to leave their homes and livelihoods. So, it didn't surprise the doctor that the streets were full- not packed, perhaps, but full- but they cleared rather quickly, the large cannon being powered by a steam engine doing the job rapidly. Inside the carriage of this cannon, was where the Doctor sat, with Ditzy sitting next to him, sweating profusely. The Doctor was, secretly, nervous too, but he tried not to notice. He tried to start conversations with the guards several times, but they just glared at him, so he eventually just shut up and resigned himself to keeping the worried expression off of his face, for the benefit of Ditzy.

They- eventually- arrived at the town hall. He was roughly shoved out of the carriage and through the silvered doors, tarnished through years for negligence. Eventually- through many passages, and a flight of stairs, he was shoved out into the courtroom.

And relaxed.

The Earth Council was a council of elders- a council that, although prejudiced against him, had probably seen Equestria before it had been plunged into civil war. He wasn't sure if he could win against the council if it was made of military leaders- but the council was for spiritual and civil purposes. He took a deep breath.

While Applejack was running the meeting legalities, The Doctor whispered to Ditzy, "Alright. How do you think I should do this?"

Ditzy was still glancing around the room, nervous. "I don't know... be honest?"

"About our adventures...? Are you sure...?"

"Keep it realistic. Not all of our adventures. Just... like the last one or something."

"..."

Applejack coughed. "And now I would like to hear what our... guests... have to say for themselves. About how he happened to get here."

The Doctor stepped fowards slowly and bowed, with Ditzy following suit a moment later. "Well... it's quite an interesting story, actually..."

The TARDIS was sitting there, next to the lake that it appeared behind. A pony, clothed in black, walked up to it, checking out the box silently. He put a hoof on it and jerked it back. It was loaded with energy... energy that could be used for various purposes.

He tried to lift it. And failed miserably. He shook his head and shot a spell into the water. It was still for a moment longer, then it started to bubble. And out burst four ponies, their bodies rotting and shivering, grins splitting their decomposing faces. With a magical command, they picked up the box and, slowly, began to lug it away, following him. A demonic smile crossed his lips. An almost infinite power source... this would serve him and his masters well.

"... and then we landed here." The Doctor finished.

There was silent.

Then, one of the elders burst out laughing.

"Hohoho! That was the best story I've heard in all my life, and I've heard quite a few." She smiled. "I say he should be kept alive, if only to inspire creativity in the fillies and colts."

"But he's obviously lying!" another one raged. "And liers have no place in House Earthborn!"

While the council split into two sides in this argument, Applejack was busy scrutinizing the Doctor. She eventually slammed her hammer against an anvil behind the podium, creating a huge ringing sound that made almost everyone become silent.

"He ain't lying."

The Doctor stepped back, glancing around. "So... verdict on my life and horn?"

The council looked around and began murmuring. Applejack listened in and nodded. "It seems that we have reached a-"

"Applejack?"

Applejack sighed. "Yes, Matron Smith?"

"Can I have a word with you?"

She nodded and walked into a back room with her.

The council continued to mutter and converse with each other.

Applejack soon walked out with a scowl, and Matron Smith walked out looking smug.

"Alright. The verdict: you've got two options. Ah can see that you're on some special, spacey-wacey, timey-wimey mission or whatever. So ah cain't very well kill you. So ah'll give you two options." She looked around. "First, ah can surgically remove that horn. It won't hurt that much. Then you'll be welcome to be in our territory."

"I'd prefer to keep my horn, thank you. What's option two?"

"Leave our territory. And don't come back with that horn. Of course, option one will always be available to you, should you choose to do so."

The Doctor pretended to think about it, then shrugged. "I'll leave. I like my horn for now."

She shrugged. "Very well. We're headin' up towards yer box-thing, anyways, to deal with some insurgence by House Stormwing. It's about time that we headed up there, anyways."

The Doctor shrugged. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

She sighed. "I guess, since ah'm throwing you out of yer ears, I might as well explain what's goin' on. If you come with me..."

Ditzy lifted her head. "Excuse me... commander?"

"Yeah?"

She took a breath. "You're not going to dump us into the Everfree, are you."

The Doctor sighed and shook his head. What was wrong with the Everfree Forest with common ponies, he didn't know.

Applejack looked at him funnily, then turned back. "Ah'll let you choose who ya want to go to... what's your name?"

"Ditzy."

"Well, Ditzy, we personally reccomend House Whitegold, but once you hear about them all, you can choose."

"Alr-"

A messenger came back, dropped a message in Applejack's hooves, and left. She opened it and her eyes widened. "Darn these darned necromancers"

"What?" the Doctor asked, suspiciously.

"Looks like I know where you're goin' if you want to get your box back, Doctor."

"What? Who took my box?"

"A collection of insane necromancers that call themselves the Cult of Laughter."