Doctor Who adventures: Season 1, episode 1, Pink

Canterlot Castle

Prince Blueblood sighed to himself as the great stone doors to the assembly hall slammed shut behind him. Why he had to deal with the problems of the common folk he did not know. ‘If you ask me Aunty Celestia is too soft on these commoners.’

He scoffed to himself as he sauntered back to his chambers. Every time Celestia decided to leave the palace, he was left in charge. “If they don’t want their village overrun by Timberwolves, they shouldn’t have settled next to the Everfree Forrest.” Grumbling to himself, he ascended the large ornate staircase that lead to the upper levels of the castle.

Reaching the grand door to his bedroom, he gracefully pushed it open. The sun had long since set, and he needed his beauty sleep. Flopping down on the bed, he groaned. “Next time Aunty wants to go off gallivanting the peasants, she can call Aunty Cadance.” His face screwed up at that last part. He resented Cadance, sullying the royal name by marrying that commoner. But if she was willing to handle responsibilities in his place, he could grin and bear it.

Deciding not to dwell on such trivial things, he rolled onto his side and let sleep encompass him.

**********

Above, in the grate above, Eileen looked down on the young prince. “My god,” she whispered, her tone was scornful. “Is this what passes for royalty on this planet?” High didn’t respond. She could not feel his presence anymore. She assumed he’d already faded into her subconscious.

Using a wing, she carefully unlatched the grate, and using her wings, she clumsily flew to the floor. Taking a second to regain her balance, she looked over the sleeping figure. “Hmm. Not a bad figure. Muscle mass not the best, but could be worse.” She gave another once over. “Yes, this body will do quite nicely.”

Chuckling she began to separate from High. That blood-red vapor collected in the air and slowly, as if struggling, made its way to the sleeping prince. It slowly merged with the pony, and High’s body fell limp on the floor. However, as quick as he’d merged with the new body, she was pulled out and back into High’s.

She picked herself up, feeling at her neck, the ring was warm. Her face twisted in rage as she cursed under her breath. “This godforsaken thing again.”

The prince began to stir. Slowly opening his eyes, he turned to the source of the voice. Seeing this, Eileen acted quickly. The prince had only just opened his eyes when Eileen slammed a hoof down on his forehead, knocking him unconscious.

“No matter. I still have her Nephew.” She grinned to herself. “I’ll make her take this thing off.”

**********

The room was empty now. Twilight had left to complete Starswirl’s spell, Celestia hot on her heels pleading with her to reconsider. Pinkie could tell from Twilight’s face that ignoring her old mentor’s pleas was hurting her to do, she knew how much Celestia cared for Twilight, but given the situation, no one could think of a better plan. Not even Celestia, in all her pleading, could not offer a better solution.

Luna had headed out into the town to help Silverstrike quell the crowd that had gathered around the TARDIS. The scrawny pony, Specs Luna had called him, had hobbled after her on unsteady legs. Emerald had left to a guest room that Twilight had offered her, she needed a place to stay now that her house had been destroyed by that creature.

Sometime after the meeting, the other element bearers had arrived at the castle, Twilight had briefed them on the situation, and had sent them around the town, putting up posters of High Flyer’s face. Due to her speed, Rainbow Dash had been sent to Canterlot to put up those same posters. They hadn’t even seen The Doctor yet.

Only Spike, The Doctor, and Pinkie Pie remained in Twilight’s study. Neither of the three knew what to say as they sat there, shuffling uncomfortably. The Doctor seemed to be staring at nothing in particular, his gaze had been clouded over ever since recounting the events before his regeneration. He had been as vague as possible when recounting it, and she had many questions, but she would not open that wound any further by prying. What she needed to do was bring him back up. Sitting across from her was a potential new friend, and she would not allow this negative atmosphere to persist.

‘A team is only as strong as its morale, that’s what my Nanny Pie used to say.’

Reciting the saying in her head she hopped over to The Doctor. “Heeeey Doctor.” He looked up from the floor and smiled. The smile surprised her because it looked completely genuine. All traces of his previous melancholy seemed to have vanished. However, looking closer, Pinkie could see he was putting on a mask. ‘Time to turn that façade into reality.’

“Sooooo I was thinking, since your new here and everything, you need someone to give you the tour of the town.” The Doctor looked at her confused.

“Now,” he asked.

“Well Twilight said it’d take a few hours to complete Starswirl’s spell, and there’s nothing you or I can do to help yet soooo…” The Doctor seemed to consider for a minute before nodding and standing up.

“Might as well.” He stood up and, folding his battered trench coat over his chair, followed her.

Spike jumped from his chair. “I’d come with you but Twilight will need me.” He puffed out his chest. “She’ll never admit it, but she’s lost without me.” With that, he left for the library.

Pinkie turned to The Doctor. “Shall we go?”

**********

Everypony was still inside, save for the odd guard here and there, the streets were empty. As they walked Pinkie excitedly chatted to The Doctor. She had done all the talking since leaving the castle, The Doctor trying to get a word in now and then, but failing to Pinkie’s onslaught.

Despite this, The Doctor found himself enjoying the pink pony’s company, it reminded him of his time spent with his granddaughter Susan, she would often talk his ear off when she got excited. ‘I should check in on her sometime.’

As he reminisced, he heard Pinkie shout, “Yooohooo. Rarity. Over here.” The Doctor looked up and saw a white unicorn with a curled purple mane, beside her a smaller unicorn stood, white like the other with a puffy mane of various shades of pink.

She looked from the poster she had just put up and, seeing Pinkie and The Doctor, she turned to the smaller unicorn and said something. The smaller one groaned but, horn sparking as if she was having trouble, picked up the bucket of paste and the posters and ran to the next building.

Rarity turned back to them with a look of pride on her face. “Twilight’s magic lessons are really coming along. She can levitate objects now, I’m so proud of her.”

She shook her head. “Hello, Pinkie.” Rarity inclined her head in greeting before turning to The Doctor. “You must be this Doctor fellow I’ve heard so much about.” She reached out a hoof. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Rarity, and that charming young filly just now was my younger sister Sweetie Belle.”

The Doctor took her hoof and gave it a shake. “The pleasure is all mine. Meeting new peo-er-ponies is the spice of life after all.” He let go of her hoof.

Pinkie looked at Rarity with confusion written plain on her face. “I’m surprised Rarity.”

“Whatever do you mean Pinkie?”

“Well just look at his suite.” The Doctor looked offended but Pinkie paid him no mind. “It’s in complete shambles.”

Rarity looked a little offended. “I’m not insensitive Pinkie. I heard the manner in which he arrived, of course his outfit is ruined.”

The Doctor looked down at his suite and, for the first time, realized the state it was in. “I suppose I could use a new fit. It’s a shame really, this suite was a gift from Charlie Chaplin.”

Rarity offered him a sympathetic smile. “I would very much like to meet this pony. I can tell that that suite was once a marvellous item.”

The Doctor smiled and clapped his hands together. “I could arrange that, be warned, he’ll talk your ear off.”

Rarity chuckled and turned to Pinkie. “Now Pinkie. What are you doing here?”

“Well I thought I’d show my new friend around the town, we may as well help with the posters while we’re at it.”

“Marvellous.” Rarity turned to the building across. “SWEETIE BELLE.”

The little unicorn galloped over. She stopped just short of them, staring wide-eyed at The Doctor. She approached slowly. “Is this that alien?”

Rarity opened her mouth to reply but The Doctor stayed her with a hand and knelt down to Sweetie’s level. “Hi. I’m The Doctor. I hear you’ve been learning magic.” He spoke softly so as not to spook her.

“That’s right. I can levitate things now.” She puffed up her chest in pride. The Doctor smiled remembering how proud he’d been when he’d been accepted into the academy. The Master and he had gotten into so much trouble during their celebration. The memory was bittersweet.

“That’s very impressive. Are you working hard to help your big sister?”

“Mhm. We’re almost done.”

“Good job. You continue to help your sister.”

Sweetie Belle nodded rapidly and dashed off with posters and paste. Rarity looked on smiling. “You do have a way with kids. She was practically dragging her hooves before.”

The Doctor stood up and looked over to her, well I have experience dealing with kids.” He chuckled to himself.

“Well I’d better go after her, there’s no telling how much mischief she’ll get herself into.” Rarity started off after her sister before stopping to turn around. “Oh and Doctor. Once all this is over, feel free to stop by my boutique. I shall welcome the challenge of tailoring for an alien.”

With that, she disappeared around the corner after her little sister.

“She seems nice.” The Doctor turned to Pinkie.

Pinkie smiled. “I’m happy you two get along. It’s really important to me that my friends like each other.”

The Doctor smiled down at her. He found himself enjoying Pinkie’s company more and more. She was such a breath of fresh air from the darkness that existed in this world. He was broken from his thoughts by the sound of rumbling. Looking down he saw it was Pinkie.

She smiled sheepishly. “ Sorry about that. Everything’s happened so fast that I haven’t had a chance to eat today.”

Hearing her say this The Doctor realized just how hungry he himself was. He looked down at her and flashed a smile. “Y’know.” He straightened his battered collar. “It just occurred to me, I never did get to eat my sandwich.”

Pinkie giggled. “If it’s a sandwich you’re after, then I know just the place.” She gestured with a hoof and The Doctor Followed. “We can put up a few of those posters on the way.”

**********

“Nononononono. UGH.” The sound of crinkling parchment could be heard as Spike entered the library. He dodged a crumpled piece of parchment as it flew into the corridor outside.

Twilight was already scribbling on a new piece of parchment before he could say anything. Celestia sat on the opposite side of the library, she sighed as she half-heartedly scratched at a piece of parchment. The look in her eyes was one of conflict, however, she seemed to have resigned herself to the fact that this was the best shot.

The only thing they needed to decide on now was who would go. Spike had given it some thought himself and had decided he was the best candidate He was the smallest, and therefore lightest, creature here. Less likely to make noise while moving. He had come to convince Twilight.

He approached her cautiously as she threw another crumpled piece of parchment at the wall. “Uhh. Twilight?”

“WHAT!” The shout, and the speed with which she spun around, made Spike recoil. Her irritated gaze softened as she realized who she was speaking to. “Oh. Sorry, Spike. It’s just, completing Starswirl’s spell has proven more complicated than I’d thought.” She levitated Starswirl’s journal over to her. “And his hornwriting isn’t helping matters.” She turned the book towards Spike to show him the atrocious scrawl on the page.

“Wow. That’s bad.” Spike was momentarily taken aback. He shook his head to get his mind back on the important topic. “I was thinking about this plan an-“

Celestia cut him off, approaching him from the other side of the room. “We’ve actually got an update on that.” Spike looked to her, as she approached he could see in her eyes fear mixed in with resignation. “We know the location.”

She hoofed over a scroll. “This was found in Prince Bluebloods bedchambers. We received it through dragon fire around half an hour ago.” She began to tear up as she said the next part. “It took him.” Twilight put a comforting hoof on Celestia’s shoulder.

Spike picked up the scroll.

Princess. I have your sorry excuse for a prince with me.

Do not worry. He has not come to any serious harm.

I propose an exchange, you can have your nephew if you remove this curse you’ve saddled me with.

Meet me in The Castle of the Two Sisters at dawn tomorrow.

If you are not here at the immediate crack of dawn, I shall execute him and lay his corpse at your hooves.

Sincerely Eileen.

Spike looked up from the note to Celestia, he understood now why she had resigned herself to Twilight’s plan. They couldn’t give this creature what they wanted. They couldn’t let it kill Blueblood.

“Well now we have a name, but more importantly, we have a location.” Twilight looked to Spike. “This is where you come in. You shall be the one to scope out the castle.”

Spike gaped. “I had actually come here to volunteer myself. I thought I’d have to argue this out with you.”

Twilight looked down at him with a hint of pride in her eyes. “Spike. Need I remind you that you were the one who defeated King Sombra, you saved the Equestria Games. By now I trust you to get things done.”

Spike tried not to let the praise go to his head, but he had to admit, hearing his accomplishments felt good.

Twilight looked back to the scrolls. “We still have to figure out this spell,” she sighed.

At this, Celestia gently removed Twilight’s hoof from her shoulder and, wiping the tears away, trotted to the table she had been sitting at. “Actually I think I have handled that.” She levitated the scroll she had been scratching when Spike had entered over to Twilight.

Scanning it over she beamed. “Princess you’ve done it.” She hugged Celestia before realizing what she had done and, pulling away and blushing in embarrassment, looked to Spike. “When can you be ready?”

Spike puffed up his chest. “I’m ready when you are.”