“Here it is. My home.” The Time Lord was the first to enter his pony counterparts TARDIS. What he saw brought a smile to his face. It was a near exact replica of his own TARDIS interior. From the couch, to the console, to the design on the wall, the twirling beams, it was like the Doctor had entered his second home. The pony Doctor, now bearing a smug grin, quickly followed him inside.

“So, what do you think?”

“Honestly? I feel at home again.” He looked at his pony counterpart exchanged a look that said ‘I know what you mean’. The pony Doctor couldn’t help but wax nostalgic.

“Nine forms, 900 years and a whole bunch of wonderful companions and here I am today.”

The Doctor noted what his pony counterpart had said and asked, “So you’re in your Tenth form as well?”

“Correct. I like this form! I would hate to leave it.” The taller Doctor quickly remembered their friends and ran back to tell the others that it was okay for them to come in. Vinyl pushed past the Doctor first with an unimpressed look on her face. Everypony knew that Vinyl had seen all of this before, possibly a different version though. The Doctor had to remind himself that Octavia had told him that Vinyl was generally a very friendly and loving mare. Ditzy narrowly missed the Doctor’s head as she flew in next and took a seat on the TARDIS coach. The remaining members of the Elements of Harmony all walked past with each of them commenting on how much it looked like the Time Lord’s TARDIS. Finally, Octavia trotted in last. She gave a courteous thank you to the Doctor as he held the door open for her, and when she was in he closed the door behind him, locking it with the key his counterpart leant him. The Doctor stopped Octavia before she joined the others.

“Octavia, how did you meet Vinyl?” The Doctor asked. The question caught Octavia off-guard, but she was more than happy to answer.

“Oh, I met Vinyl at music school. I used to be a massive snob before I met her.”

“Really?” The Doctor replied skeptically.

“Mhm. You see, my parents were quite rich so I used to have a lot of well off friends, but none of them found their talents in music like I did, thus I was the only one who went to music school. Vinyl was the only pony kind enough to talk to me and she grew on me. I decided to make it on my own and Vinyl and I moved in together when we were old enough. We’ve been best friends ever since.” The Doctor was satisfied with the history lesson and was about to make his way to the console when Octavia whispered something to him. “By the way, remind me to ask Vinyl about this ‘condition’. I haven’t simply forgotten her question dodging.” The Doctor kindly nodded, and when he left her she made one more comment under her breath. “I haven’t forgotten your question dodging either.”

The Doctor stepped over to the main console to check the controls. As he thought, it was exactly like his, only modified so they were easier to use if you had hooves. The Doctor wondered if his alternate self could regenerate into a Unicorn or Pegasus. He wasn’t sure though as you would have to take in the fact that the pony Doctor is also an alien and not a native of this world. He watched his counterpart begin to work his magic on the machine. He noted the delicate stroke he would give some parts, a habit he also picked up. The pony Doctor paused and looked at his counterpart.

“Would you like to help me, Doctor?” He asked with a smile.

“I thought you’d never ask, Doctor!” They shared a small laugh and the pair went to work. Dash had already begun flying around the TARDIS, making sure she didn’t get lost again. Her three friends began conversing by the TARDIS console while both Doctor’s worked away on the console. Tavi slowly trotted up the ramp and spotted Vinyl who was lazily leaning against one the support beams. Octavia thought buck it and headed straight for the DJ to ask her directly about her ‘condition’, but paused when she saw Dash approach Vinyl. Dash had a tendency to go ‘fangirl’ with ponies she admired or was curious about. From what she could overhear, Dash was asking about Vinyl’s time in the TARDIS. Octavia felt it would be rude to interrupt them over something potentially trivial, and since there was no real urgency, she relented for now. Her attention then turned to her Time Lord, who was busily working away at the TARDIS. He spotted her and beckoned her over. When Octavia approached, the Doctor stopped what he was doing and knelt down to face her.

“Are you alright?” he asked, concern leaking from his voice. “There’s something bothering you, isn’t there? You’ve had that look since we’ve entered.” Octavia sighed as she tried her best to explain.

“I’m worried to be honest. About two things mostly.The first is Vinyl, I want to know what this condition is. Is she dying? Is it a disease?”

“I’m curious about that as well. I don’t know if my counterpart over there would be willing to tell us…”

“- And I’m worried about you.” Octavia interrupted the Doctor before he could finish and he gave her a confused look. “Why do you keep dodging my question?” The Doctor didn’t know what to say. He made sure nopony was listening and checked if his counterpart needed no further help as he took the mare to the side.

“What do you mean?”

“I asked you last night if you could tell me about your homeworld, Gallifrey.” The Doctor found himself feeling uncomfortable. A quick look confirmed that nopony else was paying attention to him and Octavia. His eyes met hers, and his gaze did not falter as the mare looked up at him expectantly.

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why can’t you tell me? Don’t you trust me?”

“No, I do trust you. It just… hurts.” Octavia saw the pained expression on the Time Lord’s face and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. “Look, I would be lying to you if I said I haven’t felt anything for my companions. Honestly, I sometimes come to the conclusion that I’m better off alone.” Octavia watched him intently as she tried to read every emotion that crossed his face. “I met someone who showed me I wasn’t, because when I am I do things that I’m not proud of. I think it will be dangerous when we get to Canterlot so don’t want to go…”

“No, I’m going.”

“Heh, I thought that wouldn’t work. Alright, do me a favour. Do everything I say and please, do not die. I really don’t want your death on my conscience as well.”

“Make me a promise.”

“What?”

“You’ll tell me everything when we’re done here.” He paused before answering, but his gaze didn’t leave her as he took her hoof in his hand.

“Alright, I promise you I will tell you everything when this is over.” Before he had time to react, Octavia wrapped her forelegs around his neck and hugged him. The Doctor quickly returned the hug as she nuzzled him gently.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was busy drilling Vinyl Scratch on info about her time with the pony Doctor. “So, were you two just friends or…”

“Just friends. I mean, I may have had a very tiny crush on him while we were travelling together, but he made it pretty clear we were just friend. Didn't stop him being super hot,” said Vinyl. “I think Ditzy has always had a thing for him but she’s never said.”

“Really? So, you’ve been in space, right?”

“I’ve visited space stations, alien planets, moons, I’ve gone back in time…”

“… And forwards as well,” interrupted the pony Doctor. “Don’t forget about that Vinyl.” The pony Doctor had gotten to work on the console closest to the pair as he appeared to be nearly done. Rainbow wanted to know one more thing.

“So why did the Doctor leave you behind? What was so important that he didn’t take you?”

“Well that was….” before Vinyl could answer, the entire TARDIS rocked to one side. Everypony nearly left their hooves as both Doctors quickly grabbed onto a part of the main console. The other ponies did their best to try and keep themselves balanced apart from Pinkie Pie who was jumping about while squealing with delight. The Doctor’s held on tight, and before the humanoid Doctor could ask what had happened, the other Time Lord explained.

“Sorry! Wrong lever. Were still on course for Canterlot, be be there in a moment! Everypony, hold on tight!” The TARDIS continued to rock and shake for what felt like an eternity, yet it was closer to five minutes. The other Doctor looked around to make everypony else was alright. Octavia had moved next to him on the console. Vinyl held onto Dash, Ditzy, and the pony Doctor.

She’s very strong for a Unicorn the Doctor mused to himself. The rest of the mane six were holding onto the couch, minus Pinkie who was still gleefully hopping about. Eventually the TARDIS stopped and everypony began to calm down. The Doctor checked over Octavia first who appeared to be fine.

“Is everyone alright?” he called out. A series of murmurs confirmed that everypony was indeed fine. The Doctor spied the pony Doctor receiving a clip round the ear, courtesy of Miss Scratch.

“What the heck was that?” She cried out. “The TARDIS has never been that bad before! What did you do!?”

“Ow, I accidently let go of the parking brake before all the coordinates were set.” Ditzy intervened between the pair.

“Relax you two! We’re here now, aren’t we?” The pony Doctor nodded.

“Exactly,” he said. “We should be in the back alleyway that’s closest to the main castle.” Rarity took the initiative and headed for the TARDIS door.

“Well, I for one think it’s about time we see what’s going on…” As her hoof touched the door, Rainbow shot across the room and swiped it away. Rarity shook her hoof as she made puppy dog eyes. “Ow! Rainbow, why did you do that?”

“Are you nuts Rarity? Who the heck knows what’s going on out there!” Pinkie Pie appeared to still be hopping around in bliss, not realising that the TARDIS had stopped shaking some time ago. The others gathered around the front door, they were all mixed on exactly what they should do next. Fluttershy then spoke up.

“Shouldn’t we at least take a peek…? If you don’t mind me saying.” The Doctor approached the front door.

“If this TARDIS is the same as mine, then we should be safe if we have to make a run for it.” The pony Doctor joined his counterpart and put his key into the lock. He twisted it until a click sound was heard. Everypony gathered around the door as the pony Doctor began to open it, but they weren’t paying attention to the pink mare behind them.

“Alright everypony, let’s go!” A pink blur smacked into the back of the crowd of ponies and the resulting force caused everypony to shoot out of the door. The group landed in a pile with both Doctors on the bottom. A series of groans and moans could be heard as Pinkie jumped on top of the group. Her next statement sent alarm bells off inside the Doctors head. “Hey, this isn’t an alleyway.” On cue, both Doctor’s looked at the ground and noticed that it was polished marble.

“Doctor, weren’t you taking us to an alleyway?” asked Ditzy. “This looks like…”

“A throne room? You are correct my little pony.” Everypony froze. The Doctor’s noticed a pair of white hooves in front of them, and as they looked up they saw Princess Celestia. “It must be my lucky day. Instead of having to look for you, you’ve all come straight to me.” Like an explosion, Rainbow Dash shot out from the centre of the pile and made a beeline for the TARDIS, but before she could reach it, it began to fade away. The iconic noise the machine made when it moved through time and space echoed through the room and then it was gone. Celestia chuckled to herself. “I’m so glad I figured out how to alter the TARDISes flight patterns with my magic. I’ve sent it back to its last location in Ponyville. That will allow us to chat without any further interruptions, would you like that?”

“Princess, what are you doing!?” cried out Rarity. The others managed to find their footing and gathered together. Vinyl stood in front of Ditzy and Octavia in an attempt to protect them while both Doctor’s stood next to each other. The rest of the elements were backing up Rarity. “Why are you trying to control your subjects like this? What is this all about!?” The humanoid Doctor could see the earplugs inside Celestia’s ears and an unnatural grin on her face. A forced smile.

“My little Time Lord, I’m simply doing what I am told. Now listen to your monarch, surrender now and you will soon see the light.” Octavia pushed past Vinyl.

“What do you mean ‘see the light’?” she asked.

“You will only know once you wear these plugs. It is… indescribable.” The Doctor grabbed something the pony Doctor handed him and approached the Princess.

“Princess Celestia, I know you’re still in there! Your mind is too powerful for them to simply control you so they’re altering your mind to see a form of blissful reality instead of a nightmare. This isn’t real!” Princess Celestia shook her head, that smile curling slightly wider as she did.

“They told me you would say something like that...” she murmured gently. Suddenly, loud footsteps could be heard approaching the throne room. The Doctor knew exactly what was coming. “Ah, here they are.. I believe they wanted to talk to you directly so I shall leave you to it. I’m far too busy preparing for the future of ponykind.” Before the Doctor could ask what she meant, Celetia vanished in a flash of golden light. The throne room doors flung open and there stood two large imposing figures. Everypony’s eyes opened wide.

“D-Doctor! Wh-what are they!?” screamed out Octavia. The Doctor said only one word.

“Cybermen!” The large metal men stood in the doorway, blocking off their chance to escape. An electronic voice came from the first Cyberman.

“You will desist and surrender yourselves for future upgrading.” Nopony was sure what was going on, save for the Doctor, whose anger was visibly painted upon his face.

“What are you doing here? How did you get here?” There was a short silence as the pony Doctor gathered the group behind the Time Lord.

“We were brought here. You are not part of this world. Our scans indicate you are a known enemy of the Cybermen: The Doctor.” Dash flew next to the Doctor and began to get ready to fight.

“So you’ve fought these guys before then. What are they Doctor? Robots?” Dash asked. The Doctor stared intensely at the metal men who had still not moved away from the door.

“They’re worse than robots, Rainbow. A twisted combination of metal and flesh lie behind that armour.” Rainbow looked confused, but Rarity figured it out almost immediately.

“Doctor, you can’t possibly be saying that…” before she could finish her sentence, the group heard more metal footsteps approaching.

“Doctor, we should go, there’s more coming,” called out Ditzy. However, when she looked around she realised the only way out was through the Cybermen. The windows were closed shut, and since they were all magically reinforced they couldn’t break through. When she looked back at the doorway, two new Cybermen now stood there. These two were different though. They were smaller and were on all fours, looking just like metal ponies. Everypony quickly realised what they used to be. One of the metal ponies spoke.

“Only a few of the castle staff have been upgraded, soon, all of Equestria will join us.” The Doctor stepped closer towards the metal monsters.

“Why have you only done a few? Why haven’t simply taken complete control over Celestia… oh, I see.” The Doctor paced back and forth as he spun his theory. “You can’t convert anypony else, can you? You may have been led to this world by me but you certainly didn’t have the resources. That’s why you have them collecting metal. Electricity hasn’t been significantly mass produced yet either, only in hospitals. The ponies still rely on candlelight and steam power. You have to convert all your technology to fit steam power, right?” The metal men and ponies stood silent for a moment, they seemed to be collecting data. Pinkie muttered to the others.

“I bet the Doctor has one of those faces.” Fluttershy seemed confused by this.

“Pinkie, what do you mean those faces?”

“One of those faces that ponies can’t stop blabbing their plans too. It must be super useful.” The pony Doctor butted in.

“They are, I know from personal experience.” Vinyl nudged the Doctor.

“Quiet, I’m trying to listen,” she commanded. Finally, the metal behemoths spoke.

“We are not utilising steam power. Substance to power machines are hereby dubbed element x.”

“A bit cliché,” the Doctor muttered. But what is element x? The Doctor pondered to himself.

“You also have incorrect information. You did not lead us to this world.”

“So… it was Princess Celestia?” asked Vinyl Scratch.

“Unit identified as Celestia was a catalyst.”

“So you used her to get in,” the Doctor said. “But she didn’t lead you here. Then who did? And what is element x?” The Doctor didn’t receive the reply he wanted.

“Sufficient metal has been acquired in Canterlot. Building of upgrade stations will commence. You have been deemed a rogue element, you will be deleted.” The four Cybermen brought up their right arm/fore hoof and began to march towards the group. All the group could hear were the thunderous sounds of the Cybermen marching and their chant. “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!

Author's Notes:

I apologise that this chapter isn't as long as the previous two but I hope the quality hasn't gone down. The story will begin to wind down now in the next couple of chapters but theres plenty to come. Hold on to you pants!