The Forgotton One

I enter, and I am struck with awe. It's breathtaking, just like I remembered it. I look for Goldie, but he isn't there yet.

I hope he's not too mad at me, I mean... I meant what I said, we weren't really a couple. I didn't imagine he'd get so... Distant. Well, I'll find him later and apologize.

Meanwhile, I go to the one place I am always drawn to. The snack table. Few ponies knew that the really good food at parties was always found in the back.

I usually had trouble deciding what delicacies to eat but now... Only a few sounded really good. Maybe something with regenerating? Probably. I nibble a few before she catches my eye, and I almost start gagging!

It's her! Or rather me, er... It was Midnight. She looked like she was having so much fun! Dancing and laughing. Staying by Luna's side. Speaking of which... They were heading over here!

I quickly turned my back, and was about to strike up a conversation with the pony next to me, when I realized who he was.

Gold Dust. Ugh. That jerk! I was about to run away, but he noticed me and flashed that signature smile of his. "Hello little lady." He said as he took my hoof and planted a kiss on it. "I don't believe you've had the pleasure of making my acquaintance. My name is Gold Dust, but please," He winked "Call me Gold." The mares that never were to far behind sighed dreamily.

I was flustered, no way did I want this creepy jerk hitting on me! "Er... Yes, I know who you are, but I really have to-" I try to pull my hoof out of his grip.

He didn't let go.

"So what is the name of the lucky made who is about to dance with me?" I pulled out of his grip, and my temper flared, just a bit. I started to walk away, but he grabbed me again, and pulled me close. "What's your name darling, it would be rude to leave me without an answer." He smirked.

I pushed him away. "The name of the made who is not going to dance with you is Crimson Ruby, who will also be leaving your presence. Good night to you Mr. Dust."

He grabbed me and pulled me out to the dance floor, I couldn't go away without either making a scene, or getting hurt. I guess I would have to go along with it for now.

"When I ask mares to dance with me, it isn't asking. It's an order, and to defy it is to be punished." He squeezed me painfully. I try not to wince. We twirl around the dancefloor with ease, and grace.

And I hate it! I hate how perfect he thinks he is! I hate how evil he is underneath his perfection. It makes me sick!

As we dance he tries to break me, to learn about me, and to find out why I am immune to his charms.

"So, where are you from Ruby?"

"I've traveled a lot, so I guess I'm from a lot of places."

"How interesting. Did you ever meet a stallion as amazing as me? That would be quite a feat."

"It would be difficult to find someone like you. And I highly wouldn't like to."

"You have such a delightful sense of humor!"

"Thank you, yours is lacking."

As soon as the dance ending I hurried as quickly as I could to the edge of the crowd. I could see Golden's reddened face as he searched the crowd for me.

And I was petrified. I couldn't see Goldie anywhere! Where is he when I need him most?

I duck behind a column, and hide. When I peek out can see him coming this way! I'm doomed! I duck back, and I start shaking and sweating.

Please don't find me, please don't find me, please don't find me!

I hear somepony coming towards me, and I know I am dead.

I cover my head with my hooves and duck down.

I am totally dead!

I teen a gentle tap on my head. "May I have this dance Miss?" It's a new voice, not Golden, and not Goldie either. Who has come to my rescue. I look up as the stallion helps me to stand.

I look into the eyes of the stalion who has saved me from certain death. And I know them right away. But they don't know me.

I feel my cheeks go red. "I'd love to dance." I say.

"Splendid!" The Doctor replies.

And off we go, spinning, and twirling along the floor, there are many ponies around us, but they scarcely seem to be there. I look deep into his eyes, and yet he still looks at me as if I were a stranger. But still, he has saved me again. I can see Golden's face, and it could mean death! But we were spinning and twirling further and further away.

"Thank you so much!" I say as I let out a sigh of relief. "I think you may have saved my life!"

"Any time Miss..." He pauses, and thinks to himself. Does he remember me? Does he?

"What's your name?" He asks.

"Ruby." I reply with a slight hesitation, but also a small sigh of disappointment. "Crimson Ruby."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Ruby." He says as he dips me in sync with all the other couples.

"Likewise." I reply with a smile that doesn't reach my eyes. "What is your name?"

"Well, I am known as...  The Doctor."

"Really? Doctor of what?" I ask, pretending to be confused.

"Well, of all sorts of things really, but mainly time and space." He says with a wink.

"So you are a astrologer? Or a historian?" I ask, although I am starting to wonder. Is he trying to flirt with me? That would be... Awkward.

"Well, sort of, kind of a mix. You see, I travel through time, and space. I've got a time machine."

"Really?" I say with a sort of half smile. "You don't say? Tell me, this time machine of yours, did you invent it?"

"Well, not exactly..."

"So you stole it?"

He doesn't reply, and I laugh. And he laughs too. I've forgotten how much I missed him. I look over his shoulder, and I see Golden dancing with a mare, they appear to be chatting pleasantly. But I can tell he's watching me.

Seeing Golden makes me think of Goldie...

Then I am struck by a thought. What would the Doctor think of Goldie? I don't think they would get along to well... Goldie is, sweet. But he's got a darker side, I can sense it. He can be, rash, and dangerous sometimes. He reminds me so much of the Doctor.

I look back at the Doctor, and there is silence between us.

The music is soft, and slow. I find myself remembering another time, my first Gala, it had been when I was still Luna's student. I was young, and I danced. So many ponies asked me to dance, including...

My eyes light up for a moment. They had both danced with me, a blue stallion with a golden mane, and a grayish stallion with a top hat...

They had both danced with me.

"You seem familiar." He said. "I just can't place it... Have we met before?"

"You're the time traveler, you tell me!" I say with a laugh. We are getting closer to Golden, or he is getting closer to us.

Oh dear...

"Um, Doctor, that stallion from before, the one who I am trying to avoid, well, um..."

"Yes? What about that fellow?" I feel myself turn pale. "He's right behind you."

It's the Doctor's turn to go a little pale. He turns slowly and smiles awkwardly at the large, muscular stallion.

"Hello!" He smiled, still that same energetic stallion that I knew. Golden glared at him. I wave cheerfully. "Um, Hello Golden. Um, this is my, cousin! Old Timer!" I say off the top of my head.

"I am?" I kick his shins. "Oh yes, that's me. I'm Ruby's cousin, nice to meet you."

Golden doesn't speak, but he's very suspicious.

"Um, well. We haven't see each other in so long, we're just catching up, so um... Excuse us!" I grab the Doctor and we run.

Golden runs after us.

"Pardon me, excuse me! Coming through!" I call as we dash out into the garden.

The Doctor looked as if he were enjoying himself!

"Cut that grin out!" I yell. "We're running for our lives!"

"I know!" He shouted back. "Isn't it great! Doesn't it just fill you with excitement? I haven't felt this way in years!"

Me neither Doctor.

Soon we were out of the palace grounds, and in the darkened streets of Cannterlot.

We ducked behind a building. Not daring to speak.

Then I leaned over. "Is he gone?"

He whispered back. "I think so."

We were silent for a few moments, then I started to giggle. He looks at me oddly, opens his mouth and out comes a chuckle. Which makes me giggle even more.

Soon we're both lying on the ground, holding our sides, laughing, just laughing until we cry. Oh! It felt so good. We just laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

It felt like forever until we had finally stopped.

He stood, and helped me get to my feet, er... Hooves, right.

He smiled at me in that way that he used to, but it still wasn't quite the same.

I feel the laughter drain from me, and the pain, hurt, and loneliness take place once again.

"Miss Ruby? What's wrong?" He asks me, seemingly worried by my mood change.

"You remind me of my Grandfather." I say honestly.

He looked away, almost embarrassed. "Oh, I'm sorry. My condolences."

I give a small smile. "He's not dead, we just, lost touch."

He hugs me. "I'm sorry."

Hugs?

"Are you okay?" I ask when he lets go. "Yes, it's just... I also lost a friend of mine recently."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It always works out in the end." He says with a grin. He looks around. "Ah well, I must be going. Perhaps we'll meet again Miss Ruby."

"I wouldn't be surprised Mr. I-stole-a-time-machine." I giggle.

Then I skip off. "Goodbye!" I call.

He gives an elegant bow, sweeping the hat off his head. "Farewell!"

I make my way back to the gala, feeling lighter as I walk through the dark streets.

"A good reunion, my faithful pupil?" A voice says behind me.

I freeze. "Princess Luna?" I ask as I turn around.

She smiles kindly. "Yes, it is we. We see that thou hast met thy Doctor again? Although, we suppose that thou hasn't truly found thy Doctor."

I feel my eyes tear up. "I know he's changed, but that doesn't matter to me, it just... He didn't realize it was me! So I guess it makes sense... Wait just a second." I say before looking at her accusingly. "How did you realize it was me?"

"Thou hast traveled through time for many years, we have encountered you many times. Although thou hast made us swear to never tell you, or thy Doctor. It is a promise we must keep."

I sigh. "I guess that makes sense. So... How am I doing? Midnight that is?"

Luna got sad. "She hast been struggling with her studies. Her friend Minuette supports her in all that she is trying to accomplish, but we fear she is on a dangerous road. We wish to be as good a teacher to Midnight, as Celestia was to Twilight, or as our teacher was to us, but we fear we are failing in our duty, for we see so little of Midnight, but that is the way Celestia was often wit Twilight..."

"Well, your not Celestia, and Midnight isn't Twilight. I'm sure she's scared, and lonely. Maybe, just maybe, she needs you to be there for her, as more then a teacher. She really looks up to you."

She looks at me hopefully. "Doth thou think so, Ginger?"

"I know so." I say.

She straightens. "Very well. We must go. Good luck to thee Ginger! But beware the lure of Gold!"

"Wait what?" But she's already gone.

I sigh. Then I start off back towards the Gala. It's been an eventful night.

As soon as I enter I can see Goldie, standing near the punch bowel, I am about to wave, and get over there, finally! I can apologize!

That's when he shows up. Golden Dust. Again.

Would this guy never leave me alone?

"Hello Ruby. I see your cousin's gone." He says as he steps in front of me.

"He had to leave early." I said, and try to go around him, but he blocks me.

"Well, perhaps you would like another dance?"

"No, thank you, I've spotted a friend of mine. Now excuse me but I must- Aagh!"

He grabs me, and squeezes me, painfully. "Quite Ruby. Now, I don't know what fantasy you've been living, but around here nopony refuses a dance with me." He squeezes tighter. "Perhaps you need to learn a lesson, would you join me for a stroll outside?"

"Let go of me you twisted- Aagh!" I start to say before he twists.

"I said, nopony refuses me. Now let's go." The he pulls me outside. I try to fight it, but he won't loosen his grip. He places a hoof around my neck. It looks affectionate, but I know it's to prevent me from running.

"Scream and I break your neck, or perhaps you'll faint for a while, just keep walking."

"Scumbag." I mutter.

Soon we are out in the garden, alone. I feel terrified. Me, and Golden. Alone.  I was so scared. Where's the Doctor when I really need him?

No, I was alone. Goldie didn't know where I was, and Golden was about to either kill me, torture me, or woo me. Knowing him, all three.

Somepony help me?