The Doctor and The Princess

Inganock.

The Fantastic City, as it was dubbed by it's citizens.

It had been exactly one year since the Rebirth.

Exactly one year since the fog had left the city, returning things to "normal".

Exactly one year since none of it's citizens had returned to normal.

Inganock has existed for precisely 5,001 years.

5,000 years ago, a mysterious fog enveloped the city.

Everything had been fine for 4,990 years in the fog.

There was no connection to the outside world anymore, but Inganock grew, regardless of the isolation the fog brought.

10 years ago, right after the collapse of a hospital which killed hundreds of children, many strange and violent creatures soon appeared, killing approximately half of the population of Inganock.

The other half mutated violently, growing into things thought to be fictitious.

Girls with cat ears, Birdmen, Snake people, Lizard people, Ogres, there were thousands of mutations.

Very few people retained a human appearance, and even those who did, something was different about them.

Doctor Gii was one of these humans.

While he remained normal in appearance, his brain had mutated radically. As did the brains of others who still appeared to be humans, including The Grand Prince.

A magical equation was discovered by the brilliant Grand Prince Astea, which would be forever known as The Phenomenon Equation. Those with the correct mutations could comprehend this equation, and could use it to help Inganock by healing and helping it's people.

At least, that was the intention.

But good intentions don't secure good outcomes.

The Prince was already lost, victim to his own sorrow over his people.

Insanity grew, and the city seemingly changed with him.

While fog surrounded the outside of the city, smog soon covered the inside of it.

Lower tiers of the city were heavily industrialised, while a snobbish elite resided at the top tiers.

Doctor Gii resided at the bottom.

But this was all in the past, and a story for another day.

Now, in the present time, Gii still lived at the same apartment on the same tier.

He still wore the same coat, still healed for free, still walked the same routes, and still didn't take care of himself.

The Doctor injected his daily dose of nutrients after he rose from two hours of sleep, groggy as he always was.

Although the city had changed, Gii's duty hadn't.

The city may have rediscovered it's mind, but it's people still needed help.

But today had been slightly different.

Rather than walking his rounds and looking for patients, something looked for him.

A knock at Gii's door almost startled him. He had no random visitors ever since Ati and Kia had died, and Ruo went to live on her own not soon after. He put his cup of coffee, brewed with synthetic coffee grind, on the counter, and approached the door. The rusty brass doorknob, the one that hadn't been shiny in a decade, felt the same as it always had in Gii's palm: broken.

The brown and stained door creaked open, beams of sunlight penetrating Gii's apartment. He still wasn't used to seeing blue skies and the sunlight. Squinting his eyes and holding an arm up to shield his eyes, Gii finds his visitor.

It's an odd creature, but in The Fantastic City of Inganock, nothing was impossible.

Before him stood a stout Equine creature, in shining gold armor. It's coat was white and it's eyes an interesting cyan. It's hooves had been polished.

Without greeting the guest, Gii's right eye lit up almost immediately, as he was preparing to scan the guest. The Phenomenon Equation began to flash and click in his mind, and with it, the holographic blue projection flickered from his pupil, scanning the subject.

Some would call this magic, but Gii thought otherwise.

Results were straightforward.

Equine anatomy.

Blood type of A.

No signs of external or internal trauma.

Neurological readouts were steady and stable.

This guest wasn't sick, other than a slight pain they might have had in their left foreleg due to what appeared to be muscle fatigue.

Gii removed his glasses, and motioned for the guest to come inside. As he walk towards the counter, his guest took a seat on his sofa. Gii grabbed his cracked ceramic mug, and sipped at the coffee inside. It tasted and smelled terrible, but, it did it's job.

"You're not sick. Do you need something?" Gii asked bluntly. If Kia were still around, she'd definitely get on him for being rude. The guest's eyes widen slightly, as if he wasn't expecting Gii to speak. He flipped open the small satchel he had on his back with his mouth, and chomped down on a small letter. Hopping from his seat, the guest slowly approached the Doctor, each hoof making the wooden floors creak.

Gii accepted the letter, taking it into his hands. With a slide of his thumb, he gently tore open the card, and removed the letter. His guest watched him almost anxiously, as if fearing the Doctor's response to the letter.

Dear Doctor Gii,

I will not waste your time.

My sister, Princess Luna, is very sick.

I have heard of your heroics and abilities from the many sailors and merchants Inganock has dispatched after it's re-emergence.

Good Doctor Gii, we, as a kingdom, need your help.

Please.

I know you don't accept money, but perhaps you'd accept services.

Please, if you can find it in your heart, come to Equestria.

We can discuss it more here.

---

Celestia

Gii clicked his tongue in his mouth, and hummed in acknowledgement.

"Mm." He hummed. He sipped from his coffee, and placed it back on the counter, allowing himself to think.

"Well? Can you help us, Doctor? Please?" The Equine Creature asked. Gii looked in the general direction of his guest, but not at him. Although he hadn't laughed or cried in a decade, deep down, it still gave him a faint sensation of pain to give bad news to anyone, patient or not.

"My new friend," Gii started. "I'm needed here. Look outside." Gii pointed, opening the steel blinds to his windows.

The Fantastic City of Inganock was just outside.

Smoke stacks billowed, making the city appear brown and gray. Creatures of various sizes wandered about the streets, and any human left unmutated didn't even look human when they walked among the lower tiers. They were forced to wear long dusters and gas masks to avoid breathing in the intense pollution. Although the sun and sky were now visible in Inganock, that didn't make the city any prettier.

As Gii and his guest peered out of the window, another knock came at his door. This time however, the door immediately opened.

A small boy, with human features, came in on crutches. His right leg appeared to be completely mechanical.

"Ah, Virgil, it's very good to see you." The Doctor said. His actual emotion betrayed his words. He appeared neutral, as always.

"Hiya Doc!" The young boy nearly shouted. He wobbled his way towards the sofa, and took a seat where Gii's guest was sitting. Gii walked over to him, and sat down next to him. He gently lifted up the mechanical leg, and began examining it. His right eye lit up once more, and The Phenomenon Equation began it's work.

"My Equine friend, this is Virgil. He was abandoned by his mother when he was 5 years old. The owner of a factory took him in. Factory owners do that around here, take in thousands of children at a time. If 1,000 children are taken, only about 500 survive work in the factories." Gii remained emotionless in this speech. He didn't even look up at his guest, who was staring wide-eyed at the Doctor. "Virgil lost his leg when it got caught in the machines he worked with. What did the Factory owner do? Throw him on the streets." The Doctor's blue hologram disappeared, but Gii still stared at the leg, deep in thought.

"I...I had no idea th-" The Guest started, but Gii quickly interjected.

"I found him on the streets. Dying. I took him in, paid for the prosthetic with what little money I had. Understand, back when The Grand Prince was still alive, he and his nobleman decided who lived or died. Doctors were instructed to help ONLY those people. I rejected that. So, I helped young Virgil. And where does he end up?" Gii finally looks up at his guest.

"Right back at the same factory. Malnourished. Cold. Alone." Gii finished. Gii didn't break eye contact with his Guest, but his Guest did. Gii's words, although not hostile, stung. Gii looked back at Virgil.

"You're ready to go. You should be able to use the prosthetic regularly, without the crutches. If you have any problems, I'm here, or I'm making my rounds." Gii said. Virgil smiled widely, and hopped off of the sofa.

"Thanks Doc! You're the best!" Virgil ran over to Gii, and hugged his leg. Gii only looked off in the distance some more., not reacting to the affection. Virgil released Gii's leg, and began wobbling towards the door. "Bye Doc!" Virgil called, as he cautiously walked over to the door.

After the door shut, both Gii and his guest sat in silence for a moment. His Guest broke said silence.

"Look, Doctor, I'm still getting used to his whole ambassador thing, but we need your help. I understand you're badly needed here, but we need you, as well. Are there no other doctors?" The Guest asked.

"Not enough. Even after madness left the city, even after the soldiers stopped executing lower tier citizens who attempted to get to the higher tier hospitals, there just aren't enough."

"Then, what if we send some? I can arrange an emergency fleet to be sent immediately. We can help you, Doctor. We can help Inganock."

"Even then, there's not enough." Gii responded quickly. Gii could sense the frustration in his Guest's voice. Gii wasn't being difficult, however. He was being realistic.

This City, this Fantastic City, it was Gii's life. Helping those who needed it, doing everything he can to right the wrongs of his past, and the wrongs of the city, it was his life.

Gii hadn't eaten in a decade. It was literally just nutrient injections and coffee for him.

Gii hadn't slept for more than 4 hours a night in a decade.

Gii had no hobbies anymore.

Gii had no friends anymore.

It was the most peculiar form of irony:

A Doctor that destroys himself to save his patients.

"Doctor. Please. PLEASE. We will send every idle soldier, doctor, nurse, teacher, anypony that can help Inganock. I'm asking you not as an Ambassador, but as a Stallion that's scared. Scared for his kingdom. We need help. I mean, if something bad happens, the kingdom could fall apart! Do you know what would happen to Inganock if trade shut down? Please Doctor, this wouldn't be good for ANYPONY!" His Guest pleaded.

Just then, Gii could hear Kia's voice at the back of his head. He knew exactly what she'd say.

"Don't be so grumpy, Gii! We help anyone and everyone, remember? This could be fun!"

Gii sighed through his nose. Although Inganock needed him, this was a matter of lives. If a Kingdom falls apart, millions could die. If he aided these Equine creatures, they would aid Inganock.

He knew what he was going to do.

Inganock would have help in one week, according to his guest. Although some of the citizens would surely die, a week was better than a month. Gii couldn't knowingly let a Kingdom crumble.

"How did you arrive here, Ambassador?" Gii asked. The Ambassador perked up, no longer looking so afraid and hopeless

"I sailed here. Inganock's Navy transported me. The S.S. Black Knight and S.S. Hourglass. For a Kingdom that hasn't sailed on open seas for 5,000 years, your sailors are amazing. And please, call me Shining Armor."

Gii grabbed his powder blue cloak off of the table he had in his dining room, and slid it over his head. He grabbed his reading glasses, and put them in the front pocket of his shirt, under his cloak.

"We should go. Before I change my mind." Gii sighed, lightly examining himself. Shining Armor smiled immediately.

"Thank you Doctor! Thank you!" He cried out.

A few hours later, Gii and Shining Armor had walked to the far east side of the city, where the Harbor was. As they were walking down to the rusty harbor, Gii noticed that both ships that Shining Armor mentioned were docked, their Sailors stocking them up. The Sailors, regardless of their race, were all wearing white pants with gray and orange striped shirts. From Ogre to Human, they wore the same uniform.

It was actually quite fascinating to see so many creatures working in harmony. They were all laughing and smiling, enjoying themselves.

Maybe it was because they were all human at their core.

Sailors formed assembly lines, handing crates down the line and onto the ship. Marines stood at the entrances to the boat, and were also up in the lookouts, equipped with long-barreled Brass Rifles. There were even a few Steam Knights onboard the decks of the ships, although they didn't seem to be doing anything. Perhaps intimidation was their role.

As they continued their walk, Gii spoke up, without looking at Shining Armor.

"What seems to be ailing your Princess?" He asked. Gii asked the question just as the two of them were crossing over the ship. The two Marines who stood guard at the bridge to the ship waved them on with the barrels of their rifles.

"Uh..." Shining Armor hesitated. The two humans at the front of the boat intimidated him mildly. He had made contact with humans before, but none that carried anything like what they had. He shook his head around, as if to regain his mind, and resumed normal operation.

"Well, it started a year ago. Luna started to complain about nightmares. Although it worried us, we wrote it off as anxiety. Then, headaches started up with the nightmares. Long story short, now she's stuck in bed, with an extremely dangerous fever. She even loses consciousness at points. To be completely honest..." Shining Armor swallowed hard. "She...She may not be there, when we get there." Shining Armor looks away from Gii, into the horizon containing the Ocean.

"Gii! Be nice! Say something!"

Gii could hear Kia's voice once again. Kia had seemingly become his consciousness, after her death.

"I'm sure we'll arrive in time, friend." Gii said half-heartedly. Shining Armor didn't seem to catch his hesitance.

"Really? You really think so? I mean, do you think we can help her?" He asked.

"I can never promise anything. But I've never met anyone who needed my help, who I couldn't help." Gii explained. Shining Armor got excited.

"Really?!" He asked, almost jumping.

"That's not to say it wasn't extremely difficult and heart-wrenching."

"Oh." He said, calming down.

A customs officer stopped the two of them.

"Any luggage?" He asked. Gii shook his head.

Gii had no luggage other than the powder blue cloak on his back and the clothes on his body. The Phenomenon Equation was the only medical tool he'd ever need, and that was stored in his brain.

Shining Armor also didn't have any luggage, which was convenient. He was a diplomat, so he was allowed to bring however much he wanted, which made Gii fear the worst. The New Grand Prince also decreed that any Diplomat, from Equestria or somewhere else, could be transported directly to Inganock via it's own Navy, as well.

That was the first set of calm ideas held by a Grand Prince in a decade.

The officer left the two of them after confirming their luggage.

Gii and Shining Armor had boarded the S.S. Black Knight, and met the Captain. He appeared human, but his right eye and arm had been replaced with mechanical prosthetics. He was a gentle older man, by the name of Aeterna. He instructed them to wait wherever they pleased, and that the boats would be leaving the moment they had been stocked.

"Good Captain Aeterna, please tell me, have you sailed to Equestria previously?" Gii asked. The Captain laughed.

"5 times. Only got lost once, and that was the third time. They're kind little critters over there, so don't worry about that."

Gii secretly activated The Phenomenon Equation, scanning the neurological signs of the Captain. The hologram didn't flash from his eye, so the scan was a stealthy one. Without the hologram, all Gii could scan was neurological signs. But that's all he needed.

"Are you confident in your abilities? We need to arrive soon, without delay." Gii continued.

"Absolutely! I know we can do it! We even got the Grand Prince's blessings! I know we can do this!" He exclaimed, laughing some more.

The scan of The Captain's previous sentence revealed to Gii that he wasn't lying. So The Captain was either telling the truth, or was extremely confident in himself. Either way, the voyage should go very well.

Gii and Shining Armor both picked a spot at the front of the ship, staring off into the horizon.

Neither spoke to each other, as both were in deep thought regarding their future.

Gii, the future of Inganock.

Shining Armor, the future of Equestria.

If Princess Luna didn't survive, both were sure to have dark times coming.

If Princess Luna did survive, both were sure to have bright times coming.

Both of them shared the same silent determination.

"Hey, Doc?" Shining Armor asked.

"Yes?" Gii responded. After a moment of silence, Shining Armor continued.

"What's that thing you do with your eye? Will that help Luna?"

"It's called The Phenomenon Equation. It's difficult to explain, but it allows for me to manipulate not only the anatomical structure of things, but space itself."

"Huh? Is it a device? Like, an implant or something?"

Gii didn't feel like discussing the past of Inganock, or the mutation that occurred that gave him the ability to comprehend the equation. Gii had seen magic before, and this wasn't magic. This was more like the apex of science and technology; to manipulate the world around oneself by willpower alone.

"It's magic." Gii lied. Shining Armor smiled.

"Oooooh. Alright, I get it now. Well, I hope it works."

"As do I."

About an hour later, the Steam Engines kicked on, making the boat vibrate.

Aeterna laughed proudly with his arms on his sides.

"Alright lads! We're Equestria bound! 1 week! Settle in!"

The boat rumbled as if it had a hungry stomach, and off it went into the ocean.

Although Sailors ran about, laughing and shouting, all Gii heard was silence.

Gii stood unfazed.

The fresh wind of the ocean, the most fresh air Gii had ever experienced in his entire life, blew his hair about.

"Gii. You know you've held onto this for too long. We love you, but it's time. Let go of Inganock. Let go of Ati. Let go of me. It's over. We're gone." Kia whispered in his mind.

"No." Gii said out loud, not changing his neutral facial expression. It was odd, but Gii had only heard Kia's voice in his on very few occasions after her death. Now, it was seemingly growing more frequent.

Shining Armor perked up at the sound of Gii's voice, not knowing of Gii's internal conflict.

"You say something?" Shining Armor asked.

"No." Gii repeated again.

"Oh." Shining Armor frowned, turning his attention back to the ocean.

They both returned to staring at the horizon.

And with that, the voyage had begun.

An Ambassador, powerless to help his leader and his people.

A Doctor, powerless to help himself.

A journey, one of laughter and tears, one of happiness and sadness, a voyage of discovery and destiny, was beginning.

And Gii had just taken the first steps.