Doctor Whooves: Revisisted

by LightningDust

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Crossover, Romance
Length: 10219

The story of Colgate, a young mare who grew up with thoughts of a time travelling stallion in a blue box. Maybe some day he'll return.

-NOW UNDERGOING REWRITE-

14 years before the return of Nightmare Moon, a young filly is struggling to fall asleep when she hears a strange noise from outside and lights flash from the trees. After that night she grows up daydreaming about the stars and planets, about what was out there. Maybe she was just crazy, or maybe she was waiting for him to return for one last visit.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-02-24 07:05:34 UTC

Episode 1 (Part 1)

The light blue filly tossed herself around the bed sheets in small attempt to find some comfort in sleep. The air in the room was damp and fresh after the brisk winds had brought the rain over the hills. The cold had set in over Canterlot, leaving a low mist over the city. The wooden walls of her room barley kept the chill outside, sending shivers through her body as she tried to find some warmth in bed. Her room was of a reasonable size though it didn't conflation much in the way of furniture. The wallpaper was colored a dull sandy beige with the occasional picture or certificate hanging unceremoniously crooked. She didn't mind the unkempt appearance of her room. The tattered walls and scattered items gave it a hint of character.

The young filly’s’ alarm clock was sitting on her bedside table, occasionally making a small click as the hands slowly turned. She soon found herself alternating her attention between the infuriating ticking and the window that overlooked the lake outside their home. She admired how the moon shimmered off its surface, gleaming in the light it gave, the still glass like surface only disturbed by the occasional falling leaf by the trees hanging over its shores. The filly looked out the window and gazed into the garden until she remembered the slow ticking in the background. She groaned in irritation and stuck her head under her pillow in some small attempt to block out the infernal sound. Pulling the covers over her again to block out the cold, she closed her eyes and relaxed.

This did not last long, for as soon as the young filly was about to drift off a whirring noise echoed from the far side of the garden. The filly tossed the pillow off her head and sprung up to look out the window. She could make out a soft glow in the distance behind the trees to the far side of the lake. This was all to curious and the light blue filly found herself leaping out of her bed and wrapping herself in her soft white robes given to her by her great aunt for her birthday the other week. She walked softly to the door, being sure to turn the knob as slowly and carefully as possible. The doors hinges let out an almighty creak as it drifted open, the young mare grinding her teeth and only hoping she did not wake anyone else. One cautious step after another, she felt her way through the dark hallway to the stairs. After tripping a couple of times and clumsily banging her head on the coat rack, the filly crept into the main hall, only stopping to grab the flash light from the kitchen on her way out. She gripped the cold metal cylinder in her mouth and crept up to the front door. Gingerly she turned the large decorated knob and slipped through the doorway into the brisk cold air. The breeze instantly sent her spine through her skull and she could feel the light rain dampen her robes. The blue filly was still only too determined to find out what had appeared across the lake. Whether by impulse or just ignorance, she continued to trot down the gravel path and off into the gardens.

The blue filly could very clearly see now, sitting by a small beach tree stood a blue box about four times her own height. It was wood by the looks of it and had a sign above its door that read out “Police public call box”. She had never seen anything like it before. Maybe it was some sort of decoration for the garden, but why would they put it out by the lake? Besides it’s a bit funny looking anyway. The filly shinned her flashlight at the blue box and as the wind blew she saw the door swing slightly ajar. Her curiosity now burned. She had to know what was in there. It had to be what was making that noise. The blue filly soon found herself outside the doorway to the blue box. She reached out a hoof to open it but quickly retracted. Taking one last deep breath, the filly pushed open the wooden door. She blinked rapidly giving her eyes time to adjust to the bright lights inside. Opening her eyes she saw an amazing sight. An enormous room with large coral like pillars reached up to the ceiling, a large clear tube seemed stood in the center with a blinking and indicate console surrounding it. The small filly walked in she could hear the clanking of the grated floor beneath her but she was too busy taking in the sights around her to notice. The room seemed to pulsate with life like it had almost a heartbeat. It was incredible. It was another world inside a small blue box that had just appeared outside her house. If only her parents could see this, but they probably wouldn't believe her in the morning. She honestly didn't care right now. She trotted up to the blinking console and saw the most random display of buttons and knobs, but one seemed to catch her eye. A red lever, nothing special, just a simple lever was just to the left. Curiosity burned in her once again. She could feel herself lifting her hoof and reaching out towards it. The filly rested her hoof on its handle and she had an urge to pull it. She couldn't, she had no idea what would happen if she did.

“It’s called the TARDIS just in case you wanted to know.” said a stallion’s voice from behind her. The light blue filly jolted around, her blue and white mane spun around wildly and the flashlight dropped from her agape mouth. Her eyes widened and she felt her heart stop seeing the brown stallion standing in the doorway. His dark brown mane stuck up at the front and his Cutie mark was in the shape of an hourglass. He wore a long brown trench coat that hung down at his sides over a blue pinstripe suit and a red tie. He simply leaned against the door with a grin on his face, not a sly grin, but a more welcoming grin.

“So-o-o, I-I’m…” the small filly muttered hiding her face behind her mane. The stallion simply smiled and came down to her level.

“It’s okay there. I didn't mean to startle you.” He stepped closer but kept his distance from the small filly. “I’m the Doctor by the way. Do you have a name?” His smile was inviting but it was his eyes that caught the young filly’s attention. They were a sky blue and they seemed to weigh heavy with age. But he seemed young, well for a stallion. The filly brushed her mane off her face and stood up straight, trying not to look to vulnerable.

“Min-Min *cough* Minuette.” The filly struggled to get out. “But most of my friends call me Colgate.”

“Colgate. Interesting. Why do your friends call you that exactly?”

“My mane,” Colgate flicked her main to the side and showed off its colors. The blue was as deep as the ocean and the white streaks where a misty grey. “it kinda looks like toothpaste.” The Doctor chuckled and Colgate couldn't help but manage a smile.

“Well Miss Colgate, what brings you here this fine evening? Shouldn't you be tucked up in bed like a good filly?” Colgate shrugged at the question.

“I heard you from my room. Wait, was that noise you?”

“Probably, well I am sorry to have disturbed you sleep Ms Colgate but I am more than willing to make up for it.” The Doctor rushed to the console and started to fiddle with a few switches. “What’s say one quick trip, aye? Anywhere you want to go just name it and we’ll go.”

“This can travel?”

“Oh yes.”

“And it can go anywhere we want?”

“Oh yes.”

Colgate could feel the excitement well up inside her. She knew that this could all be a dream and she could wake up any second but she desperately wanted to enjoy it before she did. The Doctor leaned against the Console and waited for her answer.

“So Ms Colgate, what is it you wish to see?” Colgate grinned at the Doctor eagerly.

“Everything!” She let out in a gleeful squeak. The Doctors already fixed smile grew as he whizzed around the Console almost instinctively.

“Allons-y!”  He let out before everything burst into life. The room begun to shake wildly and Colgate had to hold on at fear of tumbling around like a barrel. The TARDIS rocked around like a kite in a storm till it finally settled. Colgate let out a deep sigh of relief before wondering ‘What have I gotten myself into? I wonder if my parents have already noticed I've gone.’

“Miss Colgate, step this way please.” The Doctor beckoned her towards the doorway. Colgate picked herself up and galloped towards the door and pressed herself against the wood, unsure whether or not to open it.

“What’s out there?” Colgate knew she wanted to see but didn't know what to expect. Maybe she would just end up back in the garden and not traveled an inch. Maybe he was just crazy.The Doctor quickly galloped to her side.

“Only one way to find out.” The Doctor assured her. Colgate pressed against the door and let it swing open. Bellow them she could see no ground, no floor, only an endless plummet and the fields far below. Her eyes widened as she looked out over the city of Canterlot on the the mountainside. The stars were out in full and the moon shone with glorious light. The city seemed to glow with torch light, and seemed to flicker in the gentle breeze. They were high above the clouds but they had passed by. Colgate sat on the edge of the doorway and peered off into the distance. She could see the faint glow of Ponyville on the horizon. She could make out the floating city in the sky to the far south. Colgate took a deep sigh and simply stared across the land taking it all in.

“The universe has little moments like these. Magical moments where everything comes together in perfect unison to create something spectacular. That’s the fun part of travelling through space looking out for whenever the universe decides to do something wonderful.” The Doctor sat next to Colgate at the doorway and spoke to her. His words were soothing and calm but she had her attention fixed on the view.

“Its beautiful.” Colgate sighed

“There is a lot out there and some of it is just as beautiful if not more. Planets, solar systems, galaxies waiting to be seen, an entire universe wanting just to be admired.” The Doctor took off his jacket and set it on Colgate’s shoulders over her damp robes. In response she leaned in closer on the Doctor shoulder and closed her eyes. She could feel his body warmth and it made her feel at peace, listening to his peculiar heartbeat. The Doctor put an arm around her keeping her close.

“I only wish someday to share it with you.”

The Doctor could feel Colgate’s slow steady breath against his neck. Her mane hung down over his shoulder. Her eyes remained closed, drifting off to sleep. The Doctor wrapped the jacket closer around her and noticed a small twinkling on her flank. Slowly an image of an hourglass appeared near identical to the one on his own flank.

“I wonder what you've been dreaming about, Miss Minuette.”

The Doctor carried her in on his back and set her down on the chairs. He was cautious not to create too much commotion in the flight back home, making sure even the brakes and stabilizers were applied correctly. Opening the doors he carried the sleeping filly across the garden and down the shores of the lake back to her home. The large building was very elegant from the outside but seemed dull and ancient within. The Doctor struggling for a bit on the stair but soon he had the filly set down on her bed. He stretched his now sore back and sat himself down of the chair next to her bedside. Looking at the dusty clock he saw it was getting close to morning. He would let her make up for her lost sleep now. It was probably best not to disturb her once again. The Doctor pondered over their coincidental meeting. He hadn't come to the lake side for any specific reason, he simply felt like some time to unwind. Why had he decided to take this young filly for a quick trip? He didn't have to; he thought he was being polite. The Doctor looked back at the peaceful filly. Colgate’s light blue coat shone as the moon begun to fall behind the trees, her blue and white man spread across her pillow. The Doctor begun to think ‘Why did she decide to check out what had made the noise? Curiosity,’ The Doctor shrugged. “or maybe this was just chance, an off meeting by coincidence.’ The Doctor ran a hoof through her mane which was still silky even after the rain outside; her robes now lay in a crumpled heap at the door.

“Fascinating the TARDIS isn't it. ‘Time and relative dimension in space’, wonderful old girl. I don’t know where I’d be today if it went for her. I stole it, did I tell you that? Well I have now. We took off one day to go see the universe, all its wonderful sights. Sometimes I took others with me. They didn't all make it home unfortunately.” The Doctor peered down to see part of her Cutie mark exposed. “I can’t risk it happening again.”

The Doctor took his hoof away from her mane and set them on the bedside table. He looked hard at Colgate for a minute before talking to her again.

“To many I have lost, more at least than I care to say. I don’t want your name to be added to the many others who have died for me. Never again.” The Doctor shook his head as it lowered further.

“Sometimes though I do get rather lonely.”

The Doctor got up off his chair and set it back by the table. He walked to the door and peered back one last time.

“We may meet again, Miss Minuette, in another time.” With that the Doctor departed.

Colgate opened one eye after noticing his voice had stopped. She sat up on her bed looking out the window. Across the glass like water and by the looming beach trees walked the Doctor towards his blue box. That beautiful blue box.She wanted to run outside before he left, she wanted to go with him, see everything he spoke about. The Doctor stood outside the TARDIS and turned to look at the bedroom window. He waved a hollow goodbye and stepped inside the doors. Colgate knew what came next, the lights whirred into life and the sounds of scrapping pans begun to echo in the trees. Slowly the blue box faded from sight till it was gone. Colgate sunk back into her covers and no sooner did the questions begin to hammer at her brain. ‘What just happened? Did it actually happen at all? Who was the Doctor? Why was he called the Doctor? Doctor Who?’

Only time would tell.

Episode 1 (Part 2)

The smells of hoof sanitizer and disinfectant polluted the air of the small flat. Colgate enjoyed the security of now knowing that her flat was 100% germ free, easing her nerves a bit at least. Celestia’s sun had risen over the hills and shone its warm light across the fair Canterlot. Colgate smiled in her sleep as the warm rays slowly crept over her bed. The clock on the bedside table begun to hum loudly as it flashed with the time 7:00. Colgate opened her eyes with as much difficulty as a barn door and reached over to silence the infernal device. Sighing deeply, she sat up in her bed and looked out the window opposite her. Not a single cloud in the sky, another brilliant day to enjoy, inside, in a cold office, and germs. Colgate’s grin slowly faded as it dawned on her the reality of another Tuesday morning. She made sure when getting out of bed not to crease the sheets too much and carefully laid the blankets back down in a neat fashion, smoothing the surface with her hooves. When she was satisfied, she went to go tackle the morning routine.

‘Breakfast, breakfast is essential.’ Colgate quickly whizzed through her mind as she made her way to the small cramped kitchen. The contence and layout of the cupboard were in many ways odd. Aside from the loaf of bread she grabbed most of the food inside were canned, placed in appropriate sections and categories. Moving on Colgate grabbed a small carton of soy milk from the fridge (which was just, if not more, organised than the cupboard) and set two slices of plain white bread in the toaster. Finishing off her breakfast with a touch of Organic Apple Jam, Colgate proceeded to complete the single most important task of the day. Entering the bathroom she grabbed her toothbrush and a small tube of Dentist recommended toothpaste, making sure to use the exact amount required, and brushed her teeth. She did so always with a smile and a strange enthusiasm, often humming and even giggling at times. Colgate watched herself in the polished mirror as her face made the strangest expressions while she brushed. ‘Thirty top left, thirty top right, thirty bottom left and thirty bottom right.’ Colgate had developed a well thought out system of sectioning out the areas of her mouth and dedicating a certain amount of time to each, making sure to use the proper technique appropriately. Tongue brushed and cheeks cleaned, she rinsed and spat. Colgate smiled at her reflection and admired the twinkling of the pearly white smile being shot right back at her. Now to shower up and loosen up a bit before work.

“Who is awesome? You are awesome.” Colgate held a stern look of determination as she spoke. “You are a proud, smart and gorgeous mare. Yes you are.” Her reflection gave her the same look of grit as Colgate continued her self-motivation. “Take on this day as if it were your last. No pony is going to get in your way. No pony would mess with you. It’s just another day at work. No surprises, nothing out of the ordinary. You have done this a thousand times and survived.”

Colgate instantly jolted back in surprise and uttered a slight squeak when she heard the phone ring from the kitchen. Colgate came to her senses and rushed to answer it. She trotted up to the answering machine and took a deep breathe. Colgate reached for the phone but retracted suddenly and reached for a small packet of tissues in her saddle bag. Taking one she covered her hoof and picked up the still ringing phone.

“Minuette speaking.” Colgate said calmly and flatly, avoiding giving away too much tone.

“Ah, Miss Minuette. Sorry to disturb your morning but this is the Canterlot Help Center just calling quickly. There has been a slight change with your regular appointment tomorrow and next Wednesday. Your Councillor, Mr Turner, is going south to Manehatton for the next week and will not be able to see any clients. However he will be in early today and we can allow you to reschedule for this morning, if that is convenient. If this is too short notice then we can see about making a catch-up immediately when he gets back.” Colgate thought hard on this. She enjoyed talking things over with Mr Turner and was sad she wouldn’t see him for the next couple of weeks. I, well, guess I could call in sick today. Reception duty at the Hospital could wait for one day at least.

“I’ll see him this morning if that’s alright.” Colgate replied but instantly regretted her hasty decision.

“Excellent, I’ll let him know you’re coming. You’re penciled in for 10:15. Have a nice day Miss Minuette.” The reception mare said warmly.

“Thank you.” Colgate quickly slipped out before ramming the phone back on the answering machine. She knew it was rude to hang up in such a way but her mind was quickly spinning through what she had just done. She threw away the protective tissue and then begun to think aloud.

“I’m going to have to call in sick now. I’ve never lied to my work before. What if they don’t buy it? I’ve never called in sick, I’m usually so thorough. Not a single ailment.” Colgate begun to increase her breathe rate, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Too late now old girl, you’ve made a decision and you shall aim to go through with it.” Colgate made a rather loud gulping noise. A lump painfully slid down her throat.

“Even if it means lying to your boss.”

“Ah, Miss Minuette. Good to see you again.” Mr Turner greeted the young mare with a cheery smile. His chestnut brown coat and dark brown mane was neatly groomed, although the front of his mane seemed to stick up at the front. He wore a very old fashioned coat and red bow-tie, reminding Colgate a lot of her Grandfather in many ways, and his cutie mark was in the unique shape of an hourglass.

“Please Mr Turner, Colgate’s fine.” She trotted in and gave him a welcoming smile in return.

“Of course, of course, do sit down Miss Colgate.” He chuckled and invited her to have a seat in the coach opposite. Colgate willingly threw herself down on the soft pillows and laid there staring at the ceiling. Mr Turner pulled out a pair of glasses from his pockets and slipped them on before taking a look at his notes from the previous session the other week.

“Now down to it. You obviously don’t have too much time this morning, because as I’m fully aware you do have your job to get-“

“Don’t worry. I called in sick this morning.” Colgate interrupted. She smiled brightly in the direction of the colt who had sat down on his armchair.

“Ha ha. Well it is good to see you venturing a bit out of you comfort zone. I don’t condone it, but I think we can give it the slip this time. You could have simply said you were going to come in late today you realize?” It suddenly dawned on Colgate how stupid she had been.

“Oh feather, I‘m an idiot.” She picked up the pillow from the coach and planted on her face to hide the shame.

“Well we have learnt something for next time, haven’t we?” Mr Turner smiled. He drew his concentration back to his notes. He was soon then distracted when he realized that Colgate was looking at his bookshelf with a look of desperation and unease. Mr Turner knew he kept his books in a rather untidy fashion, and made no effort to fix it, but he didn’t realize how much it would affect Colgate.

“Colgate.” She instantly looked back at the colt but shifted her eyes between him and the bookcase. “If you want to fix it be my guest.” He didn’t need to say anything else. Colgate was up in a flash and rushed towards the shelves. She begun to take out book, quickly scan it and place them in the most appropriate spot. Colgate sped through the job as fast as she could.

“Please try to avoid damaging my copy of Hellion’s “Theory of the Mind”. Its signed.”

Colgate didn’t take time to notice the old colt speak and was soon done. She took a breath and laid back down on the sofa with a look of complete satisfaction.

“Feel better yet.” Mr Turner asked with a smirk.

“A bit.” Colgate made herself comfortable but making sure to not make a mess of the coach.

“I guess I can continue then.” Turner shifted his gaze back to the clipboard. “Let’s see, I trust you did your motivational talk in the mirror as usual, hope that’s still helping you. Okay, last time we talked you were having some issues with that Lyra girl over the matter of, let’s see, filing company financial statements. I trust you did what I suggested and talked it over with her?”

“Oh yes, I, um, apologized as well. I kinda know that biting her was a bit over the top. Heh.” Colgate faked a smile and gave a small chuckle to in some way lighten the mood.

“I don’t think she particularly liked it. You know perfectly well the situation she’s been going through.” Colgate knew what Mr Turner was talking about. Lyra had started seeing him nearly a year ago after her employer recommended she seek help over her sexual conduct. She tried not to take this too offensively but couldn’t help but feel a bit rejected by society. Mr Turner had helped her for a while to cope with people’s judgments, and she seemed to be doing okay. Colgate was certainly not friends with Lyra, she occasionally saw her at work or in the street but that rarely talked. She seemed happy with her marefriend, Bonbon.

“Now there is till the matter of finding a flat mate. You seemed very keen last week to find someone to rent the spare bedroom to, but how did that go?”

Colgate beamed proudly. “I got an ad in Equestria Daily. I managed to get three ponies who were interested in the first week.”

“And how did they go?” Mr Turner leaned forward a bit on his seat.

“Heh, not all too well. A couple said it was far too clean and the other I scared off when I tried to fix up his suit.” Colgate gave a nervous grin to the colt who sat with a new look of confusion.

“You will keep trying though? I think I would still be best if you found someone else to help make your life a little less stressed. You are still on top of your rent, aren’t you?”

“My parents sent down a bit of money from their new home in Fillydephia. They moved there last spring when their company shifted its HQ south. I should be fine for the next month or so.”

“Well it’s good to know that you still have a place to live and time to find a flat mate. This brings us to my next point. How is communication with your parents going?” The colt now wore a serious expression and removed his glasses. Colgate suddenly lost the tone in her voice.

“They sent me the money when I asked for it. They just wanted to know how my studies were going and how the job was treating me, the usual sort of talk.”

“Still planning to pay them a visit for Hearths Warming Eve this year?”

“Meh, probably. Well see if I can pay for it when the time comes.” Colgate sat up from the coach to fluff up the cushion under her head before lying back down slowly. Turner looked back at his notes and crossed out a good portion with his pen.

“We only really have one last thing to look at and then you have the day to yourself.”

“Yes?” Colgate shifted her gaze back towards the brown colt.

“Your studies for College. I would just like to be able to touch base quickly. Your parents were adamant when they said that you special talent was history. You never felt the same?”

Colgate let out a deep sigh. “No. Well, my cutie mark says so (stupid hourglass), but what is that to dictate my life. I mean, why I have to conform to the certain rule that I can’t change my interest? I’m not even that interested in history.” Colgate rolled over so that she faced the back of the coach.

“You haven’t considered leaving?”

“What!? No, no, I can’t drop out. My parent would, you know? Ahhh!” Colgate rolled over onto her back and threw up her hooves in frustration. She rubbed her eyes and looked back up at the blank ceiling. “Why can’t I just run away?”

“Could you?”

“Yes! I mean, no. I don’t know anymore. I want to.” Suddenly her eyes opened widely. She sat up and set her eager gaze on the brown colt. “You know what I’ve always wanted to do?”

“I always imagined it would have to do something with cleaning.”

“What? Wait, yes and no. Look come closer.” Mr Turner leaned in towards Colgate. “Closer!” He sat on the edge of his seat and peered at Colgate in confusion. She leaned next to his pricked up ear and whispered,

“I want to be a dentist.” Turner leaned back seemingly unsurprised and quickly responded,

“So go be a dentist then.”

“No, I couldn't."

“You could if you wanted to.” He pulled his glasses out of his pocket again and grabbed his clipboard, tearing away the old session note. “Colgate, Miss Minuette, I believe that you can gain nothing else from our weekly sessions. I feel that you are ready to face the world and to make your own choices with confidence.” He filled out a small green form on his clipboard and handed it to Colgate.

“What are you talking about?”

“Hand this in to Mary at the desk to cancel our future appointments. It was nice enough of the hospital to cover the costs. Afterwards I want you to have a serious think about what it is you want to do with your life.”

“But I can’t just drop everything and start studying dentistry! I have rent to pay and, and a flat to keep clean!” Colgate’s tone became one of confusion and desperation. She looked for any sign on Mr Turner’s face that suggested he was simply having her on. Turner trotted over to his desk and flicked to the job section in the paper. He grabbed it in his mouth and handed to Colgate (who seemed a little concerned why a pony would carry anything in their mouth).

“By the looks of it there is small part time job on offer at Pearl’s Dentistry. Well paying, good work experience, just assisting check-ups and such.” Colgate looked nervously at the paper sprawled on the coach.

“But this job is in Ponyville. How would I work in Ponyville and live in Canterlot? How could I drop out of College without my Parents noticing? You’re failing to make any sense of the situation.” Mr Turner put away his glasses and set the newspaper back on his desk.

“Look Colgate, you have been seeing me since you were a filly, and you thought you saw a blue box in your garden. Since then you have grown into a strong and proud mare. I’m not telling you what to do with your life, but I try to help you make the right choices.” He trotted to the door and opened it for Colgate. She got up off the coach and slowly made her way out.

“Good luck, Miss Minuette.” Said the funny dressed brown colt she knew so well.

“Thank you.” Colgate said quietly. The two exchanged a final hoofshake before he closed the door. Colgate took deep breath. She needed to think. She walked up to the reception and handed in the green form.

“Such a shame we won’t see you again.” Mary said looking at the cancellation form. “Well, good luck out there.”

“You too.” Colgate said before trotting out of the building and looked up at the sky; it was still bright and sunny with not a cloud to be seen. Exhaling deeply, Colgate thought to herself as she walked back to her flat,

'You could do it. You could quit your job, drop out of College and sell some of your belongings. Hitch the next ride to Ponyville.’ She shuddered at the thought of the filthy public transport system.

‘It’s a crazy idea. You would be leaving behind you friends. Think of Berry Punch, how would she react? It’s a stupid idea.’ Colgate came to the building where her flat was. It was at least ten floors high and was not in the best of conditions. Its wooden exterior had begun to gather mold and moss, the windows were in a serious need of a clean (except for hers on the fifth floor she noted) and the side alley was filthy. I swear some drinking idiots urinate in there when noponies looking. She shuddered at the thought. She thought of the filth that might be in Ponyville. The dirt roads, the rural area, the animals! Who knows what they could spread! Plague, a flesh eating virus! I simply can’t do it. My place is here in Canterlot and it is in Canterlot I shall remain. Colgate raised her head in pride and trotted up the stairs to her flat. Unlocking the door she entered her room feeling sure of her well thought out decision.

‘I’m getting good at this whole decisive thing. Ha, who needs to go to Ponyville? Certainly not this mare.’ She took a wet wipe from her saddle bag and polished the door knob till she was sure it was germ free. Colgate trotted to into the living room and disposed of her saddle bag on the coffee table.  She lied down on the coach and looked at the ceiling, the same ceiling, the exact same one, the same one she had looked at for years.

“Screw it, I’m going..”

Episode 1 (Part 3)

Colgate was startled from her bed when she heard an all too familiar sound from outside. In the cold of Luna’s night came the whirring echo and a light flashing a bright white. She knew what it was but could not bring herself to believe it. Colgate threw the covers over her face and tried to pretend it wasn't happening, it was just her going crazy. No, she hadn't heard that sound since she was a filly, such a long time ago. Her memories of it were faint and she scarcely remembered the colt she had met that night. She thought to herself in some attempt to keep her sanity,

‘You just imagined it Colgate. Nothing is outside. No lights and no sounds, no blue box to take you away.’ Colgate took a deep breath and threw the covers off her face, looking up to the ceiling.

‘ You've truly lost it now, imagining such things. Have I gone crazy? Quite possibly.’ That was when the strangest part kicked in. A loud honking noise came from just outside the house.

“Was that a horn?” Colgate spoke aloud and jolted up in surprise. She quickly got up and looked out from the window. Sure enough outside the front door, and leaning on the large blue box, was the strange brown colt she had seen so many years ago.

“NO!” Colgate blurted in shock. “Go back to bed now Colgate, you've completely lost your head.” She couldn't help but press herself against the glass, believing her eyes had deceived her, till the brown colt looked up at the window she was pressed against and gave a small wave. “Yep, crazy.” Colgate took another deep breath. “Maybe I should check it out, just to confirm it, no, bad idea. But what if it actually is him and I’m not crazy, but it’s not likely. There’s still a chance. No, to risky.

Colgate begun to dig into her blue and grey mane furiously, pulling herself away from the glass in a panic.

“Buck it, I’m going to go find out.”

“Took your time didn't you.” The brown colt said as Colgate peered through the front door. He seemed familiar, I mean, even too familiar.

Colgate picked up the nearest lamp and hid it behind her back. Things could get serious very fast if they had to. The brown colt was well dressed in a grey pinstripe suit and a red tie, his mane was a dark brown and spiked at- wait. Who was this?

“Mr Turner?” Colgate murmured, giving the colt a strange expression.

“Who?” He asked in return. Wait, it had to be him. They looked almost identical from up close. But she hadn't seen him since his last visit to Ponyville a fortnight ago.

“Are you Time Turner?”

“Not the last time I checked no.” He seemed to now have a puzzled look on his face but maintaining a light, almost dorky, expression. Colgate could make out a very odd accent that was different form Mr Turners, almost like somepony from Trottingham.

“Are you his brother or something? You look practically identical.” By now I was growing impatient.

“Nope. I’m the Doctor though.” The colt traded his puzzled look for a giddy smile. I could not help but give him a small one in return and slowly put down the lamp I was about to use as an improvised club. Wait, who was he? The Doctor, what kind of a name was that?

“The Doctor? Doctor Wh-“

“Let me just stop you there, just the Doctor is just fine.”

“Have we met?”

“Yeah. About fifteen years ago, well, a month for me, fifteen years for you. Being a time traveler mucks up your perception of time a bit, Miss Minuette.” How in blinking hell did he know my name?

“How could I not remember meeting you before?” I blatantly lied. I remembered the night a little bit but had convinced myself that it had never happened and was merely a dream.

“I doubt you wanted to remember. What was it, just a dream, a sign of insanity? You were too young to understand.”

“So, so that’s your ship?” The Doctor looked back at the blue box.

“Yeah. The TARDIS, time and relative-“

“I think I've got that much.” He responded with a wide smile and I felt slightly assured by him. Slowly I allowed the front door to creak open and stood out onto the dirt roads of Ponyville. I had never grown accustomed to walking in the mud every day but a regular hoof clean made sure that it was never an issue. That was obviously beside the point.

“How would you, Miss Minuette, like to come for one last trip? You know, for old times’ sake.” This caught me off guard. Some serious thought was going to have to go into this.

‘I couldn't, I simply could not. After that nigh so many years ago my parents thought I’d gone mad. I started seeing a councilor and my friend at the time never spoke to me again. The night with the Doctor sent my world spinning downward. Now I had too much to lose. I was now a fully trained and qualified Dentist. I loved my job and was proud of it. I had friends, and this time, more than just three or four. Lyra and Bon Bon, Berry Punch who had been kind enough to move to Ponyville with me nearly a year ago, Daisy, Carrot Top, Derpy, Octavia and Vinyl. I could not stand to lose them. I don’t want to be known as the crazy one anymore. My life was crazy enough as it was without this.’

“I, I simply can’t Doctor, certainly not today at least. This is my life and I can’t just run off with you whenever it may take your fancy. Isn't their anypony else you could take, friends, family, close friends?” All look of glee fell from the Doctors face. He stood stern and averted his blue eyes from hers. Colgate knew he was unimaginably lonely; everything about him gave that away, I don’t think he quite knew it though.

“There have been others, friends and some more than friends, and I lost them.”

“How?”

“Some left on their own accord; some simply forgot me, and some I could not save. Never again, I swear. Nopony else is going to die for me.” Ponies had died with him! What kind of insane pony was this? Could I be next?

“I’m sorry, Doctor. I just can’t.” The Doctor now seemed to hide away all sadness and disappointment. He picked up his head and said with a calm voice,

“Very well Miss Minuette. I completely understand.” The brown stallion turned back to the TARDIS and put a hoof on its door, a silent sadness tinged in his words. She almost felt pity for him, almost wanted to rush up and comfort him. But something continued to nag at her mind, something he had said. Maybe he could be- no, he couldn't.

“Turn- I mean Doctor,” Colgate quickly let out grabbing the brown colt’s attention. “You don't by any chance know one of my friends do you. Her name's Ditzy, but most ponies just call her Derpy Hooves. It sounds crazy but do you... remember her? Where you guys close at all?"

‘Deep breath now, Colgate.’ She thought to herself.

“She has two kids you know, Dinky and Sparkler, but she just calls her Amy. It's funny, she used to talk about things that we thought were crazy, but now I've never felt so wrong.”

“Amethyst” The doctor muttered under his breath. Colgate could see his mood quickly change to self-loathing.

“Maybe I'm just crazy as well.” Colgate paused to catch her breath. She felt the slightest of tears pooling in the corner of her eye as she recalled the story her friend had told her. “But Derpy is an innocent soul, I just don't want to see her get hurt.”

The mood was silent, only broken by the slight cold breeze in the night. Colgate spoke up first as the brown colt seemed to be too deep in his own thoughts.

“I need to know,” The brown colt looked up from his drooped gaze. “have you been running?”

“I'm always running.” He simply said as he opened the TARDIS doors. The blue box begun to spur into life once again, the light flashed and the sounds echoed through the street. Soon the box faded from sight leaving no trace of its presence. Colgate wondered if that would be the last time she would ever see him again, but she did not care either way. He was trouble, more than she needed in her life.

Episode 1 (Part 4)

“Wait, so, that’s it? Nothing else happened.”

“I've told you everything I know, Berry. I can't think of anything else to say. I went back up stairs and went back to sleep.” Colgate let out a mellow sigh, slipping back into her chair.

“Well that’s disappointing. I was expecting you to gallop to him and be all like ‘Take me with you!’ and stuff.”

“Thanks for at least believing me.”

“I believed you last time, didn't I?”

“Yeah, yeah I guess that’s true.”

Colgate quite honestly wanted to forget the night before, in fact none of it made any sense in her mind. The colt looked just the same as he had all those years ago, and to top it off he looked just like Dr Turner. Whether it was just her insanity creeping in or sheer coincidence, Colgate wasn't too thrilled about these awkward visits from the guy.

“I think I know what your problem is.” Berry cut into her train of thought, causing her to blink a few times before coming back to reality.

“Hmm? Oh, um, okay.”

“You need a stallion.” She put on a sly grin as Colgate seemed to cringe away at the idea. She especially wasn't too happy about her announcing it in front of the entire Café.

“Not this again. How many times must I emphasis that I am completely happy on my own. How is being single my problem exactly.”

“Oh I don’t know, just longing for some colt to appear in his space ship and whisk you off your hooves.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Oh, of course not.” She gave a sarcastic glare before resting back in the seat. “I’m only joking with you. You’re so easy to tease.”

“Oh ha ha, I’m balling my eyes out.” Colgate replied in a sarcastic manner that rivaled Berry’s own. “You can’t just joke about that kind of stuff. Look at you; can’t hold a stallion more than one night.”

“That was one time.”

“I still have the image in my head of walking in on you two. You seriously couldn't find anywhere better than the living room couch. I was disinfecting that thing for days.”

“I was drunk, and it’s your fault for having those strict 9:00 curfews.”

“Oh, so now It’s my fault?”

“What if it is?”

The pair shared wicked stares between them, neither seeming to back down. That was until Berry burst out laughing madly, kicking the table in mad fits. Colgate couldn't help but giggle at her erratic behavior.

“Look at us, we’re like an old married couple.”

Colgate shrugged her shoulders, but still smiled warmly at Berry. “I guess so.”

“I’m sorry for what I said. You aren't so bad.”

“I’m sorry as well. I can be a bit of a stick in the mud. It’s nice to have you to liven things up.”

“That I'll drink to that.” She raised her glass and threw back the rest of her drink, letting out a large belch afterwards. Colgate gave a shrewd look.

“Must you?”

“Oh you. Fine, I’ll try and act more ladylike, but only for you.”

“Well, it’s a start. I might even be able to get you to brush those teeth of yours.”

“Oh please, it’s not your job to look after my teeth.”

“I’m your dentist. Speaking of which you have skipped the last three of our appointments I penciled in. Do I have to force you down at home?”

‘Fine! You don’t have to nag me about it. I’ll go to your stupid dentist thing. When is it?”

“Sunday.”

“Can’t, that’s mares night. You never even come to mares night anymore.”

“I never liked the filthy atmosphere. So anyway, I’ll place you in for Monday.”

“Oh come on!”

“None of that, this is for your own good.”

“What are you, my mother?”

“Sometimes, Berry, you really need one.”

“Psst. Colgate, who are those guys watching us?” Berry whispered in a hushed tone across the table. Indeed she wasn't lying. Across the café were two stallions in black suits looking at them over their shades and newspapers.

“That’s a bit odd. It’s probably nothing.”

“I dunno Colgate. Something about them gives me the creeps.”

“Well don’t just stare at them. You’re just as guilty as those two. Now can we finish up, I have chores to get to at home.”

“You did those this morning.”

“I have to do them twice to do it properly.”

Then something unexpected occurred. From their seats the two stallions in black stood up and tossed aside their newspapers. They bore naught but an expressionless mug as they totted up to the mares table. Their shades were thick enough so that their eyes couldn't be made out from under them. One of the stallions was much larger than the other, but looked a bit slow compared to his partner. Colgate seemed to shrink nervously under the table while Berry stood up to meet them.

“Excuse me but we are having a conversation here.”

“Is she necessary?” The larger stallion asked his partner. He gave a shake of his head, the larger stallion instantly lighting up his horn and tapping Berry on the head. The purple mare collapsed in a small heap on the ground. Colgate gave a brief gasp of shock as her head thudded against the dirt.

“Hey, you didn't have to do that.” Colgate instantly regretted speaking up, as the stallions in black turned to face her. The large one pulled her out from under the table and held her by the foreleg tightly. Colgate tried to struggle but was met with resounding resistance.

“What about this one? Is this the mare we were told to collect?”

“That’s the one. Let’s get her back to base ASAP. Use the bloody spell and let’s get moving already.”

The stallion’s horn glowed gain and he pressed it against Colgate’s forehead. She instantly began to feel her limbs give out from under her, her mind slowly drifting away as if she was on the verge of falling asleep. A black darkness crept around her and she saw no more.

A sudden flash of bright light stunned Colgate, blinking her eyes rapidly as she slowly drifted back into consciousness. As the glare faded in her eyes she could now fully make out the room around her. It was certainly not home, just a grey stone room with a table and a chair she was sitting on. To her left was a mirror on the wall, the others completely blank save the door. A door! Colgate tried to regain some control of her limbs but that spell had taken its toll. She tried to use her magic to open the door from her distance but it was locked. No way out. She leaned forward, trying to rest herself on the metal table. It was cold, offering little in comfort, but she was too tired to care.

Suddenly the door clicked as it was unlocked from the outside. It creaked open slowly, revealing the figure of a blue mare in a black uniform. It was a cut army personal outfit, the type you would expect secret agents to wear on top secret missions, not that Colgate knew anything about that sort of thing. She was carrying a number of files, bound by a single thread. She trotted into the center of the room, resting the files on the table as she looked carefully at Colgate. She put on her best smile as she spoke.

“Good morning Miss Minuette, you've had a long night. I’ll give you some time to regain your composure. I can wait.”

Colgate pulled herself up, trying to appear as stable as she could manage. “No no, I’m fine. Where exactly am I?”

“Hm, well I can’t tell you that unfortunately. All you need to know is that I work for the CSS. My name is General Dame; I’m in charge of Special Operations here. We brought you here to ask you a few questions.”

The CSS? What the… wait a second. What happened to Berry Punch? Was she okay? “What did you do to my friend? She was knocked out cold, I swear she was…”

“Don’t worry yourself Miss Minuette, she is perfectly fine. She is resting at home and has forgotten about this whole fiasco. No pony will question your whereabouts as we have already informed them that you are on holiday in Manehattan. Everything has been accounted for. Now, can we move on?”

She took a seat down opposite Colgate, trying to appear as warm and welcoming as possible. This was an interrogation room, it had to be. The walls, the mirror, the cop. She wanted something from her, it had to be.

“Now, I have a few questions concerning one particular individual you have apparently encountered. Do you mind?”

“What? I mean… who do you mean?”

“The Doctor.”

Episode 1 (Part 5)

“Are you certain of it?” The general turned to face Dame, his badges clinking as he pivoted on the spot.

“Yes, the mare knows very little in the way of information. She was only a filly at the time and recently sent him away, brave girl. Maybe we should wipe her memory and send her back home, there’s use left in her.”

“No, I want to see what else she may know. I doubt she’s given us the full truth.” The General ruffled his moustache with his lip. He strode back down the halls to the interrogation chambers, looking through the one way glass into the room. This Minuette was an odd one, constantly fidgeting with her hooves or dusting the room with her tail. Surely she was one scare away from the nut house.

“I want to speak to her, unlock the cell.”

“Is that wise, sir.”

“I did not ask for your opinion, Miss Dame. Open it.”

She let out a sigh of submission, activating her key card and opening the door for him. “Just try not to go too hard on her. She can be quite delicate.”

“We’ll see about that.”

The General strode into the room with an imposing force and shut the door behind him with a loud bang. Colgate instantly jumped up from her seat after not noticing him enter in the first place. The bulk stallion raised a hoof towards her and spoke in a calm tone.

“Just take a seat girl.”

Colgate did as she was told, nervously sitting back down on the metal chair without question. She had begun to pull slightly at her mane, strands falling loose in her hooves.

“I just wanted to ask some final questions. After that you can go home.”

“I-I’ve already told you everything. I don’t know anything else.”

“I’m not completely convinced yet. When I am satisfied that you have nothing more to say then you can go free. But for now I have to ask you these questions. You will answer each of them as truthfully as you can, no mistakes.”

“Okay.”

The General scratched his moustache for second before looking at the clipboard in his hooves. “Let’s see, question one. Yadda yadda…  here we are. So Miss Minuette, tell me about the Blue Box.”

Colgate looked at her wrist as if there was a watch or something to look at, anything to keep from looking directly at the stallion. “What more is there to say? It was small, blue… bigger on the inside.”

“Tell me more about it. What did it look like on the inside?”

“I-it was…  amazing. Unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. I could never forget that thing, not ever. The Doctor in the Tardis.”

“Can you tell us anything about it?”

“I guess so. It’s a time machine of sorts, a kind of door way through time. I don’t really know, he never explained it very well. Everything sort of flew over my head at the time. Although he does seem to have this odd-  No, never mind.”

The General perked up at this odd stall. “What?”

“I said never mind?”

“But what were you planning to say? What is so odd.”

“Well… I guess I could, but she’s a friend. I could never betray her trust like that, especially to a bunch of strange ponies I’ve never seen before.”

“I promise to involve your friend in this investigation, just tell us what you know and what it had to do with the Doctor.”

“O-okay. The Doctor did have this, I’m not too sure about it myself, strange connection with…  Derpy. I don’t know if that means anything.”

“Thank you Miss Minuette, that’s all we needed.” The General stood up and turned towards the exit, Colgate felt a sense of panic instantly hit her, rushing up towards the stallion.

“You said you wouldn’t get her involved. You said-“

I say a lot of things, but my priority is the success of this investigation. If your friend Derpy has any leads towards the Doctor then it is my duty as Leader to investigate. That’s the end of it.”

He slammed the door as he left, leaving the stricken Colgate alone once again and the guilt of what she had done now wracking her from the inside. “Oh Celestia, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Derpy hummed happily away as she fluttered between the lounge and the kitchen, the smell of backing filling the home with a pleasant aroma as she worked. Sparkler rested happily on the couch reading some kind of magazine while Dinky played in her room. She sometimes worried her mother at just how disconnected she was becoming. Maybe she was just getting to that stage of growing up? Maybe it was just a phase. Derpy really had no clue, she hadn’t exactly gone through anything like that as a filly.

Her mind was pulled back into reality when the rather unpleasant smell of burning began to enter her nose. Her eyes shrunk to pin pricks as she rushed back to the oven, forcing it open and removing the backing tray. Damn, charcoal again. Oh well, maybe next time.

It was about now that she realised that maybe it would have been a good idea to wear oven mitts. She flung they tray in the air and let out a slight squeak in pain. The black crumbly remains of the muffins fell like a rain of ash, the tray hitting Derpy clean in the head before tumbling to the ground.

“Are you okay in their Derpy!” Sparkler called from the other room.

“Y-yes, I’m absolutely fine! And you can still call me mum if you want.”

“I’m good, thanks anyway.”

“Worth a try.”

She then made herself busy with the clean-up. Brushing aside the muffin remains she decided she would leave backing for another day to attempt. And anyway, Sugar Cube Corner did them better than she ever could. Damn, now I’m hungry!

But suddenly Derpy’s ears began to prick up, the hair on the back of her neck stood on edge. A rustling seemed to come from outside and the sound of hoof steps could be heard just behind the door. Dinky wandered out of her room with a rather confused look on her face.

“Mom, why is there a bunch of guys outside? I could see them from my window.”

“Dinky, just follow me.” She quickly glided into the lounge and nudged Sparkler to stand up. “That goes for you to miss. We have to get to my room now, there’s not much time to explain.”

“But Derpy, I wasn’t finished reading that.”

“You’ll have time later, just keep up with me.”

The two girls galloped into their mother’s room, Derpy shutting the door behind her. She knew her daughters wouldn’t know what was going on but she had to act fast. She quickly moved to her drawers, pulling out random items till she found what she was looking for. It was just a regular key hanging on a string, what help would that be?

“Girls, come close.” Derpy pulled her daughters into a tight embrace, sliding the key around all their necks. “Just stay still and keep quite. Don’t do anything until I tell you to, okay?”

She received a couple of worried nods from the two girls, holding them tighter and shutting her eyes. Hopefully this would work.

From the hall they could hear the sound of knocking on the door, but when no answer cam they resorted to smashing it down instead, the wood splintering as a mass of hooved flooded inside. They seemed to pour into the house. The windows were opened forcefully as more ponies seemed to enter the house. They had every corner of every room occupied, even their bedroom.

Derpy held her daughters tighter as the stallions in black looked around Derpy’s room, searching in random places where a pony sized figure could hide. Every time their gaze wandered onto Derpy clutching her fillies it simply wandered off as if they never even saw her. After a bit more searching they took what they needed and went to see how the others were doing with the search, leaving the room a complete mess.

Derpy whispered silently to the fillies still tight in her embrace. “Are you girls okay?” They both gave the same nervous nod, Dinky trying her best not to cry under the pressure. This must be terrifying for her.

Then the noises from outside seemed to stop altogether, doors were shut and blinds closed as they had made a dash for it. The world seemed to stop turning for a brief moment as they all tried to get their heads around what just happened. When Derpy was sure that they were gone she took the key off from around their necks but not relinquishing her embrace. The sound of soft sobbing filled the room as Dinky finally gave in, Sparkler choosing to simply hold her mother tighter.

“I’m sorry girls, I just don’t know what happened.”

Sparkler looked up into her cross-eyes, her own stained red. “Thanks for, you know… saving us.”

Derpy kissed her daughter lightly on the forehead before bringing her back into a hug. “I’ll always be there to protect you, both of you.”

Sparkler slowly let her eyes close as she rested her head against Derpy’s shoulder, Dinky still quietly letting her tears flow down her coat.

“I love you mom, I'm sorry.”

Derpy’s heart melted inside her, a tear falling from her own eyes. “You have nothing to apologize for. I love you too, my little Amy.”