The Pegasus Paradox

"So what was that thing you showed the guard earlier?" asked Dash.

"Psychic Paper-it shows someone whatever message or form of identification I want-makes it easy for getting in and out of high-security buildings like this one, quickly." The Doctor explained.

"Then why didn't you just tell them that you knew the Princess?" She challenged, cocking an eyebrow.

"Because it saves time!" he exclaimed. "It's like I didn't just finish explaining it you!"

Rainbow Dash looked back at the large doors to the entrance of the structure behind them with the two ponies who had been standing guard, once again resuming their posts.

"If time is really that valuable, then why are we just standing around here while they're inside talking?" she wondered aloud. "What could be so important?"

"I don't know." The Doctor admitted. "But, whatever it is...Celestia must think it's very important if she's willing to put something as risky as this on hold."

Dash then shuddered as she felt a cold chill run down her spine before wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm.

"Why's it so cold out?" she asked.

"Because it's night." he replied. "Isn't that typically what happens when the sun goes down-even on this world?"

"Well...yeah, but in the middle of summer?" she pressed.

"I don't know...aren't you supposed to be the weather pony?" he retorted.

"And that still doesn't explain all of the missing ponies...even when it's this late I was always told the city was very loud and busy, but instead..."

"It's like a ghost town." he finished as a realization dawned on him.

"What is it? What's wrong? You know what's going on?" she asked, once she saw the look of horror on his face.

"I have a few ideas..." he answered, composing himself. "And none of them good."

A distant sound came to their ears, galloping and it was getting louder by the second. The two guards also seemed to have hear it as they prepared their spears for a possible assault from the invader. The moon seemed to decide to come out from its cloud cover as it's light shone on some of the material the approaching figure was wearing.

"It looks kinda like armor..." Rainbow Dash commented, squinting in the distance.

"A returning patrol, maybe?" suggested The Doctor.

"All patrols have already checked in." grunted the Pegasus guard.

"Who goes there?" The Unicorn demanded.

The figure then came skidding to a halt.

"It's okay guys!" Shining Armor called out. "I just came to speak with the Princess."

"Prince Shining Armor!" Both guards exclaimed in unison before lowering their weapons and saluting him.

"It's okay guys...relax." he then noticed a certain Pegasus waiting outside.

"Rainbow Dash!" he exclaimed, trotting over to her. "How's Twily?"

"She's inside, speaking with Celestia."

It was at this point he noticed the stallion beside her with the image of an hourglass on his flank.

"Who's your friend?"

"I'm The Doctor." he introduced himself.

Shining Armor frowned.

"Doctor Who?"

"Just The Doctor." he replied, smiling cheerfully.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Shining Armor asked Rainbow Dash who began scratching the back of her mane with a hoof.

"Um, no...Actually about that..."

"SHINING ARMOR!"

They trio turned to see Twilight galloping towards them before throwing her arms around her brother, nearly tackling him to the ground.

"Ooph, Twily!" he managed to choke out.

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked, releasing him the bone-crushing hug.

"Well, every month we usually send a status report to Princess Celestia, but Cadance thinks I've been working to hard so she asked me...well, ordered me to deliver the message in person before seeing you." he explained, scratching the back of his mane nervously.

Before Twilight could respond The Doctor cut in.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we've got kind of an emergency on our hands-we'll walk and talk...Allons-y!" he exclaimed before galloping back towards the TARDIS.

"What!?" shouted Rainbow Dash, flying behind him.

"Its French-it means 'Let's Go!'" he shouted back.

"Then why didn't you just say that?" retorted the annoyed Pegasus.

The two siblings were behind them, Rainbow Dash wondered if Twilight neglected to use her wings because she forgot about them or if she wanted to stay at the same pace as her brother.

"So Cadance had to order you to leave the Crystal Empire!?" asked the shocked Alicorn.

"Yeah...but, not because I didn't want to see you!" he added defensively. "By leaving Cadance behind to look after the Empire herself I felt like I'd be..."

"Abandoning her and shirking your royal duties?" she offered.

"Yeah...despite what we thought as kids being royalty is no picnic, y'know?"

"Boy, do I..." she muttered.

"Whoa!" Shining Armor skidded to a halt before the TARDIS as The Doctor produced a silver key, which he once again used to unlock the door.

Reluctantly, he followed the trio into the small wooden box after seeing that they weren't all crammed inside.

Once inside the strange box, Shining Armor's confusion only grew as he looked around the impossibly large room which actually seemed to be part of a larger machine.

"What is this thing?"