*Chapter 3 ::: Music, Secrets, and Discoveries: The Doctor's Confession*
Octavia trotted through Ponyville, cloaked by a simple hood so she wouldn't be bombarded by fans who may have known who she was. She enjoyed the fresh air, despite the still-falling rain, as she trotted along, enjoying her vacation time from Canterlot. Her destination was one she heard of from somepony she knew back in said city. A place where she could check out some things on some Classical Music and what-not. She smiled and picked up her pace as her destination came into view: Ponyville Library.
"Dear me, I didn't think I was going to ever find it." she said to herself.
She approached quickly and knocked softly. She heard steps approach the door the and the Lavender Librarian stood before her with a troubled look on her face, but when she saw her visitor, she perked up and put a friendly smile on her face.
"Why hello there! Welcome to Ponyville Library!"
Octavia smiled.
"Well, I feel honored to be in your Prescence, Twilight Sparkle." she said with confidence.
Twilight frowned with confusion.
"Umm... Have we met?" she stepped aside to allow the Mare into the library.
"Oh Dear... Where are my Manners..." she giggled as she stepped inside. When Twilight closed the door, she followed her to the main part of the Library, and removed her cloak. "My name is Octavia. I'm one of the Cello players in the Canterlot Orchestra."
"Oh! I remember you!" Twilight smiled suddenly. "You played in the Ensemble at the Grand Galoping Gala Two years ago! Oh it's such an Honor!"
Octavia chuckled as she approached her.
"I was wondering if you had any books or records on Classical Compositions." she asked curiously. "Particularly by Ludwig Von Neightoven."
Twilight nearly hit the floor when her favorite Composer was mentioned.
"YOU LOVE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA!? LUDWIG VON NEIGHTOVEN IS MY FAVORITE COMPOSER!" She was practically running in place as she squealed in delight.
"I find Neightoven's work rather..." she started, "Inspirational. When I was a younger Filly myself actually, Neightoven's work was the reason I became a Cello Player. Eventually... It was also the reason I got my cutie mark as well." she said happily as she turned herself, lifting her cape to show Twiligt her Treble Cleft Cutie Mark.
Twilight giggled excitedly.
"You must have been so happy when you found your special talent."
"Indeed I was. Why... Even my best friend and Room Mate, Vinyl Scratch found some particular interest in it before she became-" she explained, but was interupted by a knock at the door.
"Oh sorry... I... I was expecting somepony..." Twilight said nervously, but somehow... Sadly... "If you don't mind waiting for a moment, the Classical Compositions are in the Music Section. If you're looking for Composers in particular, then they will be under the Biography Section."
Octavia smiled and nodded as Twilight left to answer the door. When she opened the door, she wasn't surprised, or relieved, to see the Doctor at her door step. He had very... Sad... Expression on his face. To which Twilight began to feel all too guilty for.
"He- hello Doctor..." Twilight greeted.
"Good evening, Miss Sparkle. I believe... It's time." he said sadly, but with a small hint of hope.
"Yes... I... I apologize once again for... Everything that happened... I really should have stayed out of things..."
"No no. Things have been like this before this life, Miss Sparkle. Believe me, I have been through worse." The Doctor explained.
"How... Much Worse...?"
The Doctor gave her a grim look.
"To the point to where I never saw anyone... Or in your terms... AnyPONY... Ever again..."
Twilight shivered at the thought. Just before she was ready to head out, she called to Spike, whom was busy with chores, that she was going out, and started for their Destination. Before they reached it however, she had just one more question for the Doctor.
"Umm... How... What is it- I mean... What... WAS it... Like?" She asked nervously.
"Hm? What was what like?" he asked back looking at her with a confused look.
"We- well... Before... Before 'The Change'...?"
The Doctor's eyes went wide with fear, but then then he narrowed them and looked down.
"Let's just say... As I had said before... I have been through worse..."
Shining Armor approached Princess Luna, an unusual Unicorn following nervously behind him as her head hangs low, feeling as if she had broken the law. This was not the case however.
Her coat was a strange Coal-Like Grey, her mane was a Neon Purple with a single White stripe straight down the middle, the same color combination mimiced her tail as well, said Tail and Mane were both like silk, no curls, and her Mane hung as low as her front legs almost, thus they were tied via Silver Metal Ring at the middle of her mane and Base of her tail. Her eyes, when she opened them to face Princess Luna, were as unique as she was herself by being a Fire-Like Yellow that gradually turned from the yellow, to orange, then to red, giving off the illusion of her eyes truly being like fire.
Again, she was scared more of being in trouble than being in the prescence of the Princess of the Night. When Princess Luna saw this however, she smiled softly.
"Please, young one. Thou not need be afraid of us." she said with a soft voice. "We are happy for thou to be in thy prescence. Is she the one thou speaketh of?"
Shining Armor nodded as he turned to her.
"Yes." he said with confidence. "She is of the Fire-Heart Tribe. Her eyes show proof of her lineage and her dual horns show of her inheretence of her ancestors."
The young Mare turned red and looked down. Her two horns that Shining spoke of clear as the night outside. Luna's eyes went wide as she saw the pattern of her horns and nodded.
"Then we must make haste! Follow us, Fair Mare!" she quickly got up from her throne and started for the door.
Shining nodded and motioned for the Mare to follow him and stay close. She nodded, but didn't say anything as she followed.
"You don't have to be afraid. I understand that your people are those who refuse to give trust before earning, but in the name of my own heretage..." he turned to her, giving her a warm smile. "I can guarantee that we only wish for the best. We need your people's help in this dark time soon to be."
She raised an eyebrow.
"An old enemy is coming. I'm not sure what they want, but something tells me that they aren't as weak as they were in the past."
"Who... Is this... Enemy?" She spoke with soft and shy voice, but with a hard Neighponese (Or Japanese) accent.
Shining was surprised to hear her speak, but all the while, sighed as he looked forward.
"Ever heard of the Changelings?"
The Mare's eyes went wide as she knew all too well of this enemy.
"The Changelings... They are attacking...?" she asked.
"More than that. According to the intel we've recieved... Their motives are unknown, but they're on the move." He explained as he turned to her. "I take it you know of them?"
She nodded. A dark frown crossed her face.
"They wiped... My clan to near extiction... Their cravings... For love..." She said. "Nopony knew who was who... Thus they drove them to insanity..."
Shining nodded understandingly. He turned back to their path and arrived at their destination.
"Here we are. The Princesses throne room."
Shining used his magic to open the door to find Princess Luna on one side of the room observing a stained window. Currently blank, but slowly taking shape as time moves on. The Mare and Shining approached her and bowed in her prescence.
"Here we are." Shining said.
The Princess turned to them and nodded.
"I apologize again for asking the two of you to come. But my sister..." She looked down to the floor. "Celestia has been... Ill..."
The Doctor and Twilight approached the small house of Derpy Hooves and Dinky Doo. The Doctor obviously nervous and Twilight feeling shame for what she had done.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
**Flashback**
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
"So... You've figured it out, my dear Mare." The Doctor chuckled as he looked up at Twilight as he came out of deep thought. "You have finally discovered who I really am."
Twilight nodded with a curious smile on her face as the thunder crashed outside. Derpy however, took this time to put her muffin down, and look up at him.
"What do you mean... Who you really are?"
The Doctor chuckled as he looked over at her. A warm smile on his face as if trying to say 'It's Alright'.
"My dear... Er... That is... My dear Friend... Derpy Hooves..." he started. "I am a Timelord from a former planet, millions- no... Possibly Trillions of miles away from your own! In a way... You could say I'm almost Human. Only... I have lived far much longer than I am supposed to."
He expected her to understand as Twilight began to become more fascinated with his information. However... Derpy's reaction wasn't what he expected at all.
"So then... All of that stuff you told me before..." she said, a quiver and slight strain in her voice. "All of it... Is it true then..? Are you... Going away? Leaving us?"
The Doctor's eyes shot open as he remembered something he had told her before: if one was to discover his secret, then he must leave everything behind, disappear, and erase any trace of him ever existing in the current time/space frame he currently resides in.
For some reason however... He knew he had to, but something inside was holding him back. He wanted to say yes, but he couldn't get the word to form.
"I... I'm not sure... At the moment. I feel..." he explained. "That I can truly trust all of you to preserve my existence in-"
"More Secrets!?" Derpy shot up, shocking both Twilight and the Doctor. For once in a long time, her eyes were straight, both on him, glaring. "Is that it!? Secrets this! Secrets that! Is that ALL YOU HAVE EVER LIVED WITH IN YOUR THOUSAND YEARS OF LIVING, TIME TURNER!?"
He didn't dare speak another word. When Derpy used the name of his other Alias he goes by according to other pony residents, he knew she was angry. Though this was rare, it was frightening... And sad... For the both of them.
"Oh Derpy..."
"Why..." she asked as tears began forming in the corners of her eyes. "Why is it... Everytime I think I might have finally found somepony... Somepony who might understand me..." she looked back up at him. Her tears didn't hesitate to flow. "They just... Up and leave me... Leave... Me alone... By myself... Not even giving me a chance...? What about Dinky...? That's all she ever wanted..." she sniffed. "She wants me to find somepony to stay with us... Together... As a Family..."
"Wha- Derpy...? What... What are you saying!?" He was confused as ever.
She sobbed as she looked him straight in the eyes.
"I love you..." the words were easy to say. Easy to express. But so hard to show. "I love you, Doctor..."
The Doctor and Twilight both gasped. At that point, Derpy quickly made her way upstairs and gathered Dinky, whom didn't protest, and the two of left without looking back. Twilight just realized what she had just done. The Doctor simply looked back down to his hooves.
"What... Have I done...?"
Twilight lifted her hoof, but withdrew. Knowing she couldn't fix this easily. Instead.. She did what she usually does.
"I'm so sorry..."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
**Present**
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Doctor, or Time Turner, sighed deeply as he raised a hoof to knock on the door, but Twilight stopped him with her own, shaking her head, and insisted that she did so. He reluctantly agreed and stepped back. Twilight then stepped forward and knocked on the door. They both stood for a moment before they heard hoof steps approached and the door opened. Derpy stood before Twilight. She looked horrible. Her mane was a mess, her eyes weren't walled, they were blood shot as if she hadn't had a good night's sleep in days, and she looked depressed.
"Oh... Twilight..."
"Hello Derpy... Umm..." she look at the Doctor and sighed. "I need to apologize... Time Turner... Er... The Doctor... Hadn't meant for his secret to come out the way it did... It's all my fault..."
Derpy frowned when she saw the Doctor step forward. She huffed and stepped back to let them inside.
"You'll catch a cold... Come in and warm up..." clear sadness was in her voice.
The next hour or so was very quiet. Dinky was in bed at the late hour and the two mares and stallion didn't say anything. Derpy sat with her head down sadly, Twilight was fiddling with her hooves, and The Doctor was trying to decide what to say. The clock ticking however, drew him over the edge, and he lifted his head up.
"Miss Derpy! I have decided-" he started, Derpy raising her head suddenly. "I have decided... I'm not leaving."
Both Twilight and Derpy both jumped in surprise.
"WHAT!?"
The Doctor didn't blink as he got to his hooved and walked to her.
"I will not Leave." he took her hoof into his own and looked into her eyes. "I won't run anymore. At least... Not for now."
Derpy and Twilight looked at one another confused. The Doctor grunted, getting their attention as he continued.
"I am... Not entirely sure... Of how I feel for you... Miss Hooves..." he sounded sincere. But even so, his words still hurt very much for Derpy. "But I assure you, that I will remain-" he took her hooves into his own and looked into her eyes. "I will remain RIGHT HERE... With you."
Derpy sat there. Twilight sat there. The Doctor remained in his spot. The silence was broken by tiny hoof steps walking in, followed by a small yawn.
"Does that mean... You're gonna stay with Mommy and me...?"
They all looked over to the hallway to see a sleepy Dinky rubbing her eyes. Derpy quickly got up and trotted over to her daughter.
"Oh Muffin... I'm sorry. Were we too loud?" Derpy cooed as she nuzzled the young unicorn.
She walked her over to them all as she layed down next to her mother. The Doctor smiled as she closed her tired eyes and relaxed. Clearly tired, but not exactly asleep.
"Dear me... It's still so amazing to me that you brought such a Beautiful filly into this world." The Doctor said with clear sincerety.
"She was definetely unexpected..." Derpy said Truthfully, but then smiled warmly. "But totally worth it... Despite... The Painful memory..." she shuddered on her last words.
"She doesn't like talking about it. I suggest we change the subject from here..." Twilight said thoughtfully.
Though this was yet another secret that, this time, Derpy kept from the Doctor, she wasn't ready for this one to come out yet. Even so, they all sat in a comfortable silence. Everything they talked about from here on, was genuine. No lies were told. No secrets kept. Just genuine friendship.
()()()()()()()()()()()
Princess Celestia stirred restlessly in her sleep. Sweat trickled down her warm face. She had been sick for what seemed like weeks now. However, nothing was even known about what she may have contracted. Her breathing was slightly efforted as she breathed heavily, but didnt gasp. Her body hurt, but didnt ache.
She opened her weak eyes and tried to adjust to the dim light of the moon. She looked around and struggled to push herself up. Panting, she gave up and layed back down.
"Dear me... Is it really happening...?" she wondered. "Is... Is history going to... Repeat itself...?"
Her eyes wandered to a particular painting that hung upon her wall. Five Ponies, or at least... Five figures were in it. Celestia as a young, pink maned and tail filly; Luna as an even younger filly, maybe even practically a Baby; and Two older Alicorns clearly and easily determined to be their parents. The fifth figure however was pitch black. She sighed at that figure and sadly wondered to herself.
Where did things begin to fall apart...?, she thought. How did we become such mortal enemies?
A small chuckle was heard. Celestia gasped weakly as she looked around in panic. She saw a shadow.
"Who-!?"
"It's been awhile, Celestia. At least..." the shadow said. "Awhile since the wedding."
The figure stepped out of the shadows. Celestia frowned weakly at the Changeling Queen that now stood before her.
"Chrysalis..."
She grinned evily, but then oddly, her expression softened.
"Now now... Why the hostility, Celly?" she said almost casually. "Last I remember... We were the best of friends. Therefore..." She approached her cooly. "I have an interesting proposition for you that cannot refuse."
"And if I do?" Celestia said, her magic, despite being as weak as she is.
"Oh Please!" Chrysalis said coldly. "You owe me for saving your life 500 years ago!" Chrysalis realized she was nose to nose with Celestia and Celestia was suddenly terrified when she brought up the painful memory. Chrysalis cleared her throat and backed away. "I... Apologize... However, I... I have a request and... A situation."
Celestia now knew something was different about the Changeling Queen at the Moment.
"Please... Explain..."
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
The very next day was rough for Twilight Sparkle as she felt sluggish throughout the day. Her body simply refused to properly work. The night before had been too painful to bear, but for the sake of the Doctor and Derpy, she remained with them. She felt as though she was on the verge of finding something. Something that she shouldn't. And in the book she was reading...
"Wha- What!?"
...She was about to find out.
*On the Eve of the Tenth Year, the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony will assume their roles into the night and fall, only to cease to exist, plumeting Equestria into a Millenia of Darkness. Unless a Forged Double and the Spark of the Heir, the Elements of Harmony will cease Power.*
Twilight reread the same entry over and over again. Sweat trickled down her face. She felt like she was going to have a panic attack. The Elements of Harmony will Cease to exist along with their Bearers? Why? How? When is the eve of the Tenth year? Who is the Heir? What is the Forged Double?
All these questions and more was running through Twilight's mind. She felt like she needed to know more. But who or where could she go to? If this is true, then why hasn't the Princess told her this yet? More importantly...
"Does... Does the Princess already know..?" she wondered. "I... I have to know!"
She was about to write a letter when...
**knock knock!**
Twilight was caught off guard and her quill tapped the bottled of ink, knocking it to the floor, and getting all over her left front hoof. She didn't think about it and cleaned what she could off of her hoof and approached the door.
"Umm... Who... Who is it?"
Silence for a second drove her insane.
"It's uh... It's Minuette..." said a soft but friendly voice.
Twilight stepped away and opened the door for her. She, like her visit earlier in the week, was soaked to the bone due to the storm.
"Please, come in and warm up. I'll make you some tea and bring a towel to dry you off." Twilight said as she did so.
Once the Tea was made, Minuette was dried, and a few moments of silence was passed, Minuette took this oppurtunity to clear her throat. She also retrieved the letter from Princess Luna she recieved as well and showed it to her.
"You recognize the writing here, correct?" she asked with sudden urgency.
"Princess Luna?" she looked up at Minuette. "But why?"
"Do you know of any Foes that may want you... Well... Gone?" Minuette asked with much urgency.
"Not that... I can really think of..." Twilight thought hard. "Discord learned that our motives were only for the best... Nightmare Moon can't be it either because her power was shattered when we purified Princess Luna... King Sombra was destroyed when Spike and Cadance replaced the Crystal Heart... That only leaves Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen... But she was thrown to Celestia knows where. I... I'm not sure who else to think of..."
Minuette pondered. She could feel something out there stirring.
"Miss Twilight? Can you teach me some of your Magic?"
Twilight was taken aback. She just asked her to teach her magic!? But why would a talented Unicorn such as her need Twilight's knowledge!?
"I... I know what you're thinking... And..." she blushed and rubbed a hoof. "Well... My Magic is... Well... More unstable... I haven't learned the proper ways in learning to control it very well..." she looks ashamed as Twilight's expression softened. "I have these surges... My Magic is very powerful and It's why Princess Luna has asked me for this unusual task. But... If I can't even control my magic very well, then what's the point?"
Twilight saw tears begin to flow as Minuette lowered her head. The Lavender Unicorn moved close and placed a hoof on the Blue Unicorn's shoulder, making her look up to see Twilight smiling softly at her. Twilight thought maybe this could work out. If she could Teach Minuette everything she knew about Magic thus far, then maybe they could find a way to counter-act the possible prophecy of the Elements of Harmony holds.
Twilight nods.
"I'll teach you everything i know, Minuette." she said with confidence.
Minuette smiled big as she threw herself onto Twilight into a big hug. Her tears flowing now, but without regret.
"Th- Thank you so much..."
The two Mares then began immidiately. As they trained, Twilight noticed a change in herself. Something had awoken inside of her... It even showed in her Magical Aura... Something stronger... Courage and Determination. Her Aura had become a richer shade of her magenta. Even Minuette discovered a major change in her own Magical Aura. It had changed from the usual Silver to a rich Blue, and she felt she had more control over her Magic. From here, the Two mares met regularly for the Magic Lessons.
Twilight felt this new feeling of getting to teach a friend what she knew was a new Experience. Therefore, she felt a letter to the Princess was neccessary. This feeling here leads up to the moment now. A few days later, Twilight finished Teaching Minuette a new technique in controlling Teleportation. Minuette here utilized it, said her goodbye, and tested her new ability by Teleporting out. Twilight smiled softly and sighed. Spike came from the kitchen with a tray of Tea for the two of them and smiled when he saw Twilight in a new light.
"Wow! Twilight! You look great right now!" he said with a big smile.
"I feel great, Spike!" Twilight said with joy. "I have never once felt such joy to teach another Pony anything!"
"I can tell! You're just glowing with courage right now! You don't look stressed at all!"
"Spike? Take a letter. This calls for a letter on Friendship to the Princess."
With that, Spike ran to the desk and prepped a Quill and Scroll.
:::::::::::::::
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today, I am writing to you in a new light to tell you about a new friend I made over the last few days.
Her Name is Minuette, the Local Dentist here in Ponyville. She approached me a few days ago to tell me about the letter that you and Princess Luna had sent to her. During her visit however, she told me about her lack of control in her Magic.
Minuette is a special Pony who needed the right Guidence, which is why she asked me to teach her what I knew in magic. I accepted her offer and realized, that this is everything that I had ever wanted. It wasn't only me teaching her Magic, but SHE was teaching me much more in controlling my own emotions in being confident. It is with this, I had learned to open up to more oppurtunities, which makes it possible to make even more friends than I already have.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
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Spike rolled up the scroll, opened the nearby window, and blew his fire. Thus the letter was engulfed in flames and its ashes began its trek to the castle. Spike then turned to Twilight to see her sipping her Tea.
"So what are you going to do about that Prophecy?" he asked.
"I'm not sure yet, Spike. But despite the lesson I've learned today, I know one thing is for sure..." Twilight set her tea cup down as a frown crossed her face.
Spike noticed the Frown and tilted his head curiously.
"The Princess lied to us."
*** Next Time ***
Who would have thought that we'd get to live every Brony's Dream?
Who would have thought that something like this could actually happen?
But then...
Why is it happening in the first place?
What is going on in their world?
More importantly...
Why is this happening to me again..?
My name is...
Alex Barkhorn
Next Time = It Begins ::: The Pact
**IiIiIiIiIiI**
A/N ::: Ok ok! I Apologize for the huge wait. But recently, I had a huge issue and argument with an old rival of mine named "Writer's Block". But I did manage to finish this latest chapter.
Sorry if this one seems rushed, but I promise you! The Twists and Turn will begin in the next chapter! However, the next Chap won't be up for awhile as I will be taking some time off from this story to begin another one of my other Projects.
So, please, Read and Review.
