WARNING! The fic will be in progress for as long as the show will continue or until I'll get sick of Doctor Who (ha-ha, like it's even possible). Sort of AU, of course, but not as much as it can be expected. No other character's bashing, all the companions at their places. River is still the 11th Doctor's wife (sort of), the Human!Doctor still exists, Charley and Eight still fall for each other. I have a strong idea for the story, but I have no clue where it will lead me. So this is not only the journey for you, but for me as well. The beginning is a bit dark but it will get better, I promise. Every Doctor/Rose Tyler, Susan, Jamie, Sarah Jane, Brigadier, Romana, Peri, Ace, Charley, Jack, Martha, Donna, Amy, Rory, River, Clara and many others. Spoilers for every Doctor Who era since 1963.
One
What do you think make us human? Is it our body? Our brain? Or maybe we have to be born on the specific planet? Maybe it's what we do and how we feel, the way we love. Maybe it's our human heart. I guess no one will ever know the answer to that.
A young woman was walking her way through the red grass. She never even imagined that this world could be so perfectly beautiful; she heard the stories but actually seeing it, feeling it with her new senses was weirdly wonderful. It was so strange for her to be alive again, well sort of alive. Can you call someone alive if he or she was born and died at the same time? If the person exists everywhere at once and doesn't exist at all? Even with her almost almighty, she didn't know the answer for that. Of course, all of you recognized me, Rose Tyler, the Doctor's former companion. Or what was left of me in this Universe.
Rose or rather her Bad Wolf form sat under the big orange tree. She was wearing a white simple dress, her long blonde hair was loose, she didn't wear any make-up. Her eyes had a golden glimmer in them, the prove of her Bad Wolf status. And she hated it. Why wouldn't she, anyway? She was brought back to this half-life without her consent, against everything she ever wanted too. She was dragged into this Universe instead of peaceful sleep she was supposed to share with her beloved husband. And all because of him. Sometimes she regretted meeting him, her old naïve and human self would be angry with this new version of her. But she didn't see what Bad Wolf Rose had seen, wasn't destroyed from the core and being transformed into some Goddess she didn't wanted to be, she never saw everything that ever happened or ever will. Her human self never hated anyone, let alone someone she used to love.
But it didn't matter anymore, she has to complete her missions and then finally be free. For now she exists in between life and death, she can't even be here, in the material world for as long as she wanted. She was the prisoner of her own powers which she would have traded in a heartbeat! Why, why was she so stupid back then? She never thought of the consequences for herself, she never even dreamed that there is a fate worse than death awaits for her. Did they really think that taking the Heart of the TARDIS would be erased with one simple kiss? Hell, no! And now she is the part of the Vortex for all eternity and she will never be able to sleep until…No, don't think of that, she told herself. You will find another way, if not well then you'll do it. The compassionate and loveable Rose Tyler is dead, now you are the Bad Wolf. You have to start to think like that, not like human with her pitiful sorrows. You have an important job to do, whether you like it or not. And this is not about him or you, it's about the Universe. It just, unfortunately, both of your destinies are linked to the destiny of the Universe. And she hated it. She didn't want to be linked to anyone! She wants to be free.
While thinking her unhappy thoughts she saw two young men in a distance. Her strange heart stopped for a second and she understood who it was.
The smaller guy had messy red hair and huge green eyes. He laughed manically, he was already been contained with a powerful weapon, at least he didn't know it yet, Rose thought a bit bitterly. He could be really brilliant, but destiny had her own ideas: ruined friendship, millions of death and this all for greater good. Yeah, right, messing with someone's life is for a greater good. Bullshit! Even though, Rose was now the part of most terrifying power ever existed, she didn't buy all this nonsense. But she was so small in comparison to the true ruler of anything anywhere – Time. And even as a Bad Wolf, she couldn't do anything.
The taller man was thin, with black hair and piercing blue eyes, he reminded her of a pirate a bit. Of course it was the Doctor. Well, he used be truly young once, Rose thought to herself, she rubbed her wedding ring unconsciously. The ring of course was given to her when she was human by the only incarnation of the Doctor she didn't detest. She has no idea how it appeared in this world but perhaps it was just her way not to lose the remnants of her humanity and happy memories. When you live forever and see everything, it's hard to stay optimistic. She'll need to discuss it with Boe one day.
Rose made sure that neither Doctor nor Master would see or hear her. If it were up to her she would never showed herself to the Doctor, let alone explain him why and how she is here. But she knew it was inevitable. One day she'll have to face her personal demon. Fortunately, until now she can do her job without being tortured by him.
-Oh, come on! The Master? Seriously? Koshei, that's the worst possible name you could think of!
-Oi! Yours is no better, Doctor. How pretentious is that? At least my name is cool! – the red head answered. The young guys both laughed. So, Rose thought to herself, the Doctor is still a teenager now. It's way too far in the past. Well, she was still a bit unsure about her new abilities and couldn't control all them all that well, but seriously? How did she manage to throw herself that far? The Doctor is 100 years at most, he didn't even get the TARDIS yet. Rose had a big suspicion that she has something to do with that. What was she trying to tell her? There is no way Rose would fall for another cheap trick and forgive the Doctor. No way, never, he destroyed her. Rose could feel that her eyes was starting to burn again as the anger and something else, she didn't want to think of was boiling in her body.
-Hey, - said the Doctor to the Master suddenly. – Did you see that? – the Doctor was looking at the spot where Rose was sitting. The Master turned his head.
-What? – he asked in confusion.
-Some sort of golden light, a bit like regeneration energy, but not really… - nosy bastrad, thought Rose. Always poking in places he shouldn't. Maybe if he did mind his own business once in a while, nothing of all these happened. The Gallifrey would be still alive and she would be home, with her mom and loyal Mickey, not stuck in this limbo. Well, if to be fair, it wasn't his fault…right now. She let her emotions over the edge and almost gave herself away, she could of course erase their memories, but they were Timelords, so there would be no guarantee that it won't come back to them at some point, she couldn't risk that chance.
-Or maybe you just bumped your head when being at the Medusa Cascade – said the Master while rolling his eyes mockingly – That would explain all the Doctor stuff.
-Oh, shut up, Koshei! – the Doctor's mood change at once. He could swear something was there and somehow it was oddly familiar to him. Nahhh, just a trick of the light. The couple of happy boys set themselves comfortably on the red grass.
- So, Doctor. What did our crazy Fortuneteller predicted for you? What did you see in her magic ball? – asked Koshei
- I could ask you the same thing, Master – he highlighted the last word mockingly.
-Ahhh, some nonsense about the drums. I mean come on! Drums? How lame is that? – Koshei said while laughing. – No, it's your turn.
-You wouldn't believe it, but the Old Hag predicted that I will become an adventurous traveler.
-YOU? – roared the master? – A traveler! She has lost her wits completely.
-Oi! – the blue-eyed Doctor squeaked – I could be a traveler!
-Well, only with guards and courtship. – smiled the Master. – Come on, Theta. We both know it's the truth. You never did ANYTHING dangerous in your entire life, always being a good daddy's boy.
-Don't, Koshei – the Doctor's face suddenly turned sad.
-Sorry – said the Master sincerely. He looked in the sky. – It sucks being stuck here – he continued – Everything is already decided for us, every step. I swear, one day I will escape this place and no one will find me. I will be free.
-Where would you go? – asked the Doctor.
-Anywhere, anywhen. I don't want to be another "watcher of the Universe". I want to have a life, a real life. Not to live thousands of years sitting in the chair.
-That's what Timelords do – said the Doctor sadly.
-Than I don't want to be a Timelord – spat the Master and there was a flicker of madness in his now-youthful eyes – They say that regular Gallifreyans are barbarians, but you know what, Theta? At least they've got free will. They can go anywhere they want, be anyone they want, be with those they want – at the last words the Doctor inhaled deeply. It didn't escape the Masters attention – So they've already assigned the date?
-You've already figured that out, but yes. – the Doctor looked the sky. – Political marriage is not a fun thing. I know most of our marriages are but…I don't know. I haven't even met her! What if we don't fit together? Or what if we won't like each other? OK, I am not talking about this barbaric concept of love, but we are going to be partners for the rest of our lives!
-I am sorry – repeated the Master. – But you can do what almost of our people do, marry her, do your duty to Gallifrey, loom the progeny and move on. Plus if either of you regenerate any time soon, you can always annul the marriage.
-You know perfectly well, that my parents won't allow this. – inhaled the Doctor. Something tingled in Rose's chest. It was…pity. NO! How can you feel sorry for him? You swore to yourself, never to let this happen again. He has a choice and someday he is gonna use and escape this place. She, on other way, is trapped forever. – That girl is as much reluctant as I am. But we are both the heirs of the two powerful lines…
-And filthy rich – interrupted Koshei.
-So, it's not like we have any other choice, except for escaping.
-Didn't you just moaned that you could become a daredevil? Steal the TARDIS and run.
The Doctor laughed at this.
-I am a too much of a coward for that and you know that, Koshei. Plus, I don't want to let my parents down. The Old Hag was wrong, my place is here. Being a boring and rightful Timelord.
-What about Brax? – asked the Master. – Can't he help you?
- Nahh, he doesn't care. Too busy in his political career and you know he is aiming for the Circle, so marriage for him is off the table. He feels like the fish in the water in all that politics and stuff. Dad says he'll achieve a lot, while I am only good for a desk job as mom says.
- A desk job? – asked Koshei in confusion.
-Yeah, that I'll be sitting at the Tower and waste my time, basically. It's an old Earth saying.
-Ahh, sometimes I forget that one of your mother's ancestor was a human. Yack. – the Master frowned a bit. Ha, Rose thought a bit evilly, if only you knew the full story, your head would blow up.
-Mom says humans are nice. She remembers her great-grandmother. She was born on Earth in 19th century.
-Yeah, yeah. I know the story. Your great-grandfather was send on Earth with a mission and he fell in love with a human and brought her here. Very romantic. But it was almost 30 thousand years ago, Theta. How do you know that humans are still nice? Plus, they still are partly monkeys – his lips twitched in disgust – And Timelords do not fall in love, your ancestors were freak of nature.
-Thank you very much, Koshei, how thoughtful of you – the Doctor rolled his eyes.
-Well, it's true. I mean it's evidently even in you. You've always been weird. – he elbowed his friend. – Plus, humans live for an awful short period of time. I mean what was the record? 3000 years? And they weren't even pure humans anymore, hybrids. The pure human, without any medical or any other intervention can only last for 150 at max! It's impossibly short!
-Yeah, you are right…But I still would like to visit Earth someday. They are family after all, very distant one, but still. – the Doctor shrugged.
-Maybe you will and then they'll proclaim you their king or God. Depends on when you'll lend.
-Don't be stupid – the Doctor roared with laughter. He jumped on his feet. – Come on, it's time to get back to Academy.
-Yeah, yeah. Back to boring classes and stupid professors. How exiting! – mumbled the Master.
-Don't be so grumpy!
-Well, to your precious humans I am an ancient bloke, so don't you dare to tell me what to do, young man! – said Koshei in elder voice.
-I am your age, you useless idiot. Let's go.