Time Turner ran down the alleyway, never looking over his shoulder. He knew he couldn't keep up the pace for long. He couldn't outrun the beast. He ran out into the main square and turned around.

Nothing.

He slowly turned. He was staring at a fountain, a smiling statue of a pony posed in the center. Time Turner smiled back. "Wrong move." He looked around as ponies started to walk into the square. He looked back at the statue. "Open for business. Have a nice day." He turned around and walked off into the approaching crowd.

------------------------

Rarity hummed as she flipped the door sign to 'Open'. Business was steady and she expected a new shipment of fabrics today. It also helped that she had a big order being picked up today. She continued to hum as she straightened up the boutique. Her client would be here soon. She looked at her clock. 9:30. She smiled to herself. A whole half hour before her appointment.

'RING RING'

Rarity's eyes went wide in surprise. "Who in Equestria could that be?" She walked to the door and opened it. There stood Madam Hoofguard! Rarity's eyes shot to her clock and back to her client. "Madam Hoofguard! You're early."

Hoofguard smiled. "Early my dear? I do believe I'm right on time. We agreed upon ten o'clock, did we not?"

Rarity looked up at her clock again. This time she noticed that it was still 9:30. She sighed. "Do forgive me. It seems my clock has broken. I didn't think you would be here for another half hour."

Madam Hoofguard continued to smile as she stepped inside. "It's quite alright darling. I'm in no rush. I presume my order is ready?"

Rarity nodded and pointed to a stack of boxes. She levitated them over to Hoofguard and set them down. "Four lovely dresses designed to your liking. I do hope you enjoy wearing them as much as I enjoyed creating them."

Hoofguard opened the top box and gasped. "It's wonderful!" She ran her hoof along the fabric and giggled. Rarity beamed as her work was admired and praised.

Madam Hoofguard closed the box and turned to Rarity. She pulled out a small bag and handed it to Rarity. "Your payment my dear. Well deserved I should say."

Rarity thanked her and Madam Hoofguard left. Rarity set her bag of bits on a table and looked up at the clock. "That was very naughty of you to stop before an appointment." She levitated the clock down to her and examined it. Se sighed when she could not spot the problem. She'd just have to take it into a shop.

Rarity walked through town looking back and forth. There had to be a repair shop for clocks somewhere. She paused in the square and looked around at the various shops. Not one sign for clock repair. She shook her head slowly. "Honestly." She looked around again and her eyes fell on a brown stallion. He was staring at her. Rarity would have dismissed the fact as she was used to stallions glancing at her, but this stallion was different. He kept staring. And it was beginning to annoy her.

Rarity marched over to the stallion. He continued to stare. Her eyes narrowed as she stopped in front of him? "Do you know that it's rude to stare?" The stallion didn't respond. In fact, now that she looked at his eyes, he wasn't looking at her. She followed his gaze to find him staring at the statue that sat on the square's fountain. She looked back at the stallion. Why would he be-? She shook her head. It didn't matter. He was just some stallion being odd.

Rarity turned to head back into the square. She glanced at the fountain again. Her hooves froze. Was it her imagination, or had the statue switched poses?

A hoof touched her shoulders. "You shouldn't have distracted me."

Rarity turned to find the hoof belonged to the brown stallion. He was still staring at the fountain. "Follow me. Slowly." He began to back away, still staring at the fountain. Rarity stood where she was. What was going on?

The stallion's eyes locked with hers for a second. "You coming or not?" His eyes moved back to the statue. "I can fix that clock too." Now he had her attention. Rarity began following him. She glanced one more time at the fountain. The statue was staring at them.

------------------------

Time Turner opened the door to his shop and led the white mare inside. He was confident that they hadn't been followed. He shut the door behind her and walked behind the counter. "Let's see your clock." The mare pulled the clock from her saddlebag and set it on the counter. Time Turner picked it up and looked it over. He glanced at the mare. "Name's Time Turner."

The mare smiled. "I'm Rarity." Her smile faded. "What was all that about back at the square?"

Time Turner opened the back of the clock and began examining the gears. "I was keeping an eye on a Weeping Mare."

He could see Rarity's confusion. Her head tilted to the side. "A weeping what?"

Time smiled. "Mare. They're dangerous creatures. That one's been trying to get me for a day or so." He set the clock down and reached for his tools.

Rarity sat down. "What in Equestria are you going on about?"

Time sat up with a screwdriver in his mouth. He firmly gripped it and it began to glow. The clock began ticking.

Rarity gazed in amazement as Time Turner set his screwdriver down. "How did you do that?"

Time pointed to the tool. "Magic screwdriver. It can do a lot of things, including getting a clock to work. Now pay attention." He made sure that she was watching him. "That statue in the fountain wasn't a statue. It was a living creature called a Weeping Mare. They are extremely dangerous and deadly. I've been trying to get rid of it, but the real challenge is not letting it get me first."

Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Really sir, I would think you could be serious for a moment and just tell the truth."

Time Turner prepared to answer, but his eyes froze on something behind Rarity. Rarity turned around.

The statue was at the window.

------------------------

Rarity wanted to scream, but she couldn't. Time Turner stepped around the counter. "There's a blue cabinet behind us. I want you to back towards it slowly, but don't take your eyes off of that thing. Do you understand?"

Rarity nodded and took a step back. And another. And another. She could hear Time Turner putting a key into a lock. He must be opening the cabinet he was talking about. She continued to back up.

And then she blinked.

Her eyes opened and the statue was inside, next to the ow open shop door. This time Rarity let out a scream. Her eyes closed in fear.

"I told you to keep looking!"

Rarity felt herself being nudged backwards. Her flak bumped against wood.

"Get inside! Now!!"

Rarity opened her eyes just enough to find the edge of the cabinet. She jumped inside and closed her eyes again. She heard the door slam behind her. And then the pounding against the doors began. Rarity could feel tears welling up in her eyes. And then she felt a hoof.

"It's okay. We're safe in here. She won't be able to get in."

Rarity slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Time Turner. "Safe? How can we be safe from some monster inside a tiny...cabinet." Rarity's words trailed as she took notice of the cabinet interior. It was lit. And it was huge! Se gazed around at the room she was in. Shelves with books and scrolls lined the curved walls. A huge timepiece stood in the middle, the sands falling lazily through the funnel. Time Turner stepped forward and motioned around the room. "Welcome to my place."

Rarity knew she shouldn't let her mouth hang open, but she did it anyway. "This...this is impossible!"

Time Turner smiled. "Difficult. Never impossible. It's magically expanded. Found it on an expedition through the Dragon Nomads."

Rarity turned her attention from the room to the stallion in front of her. "Who are you?"

The brown stallion smiled. "My name's Time Turner, but those who know me well call me by my educationally earned name, Doctor." The pounding noise started again. Rarity's felt her fear grow. She stepped closer to the Doctor.

Time smiled. "Don't worry. I've got everything under control."

The pounding had subsided, but there was no way to be sure if the Weeping Mare had gone. Time Turner was near the door listening while Rarity was walking around the cabinet. She looked at the books and scrolls stored on the shelves. They seemed to be of every subject known, and some Rarity had never heard of. Her exploration took her behind the center timepiece and she discovered a desk. A large book was opened to a page with large letters:

THE WEEPING MARES

Rarity looked down at the page and began to read:

The Weeping Mares are creatures that are seemingly made of stone. Nothing is known of their origin. They have an interesting, if not frightening, disability that allows them to move only when they are not being watched. They hunt mostly at night. It is not known what happens to ponies that are caught by a Weeping Mare.

The door being pounded again brought Rarity back to the present. She walked around the timepiece to find Time Turner pacing near the door. Rarity walked over and sat down. "Why is it after us?"

Time Turner stopped his pacing and sat down next to her. "Maybe it's hungry. Maybe it's angry. Nopony really knows what the Mares want with us."

Rarity nodded towards the shelves. "You seem to know everything and then some, judging by your collection."

Time Turner smiled and looked around the room. "I've had more than enough time to learn everything. And only a fraction of that was Equestrian knowledge."

Rarity studied the stallion for a moment. "You don't mean to say you've read everything in here, do you?"

Time Turner nodded. "Took me close to a century. Ninety-seven years to be exact."

Rarity looked unconvinced. "You must be kidding. You can't be much older than me."

Time Turner sighed. "I know I look young, but thats only because this is what I looked like when I found the spell."

Now Rarity was interested. "What spell?"

Time stood up and walked to one of the shelves. He pointed to a glass case. Rarity stood up and walked over to look inside. There were two scrolls. She glanced at Time Turner.

Time nodded to the scrolls. "These scrolls were in the cabinet when I first discovered it. They contain some of the most powerful and impossible magic in all the world. There used to be three scrolls."

Rarity eyes narrowed in confusion. "So where's the third scroll?"

Another sigh escaped Time Turner. "I destroyed it."

Rarity stared at him in shock. "But you said it contained powerful magic!"

Time nodded. "It contained a spell to slow aging down to a snail's pace. I've only aged one day for every year since the spell was cast."

Rarity stepped closer to the stallion and looked at him. He looked so young. And yet...his eyes reflected a wisdom that was far older. She stepped back. "How old are you?"

Time chuckled. "Let's just say I knew Princess Luna before she was Nightmare Moon."

Rarity's eyes seemed to lock open. All she could do was stare at the pony in front of her. He looked her age and yet he was over a thousand years old!

Time Turner tried not to meet Rarity's gaze, but he found himself lost in her eyes. He had never had a mare look at him in such a way. "Um... Anyways I...I destroyed the scroll after it was used. I couldn't risk letting anypony getting their hooves on such magic."

Rarity blinked as his words sunk in. "Rather selfish don't you think? To keep near immortality to yourself?"

Time Turner sighed. "I know. But it wasn't entirely my decision. Celestia was the one that gave the final word."

Rarity shook her head slightly. It hardly surprised her that the Doctor should know the Princess. "So she had you destroy it."

Time Turner nodded. "If that spell had fallen into the hooves of a pony with...darker intentions, I cannot imagine what damage could have been done."

Rarity slowly nodded. "I understand." She looked into the eyes of the stallion before her. Eyes that held centuries of memory, knowledge, and experience. Eyes that were really the most lovely shade of blue.... Rarity realized that she had been staring for far too long. She looked down at the floor.

Time Turner wondered what was going on in the mare's head. She had stared at him for some time before looking down. What was she thinking? A second question popped into his head.

What had happened to the pounding on the door?

Time Turner rushed to the door and put his ear against it. He couldn't hear anything. He looked to Rarity. "I do believe our unwelcome guest may have left the shop." He slowly unlocked the latch, took a deep breath, and threw the cabinet doors open. He stepped back, placing himself between Rarity and the shop.

Nothing.

The Weeping Mare wasn't at the cabinet. In fact, it wasn't in the shop. Not that there much of a shop left. Time Turner stepped out of the cabinet and looked around. There had been dozens of beautiful timepieces on display. Now the shop floor was covered in glass, sand, gears, and wood. "Careful when you step out."

Rarity followed behind him slowly. "You're sure it's gone?"

Time Turner walked around the shop and nodded. "Gone." He turned to Rarity. "May I escort you home?"

Rarity smiled. "Thank you."

Time Turner stood inside Carousel Boutique and admired some of the dresses. "You do beautiful work."

Rarity blushed. "Thank you. These aren't even my best designs though."

Time Turner smiled. "If these aren't the best, then you must be the finest designer in all of Equestria. And trust me, I've met quite a few over the years. Especially the famous ones. Their designs haven't a thing on yours."

Rarity felt herself blushing all the more. She smiled. "Thank you Doctor."

Time Turner looked at her. "I like the way that sounds coming from you. Doctor."

Rarity giggled. "Then you wouldn't mind if I called you that more often?"

The Doctor chuckled and bowed his head. "I would love that Miss Rarity."

Without any warning, Rarity embraced him. "Thank you for saving me."

The Doctor returned the hug. "Anytime. Remind me to take you on a real adventure sometime. One without Weeping Mares chasing us."

They shared a laugh.

-------------------------

The Weeping Mare stood still as a stallion and mare passed her.

The mare stopped and looked up at the creature. "I don't recall a statue in the middle of this square."

The stallion shrugged. "I guess Canterlot can never have too many statues."

The couple continued on their way. The Weeping Mare wanted to go after them, but she knew she had to warn her sisters.

She passed the message on to every statue she saw.

The Doctor

Rarity sat at her sewing machine working on her newest design. As she finished her latest latest line, she paused to look at her progress. She frowned. "That's not right." She examined the design and shook her head. "That's definitely not right."

"Having trouble?"

Rarity paused, her nose close to the fabric. She did her best to hide her smile and slowly straightened up. Turning towards the door, she looked at Time Turner. "Trouble? Of course not."

Time Turner smiled and walked over to the machine. He examined the half-made dress, glancing at Rarity every few seconds. Rarity sat down with a sigh. What did he even know about dress design?

Time Turner finally stood up and turned to her. "Not bad."

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Don't say things you don't mean. It's not finished and something's wrong in the design."

Time Turner looked thoughtful for a moment. A smile grew on his face and he began walking towards the door. "What if I could take you somewhere to get some inspiration? Maybe you'd find what you need to finish your design."

Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Where exactly would we go?"

"The Grand Galloping Gala."

---------------------------

"How in Equestria can we go to the Gala? It's not for another four months."

Time Turner walked around the center timepiece in the cabinet. "I didn't say we were going to the next Gala. I was actually thinking of the Gala circa 753*"

Rarity stared at the stallion in disbelief. "Do explain Doctor."

Time Turner smiled and flipped a switch on the side of his desk. The tabletop flipped over to reveal a series of knobs, switches, and several other odd devices. He sat down and motioned across the board and then up to the timepiece. "I acquired this a few centuries ago. This timepiece is the only inanimate object that can reproduce a time-traveling spell."

Rarity's mouth hung open. "Time travel? You mean....you can actually go back and forth in time?"

Time Turner nodded with a grin. "And I'm going to take you back to the very first Gala." He flipped a switch and the timepiece bean to hum. Rarity watched as the Doctor flipped and turned more items and the timepiece began to spin in a circle. The sand inside began to glow and move into the upper capsule. Eventually the Doctor pulled a large lever and the timepiece came to a stop. The sands began to fall normally as Time Turner stood up. "Welcome to 753."

Rarity opened the cabinet door only to close her eyes. She slowly opened them as she got used to the sunshine. First the sky came into focus, and then the grass, and finally.... Rarity gasped. "Canterlot!"

Time Turner stepped out behind her. "I do believe your right. And it's not even midday yet. That gives us a few hours to look around." He bowed to Rarity. "May I show you the city my lady?"

Rarity giggled and lowered her head. "It would be a pleasure sir."

They chuckled and walked towards Canterlot side by side.

Canterlot was very much the same in the past as it was in the present day. Rarity marveled at the fact she recognized the buildings. "It seems so familiar."

The Doctor smiled. "Yeah. They liked the design of the city. And if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Anything that breaks or decays over time is replace without changing the looks." He pointed to a shop on the nearby corner. "Recognize that place?"

Rarity looked at the store and gasped. "Tailor's! Oh but it can't be the same one that I know. Could it?"

The Doctor nodded. "It's a family business. It's going to be passed down for centuries. All the way to our day when it's the same shop with the same name. Would you like to see what the current style is?"

Rarity danced in place with excitement and trotted off towards the shop. Time Turner smiled. "I'll take that as a yes."

They walked into Tailor's and were greeted by a blue mare in a summer dress. "Good afternoon madam, sir. Are we looking for a particular dress?"

Time Turner stepped forward. "I was hoping to find my fiancé a dress for the Gala tonight. I know it's very sudden, but I only just received my invitation this morning. Do you have anything that can be ready by this evening?"

Rarity stared at the stallion in surprise. He seemed to be a natural when it came to speaking properly, especially for it being 753. And she did her best not to blush at being called his fiancé. She had never dreamed she would hear herself being called a marefriend, let alone a fiancé.

The mare led them back towards a set of mirrors. She had Rarity stand facing the mirrors while Time Turner sat off to the side. One by one, dresses were brought out for Rarity to try on. She was astonished at how similar some of the dresses were to her own at home. And yet the designs were so simple! They looked as lovely as Rarity's current work, but with only half the stitching. She looked at the mare. "Who created these designs? They're absolutely marvelous!"

The mare smiled. "You're wearing a Madam Tailor original Miss. Very fine work for the only mare in fashion."

Rarity looked at the mare in surprise. "The only mare in fashion? Surely you're joking."

The mare gave her a funny look. "Of course she is! And she's making a lot of stallions mad because of it."

Rarity looked at Time Turner and he mouthed the word 'later'. Rarity returned her gaze to the mare only to find her stepping back.

The mare grinned."It's a near perfect fit! It's as if it were made for you Miss."

Rarity looked at the mirrors. Was that her? She was....stunning! She turned and looked at every inch of her reflection. "It's beautiful!"

Time Turner stood up and walked to the mare. "We'll take it."

Rarity walked next to the Doctor as they made their way back to the cabinet. She smiled and looked at the stallion. "You didn't have to buy this dress for me. I can't even begin to imagine how much it cost you!"

The Doctor smiled. "Seventy bits."

Rarity froze. "Only seventy?! A dress this beautiful should cost at least three times as much!" The only answer she received was a chuckle.

They arrive at the cabinet and went inside. The Doctor pointed to a door off to the side. "Through there you'll find a room you can change in. Second door on the left."

Rarity stared at the door. "You mean there's more than just this room?"

The Doctor nodded. "A bedroom, a bathroom, a couple closets with clothing for various occasions and assignments, and a kitchen. This is my home after all."

Rarity smiled and walked to the door and opened it. Sure enough, there was a hallway with several doors. She looked back at Time Turner and he smiled. She walked in, closing the door behind her.

---------------------------

Rarity stepped out of the cabinet and into the moonlight. The sky was filled with stars. More than she had ever seen. She didn't notice Time Turner step out. He followed her gaze up and smiled. "This is the climax of Luna's night. After today stars will begin to disappear. Over the next two hundred and fifty years it will become more and more like the night sky we know. All leading to her banishment." He cleared his throat. "But we shouldn't dwell on the bad events of life. Come on. We have a Gala to go to."

They began their walk towards the castle. Rarity looked at Time Turner. "You took the minimal approach for dressing up."

Time Turner looked down. All he had on was a white collar with a red bowtie. He looked back at Rarity. "That's because stallions don't need fancy dresses. Besides, bowties are cool."

The castle grew larger as they neared. Ponies were surrounding the entrance, waiting to get in. The doors opened and everypony cheered. Rarity and the Doctor followed the current and were carried right into the main entry. The castle was lit up like a lighthouse. Everything was bright and colorful. Rarity gazed in astonishment. "It's so....wonderful!"

The Doctor grabbed her hoof and pulled her forward. "Come on. There are some ponies to meet." They made their way through the crowd. Rarity couldn't help but wonder who she was going to meet.

The Doctor turned to say something to Rarity, but he was cut off as he bumped into a mare. Both ponies stumbled for a moment before regaining their balance. The Doctor turned to the mare. "I am incredibly sorry about that! I really must watch where I place my hooves."

The mare bushed off her dress and smiled politely. "It's quite alright. No harm done."

Time Turner froze as he looked the mare over. "You're Madam Tailor, aren't you?"

Madam Tailor beamed. "Why yes! How did you know?"

Time motioned o the dress. "Your obviously eloquent choice in fashion was my first clue." Tailor giggled. Time smiled and continued. "Also my dear friend Miss Rarity just purchased one of our dresses okay at the shop." He motioned to Rarity, who stepped forward. Tailor looked at her and smiled. "You have excellent taste my dear. That design looks marvelous on your figure."

Rarity blushed. "Thank you very much. I...I happen to do a bit of designing myself."

Tailor took immediate interest. "Really? Do you have a shop in Canterlot?"

Rarity shook her head. "Oh no. I've only just started really. But I must say your designs are truly inspirational."

Tailor stepped closer to Rarity. "I'm glad to see that my breaking the status quo is inspiring mares such as yourself. Tell me dear, do you and your gentlecolt friend have a table or the banquet?" Rarity shook her head and Tailor smiled. "Then I insist you join me at mine! I hate to plan and run, but I must speak to some others before we eat. See you soon!"

Tailor walked away leaving Rarity with her mouth hanging open. "We get to...sit with Madam Tailor!"

The Doctor smiled. "That will be quite the treat." Something moved in the corner of his eye. He glanced around. And then he spotted the movement again. Small, but noticeable. His eyes froze on the floor.

Did that pony have....two shadows?

The Doctor felt a hoof on his shoulder. He turned to find Rarity looking at him with concern. "Doctor, is something wrong?"

"Geldings."

Rarity stared at the Doctor in confusion. "What?"

The Doctor looked back only I discover he pony with two shadows had walked away. He hoped. He turned back to Rarity. "Geldings. They're very dangerous creatures. They're very small, nearly invisible to the eye. Thats why they travel in herds. Thousands and thousands of them together look like nothing more than a shadow."

Rarity shook her head. "Why does that matter?"

Time Turner leaned in close. "Because I just saw a stallion with two shadows. The geldings are hunting him."

Rarity's eyes grew wide in fear. "What's going to happen?"

Time Turner thought of a moment. "I need you to go have dinner with Madam Tailor. I'm going to take care of the geldings." Without another word he disappeared into the crowd.

Rarity looked around on the floor, glancing at ponies shadows. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The Doctor would handle everything. She just needed to relax and go enjoy Tailor's company. She made her way towards the table Tailor was standing by.

-------------------------

Time Turner made his way around the hall, looking at every shadow. The geldings had to be somewhere. He finally tracked down the stallion he had seen earlier. There was only one shadow. Time growled to himself. "Where are you hiding you little devils?" He looked around at the nearby ponies. Nothing. He shook his head and continued searching.

-------------------------

Rarity was sitting right next to Tailor. Tailor finished her drink and turned to Rarity. "Now my dear, how serious are you about designing?"

Rarity smiled. "I would say I'm quite serious. I rarely buy my clothes anymore. I make them myself. Sort of dressing myself up while advertising my line."

Tailor looked surprised. "Why that's brilliant! Supply yourself and informing the public at the same time? I wish I had thought of that when I was first starting off."

Rarity smiled. "At least you've been able to gain success. I still hope for more recognition, but nothing happens. And now I can't even get some of my designs right."

Tailor chuckled. "Oh my dear. You don't think my success came overnight, do you? I worked long and hard to get to where I am. And I'm still struggling!"

Rarity tipped her head to the side. "Struggling? But you seem to be doing so well!"

Tailor's smile lessened as she shook her head. "No darling. I know that mares think I've had it easy breaking into fashion, but if anything its been the most difficult event in my life. Everypony waits for the moment I fail so they can say that mares can't do a stallion's job. You don't know what a thrill it is to see one such as yourself so excited about getting into the industry. It renews my resolve. And don't fret over a few minor setbacks. Even I have my off days. No matter what blocks your path, you can move past it."

Rarity smiled at the mare. Here was a pony who really understood what she was going through. A pony who was even now fighting for her place in high society. Rarity thought of how much things had changed since this Gala. She had it so much easier in her time, and yet success was still a hard earned reward.

-------------------------

Time Turner was trotting along the edge of the crowd. He shook his head and muttered. "I knew I should have brought my screwdriver." He stopped along a wall and scanned the crowd.

"Doctor?"

Time Turner froze. Who could know him here? He turned his head.

"Thou didst not convey thy possible attendance. When didst thou arrive?"

Time smiled. "Hello Lady Luna. It is good to see you again."

Luna nodded her head. "As it is good to see thy face as well. Why do you linger on the edges of this company?"

Time turner looked around before leaning in closer. "I'm here on business." He lowered his voice even more. "Geldings."

Luna's eyes grew wider. "You dare suggest such vile creatures are present at these festivities?"

Time nodded. "I've seen them, but I can't keep track of them. They keep moving between the guests." An idea popped into his head. "Do you know a spell to locate them? They are after all features of the shadows and night."

Luna narrowed her eyes. "I will be courteous to you and not take offense to thy statement." She closed her eyes and her horn began to glow. Time Turner looked around the hall, waiting for something to identify the geldings. He looked back at Luna. She opened her eyes and nodded. "They are nearing the banquet area."

Time Turner looked to the tables. His eyes locked on Tailor and Rarity. "Oh no."

-------------------------

Rarity and Tailor were laughing at a small joke about sewing when Rarity felt something cold against her hoof. She looked down. Nothing seemed to be there. She looked back to Tailor, who was also looking down for some reason. Tailor glanced at Rarity. "Did you feel something?" Rarity nodded.

The crowd began muttering as ponies were getting pushed aside. Rarity stared at the crowd as the Doctor came into view, making his way to her. Her eyes grew wide with fear as she remembered what he was doing. She looked down at he shadowy underside of the table. There was a patch of shadow that seemed darker than the rest. She backed away from the table. "Tailor, get back." Tailor looked at her in confusion. And then the shadow touched her hoof. She shivered and stood still.

The Doctor arrived at the table and went slight to Tailor. "Don't move and don't worry Madam Tailor. I can help." He knelt on the ground and inhaled. Before Rarity could ask what he was doing, he planted his hoof in the center of the shadow. The Doctor froze as the geldings crept up his leg. Hen h geldings were no longer touching the ground, the Doctor moved. He jumped away from Tailor and began turning in circles. Rarity tried to step towards him.

"Don't!"

Rarity stopped as the Doctor sat down, his face tightening in an expression of pain. Princess Luna appeared from the crowd and ran up to the Doctor. He touched her horn to the geldings and they instantly migrated to her horn. The Doctor relaxed and fell sideways. Rarity ran over to him and lifted his head off the ground. He smiled at her. "Easy."

Luna's horn, still covered in geldings, began to glow. The geldings seemed to burst in little flashes of light and disappeared one by one. Soon Luna's horn looked normal again and she sighed. She walked over to Rarity and the Doctor. "Always performing the foolhardy act." The Doctor winked and, with Rarity's help, sat up.

-------------------------

Rarity led Time Turner into the cabinet. She got him to his desk where he sat down with a sigh. Rarity shook her head. "You could have been killed tonight."

Time shrugged. "I knew Luna would come to help."

Rarity looked unconvinced, but decided to not pursue the argument. She sat down next to Time Turner and put her head on his shoulder. "Just don't do it again."

Time Turner frowned. "I wish I could promise that. But it's my job. There are things in Equestria that even Luna or Celestia can't control. It's up to me to protect everypony."

Rarity looked up at the stallion. "Ten who protects you?"

Time Turner looked into her eyes and smiled. Rarity returned the smile and put her head back on his shoulder. Time Turner flipped a switch on the control panel and the timepiece bean to spin.

"Let's go home."

Time Turner straightened his last timepiece and backed away from the shelf. "Perfect." He turned around to see Rarity putting down her duster. She looked at Time Turner and smiled. They went behind the counter together and looked around the shop. Time Turner sighed. "It sure is nice to have the shop in one piece again."

Rarity pointed to the blue cabinet. "The next challenge is sorting through everything in there."

Time Turner chuckled. "That would take a few weeks. I've got enough junk in there to fill this shop over twice."

Rarity sat down and sighed. "This certainly is a nice break from the usual adventures. And yet...it almost seems dull."

Time Turner nodded. "I've done both for so long that it's routine for me. I can't imagine what it must be like for you, being thrown into an adventurous life after living normally."

Rarity thought for a moment. "It feels....exciting. I've lived my whole life in Ponyville without any adventure. And now I have the chance for adventure anywhere and anytime. Now I don't know if I would have it any other way."

The shop door opened with a creak. Time Turner peeked over the counter. Derpy the mailpony was standing inside, looking around the shop in confusion. "Hello?" Time Turner stood up and cleared his throat. Derpy turned and smiled. "Oh!" She pulled out a scroll. "This came for you. Wait-" She looked at the scroll again and nodded. "Yeah. This came for you." She held out the scroll and Time Turner took it.

Time turner smiled. "Thank you Derpy." Derpy turned around and trotted out of he shop. Time Turner opened the scroll as Rarity stood up next to him. His eyes scanned the parchment, getting wider with each line read. He set the scroll down and looked at Rarity. "Break's over."

------------------------------

Rarity stepped out of the cabinet to find herself in a closet. She looked back to Time Turner as he stepped out. "Where exactly are we? And when?"

Time Turner opened the closet door, letting in the light. "Canterlot Castle in the present. I only made the cabinet move through Equestria, not through time."

Rarity followed the Doctor out of the closet and looked around. They were in the east wing, just off the main entry. They walked across to the west wing and down towards the end of the hall. Without knocking, Time Turner opened a door and entered. Rarity hurried in after him about to say something about knocking first, but stopped herself as she spotted Princess Celestia.

Celestia nodded. "Doctor. Thank you for coming so quickly. And I see you brought a friend."

Time Turner motioned to Rarity. "Miss Rarity, Princess Celestia. Princess Celestia, Miss Rarity."

Rarity bowed. "It is an honor to meet you Princess."

Celestia smiled. "Any friend of the Doctor's is a friend of mine. Welcome."

Time Turner stepped forward. "Your letter mentioned the castle's statue garden?"

Celestia nodded. "I'm afraid so. Do you have any suggestions?"

Rarity stepped forward. "Exactly what are we talking about?"

Time Turner closed his eyes. "Do you remember the first time we met?"

Rarity's eyes widened in horror. "There are more?"

Time Turner nodded. "Apparently there's a herd of them on the castle grounds."

Celestia led them to a balcony overlooking the statue garden. Two guards stood on the balcony looking down at the Weeping Mares.

Time Turner shook his head. "Guards won't be much of a help."

Celestia stared out at the garden solemnly. "I have the entire garden surrounded. At least that's kept the Mares contained."

Rarity's eyes flickered from The Doctor, down to the monsters below, and back. "What are you going to do?"

Time Turner smiled grimly. "I'm still working on that."

Celestia sighed. "I'll leave you two to plan. If I can be of any assistance don't hesitate to ask." She turned and walked away.

Time Turner looked down at the Mares. "Why would there be so many in one place? I've walked through this garden before and never once did I see a Weeping Mare in all of these rocks."

Rarity pressed herself against him. "What will happen if they get out?"

Time Turner put his head against hers. "I don't know. I've only heard rumors. And none of them are good."

They made their way down to the garden to have a better look at the Mares. Guards stood around the edges watching the statues.

Time Turner nodded. "At least there are enough guards. That should keep the Mares from moving." He trotted over to the nearest statue and looked it over. "Definitely a Weeping Mare. But why are you here?" A breeze blew through the garden. Time Turner's ears perked up. "Hello." He looked around at the nearby statues. Another breeze went by. Time Turner turned in a circle. "Hello, hello!" He stood still as another breeze blew past.

Rarity stepped forward. "Doctor, what's going on?"

Time Turner turned to her and smiled. "They're speaking to us."

Rarity's tipped her head to the side. "With a breeze?"

Time Turner nodded. "Exactly! Do you know what this means?"

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Of course I don't."

Time Turner glanced at her and beamed. "It means I need my screwdriver."

------------------------------

The Doctor fiddled with his magic screwdriver for a moment before pointing it at one of the Mares. He stood still as another breeze blew by. His ears perked as he listened.

Another breeze came. This time Rarity's ears perked. She could hear something. It wasn't clear yet, but it was definitely something.

One last breeze passed through the stone garden. The breeze had transformed into a whisper.

We have come for you.

Time Turner stepped away from the statues. He looked from one to another to another. "Not good." He looked around at the guards on the garden's edges. They were still watching the Mares, but they seemed slightly disturbed after hearing the message. Time Turner turned to Rarity. "You should go."

Rarity shook her head. "I'm not leaving you here with these things."

Time Turner smiled and nodded. He turned back to one of the Weeping Mares. "So you all came for a visit? Why have I earned such an honor?" He held up his screwdriver and another breeze blew through the garden.

You have hunted us. Destroyed us.

Time Turner muttered around the screwdriver in his mouth. "And yet you still keep coming back."

You are a scourge on our kind. You must be dealt with.

"So you've come to kill me."

We do not kill. We feast on your life. We feast until you have been drained. We feast until you become one of us.

Time Turner dropped the screwdriver. He took a step back. "Rarity, you need to leave. Now!"

Rarity stood frozen in horror. "They're ponies. All of them!"

Time Turner shook his head. "No. They're Weeping Mares. They stopped being ponies long ago. Now they're monsters. And they mean to take me. You have to leave before that happens."

Rarity shook her head. "I will not abandon you to become one of them."

The stallion smiled. "I don't mean to lose this battle my dear. I man to end these creatures once and for all. Now go! Wait outside the garden."

Rarity opened her mouth to argue, but decided against it. She backed away and left.

Time Turner looked around at the Mares. "You've survived for far too long. It's time to end this." A breeze blew by and he shook his head. "Whatever you're saying is pointless. Do you know why? Because I'm your worst nightmare."

---------------------------------

Rarity paced outside the garden wall. There was complete silence. What was going on? Would the Doctor really be able to stop a whole herd of Weeping Mares? She continued to pace.

---------------------------------

The Doctor has come.

The Mare moved silently.

He will be ours.

It looked around the corner of a hedge wall.

He will be ours.

---------------------------------

Rarity stopped pacing. She felt funny. Like...somepony was watching her.

---------------------------------

Time Turner moved through the garden. He kept pointing his screwdriver at the various statues. "There's got to be a trick to this." He had killed single Mares before, but this many? It was going to be a challenge. A smile formed on his face. He loved a challenge.

You will surrender yourself Doctor.

Time Turner stopped where he was. "And why would I do that?"

Because the mare will die if you don't.

His eyes went wide. "Rarity."

"DOCTOR!!"

Time Turner turned on the spot to see Rarity at the entrance of the garden. A Mare had her by the hoof. Time Turner ran over to her and glared at the statue. "Release her."

Surrender

He shook his head. "Never."

"Doctor. I can't move."

Time Turner looked at Rarity. She was still facing into the garden. And then he noticed the hoof that the Mare was holding. It was slowly turning to stone. He walked around until he could look into Rarity's eyes. "Don't panic. The Mare paralyzed you. It's beginning to drain you of your life energy."

Rarity's mouth twitched as it tried to smile through the paralysis. "Oh. Is that all? Why would I panic over such a silly thing?"

Time Turner gave her a hug. "Don't worry. I'll get you out of this." He backed away and looked at the Mares in the garden. "You've just made the biggest mistake of your life. Scratch that. This is number two. Number one is that you thought it was a good idea to come after me. Now release her before I destroy you all!"

Silence. And then...

Both of you die today.

Time Turner's eyes burned as his anger got the best of him. He pulled out a small glass orb filled with black smoke. He threw it on the ground, glass shattering everywhere. The smoke spread out and the garden went black. That's when the screaming began.

---------------------------------

The guards backed away in horror. The screams were unworldly. And what was worse was that they weren't screams of bloodlust. They were screams of terror. And they were coming from the Weeping Mares. What could strike fear into such terrible creatures?

The screams lessened and lessened. The Mares were growing silent. And then....nothing. The garden became still. It was several more minutes before the smokescreen cleared. When it did, Time Turner was standing with a short, black blade in his mouth. All around him were headless statues, cracked and decaying. Some had already crumbled to the ground.

---------------------------------

Rarity was huddled at the edge of the garden next to what was left of her attacker. She had her eyes closed as she held off the tears. She felt a hoof on her shoulder and winced, expecting the grip of the Mare to return.

"Rarity."

She opened her eyes and looked up. It was the Doctor. She couldn't help it. She embraced him as she began to cry.

---------------------------------

Time Turner closed the cabinet door behind him and walked down the castle hall. Celestia was waiting for him near the stairs.

The princess nodded to him. "How is she?"

Time Turner smiled. "She'll recover. Just shaken up."

Celestia smiled. "It's a good thing she has you."

Time Turner turned away to hide his reddening face. "I'll always rescue her. She's a special mare."

Celestia sighed. "There's something you should know then."

---------------------------------

Rarity looked up as the cabinet door opened. Time Turner stepped inside and smiled. She let out a content sigh. "Are we all done then?

Time Turner nodded. "Indeed we are. Ready to go home? I don't know about you, but I could use some more of that dull life we had earlier today."

Rarity smiled. "Agreed."

Time Turner flipped some switches and the timepiece went into motion. After a few seconds it stopped and the two ponies exited the cabinet.

Rarity looked around the shop and smiled. "I never thought I would be so happy to see a peaceful shop. Why did I ever want to find excitement?"

Time Turner chuckled. "Because we need it every now and then." He looked around the shop. "And sometimes we need the peace and quiet too." He sighed happily. They stood in silence for a moment. Time Turner looked at Rarity and smiled. "I think I've had enough peace and quiet." He trotted back into the cabinet. Rarity stared after him in shock. Was he serious? Time Turner stuck his head out. "You coming?" Rarity giggled and ran after him, shutting the cabinet door behind her.