"There's a reason I hid him away!" cried Yoshi. "That was a life I meant to put behind me once and for all! As far as I was concerned The Doctor was dead!"
"Well, he's not anymore," replied Red. "Although I admit you did an excellent job hiding him. That show convinced everyone he was just a legend. Well, except for me."
"I gave you the watch with specific instructions to never let me see it again. You saw the disaster I caused! Never again! NEVER AGAIN!" cried The Doctor.
"Get a hold of yourself, Yoshi- or Doctor, since that is the name I really know you by!"
"How can I, when I remember the-"
"Don't remember it!"
"But I can't forget! That's the curse of the Time Lords!"
"Doctor, you can't hide anymore. They've come to the Mushroom Kingdom."
"Who has?"
"The Daleks," and Red drew a deep breath. "They don't know you're here."
"You- you were the last person who ever saw me. Of course they don't know I'm here."
"They do know I'M here."
"How?"
"How do you think? I'm the only Yoshi in the solar system with Time Lord DNA."
"It figures. What I did to protect you instead brought my deadliest enemy."
"No time to reflect on yesterday. What you do now will define the future of this entire planet- for better or worse. Of course, we aren't alone, because now you know where she is."
"Yes, I know. I haven't visited her in years."
"Don't think she hasn't missed you. There's a legend on the island that some sea monster is crying out in loneliness, but we both know it's her. You left your screwdriver with her too."
"I know. Red, this was the one thing I asked you never to do. Surely you don't think this planet is as weak as all that, that they can't hold their own."
"If it wasn't for your past travels NO planet would have held its own, and you know it. Listen, Doctor. I know yesterday is difficult to remember, but if you don't move now, there will be no tomorrow."
The Doctor took a deep breath. "It was the charm of this place that made me want to settle here and end my days as a Time Lord. To be at peace with everyone, not have any serious enemies, make long-lasting friends who I didn't fail, help where I could without any paradoxes or - I don't even know what I've been doing for these last 30 years now. Tell me, was I a good Yoshi?"
"You were among the best."
"Please don't try to flatter me. Tell me the truth."
"Doctor- even when you weren't you, you still saved lives. You rescued babies who became the rulers of kingdoms and rescuers of princesses. You're friends with everyone in every kingdom but one, and are regarded as one of the kindest and most fiercely loyal Yoshi's this island has ever known. You're even the head of our chamber of commerce, and your best friend- is human. His name is Mario. He doesn't talk much, but you've saved his life, and he yours, more times than anyone can count. Doctor, I don't know that you'll ever go back to that life, but if you wish to save any piece of it, we must go right now."
The Doctor's big eyes filled with tears. "So...I have to leave all of that?"
"If you don't it will be the last time the Mushroom Kingdom stands...and then it will fall."
"Red, if ever you called me friend, never use those words in the same sentence again."
"I'm sorry."
"Well!" said the Doctor, jumping from his seat. "I may be old but I feel younger than ever. I think I'll stick with this form for a while. It's quite limber. Now, Red, tell me- where are the Daleks?"
Continued next week.
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