I wander alone through Ponyville. All is quiet and asleep, and I hear nothing but the sound of my hooves upon the pavement below me. I close my eyes and inhale deeply through my nose. The air is deliciously refreshing in one's lungs after a hard battle. I take a break for a minute to take in the night sky. "Beautiful as always, Miss Luna" I say softly through a smile, as I gaze upon the jewelled black. I begin to walk again towards the humble Blue Box I call home. Not that far now, just a quick trot through these trees and then I can finally rest. I think to myself. Thank sweet Celestia I'm almost there!
The sound of my hooves clicking against the ground pick up pace as I am eager to return to the warmth of my home. Though it may be beautiful, it sure is a chilly night, and I can't help my teeth chattering every now and again. Come on, Doctor, you've almost made it. I encourage myself to trot a little faster as the wind begins to pick up... "Ouch!" I yell as my nose hits the ground. What was that? I think, annoyed and confused at my clumsy fall. I'm certain I didn't trip over my own hoof, I would have felt it. A shrub perhaps? No, I would have felt that too.. my thoughts are interrupted as a silhouette of a wobbly mare picks herself up off the ground in front of me. I must have been too busy rubbing my nose to realise she was there.. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Mr, I.. I didn't see you there, you see, it's a bit dark out, a..and I can't see very well an..and I'm truly sorry" she stammers. Poor thing, she sounds just as shocked and as cold as I am. My confused and angry thoughts turn into sympathy towards her. 'No, no I'm fine, it's okay" I say calmly as I let her help me up.
"No it isn't, you could have got hurt!" The mare replies stubbornly. I try to get a better look of her, which was a hard thing to do as the trees were blocking the moon's silver light. She seemed rather young, not a filly though, but a late teen, early twenty age range. "Isn't it a bit late for you to be wandering around?" I ask with raised eyebrows (not that she would have been able to see them anyway).The mare shuffles from hoof to hoof for a moment before quietly replying. "I..I'm a bit lost."
"Just a bit lost?"
"Well, I..erm" her voice trailed. I could see that she is just as cold as me. "Just tell me where you live, and I'll walk you home, okay?" I said as edged slowly towards her. "NO!" I flinched, taken aback by her sudden outburst. "No, I'm fine, really."
"Are you sure? It's not usual for young mares to be out alone this time of the night. Do you not have a place to stay?" I asked. At that moment the distinct howl of a timberwolf shook the trees around us. A small yelp came from the mysterious mare standing in front of me. I sighed. "I'm not very comfortable with you staying out here alone so late at night, follow me, I'll see if I can find you a place to rest your head."
"But I.."
"I wasn't offering." I said stubbornly as I turned around in the direction of the TARDIS. Another howl from behind echoed again which was followed by another yelp from the mare. I don't know why but I began to feel my mouth curve into a smile as I heard the quick potter patter of her hoofsteps behind me.
***
It had only been a few moments before we finally reached our destination at the top of the hill which towers over Ponyville. "Here we are." I said in a cheerful yet relieved tone. As we were no longer surrounded by thick foliage I was finally able to get a clearer look at my acquaintance's face under the moon's glow. "Huh? A blue box?" I chuckled at her confused expression. "Don't be too quick to judge" I replied whilst examining her face. Two eyes? Check. Ears? Check. Nose and a mouth? Check and check. Well she seems like an ordinary pony to me. "I just need to go over a few tests before allowing you in, Miss.. Uhh.." My voice trailed as I turned round for a name. "Ditzy Doo, though some of my friends call me Derpy. Why do you need to do some tests? I don't understand."
"All in good time." I replied at I reached for my Sonic Screwdriver. "Derpy.. That's a funny name? Why do they call you that?" The mare began to shuffle from hoof to hoof again. BBUUUUURRRRR The buzzing of my screwdriver startled Ditzy, "W-whah?" There was worry in her tone.
"Not to worry Miss Doo, you're safe to come in." I said cheerfully, "welcome to the TARDIS, mare's first" I pushed the door open and ushered her in. Ditzy didn't move. "What was that thing? And who are you, I'm not sure if it's safe for me to go inside that with you." Her tone was very serious. I didn't know what to say. There was a short pause before I replied, " Maybe you're right.." Ditzy's head cocked to one side, " But I promise you, I'm not a serial killer." I tried to give the friendliest smile I had, "And my name is The Doctor, that was my Sonic Screwdriver, and this old girl" I said whilst patting my ship, " is called the TARDIS." Ditzy stepped a little closer, "Doctor who?" She inquired. I smiled again, "Just The Doctor." The wind began to pick up again. The both of us were still shivering and yet another howl of the timberwolf cried, but it sounded nearer this time. Ditzy began to whimper again. I sighed. "Come on Miss Doo." I calmly said as I put a hoof round her and lead her into my home, and this time she followed me inside.
