Home Aloneby protractrorChaptersIntro-SolitudeRude Awakenings.Head in the cloudsEye to EyeIntro-SolitudeThe Sun was lazily tracing its daily route across the sky as the Doctor sat idly pondering on it. The Doctor had seen many stars, in fact he could honestly say he had seen millions of stars in his travels. He had even seen a few quite up close. But in all honesty he had never seen one just like this. A sun that orbited a planet. So simple and at the same time so logic defying that it made his head spin when he first saw it. Eventually he realized that this sun wasn't defying gravity, it was ignoring it. The sun floated through the sky on the whims of someone with a magic almost unlimited. The sun was a perfect example of this new world he liked to think he could call home. It was powered by something different than anything else he had ever seen. Not just different, but frankly better. Gravity was so boring, constant and inescapable. But the magic forces he felt here were exciting. In the Doctors one thousand or so years of living he had never encountered something like it before. Energy that could manipulate matter, become matter, disappear and reappear anything it chose. Sure, the doctor could have figured out just how it worked if he really put his mind too it, for he had been in Ponyville for a few years now. But what was the point of knowing everything? He had spent the vast majority of his live gallivanting across space and time and he knew a lot. More than he should. More than anyone should was his opinion in fact. But when he really needed all that knowledge, what help was it? Knowing that something is unchangeable, unfixable and hopeless. But if the doctor didn't understand something, well who was to say what was really possible or not? It might have been silly, but hope is a lot easier when dealing with the unknown. The Doctor knew that all too well. He used to be the magic in people's life. That x factor that came into their life ans spread magic and hope. The excitement that just couldn't be quite quantified. For years he had traveled around with his companions, being their guardian in the maze that was the universe. But that was a different time. A different Doctor even. The Doctor chuckled too himself about the oddity he had become, and how it so much suited his new life. He was a chocolate brown stallion, with a little hourglass on his flank. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't even all that bad really. He was a lot faster than before, and he was the type of man who tended to run a lot. And although he had to use his mouth for his sonic screw driver, he was surprisingly flexible. It hadn't even been that big of a transition looking back on it. The Tardis was never built for a single human anyway, what difference did it make as a horse? He may need to eat grass and oats, but he had had weirder taste habits in the past. Really other than the occasional stepping on the tail he often forgot that he once used to walk on two legs. He certainly wasn't thinking about it now. In fact he rarely ever thought back to his time before Equestria. The past was a place where things were forever set in stone (at least his past). It was full of quick escapades and sad endings. But he was no longer the man on the run. He was now Doctor Whooves, the madman in the little blue box by the hill. He was the Stallion who fixed things. When the Train broke down, the Doctor was there in a flash. When the oven at sugar cube corner was on the fritz, he was there even quicker, although that may have been from the complimentary Jammy dodger from his favourite pink party pony. He had a role in this community, and the that meant he was a part of the community. The Doctor had never been truly alone, but he'd never really had a community either. Now, he was a citizen of Equestria. He was a repairpony, he was a friend. The Sun continued its arc across the sky. The Doctor however went back inside to work on a scooter he had promised to repair as fast as he could. He had had enough stargazing in his life. Now he looked at the little things, and they looked back. Another day, another party. Rainbow Dash had forgotten just how exciting life in Ponyville was as she floated back to her house in the clouds. It was like a dream come true here. She had five of the best friends a pony could ask for, she worked as a weather pony, she controlled the elements for goodness sake! She even had a deluxe house in the sky. It was funny how much this all made her smile, because she was probably the only pony who thought any of this was even interesting. Equestria was a beautiful place where you're born into magic and wonder. She had spent a good twenty or so years of her life here. But although Rainbow didn't look a day over twenty one, she had lived a much longer time. A week or two ago, or a decade, Twilight had cast a spell. A spell that Rainbow seriously didn't think even Twilight understood. Rainbow was transported though time, space really probably even more. And she awoke as a young foal in a cold world. A world that was not her own and should have killed her with in the first night. But somebody took pity on her. Someone who in the coming years she would end up calling Dad. Rainbow hated thinking about this. She had two lifetimes worth of memories in her head, fighting each other in a constant battle. When she was in ponyville, when she saw her friends or the land she knew who she was. She was Rainbow Dash, The Element of Loyalty. She was the type of pony who'd race you in a second and help you in an instant. But when she thought back, she opened up her mind to a stream of memories. She was his daughter. Rainbow Dash the pegasus who's father didn't even care what she was or looked like, because he loved her. She was Rainbow Dash, Lover of Nascar and open spaces. But one day that Rainbow Dash just stopped. She was now just a memory in Rainbow's mind. The Other girls said that she hadn't really disappeared. All of that time in her new life had given the physical Rainbow Dash some subtle changes. Pinkie said that Rainbow was even more caring than before. Applejack said that Rainbow had lost a bit of her edge, but AJ always said that. Twilight said that the memories had touched Dash in such a way that she'll never be the same, and she should be happy for that. And Rainbow Dash was. Equestria was the place for her. It was the place for both of herself.She wasn't even homesick, because this was the place she was born to live in. But one thing ate away at her. Her Dad was still back home. And she had never really said goodbye. She had never said that she was ok, or that she even remembered him. Hell, she wasn't even sure if there was anything to remember her by. She wanted to move on and get back to Ponyville. But she had to say goodbye first. She had too. And for the first two weeks that had been a real problem. The only pony powerful enough to make it happen had already said no. Celestia may have been immortal, but she was not omnipotent. She didn't trust gateways between worlds, especially ones as barbaric as where Rainbow had come from. Rainbow understood, Celestia was just looking out for her little ponies. But rational thought didn't stop Rainbow's need. This man, her dad, had raised her for 18 years and she didn't even have the courtesy to say goodbye. Loyalest of ponies was not how she felt. And her friends could see it. Every day she was all smiles, mostly genuine. But when she left to go home she had a solemn look in her eyes. One of guilt and sorrow. Rainbow wanted to enjoy herself, she really did. But she needed closure. So when Scootaloo came by the next day with stories of a madman in a box who described a fantasy world remarkably similar too Her home, she was flying at top speed. She needed closure, and she wasn't going to let so called reality slow her down. It never had before. Rude Awakenings.Another perfect day thought the Doctor. The sun was shining brightly in its illogical path, and just the right amount of clouds hung over his head. They were like accents on a beautiful blue canvas. It was perfect, from a mathematical standpoint at least. The optimal weather pattern in Ponyville had been determined years ago and the weather ponies had been trying their best to make the sky bend to their ideals ever since. For all of the natural beauty of the place, he still couldn't get over the weather. He could comprehend the fact that pegasus could simply kick the clouds away. What he couldn't understand was why. The weather was something that was supposed to be chaotic, a variable that was out of control, that humbled everyone in its awe at its presence. It could shake you with its wind, feed you with its rain and just when you aren't expecting it wow you with an impressive rainbow. It made you appreciate the simplicity of a sunny day. Of course nobody liked rainy days. In the Doctor's travels he had come across very few civilizations that hadn't tried to take the randomness out of weather. With their science they could predict the weather anywhere from flawlessly to in one fond memory, almost as well as a man guessing. But Ponyville was the first place he had seen where the randomness had completely left the equation.It was at once impressive and disconcerting. For ponies to have the ability to interact with weather showed a bond of great strength. To domesticate it like an animal was troubling. Of course weather didn't really have feelings, but when the Doctor saw a new cloud float in from the Everfree he still felt sad. The oncoming storm, coming into a place that had no need for it. Or at least in its present form. But enough pondering the Doctor finally decided. Today was going to be a day of relaxation. He had finally found himself a copy of Octavia's work and he had decided today he would figure out just how she did it. Simple everyday tasks were one thing, but to play music of that caliber with hooves? He wasn't just envious, the Doctor was amazed. Oh how he loved Equestria. Maybe because the weather wasn't random, the people just needed to step up their game. Everyday he saw something new and exciting. As if to prove his point, as the doctor turned to walk inside he saw off in the distance a surprising rainbow. Rainbow Dash. The Doctor hadn't talked to her much in his time in Ponyville, but you can't go far without hearing of her exploits. She was Loyal, she was competitive and she was fun. But man o man was she fast. The Doctor would usually take a boast such as the fastest flier in Equestria with a grain of salt, but the fact that she broke the sound barrier still astounded him. The fact that a rainboom happened he had chocked up to magic, but that speed was impressive. As a pony who had grown up seeing many less talented ponies, one that could break the speed barrier was still fantastical. But he had never really gotten a chance to know her beyond the descriptions he had heard, and the Doctor was looking forward to making a new friend. Oh how this place had made him soft. And he didn't mind one bit. "Rainbow Dash! What an honour to meet Ponyville's flier extraordinaire!" cried the Doctor. "What brings you to my humble abode? Has your cloud home sprung a leak? Actually, is that even possible? I would assume that would be a problem with living on a cloud house. Well, it would be my second biggest problem after falling through it to the earth the second I opened the door. Actually, my second problem would probably the velocity of which I'd hit the ground. But after that, I certainly wouldn't want my house to be leaking on me. Horrible." The Doctor looked back at Rainbow Dash who was in no mood for rambling. She had something on her mind he could tell, something important. And it wasn't a leaky cloud. The Doctor recalculated. "Silly me Rainbow, your cloud is much too white to leak I'm sure. Now I wouldn't say that I'm terrible at guessing because I could do it for hours but I'm sure that you have other plans. Not that I wouldn't mind guessing. Does it have to do with Clouds? Nevermind. Just tell me." The Doctor made an effort to close his mouth. He didn't talk as much as he used to, but it just made his ramble come out all the quicker. Rainbow Dash looked confused for an instant. She had came here with a single purpose, and the Doctor's nonchalance had completely derailed her. but it wasn't the type of thought that went away. She regained her thought before the Doctor could cut back in. "Scootaloo was telling me about her visit with you." Rainbow said seriously. Scootaloo? Were they related? Now that would be a question for another time. What did Rainbow want to know about our visit thought the timelord. "Ahh yes Scootaloo! A wonderful pegasus. If she doesn't find her cutie mark soon I'd be amazed. But I'll tell you one thing. When she does I'm sure it will be completely brilliant.! And her Scooter! A modern marvel. Of course I've seen better but the fact remains-" Rainbow dash realized that she had better cut him off before he goes off on another tangent. "I'm sure it will be Doctor. But more importantly she told me about the story you told her. Of a place where the "ponies" walk on two legs and there are great beasts of metal everywhere." The Doctor laughed. Sometimes he got so into telling a story he realized. "Did I really say great beasts of metal? Ohh I have been here too long, much to dramatic. Sorry for that horrible description. I sometimes get a bit too involved when I'm telling stories to the foals." Rainbow chuckled "I was going to say. "Great beast of metal" is a bit much for a car. I'd try rustbucket or jalopy next time. I'd say it paints a much more accurate picture." Just like Rainbow Dash had hoped the Doctor had frozen when she said car. He thought he was the only one who had been to Earth. Now he wasn't sure. However Rainbow was sure now that she had a lead on a way back to her "Dad". The Doctor was still thinking though. They had trains in Equestria. Did they have cars? Did the trains even have engines? What does Rainbow know? More importantly, what does Rainbow want. Because the doctor knew that whatever she wanted, he didn't need another adventure. Not after what had happened the last time. The Tardis was parked for a reason, and it wasn't internal damage. At least of the Tardis. Finally The Doctor decided he would try laughing it off. "Ha, yes those are very, uhm appropriate names. But you know in fantasy, really you can say whatever. In fact I have a few even more dramatic names for Cars! Yes here let me-" But he was cut off again. "Not really Doc. I don't know what type of fantasy you think your spouting but cars are really just cars. They don't really in my humble opinion deserve nicknames. There pretty dull actually." Rainbow was floating around the doctor by now. She knew that he was hoping she was just guessing luckily. That with every word she said, he was squirming inside his big ole brain of his. She didn't have to be applejack to know that the Doctor was covering up something and now was the time to hit it home. "I mean on earth there are highways full of them. More of them than there are people I'd even say." Earth. The word rang in the Doctors head. He could almost see his idyllic country life crack. He could swear one of his hearts stopped beating. And as much as he dreaded it, he knew his natural curiosity would get the best of him. That didn't mean he was leaving Equestria. But it did mean he was going to find out how Rainbow had seen Earth. "Ohh Earth," he thought, "it just had to be you. Haven't I given you enough?" Regardless, The Doctor needed to know how this had happened. And maybe he could do it all while staying in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash was ecstatic. The Doctor was flabberghasted and that in itself was amazing. He was even speechless. Rainbow Dash didn't know much about what had happened or what was going to happen next, but she knew enough to know that there was still hope. And this madman before her was her key in. The Doctor sighed. He was going to have to help Rainbow and she knew it too. "But," he thought, "that doesn't mean she can go around shocking me." He chuckled to himself as he opened the door to the Tardis. "Care to come in? I feel as if we have a lot to talk about." As the door opened he heard a small noise. He wasn't quite sure if it was Rainbow's jaw hitting the ground or the squeak of the proverbial tables being turned but either way he just thought "Gets them every time." Head in the cloudsThe door opened and Rainbow Dash lost herself. It had been a problem for her ever since she got back to Ponyville. She had tried to keep her memories separate, and for the most part it had worked. Rainbow could go for hours without even thinking about her life on Earth. It wasn't even all that tough she thought. There wasn't anything around her that really reminded her of her old home. No cars or human houses, especially no humans. But every once in a while she would see something, maybe a blanket, a photo, a proud dad out with his foal... and the damn would burst. It would all come flowing back too her like it had never even left. What Rainbow was looking at of course didn't have anything to do with Earth, let alone Equestria even. It was quite simply an impossible box. It was bigger on the inside. Impossibly big. That by itself was enough to drain Rainbow of all of her cockiness, but it brought back a horrible feeling. It was the feeling of truly not comprehending what was going on. The last time she had felt this emotion, or really ever was on her final day back in Earth. The day she saw Princess Celestia, the fictional child's toy, who had the presence of a god, stroll through her house. And right behind her came five other little ponies, fictional and foreign. She barely knew their names, but Rainbow knew what this meant. She had told herself for so many years that this wasn't true, but one look made it all disappear. Weirdly, it wasn't the image of the horses wandering through her living room that stayed in her mind. It was the look of her dad. While Dashie was still trying to wrap her head around it all, her dad knew that his years as a parent were over. He knew that she was going to leave, that he couldn't come with her and that he had to accept that. It was the toughest fact that he ever had to swallow. And that look in his eyes, Rainbow could never forget. So glazed over, so sad but most of all lost in thought. Rainbow figured it was nostalgia, but for all she knew it could have been him thinking of the future. His future. She hoped it was nostalgia. And so Rainbow Dash's mind was stampeded by the seemingly endless flow of memories from the past. Her home, her shows, her bed. Her Dad. The food she ate, the sky she flew, the life she had. Her Dad. Fights, hugs, parties, milestones. All with her dad. In hindsight it had been a lonely life she had lived. Maybe that was why it was so easy to pack away most of the time. But it wasn't his fault, he was her only friend. He was the only guy she trusted, and he was always there for her. He may have been her only relationship, but he would be damned if she ever had the time to notice. Before she could get fully wrapped up in her trot down memory lane though The Doctor piped back up. For once Rainbow was glad he never seemed to stop talking, because she needed to keep her eyes on the prize. She could cry later. "When I'm dead." she thought to herself. Just because she was talking to herself didn't mean she needed to be a total wimp about it. "Well, say it. Its bigger on the inside!" Rainbow could only nod in bewilderment.Apparently though that was exactly the reaction the Doctor had been looking for. "Come in, come in, it wont bite. Well it can't even. That's not to say a Tardis can't bite you, but this one certainly wont. Its been stuck as a blue British police box for god only knows how long. Oh, I guess you wouldn't know what that means. Well rest assured that it wont bite. Nor would it have any reason too. For you see a Tardis..." The Doctor was rambling again. Rainbow wasn't listening anymore. To be honest she didn't think he even expected her too. No one could walk into this box and not stop and stare. And a long rambling story makes for a lot better time than a giant awkward pause. The "Tardis" as he called it was huge. She couldn't tell just how big due to the walls and halls and doors, but Rainbow has never seen anything like it. The closest thing would be Canterlot Castle, and if this place was as big as a castle than..."whoa" This colt wasn't just a madman in a box. He was a madman in the box. Sadly that seemed all that Rainbow was able of understanding in the massive room. It was big, and in every corner lay something either impossible or nonsensical. But Rainbow had a problem, and when even Celestia said it couldn't be fixed this was exactly what she was looking for. Impossible nonsense. Meanwhile the Doctor was still prattling on about the Tardis and what it ate for fuel. Rainbow decided that if she was going to get back into this "conversation" she was going to have to cut him off. Was she usually this rude? Dash really hoped she was correct in assuming that he wanted to be cut off, because otherwise she must have been coming off as a huge tool. "Interesting Doc, really I mean it. but I sort of want to talk about something more important. Like Earth and how your going to take me there." Dash said as nice as she could manage. She didn't want to strongarm him into flying her back to her second home so she really laid on the charm. This was the type of speech she only ever used when she needed something, like gala tickets. But the Doctor didn't seem to hear it. "There you go again with Earth. Where did you ever get the idea its even real, let alone I can go there." The Doctor said, trying to put on an air of confusion. But to the Doctor's chagrin for once, the Doctor always had an air of knowledge. "Trust me Doc, I know that its real. You could say I'm quite well acquainted with it. And I know from your fantastic poker face that you are familiar with it too. From what I can tell the only thing possible of getting between dimensions is Celestia. At least reliably." Rainbow knew that Twilight was the one who sent her there in the first place, but Rainbow wasn't exactly in the mood to wake up in a box with a blank flank. "So unless you are a citizen of her court all the way in this, uhm, Tardis? I don't think that's the case is it? I think you have a way to get too Earth. And when you stop denying it we can finally get going!" Rainbow didn't like how forceful she was being, but she didn't like being called crazy. Especially by a madman in a box! But Rainbow had put the Doctor in the corner. He was quickly realizing that he wasn't going to be able to laugh this problem away. He wasn't even going to be able to observe it from a far. Rainbow Dash didn't feel like sharing her story, she felt like flying. The Doctor did not, and although he never used violence he was a stallion that should never be put in a corner. For he had tricks that could stop an avalanche in its track. And right now he needed to take back control of the situation. If his gizmos and magic weren't cutting it than he was going to have to use an old standby. He calmed down and suddenly the posture of the friendly if senile pony was gone. Before her stood a force. "Look Into my Eyes Rainbow Dash. These eyes are old eyes-" But for what must have been the umpteenth time that day he was cut off by the most headstrong of ponies. "No, how about you look into these eyes!" And they both looked into each others eyes. It wasn't romantic, but that stare connected them in a way that neither had expected. For Rainbow saw the eyes which had the worry and age of an eon. But the Doctor saw the beautiful magenta eyes of the young pegasus, with the unmistakable wisdom of an age she should never have reached. They might not of understood each other, but they knew that now. What seemed like a hour later, the Doctor knew that Rainbow wasn't some thrill seeker who had stumbled upon him and earth. And Rainbow knew that the Doctor wasn't a silly old man to be pushed into taking her across the cosmos. But the Doctor wasn't going to let this change show if he could help it. "And what pretty eyes they are my dear Rainbow," he said after a pause. "I would love to see some different angles of them if you would care to join me for lunch. If you are to tell me just how you saw earth we should probably do it on a full stomach. And maybe for desert I can tell you what this Tardis stands for. Again of course, because I assume you weren't listening earlier" Well, if the Doctor was going to act like nothing had changed, Rainbow would just have to one up him in her nonchalance. As the Doctor Trotted off to fix up lunch, Rainbow pulled up a chair and Settled down. "Thanks. I hope you have enough for two, at least, because I'm hungry and this is going to take a while." Rainbow Dash slouched back in her chair while for the first time that day the Doctor truly listened. Eye to EyeThe Doctor was in the back of his makeshift kitchen preparing a simple meal, at least to him. Hay and Oats were pretty easy to make, throw in an apple and presto! The perfect lunch for his newest regeneration's taste buds. Simplicity was something that used to be foreign to the Doctor, but as his tenure in Ponyville grew he was slowly incorporating it into his everyday life. His Tardis was now a lot simpler, and more centralized. Case and point his kitchen being in what was once the main terminal. He figured that the terminal was a lot of dead space for the front room, so a cupboard and plates later it was quickly refitted to be his new kitchen. Now that he was walking around through it he was glad he had made the change. It would have felt weird to have this conversation anywhere else in the Tardis. Somethings were just special. "So Rainbow Dash, why don't we start at the beginning. No, that's too cliched, well I guess its like that for a reason. You know what go from the beginning. Or wherever you want. Preferably the beginning." First Rainbow was confused, but then she realized that the Doctor was pausing for her to speak. "First time for everything," Rainbow thought. "Lets just try and stay cool through this and save the emotion for later. Or at least the lame ones." "Well," Rainbow started. She wasn't exactly sure what to say, but she knew where to start. "One day I was with my friend Twilight, Who I'm sure you must know from the library she runs, and we were trying out this new spell. Well, long story short the spell didn't work, and I suddenly found myself on Earth as a foal. Really I don't remember anything from that for a few years, but I was like two years old so you know. Or 24, or... really I don't know. I just know what my father told me about it." "Wait, what does your dad know about Earth? Was he launched there too by Twilight's spell? This Twilight sounds like someone who needs a shorter leash." "No no no, my Dad was still in Cloudsdale the whole time. I still haven't talked to him about this. But I guess what I meant was that I have two Dads. Whoa no, that came out wrong, even though there is nothing wrong with that! Sorry, what I meant to say was that I've had two Dads. Because when I arrived on Earth my dad, he took me in. He raised me single handedly." Rainbow had slowed down to a halt now. She still wasn't exactly comfortable discussing this with herself, so saying it out loud wasn't easy for her. She wasn't going to cry, she was tougher than that. Or at least her old self was, now she was going to need to take a deep breath. The Doctor just waited. He was still getting used too that new action, and its novelty was starting to wear thin. But he understood how serious this was for Rainbow, and tried to make it as easy as he can for her. "It wasn't easy, you know that? He had too hide me from the whole world, and that meant both ways. No one could come over and visit for long, and he had an angry, confined, rebellious pegasus in his room to thank him for his hard work. I never really understood it until the end, just how much work that must have been. He couldn't have let me out on my own, I'd have died in a week or worse, been discovered. That commitment, its... a lot. And I'm the element of loyalty, so I should know. Anyway, he raised me. I can't make it anymore clear than that. No qualifications, no buts or ifs. That man was my father. And now, my dad is out there all by himself and he doesn't even know what ever ended up with me." "We barely even got to say goodbye. I bet Celestia thought she was a real hero, giving him those few minutes to say his goodbyes. What the hell is a few minutes compared to a lifetime bond? Its nothing! I understand that I can't stay with him, I get that. I have friends here who need me, I have a life, I have a dad. But all my dad has is a big house and empty rooms. I can't leave him like that. Doctor, I need you to take me back to earth." Rainbow Dash calmed herself down, she couldn't let her emotions get the best of her today. No there would be time for that later. The Doctor on the other hand was now wishing he could go back to waiting to speak. He loved to speak usually, with irreverence and wit and just general good humour. But this wasn't a time for a good joke, this was serious. Much too serious for the Doctor. On one hoof, he of course wanted to help Rainbow Dash. This was what he lived for, helping his friends he met in his travels. One quick hop in the tardis, probably no monsters even and it would be all over. Rainbow Dash would get the closure she deserved, and he could go to bed happy. But he also knew why he had stopped traveling. Of course his Tardis was broke, but not beyond repair. The real reasons for his stability were much closer to his hearts. Fear, sadness, betrayal all flashed through his head. He hadn't felt this way since he had first fell in Equestria, and he knew why. Equestria was the crutch he had used when his world had fallen apart and out of the sky at the same time. It was a place that literally was magical, and where friendship was more powerful than any weapon. It truly was a paradise that the Doctor never wanted to leave. But seeing Rainbow Dash he knew what he had too do. This was his catch, the method which he would repay his debt to Equestria. He would rebuild the Tardis. Hopefully in a week he could have it running and be able to get Rainbow Dash to her destination. And maybe he would be able to get to his destination by then. At the very least he could hear the Tardis one more time. After what seemed to Rainbow Dash to be an eternity, she opened her mouth to try and persuade the doctor even more. She even puffed up her chest a little bit, because to be honest, the Doctor didn't exactly look that strong and a little intimidation in desperate times never hurt anybody. But keeping with his constant unpredictability, the Doctor finally spoke. "Well, what are we doing wasting time? I know this is a time machine and all, but that really is no excuse! Time may be ours to control but it still doesn't grow on trees!" And with that the doctor flashed her a big grin and set out to fiddle with the controls. For the briefest instant Rainbow Dash saw just how fake the grin the Doctor was giving her. It wasn't malicious, but it was forced. Rainbow knew that something was off, but she decided not to do anything. She needed a trip to Earth and there was only one willing airline. Maybe later she would deal with this problem. But in the mean time she had to figure out why the Doctor was apparently reprogramming his toaster. *********************************************************** It's not dead! Yeah, just posting to say this fic is still alive and I hope to finish it someday. I'd say it's nearing the midpoint in length about now. Anyway, sorry if this chapter isn't as great as any before it, I was tired of it stopping my writing. From here on I've got a better idea of what I'm doing. Its tough getting back into something after a month off, but hey you live and learn.
Intro-SolitudeThe Sun was lazily tracing its daily route across the sky as the Doctor sat idly pondering on it. The Doctor had seen many stars, in fact he could honestly say he had seen millions of stars in his travels. He had even seen a few quite up close. But in all honesty he had never seen one just like this. A sun that orbited a planet. So simple and at the same time so logic defying that it made his head spin when he first saw it. Eventually he realized that this sun wasn't defying gravity, it was ignoring it. The sun floated through the sky on the whims of someone with a magic almost unlimited. The sun was a perfect example of this new world he liked to think he could call home. It was powered by something different than anything else he had ever seen. Not just different, but frankly better. Gravity was so boring, constant and inescapable. But the magic forces he felt here were exciting. In the Doctors one thousand or so years of living he had never encountered something like it before. Energy that could manipulate matter, become matter, disappear and reappear anything it chose. Sure, the doctor could have figured out just how it worked if he really put his mind too it, for he had been in Ponyville for a few years now. But what was the point of knowing everything? He had spent the vast majority of his live gallivanting across space and time and he knew a lot. More than he should. More than anyone should was his opinion in fact. But when he really needed all that knowledge, what help was it? Knowing that something is unchangeable, unfixable and hopeless. But if the doctor didn't understand something, well who was to say what was really possible or not? It might have been silly, but hope is a lot easier when dealing with the unknown. The Doctor knew that all too well. He used to be the magic in people's life. That x factor that came into their life ans spread magic and hope. The excitement that just couldn't be quite quantified. For years he had traveled around with his companions, being their guardian in the maze that was the universe. But that was a different time. A different Doctor even. The Doctor chuckled too himself about the oddity he had become, and how it so much suited his new life. He was a chocolate brown stallion, with a little hourglass on his flank. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't even all that bad really. He was a lot faster than before, and he was the type of man who tended to run a lot. And although he had to use his mouth for his sonic screw driver, he was surprisingly flexible. It hadn't even been that big of a transition looking back on it. The Tardis was never built for a single human anyway, what difference did it make as a horse? He may need to eat grass and oats, but he had had weirder taste habits in the past. Really other than the occasional stepping on the tail he often forgot that he once used to walk on two legs. He certainly wasn't thinking about it now. In fact he rarely ever thought back to his time before Equestria. The past was a place where things were forever set in stone (at least his past). It was full of quick escapades and sad endings. But he was no longer the man on the run. He was now Doctor Whooves, the madman in the little blue box by the hill. He was the Stallion who fixed things. When the Train broke down, the Doctor was there in a flash. When the oven at sugar cube corner was on the fritz, he was there even quicker, although that may have been from the complimentary Jammy dodger from his favourite pink party pony. He had a role in this community, and the that meant he was a part of the community. The Doctor had never been truly alone, but he'd never really had a community either. Now, he was a citizen of Equestria. He was a repairpony, he was a friend. The Sun continued its arc across the sky. The Doctor however went back inside to work on a scooter he had promised to repair as fast as he could. He had had enough stargazing in his life. Now he looked at the little things, and they looked back. Another day, another party. Rainbow Dash had forgotten just how exciting life in Ponyville was as she floated back to her house in the clouds. It was like a dream come true here. She had five of the best friends a pony could ask for, she worked as a weather pony, she controlled the elements for goodness sake! She even had a deluxe house in the sky. It was funny how much this all made her smile, because she was probably the only pony who thought any of this was even interesting. Equestria was a beautiful place where you're born into magic and wonder. She had spent a good twenty or so years of her life here. But although Rainbow didn't look a day over twenty one, she had lived a much longer time. A week or two ago, or a decade, Twilight had cast a spell. A spell that Rainbow seriously didn't think even Twilight understood. Rainbow was transported though time, space really probably even more. And she awoke as a young foal in a cold world. A world that was not her own and should have killed her with in the first night. But somebody took pity on her. Someone who in the coming years she would end up calling Dad. Rainbow hated thinking about this. She had two lifetimes worth of memories in her head, fighting each other in a constant battle. When she was in ponyville, when she saw her friends or the land she knew who she was. She was Rainbow Dash, The Element of Loyalty. She was the type of pony who'd race you in a second and help you in an instant. But when she thought back, she opened up her mind to a stream of memories. She was his daughter. Rainbow Dash the pegasus who's father didn't even care what she was or looked like, because he loved her. She was Rainbow Dash, Lover of Nascar and open spaces. But one day that Rainbow Dash just stopped. She was now just a memory in Rainbow's mind. The Other girls said that she hadn't really disappeared. All of that time in her new life had given the physical Rainbow Dash some subtle changes. Pinkie said that Rainbow was even more caring than before. Applejack said that Rainbow had lost a bit of her edge, but AJ always said that. Twilight said that the memories had touched Dash in such a way that she'll never be the same, and she should be happy for that. And Rainbow Dash was. Equestria was the place for her. It was the place for both of herself.She wasn't even homesick, because this was the place she was born to live in. But one thing ate away at her. Her Dad was still back home. And she had never really said goodbye. She had never said that she was ok, or that she even remembered him. Hell, she wasn't even sure if there was anything to remember her by. She wanted to move on and get back to Ponyville. But she had to say goodbye first. She had too. And for the first two weeks that had been a real problem. The only pony powerful enough to make it happen had already said no. Celestia may have been immortal, but she was not omnipotent. She didn't trust gateways between worlds, especially ones as barbaric as where Rainbow had come from. Rainbow understood, Celestia was just looking out for her little ponies. But rational thought didn't stop Rainbow's need. This man, her dad, had raised her for 18 years and she didn't even have the courtesy to say goodbye. Loyalest of ponies was not how she felt. And her friends could see it. Every day she was all smiles, mostly genuine. But when she left to go home she had a solemn look in her eyes. One of guilt and sorrow. Rainbow wanted to enjoy herself, she really did. But she needed closure. So when Scootaloo came by the next day with stories of a madman in a box who described a fantasy world remarkably similar too Her home, she was flying at top speed. She needed closure, and she wasn't going to let so called reality slow her down. It never had before.
Rude Awakenings.Another perfect day thought the Doctor. The sun was shining brightly in its illogical path, and just the right amount of clouds hung over his head. They were like accents on a beautiful blue canvas. It was perfect, from a mathematical standpoint at least. The optimal weather pattern in Ponyville had been determined years ago and the weather ponies had been trying their best to make the sky bend to their ideals ever since. For all of the natural beauty of the place, he still couldn't get over the weather. He could comprehend the fact that pegasus could simply kick the clouds away. What he couldn't understand was why. The weather was something that was supposed to be chaotic, a variable that was out of control, that humbled everyone in its awe at its presence. It could shake you with its wind, feed you with its rain and just when you aren't expecting it wow you with an impressive rainbow. It made you appreciate the simplicity of a sunny day. Of course nobody liked rainy days. In the Doctor's travels he had come across very few civilizations that hadn't tried to take the randomness out of weather. With their science they could predict the weather anywhere from flawlessly to in one fond memory, almost as well as a man guessing. But Ponyville was the first place he had seen where the randomness had completely left the equation.It was at once impressive and disconcerting. For ponies to have the ability to interact with weather showed a bond of great strength. To domesticate it like an animal was troubling. Of course weather didn't really have feelings, but when the Doctor saw a new cloud float in from the Everfree he still felt sad. The oncoming storm, coming into a place that had no need for it. Or at least in its present form. But enough pondering the Doctor finally decided. Today was going to be a day of relaxation. He had finally found himself a copy of Octavia's work and he had decided today he would figure out just how she did it. Simple everyday tasks were one thing, but to play music of that caliber with hooves? He wasn't just envious, the Doctor was amazed. Oh how he loved Equestria. Maybe because the weather wasn't random, the people just needed to step up their game. Everyday he saw something new and exciting. As if to prove his point, as the doctor turned to walk inside he saw off in the distance a surprising rainbow. Rainbow Dash. The Doctor hadn't talked to her much in his time in Ponyville, but you can't go far without hearing of her exploits. She was Loyal, she was competitive and she was fun. But man o man was she fast. The Doctor would usually take a boast such as the fastest flier in Equestria with a grain of salt, but the fact that she broke the sound barrier still astounded him. The fact that a rainboom happened he had chocked up to magic, but that speed was impressive. As a pony who had grown up seeing many less talented ponies, one that could break the speed barrier was still fantastical. But he had never really gotten a chance to know her beyond the descriptions he had heard, and the Doctor was looking forward to making a new friend. Oh how this place had made him soft. And he didn't mind one bit. "Rainbow Dash! What an honour to meet Ponyville's flier extraordinaire!" cried the Doctor. "What brings you to my humble abode? Has your cloud home sprung a leak? Actually, is that even possible? I would assume that would be a problem with living on a cloud house. Well, it would be my second biggest problem after falling through it to the earth the second I opened the door. Actually, my second problem would probably the velocity of which I'd hit the ground. But after that, I certainly wouldn't want my house to be leaking on me. Horrible." The Doctor looked back at Rainbow Dash who was in no mood for rambling. She had something on her mind he could tell, something important. And it wasn't a leaky cloud. The Doctor recalculated. "Silly me Rainbow, your cloud is much too white to leak I'm sure. Now I wouldn't say that I'm terrible at guessing because I could do it for hours but I'm sure that you have other plans. Not that I wouldn't mind guessing. Does it have to do with Clouds? Nevermind. Just tell me." The Doctor made an effort to close his mouth. He didn't talk as much as he used to, but it just made his ramble come out all the quicker. Rainbow Dash looked confused for an instant. She had came here with a single purpose, and the Doctor's nonchalance had completely derailed her. but it wasn't the type of thought that went away. She regained her thought before the Doctor could cut back in. "Scootaloo was telling me about her visit with you." Rainbow said seriously. Scootaloo? Were they related? Now that would be a question for another time. What did Rainbow want to know about our visit thought the timelord. "Ahh yes Scootaloo! A wonderful pegasus. If she doesn't find her cutie mark soon I'd be amazed. But I'll tell you one thing. When she does I'm sure it will be completely brilliant.! And her Scooter! A modern marvel. Of course I've seen better but the fact remains-" Rainbow dash realized that she had better cut him off before he goes off on another tangent. "I'm sure it will be Doctor. But more importantly she told me about the story you told her. Of a place where the "ponies" walk on two legs and there are great beasts of metal everywhere." The Doctor laughed. Sometimes he got so into telling a story he realized. "Did I really say great beasts of metal? Ohh I have been here too long, much to dramatic. Sorry for that horrible description. I sometimes get a bit too involved when I'm telling stories to the foals." Rainbow chuckled "I was going to say. "Great beast of metal" is a bit much for a car. I'd try rustbucket or jalopy next time. I'd say it paints a much more accurate picture." Just like Rainbow Dash had hoped the Doctor had frozen when she said car. He thought he was the only one who had been to Earth. Now he wasn't sure. However Rainbow was sure now that she had a lead on a way back to her "Dad". The Doctor was still thinking though. They had trains in Equestria. Did they have cars? Did the trains even have engines? What does Rainbow know? More importantly, what does Rainbow want. Because the doctor knew that whatever she wanted, he didn't need another adventure. Not after what had happened the last time. The Tardis was parked for a reason, and it wasn't internal damage. At least of the Tardis. Finally The Doctor decided he would try laughing it off. "Ha, yes those are very, uhm appropriate names. But you know in fantasy, really you can say whatever. In fact I have a few even more dramatic names for Cars! Yes here let me-" But he was cut off again. "Not really Doc. I don't know what type of fantasy you think your spouting but cars are really just cars. They don't really in my humble opinion deserve nicknames. There pretty dull actually." Rainbow was floating around the doctor by now. She knew that he was hoping she was just guessing luckily. That with every word she said, he was squirming inside his big ole brain of his. She didn't have to be applejack to know that the Doctor was covering up something and now was the time to hit it home. "I mean on earth there are highways full of them. More of them than there are people I'd even say." Earth. The word rang in the Doctors head. He could almost see his idyllic country life crack. He could swear one of his hearts stopped beating. And as much as he dreaded it, he knew his natural curiosity would get the best of him. That didn't mean he was leaving Equestria. But it did mean he was going to find out how Rainbow had seen Earth. "Ohh Earth," he thought, "it just had to be you. Haven't I given you enough?" Regardless, The Doctor needed to know how this had happened. And maybe he could do it all while staying in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash was ecstatic. The Doctor was flabberghasted and that in itself was amazing. He was even speechless. Rainbow Dash didn't know much about what had happened or what was going to happen next, but she knew enough to know that there was still hope. And this madman before her was her key in. The Doctor sighed. He was going to have to help Rainbow and she knew it too. "But," he thought, "that doesn't mean she can go around shocking me." He chuckled to himself as he opened the door to the Tardis. "Care to come in? I feel as if we have a lot to talk about." As the door opened he heard a small noise. He wasn't quite sure if it was Rainbow's jaw hitting the ground or the squeak of the proverbial tables being turned but either way he just thought "Gets them every time."
Head in the cloudsThe door opened and Rainbow Dash lost herself. It had been a problem for her ever since she got back to Ponyville. She had tried to keep her memories separate, and for the most part it had worked. Rainbow could go for hours without even thinking about her life on Earth. It wasn't even all that tough she thought. There wasn't anything around her that really reminded her of her old home. No cars or human houses, especially no humans. But every once in a while she would see something, maybe a blanket, a photo, a proud dad out with his foal... and the damn would burst. It would all come flowing back too her like it had never even left. What Rainbow was looking at of course didn't have anything to do with Earth, let alone Equestria even. It was quite simply an impossible box. It was bigger on the inside. Impossibly big. That by itself was enough to drain Rainbow of all of her cockiness, but it brought back a horrible feeling. It was the feeling of truly not comprehending what was going on. The last time she had felt this emotion, or really ever was on her final day back in Earth. The day she saw Princess Celestia, the fictional child's toy, who had the presence of a god, stroll through her house. And right behind her came five other little ponies, fictional and foreign. She barely knew their names, but Rainbow knew what this meant. She had told herself for so many years that this wasn't true, but one look made it all disappear. Weirdly, it wasn't the image of the horses wandering through her living room that stayed in her mind. It was the look of her dad. While Dashie was still trying to wrap her head around it all, her dad knew that his years as a parent were over. He knew that she was going to leave, that he couldn't come with her and that he had to accept that. It was the toughest fact that he ever had to swallow. And that look in his eyes, Rainbow could never forget. So glazed over, so sad but most of all lost in thought. Rainbow figured it was nostalgia, but for all she knew it could have been him thinking of the future. His future. She hoped it was nostalgia. And so Rainbow Dash's mind was stampeded by the seemingly endless flow of memories from the past. Her home, her shows, her bed. Her Dad. The food she ate, the sky she flew, the life she had. Her Dad. Fights, hugs, parties, milestones. All with her dad. In hindsight it had been a lonely life she had lived. Maybe that was why it was so easy to pack away most of the time. But it wasn't his fault, he was her only friend. He was the only guy she trusted, and he was always there for her. He may have been her only relationship, but he would be damned if she ever had the time to notice. Before she could get fully wrapped up in her trot down memory lane though The Doctor piped back up. For once Rainbow was glad he never seemed to stop talking, because she needed to keep her eyes on the prize. She could cry later. "When I'm dead." she thought to herself. Just because she was talking to herself didn't mean she needed to be a total wimp about it. "Well, say it. Its bigger on the inside!" Rainbow could only nod in bewilderment.Apparently though that was exactly the reaction the Doctor had been looking for. "Come in, come in, it wont bite. Well it can't even. That's not to say a Tardis can't bite you, but this one certainly wont. Its been stuck as a blue British police box for god only knows how long. Oh, I guess you wouldn't know what that means. Well rest assured that it wont bite. Nor would it have any reason too. For you see a Tardis..." The Doctor was rambling again. Rainbow wasn't listening anymore. To be honest she didn't think he even expected her too. No one could walk into this box and not stop and stare. And a long rambling story makes for a lot better time than a giant awkward pause. The "Tardis" as he called it was huge. She couldn't tell just how big due to the walls and halls and doors, but Rainbow has never seen anything like it. The closest thing would be Canterlot Castle, and if this place was as big as a castle than..."whoa" This colt wasn't just a madman in a box. He was a madman in the box. Sadly that seemed all that Rainbow was able of understanding in the massive room. It was big, and in every corner lay something either impossible or nonsensical. But Rainbow had a problem, and when even Celestia said it couldn't be fixed this was exactly what she was looking for. Impossible nonsense. Meanwhile the Doctor was still prattling on about the Tardis and what it ate for fuel. Rainbow decided that if she was going to get back into this "conversation" she was going to have to cut him off. Was she usually this rude? Dash really hoped she was correct in assuming that he wanted to be cut off, because otherwise she must have been coming off as a huge tool. "Interesting Doc, really I mean it. but I sort of want to talk about something more important. Like Earth and how your going to take me there." Dash said as nice as she could manage. She didn't want to strongarm him into flying her back to her second home so she really laid on the charm. This was the type of speech she only ever used when she needed something, like gala tickets. But the Doctor didn't seem to hear it. "There you go again with Earth. Where did you ever get the idea its even real, let alone I can go there." The Doctor said, trying to put on an air of confusion. But to the Doctor's chagrin for once, the Doctor always had an air of knowledge. "Trust me Doc, I know that its real. You could say I'm quite well acquainted with it. And I know from your fantastic poker face that you are familiar with it too. From what I can tell the only thing possible of getting between dimensions is Celestia. At least reliably." Rainbow knew that Twilight was the one who sent her there in the first place, but Rainbow wasn't exactly in the mood to wake up in a box with a blank flank. "So unless you are a citizen of her court all the way in this, uhm, Tardis? I don't think that's the case is it? I think you have a way to get too Earth. And when you stop denying it we can finally get going!" Rainbow didn't like how forceful she was being, but she didn't like being called crazy. Especially by a madman in a box! But Rainbow had put the Doctor in the corner. He was quickly realizing that he wasn't going to be able to laugh this problem away. He wasn't even going to be able to observe it from a far. Rainbow Dash didn't feel like sharing her story, she felt like flying. The Doctor did not, and although he never used violence he was a stallion that should never be put in a corner. For he had tricks that could stop an avalanche in its track. And right now he needed to take back control of the situation. If his gizmos and magic weren't cutting it than he was going to have to use an old standby. He calmed down and suddenly the posture of the friendly if senile pony was gone. Before her stood a force. "Look Into my Eyes Rainbow Dash. These eyes are old eyes-" But for what must have been the umpteenth time that day he was cut off by the most headstrong of ponies. "No, how about you look into these eyes!" And they both looked into each others eyes. It wasn't romantic, but that stare connected them in a way that neither had expected. For Rainbow saw the eyes which had the worry and age of an eon. But the Doctor saw the beautiful magenta eyes of the young pegasus, with the unmistakable wisdom of an age she should never have reached. They might not of understood each other, but they knew that now. What seemed like a hour later, the Doctor knew that Rainbow wasn't some thrill seeker who had stumbled upon him and earth. And Rainbow knew that the Doctor wasn't a silly old man to be pushed into taking her across the cosmos. But the Doctor wasn't going to let this change show if he could help it. "And what pretty eyes they are my dear Rainbow," he said after a pause. "I would love to see some different angles of them if you would care to join me for lunch. If you are to tell me just how you saw earth we should probably do it on a full stomach. And maybe for desert I can tell you what this Tardis stands for. Again of course, because I assume you weren't listening earlier" Well, if the Doctor was going to act like nothing had changed, Rainbow would just have to one up him in her nonchalance. As the Doctor Trotted off to fix up lunch, Rainbow pulled up a chair and Settled down. "Thanks. I hope you have enough for two, at least, because I'm hungry and this is going to take a while." Rainbow Dash slouched back in her chair while for the first time that day the Doctor truly listened.
Eye to EyeThe Doctor was in the back of his makeshift kitchen preparing a simple meal, at least to him. Hay and Oats were pretty easy to make, throw in an apple and presto! The perfect lunch for his newest regeneration's taste buds. Simplicity was something that used to be foreign to the Doctor, but as his tenure in Ponyville grew he was slowly incorporating it into his everyday life. His Tardis was now a lot simpler, and more centralized. Case and point his kitchen being in what was once the main terminal. He figured that the terminal was a lot of dead space for the front room, so a cupboard and plates later it was quickly refitted to be his new kitchen. Now that he was walking around through it he was glad he had made the change. It would have felt weird to have this conversation anywhere else in the Tardis. Somethings were just special. "So Rainbow Dash, why don't we start at the beginning. No, that's too cliched, well I guess its like that for a reason. You know what go from the beginning. Or wherever you want. Preferably the beginning." First Rainbow was confused, but then she realized that the Doctor was pausing for her to speak. "First time for everything," Rainbow thought. "Lets just try and stay cool through this and save the emotion for later. Or at least the lame ones." "Well," Rainbow started. She wasn't exactly sure what to say, but she knew where to start. "One day I was with my friend Twilight, Who I'm sure you must know from the library she runs, and we were trying out this new spell. Well, long story short the spell didn't work, and I suddenly found myself on Earth as a foal. Really I don't remember anything from that for a few years, but I was like two years old so you know. Or 24, or... really I don't know. I just know what my father told me about it." "Wait, what does your dad know about Earth? Was he launched there too by Twilight's spell? This Twilight sounds like someone who needs a shorter leash." "No no no, my Dad was still in Cloudsdale the whole time. I still haven't talked to him about this. But I guess what I meant was that I have two Dads. Whoa no, that came out wrong, even though there is nothing wrong with that! Sorry, what I meant to say was that I've had two Dads. Because when I arrived on Earth my dad, he took me in. He raised me single handedly." Rainbow had slowed down to a halt now. She still wasn't exactly comfortable discussing this with herself, so saying it out loud wasn't easy for her. She wasn't going to cry, she was tougher than that. Or at least her old self was, now she was going to need to take a deep breath. The Doctor just waited. He was still getting used too that new action, and its novelty was starting to wear thin. But he understood how serious this was for Rainbow, and tried to make it as easy as he can for her. "It wasn't easy, you know that? He had too hide me from the whole world, and that meant both ways. No one could come over and visit for long, and he had an angry, confined, rebellious pegasus in his room to thank him for his hard work. I never really understood it until the end, just how much work that must have been. He couldn't have let me out on my own, I'd have died in a week or worse, been discovered. That commitment, its... a lot. And I'm the element of loyalty, so I should know. Anyway, he raised me. I can't make it anymore clear than that. No qualifications, no buts or ifs. That man was my father. And now, my dad is out there all by himself and he doesn't even know what ever ended up with me." "We barely even got to say goodbye. I bet Celestia thought she was a real hero, giving him those few minutes to say his goodbyes. What the hell is a few minutes compared to a lifetime bond? Its nothing! I understand that I can't stay with him, I get that. I have friends here who need me, I have a life, I have a dad. But all my dad has is a big house and empty rooms. I can't leave him like that. Doctor, I need you to take me back to earth." Rainbow Dash calmed herself down, she couldn't let her emotions get the best of her today. No there would be time for that later. The Doctor on the other hand was now wishing he could go back to waiting to speak. He loved to speak usually, with irreverence and wit and just general good humour. But this wasn't a time for a good joke, this was serious. Much too serious for the Doctor. On one hoof, he of course wanted to help Rainbow Dash. This was what he lived for, helping his friends he met in his travels. One quick hop in the tardis, probably no monsters even and it would be all over. Rainbow Dash would get the closure she deserved, and he could go to bed happy. But he also knew why he had stopped traveling. Of course his Tardis was broke, but not beyond repair. The real reasons for his stability were much closer to his hearts. Fear, sadness, betrayal all flashed through his head. He hadn't felt this way since he had first fell in Equestria, and he knew why. Equestria was the crutch he had used when his world had fallen apart and out of the sky at the same time. It was a place that literally was magical, and where friendship was more powerful than any weapon. It truly was a paradise that the Doctor never wanted to leave. But seeing Rainbow Dash he knew what he had too do. This was his catch, the method which he would repay his debt to Equestria. He would rebuild the Tardis. Hopefully in a week he could have it running and be able to get Rainbow Dash to her destination. And maybe he would be able to get to his destination by then. At the very least he could hear the Tardis one more time. After what seemed to Rainbow Dash to be an eternity, she opened her mouth to try and persuade the doctor even more. She even puffed up her chest a little bit, because to be honest, the Doctor didn't exactly look that strong and a little intimidation in desperate times never hurt anybody. But keeping with his constant unpredictability, the Doctor finally spoke. "Well, what are we doing wasting time? I know this is a time machine and all, but that really is no excuse! Time may be ours to control but it still doesn't grow on trees!" And with that the doctor flashed her a big grin and set out to fiddle with the controls. For the briefest instant Rainbow Dash saw just how fake the grin the Doctor was giving her. It wasn't malicious, but it was forced. Rainbow knew that something was off, but she decided not to do anything. She needed a trip to Earth and there was only one willing airline. Maybe later she would deal with this problem. But in the mean time she had to figure out why the Doctor was apparently reprogramming his toaster. *********************************************************** It's not dead! Yeah, just posting to say this fic is still alive and I hope to finish it someday. I'd say it's nearing the midpoint in length about now. Anyway, sorry if this chapter isn't as great as any before it, I was tired of it stopping my writing. From here on I've got a better idea of what I'm doing. Its tough getting back into something after a month off, but hey you live and learn.
