"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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

Next Chapter: The Stone Garden Estimated time remaining: 9 Minutes