Professor Whooves Adventures

by Op7

A familiar scene plays out, a mysterious wanderer in a magic box. Stumbling into an unfamiliar world. Full of adventure, and an awful lot of running. The D-no...The Professor? Who in the world is that? A red Tardis? This feels off somehow. Who is this mad-mare in a box? And does she know The Doctor?

7. Episode 3 - Canterlot Sunset

994 ALB

A cloudy, yet warm day greeted the denizens of Canterlot. The kind of day with a relaxing breeze, where little of importance was destined to occur. The capital of Equestria abuzz with the typical activities. Exchanges between posh ponies, power players, and politicians. Diplomatic conversations, military meetings. All of it compounding to the point some plans, had to be changed.

"My apologies, my little pony." Princess Celestia, present ruler of Equestria said. "I'm afraid todays lessons must be postponed. I'll try and be done soon."

A purple filly, who had been waiting patiently replied. "Well...alright. C'mon Spike."

A pony wearing armor watched her go. "That's your student, then?"

"Yes." Princess Celestria said, adding. "I think she has a bright future ahead of her."

"Hopefully brighter than the last one." The stallion said cynically, gaining a glance from her. "Er, sorry your majesty. I spoke out of turn."

"Let's just focus. Have you finished your report Dotted Line?" Celestia asked.

"That I have." He replied, closing the door leading out.

The two entities continuing the conversation in private. The filly, presently unconcerned, picked up a baby dragon that had been laying nearby with her magic. The little thing smaller than she was. The unicorn venturing off with him, across the castle grounds.

These moments weren't the worst, in her opinion. However, she liked it much better when she wasn't alone. It did however often provide her a wonderful opportunity to get more studying done. She walked with an excitement in her step, imagining all the neat spells or cool things she could learn. Things she was positive the Princess would be impressed with.

Twilight ventured into one of the castle gardens, suddenly feeling the tiny dragon lift from her back. Humming in confusion, she noticed him being held just at her side with green magic. Her eyes widening, as she looked around.

"Boo." A voice said, causing her to jump.

"I-I saw you Sunset." Twilight lied.

"No you didn't." The cloaked unicorn before her replied, lowering the dragon. "But you totally should have. What did I say before Twi?"

"Pay attention." Twilight replied, using her magic to place the small dragon onto her back. "I was though." The filly pouted. "You just...snuck up on me."

"That's the idea brat." Sunset replied, glancing around. "So. You told anypony about me yet?"

"No." The filly replied. "You asked me not to."

"That's..." The mare almost frowned. "You're a good kid, you know that?" The filly smiled at the praise. "Do me a favor though, and don't make that promise to anyone else. Got it?"

"Okay?" Twilight then asked. "Why not?"

"Because... you never know if they're the bad guys." The mare said, getting a little gasp. "Yeah, I know. Spooky stuff. Anyways...were you able to find it?"

"Oh, yeah!" The filly replied. "It's in Princess Celestias room. It's really pretty...what's it do?"

"A lot of things." Sunset replied, asking. "Did you uh...look into it?" Twilight nodded. "Did you... see anything?"

Twilight hummed, and said. "Yeahup."

Sunset waited a moment, and snickered. "This is the part where you tell me what you saw, Twi."

"Oh. I saw a scary lady. She...kinda looked like me." Twilight admitted. "She looked... really strong." Sunset smiled a little. "But also really sad."

"Sounds about right. Just make sure you don't touch it." Sunset reached out, and tapped her nose. "Don't need you getting hurt, okay?"

"Is it dangerous?" Twilight asked in concern.

"Hey, did you ever find that book I asked about?" Sunset changed the topic.

"I did!" She levitated an old book from her saddle bag. "I found it in the spooky room, just like you said."

"Nice." Sunset replied, magically taking it. "Well, I appreciate it, honestly."

"It was really hard to find though." Twilight admitted. "There's a bunch of books in there, and I didn't know which one. So I looked through every book until I found it. Me and Spike looked all night."

"W-wait, like...all night?" The cloaked mare tucked it into her cloak. "Twi...don't...you didn't have to do that. Don't go sacrificing sleep, just to find some dusty old book."

"But it was for you." Twilight said cheerfully.

"Not even for me." Sunset replied, adding, quieter. "Especially not for me." She sighed. "Good to see you. You have a good day, k?"

With that the cloaked unicorn turned, and started off. As she walked, she suddenly felt the tingling light of magic, pausing, after she noticed she wasn't moving. Being ever so slightly levitated off the ground by purple magic.

Twilight seemed to strain. "Y-you said you'd...show me a spell."

Sunset glanced back, and laughed a little. "First...you aren't strong enough to levitate me proper." A green energy snapped away the purple one, causing the filly to stumble. "A stronger spellcaster can almost always overwrite your magic, regardless of spell. Or, one you think is stronger. Magic is tricky like that." She then added. "Also, you have to pay attention to your things, got it?"

Twilight noticed that Spike was floating in the air, still sound asleep. "S-spike." She took over, and levitated him down. "I...I forgot. Is he okay?"

"I mean, clearly. C'mon you little brat-" Sunset tussled her hair. "I'm not gonna let your...dragon friend splat." The cloaked mare smiled a little. "Now, I uh...well...I may have a minute or two left...what did you want me to teach you?"

"You remember, you made a buncha flowers grow on my birthday?" Twilight replied cheerfully. "Remember?"

"That spell?" Sunset asked, confused. "Why would you want to do that, it's useless?"

"Well...Princess Celestia really likes flowers." The filly said, causing the mare to flinch. "It's so I can grow a really pretty one for her."

"Oh." The green eyes fell, duller than before. "Twi...it...it won't matter." Twilight tilted her head. "You shouldn't bother getting her gifts. She doesn't...she won't accept it. She'll just...tell you to focus." Her tone got angrier. "Or abandon it, let it wither into something...something that..." She trailed some. "Just...focus on your studies, and...don't argue with her, alright?" She added. "You're a smart filly. You'll be fine."

She noticed Twilight looking at her with concern. "Are you...okay?"

"That's...a silly question. Of course I'm fine." Sunset replied, with mock confidence.

"But...you're crying." Twilight observed.

"It's nothing." Sunset wiped the tears away. "Just...pollen...or something."

The filly persisted. "You always look so sad...or scared before you leave." The mare took a step back. "Are you dealing with a bully?"

"Twilight-" Sunset tried to say.

"We could tell a teacher, or-" Twilight tried to say.

"Stop it!" Sunset ordered firmly, while turning. "You couldn't help me if you wanted to." Her horn glowed, green magic rapidly scrawling something into the ground beside her. "There, that's the spell to grow the stupid flowers...now, just...just forget you saw me, like everyone else did."

"Uhm...when I'm sad, or scared, I study something fun." Twilight said, getting a confused glance, before offering. "I have neat books we could study. Maybe the Princess could-" Sunset sighed tiredly, and vanished in a flash of green light. "help?"

The filly fidgeted a bit, while glancing around. She felt very conflicted, and wasn't really sure what to do. Glancing back, she could tell the Princess was still having her meeting. Leaving her to look over Spike, who was yawning some. She hugged him, and sat on the ground, her eyes moving to the spell etched in it.

With nothing else she could do, she began to study it closely, alongside her only company for the moment.

---

"Professor!" A distorted voice boomed with ire and fury.

The blue mare diving into the open door of the Tardis. Sliding a bit across the floor. Before turning, and waiting.

"Door." The Professor said, the creature getting nearer. "Door... door door door!"

A rising structure, a creature composed of individual shards of glass flowing like liquid erupted towards the door like an animated geyser. Nearly reaching, before it slammed shut. The Professor letting out a long sigh of relief, as it did so.

A sound filling the air within the Tardis. A song beginning to play, prompting The Professor to groan a bit, flopping back onto the floor. The song being Nomad. A song by some musician within this world

"Very funny." She spoke. "You just wanted to see me nervous didn't you?" A set of whooshes was heard. "Yes yes, laugh it up...honestly, how was I supposed to know a quick trip to refuel would turn into that?" She added. "Or that puddles made of living glass existed in this world? Or that they'd be so damn angry?" A little ting was heard. "Maybe...honestly if it was his fault I wouldn't be surprised. Or perhaps it's mine, and I don't know it yet." A sound like a hiss was heard. "Yes I remember the promise. But, I'm fine on my own. And besides, a 'companion' would have just complicated things anyways."

The Time Lady let out a long sigh, getting back to her feet. Taking a breath, she wandered over, and adjusted a few things on the console. Checking over the section presently housing the sonic. Something she had forgotten before that little jaunt, and wished badly she hadn't. Opening the slot, she took it out, and examined it. It appeared different. For starters, it wasn't a screwdriver.

"What in the world did you do to the sonic?" The Professor asked, receiving a chime. "It's...like a clip on earing?" A low whorble followed. "Well I know it'd be stealthier, it's just...hold on, you made the interior dimensionally transcendental?" She hummed. "Very clever. Though, I can't imagine the range is as good." There was a low chime. "Yes, yes, I know. Sorry. Learning process. Not knocking you, just, pondering." She then added. "Reminds me, I need gadgets. Things, trinkets." The Tardis hummed. "No, not like a...what is with you and friendship recently?" She noted. "I think this universe is a bad influence on you, honestly."

The device that had once been the Sonic, was now a clip of sorts. The Professor curious about its design, and function, carefully clipping it to her ear. She glanced it over in the dark screen. It wasn't the most notable thing, and wasn't the worst rendition of it she could think of.

"Sort of loses some of the fun of it, though, doesn't it?" She inquired, before hearing something click, smiling some. "I take it all back. You're utterly lovely, you know that right?" She kissed the console. "Simply beautiful. Best Tardis I've ever known, met, will meet, or could conceive of meeting."

A second panel opened, revealing the sonic screwdriver. It was a bit bulkier than before, with an end that opened like a claw. Each little prong seeming to act like little signal boosters. Something that made her smirk, while putting it into her pocket, before hearing a low bell sound.

"Yes, there was music there too." The Professor replied. "It's everywhere in this whole bloody universe. Worst, nobody seems to recognize it." A low chime was heard, a drawer opening. "That's where I put my gadget box. Marvelous...wait hang on, you said you hear it too?" She asked. "Well you could have said something sooner. I thought I was going mad for a minute." There was no response. "That's your queue to reassure me...rude." She tsk'd. "Okay...what was I doing before getting distracted?"

Thinking over whatever it was that she was forgetting, she dug around in her gadget box. Quickly letting out a pleased little laugh, while going through it. Grinning in amusement while pulling a few things out.

"Oi, look, it's the Electrical lightning simulator." She said, adding. "Goodness I need a better name for that. Hmm...Zappy hoovey thingy?" The Tardis made a disapproving crank. "You're right, that's rubbish. Ooh...no...nope, lost it. I'll figure it out later." She stowed it in her pocket. "Oh look, it's a Zygma Sensor. That would have been useful." The Tardis made a low whir. "Integrated?" She asked. "Into the clip?" There was an affirmative noise. "You're utterly brilliant."

The Professor adjusted her jacket. A long white thing, made of cheaper materials that she'd upgraded slightly. Her jovial mood slipped for a moment, as she adjusted the sleeves. The moment fading, as she worked to shake it off.

"That's right!" She hurried over, and began getting things going. "We were going to the library." The Tardis whooshed. "Presuming you let me this time. Honestly, I don't get what the problem is. It's just a quick jaunt to do a little light reading. Nothing more, nothing less."

The Professor set things in motion, the loud and repeated whirring filling the air. Making her smile some at the same time. It seemed this time, at last, she was finally getting to go.

"Alright. Equestrian Capital. Total unknown." The Professor said, feeling a bit excited. "Are you as excited as I am?" She heard a couple clicks. "Well, I'm bringing something back for you, naturally. You think I'd come back empty handed." A click. "Har, har, right, because hooves. Yes...empty hooved?"

She scoffed, and snickered at the fitting word within this reality. Hearing the Tardis land she trotted over to the door. The doors opening to let her out, into an unknown location, that was familiar in quite a variety of ways. Namely, in that it was a library.

The Professor stepped out of the Red Police Pox, and took a look around the new environment. It was a fairly extensive structure, based on first observations. The Tardis having settled itself at the end of a row of books, with long, full shelves on either side. She hummed a moment, and sniffed the air, stepping over to a bookshelf, she licked it, and smacked a few time, tasting it.

"Well the bookshelves aren't anomalous. That's marvelous." The Professor pondered, while doing a quick scan with the sonic. "And-" The Tardis made a whoosh. "Huh...right, yes." She tapped the earring. "See nothing of importance...er, well, hang on." She squinted, and started to look around the air, tapping the clip. "Hmm...there's Zygma particles...an alteration...deviation? Something that doesn't belong. That changed, maybe?" She pondered this. "Well not my job to handle these things anymore." She reasoned, looking over all the books. "Besides...I just know these are going to be gold."

With an amused little laugh, she set about her research. Picking up various books, flipping through them at rather insane speeds. Laughing softly now and then, before moving to the next. Ignoring the oddity as best she could.

"Heh...Neighpolian." She put a book back. "That is...still utterly incredible."

"Uhm...excuse me..ma'am?" A voice said, gaining attention from her. "How did...can I help you?" A nervous looking stallion asked. "How did you get in here...and is that...what is that red box?"

The Professor took stock of a rather thin looking stallion, very unimposing and bookish. He had a pair of heavy spectacles on his face, and a bow tie. Looking a bit concerned at her presence.

"Ahh, I take it you're the local librarian?" The Professor asked.

"Yes, yes I am. Who-" The stallion began, as she approached and held something up to him. "oh, oh my. A Royal Inspector? Goodness, nopony told me you were coming today."

"Surprise inspection wouldn't be much of an inspection if you knew it was going to happen, right?" The Professor asked, stowing the paper, pleased that it worked.

"O-of course. Anything for the Princess's finest." The stallion said, adding. "Is there anyway I could be of assistance?"

"Actually yes." She replied, nodding. "It's come to the majesties attention that there has been...a set of hooligans going about, defacing historical texts." She explained. "I've been sent to make sure everything is in order, and that you are both aware and on guard for this, and to ensure it hasn't already transpired."

"S-someone defacing history books?" The stallion sounded appalled. "I-I've not heard of such a thing."

"I'm afraid so." The Professor then asked. "Could you please gather me, all the important historical texts. Anything relating to the history of Equ-" She stifled a laugh, and composed herself. "our fine country?"

"Yes. At once. Y-you can count on me." The bookish stallion saluted, before hurrying off.

Once he had gone, The Professor took a moment to lock the Tardis. Hearing a loud hum from it, she rolled her eyes. She had imagined there was some complication within this time period and location. Especially given how resistant The Tardis had been up to now. Though, she'd honestly expected 'someone else' to have dealt with it.

"I know, I know. Don't laugh at the names." She sighed. "I'm trying, I promise. I'll...keep my composure." She heard a low whine. "What's that supposed to mean?" The mare sighed. "It's not my job to fix...whatever's going on. This is not an adventure, and clearly the last one didn't work out all that well." She shrugged, and tapped the clip on her ear. "Just, light reading. I'm not investigating the anomaly. I'm not scanning the area, noting the abnormal level of Zygma particles suggesting some sort of broader issue having occurred. And I'm definitely not aware that it is the second time something like this happened." She then added. "Besides, it's pointless. Wouldn't matter anyways. Whatever it's effected is as good as stuck that way, given the change has already set itself, and I'm already present in the aftermath. Meaning I can't prevent it from having happened."

Taking out her sonic, she began to scan the books and the shelves. Her expression turning curious, and hesitant. Biting her lower lip, she contemplated for a moment, before hearing a curious click from The Tardis.

"As I said. Can't change what's been changed. Most we could do is patch up the wound, make sure it doesn't bleed further." She seemed to consider it, hearing a low tone from the Tardis. "Welll, yeah...just in case. Can you go ahead and see what you can do to patch it?" She requested. "Just because it's not my job to fix this, doesn't mean we can't stitch the bloody wound. Make sure nothing else changes. Now, I'll be right back, alright?" She adjusted her jacket. "I have to go on a little adv-er, reading. Just reading."

Venturing down the isle, she came to the end, to the large roundabout walkway. A large gap in the center of the building, permitting both a view up to the third floor, and down to the first below. She noticed that there were surprisingly few peoples wandering around, prompting her to wonder if such a large structure was usually this barren. She took a moment there, leaning on the railing, listening.

"All across the galaxy it never stops, except for here. I must give you credit, dear library." The Professor smiled some. "No ambiance, no music. You really take the quiet thing seriously." She added. "The songs of the ponies are even muted...very respectable. I'll have to leave you a good rating."

The Professor enjoyed the near silence of the place. It wasn't absolute, after all, the denizens still made music. At least one of which sounded like someone playing a cello very, very poorly. She ignored that however, having spotted the bookish stallion on the first floor, she started off. Along the way she'd pick up random books, and read them. Absorbing little passive bits of information, before putting them back.

Coming to the staircase down she started the process, moving far slower than she might normally do. Given that, while going up stairs was 'easy enough' going down was still a bit tricky for her present form. Once she'd gotten downstairs, she found the bookish stallion having gathered a wide selection of books on the main counter.

She was heading over when she heard a different sort of music. Pausing her steps, catching the faintness of it all, she brushed her hair back some. With that, she continued over to the counter area.

"You move quickly." The Professor indicated.

"Yes ma'am." He nodded. "I've never failed an inspection once, you know." Wearing a proud smile. "I pride myself on taking care of the library. I've sworn to it."

"Good man." She replied. "Guarding knowledge is one of the most important keystones of a great civilization."

"A...good man, miss?" He asked.

"It's...a phrase sometimes used in other cultures in place of-" She thought for a moment. "stallion, or, perhaps colt...a reference to ones more masculine aspects." She then squinted. "Which, speaking of. You are male, yes?" She added. "I don't enjoy presuming."

"I am indeed miss." He replied, adding. "That's quite forward thinking of you."

"Not a common thing here?" She inquired.

"It's not uncommon. Just, I've met a few who...well, I don't like to speak ill of others." He added. "My mum used to say, if you've got nothing nice to say. Augha not say it."

"Honestly, I'm terrible at that. Sometimes people need a good verbal kick." The Professor picked up a book, and began flipping through it. "Though, sometimes I have a terrible tendency to tell people what I think about them at inopportune moments. At least, I did. I suppose, I'm not quite sure if that's something I do anymore, mind you." She flipped through another. "I'll have to work on that."

He observed her, and noted. "Goodness, you're flipping through those quickly."

"Ah, well, as a Royal Inspector I'm quite versed in quick glimpsing." She responded, beginning to hum along to a song, while going through another. "Out of curiosity where is everyone?"

He replied. "Everyone miss?"

"Everpony. However you wish to say it." The Professor looked around. "Place this big. In a capital city. I'd presume it'd be much busier than this."

"It usually is. Recently we had some fights between a few visitors." The Librarian explained. "Sets a bit of a bad reputation."

"What were they fighting about?" She asked, flipping through another.

"I'm not entirely certain, sorry. Just arguing and fighting." He noted. "You know how folks get sometimes."

"Hmm. Very fair. So, tell me. How old is this place?" The Professor flipped through another.

"Am I being checked for historical knowledge?" He asked.

She gave a nod. "If you're going to be working the job, we have to make sure you're up to snuff. Her majesty can't have an unknowledgeable pony working such a prestigious location."

"Of course, I understand." He thought for a moment. "Well, the library was actually one of the first structures built in Canterlot." The Professor freezing, and quickly stifling a laugh. "It was originally much smaller. A tower of sorts. With new layers adding to it, and expanding it over time." He then added. "I've heard it used to act as an escape tunnel, linked to the castle itself, when it was first built."

"Fascinating. Well done." The Professor then paused, and hummed.

He noticed her pause, and glanced over the pile. "Is...something wrong miss?"

"This book. It's part of a series." She noted, glancing at the name. "History of Diabolicals, Volume three. And that's volume one." She pointed to another. "But I don't see volume two here."

"It isn't?" The stallion looked them all over, and laughed nervously. "Just a moment. I'll see if I can find it. Or see if somepony checked it out."

"Thank you." She nodded. "Best we ensure it didn't fall victim to defacing."

With that, he quickly departed, and The Professor was left alone to analyze the pile of books. One after another, sometimes struggling not to laugh at the various puns. At one point letting a little laugh escape, while trying her best to maintain a serious expression. Her humming growing more in sync, a song drawing near, something distinct. While setting down a book, she noticed someone approaching.

"Excuse me-" A cloaked mare gestured. "Could...you pass me that copy of the Records of Dawn?"

The Professor looked over this newcomer. A mare who had a yellow coat, bay, skin, whatever the term. As well as red and orange hair, most of which was tucked within the confines of a dark hood and cloak. A unicorn, with surprisingly clear emerald eyes. And the source of that song.

The unicorn tilted her head. "Hello?"

"Oh my, you are absolutely gorgeous." The Professor remarked, catching her off guard. "I mean, look at you, you marvelous unicorn. I thought some of the ones in Manehattan were impressive, but wow. That mane, those colors. And, eyes like emeralds, beautiful. No wonder you're like a symphony. Absolutely marvelous."

The unicorn got redder in the face with each remark. "E-excuse me?"

"E-er, right, I'm sorry." The Professor laughed nervously, clearing her throat. "That must have sounded very rude. I...apologies, here."

The Professor offered her the book, which the unicorn took. "Well...uhm...thank you."

As she started off, The Professor asked. "Out of curiosity. Would you like the second edition, as well?"

"Huh?" The unicorn asked. "Second edition?" She admitted. "I wasn't aware there was one."

"Oh yes. It mostly expands upon the original. Clears up misconceptions, provides more factual accounts. I found it a moment earlier on my way over here." She pointed. "On that shelf, middle left, third row. It was placed beside a book about therapeutic magical practices involving scented candles."

The cloaked mare snickered. "Kind of an odd place for it."

"I don't know about that. I like to imagine if I had magic, it'd probably help to have a clear head while doing it." The Professor replied, briefly flipping through a book before setting it aside. "Then again, I don't know what it feels like. I'd ask somebody, well, you, but considering my...me, I'm sure that'd be rude."

"Some would probably take it that way, yeeah." The unicorn commented. "But, a few would go easy on you, given you're not local." The Professor raised a brow. "You use the term 'somebody' rather than somepony. Which is the major giveaway. You uhm..." She glanced to the side. "also clearly aren't familiar with local customs, especially regarding...'social conversation' or you probably wouldn't have 'complimented' that...hard."

"What, oh earlier?" The Professor shook her head. "Honestly, still probably would have. Which is...still rude sounding isn't it?"

"It is a bit odd." The unicorn admitted. "Namely as most tend to have a little bit more tact when flirting."

"Flirting?" The Professor blushed some, laughing nervously. "I honestly hadn't considered that it might be perceived like that. I really wasn't...I was just trying to..." She trailed. "I'm just gonna say a final apology before I dig myself into a hole here. so, sorry."

"And as if it were a final nail in the coffin of evience, there's that." The unicorn gestured. "I can't remember the last time someone who lived in Canterlot actively apologized when they did something a bit amiss. Unless the Princess was around."

"Where would you say I'm from, given all these things?" The Professor wondered.

"Hmm, well, based on everything you're probably from someplace that doesn't have as many ponies. Gryphonia maybe?" The unicorn guessed.

"I've never actually gone there yet, but I'll make a note to visit it now. Per that, I'm from far further away, I'm afraid." The Professor replied, flipping through another book, before placing it to the side. "Nice observational skills regardless. Compiled a bit of evidence, then made a fairly clever guess based on the experiences and knowledge available to you. Well done."

"Well, I try. So where are y-" The unicorn watched her flip through another, and asked. "what are you doing?"

"Reading." The Professor replied.

"What, the page numbers?" The pony scoffed.

"No, the books." The Professor picked one up. "Like, for example, this one. It's-" She looked over the side. "the abridged history of Star Swirl the Bearded...whoever that is."

"You don't know who Starswirl the Bearded is?" The unicorn asked, full of doubt. "Seriously?"

"Never heard of him. But based on your tone, he's someone I'll have to try and meet one day." The Professor replied.

"Little hard to do that, I think." The unicorn snickered. "Sort of vanished off the face of the world."

"That just makes it more likely than you'd imagine." The Professor replied, earning a curious look. "But now, see-" She flipped through the book. "and read. Evidently he wasn't fond of green tea. Had quite a strong opinion on it, based on the fact there were five separate letters relating to his dislike." She pondered. "Perhaps I'll have to bring sweet tea. Peach, perhaps?"

"Wait, I get it now." The unicorn motioned, getting a glance from The Professor. "Ya know, I've seen this trick before." She commented. "You read ahead, so you could try and trick some girl into being impressed with you." She scoffed. "Nice try. I don't fall for cheap words and parlor tricks."

"Funny, I love parlor tricks. Always liven up a party. But-" The Professor smirked some. "That wasn't one of them."

"Sure, whatever you say." The unicorn replied with a huff, starting to turn.

"Well if you don't believe me, then pick a book." The Professor offered, stopping her. "Any book, any one at all. Entirely your choice, no suggestion from me." She added. "After all, it's utterly impossible I memorized all of them. Correct?"

There was a clarity to the song for a moment. The pull of something curious. The sound of a challenge, born from a confident gleam in the unicorns eyes.

"Any book?" The unicorn asked.

"Yes. Doesn't matter which." The Professor replied. "Pick one at random, have one in mind, honestly, it's your choice."

"And what do I get when I win?" The unicorn asked.

"Anything you want. Anything at all." The Professor replied.

"Anything?" The other mare asked.

"All of time and space, anything that was, anywhere that is. Yours." The Professor then pointed. "But if I win-"

"What, you want a date?" The unicorn scoffed.

"No. Something far more nefarious, and personal. Something you can't take back." The Professor replied, prompting a momentary nervousness from the unicorn. "A book recommendation."

"A...a what?" The unicorn asked in surprise.

The Professor smiled. "It's a big library. Like I said, can't possibly have read everything. But I bet you know some wonderful books."

"You're joking, right?" The unicorn asked, regaining a smile.

"Not in the least." The Professor replied.

"You're a mad-mare." The unicorn noted.

"I do my best." The Professor replied confidently.

The cloaked unicorn laughed, feeling utterly perplexed. Thinking for a moment, she retrieved a book from her cloak, held it aloft with green magic, and passed it to The Professor. It was a book titled 'History of Diabolicals - Volume Two.'

The mare noted. "I overheard you talking about it. Judging by your response, it's clear you haven't read it before." She tilted her head, smugly asking. "Scared?"

"A Marvelously clever decision." The Professor said. "Well done."

"Do you want to hear what I want now, or after?" The unicorn asked.

"I'll indulge you. What is it you want?" The Professor asked.

"Originally. I was going to take your bits, for being a jerk." The unicorn admitted, adding. "But, I don't think you're rude. Just weird."

"What's wrong with being weird?" The Professor asked. "Best people I've met are weird, strange, unusual. The outcasts, the unwanted, the unobserved. So much more interesting than the ones standing in the sun, basking in the attention."

"Like I said. So very weird." The unicorn said. "Tell you what. When I win, I'll ask for the same thing. A book recommendation. Fair?"

"No, not in the slightest." The Professor replied.

"Why's that?" The unicorn asked, watching the blue mare flip through the book. "Seriously?"

"And, done." The Professor said, closing it shut. "Go on then, I'm curious what you'll ask about."

The Unicorn magically lifted, and took the book back, stowing it in the cloak. Scanning the Professor over, clearly considering what to ask. Before seeming to decide.

"What does the book say on page 464?" The Unicorn asked.

"Doozy of a question. The page relates to Hydia Insight. A Dark Sorceress that existed on Equus before Equestria was founded. Evidently she was involved in a number of schemes, horrors, and various crimes. Murder, vandalism, abduction, the list goes on. Her most notable incident involved her, alongside two individuals 'Reeka and Draggle' which were apparently children she abducted to be her own." The Professor recalled. "They were together responsible for mass flooding, destruction, and a series of conflicts waged against Princess Celestia and her sister, evidently, one Princess Luna."

"I.." The unicorn hesitated. "what?"

"Though the page goes further, indicating that the trinity were ultimately defeated, and banished by Princess Celestia in a conflict known as the 'Battle of Flutter Valley' beneath what is modern day Cloudsdale." The Professor continued. "Which is just, admittedly, a wonderfully chosen name. Marvelous. Anywho, as indicated, on the page following this, she was defeated by Princess Celestia. She used a sort of binding spell to negate Hydias magic, and hold them in place, before following that up with a very powerful concussive energy spell. Literally blasting her off into the sky alongside her children." She then added. "How that constitutes banishing, escapes me. To me, it sounds more like a horrifying execution, but what do I know."

The emerald eyed mare stared in awe for a moment. Before shaking the sensation, refocusing herself. Clearly struggling with the concept.

"H-how did you do that?" The unicorns horn glowed, an energy tugging on The Professors hair. "You aren't a unicorn, so you don't have magic to process or read the information quickly. That should be impossible."

"Looking for a horn?" The Professor asked.

"Y-yes." The unicorn replied.

"That's a new one. Usually when people pull on my hair, it's for wildly different reasons." The Professor remarked.

The unicorn blushed at that, and stopped. "T-that's...what's on page 2?"

"Page 2 is blank, actually." The Professor replied. "Welll, almost. There is a signature at the bottom, affiliated with the individuals who once produced these books. Copywrite 940 ALB, signature 'Professional Distribution' which is...an incredibly basic name."

"P-page 38?" The unicorn asked.

The Professor heard a distant strike of a cord, like the saw was only just pressed against it

"Oh, fascinating choice. That page and the one prior detail an encounter between Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna, who is rarely touched upon after the second tome, when the two faced an 'entity of discord.'" The Professor recalled. "It doesn't give a name to this individual, but evidently there was a great deal of destruction and chaos brought about from the encounter. With surprisingly few casualties listed."

"How did you do that?" The unicorn asked, eyes glistening. "That's... that was amazing."

A sound drew across the cord, softly, but poorly.

"I'm glad you think so. Honestly, it's just an ability I've always had. Though, practice has made it more efficient." The Professor noted, adding. "But, where are my manners. I don't think I ever introduced myself. I'm The Valeyard, er- The Professor...Professor Valeyard."

"Do you not know which one?" The unicorn asked.

"I usually just go by The Professor." The Professor said, with a half smile.

"That's a touch peculiar." The unicorn visibly pondered. "Mind if I just call you Valeyard then, Professor?"

"Well...I suppose I don't mind. You can use either, honestly." 'Professor Valeyard' shrugged. "So...what do I have the pleasure of calling you?"

"Given I have to recommend a book, I might as well give my name to go with it." The Unicorn sighed, and said. "I'm Sunse-" She hesitated, a sound in the air. "I...I'm sorry. I forgot, I have work I need to do. I've wasted so much time...I should go."

The Professor heard that something, the symphony, altering. That sound, drawn across the bow, poorly played, loud, crudely intruding upon it. Prompting her to feel mild frustration, and curiosity.

"Surely you don't have to leave so abruptly?" The Professor asked. "I haven't even gotten your recommendation, Sunset."

"Miss Valeyard I-" Sunset looked nervous. "I suppose I do...owe that. You may try..." The sound became sharper, as the unicorn winced. "may try...I'm...sorry I wasted your time."

"Wasted it?" The Professor shook her head. "Honestly, this was one a few conversations I'd say haven't. I'm impressed at your memory retention, being able to recall those pages so well. Like you memorized them." She then stepped nearer. "I'm sure I could...help-" the unicorn scanning her. "if I...had a recommendation."

"You can't." Sunset replied quietly.

"Try me." The Professor replied.

"I tend to study...a bit much." Sunset admitted. "It's why I overthink...mostly it's just old textbooks."

"A student then?" The Professor asked, prompting the unicorn to flinch. "For what it's worth, I imagine you'll accomplish great things in your study. More than Celestia herself, perhaps."

"I'm...not a student anymore." Sunset replied. "Haven't been for..." She then winced. "I'm sorry, I really have to get going. It was...nice meeting you."

"Alright then." The Professor replied, as the cloaked mare started walking away. "Sunset-" She called out, causing the unicorn to pause. "I hope you have a marvelous day. Until we meet again."

Sunset glanced back at her for a moment, before heading off. Grabbing the other book, she had been informed of, before slipping out of the library. The Professor observing this, pondering. Listening as the music faded.

A voice spoke from behind. "I'm so sorry miss, I can't find it anywhere. You don't think-" He paused. "Hmm, who was that, somepony you know?"

"Tell me, my dear librarian, did you know everything in this world has a song?" The Professor asked, without looking. "Like an ambient track, a personal theme."

"U-uhm...pardon?" The librarian asked. "Like...like a song, song?"

"Yes. That's right." The Professor noted, adding. "You for example. It's barely audible, likely due to your profession, or respectable self-control. But it's blustery, windy, a little bit cheery." She added. "Except when you got anxious. Suddenly, suddenly...there was a crescendo, a spike of alarm, the pace quickened. And that little windy song became frantic, uncoordinated."

"O-oh...I've never heard of such a thing miss. It sounds incredible though." He admitted. "I imagine that'd be-"

"Extremely annoying. Like a million drunk idiots playing random instruments all at the same time, all of them out of tune, clashing, awful." She replied flatly. "Every single rock, tree, and individual, all occupying the same space, screaming. It's disgusting."

"Oh." He laughed nervously.

"Sometimes It makes me want to kill someone, it's so awful. For example, at present I'm developing something to block it out, so I don't hang myself from irritation." She said, with an eye twitch, before adding. "However...that's besides the point." She pointed. "That woman, mare, whatever...can you guess what hers sounded like?"

The librarian seemed to consider for a moment. "Well...maybe...something spooky. Or, like a haunted piano?" He added. "O-oh, or like the music that plays when somepony is keeping to themselves in a radio play?"

"It was like a grand symphony, the kind that can shake the foundations of a persons soul when performed properly." The Professor said, hesitating some. "It started simple. Grew, branched out, as the conversation went."

"That sounds nicer, miss." The Librarian hummed. "Right?"

"It was playing, rising, striving to reach some higher piece. Everything moving in motion, no chords out of place, even if some instruments were missing." The Professor said, the librarian smiling. "All while it burned slowly." She whispered, as he frowned. "Like a chorus of brilliance, a single moment prompting it to shatter. The keys busting, the strings snapping. The brass section becoming a boiling pool of metal. Everything out of tune. Like pain, and fear, and doubt." She added. "And then, there was the instigation, the moment, the second sound, like someone drawing far too sharp across the bow of a cello." She articulated, making a drawing motion like a cellist might. "In that instant, the moment it drew sharp, it all fell apart. Do you understand?"

The librarian looked overwhelmed, and confused. "I-I have no idea miss. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, I'm used to people not understanding. Regardless, I've rambled. I have to go." The Professor replied, while starting off.

"Go...go where?" He asked. "What do you have to do?"

"I'm going to go do something stupid. Very, very stupid, like I did last time." The Professor replied, checking her pockets, hearing the confused sound he made. "I'm going to go save her. Or try at least."

"From what?" The librarian asked in alarm. "S-should I alert the guards?"

"Nonsense. Nobody wearing a cloak in broad day is doing so because they trust the guards." The Professor responded. "Do me a favor-" She started to the door. "that red box. Make sure nobody touches it. It's a royal...'gateway' device. Very experimental, very secretive."

"You can count on me ma'am." He saluted.

"Good man." The Professor replied, while hurrying outside, the door slamming shut, before opening moments later. "What's your name?"

The librarian replied. "Page Turner ma'am."

"I'll laugh about that later." She gave a nod. "If she comes back before I do, tell her I want to help."

She slammed the door, while heading out properly. Out onto the streets of the capital city. Looking around for a moment, she closed her eyes and listened. Listened to every little tune. Like a thousand bands all attempting to play their own melodies. Focusing, she worked to snuff them out, one by one, focusing on the sound of severed cords.

Eyes opening the Professor turned and started running. Fast as she could, following, as it grew louder. Eventually coming to spot the cloaked unicorn, as she started down an alleyway. The music was growing sharper, more anxious.

"No, no, no, just-" The Professor came to the corner, the music stopping. "wait...what?" The alleyway was empty. "What?" She produced the sonic, and scanned around. "What!?"

---

Sunset reflected on the conversation while making her way through the city. It had been awhile since she'd actually talked to anypony. Since she'd been so reckless like that. Especially when she was so close.

Venturing along she thought back to Twilight. Her replacement, and the fillies desire to be 'friends' with her. Growling some at herself.

"I'm so stupid." She muttered.

All she had to do was keep distance, until she could confirm the location the mirror was at. It wasn't hard. Why was it so hard?

Turning into an alleyway, she looked around, confirming no-one was present. Closing her eyes, she focused. Her horn glowing green, then flickering with darkness. The energy making her knees shake, before she vanished in a shadowy font.

When they opened, there was around the edges of her eyes, fading quickly. She was someplace different, some place darker. The sunlight, and the sounds of the city all gone. The ticking of an old grandfather clock, and the low crackling of fire occupying the space. The latter providing the only lighting available. The room itself was expansive, with large towering windows, shut and sealed so completely no light would slip through.

"Welcome back, my star pupil." A feminine voice greeted her from the shadows.

"I've got the location of the mirror. And, I brought the books. Well...the ones I could get ahold of." She spoke, before muttering. "Before you summoned me back."

"You sound upset, Sunset." The voice replied. "You were taking far, far longer than you should have. What were you doing?"

"I was...just having trouble locating the books." Sunset laughed nervously. "Turns out there was a second edition of-" A sudden chill hit her, purple magic wrapping around her throat. "W-wait...I-"

She found her throat constricted, heard the sound of hooves stepping in the darkness, as she gasped and struggled for air. The books she'd attained torn from the slots within her cloak, shredding a makeshift saddlebag to nothing. Flowing over, they were set on the mantle of the fireplace. She could make out the purple eyes staring at her from the shadows, glowing alone there. Her vision beginning to blur, her movements slowing.

"What did I tell you about lying to me?" The voice hissed. "I gave you specific instructions not to talk to strangers. Not when we're so close." Sunsets feeble kicks grew stiller. "And then, after obtaining the location, you go and blather. I told you not to take such risks, didn't I?"

The dark magic tossed her down to the ground, releasing her throat. Sunset gasped for air, coughing some in the process. Her vision blurry and her body pained. The mare twitching, trying to get up.

"I...I was just...asking where-" Sunset tried to speak.

The purple magic rapidly surrounding her, sending her sliding across the floor at an alarming pace. She slammed against a desk, breaking the legs of it, causing a variety of books and papers to spill out around her. Leaving her laying beneath the crumbled mess, her eyes reflecting the dying embers of the fire, and the light within it.

"Sunset, oh Sunset. My poor misguided apprentice. Is this a situation like last time?" The hoofsteps drew nearer. "You remember... when you brought trouble to us, don't you?" The feminine voice laughed, as her eyes teared up. "Go on...say hi, to that little friend you made."

Sunset was dragged across the floor by the magic, leaving a faint trail of blood behind, being set down in front of the fireplace. Her eyes fixed on the kindling there. Pieces of lumber and charred bones, mixed together. Crushed bone bits, and a terrible mistake on her part.

"I-I'm sorry." Sunset replied. "I didn't...I didn't mean to-"

"I don't care!" The shadowed mare screamed in fury, the purple magic tightened, before it fizzled, and stopped. "Tsk...Sunset-" The steps got closer, the mare flinching, unable to move. "oh don't be scared, dear. I'm only trying to help you." The purple magic lifted her chin, letting the tears glisten in the firelight, alongside blood from her lip. "Tsk, your poor lip. Now, why did you have to go and provoke me like that?" She asked. "You know I'm just concerned for your safety."

"I-I know...I'm sorry." Sunset apologized again. "I'm sorry."

A piece of cloth floated over, and dabbed the blood from her lip. The former student looking away, shaking in the process. From the dark, a unicorn, much taller than she was became visible. A figure with purple, and black eyes. Who had a deep purple coat, and ghostly white mane. Wearing regal clothing, long left tattered.

"Listen, my faithful student. I know these horrid instincts are hard to overcome. But I have faith in you." The voice said calmly, in a mock maternal voice. "We all have moments of weakness, we all want to make friends, don't we?"

"Yes?" Sunset half-asked.

"Of course we do. I understand that. And I'm not mad, honestly." The shadowed mare said, magically mending the wounds. "I'm just worried, don't you understand?"

"M-maybe...they could...help us?" Sunset asked nervously. "Like...a minion?"

"There is it again. That 'instinct' rearing its ugly head." The shadowy unicorn sighed tiredly.

The air filled with ambiance, the grim serenade unheard by both drawing. Composing itself, building to something. The shadowed mare laughing softly, as she sang.

"Oh, why can't you be evil, like I taught you?
Why don't you just obey me, as you should?
You shy from all the spells that I've taught you,
You just aren't bad enough, for your own good."

Sunset found her hair brushed with magic, the shadows gagging her mouth.

"Why can't you be cruel like old Grogar?
He strangled victims magically until they burst,
He enslaved them, the weaker, and all fell ever bleaker,
He'd sometimes have their suffering rehearsed."

The shadows wove into her wounds, and began stitching. Sunset letting out a muffled sound of pain.

"Well magic is tragedy, and power,
Yet still you try and shirk the mold?
Be like Tirek he vexes, drained magic and hexes,
Those are the lessons of which, you were...told."

Sunset tried to manifest magic, to teleport, but was stopped by purple magic, and a wicked smile from the shadows.

"Try to be as evil as a changeling, Don't you forget about all the foals they steal,
They'd bite you and drain you, Cook you and strain you,
And treat 'everypony else' just like a meal."

The pained sounds continued, a sound like a bone cracking back into place audible.

"More than dark witches, wizards, and warlocks,
I'm the reason they invented doorlocks,
I've turned princes into frogs,
Devoured travelers with their dogs,
And you swore yourself as an apprentice of mine."

She had her head lifted with magic, her lip stitched shut with threads of darkness.

"Did you forget you were cast out by that 'Angel'?
That she left you with devils, dear, and I'm the worst,
She didn't trust you, or love you, it's all so plain to see,
After all, she never saved you, from me.

Oh afterall...she never saved you.
From me."

Sunsets eyes flooded with pain and darkness, leaving the faint emerald green, and tears. The music hitting a lull, her mouth uncovered for a moment. The darker unicorn smiling, approaching, whispering in her ear.

"Nopony else is concerned for your safety like I am." The dark unicorn whispered. "If they found you, they'd toss you in a cell, maybe execute you, or exile you." She said, whispers echoing the words in Sunsets mind. "Isn't that right?"

"She...wouldnt..." Sunset replied hesitantly.

"She already banished you. And think of what she did to her own little sister, and tell me you feel confident about that." The taller of the two spoke, the other growing silent. "Please, if not for yourself, then for me...don't go talking to anypony. Now that we know where the mirror is, we're so close to done." She added. "You're so close to the greatness you always wanted."

"I am?" Sunset asked, eyes a bit dull, the whispering everywhere in her head.

"Of course you are." The taller one, stepping into the light said. "All I want, is for you to succeed. After all."

Sunset gave a nod. "I won't...I won't fail you again Hydia."

"Good girl. Now...tell me everything." Hydia replied, with a wicked smile. "So we can get to work."

The flames in the fireplace growing dimmer.

---

There was a flash of green light, as Sunset manifest in the alleyway. Breathing hard, while straightening her cloak with shaking hooves. Immobile in the dark, trying to calm herself down. Looking up, and jumping some.

"Oh, well hello again." The Professor greeted.

"Y-you...what are you doing here?" Sunset asked in alarm, noticing something being tucked into the mares jacket.

"Simple. You looked distressed, and, well, I thought about it and wanted to make sure you were alright." The Professor told her, wearing a smile. "That thing you did there. Teleportation magic?"

"You need to go." Sunset ordered, her green magic grasping The Professor. "Get out...and...and just leave okay?"

"A telekinesis spell, incredible." The Professor observed, adding. "Bit of a strange sensation though. Has a taste to it, like artificial flavor-" She was pushed out of the alleyway. "alright, alright. I can take a hint you know."

Sunset glared. "How did...how did you even know I was here?" She squinted. "Were you stalking me?"

"Not stalking, following." The Professor corrected, adding. "You left in a bit of a panic. Looked afraid of something. Admittedly, I was worried something may have happened to you."

"Worried?" Sunset scoffed, adding. "Nopony is ever worried about me."

"Why do you say that?" The Professor asked Sunset. "Or, rather...who has been telling you that?"

The unicorn let out an annoyed breath. "Professor...you...you need to leave me alone." She added. "Nopony can help me. Just...forget we met, and...and leave Canterlot. Go somewhere else, okay?"

The Professors expression became a bit more serious. "Sunset-"

"You don't know me. I don't know you. So, you can drop it with the 'sympathy' crap." Sunset growled. "I don't want your help."

"You're shaking." The Professor noted calmly, the other mare thinking. "I know you don't know me. But I can help you. Just tell me what's wrong."

"You idiot...she'd just kill you too." Sunset muttered.

"She?" The Professor asked.

"I...I told you everything you needed to know." Sunset replied quietly. "Just...go away!"

With a strange sensation, The Professor was covered in light. Letting out a breath of surprise, she found herself displaced, to somewhere just above ground. She let out a sound of surprise, before hitting said ground. Huffing a bit, while looking around. She appeared to be somewhere, a lot of ponies talking, some gasping.

The Professor shook her head. "Sunset?" She called out, looking around. "Ugh, damnit. Again with the cryptic comments. Always with the cryptic comments." She noticed people looking around. "Haven't you ever seen someone get teleported before?" She motioned dismissively. "Get on with your business."

She got herself up, and found she was at what appeared to just outside the gate to the city. Thinking for a moment she jogged over to the guards who were present. Digging out, and flashing a piece of paper in a wallet.

"Royal inspector. Had a magical mishap, I need to get back in the city right now." She instructed.

The guard replied. "Of course ma'am. Does it require reinforcements, or-?"

"No. Yes...no, let me think." The Professor pondered. "Everything I need...I know everything I need." It clicked. "Of course, I'm such an idiot. The books, and- arrgh-you, yes, you-" She pointed to the stallion. "go to the-no, no, that's a bad idea. Don't raise a panic, dangerous to do that." She said, passing the guards. "Too many casualties."

"As you order?" He gave a salute. "W-what's going on?"

"I don't know. Evil...magic...magicy things...possibly temporal...on, definitely something. Of course it's connected, damnit Valeyard." She cursed herself while running.

Making her way up the steps into the city proper as quickly as she could. She moved past various citizens, confused for the most part. Some muttering among themselves. She glanced up, and saw some people flying around faster than she could run.

"Naturally. Couldn't get the magic, couldn't get the wings." The Professor remarked in annoyance, entering onto the main streets. "If everything has some form of magic, what is this thing supposed to have?" She shook it off and began looking around, spotting the library. "Out of my way, coming through."

She passed various individuals who were gathered. One of which gasped, and stepped back. That being a wall-eyed mare, with grey skin and golden hair. Looking perplexed at the movement, carrying a bag of muffins.

"Hmm?" The mare tilted her head. "Doctor?"

The Professor reached the library, and burst through the front doors. Panting while looking around, twin hearts beating as quickly as her mind was running. Jogging inside more, while looking around, trying to listen.

Page Turner gasped. "Y-you're back. Hey, that mare you were talking about-"

"Did she come back through here?" The Professor asked, heading over to him.

"She did." Page replied. "I gave her your message, but she didn't really listen. Said-"

"Where?" The Professor asked.

"Oh she went-" Page began.

"No. No...that's a fakeout." The Professor considered. "Textbooks. Where are your textbooks?" She inquired, adding. "Not the new ones. Old ones. Nothing modern, out of date, the kind that aren't used for general education anymore?"

"The old books, well, they're in a side-room on this floor actually. Back in the corner there's a section. You have to go down stairs but they're no-" Page began, watching as she started running off. "she went upstairs though?"

"Festina, Page!" The Professor yelled. "Hurry up."

Feeling terribly confused, Page Turner got up, and hurried along. Uncertain of why exactly he was being compelled to do so. Venturing back into the corner, where he saw the blue mare jump the short staircase, and continue into the room. He went down them at a brisk pace. He wasn't sure what the rush was, but it was making him feel nervous. Especially recalling what she said before.

The room she'd entered was fairly fall, but its walls were lined with bookshelves. Small gaps between each of them. The Professor prancing about anxiously looking over each one, as Page entered the room.

He noticed and said. "The textbooks are on that wall. It's to-"

"Cheers." The Professor replied rushing over, looking it all over, giving a knock on it. "Help me move this."

"Huh, the bookshelf?" He asked. "They aren't meant to move."

"Yes, well, it should. Avante, Allons'y, Festina, come on." She said, rushing him.

Each little thing prompting him to move quicker. "Alright, alright. I'm here, but it won't-" He got a glare from her. "Er, y-yes ma'am."

Once at the side, he gripped it, as she did the same. At first attempting to pull it forward, though this did nothing. He gave a shrug and a look, before she thought of something. Wedging herself between two of them, she used her hind legs to start pushing the bookshelf to the side. Page noticed it starting to move, and promptly assisted. The shelf moving just enough, to reveal a hidden passage, carved into the wall.

"Oh you marvelous unicorn. Sorry, not you...oh she was clever." The Professor turned to Page. "Everything she said. Literally told me everything. Who, where, not why though...I could have been here an hour ago." She paused, and registered that. "I stood around while who knows what was happening to her..."

Page observed her expression and asked. "So...where does it even go?"

"To the villain of the story. To the why." The Professor guessed, and started inside. "It's a hidden path to sneak into the Canterlot Castle. Undoubtedly for a method or attempt to kill the Princess. Page, it's been an honor, good luck."

"What?" He replied. "You're telling me there's a threat to the Princess. I-I can't just...stay?"

"Are you prepared to die for that conviction?" The Professor asked him.

Page looked hesitant, but gave a nod. "It's my duty...ma'am."

"Very well." The Professor beckoned. "Let's go then."

The duo proceeded down the tunnel, a thing dark, damp, and unlit. Thankfully, Page had that covered, the unicorn creating a glowing floating light. To mark the path for them to follow. It winded for a time, before coming to an old door of some kind. The Professor looking it over, analyzing the lock. Old metal, potentially breakable.

She produced her sonic, and adjusted it a few times, before the door clicked open. Pushing it in, they were greeted with large, and equally dark room. If not more so. There were windows, large like the kind one would find in a tower.

Page whispered. "D-do you feel that?" He stammered nervously. "This place...it reeks of dark magic." He added. "A-and the smell...Celestia forbid."

The Professor couldn't feel it, but she could hear it. It was like screaming, more literal than anywhere else. Like the echoes of suffering, and the phantoms of pain. She heard a song, faded, or fading. The cello like sound wasn't present, however. Eyes going to the only thing lit in this place. A dim fireplace, left with only the faintest of smolders.

"Find a candle, light it." The Professor stepping near the fireplace.

"Y-yes ma'am." Page replied, while looking around.

The Professor examined the fireplace. An immediate flashback to Sunnytown racing through her mind. Finding another corpse in another fireplace. This one, however, was broken down. The bones bearing breakage, before being charred. The victim beaten to death either while it was happening, or before.

"Why would someone burn a body?" The Professor muttered, hearing something flicker. "Found one?"

"Yes ma'am." Page replied, asking. "What's that in the fire?"

The Professor adjusted her sonic, and aimed it, causing the flames to rise massively. She doubted he could stomach it. Or the source of the coppery smell.

"Nothing recognizable. And something we don't have time to worry about." She stepped over to a window, eyes fixed in a glare, and pulled the covering. "It's dark, don't cha think?"

The light available was surprisingly little, with only slivers near the top of the massive window slipping in. The rest obscured by dirt, and debris. It seemed whatever they were in, was mostly underground. But that sliver of light helped illuminate the area, enough to inspire Page Turner to follow suit, using his magic to tear down the other curtains. Providing a proper view of this place.

It was a grand room, with two floors. One seeming to be merely for a bed, and balcony. With a view of the bottom, from the perch. That however, was mostly barren. The more fascinating, and concerning, was the floor they were on. Given that it was covered in bloodstains, torn papers and fabrics. With cracked tiles on the floor, and against some of the walls.

The Professor observing, a long streak of it, wetter, damper than the rest, leading to the fireplace. Her eyes shadowed, as she noticed a book, knocked on the ground. Something tucked in a corner spot, where a blanket and pillow lay. Stepping over to it, as Page was simply left gasping in horror.

He asked. "Is...is that blood?"

"It's a orchestra of perceived mistakes. Of pain, and misery, and fear." The Professor said quietly, flipping through the book, before tucking it into her pocket. "I know what she's after now. We have to keep moving."

"I...I think I'm...gonna be sick." Page admitted. "Did...did that mare...do all this?"

"No. This was done to her. And if you can't handle it then go back." The Professor said, finding the door forward on the second floor. "Most would in your position."

Page glanced over the fresh streak of blood across the floor. The Professor unlocking the door on the second floor, stepping inside. Page shook off the moment, and continued along, his heart pounding in his chest, anxiety in his eyes. Despite that, determined to see it through.

---

The castle was ill prepared for their arrival. The day too peaceful for its inhabitants to imagine darkness would grace its doorstep. A reality Sunset could, in some ways, relate to.

She had been sent ahead of her mistress, taking her first steps back into the castle proper. She was greeted with a wave of nostalgia, everything looking the way it had before. The tapestries, the murals, the smell of warm food in the air. Of cheerful beings going about their lives.

She walked, and started forward. Pondering to herself what life may have been like, it she hadn't failed? Her thoughts darkening. All of it felt so...trivial, compared to what she'd experienced. Compared to what she knew. Compared to the things she'd done, directly or not. Her ears twitched, hearing a sound.

"Excuse me?" A guard spoke, heading towards her. "Who are you, how did you get into the castle?"

"Oh that's right." Sunset laughed darkly, as the mare approached. "She made sure I'd be forgotten." She smiled sadly. "Couldn't help but abandon my memory too, could she?"

Her magic ignited, the green energy snatching the guardpony. A motion sending the mare flying down the hall, slamming into another there. Anger rising through her chest, as she turned, and began to jog off. Passing by a couple confused members of castle staff that had observed her actions. A few running towards the guards to check on them. A whisper of rage in her mind at the sight, failing to notice as something hit her, staggering her movements.

A butler swinging out a plate. Her eyes flashed with shadows, the dark grabbing the plate. Growling, she snatched it from him, and brought it colliding with his face. Knocking him hard to the ground as it shattered.

"You shouldn't have tried. You never stood a chance." She spat, continuing on.

A whistle blew loud from the area ahead, her irritation rising as the several guards who were present noticed her. A couple of them drawing up magic spells, a couple magic chains bursting from the ground, grasping at her. The ones without approaching, the whispers expanding.

"Just...run you idiots." She said, shaking her head, her own magic surging, shattering the bindings.

Sunsets emerald eyes glancing them over, taking in their shock, as she began to sprint. Diving towards the armed guards near her, she vanished, and appeared behind the group. The magic centering around her, bursting out in a chaotic eruption. Sending them crashing against the walls, or flying down the hall. Weapons clattering to the floor.

One of the remaining mages manifesting a magical sword, swinging it out at her. She snapped back, the blade nearly striking her head. Eyes widening, and then narrowing in response. Green grasped the mage, lifting him up, before slamming him down hard. Cracking the ground, causing the remaining one to let out a sound of fear. Her eyes turned to the remaining unicorn, as she let out a breath.

The magic grasping the now soundly battered mage bursting. Blasting the remaining one against a wall. Knocking her out.

"Well done, my student." Hydia remarked, seeming to walk out of her shadow. "That was quite an impressive display."

"Uhm...thank you." Sunset replied hesitantly.

"Oh, but what's this?" Hydia glanced over one, struggling to get up. "Tsk tsk, you should make sure the job is finished."

"We shouldn't waste time." Sunset replied.

"Perhaps." Hydia's horn lit up, her magic grasping the soldiers. "But it's best to be safe, correct?"

There was a snapping noise, their necks breaking. The bodies falling limply to the ground. Sunset letting out a breath, shaking some. Looking up to find Hydia staring down at her, with cold eyes.

"O-of course...I'm sorry." Sunset replied.

"That's alright." Hydia ran her dark magic across Sunsets neck. "But I expect you do to better next time." She released it, and continued along. "Now show me to her room. I'm curious, what it looks like in this age."

Sunset nodded, and continued jogging along. Hydia vanishing into the shadows as she went.

---

The path came to an end, The secret door opening. Revealing itself to be a grandfather clock, in the middle of a hallway. The Professor stepped out, and looked around. Hearing the sounds of panic, and crying. Of guards rallying, seeing the halls a bit damaged from some style of fight.

Page stepped out. "Oh wow...this is the-" He noticed. "what-whoa, h-hey!"

A group of guards quickly surrounded them. "Don't move!"

The Professor quickly took out the paper. "I'm the Professor. You need to move. No I don't have time to explain. The Princess is in danger." The guards were taken off guard, as she simply walked through them after. "Festina!"

With that she started to run down the hall. The guards briefly looking over Page turner, who laughed nervously, while stepping past them. He flashed his credentials as well, nodding, before running to follow along with the Professor. A couple of the guards shaking themselves out of the moment, starting to follow after them.

The pair came to a rather gruesome scene about halfway down the hall. Broken bodies, bleeding things left in the path. Page shuddering at the sight, but the Professor was undeterred. She kept moving past them, thinking back to the books she read, old layouts, guessed probably present ones. Tried to find the familiar sounds, but couldn't seem to.

Turning, she ventured down a hall, and came around the bend. The area was unscathed with a couple guards present. She also heard and saw someone walking.

"Explain the situation, quickly." The alicorn demanded of a guard.

"Y-yes Princess. We-" The guard noticed her look past him.

Princess Celestia raised a brow in confusion. "You...what are you-"

The Professor commented. "They aren't here...no...no why wouldn't-" A sound became audible behind the monarch. "Princess."

Celestia turned, manifesting her magic. Only to be greeted by a sobbing child, looking confused and scared. Hurrying up to hug the Princess.

"T-twilight?" Celestia asked in confusion.

The Professor said. "No...oh for the-" She turned, and started back down the hallway, which Page had just entered. "it was a trick. Inform the Princess of things. I have to go help."

Page asked." W-wait, trick, what?"

Princess Celestia called out. "Doctor!"

The Professor shook her head near the entrance. "Nope. Wrong guess. Better luck next time."

With that, she was off, moving as fast as this equine body could carry her.

---

Minutes before...

The path they'd taken led down winding halls, and to a short staircase. Sunset merely teleported to the top of the path, with a single short hallway laying between her and the room. She seemed surprised, greeted with a peculiar sight. Only a single guard, who looked upon her with alarm.

"H-halt...you're trespassing." She raised her spear. "You're not permitted in this part of the castle."

Hydia laughed, drawing herself from Sunsets shadow. The guard stepping back, confused and visibly scared of the sight. The dark unicorn almost savoring the expression.

"That's it?" Hydia asked. "One guard?" She asked. "Has she become so complacent?" Her tone lowered. "Has she forgotten everything I taught her?"

"I...guess?" Sunset replied hesitantl.

"Well?" Hydia asked, her student hesitating. "You know how this game works Sunset...either you kill them quickly~" She nearly sang, the guards eyes widening. "Or I'll make it slow. Your choice."

Sunset closed her eyes. "I'm sorry. You...shouldn't have been here."

There was a hiss of magic her eyes opening, dripping with dark magic, as it flashed out. The energy like a green and black needle, pushed forward, vanishing the instant it impacted. The guardpony staring, eyes fixed in horror, before she fell to fell to the ground. Little more than a corpse.

Sunset glanced away. Only to have her head pulled with purple magic to stare, to soak in the image. Hydia glaring at her attempt.

"Your hour of victory is at hand, Sunset Shimmer." Hydia whispered to her. "What's one, useless life, compared to all we will soon be?"

The magic faded, and she was released. Just one step left now, and it would all be over. Sunset kept this, and cast the doors open, with a burst of magic. To her surprise, she heard an audible cry of panic. Eyes widening with fear.

"Twilight?" Sunset asked, her eyes falling upon the filly, sitting in the middle an old ornate room. "What are you doing here!?"

Twilight stood nervously, in the center of the room. "I...I can't move. I cast a-a spell...and then-"

The walls and floors were lined with symbols. Most covered, or incorporated into the design. Hydia observing them, smiling darkly at their sight. There was a large mirror on the other side of the room.

Hydia laughed softly. "Oh...this is precious. A trap, designed to capture anyone who uses a spell in this room. One time lock." She then added. "Using that old spell twice in such a fashion...what an interesting safety method. Good girl Tia." She turned her focus on Twilight. "And you must be the new student?"

"She...she is..." Sunset replied hesitantly.

Twilight nervously said. "S-sunset...I-I can't get out...please?"

"Poor thing." Hydia shrugged. "Well, may as well kill two birds, with one stone."

Hearing this prompted an action. Sunset teleported forward. Her magic shattering a particular symbol, causing the binding to break, then snatching up Twilight, pushing her further away from Hydia. The mare moving to block their direct line of sight from one another.

"Twilight, focus on a place. Some place safe." She instructed, her magic quickly wrapping around her. "Okay?"

"O-okay." Twilight replied, hearing the panic in her voice.

The energy grew, before being snapped away. Sunset letting out a breath of fear, the look in her eyes reflecting in the filly. Seeming to realize the situation was dangerous, as the cloaked mare turned, facing Hydia. Her mentor approaching, wearing a curious, and dark expression.

Hydia remarked. "Breaking a spell like this is complicated." She glanced around it. "If you target the wrong symbol, or rune, you could alter the spells affect. Killing the person trapped inside, if you weren't careful." She smiled softly. "You'd have to know the exact one, to get them out alive." She then asked. "What's wrong Sunset, are you worried about your little informant?" She glared. "Tell me, Twilight Sparkle...do you like puppets?"

Sunset shivered, her magic creating a bubble around Twilight. "Hydia...don't. Be...be mad at me b-but-"

"I wasn't talking to you." Hydia replied coldly, magically pinning Sunset to the wall, while starting to drag the body in. "Do you like Sunset, little one?" She asked, wearing an off smile. "Do you think she's your friend?"

"She...she is." Twilight replied, nervously backing up.

"You're wrong." Hydia said in amusement. "She's a monster, child. A big bad wolf, that gobbles up those who get too close. The kind that show up in your bedtime stories. The kind your parents tell you not to trust." She noticed the filly gathering energy. "Oh...are you going to hit me?"

Twilight conjured a ball of energy, shooting it at Hydia, the surge a bit larger than the dark unicorn expected. Prompting her to divert magic, and deflect it. Raising a brow in curiosity.

Her curiosity however, was ended with an abrupt beam of green light. It collided with her, causing her to be knocked back, hissing in the pain. Skidding out of the room, her magic grasping the corpse, raising it to act as a barrier, the melted parts of her skin being rewoven by the shadows.

Twilight gasped in fear. "S-sunset...what do we do?"

Sunset glanced at her, on the ground beside her. "Once this stops...just...think of some place safe." She teared up. "Have you got it?" Twilight nodded, looking afraid, the beam stopped, the green light enveloping the filly. "I'm so sorry Twilight."

"Sunset!" The filly called out.

"Goodbye." Sunset replied.

With that the child vanished in a flash of green light. Before she could even breath, however, a purple light swept Sunset off her feet. Something manifesting above her, kicking her down to the floor. Hydia tossing the small amount that remained of the guard to the side, her eyes wild, a wicked grin on her face.

"The betrayal, I could understand." Hydia said quietly. "Taking all that power for yourself?" She laughed darkly. "I'd almost applaud it...but that...what you just did?" She hissed. "What exactly did you think that was going to accomplish?" Hydia asked her. "Ruining your opportunity at greatness, casting aside your destiny, EVERYTHING you could be, f-for what?" She demanded. "For your replacement? Tias new brat? Her next project to abandon, just like she did you?" She growled. "You think you saved her? You think there's anywhere in this whole wretched universe, she'll be safe from me?" She ground Sunset into the stone. "You're going to wish, you had let me wring her little neck. Because now, I'm going to make you watch her die. Slowly."

A voice said. "You know, so far I've met nobody here who properly reminds me of my universe. And then there's you." The two turned to the doorway, The Professor looking around. "It's like you're from a whole different world. Well, maybe just a different age, perhaps?"

Hydia scoffed, releasing Sunset. "Who are you?"

"Me?" The Time-Lady shrugged. "Honestly, I've been trying to figure that out for 147 years. Professor, Valeyard, an abandoned Doctor, temporal nomad. All I know is I look damn fine looking in a jacket."

"You've made a terrible mistake, miss Valeyard." Hydia remarked, in irritation.

"Now that that's sorted, who are you?" The Valeyard stepped closer. "I mean, wow. Just look at you. So much power, so much magic. And-" She motioned. "a regal form, that brilliant shade." Hydias magic fizzled, as she refocused. "And those eyes. Those are the most unique ones I've met. What is that there...all those shadows?"

"It's dark magic, my little pony." Hydia stepped nearer, her magic wrapping around The Valeyards neck. "Would you like to see it closer?"

"Actually yes." The Valeyard then held up a hoof. "Wait a minute. Before you kill me...that is what you're about to do, right?"

"That is the idea yes." Hydia replied.

"Wait, wait...I'm just trying to understand what the goal is here." The Valeyard explained, adding. "I mean...you." She pointed. "You went through a lot of trouble. So much. Didn't you?" She asked, smiling a little. "Because...you are old. Like, very old. Founding of Equestria old, and yet, here you are. And after all that time, you still look as fantastic as you ever did. How, what's the secret?" She asked. "Is it a skin routine?"

Hydia scoffed, and laughed a little. "Fausta forbid, you're a mad-mare. Or, perhaps, too afraid to be rational." She then noted. "I've kept myself alive with magic, of course."

"Like a curse?" The Valeyard asked, with a sly smile.

"I wouldn't call it a curse, when the results are as fine as they are." Hydia shrugged.

"So you spend years. All those years, lurking, plotting something." The Valeyard motioned to Sunset. "You even went and abducted Celestias former student, at her weakest moment. Brainwashed her, or tried. Why go through all that effort?" She asked. "What's the point?"

"Revenge. In a word." Hydia said flatly.

"Revenge. Awh, well, that's so simple." The Valeyard sighed some. "For what, how, why?"

"You know you aren't fooling me, right?" Hydia asked, glancing down the hall. "Trying to stall me, until Celestia comes?" She scoffed. "If she was coming, she'd have been here by now. No, she's likely checking previous points where harmful encounters have occurred. Ensuring important artifacts are secured."

"You sound like you know her." The Valeyard said, asking. "Would you mind if I scanned you, I have this-" She tried to take out her sonic, only to have it snatched away. "well that."

"You think I'd be foolish enough to let you use some magic wand on me?" Hydia scoffed, magically tossing the trinket. "I invented treachery, little mare." She noted. "You wanna know what I'm up to. Hear my reasoning?" She asked. "Even if I told you, help wouldn't arrive in time." She glanced to Sunset. "And she...well, let's be honest. She's a failed student for a reason."

"Then what've you got to lose?" The Valeyard asked calmly.

"I'm here for the Crystal Mirror." Hydia stated, gesturing to the mirror in the room. "I'm going to drain its magic into myself. Become all power."

Sunset commented. "I-I thought...we were-"

"You thought what I wanted to you think." Hydia hissed. "I know well enough at this point, you can't tell the children everything." She laughed darkly. "Do you know how much energy it takes to make something like this?"

"Welll, actually-" The Valeyard began. "about...maybe...let's say it's a setting. It'd be setting two. Like a button, one of those fun ones that can be pressed. That make the little bopping noise?"

Sunset raised a brow, getting a glance, and slight motion of the head from The Professor.

"No, my delusional mare. Once I drain it, I will be more powerful than Tia and Luna combines." Hydia remarked madly. "I'll be able to snuff out the light, to crack the moon. I'll have the power to make them both bow at my feet."

"All that hate. Easily a five out of five on the notches." The Valeyard scanned Hydia. "Why...what'd they do to you?"

"Who do you think taught those wretched sisters their magic?" Hydia asked in quite anger, as green energy grasped the sonic. "Me. I was their teacher. Their...what did you call yourself?" She scanned the mare. "Professor?" She growled. "I found those little brats running from the horrors in the dark. They were hungry, starving...with nothing in a world that would tear them apart." Her rage seemed to fade some. "So...I took them in. I taught them how to survive, and be strong in a cruel world." She glared again. "And do you know what they did, when they got everything from me?"

Sunset spoke. "They...abandoned you."

"They left me to rot, in a wasteland!" Hydia declared, eyes full of hurt, and rage. "I protected them from horrors that you can't imagine. I picked them up when they were bloodied, and broken. And they smeared my name in their history books. Pretended they never knew me." She declared. "Without me, they'd be dead. No Equestria. No happy little ponies, and their wretched, peaceful lives. Only the Wendigo, and suffering." She stated, adding. "I...thought they..."

The Valeyard said. "You thought they loved you. Because you loved them." She noted, prompting the dark unicorn to hesitate. "To them, you were a teacher, and they learned from you. They survived because of you, and went on to make a better world, because of that." She then added. "They didn't know how you felt, because you never said it. And because of that, their expectations were different." She shook her head. "But it would have changed little. They didn't abandon you, Hydia, they outgrew you. As all children do."

"They called me a monster." Hydia began. "Tia tried to kill me. Said I'd gone to far. That I'd hurt too many...and then fate gave me a second chance."

"And what have you done with it?" The Valeyard asked. "Hundreds of years lurking. A cursed existence spreading pain, and suffering. Doing the exact things, that lost your daughters in the first place. When you could have, should have tried to change. To show them how much they meant to you." The dark unicorn remained quiet, no anger left in her eyes. "If you still care for them, if any part of that exists in you now...then stop this. You can...right here, right now."

"It's too late for that." Hydia replied quietly. "I can't go back, Professor Valeyard. Not now. Not after everything I've done."

"You can't go back, but you can try to be different. Try to be better. You just have to do try." The Valeyard almost pleaded tiredly. "Because if you don't stop, if you don't make that choice...then I'll have to make it for you."

"You think you can stop me?" Hydia asked.

"I know I can. Two buttons, that's all I'd need." The Professor replied, earning a glance from Sunset. "But I believe everyone gets a second chance. Just one. Just one offer. And I've had someone take it, so I know you can do the same."

"I can't." Hydia replied quietly. "I...refuse."

"Fine." The Valeyard contemplated. "Honestly...after how badly you hurt her, there was part of me that hoped you'd say no."

She gave a nod, and tapped the clip on earing, a piercing sound beginning to fill the room from two points. Hydia let out a wail of pain and confusion. Sound wracking through her being, causing her to shake, and lash out. Her magic fizzling, unable to concentrate. Her body seeming to lock down, as she tried to move.

"What's...happening!?" Hydia panicked, crying in pain.

"Simple. Everything in the universe has a frequency." The Valeyard said. "Most things are stable, can't mess with them. But...curses. Ran into them a little while ago. Unstable, falling apart, held together by cheap adhesive. They're easy, if you have two sonic devices."

Hydia turned, finding Sunset holding up the sonic. The sound causing Hydias body to start eroding. Sections of it fading, washing away like sand.

"S-stop this!" Hydia ordered. "Obey me!"

Sunset watched as Hydia was fading rapidly. "No."

"You wretched failure!" Hydia tried to swing out at her, but fell, legs vanishing. "I will not...be forgotten again!"

Her final cry of fury echoed, before the entity known as Hydia was left faded to dust. The piercing sounds of the sonic devices coming to a stop. First the screwdriver, and then the clip.

The Valeyard tapping it repeatedly. "Ow ow ow...ugh, that's terribly loud. Bad for the ears." She huffed some. "Best to only use it in emergencies." Her focus fell on Sunset. "Are you alright?"

"Is she gone, Professor?" Sunset asked. "Like...actually gone?"

The Time-Lady waited a moment, watching the dust. "Yes. We destabilized her entire molecular structure. Exchange some things, removed a few others, and-" She gave a soft kick to the pile. "turned her to dust."

"What...kind of magic is this?" Sunset inquired, as it slipped from her hoof, clattering on the ground. "S-sorry..I didn't..."

"That's alright. You've lost a decent amount of blood, mostly operating off adrenaline." The Valeyard said, picking up the sonic, before lifting her up. "I'm going to help you, but, well, I hate to ask...given your condition, mind taking us back to the library, if you can?" She added. "I'd rather avoid us getting caught here."

As a response to that, The Valeyard and Sunset became draped in green magic. A sudden flash seeing the two vanish from the room. Leaving only dust, and blood behind.

---

Arriving in the library was no easy feat. And shortly upon manifesting, the injuries became strained. Sunsets consciousness failing.

When she awoke, it was in a room she wasn't familiar with, not that this fact registered immediately. After all, she was presently resting on one of the most oddly comfortable beds she'd experienced. The blankets were feathery, and the pillow soft yet firm. The temperature of the room was cool enough to beckon rest, while being warm enough that it wasn't oppressive.

This otherwise peaceful awakening brought to an end when she asked herself, internally, where she was. Struggling to find an answer, it forced her to open an eye and look around again. Beginning to take in the location. Her head pounding slightly, her brain evidently displeased at her awakening.

"Where?" Sunset sat upright. "Ugh...my head."

It was a pleasant little place, from what she could tell. Granted the dimensions were out of place for a normal home in Canterlot. Those often had peculiar little bends, or swoops. This was far more mundane, in that sense, like a box.

She searched her memory, beginning to piece together and recall various bits of what had transpired. She concluded that Professor Valeyard, as she dubbed the strange mare, must have taken her home. Or, well, wherever she was staying, to rest off the injuries. A recklessly kind action, in Sunsets estimation.

"So dangerous to do that." She remarked, while getting up from the bed.

She glanced around, and at the window to this room. It was letting in an incredibly calming amount of light. Enough to not be overwhelming, while still being enough to see. There was a dresser, some drawers, and a closet as well.

Feeling the pull of curiosity, she stepped over to a drawer, and nudged it. Opening it to find, nothing. She hummed some, heading over to check the closet. It too was empty.

"Wealthy enough to have a spare bedroom. Huh, neat." She sighed, and headed out the door. "Professor...is...what?"

She found herself in a small hallway, with one other room there, at the opposite end of it. There were also two doors, both seeming to lead...somewhere further in, or further out. The interior of the hall was hexagonal. With a metal grid as the walkway. The walls made out of some unfamiliar material to her. Her ears flicked some, as she heard talking, heading towards one of the doors.

She heard the Professor say. "Not a companion. One, I'd have to ask, and I haven't. You can't just assume these things. Didn't work out last time, afterall." There was a soft whirring noise. "Yes, well, I don't just abduct people. That's a little too martian for my liking...hmm, do they have a mars here?" Sunset pushed open the door. "Oh, you're awake!"

The blue mare greeted her with a cheery tone. Sunset blinking, looking around. She felt rather confused as to wherever it was she had just walked into. It looked like a lounge of some kind, with chairs and couches. Bookshelves, and little tables around said features.

Beyond those things, she spotted a record player, playing some music she wasn't entirely familiar with. Something jazzy. There was a strange machine in the center of the room as well, with a console of sorts stretched around it in a circular fashion. With a variety of buttons and switches on it, functions presently unknown to her.

She noted the doors to the left and right of the one she had exited out of. Her eyes tracing the wall, rising to the ceiling. There was a grand display of glass there, a window of sorts, like a sun-roof. Only, she wasn't greeted with sunlight, instead, the view was that of constellations and stars, many of which she couldn't recall having ever been able to see before.

"What is that?" Sunset inquired curiously.

"Ah, that, well-" The Valeyard laughed some. "it's an active display of the many stars in your galaxy. A star map. After all, I thought to myself, new universe, new me. Why not have something nice to look up to."

"A star map?" Sunset processed the words. "I'm not sure I understand, but alright." She looked around again. "Awfully big house you have. Guessing you live in the fifth district?"

"Hm, oh no, this is a space ship." The Valeyard replied, as plainly as someone telling the weather.

"Space ship?" Sunset gestured. "This?"

"Yes." The Valeyard replied, adding. "Also a time machine."

"That right?" Sunset hummed. "Next you're gonna tell me it has a pool."

"It does actually." The Valeyard smiled genuinely. "Do you wanna see-" The central machine made a low click. "oh, right. I'm so sorry, I complexly forgot to add context. Right, see, you passed out shortly after we got to the library. I did a brief inspection of your wounds, and they were...mostly internal, and severe." She explained. "Without treatment, you would have died. So I brought you on board the Tardis, and made sure you were doing alright."

"I take it by the way you say this, The Tardis is the name of your spaceship?" Sunset asked, looking fairly amused.

"Yes. In hindsight, I should have asked, again, one of those rude moments. Sorry about that." The Valeyard apologized, before adding. "I uhm, while you were resting, I met Princess Celestia. Not the biggest fan of me for some reason. I'll figure out why later. Anywho, evidently, some of the staff claimed they saw you helping Hydia."

"So there's guards waiting for me outside?" Sunset wagered, glancing to the side. "Yeah that's...great."

"I attempted to calm her response. It didn't go specifically well. Despite the protesting of myself, and the young miss Sparkle." The Valeyard admitted. "She asked me to assist in your arrest-" Sunset tensed. "so, I went ahead and left Canterlot with you. Best not to go back, at least until everything calms down."

"Left?" Sunset asked in confusion.

"Yes. I went to Ponyville. Admittedly, I've been there twice so far. Hopefully it's not going to be a London situation." The Valeyard muttered, before shaking it off. "Are you familiar with Ponyville?"

"I think so?" Sunset half asked. "Little town near the Everfree Forest, right?"

"Indeed it is." The Valeyard stepped towards one of the doors. "I figured I'd ask you when you were awake if you had another locational preference. But for now, this seemed a safe choice."

The Valeyard stepped out of the door to the right. Sunset feeling curious, wandered along after her. Exiting into a brighter light than she was anticipating.

Notably, where she was now, distinctly, wasn't Canterlot. She looked around and found various unfamiliar faces going about their days. There were many houses and homes, all of which were far too quaint to to exist even on the outskirts of the capital. Her biggest surprise however came when she turned to look at whatever it was she'd stepped out of.

"What?" Sunset found a red police box, and promptly began to circle it. "Wait, wait...wait a minute." She passed a smiling Valeyard, and stepped back inside, looking around. "No, what, how?" She hopped back out. "This...it's-"

"Yes?" The Valeyard asked.

"It's dimensionally transcendental." Sunset observed, while walking back inside.

"Oh." The Valeyard hummed. "Actually you're right, it is. How did-"

"There are magical theories about spells that'd be able to do this. It'd take an Alicorn to pull it off though. How did, how do you-" Sunset struggled to grasp it. "have this?"

"Easy. I built it. More or less." The Valeyard replied, stating. "This is the Tardis, my Tardis. She's a hybrid, made of parts from a type 34, 41, and a type 51. I call her Lovely." There was a low rumble, prompting Sunset to look around more. "Tardis by the way stands for Time and Relative-"

"Dimension in space." Sunset nodded, wearing a half smile. "That's it isn't it?"

"Marvelous." The Valeyard commented. "How did you-"

"You said it moved through time, and was a space ship so I guessed. Wait...no, were you serious?" Sunset asked, sounding bewildered. "This is a space ship?"

"And a time machine. And she." The Valeyard corrected.

"Huh?" Sunset asked.

"This is Lovely. She, is the Tardis." The Valeyard explained. "Say hello Lovely.

There was a cheerful chime. "Wait, no... no, what, seriously?" Sunset asked, getting a nod. "You're, alive?" There was another chime. "I have...so many questions."

"In any other situation, I'd be glad to hear it. But, before all that." The Valeyard gained a glance. "I brought you to Ponyville, because it could give you a fresh start. Second chance at life."

"I...oh, right." Sunset recalled. "I uh, almost forgot." She laughed softly. "So you just...save my life, and then just...whisk me off to some quaint town."

"To be fair, you'd have saved yourself if things had gone right. Except you did something far braver." The Valeyard said knowingly. "You saved that girl instead."

"You know about that, huh?" Sunset asked, adding. "Heh...guess so. Probably can like, read minds and stuff. Actually, are you an alien, like a proper space pony or something?"

"Well. That depends." The Valeyard said.

"On what?" Sunset asked back.

The Valeyard took a moment to composer herself. There was a choice before her. One she was hesitant to make, quite positive it'd end poorly. Then again, she wagered that given it was likely too, there wasn't a reason 'to not' offer, right? She glanced to the door, and then gestured. It took a moment, but the other mare seemed to get it.

"Sunset Shimmer...I'm a traveler. It's what I do. Come and go, see and explore." The Valeyard said. "Sometimes the places I go...they can be dangerous. Like it was this time. And, even when I try to stop myself, I guess I can't help but try and help."

"There are worst things, than trying to help." Sunset told her. "Like being complicit in making things worst."

"You were a victim as well, and did what you could to stop it." The Valeyard told her. "Believe me, the universe is a big place, and not everyone is willing to even try. Even when they have nothing to lose, by trying. And you stood to lose everything." She cleared her throat. "I say this...I uhm..."

"You can ask the question, Valeyard." Sunset said. "I think I know what it is."

"Well. If you uhm...aren't satisfied with Ponyville. Which, I hear they're in a need of a librarian." The Valeyard said, adding. "I imagine you'd do great at that job. Absolutely marvelous in fact." She then added. "But if you...weren't satisfied, I suppose I could...help you find another place?" She half-offered, hearing a low rumble. "Oi. I'm not nervous. I'm just...not the best at inviting people, okay?"

Sunset guessed. "You want me to travel with you?"

The Valeyard replied. "Yes. I'm...I'm offering it. If you're interested."

Sunset asked. "Are you sure there's...nopony better?"

"What's that meant to mean?" The Valeyard asked.

"I just-" Sunset hesitated. "Professor, I've...done a lot of bad things, Horrible things. I'm not...I'm rotten."

"No, you're not." The Time-Lady told her, calmly. "Anything you've done, anything you perceive to be your fault...I've done worst. I promise you that." This earned a concerned look. "Honestly, we can't change what we've done. We can just...try to do a little better next time. Step by step, improving." She smiled some. "And if you wanted to come, which, you don't have to by the way, I mean...sure, you could see the universe, all of time, help people. Or not, maybe it-it honestly isn't always that. Sometimes it's just visiting something fascinating, or exploring history and I...I'm not the best at the sales pitch."

"I think you're doing great." Sunset reassured, with a small smile. "C'mon, keep going Professor."

"Now you're just trying to embarrass me." The Professor noted. "Let's see uhm. Sales pitch. Right. Well I have a pool, movie theater, clothing room, library, park, a gaming room, and oh-" She smirked. "as a companion, you do get free dental, and health care."

"What about eye-coverage?" Sunset asked.

"Ah, wellll that's a premium option. Not available normally, but-" The Professor replied, adding. "you can opt in if you want."

"Maybe I will?" Sunset replied.

"Up to you." The Professor replied, before hearing the door close, noticing the green glow fading from her horn. "Well then...welcome aboard."

"A pleasure to be working here." Sunset replied, asking. "So...where too?"

"All of time and space. Up to you. It's new to me." The Professor told her, wandering to the central console. "Where do you want to start?"

Sunset considered for a moment. "I would say...know any nice places in space? Brief trip maybe?"

"I know a spa planet. Lovely place. Has the most beautiful sunsets." The Professor began to throw a couple switches, hit a few buttons. "And...last lever is on you, Miss Shimmer." Sunset started over, grasping it with magic. "Ready?"

"I have no idea. Honestly, I feel a little crazy even agreeing to this." Sunset admitted with a little laugh. "But let's find out."

She threw the lever, and the Tardis began to whirr, and whoorp. Flickering from its space in Ponyville. Slowly fading, as it moved on to its next adventure.