Disclaimer: All characters are the property of BBC and other people not including me.
This is my first piece of writing to share so any constructive criticism you have is appreciated.
All he could see was fire, smoke and a burning heat surrounded by more searing hot fire, burning his mind, his hearts, his souls and his home. Gallifrey was burning and it was entirely his fault.
The TARDIS tried to reach out to him and comfort his shattering soul, but she could not get through to him. His pain was wrapped around him. He was the one who had triggered the destruction of the Daleks and saved the world. He was the one who has triggered the destruction of the only home he had ever known. He fell to the floor of the TARDIS as she flew him into the Vortex and away from Gallifrey for the last time.
Tears streamed unchecked down his face. His eyes saw, not the control room, but the fires and death in his hearts. The pain of his injuries was nothing. He knew he was fatally wounded and he was determined to let nature take its course and to perish with his people.
He languished for hours on death's door before something managed to startle him out of his bitter trance. A golden light was swirling around the control room of his TARDIS. It was not the light of regeneration, but it seemed to be similar. It was warm and comforting and he felt a hint of peace deep inside his soul.
"Don't give up Doctor," spoke the voice of a hidden angel.
"You have so much good left to do in this world. There are so many people you have left to touch and heal and save and so much love left to give. It is not your time."
The light continued to swirl around him for a time and then formed into a large mass. The Doctor stared as a large wolf appeared from the golden mist. The wolf came up close to the man and nuzzled his hand.
"I will stay with you for a time. Until you regenerate, I will stay here physically. I will stay in your hearts forever. I will always be here to help you and guide you, though you will not always know I am here."
The large she-wolf led the doctor to a room in the TARDIS where they could lie down. She curled up next to him and they lay discussing everything he could have done differently and how each action would have led to the same or a worse result. The Doctor still trembled just thinking about the destruction he had brought down on Gallifrey, but he thought maybe he could live on. When at last his injuries became too much, the wolf got up and backed away.
"Remember that I will always be here looking out for you. My Doctor."
The light shone through the room and the Doctor morphed into a new, harder man. Just before he lost consciousness he whispered a quiet thank you to his guardian friend. He thought he saw her smile as she faded away from his sight and from his memory.
He did not fully remember the wolf when he awoke, but as he donned his soon to be signature leather jacket, he felt as though some bit of hope from outside was helping him on. Leading him to a new and different future. There were no more Time Lords but that didn't mean that the Doctor had to carry on alone. He would find purpose and do as much good as he could to try and counter the evils of the Time War. He scanned for trouble and managed to find a bit going on in 21st century London. He set the coordinates and took off down the halls of his ship to see if he had any anti-plastic. He was going to need it.