Doctor Whooves: Remembrance

Chapters

Lost With Legs
Getting over a Hangover
Something Wicked
Cider Season

Lost With Legs

“How does Bermuda sound?” the Doctor said from across the console. Clara walked around in an attempt to follow him as he rushed to guide the Tardis.

“The islands?” she asked, keeping her usual grin. He turned and stopped for a moment to respond.

“No, the planets. Really odd place honestly. No idea what you’ll get, paradoxes mostly, she hates it,” he tapped the console softly, grinning.

“Alright then, off we go!” Clara turned and flipped the switch that sent the Tardis off, Knowing it by memory. The Tardis whirs and hums and off they go.

DONG

The Tardis’ Cloister bell rang out, startling both the Doctor and Clara causing them to jump and grab the console ahead of them tightly.

“What in the world was that?” Clara asked, loosening her grip a bit.

DONG

“Ah, well, that means something is going wrong. No problem though! I can fix it.” the Doctor responded, smiling softly as he worked to redirect them away from the issue.

DONG

“Doctor, it’s still blaring, what IS the problem?” Clara questioned again, watching him work around the console.

DONG

“I think it is some kind of rift in space-time. Not very common but usually not much to worry about.” He said calmly. “And this should fix it!” he then pulled a large lever and the noise stopped abruptly.

Then all hell broke loose.

In a sudden flash, the console burst into a bright golden flame, burning Clara and causing her to jump back in shock and pain.

“The bloody hell?!” she shouted, grabbing the railing. The Doctor began to cough heavily, attempting to speak between coughs.

“C-Clara! Ge-Get away from the con-console!”

“Well I figured that! What the hell is happening!” He coughed once again, violently this time. A gold dust flowing out of his mouth.

“Oh no, this isn’t good. Clara how do you feel?!” he turned swiftly, gripping the railing for support.

“Well, other than the pain from the burns, tingly.” she responded, looking to her hands which were rippling beneath the skin.

“I’m so sorry Clara. I am so so sorry...” the Doctor whispered.

“Why is that Doctor?” She asked, the Doctor began to reply, but then the screaming started. Clara fell to the ground in pain, screaming and convulsing as her body attempted to change. The Doctor coughed and spat out a mixture of blood and golden gas. The Tardis kicked up it’s Cloister bell again and the room lights vanished, dousing them in red light and the light from the fire. Clara’s screams became watered down as fluid filled her throat.

“I’m so sorry! I can’t save you... Clara!” He screamed her name and energy exploded from him. His flesh glowed with energy as Clara burned away. Her body, unable to take the energy that had filled it, exploded. Flesh and muscle, though the Doctor never saw it , were indistinguishable. He regenerated, the door opened, and down he fell.

A grey pegasus mare, having just finished her route, was flying home. Her wall-eyed gaze allowing her to see, albeit blurry, in two directions. And with her right eye facing to the right, she saw the brown pony with a golden haze falling into the trees. She redirected her course to see if the pony who had fallen was alright. She hoped they were, but deep in her mind she knew the pony wasn’t in any way alright.

She arrived at the crash site of the brown pony to find him laying on his side, groaning.

“Ah! Mister are you alright!” she shouted, flying down and landing next to him quickly.

“Ohh my head...” he opened his eyes for a brief moment.

“Wh...What’s your name..?” he asked slowly as he faded into unconsciousness again.

“Uh, it’s Ditzy Doo, I’ll be right back mister! I’ll get somepony to help!” She explained while taking off again. The Doctor grinned softly and watched her fly off.

“That’s a nice name...” He muttered softly before fading once more.

“Redheart, get over here, this colt is in horrible shape, get him in the ER, stat!” A blue unicorn called, rushing the Doctor by on a bed.

“Where’s Ditzy..?” he muttered slowly, slowly losing consciousness once more.

“Sir! His heartbeat is exceedingly abnormal! Four beats instead of two!” a white colored pegasus mare called across the bed. The blue unicorn colt turned and looked at the machine.

“That’s impossible! Get a different one, that one is broken.” The white colored nurse pony ran out with the machine.

“Clara..?” the Doctor whispered again, feeling the mask across his snout.

“You’ll be alright, just rest now,” the blue colt explained to him as his horn glowed softly, a warm feeling washed through the Doctor as he swiftly descended into a magically induced sleep.

Beep-Beep

The Doctor slowly awoke to the sound of a heart monitor. Looking around at the ceiling, he tried to figure out where he was. He heard a shuffle next to him and a grey and gold blur appeared in front of his face. As his eyes focused he realized it was the mare from before.

“Hey, mister! Are you alright?” she asked caringly. He looked at her then slowly nodded.

“Alright, how do you feel?” she sat down next to the bed, he turned his head in order to see her better.

“Where am I?” he asked slowly, his voice croaking.

“Ponyville Hospital, I saw you fall and I got Rainbow Dash to help carry you here, when they saw you they rushed you into the Emergency room! How did you get so high up though? You aren’t a Pegasus,”

“Oh... What was your name again?” he asked, blinking to refocus his eyes.

“It’s Ditzy Doo, what’s your name mister?” she asked, leaning forward.

“I’m... Well I don’t remember... You’re kind of cute...” he passed out once more.

He opened his eyes slowly to find his surroundings different, More suburban. He looked around and realized he was in a home. Clearly nothing big or significant, but a small house. He began to wonder who owned the home but his question was quickly answered.

“Hey, I made you something, Nurse Redheart said you’d be waking up soon so I got you some food!” she rested a plate by him. On it sat a small variety of fruits and vegetables.

“Thanks, Ditzy, is this your bed?” he asked looking around at the room. She nodded softly and then asked her own question.

“Did you really mean that?” he gave her a puzzled look and questioned about it.

“Mean what?” she sighed and muttered, “nevermind, it wasn’t important.” He cocked his head and shrugged.

“Ugghh, I feel like complete RUBBISH! Do you have anything for this pain?” He asked with a groan, he looked around and realized he was now in an empty room.

“Oh, well nevermind then,” he turned carefully onto his side and went back to sleep.

He woke up to a soft pressure on his back. He wiggled a bit to move and to his surprise, it wiggled back. He burst from the bed and rotated mid air, landing on his rear against a wall. In the bed next to where he was was Ditzy. She sat up and yawned, turning to look at the startled brown colt.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, giving him a puzzled wall-eyed look.

“You’re in the same bed as me! I’m a male, you’re female. We don’t get in the same bed unless... Well I think you know why!” he responded, his eyes wide.

“Ah! Sorry mister! I wasn’t meaning anything like that, it’s just this is my bed and well uh... Sorry! I’ll sleep in the Guest room tonight.” she began to get up to walk out.

“No, I will but uh... How do you stand up?” he asked awkwardly. She looked at him oddly.

“Well... I don’t really know mister, you just kind of do I guess. Can you not stand?” he shook his head and she rushed off.

“Hey! Don’t leave me here! This floor isn’t comfy!” he shouted out, pouting softly until she walked back in with a wheel-chair. She helped him into it and moved him into the guest bedroom. Helping him onto the bed as well.

“Sleep well! And tomorrow I’ll help you stand, alright?” he nodded and turned over. Sighing as the room faded to darkness as Ditzy closed the door. He fell asleep again moments later.

“Hey, mister,” the Doctor awoke slowly. Drowsy from his excessive sleep.

“Huh, what?” he looks around for the source of the voice before realizing she was right in front of him at the side of the bed.

“I think it’s about time we taught you to walk again,” she offered kindly. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and nodded, crawling carefully out of the low bed into the wheelchair to wheel himself out of the room. He followed Ditzy into the backyard.

“Alright then, Mister..?” she asked, turning and jumping up, her wings expanding out to hold her in the air.

“I can’t quite recall, actually... Did I have anything with me?” she shook her head. “Nothing except a pocket watch. It’s inside by your bed and it refuses to open.”

“Oh, well I’ll check it out later, for now... Standing and walking. How do I do it?” she laughed softly and landed in front of him.

“First, get out of the wheelchair please,” she requested kindly. He crawled out and flopped onto the grass with a grunt. He looked up to her and asked,

“Okay, now what?” she lied down next to him, copying his position. And with slow precision, Stood up.

“Get your hooves underneath you and push upward!” she explained. he followed her lead and slowly stood up. His stance was very off-balance and he was wobbly. But the moment he would start to fall Ditzy righted him.

“Okay, work on that a bit till you’re balanced, alright? Shouldn’t be too hard!” she explained, “I’ll go get us drinks,” she walked inside with a small skip in her step. While he continued to tip back and forth. He fell on his side occasionally but even still stood back up.

“You will not defeat me gravity! I have legs!” he shouted, Ditzy looked out the window and saw him standing leaning left and right slightly but standing.

“A-ha! I got it! Ditzy, Ditzy! Come here! I’m standing!” she walked outside and he was grinning happily. Standing perfectly balanced on all four legs.

“That’s great! Now, want to try walking?” he nodded, holding the same determined look in his face.

“Okay follow my lead,” she said as she slowly began to walk forward. He watched carefully and, with effort, began to mimic her. After several minutes and twice as many falls later, he was strutting around that small yard like a champion.

“This isn’t that hard! I want to go on a long walk now, just keep walking! No! Better, running! Teach me how to run! I think I love running!” he shouted, walking with excited steps over to Ditzy.

“Alright, running is harder I think, so follow my lead carefully, don’t want you getting hurt,” She took off around the yard in a mild run and, after a few seconds of watching, the Doctor caught up to her.

“This feels so natural! The wind flowing by, my hair whipping around, my legs moving so quickly! Ha-ha! I love running!” he rushed into the house and out the front door. Ditzy stumbling to turn and catch up to him.

“Hey, wait!” she shouted out the front door as he ran into town. She sighed and flew to catch up.

She found him sitting outside of the Carousel Boutique, eyes locked on an accessory. A green tie to be precise.

“That, Ditzy, do you have any money to buy it?” he almost begged, eyes wide at the tie.

“uh, I think. But I’d have to go home to get it, let’s go talk to Rarity about it. Maybe she’ll give us a discount,” she walked inside and he followed quickly. They found Rarity sipping a drink behind the counter.

“Ah, Ditzy! A rare site in this fine establishment, what can I get for you dear?” she asked, walking around the counter.

“My friend here was eying that green tie you had on display and we were curious as to how much it costed,” she said, her voice almost apologetic. Rarity looked at the Doctor, walking around him slowly.

“For him? Free. He needs an accessory, his appearance is appallingly boring!” she explained, walking to the front of the store and retrieved the tie, using magic to remove it and place it on him.

“I’ll even throw in the straight collar, a tie alone looks bad, but with a good old straight collar, fabulous!” she exclaimed, using magic to hold a mirror ahead of him. He smiled and bowed his head.

“Thank you miss, I love it!” he rushed out of the store, Ditzy stuttering to say something to slow him down.

“Huh, he’s almost as sporadic as you, Ditzy. Let’s all hope he isn’t as clumsy, alright dear?” she said, a hint of mockery in her voice.

“Yeah, heh, let’s hope so...” she replied with a fake smile and laugh, walking out of the store. When she closed the door behind her she sighed and looked around. The Doctor was sitting right outside by the door.

“Hey Ditzy, mind showing me where I fell? I want to see if anything was there with me. I feel like I should check,” he requested, his ecstatic grin replaced by a curious flat line.

“Sure, I think it’s this way,” she said, walking off towards the woods.

Soon they reached a small opening in the trees. In the ground was an depression, almost a small crater.

“Huh, nothing here. Well that’s a let down,”he stated, ready to turn around. Ditzy stopped him before he did.

“Wait, what about those keys and that metal rod thingy?” she pointed out, the Doctor rotated and looked into the indent once more, squinting for a moment before he laughed softly.

“How did I not see those?” he asked, bending down and grabbing the two objects with his mouth. The two keys on a small rope and both having an odd circular symbol on it. The metal rod was mostly silver with gold rimming and a blue orb at the tip. The orb seemed to be held by four clamp-like bars. On one side was a small button with an area that looked like it opened up. Though nothing happened when he pressed it.

“Any idea what that is or what the keys go to?” Ditzy asked, looking over his shoulder at the items. The Doctor used his mouth to put the metal item in his collar, and tossed the necklace in the air and caught it around his neck.

“Not a clue, but I suppose we’ll find out eventually, won’t we?” he turned to walk back to Ponyville, Ditzy turned and walked up next to him, looking over at him she noticed he looked different, as if he had turned a little more grey.

“Hey, you alright? You seem... Troubled,” she asked softly. He sighed and shrugged.

“Ah, I just have a headache, let’s go home and eat lunch,” he requested, lowering his head to avert his eyes from the sun. She nodded softly and then began walking to her house.

“Oh my... This is delicious! What is it?!” the Doctor exclaimed, taking another bite into the pastry.

“uh, it’s a blueberry muffin, have you really never heard of it?” she asked, a small grin on her face.

“I don’t remember anything before meeting you, so I might have, but heavens above this is amazing!” he quickly scarfed down the remnants of his muffin. leaving not even crumbs on his small plate.

“Anyways, I’ve been meaning to ask, Ditzy,” he began, she looked up attentively, curious as to what he has to say.

“What’s with the bubbles on your hip?” Ditzy’s eyes straightened for a moment before the right one popped to look somewhere else.

“Oh, that’s my cutie mark, it symbolizes what I’m good at,” she explained, standing up and displaying it to him.

“Ah, but I don’t seem to have one, are you born with it or do you get it later in life?” he asked while examining his own featureless flank.

“You usually get it after you’ve discovered your talent. What you are the best at and no one is better at it than you. I wonder what yours is!” she exclaimed, smiling brightly.

“Probably something boring, if I can’t even remember my name, I must’ve not been very important,” he sighed, dropping his gaze. To Ditzy’s surprise something other than his attitude changed. With a soft almost invisible golden shimmer his colors shifted from brown to grey. his eyes become an Icy blue rather than a watery blue.

“What the... Mister your color changed!” she exclaimed. He jumped and exclaimed back, his color shifting to normal just as fast as it changed.

“Huh?! What do you mean Ditzy?” she stuttered to begin speaking, her eyes both focused tightly on him.

“You were brown, then grey, then brown again! What happened?” she asked, hoping he might know what caused that anomaly

“Well, we were talking, I said something that made me feel upset, and then I sort of felt even more sad. Like nothing could make it better, and then you said my color changed and the feeling went away,” he explained carefully. She thought for a moment and then explained her thoughts.

“I think you change color when you get sad. Because what it sounds like is when you got sad, you got grey, and when you got excited, you got brown!” he thought for a moment and shrugged.

“Who knows? I suppose we’ll find out later in time, but for now I’ll try and keep happy. Yeah, happy sounds good.” he smiled and glanced outside. “Let’s go for a walk, shall we?”

“Sure, how’s your head feel?” she asked, a mother-like essence audible deep within her voice.

“Ah, feels great actually. Shall we go?” he stood up and turned to face the door, she smiled softly and walked up to be next to him, and they both together walked outside.

The Doctor glanced around, looking to the ponies nearby snickering softly to themselves, casting glances at the two contrast ponies walking. He caught tid-bits of conversations, the majority of what was said was mocking or insulting to Ditzy.

“Hey, why does everypony seem not to like you?” he whispered to her, glaring at the ponies watching them.

“I’m a bit clumsy, and if you haven’t noticed, my eyes are a bit... Off. So they tease me for it,” she explained quietly, sighing softly.

“Well that’s quite horrible of them, have you ever tried to stop them..?” he asked quietly,

“No, but if I did they’d probably hate me more and tease me even worse,” she responded somberly, glancing to the ground as she walked. Almost as if she was uncomfortable to be in public. Out of the crowds of ponies around them, one name-less colt shouted out,

“hey! Bubble-butt’s got a boyfriend! And he’s a blank-flank!” several ponies laughed, a few more snide remarks flying out at them. Ditzy looked to the Doctor, wondering if he would join them or ignore them. But to her surprise he did neither. Rather he ran to a crate and jumped onto it.

“Oi! Everypony who thinks it’s funny to tease Ditzy Doo,” he began, another pony shouting up “Her name is Derpy Hooves!” He coughed and glared into the crowd. His eyes a deep icy blue and his brown shade slowly fading. “You all should stop, just because she is different doesn’t mean you should make fun of her. Your differences are what you all practically worship! Look at your flanks and tell me you aren’t different from everypony around you!” a collective murmur echoed through the small crowd that had gathered below him. He looked across the crowd and saw Ditzy to the side, tears on the edge of her eyes and a wobbling smile spread across her face.

“Now, look me in the eyes and tell me you will go RIGHT back to your habits of teasing her. That because her eyes are a bit off and she is a bit clumsy, you will separate her and make her feel like an outcast. I can assure you that not a single one of you ponies would want to feel as she does. So don’t make her feel that way,” he finished his rant and stepped down. The crowd opening to allow him to walk up to Ditzy, who stood up and hugged him suddenly. Whispering quietly, so nopony near could hear her,

“Thank you, thank you so much...” he smiled softly and hugged her back, when they let go of each other they continued on their walk.

“I couldn’t let them go about barraging you with insults and rude comments. Why should anypony go through that, especially you? You saved my life!” he whispered loudly. with a soft smile he turned to look at Ditzy, who still had tears on the edge of her eyes, a few had already ran down her cheeks. She looked back and found his eyes were no longer icy blue, but where once again ocean blue, just like they were when he was happy.

“hey, you alright there? Still got a few tears,” he said, wiping one away with a careful hoof as it rolled down.

“Y-yeah... I’m perfect actually, I’m so happy right now...” She smiled brightly at him, hugging him again softly. After the hug they continued walking and stopped in the park. They sat down on a bench silently.

“So... They er... They thought we were dating,” she said softly, her face a bit flushed while she kept her gaze solid with the ground. Even her wall-eye still was at the ground.

“Oh, did they? I wouldn’t see how, we’re just friends right?” he responded, unaware of the effect of his words.

“Yeah, heh... Just friends... I wouldn’t see why they would think that anyways; I’ve never had a special somepony,” she muttered to him, closing her eyes tightly.

“Hey, Ditzy,” he turned his head to look at her, she turned hers as well and met his solid gaze. His eyes almost hypnotizing her.

“Y-yeah?” she answered, almost excited for whatever may come.

“Tag, you’re it,” he said, poking her shoulder softly before standing up and rushing off. She watched him run, surprised and a bit confused at what happened. With a quick shake of her head she stood up and raced after him. Using her wings to gain speed as she accelerated after the fleeing and laughing brown pony.

They sat down on a bench, the sun was beginning to set and they were both exhausted and panting. The Doctor laughed and began,

“That was... fun! I love running, and I... Saw some kids playing... That game, so I wanted to try it... too!” she laughed and smiled at him.

“Yeah, I haven’t had that much fun in a while, it’s getting late but... I don’t want to go home yet,” she sighed and looked up at the setting sun, both her eyes focusing on the beautiful sunset.

“Well, I noticed what looked like a place we could get drinks, how about we stop there for a bit?” he suggested, she gasped at the statement.

“I’ve never been to a bar, or drunk anything alcoholic!” she explained, but before he could show any signs of being upset, nodded in agreement. She got up and he followed her to the local bar.

“Wooooh!” Ditzy exclaimed, bursting through her front door, the Doctor cracking up behind her.

‘So you’re telling me that, this pony who claimed to be the most amazing unicorn in the world, could barely do any magic? That’s hilarious!” he stumbled into the house. Knocking over a lamp.

“Heh... Oops, sorry about that... Lamp. We should get to bed,” he said, his speech heavily slurred.

“I still can’t believe you drank so much! I couldn’t take more than four glasses but you... You just kept going and going!” She twirled as she spoke, the Doctor guiding her to her bedroom. When he turned to walk to his room she shouted,

“H-hey! Don’t just... Leave me here all alone! I finally got to have a good time with somepony and I don’t want you to leave,” she explained, tears forming on her eyes.

“Where would I go, Ditzy? I don’t know of anywhere else I could stay, but if it makes you happy, I’ll sleep in here for the night,” she shoved her front legs in the air and exclaimed, “Hurraaay!” before falling backwards into the bed. He crawled into it next to her and faced the wall, pulling the covers up on him. He felt her shuffle behind him and felt her tail swish across him softly, sending shivers through him. Moments later he felt a leg creep across his hip and Ditzy’s drunken giggle. It stayed there for a few moments before she pulled him onto his back and jumped to sit atop his belly.

“Hey, you know what a male and female does when they get in the same bed together, right?” she said, dropping down so her face was mere inches from his. Their noses touching softly. He began to nod and she slowly slipped backward. She looked up at him, her eyes different directions again, but somehow it looked good for her. Her mane was ruffled but to him she looked like a goddess. But before anything could really start a thought went through his mind. One he didn’t fully remember nor forget. But it was enough to change his mind.

“Ditzy, I’m sorry but... I can’t. We can’t.” he whispered to her apologetically. She turned to look behind and then back up at him. dropping a hoof next to his face and dropping down so their noses touched again.

“So which half is lying, the top or the bottom?” she grinned and giggled at him, before slowly descending to kiss him. But he shook his head and moved her off him. She pouted quietly and gave him a begging look.

“Ditzy, this is wrong, all wrong, you’re drunk, I’m a bit tipsy, and... We shouldn’t do that, alright?” he explained quietly, his voice cracking almost noticeably.

“Can I at least get a good night kiss..?” she asked while her eyes trying to shut. He nodded and leaned down, placing a soft and careful kiss on her forehead. She pouted quietly a bit more and he smiled at her. She laid onto her side and pulled a pillow close to her and quickly fell asleep. The last she heard of him was the door creaking closed as he left and went to the guest room.

Getting over a Hangover

[%]Getting over a Hangover[%]

DONG

The Doctor rolled over, the sound echoing in his dreams, screams echoing through it as well.

Doctor?

He muttered something, someones name. Clara.

Help me! Please!

He cried out in his sleep, “I’m so sorry!” tears running down his face as he slept.

Tick Tock, Goes the clock...

He awoke gasping, looking around the room to familiarize himself once more. After a few moments he sighed and stood up and walked into Ditzy’s room to check on her. She was still asleep but she looked alright. He smiled and stepped into the kitchen to prepare something. That something just ended up being a slice of bread, some cheese, some lettuce, and an apple. He ate the odd mix of food as he moved outside, where he found a bundle of paper. He used his mouth to pick it up and carry it inside and, with effort open it. The front page was mostly talking about boring things. a nearby elementary school had a talent show, some pony in another town bragging about his amazing life, and the Apple Families orchard and how well it will do this year. But one portion caught his eye.

Pony reported missing;

Yesterday afternoon around Four, a pegasus vanished without a trace. No leads yet as to this disappearance or the previous three, though the guard believes they are related. No other information has been disclosed, but if you see this mare, please contact the Royal Guard.

Below the statement was an image of a mare, red mane, yellow body, green eyes, nothing particularly special about the missing pony, other than being missing. He yawned lightly before going to check on Ditzy again, who was just groggily crawling out of bed.

“Ugggh... My heeead Hurts soo bad...” she groaned, rubbing her temples with her wings. She glanced around slowly, her eyes squinted to block out the little light in the room. She eyed the Doctor sleepily and smiled.

“Hey Mister, what happened last night? It was all so... Blurry,” she asked, rubbing her eyes softly and blinking to adjust.

“Ah nothing, really. You went to bed, I went to bed. And I broke a lamp, sorry about that!” he explained with a minuscule fake smile. He felt horrible for lying but he felt like it would be better off if she didn't remember the events of the previous night.

“Oh, I was worried I did something crazy! But that’s a relief to hear,” She smiled and laughed for a moment before groaning again,

“Laughing hurts... Think you might have any mystery cure for hangovers? Maybe you used to be some kind of Doctor,” she said with a hopeful smile, he chuckled and added on, “Or a drunk, I think I know something that might work, come on, to the kitchen!”

Ditzy took another bite of the banana and another sip of apple juice, the Doctor sitting across from her with a light smile on his face.

“This is amazing! Bananas and apple juice? Why does it make the headache go away?” she asked, honest curiosity in her eyes.

“Ah... Well, I think it’s something about hydration and potassium. The apple juice hydrates your body to wash out the alcohol, like a Detox, and the Potassium does something, can’t remember what... But it’s delicious so I wouldn't think you’d mind,” they both laughed quietly, her cheeks turning a quick shade of pink. Out of embarrassment, half her gaze switched to the table while the other half held his.

“Ah, well anyways, where is that pocket watch you mentioned yesterday? You said it wouldn't open and I’d love to give it a go,” he queried to break the silence,

“It’s in the shelf by your bed but... Stay here I’ll go get it for you!” she offered, before he could object she jumped up and raced off into the guest bedroom, returning with a small Silver object with circular markings on it.

“That’s weird, marks just like the keys... Anyways, let’s see what’s inside! If it’s locked it must be important,” the Doctor stated plainly as she set it down in front of him. He looked at it from several angles while tapping it softly, it making a small tink with each tap. After a few seconds he used his teeth and attempted to open the pocket watch by pressing the button, but to no avail.

“Ditzy, do you have a hammer?” he asked, examining the Silver watch even closer. She nodded and walked off, coming back with a hammer a few minutes later.

“Sorry it took so long, had to find it and I never use my tools so they’re all jumbly and-” she was cut short by him grabbing the hammer and slamming it down on the pocket watch, it bouncing off and nearly hitting him and after he dodged it, her.

She squealed and covered herself with her wings, a sharp snap echoing through the room. The Doctor turned and saw the hammer on the ground, a small amount of blood on the claw end. A mere second later a drop of blood hit next to the hammer and he heard Ditzy whimper. Looking up a bit further he saw her wing was injured, it was gouged open with blood running down her feathers.

“Oh no, I am so sorry Ditzy! I didn’t mean to...” he said while lurching up as his color quickly shifted to a grey tone, tears on the edge of his eyes. She lowered her wing slowly and moved it behind her. She smiled softly at him while tears ran down her cheeks.

“It’s alright, I’ve done worse to myself on accident, do you think you could help me fix it?” she asked with pain in her voice, he hesitated for a moment before nodding. Ditzy turned to walk to the bathroom but before she could get far the Doctor slipped beneath her and lifted her off her hooves.

“You’re injured missy, you need to rest! Let’s get you fixed up and then you’ll be a princess for a day. This is all my fault anyways,” he explained while he walked her into the bathroom. He set her down softly on the mat and grabbed a towel which got placed beneath her injured wing. He then grabbed the medical aid kit from beneath the sink and opened it up.

“Oh my... Uh, Ditzy, please tell me you know how to fix an injured wing because well... I have no idea,” he confessed, looking to her for help but guilt in his eyes for asking.

“Yeah, it’s pretty easy really, first you need to clean it up,” she explained carefully, he quickly turns and get a towel wet to wash her wound. When he is finished she sighs, some of the pain fading.

“Alright, good job! Now you’ll have to wrap it and cover it so it doesn’t get infected, be careful please?” she continued, encouraging him. His color slowly began to return, starting from his hooves and eyes like paint dripping along him, his greys mixing with the browns as he covered and wrapped her injured wing with extreme care.

“H-How do you feel, Ditzy?” he asked, worry echoing in his eyes. She stood up and flexed her good wing and, with a nod, walked out of the bathroom.

“It feels great! Thank you so much, and hey,” she turned to him and placed her hoof on his shoulder, “It isn’t your fault. Don’t be all down because a hammer bounced off some old pocket watch,” she smiled softly and gave him a weak hug. He returned it, careful to avoid her injured wing as he did. He sighed softly and the remaining grey in his coat faded to the regular light brown.

“Want to go on a walk Mister? I never gave you a real tour or introduced you to anyone, and since I’ll be busy tomorrow, work and all, today seems like the best day!” she suggested with a smile, he hesitated for a moment but then agreed,

“But under one condition,” she looked at him curiously when he paused,

“No flying.” they both stared at each other before they cracked up laughing. She sighed and looked at him, her gaze locked on his watery blue eyes, both her eyes moving to stare into his.

“Ah, before we go, I need to get something,” he explained, breaking the silence to Ditzy’s dismay. She nodded and he ran off, first to the kitchen then to his room. When he returned he was wearing a tie, a silver pocket watch, and the two keys around his neck.

“Maybe they’ll help jog my memory, you never know!” he explained when she gave him an odd look. She giggled and shrugged before she headed to the door, the Doctor close in tow.

“And this, is Twilight’s Library, her and her friends kind of saved the world a few times, and she’s nice. If you ever want a book though, she has it here!” she informed him while they walked by a massive tree with windows and a door. Before they passed the bottom part of the door swung open and a small purple and green dragon walked out, obviously in a hurry.

“Ah, Ditzy. I got an idea,” the Doctor said while walking towards the front door. She turned to him with a puzzled look. Wondering what idea he had might involve a library.

“Maybe, just maybe, she has a book that explains these symbols,” he stated, bringing a hoof to tap the small, silver pocket watch around his neck. Ditzy got bright-eyed at the idea and rushed ahead of him.

“Ah! Wait up will you! Not everyone is so used to running,” he groaned while rushing to catch up. Though he was confused how she could run so quickly with an injured wing. He opened the door and found Ditzy apologizing furiously to a purple mare,

“I’m so sorry! I just ran in and I didn’t see you, and I didn’t mean to knock your books over, I can help if you want!” the purple mare just laughed and shook her head, her horn glowing softly as books floated into a stack.

“it’s fine, Ditzy, don’t worry about it! Now what is it you need?” the Doctor walked up and spoke,

“Actually, it’s what I need, I need to ask if you happen to have a book with symbols that are like what is on this pocket watch?” he tapped the silver locket and she looked intently at it.

“I... I think so, but there must be some spell on it, it’s really difficult to focus on,” she turned around and began going through the books. Looking for something that reminded her of the symbols.

“Ah! I think it’s in this one, talks about ancient heroes and ponies,” she says while flicking through it, “There! more circular symbols but... The rest of the page is torn out. All that’s left is this notecard, doesn’t have anything on it but maybe it’s magic!” the card floated out of the book and tucked itself into his collar, he bowed his head and thanked her before turning to walk out.

“Hey, before you go,” Twilight said when he opened the door, he turned and looked to her and she was blank faced. Her normally violet eyes having a green and blue tint to them around her pupils.

“How many can you save, Doctor?” she asked, her face spreading into a grin. She stared there for a moment before she collapsed and both the Doctor and Ditzy rushed to make sure she was alright.

“Miss Sparkle, are you okay?” Ditzy asked, nudging her softly. Her eyes opened slowly and she coughed before nodding.

“What? What happened? Did I miss something?” she asked looking around, clearly dazed.

“Ah... Nothing really, you probably just forgot to breathe, sorry to bother you miss!” he apologized while standing up, Ditzy started to explain but he gave her a glance and she silenced herself. They said their goodbyes and walked out onto the street.

“That was... Odd, is that normal around here?” he asked when the door was closed, Ditzy shook her head and looked around.

“No, that’s really weird. Things happen around Ponyville a lot but... Never that weird. Well that Discord problem was weird but it wasn’t creepy!” she explained, shaking her head and spreading her wings quickly. The bandages ripping off her bad wing.

“Ah! Careful you’ll make it wor-” he began before looking at her wing, which was completely fine. Not a drop of blood or a tear on it.

“Oh! How did it... You must be an amazing doctor if you made it heal that fast!” she said with surprise in her voice, he stared at her wing and for a moment there was a soft golden glimmer around where the injury was. He shook his head and blinked before speaking,

“Anyways, disregarding all weirdness of today, let’s go out for lunch! It’s around lunch time right?”

They walked out of the decorated building, it looking like a massive gingerbread house. While a pink pony inside waved goodbye while thanking them for their business.

“Thank Celestia Sugarcube Corner gives out free cupcakes on Sundays, or we’d be starving out here!” Ditzy said while laughing before biting into her cupcake. The Doctor eyed his cautiously.

“So... This is a cupcake? And it’s sweet?” he asked her while glaring at the brightly colored pastry. She nodded and explained,

“it’s like a muffin, but with sugar and icing! It’s good really, take a bite!” she said before taking another bite of hers. He groaned and slowly bit into it. He began to chew before shaking his head and with a groan, spat it out.

“Ah, no thanks. It’s sweet yeah, but too sweet. No thanks I’ll stick to muffins and apples for now. Those don’t taste like rubbish,” Ditzy shrugged and took hold of his cupcake with her wing.

“More for me then!” she said with a grin, he turned to her and glared for a moment before snatching it back.

“it may taste horrible but I don’t intend to starve in the streets. Even if we are just a short walk from your house,” he quickly ate the cupcake and groaned. “The taste! Oh it’s horrible! It’s like I’m choking on sugar and whip cream!” he stuck his tongue out and ran the side of his hoof on it, as if he was wiping the taste from his mouth. Ditzy laughed while he did,

“Mister, it can’t be that bad! And you shouldn’t have eaten it so quickly, you’ll get a stomach ache later,” she warned, he waved a hoof at her and continued walking.

“Been here for two days and the worst I’ve had is a long fall and a headache, I can take a stomach ache!”

Ditzy stood outside the bathroom, sick noises audible inside past the door, she turned and called in,

“You alright in there, mister?” from inside the Doctor took a deep breath and called back reassuringly.

“Yeah, that thing tasted worse coming back than it did going down! Blimey how does that work?!” he asked through the door before returning to cleaning himself from the inside out of food.

“I told you, you’d get a stomach ache,” Ditzy informed, shaking her head softly

“You said a stomach ache not an attack of the evil cupcake! This isn’t an ache it’s a stomach apocalypse!” he shouted through the door, gasping for air. He wiped his mouth and turned to the mirror. making sure he didn’t look too horrible. He checked his sides and examined himself.

“Oh, well then, aren’t you handsome..?” He uttered to himself, admiring his mane and tail.

“You done in there?” Ditzy called, he jumped a bit and called back,

“yeah, be right out! Just cleaning up,” he looked to the door and froze. From the corner of his eye he saw a golden shimmer around him in the mirror. Like a fog that was barely visible. He turned to see it head on but it vanished the moment he turned his eyes towards it.

“Ah... Must be a trick of the light...” he muttered softly before opening the door, Ditzy smiled at him and asked with a soft voice,

“Feeling better now mister?” when he nodded she continued, “Alright, but I think you’ll need some water, just flushed everything out and you didn’t even get a choice!” she explained. He nodded again and she walked off to the Kitchen while he turned and went into the guest bedroom. He plopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, not even noticing when Ditzy walked in and set a glass by him. So of course he jumped when she spoke.

“Hey, Are you sure I didn’t do anything dumb last night? I feel like I did something I shouldn’t have and you’re hiding it from me,” he turned and stared at her for a moment, wondering if she knew he was truly lying or if it really just was a feeling for her.

“Ah, I’m sure, unless you did something while you were asleep but I don’t think you left that room after I took you to bed,” he explained quickly. She looked into his eyes and he shuffled. A feeling washing through him, like she could see right through him.

“Alright, any plans for tonight?” she asked awkwardly. shuffling her hooves quietly while her gaze kept level with the floor.

“Ah, I don’t have any no. Something you’d like to do?” he asked while he rolled over onto his belly. She smiled softly and nodded.

“I wanted to know if you would erm... Want to go to the marketplace and then after maybe to a nice restaurant?” she suggested, her voice cracking a bit while she spoke. He laughed softly and hugged her.

“Sure, Ditzy. Shall we go now?” he asked when the hug ended. She nodded firmly and he popped off the bed. She gazed at him as he walked by, both her eyes focusing on him.

“You coming, Ditzy? Marketplace isn’t open all day, I don’t think,” he turned and asked, she blinked quickly and shook her head before rushing up next to him. They smiled softly at each other and headed out the door.

“Pajamas! Yes I need Pajamas! Mister what kind of Pajamas are you selling?” the Doctor asked with an excited tone, flipping through the stacks of folded clothing. The sales-colt watched him curiously and then shrugged,

“All of ‘em, I suppose. Any kind you’d like I suspect, I actually just got this sleeping top set, no pony seems to want it but I think it’d fit you perfect,” he suggested while reaching under the counter. The Doctor glanced around to make sure Ditzy was still near and found her two stalls over bartering for strawberries. It seemed to be going badly. The sales-colt popped up with a stack of green tops, each of them having a symbol scattered across it, an hourglass. The Doctor stared at it before rubbing the side of his head softly.

“Ah... Sorry, how much will it cost?” he asked, counting the small golden coins Ditzy gave him, he only had five.

“Well for you bud, it’ll be free. Nopony else seems to want ‘em so, you can have one! Maybe if somepony sees you get them they’ll be more likely to come and buy!” he explained, giving the Doctor a shirt off the top of the pile with a small laugh.

“Thank you sir, now if you excuse me I have something to do,” the Doctor said quickly while he stuffed the shirt into the bag across his back. He turned and rushed over to Ditzy who looked like she was fixing to lose the barter quickly. He ran up and quickly asked,

“What’s the price? I don’t care what it is I’ll pay,” Ditzy stared at him for a moment before the shop owner responded.

“I’m selling a dozen strawberries for six bits, but this bird brained mare only has four and refuses to pay up!” the unicorn shop owner glared at Ditzy, who stepped back slightly. The Doctor glared back and walked up and handed five bits on the table.

“I’ll pay five. Five or nothing,” he demanded, staring at the shop mare who stared right back with ferocious greed.

“I’m only accepting six bits and if you don’t have it, you can go back to your mud pits and make some more till you do!” she nearly shouted, drawing the attention of a few nearby ponies.

“Now miss, I believe you’ve been making some racial slurs towards my friend here and myself, and unless you want a good amount of ponies to get very upset and you to be removed from the market for causing a public disturbance, five bits,” he whispered, lowering his head and pushing the five golden coins forward. She grimaced and mumbled something under her breath before nearly tossing the strawberries at him. He gathered them and put them in Ditzy’s bag before turning to walk off. She stared between the shop owner and him for a moment before stumbling to catch up.

“How did you..? Nopony ever sticks up to her, she’s mean and everypony knows it but you... You made her do what you said, that was incredible!” she exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise and intrigue. He dismissed her compliment with a wave of his hoof and sighed,

“She wants to make a living and this is the only way she can, not her fault she was brought up in a family that made it clear in her mind to make fun of others. But I didn’t want to really have to exploit it, honestly i just saved her from being out of a job,” she stared at him as he looked ahead, his color slightly dimmer than it was moments before. She kept her gaze on the side of his face, his eye shimmering between icy blue and watery blue like rippled in a pond.

“Something wrong?” he asked while turning to catch her gaze. She jumped and turned her head forward quickly. She could feel her cheeks glowing pink.

“A-ah! No! Nothing’s wrong!” she exclaimed, her eye shifting to look at him every few moments.

“Hm, alright then...” he muttered with almost a somber tone before laughing loudly.

“What! Did I do something wrong?” she exclaimed while turning to see him. He shook his head while laughing and managed to stop. he smiled at her and spoke softly,

“Nothing at all, Ditzy. Shall we go to dinner?”

They walked into the small restaurant in the town square, walking straight to the front desk to get a table.

“Hi er... Can we get a table for two please?” Ditzy asked awkwardly, the Doctor smiled softly at the unicorn waiter standing on the other side of the table.

“Yes of course miss...?” he began, “Doo,” she said quickly with a soft smile,

“Ah, Miss Doo, right this way,” he finished, using magic to grab two menus while guiding them to an open table. They sat down and the waiter bowed his head softly and walked off.

“Any clue what you’ll be eating, Ditzy?” the Doctor asked, opening his menu and reading the options.

“Yeah, what about you?” he laughed softly and shook his head.

“Not a clue, I’ll just have whatever it is you will be having, if that’s alright?” she giggled quietly and asked,

“Are you sure, mister? What if I pick something really odd?” he grinned and leaned forward.

“Then I’ll eat whatever it is, no matter how weird it may be,” he whispered to her, challenge in his voice. She stared back, grinning softly before they both broke out into a quiet laughter. The laughing ended with them staring at eachother with a small smile on their faces.

“Ahem, would you two be ready to order?” the waiter, who had gone unnoticed, asked. Ditzy nodded and said simply,

“I’ll have the chefs special, if that is alright?” the waiter nodded and, using magic, wrote it down on a notecard. He then looked to the doctor, who shrugged and stated,

“Same as her, I suppose,” he turned to her and grinned. The waiter nodded and said with a mild monotone,

“Your food will be ready soon, enjoy your night,” he walked away with a swift step, vanishing into the depths of the restaurant in a blend of other waiters. The Doctor rested his front right leg on the side of the table, leaning forward on it before speaking,

“So I suppose this dinner is an adventure for both of us, eh? No idea what’s going to end up on our plates, or have you eaten here before?” she smiled and shook her head, her face turning a light shade of pink.

“N-No, not once, I’ve just heard a lot about it so I decided we’d go here,” she confessed, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. He chuckled quietly before they sat in silence for several minutes. Both of them looking around awkwardly and opening their mouths to start conversation, only to close it before anything actually got said. The waiter was the one to break the silence.

“Sir, miss, your meal, please do enjoy,” he said while two dishes floated down in front of them. Both of them being nearly identical gourmet salads. The Doctor stared at it for a moment, clearly unimpressed. The waiter walked away silently and Ditzy spoke up,

“If this is the chef’s special, I’d hate to try anything else,” the Doctor laughed as quietly as he could and she started laughing as well. But they returned to silence as they ate. The Doctor this time, broke the silence after a few minutes that felt like hours.

“Ditzy, I know so little really about you, so if you don’t mind me asking, what is your history?” he said, looking up from the salad. She glanced up at him and finished her bite,

“Huh? What do you mean? Like, where I was born and raised and all that stuff?” he nodded then went on,

“I want to know more about you, I’d tell you about me if I knew what was to tell but... I promise when I remember I’ll tell you first thing.” She thought for a moment then began to speak, leaning a bit forward as she did.

“Well, I was born and raised here in Ponyville, like most ponies here. Never really knew my dad and I didn’t see my mom much, she was always busy. I went to the same school as pretty much everypony in town,” the Doctor quickly interrupted to ask,

“Did they tease you back then, like they do now?” she paused for a moment before nodding,

“It hurt more, because I was young, but it really wasn’t as bad. Just kids making fun of eachother honestly...” she sighed and glanced down at the tiled floor.

“It never felt like that though, did it? It still hurts, doesn’t it? The names and the comments?” he asked, she glanced up for a moment and nodded softly. He leaned back and sighed,

“Well it shouldn’t, really,” he began, her ears perked up and she raised her head to ask why, but he continued before she could.

“It’s great to be different, I think it’s a wonderful thing. To be exactly who you are, an odd cutie mark, eyes a bit askew, it’s all perfect honestly,” he explained, Ditzy dropped her head again and closed her eyes, a few tears falling silently.

“I think if you accepted it all; that you are you and no one is better at it. That no matter how hard life hits you you’re strong enough to get back up, you’ll do great things,” he finished. She looked up and he gasped quietly, surprised to see that she was crying with a smile. Tears of happiness.

“Mister... Maybe you did help people, when you had your memory. Maybe that’s what you did...” she whispered softly across the table. He perked his ears up and she continued.

“Because you’ve helped me so much. My life was only really going downhill but then you fell from the sky. You saved me, really,” he chuckled softly before adding,

“Says the mare who found this dumb old colt in the middle of the woods and saved his flank because she’s that nice,” he smiled at her kindly and stood up.

“Anyways, it is getting quite late, so we should get home. I’ll go get the waiter so we can pay,” he explained before walking off. Ditzy stayed sitting there and looked up to the ceiling, looking through it to the stars that were beyond. She whispered “Thank you,” before standing up quietly. The Doctor came back with a soft smile and they walked out silently, they’re tails occasionally brushing together.

He laid awake in his brand new pajama shirt, staring at the ceiling and thinking to himself.

What will I go back to..? If I remember...

He shook his head and rolled over onto his side and dismissed the thought. He decided no matter what, even if he gets his memory back, he will stay here. Not for himself, but for her. She needs him and he needs her. He smiled and closed his eyes, drifting into a dream-filled sleep.

Something Wicked

DONG

The bell rang out once more in his nightmare, a golden energy radiating from him while his colors shifted from brown to grey and back again.

I’m so sorry.

He heard his own voice whisper through screams and the persistent bell. Tears rolled down his face outside the nightmare.

Tick, Tock, goes the clock...

He began to mutter in his sleep, the same word over and over again. Like it was cursed in his own mind.

We laughed at fate and mourned her...

He burst awake screaming, his voice echoing around into the trees surrounding him. He looked around slowly and realized he was in the woods where he first landed, when Ditzy found him.

DONG

The nightmarish bell rang out from nearby, causing him to jump in fright to his hooves. He looked around in fear before rushing out headway, the noise seeming farther with every step. He ran and ran till he realized where he was. He was standing in the Ponyville Marketplace. He glanced around in the early morning shadows and saw one pony working silently. The unicorn mare from the day before.

“Miss, do you know the time..?” he asked upon approaching her, she looked up for a moment before returning to her business and speaking softly.

“I know the time, but why does it matter to you?” he looked around before stating his reason.

“I woke up in the woods nearby and I’d like to know how early it is,” she began to laugh quietly, like the laugh of someone who has done something very wrong.

“The time, of course...” she looked up and her eyes were glowing. A bright green mixed with a dark blue, like an ocean that no one dared go near.

“It’s the beginning of the end, dear Doctor,” she smiled madly and screamed, her voice echoing throughout the marketplace and beyond. When the scream finally stopped she fell, stone cold, stone dead.

“Alright sir, from what we could tell you’re in the clear. She’d been dead long before you got here. Some sick reanimation spell got her up and walking,” the royal guard explained to the Doctor and Ditzy, the sun had just risen and the Doctor was arrested the moment the first guard arrived after the scream. Ditzy, being his only known contact, was brought in as well.

“So may we go officer?” Ditzy asked, looking very confused and scared due to her surroundings. The guard nodded and they were lead outside and escorted back to their home in silence. When they walked in Ditzy immediately turned around and barraged him with questions.

“What were you doing outside so early? Why were you talking to her? Why has she been... dead for so long and nopony noticed?!” she finished the last question as she broke into tears, the Doctor stepped next to her and hugged her gently,

“I don’t know, Ditzy... I woke up and heard this... Bell, and I ran, I ran as fast as I could and wound up in the Market, and she was there and she gave me a warning or something, said it’s the beginning of the end...” he let go of her slowly and she sat down, rubbing her eyes roughly with her wings before asking one last question,

“Did she say anything else? Anything at all?” he thought for a moment before he nodded.

“She called me Doctor, no name just a title, think she might’ve known me before... Before I forgot it all?” Ditzy stared at the ground for a moment before shaking her head quickly.

“N-no, it’s impossible, nopony recognized you or came when you were in the hospital, just me,” he sighed and nodded before standing up,

“I’m going to lay down for a bit, I’m... I’m just really tired right now...” he began to walk away but Ditzy placed a wing across his back.

“Hey, mister... Don’t get yourself in any trouble, alright? I’d feel horrible if something bad happened,” she pleaded, her eyes full of worry and care. He nodded to her and gave her a careful hug before retiring to his room.

Two hours later Ditzy walked in and spoke softly, as to not wake him up. Though he never fell asleep,

“Hey... I’m going to work alright? I managed to get the weekend off but it’s monday and I have to get back to delivering, I’ll see you when I get home...” she closed the door slowly and he sat up, he thought about rushing out to say goodbye but decided against it.

Better she thinks I’m sleeping off what happened this morning...

He rolled onto his side and thought about the previous events. The bell, the shopkeeper, the warning. Everything. What did it all mean? Twilight said something odd too the day before.

How many can you save, Doctor?

He jumped up, that title. It was used twice now. He looked around until he found the pocket watch, which he examined closely. Something told him this was, in some way, very important to him. Everything he came with was; the keys, the rod, the watch. Everything. He sighed, stood up, and stripped off the night shirt. He needed a walk to clear his head, to think better.

I could figure this out if I wasn’t so distracted...

He stepped out the guest room door and looked around, Ditzy had already left. He walked outside and headed towards the woods, the first place that came to mind.

He wandered the small forest in silence, waiting for that bell to ring out. He hoped it would this time, maybe it would lead him to something that could explain everything or, better yet, return his memory. He found the spot he landed and decided to work from there, searching the area for where he woke up until he found a small bit of paper. The very same Twilight gave him the day before.

Why is this out here..? I didn’t fall asleep with it...

He picked it up and flipped it around, a message appearing slowly on one side, a side that had small symbols in the corner.

How’s your newest friend, Ditzy is it? You keeping tabs on her old pal?

~signed, your best friend in the universe

He dropped the card and turned tail, taking off in a full sprint to the place Ditzy worked. He’d seen it before, passed it while they walked together. He knew she delivered mail, he had to know she was safe.

He burst into the Post Office, everypony in it turning to glare at him. He looked around and saw Ditzy preparing to leave in the back. He rushed past the small crowd and jumped over the half door separating the waiting room from the delivery room. Ignoring the pony shouting at him to stop. He rushed up to Ditzy who jumped in surprise to see him.

“Oh! Mister, what are you doing here? You aren’t supposed to be back here,” a brown pony with curled black hair and three bags of money as a cutie mark walked up with a mild, devious smile.

“Yes, that’s right Ditzy, why is your friend here? You know the rule, correct? No guests allowed in the delivery room,” he spoke with obvious arrogance in his voice.

“Sorry sir, I just arrived in ponyville a few days ago, I woke up from a long fall and have amnesia, I freaked out and had to make sure she’s alright,” the Doctor explained, hoping to spare Ditzy any humiliation. But to his dismay the colt went on.

“Well, that’s very unfortunate, but as you can see she is quite alright. But due to your intrusion I think she is due for punishment, maybe a deduction in her pay?” he grinned at both of them, practically begging for the reaction.

“But, Mr. Rich sir! I’m already below minimum wage and any less and I won’t be able to afford enough food for the both of us!” she exclaimed, her voice cracked from holding back tears. The Doctor stepped up as his color began to fade.

“Mr. Rich, you don’t need to punish her for my mistake, if anything punish me. Force me to work here or something, don’t make her suffer,” the brown colt laughed calmly before stepping close to the Doctor.

“That’s exactly what I’m doing, I’m punishing you. What else do you have to lose other than her? So I’ll make her life worse so you’ll learn your mistakes,” he grinned waiting for a reaction. The Doctor stared into his eyes while his own flicked to a bright icey blue. His coat shifting to a darker grey slowly while his mane went near black. The nearby ponies watching and whispering about him, the colt whose coat changes color. The Doctor rammed his forehead into the rich arrogant colts and pushed him back.

“You are horrible, the kind of pony everypony here probably dreads becoming or meeting. A pony who without a second doubt would kill another just for a few extra dollars. You’ll make her suffer because that means you’ll make more money,” the Doctor growled at him, a golden shimmer flowing across his coat. Filthy Rich grinned and pushed back,

“And who are you? Some forgotten feather brained pony who probably couldn’t keep his own drink down and lost his mind with it? Managed to trick the one pony in the world dumber than him into bed to get a few free meals?” He smiled with satisfaction, feeling as though he won.

Until the hoof slammed into his jaw.

“Don’t insult him! He’s my best friend and the only great friend I’ve ever had. You may not know how it feels to really care for somepony but that gives you no right to make everypony hurt!” she shouted at the downed colt. Who stared at her in shock.

“Somepony, A-arrest this mare! You saw her!” he called out, but to no avail, every pony nearby simply went back to their work, as if nothing ever happened. The colt jumped up and rubbed his jaw. He glared at every pony in the room before his gaze kept on the Doctor.

“You think you’ve won, that you made you and your dumb little...” the Doctor stepped forward and glared at him,

“I dare you to finish that sentence, I dare you. You’ll leave this building, and you won’t come back. Is that clear?” he muttered to him, when Filthy Rich began to speak up to protest he raised his voice and shouted, “I said, Is that clear?!” This time he nodded and ran out of the building. When he was gone he sighed and turned to Ditzy,

“I’m sorry, I... Lost myself, I hate feeling like this...” He explained, his color slowly fading back to brown. The colors dripping along him and mixing till his coat was back at it’s regular shade of light brown.

“It’s alright, he’s always been a... Well a jerk to me, you honestly did me a favor getting him out of here,” she explained, giving him a quick and soft hug. He laughed but then gave her a serious look.

“Yeah, I suppose I did. Anyways, I don’t ever want to see you hit somepony again. I can’t explain why but... I hate it, violence. The thought in my head alone feels wrong, out of place,” he requested, placing his hoof on her shoulder. She stared into his eyes before nodding,

“I understand, it felt wrong for me too, as much as he really did deserve it,” she giggled and they stood there silently for a few seconds.

“You should er... Get back to work probably, don’t need any more reason to get fired,” the Doctor finally said, she looked around before nodding in agreement,

“yeah, you’re right. So, you’ll be going then?” she asked, her face a faint pink,

“I suppose so, talk to you when you get home then, alright?” he said awkwardly, they hugged and he walked out, opening the half-door this time. Bowing his head to ponies in apology as he walked out. When he left the building he headed back to the house. But before he opened the door he turned to the woods. He had to check the note. Maybe he was missing something.

In the woods the note was still sitting there, the same warning practically floating on the parchment. A false warning, to get him riled up maybe? He picked up the note and placed it between his teeth and walked back to the house. He walked to his room and stared at the note. The words written didn’t seem right, they weren’t written on it he could tell. It was like staring at the pocket watch or the keys. He couldn’t focus on any of them very much, couldn’t pay too much attention to it. He set the note card on the bedside table with the other various items, the moment it touched the table the text shifted and changed on it. He jumped in surprise and shifted to read it.

Sorry, did I scare you? Not trying that a bit, just testing you I promise! Just

harmless.

Little.

Tests.

Signed, your best friend in the universe

He stared at the message and sighed. Not only is it magic, who ever it is that controls it knows something about him that he either doesn’t know, or can’t remember. He laid on his back and stared at the ceiling, hoping he would find some answer in sleep.

He awoke some odd hours later to Ditzy’s voice, she was humming a song. He guessed she had just gotten home and he got up, yawned, and stepped out of the room.

“Hey, Ditzy. How was your day, except for this morning?” he called out as he walked into the living room.

“It was good actually, I think I got a bit more respect now, nopony said anything rude and they were all nice,” she said with happiness showing in her voice. She stepped into the room, a large smile spread across her face as she sat down next to him. She looked to the ground for a few seconds until, to the Doctor’s surprised, she kissed his cheek softly. His face turned red in an instant and he stuttered to speak,

“Ah, what was that about?” he asked when he managed to collect his words. She simply giggled and shrugged.

“You’ve done a lot for me in these past few days, you’ve saved me mister,” she blushed softly. He looked up to the ceiling and sighed.

“I suppose it’s only fair, you saved my life, so I have to save yours,” he said quietly, she laughed and turned to face him.

“You’ve saved my life plenty, mister. You don’t owe me anything,”

Cider Season

DONG

He turned over quickly, tossing the blanket covering him off the bed and onto the floor.

Can you save them Doctor?

He whispered something in his sleep, a word over and over. The same one as the night before.

Tick Tock, goes the clock,

He cried out into the room, his nightmares protruding into the physical realm.

We laughed at fate and mourned her...

He whimpered in his sleep, tears rolling down his face as he slept.

Tick, Tock, Goes the clock...

He sobbed silently, a force moving him, attempting to wake him from the nightmare.

Wake up Doctor... It’s nearly the end.

Wake up.

Wake “up, Mister!” Ditzy called to him in a quiet voice, he jumped awake and startled her. He looked around to figure himself out again before he asked,

“What’s wrong, Ditzy..? You look upset,” she held a look of worry, tears on the edge of her eyes and she looked very shook up.

“You were crying and screaming, and you kept saying one word, over and over again. You said it like it hurt to say,” she explained while pulling him into a tight hug.

“Ah well, sorry if I scared you. I’ve been having nightmares recently. As far back as I can remember, which really isn’t that far... What word was I saying?” he asked, pulling slowly from the hug.

“You kept saying master, over and over again. Any idea if it means anything? Maybe you were a servant before...” she said, he blinked slowly while his coat faded in color, his eyes turning icey blue while his coat went grey. Ditzy noticed the change and quickly asked,

“Does it remind you of something? Your coat is changing color again!” he blinked and shook his head, his color shifting back to brown quickly as it had started.

“I’m sorry? I... Faded out for a moment, sorry,” he had a confused look that Ditzy returned.

“N-Nothing... Anything planned for today?” she asked, wondering what switch that word hit for him.

“No not really, don’t you work today?” he asked, she shook her head and smiled at him.

“They said I could have today off, so we can do whatever you want!” she laughed softly. He grinned and placed a hoof on his chin, thinking about things they could do. He sighed and, with a guilty look suggested,

“Maybe we could go for a walk?” she stared at him unimpressed, making him feel worse for suggesting the same thing they’ve done since he arrived. She laughed and agreed.

“I normally don’t get out much outside of work, so this is actually a nice change of pace,”

They stepped into the woods that, for both of them, was becoming all too familiar. The Doctor walked ahead but Ditzy stayed a bit back.

“Are you sure something might be here for you? Maybe, if there is, it’s really bad and scary,” he laughed and turned, looking at her with a confident stare.

“Then I’ll face whatever monsters await me, I need to know who I was, who I am,” she smiled, something about that persistence she loved. How courageous he is in the face of the unknown. They walked deeper into the woods, a heavy toned echo rang out from around them with every step. They walked in silence though, tracing the sound to its source. After what felt like hours of walking, they reached where the sound was the loudest. A greatwood tree. The sound echoed from it, like a warning.

“That’s a weird tree, mister, I didn’t know trees could make that noise,” she stared at it before softly tapping it. It felt like a regular tree to her.

“Something is off about it, it’s so... hard to focus on...” he stared at the tree but his gaze kept shifting away from it.

“It’s like I know it’s there but... I don’t want to know,” he shook his head quickly. Ruffling his mane in the process. They stood there in silence as the tone faded away for what seemed the last time, As it did not echo again after.

“Well, that was boring, let’s go somewhere else. These woods give me the creeps!” she shivered and spanned her wings out, the feathers rippling as she did. He sighed and agreed before turning to walk out of the woods to the dirt road.

They managed to find their way to the town square, to the surprisingly busy traffic of ponies travelling here and there around the town. They got bumped and moved by what seemed like every pony in equestria. They managed to break from the crowd into an a side road, which had far less traffic.

“Is that normal around this time of year?” the Doctor asked while they took a breath, she giggled and nodded her head before explaining,

“It’s Cider season, tons of ponies from all over this area show up for the apple families famous cider!” he thought for a moment, placing his hoof on his chin.

“This may sound really... Stupid, but... What’s cider?” she stared at him in disbelief before grabbing his hoof and rushing him out.

“Cider is amazing! It’s made with apples and is just so... Delicious!” she exclaimed with a glimmer in her eyes. He had a feeling he was in for a treat that was completely unexpected for that day.

They arrived at the start of the massive line. Which was barely nudging forward. They looked around and noticed no one else was coming so they took the chance to look around a bit more. This time though, in the apple orchard. The Doctor found an apple and took the opportunity to pick it up and eat it. But to his complete surprise he seemed incapable of lifting it with his hoof.

“What the... Ditzy!” he called to the wandering pony. She walked over to see the problem to find him placing his hoof against an apple and pulling it away, achieving nothing.

“Are you trying to pick it up? Because I think you’re doing it wrong...” she noted, watching him struggle. He groaned in frustration loudly before begging her for help.

“Explain to me how in this odd world I pick things up! I’ve done it before and I’ve seen you do it but now when I think about it... I can’t!” she giggled as he punted the apple away with his front left hoof. Giving it a victorious glare before turning to her for guidance.

“Well, you don’t think too hard about it. Just put your hoof there and...” she stepped near the apple and put her hoof on it, “Voila!” she lifted her hoof and the apple stuck. He stared at the apple in malcontent.

“Actually, I just don’t think that apple likes me,” he uttered with a grunt, “Knows I was going to eat it, so it wouldn’t let me pick it up!”she laughed quietly before biting into the apple. He stared in disbelief and made a series of choking like noises.

“What? Oh! The apple, sorry!” she held the bitten apple towards him and he stared at it even deeper.

“Actually, you have it. The apple expects me to eat it,” she looked at him curiously, her right eye focused on a passing cloud. After a few seconds she shrugged and bit into the apple again. He grinned victoriously and turned to head back to the line. But to both their surprise they instead ran face-first into a peculiar blue coated, blond maned, unicorn.

“Oh! Sorry, I’m just...” the pony’s speech faded into silence as he stared at the Doctor. Both of them staring right into eachothers eyes.

“Do you two know each other?” Ditzy asked when she noticed them staring. The Doctor blinked before shaking his head roughly, like he was exiting a trance.

“What? No, I don’t think so, but I might’ve. Do we know each other? Sorry i have a horrible case of amnesia, can’t remember a thing!” he explained to the blue Unicorn.

“Erm... No! Of course not, never met before. Though now is a wonderful time to start. My name is...” he paused, the Doctor looked on curiously and questioned,

“Your name is...? Ah it doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you mine when I remember it, and you do the same!” the unicorn nodded before speaking once more.

“Alright then, but I do remember my name, most call me Professor. Though the looks I get for a name like that! Doesn’t match my cutie mark or myself as a pony, really,” he nodded to the hourglass and drum set on his flank. A very odd combination of items, Ditzy this time questioned the peculiarity.

“Er... Professor, hope you don’t mind me asking but... What does an hourglass and drums have to do with each other? Do you keep rhythm really well?” he glared at her for a split second before explaining thoroughly.

“I suppose that’s one way to say it. I keep time for a marching band. I’m the best at it! Though I expected it to be something with brass instruments, in reference to my... Name,” he said name with what seemed to be a hint of disdain. Both the Doctor and Ditzy noticed but said nothing of it. It wasn’t their business so they silently agreed not to get involved in it.

“Anyways, I ought to be off. Things to do, pe-ponies to see!” he stuttered shortly, his eyes shifting for a split second before he raced off through the orchard, vanishing into the trees.

“That’s all everypony! we’re all out ah cider for today!” the orange mare called out, many ponies groaning, the loudest being a cyan pegasi somewhere in the middle. Ditzy sighed and the Doctor shrugged.

“Well, maybe tomorrow we can get some cider! We’ll get here really early though. But oh is it worth it!” she smiled in anticipation before her face turned to a more displeased look. She shook her head and turned to walk back into town.

“You’ll have to wake me up, haven’t been sleeping too well, I think it’s the nightmares...” he thought hard trying to remember them, a headache approaching slowly.

“Anyways, yeah! Cider tomorrow morning,” he agreed, his head clearing of the memories that nearly returned to him.

They walked into the town square, this time it was much more empty. The only sounds were the occasional pony voice and the fountain in the center. They wandered around aimlessly, hoping to find something interesting or at least entertaining. They find their solace, surprisingly enough though, in the library. Where Twilight was ecstatic to find them there once more.

“I actually found something! I found more of those odd symbols you were talking about in a different book, and they come from some ancient lost race,” she began with a glimmer in her eyes. Both the Doctor and Ditzy were taken aback by her sudden rush of excitement when they had only just walked in.

“Er... And what’s that race, miss Sparkle..?” he asked with confused curiosity. She made a hysterical giggle and spouted,

“That’s the thing! Nopony but Celestia knows that and she won’t tell anypony! So we’re going to find out!” she pulled several other books from the shelves. They guessed them to be the books containing the symbols. She opened them all at once, the books laying around her as she read each page swiftly.

“She’s really smart, isn’t she?” the Doctor asked in a whisper to Ditzy, who nodded in amazement at the efficiency of the purple unicorn.

“Well, so far I’ve noticed a few patterns,” she began, raising her head only to make sure they were listening, or still there. “These... Mysterious ponies, they had a few odd features. First of all! They don’t age, but they aren’t princesses or anything,” she noted, one book popping up with several confusing paragraphs on lost pony races.

“Next, they could use some form of magic, apparently temporal, but none of them where ever unicorns!” she explained, amazement hinted deep in her voice. The Doctor and Ditzy gazed on and listened. Both of them equally interested in this legendary discovery about a meager pocket watch.

“They also travelled a lot, you never really saw them in one place for long. And if you did see them, something interesting is always going to happen,” she said with a grin, another book flying up,

“The first Discord event, one was there. Lunas betrayal, another one! Almost every time they were there. But apparently a few centuries ago they vanished,” she started with a hint of sorrow,

“But! There is one very, very important feature of them. Every one of them has this same feature, it’s guaranteed on them and we may be the only ponies other than the princess to know this,” she continued, drawing both of them in with the suspense of what the thing was. They leaned in and she leaned down. Reading the books containing this knowledge once more to assure herself.

“They always had a binary vascular system,” she finished. When they both stared at her with utter looks of cluelessness, she explained the term,

“It means two hearts! They always had two hearts! Beating out of sync with each other, a four beat pulse,” Ditzy and the Doctor turned and stared at each other for a moment before she continued.

“But, sadly it’s all just myth and lore, this is probably just an heirloom,” she nodded to the pocket watch around the Doctors neck, which floated for a second from magic. They sighed in unison before standing.

“Thanks for all your help, Miss Sparkle, but er... We should get going,” the Doctor bowed his head softly to her in thanks before turning to leave. Ditzy did the same and they headed to the door. But to both their surprise the door opened before they reached it, and in walked a familiar blue unicorn.

“Oh! Professor, I didn’t expect to meet you here,” the Doctor started, his eyes shimmering, for a split second, with familiarity.

“I actually come here quite often, I enjoy a good book now and then. I’ll take it Twilight is in today?” he asked, looking past the two ponies to the purple unicorn storing books.

“Hey, Professor! Just a minute!” Twilight called while the last few books stored themselves away. She walked up and, like any librarian, asked him what he’s looking for.

“Nothing of real interest, anything on Changelings? I feel like reading about creatures today,” he suggested with a soft grin. Twilight nodded and turned.

“Spike!” she shouted, a purple and green dragon rushing up with surprising speed.

“Can you get the biggest book on Changelings we have? Should be third row second shelf,” the dragon, Spike, nodded, “Right away!” he rushed off and climbed up the bookshelf. Grabbing quite a large book and walking, this time much slower. Back to Twilight and Professor, with the Doctor and Ditzy standing to the side.

“Here you go mister! The biggest guide on Changelings in this section of equestria!” the book floated from him and he looked up to the colt, who smiled down at him. To everyones surprise though, Spike suddenly screamed.

“T-teeth! Sharp teeth!” he exclaimed, having rushed behind Twilight. Everyone, including the clearly insulted Professor, gave him a look of confusion.

“Spike what are you talking about? Professor doesn’t have sharp teeth, he’s a pony!” Professor smiled to prove the point and, as stated, his teeth were flat as ever. Ditzy though flipped her eyes, her right eye going from looking up and away to her left looking the opposite way, while the right stuck centered. She started to speak before Professor spoke up.

“Anyways, thank you Twilight for this book, and no hard feelings with Spike I hope! The light probably caught on my teeth just right to make them look sharp,” he smiled again and bowed his head to each pony, stopping at the Doctor.

“You’re an odd one, twice in one day this quick? Maybe we do know each other!” he winked, and grinned. A memory flashing through the Doctors head for a split second. Not long enough to remember, but long enough to strike a spark in his mind.

They walked home in silence, neither of them saying a word of what happened at the library or anywhere else that day. When they reached Ditzys home, the sun was beginning to set.

“I’ll start making dinner, you go clean up,” Ditzy requested while she went into the kitchen, he agreed and then added,

“I’ll help you a bit when I’m done, can’t do much but I can try!” he went into the bathroom and turned the faucet on, using his hooves to throw water on his face. He looked up into the mirror and saw the golden shimmer. This time radiating from the pocket watch. He tapped the watch curiously, the golden shimmer slipping back into it as quickly as it emerged. He fiddled with it for a few moments before realizing it was pointless. It still wouldn’t open, the button seemed jammed. He sighed and walked out into the kitchen. Ditzy was finishing up the quick dinner she had prepared.

“Well, that was quick, didn’t even give me time to help!” he laughed softly and sat at one end of the table. She walked over and set a plate down on her side. She turned back and quickly returned with his plate. Both of them were pretty bland meals. Salad and fruit, a banana on the side. They ate in silence which bugged the Doctor. Made it feel like something was wrong. They have never eaten in silence before.

“Something wrong, Ditzy?” he asked once he built the courage, she looked up and shook her head quickly.

“Just... Remembered something, it isn’t important anymore,” he didn’t believe it so he stood up and moved to her side and sat down. He turned and looked at her. Their eyes met for a moment before Ditzy turned to look at the table. Rather than embarrassment like she usually seemed to feel, this emotion was more sad. The Doctor knew something was wrong, he was sure.

“You can tell me, whatever it is it’s upsetting you, and I don’t want anything to make you upset,” she sighed and turned to him, tears on the ridge of her eyes.

“You want to know so badly? Fine,” she snapped at him, tears beginning to roll down her face. He was taken aback by the sudden change in attitude but he held his ground.

“You, you’re what has me so upset,” she stated plainly, sadness flowing through her voice in a way it never should.

“What? What did I do wrong?” he asked while his color faded, he knew what was coming.

“You lied to me, mister. I trusted you and you lied straight to my face,” she exclaimed, her voice raising as tears ran down her face even quicker.

“I-” he began but she cut him off, “Don’t even try and work your way out of this. You got me drunk and made me look like a fool in front of you. Not only did I do something so incredibly stupid and you LIED about me doing it,” she began, taking a breath to keep from getting angry before she continued, “But you denied me. I know I was drunk, I was being dumb. But when I... Opened myself to you... You pushed me away...” she began to sob quietly. She folded her wings around her head and cried all the pain away. The Doctor moved towards her to comfort her but was greeted with a quick wing slammed against him.

“I’m sorry... I had this feeling, I couldn-” he began before she shouted,

“A feeling?! You pushed me away because of a feeling? You lied to me because of a feeling?” his color faded completely to a monotone grey. His mane and tail dark, nearly black in color. While his eyes were icy blue. He stared at the ground in silence as a few tears of his own dripped down.

“Do you love me?” she asked quietly. He looked up and before he could answer, she asked again.

“You’ve stayed all this time, worked so hard to defend me. Mister do you love me?” he opened his mouth to speak but closed it. Once he gathered his thoughts he glanced up and spoke softly,

“I... Don’t know. I can’t remember anything from my past but... I care for you Ditzy, I truly do,” he leaned in to hug her but was pushed away by her wings roughly.

“Not now, I need... I need to think,” she lurched up and ran into her room, the door slamming and locking behind her. He stared at the ground and began to cry silently. Tears dripping to the ground below him. He felt a pain he recognized, something from his past. Failure, regret, and loneliness all bundled into one. He stood up and walked to his own room. Though it was still fairly early, he decided to sleep. He discarded his tie, the keys, and pocket watch on the bedside table before slipping the hourglass shirt on and slipping into the bed. He stared at the ceiling in sadness, no tears left to shed, until he drifted into a sorrowful sleep.