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In a large room somewhere within the depths of the TARDIS, two figures sat across from each other, their entire beings focused on what lie before them. One was known as a Time Lord, a master of time and space, a man simply referred to as the Doctor. The other was a golden pegasus pony with a mane like a blazing inferno. Though young and inexperienced, a strong determination and a sense of adventure coursed though her lithe and athletic body like a fire backed by a fierce wind. This pony was named Spitfire. These two entities were locked in a battle of the minds, a battle which was about to reach its finale with a slow but deliberate move.
“Checkmate.”
With a yell, Spitfire flipped the chessboard, causing the pieces to scatter about the room. The Doctor chuckled, grabbing a pawn that had found its way into his lap and depositing it back onto the table with the few pieces that remained.
“Looks like I win again. Only took me fifteen moves this time, Spitfire. You're getting better.”
The pegasus shot the man a glare that could melt butter on a particularly cold day.
“Don't patronize me, Doctor.”
The Doctor raised his hands in a defensive manner.
“I'm not patronizing anyone.” He paused. “Well, not really.” He paused again, thinking.
“Well, maybe a little.” The Doctor went silent for a few seconds, then said slowly, “Well, maybe I am. I don't understand why you would get so upset, though. This was your idea, after all.”
They both looked about at the scattered game pieces. Spitfire gave a small sigh, her ears drooping.
“Yeah, just another one of my many brilliant ideas,” she said, hopping off the chair to start picking up the strewn about game pieces. “This was supposed to be relaxing. A day off from adventuring and stuff. So much for that.”
“What's the matter? I haven't seen you like this before. Is everything okay?” the Doctor asked, getting out of his chair to help.
Spitfire paused, staring out at nothing in particular, before giving another sigh.
“It's just that, well, whenever I'm presented with a choice, I make the wrong one.”
The Doctor cocked an eyebrow.
“Is that so?”
Spitfire gave a wry chuckle.
“It certainly seems that way. Remember what had happened on Ganymede 5? And the Moons of Mora?”
“You turned green, had leaves growing out of your ears, and accidentally caused a civil war.” replied the Doctor.
“Yeah, and how about that time we went to see how Equestria was founded?”
“You were frozen because you got too close to the Windigos,” was his reply.
“How about when I suggested we visited Pyrucomunivorium, just because it sounded different?”
“Okay, in your defense, not even I knew that the dominate species were sapient carnivorous pears,” said the Doctor, shuddering at the memory. Shaking his head, he continued. “Though, in retrospect, I suppose it should have been obvious.”
Spitfire gave him a half-lidded stare.
The Doctor shrugged. “I'm just saying you're not the only one who makes mistakes. Besides, we fixed everything, didn't we?”
“No, you fixed everything. All I did was end up marinating in a pot waiting to be turned into a pony-kebab.”
The Doctor frowned. “Spitfire, don't beat yourself up so much. Everyone makes mistakes. I've made mistakes. Big ones. Really big ones.”
He knelt down and began stroking her mane. “Remember, mistakes are learning experiences, so learn from them. Try to do better. And go to those Wonderbolt try-outs you keep avoiding.”
“You know about that?”
“I know enough to know that not many get asked to try out. And by the current captain, no less.”
“It was the co-captain, actually.” Spitfire corrected. She glanced up at him. “Do you really think I'm good enough?”
“Spitfire, I've seen you fly. With the places we've been and the situations we've gotten ourselves into these past few weeks, you've done more than just fly. You've danced. Granted, it was a dance where the other participants are beings who want to maim, kill, or eat you, and the accompanying music is a cacophony of explosions, lasers, and angry yelling, but I think the analogy fits.”
Spitfire giggled. “There you go again, saying things to make me feel better. It's working too. Hey Doctor, do all your companions get this treatment, or am I just a special somepony?”
“Well-” the Doctor started, but was cut off by Spitfire, not with words, but with a kiss. Seconds passed, and Spitfire broke the kiss, the fur around her muzzle turning a gentle crimson.
“Doctor, I...”she said. She glanced up at his face to gauge his reaction, and was stunned by what she saw. Confusion and disappointment was evident in his expression, his lips forming a small frown.
“I-I, oh, what have I done I'm so sorry I'll just go now!” she said quickly, her face a blazing red. She shot off down a hallway, a smoke trail in her wake, leaving the Doctor alone to gather his thoughts.
“Hmm...”
~~!!~~
Spitfire laid on a bed, exhausted from her frantic pacing, replaying the events of the last hour in her mind, cursing herself for making another foolish decision. Her eyes were misty, on the verge of shedding tears but not quite reaching that point. What had led her to do that? It was a question that plagued her thoughts. Was it love, or something else? Did he feel the same as she? Would he? She was so lost in thought she almost didn't hear the knocking on the door.
*knock*
*knock*
*knock*
*knock*
Hesitantly, she dragged herself off the bed and over to the door, her hoof hovering above the handle.
Shaking her head, she opened the door. He was standing just behind the door, arms behind his back, no trace of the confusion present on his face when she last saw him. He seemed calm and collected, the complete opposite from what she was feeling right now.
“Hi, Doctor.”
He gave a little smile. “Hi, Spitfire. May I come in?”
Spitfire moved to the left, holding the door and allowing the Doctor access. A small chuckle escaped his mouth. “Funny, all the rooms you could have dashed into, and it was this one.”
“Why is that funny?”
The Doctor turned and sat on the bed that Spitfire had previously occupied, taking off his jacket and throwing it over a nearby chair in the process.
“Because this room is mine.”
He patted the bed next to him, motioning for her to sit. She did so, albeit hesitantly. The two sat next to each other, a tense silence filling the air around them. The Doctor was the first to break it.
“That kiss was certainly...unexpected.”
The Doctor paused, trying to find the right words. Spitfire took it as an opportunity to speak.
“Doctor, I'm so sorry, I-” She stopped herself before she could break down completely. The Doctor continued.
“It was unexpected, yes, but that doesn't mean what you did was bad. If anyone should apologize, it's me. I could have reacted better to that situation, and instead I made you believe you had made a mistake. For that, I am sorry.”
Spitfire was silent. The Doctor put an arm around her, drawing her close.
“I really am sorry. I like you. A lot. You're an interesting pony. You've done some amazing things. And I...”
He trails off, seemingly lost in thought. He pulls his arm away from the pegasus, allowing his shoulders to slump, before turning to face her. She stares at him, not knowing exactly how she should feel right now.
“You know you can't travel with me forever. There's going to come a time where we are just going to have to let each other go, and the longer we stay together, the harder it's going to be. I don't want your life to revolve around me. I've made that mistake too many times as it is. You've got hopes and dreams and goals to achieve and places to see and things to experience! You shouldn't let me get in the way of that.”
He wraps his arms around her, saying, “You're going to to great things, Spitfire. Fantastic things. I know it. You don't need me.”
The heavy silence returned. Neither moved for several minutes, before Spitfire finally returned the hug, laughing slightly.
“Now who's the one being a downer. You're right, Doctor. Maybe I-I overreacted a bit. Maybe I do love you, maybe it's something else. I don't know. But don't go thinking you aren't worth it, because you are. And from the stories you've told me, the ones about your old companions, they thought so too. You didn't force them to travel with you. They chose to go with you, just like I did. So don't think you aren't worth it, because you totally are. You broaden people's horizons, make them see and experience things they never would have otherwise. You help them find new ways to be themselves. So, if anything, I should be thanking you, Doctor.”
She kissed him again, though this time, she knew exactly what she was feeling. Admiration. As she broke away, the heavy air that had settled around them seemed to dissipate, because the Doctor was smiling this time.
“Hah, I guess I was being a little self-depreciative. I think that makes us even now. By the way, Spitfire, I have to hand it to you, you aren't that bad of a kisser. Even if you taste like hot sauce.”
Spitfire's wings flared, her face turning an indignant red. “I-I do not!” She thought about it for a few seconds. “Do I really?”
“It's faint, very subtle, but it's definitely there. Spitfire, what have you been eating?” The Doctor laughed with real mirth, holding his side with his hand. Soon enough, Spitfire joined in, and the whimsical air returned with much welcome. With tears in her eyes, Spitfire knew that, though they soon may part, they will always remain friends.
“So, are you feeling up for another trip? I know of this little planet that makes banana smoothie cakes that are positively amazing!”
“Of course! Do you really have to ask?”
“Ahaha! Come along, Spitfire. Allons~y!”
~~!!~~
“Hey, Doctor?”
“Yes, Spitfire?”
“When we eventually part ways, what will you do?”
“Hmm, I'm not sure, really. Maybe...maybe I'll visit Mars.”
“Mars, huh? I'd like to see that sometime. It sounds cool.”
“Sure. Someday, Spitfire. After all, I have all the time in the universe.”
Author's Note
Oh hey! You made it to the end! Congratulations are in order! Your prize is a few of my patented Author's Fun Facts! Feel free to skip this and go directly to the comments, or close the window! YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE!
AFF #1): I actually had three separate versions of this story, each radically different. One was less Doctor-y and more Tennant-y, one was an alternate version of the Doctor, aptly named the Love Doctor(because I'm BRILLIANT), and the final one involved ten dicks. Ten. Bonus points if you can guess why.
AFF #2): There were six weeks total to get this done. I did most of this in the last week and a half. What was I doing the rest of the time? Watching every DW episode from Eccleston to Smith, including the webisodes. My excuse is I was watching them so I can perfectly write the Doctor without making him too out of character. I don't think I succeeded.
AFF #3): Also, I managed to think of and write outlines to FOUR SEPARATE STORIES that will eventually make their way onto here. Who knew procrastination could be so productive?!
AFF #4): I am a sad silly person who can't write clop to save his life.
That's all for now! Thank you for reading, and good day to you all!
-Noh
