Doctor's Shadows

Doctor’s Shadows

Chapter 4: Shadows of the Past

Part Two

The white alicorn stood to her full height, glaring across the burning city of Canterlot. The field of magic surrounding it made sure nopony could cross in or out. Not that they could even see the city. It was the perfect plan, and now the whole of the crumbling city could see their glorious ruler, whom they held on the highest pedestal, laughing at their merciless slaughter and ruin.

She took a step back from her survey, speaking in an uncharacteristically low tone, “Now no one can stop me…not even a Doctor.”

Forty years before…

The royal assembly was just beginning, Rarity, of course, mingling seamlessly with the crowd. She had quickly adapted the vernacular of Manehattan. Her movements quietly snaked up towards the front of the assembly hall, and she had a very clear view of the podium, where Celestia would be in mere moments. Celestia…she would have no idea who I am now, would she? Perhaps talking to her wouldn’t be…wise. As Rarity had her quiet thought, Celestia began to make her way into the spotlight. The lights dimmed down.

The carriage must have had a loose wheel to be bumping so much. At least, that’s the sort of thing running through the mind of Doctor Whooves as he stared off into the distance, awkwardly avoiding the gaze of the other pony. How, of all actions, had he made this mistake? He knew her every move. He knew every detail of her existence. How did he forget this?

“You seem troubled.” He looked over at this, scorning himself inwardly. “Are you quite alright?”

“Well enough. Never liked carriages.” His minimal speaking didn’t seem to go noticed, and he sat in quiet pleasure as she nodded, looking out the window. Was it weird that he was admiring her? A bit narcissistic. His brain shrugged, and he began to take in more of his surroundings.

She had a bag. He knew what was in it. A few spare changes of clothes, half of which seemed odd for a mare, a few varieties of food, and probably some tools. The tools were the most often used, of course. A funny idea pressed its way into his head. Maybe I’m psychic today.

He gently cleared his throat, gathering her attention. “I see you have a bag there. A bit over-packed, it seems, for the occasion.”

“Well, I suppose it could be, but, you can never be too prepared, can you?”

He gave a small smile, nodding. “Of course. As you can see, I’m not quite dressed for the situation. Perhaps, in that bag, you might have something I could borrow? It sounds strange to ask, but, what’s more fun than that?”

She gave him an odd stare. Then, as expected, she nodded. She opened the bag, and pulled out a brown suit and overcoat. “You can borrow this…I don’t think I’ll have use for it.”

This brought out a different kind of smile. Not that she would notice the message in his eyes. “You never know.” He took the suit, thanking her in the process. As he pulled the clothing over himself, he looked over her once more. “We should be close by now.” She simply nodded, slipping into her thoughts.

The door was opened for them by a weak-legged filly, who gasped in sight of the unicorn. She walked with him closely, as if using him as a disguise. He knew why. No point letting herself get spotted. This was the day it all tried going wrong. Suddenly, it dawned on him. I’m here because of him! He suddenly stumbled, bringing notice to himself from those around him. He pretended nothing was wrong, and the silent eyes turned away. He looked over at his partner. “What do they call you?”

She looked over, a gleam in her eyes. “Call me Doctor, please.”

“Ah, really? I’m a doctor too. Went to Canterlot for my education. Travel a lot nowadays.”

She nodded, hearing commonality. “I travel too. All over. You’d be surprised where I’ve been.”

He grinned, and was tempted to issue a challenge, before Celestia took the stage. The hall quieted down, and he surveyed the room. Where was that horrid creature? He would know better than herself. He smirked as the thought ran through his mind. He saw a small red unicorn nearing the front, slowly. His face turned to a frown. He leaned in for a whisper.

“Doesn’t that red unicorn remind you of someone…prominent?”

The mare turned to see who it was he spoke of, and caught the view. “Yes…I think I’ll go talk to him. Don’t wait on me. I may find myself quite interested.” She walked away, and he slipped back into the crowd. A new era of her life was on its way. But enough of that. Let’s hear this grand speech.

Celestia eyed the crowd nervously. She had more on her mind than a simple ‘I’m here for you’ speech. Changelings had been seen crossing the borders. Anypony could be one. She had all of her guards identifying people from afar. If someone came in with no proper ID, she would know…she hoped. She amplified her voice, and began to speak.

“Hello, noble subjects. I have come here today to offer words of encouragement and pride. This establishment has been teaching young fillies the arts of fine clothing and cosmetics for many years, each time, gaining more and more awards. I have never known a fashion school to break so many records in all my years.”

She paused. Her heart wasn’t in this. She appreciated the talents of all young ponies, but this seemed so trivial compared to the security of Equestria. She gently shooed off such thoughts and went on.

“The lives of many ponies have changed here, and it continues to inspire many young ones all around Equestria. Fillies dream of the day they can come here, to the proud and energetic city of Manehattan, and learn at institutions such as this one. If Manehattan were to keep this up, maybe one day, it could even become the capital.”

I could never leave Canterlot. Too many memories…but it gives them hope…why do I feel so anxious?

The rest of the speech went on similarly, boasting how great Manehattan was doing. A great applause and cheering erupted from the crowd, which had been very moved by the praise. They always were, in Celestia’s memory.

“In an hour or two, I will be in the grand hall to hold court. Please attend if you wish to speak.” She smiled brightly, and walked off the stage.

Rarity was confused. That didn’t feel like she thought it should have. There wasn’t the same heart she was used to hearing from the Regent of the Sun. She would have to attend the royal court. She couldn’t let this stand. Especially with people in so much trouble in the future. The Doctor did say that the solution was here. She walked off into the crowd as it shuffled out. Bumping into a man cloaked in brown.

“Found you! Good. See that cream-colored unicorn? Follow her. After a time, she should be able to get you home. I’ll be at the court. Have fun. Keep safe.” He began to wander off before Rarity gripped him tightly.

“I demand to go with you!” Her eyes shown with fury at the denial.

“Not this time. You’re needed at home. Tell your friends that Canterlot is still there. That we can still save everyone. And…find my wife.”

Rarity looked at him with a burning glare, but after a moment, it softened. He was just thinking of his wife. She had to appreciate the romantic side of him. “Oh…of course, dear. I’ll go. I promise, everything will go perfectly. Good luck.”

The Doctor nodded, giving Rarity a small hug, and running off. He had a plan. And she needed to go home.

Cour t was in session. He was third in line now. Rarity was off towards a good way home, and a big shock. So now, here he was. Making a bad decision. Should be fun. He smiled politely as people shuffled in and out. It was his turn now. He felt sorry for those behind him. Who knew if they would get their time or not.

Celestia looked at him as he walked in. She could see something…different about him. She couldn’t place it. Then she saw his eyes. Those…empty eyes. Like the void. “Hello, sir. What is it you wish to speak of?”

He smiled, almost cruelly, as he put his plan into action. “Time, Celestia.” He knew this was not how to address someone like her, and he knew where it would lead. All part of the plan.

Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me? You may wish to elaborate.” The guards drew in closer to their princess.

“It’s been so long since you were a filly. A princess, as always, but as a filly? You were always so quiet, weren’t you. When was it you became so outspoken?”

He wasn’t speaking standard Equestrian, based on the perplexed looks of her guardsmen. She understood it though, as if it were her own spoken words. She felt a sharp pain in her head. Something missing that she couldn’t understand.

“I just know I’ll regret this next part…” He ran quickly up to her, avoiding guards, and hitting Celestia hard in the head with his own.

A throbbing pain surged through her, and she saw what he wanted her to. War crimes, death, new life, time itself. He had sent the worst parts of him into her mind, and even when it wasn’t him, she knew it was. The guards saw Celestia go into shock and knocked the Doctor to the ground, quickly making an arrest.

She’s seen the worst now…what no one else can see. How will she respond?

Celestia rose from her shock, anger searing in her look. “You….monstrous being. I condemn you to the deepest depths of Canterlot’s dungeons, until such a time as I see fit to release such a thing upon this land."

He hid a smile, looking down at the ground. He wondered if that changeling situation had been dealt with. I wonder if that’s what happened. An elaborate plot of revenge. Poeti-oh look, a hoof.

The guard smashed his head into the ground, knocking him unconscious.

The next day…

Rarity carried the wounded mare into her TARDIS, per her instructions. The doors closed and Rarity sat the Doctor down. It had baffled Rarity what she had heard and seen over those last hours. She now was starting to piece together what her Doctor already knew. It’s the changelings. She looked over at the Doctor, clutching her wound and looking at Rarity, tears in her eyes.

“Rarity…I wish I could know you more. We could have been good friends.” She turned to the console, programming the next destination. “Now, who knows?”

A sudden wave of what Rarity equated to fire washed over the room. When she looked back, the mare she had met hours before was changing under this burning blanket of energy. “Dear Celestia…”

The mare shouted one last thing before the change was completed, and Rarity could scarcely hear what she understood as “Dear Celestia, I have a-“

The final blast cut her off and the transformation ended. Rarity blinked, and breathed out the words, “Doctor Whooves…”

“What was that? Ew, gross, my tongue is bigger.” He peered down his underbelly, making an assessment. “Thought so. Let’s go, shall we?” He flicked a switch, ignoring Rarity’s state of shock.

It’s like she’s…just gone.

Then she heard the brakes.

End Chapter 4.