It had been just another day in the life of just another teenager who lived in just another suburb in just another average Australian city – well, at least that was how it had started.
Ben Spencer had said goodbye to his parents, had a lift from a friend straight to school, and settled into his first class before the trouble had began. Things were going as averagely as expected – so boring. But it was a Wednesday, at least – the day when new Glee was on and he could sink back into the world of show choir and other mayhemic pursuits. (was mayhemic a word? He'd have to it.) Then it hit him – the last episode had been last week. Christmas time, all cheery and happy – midseason break. DOOM! There was nothing exciting left! Doctor Who was gone as well, not to return but for a Christmas special weeks away and then nothing for a while again.
Ben's life was boring just to start, and television was his break. He was sixteen, and nothing really exciting was going on anymore. That was until the sparking began – in his fingers at first. He barely noticed it whilst drumming against his desk, as the lightning turned them purple and bright. He did begin to notice, however, as the sparks started travelling up his arm, and towards his face. He tried to stamp them out – but he'd already gained the attention of his fellow classmates.
"This is insane!" he thought, but a sneeze was coming on. His classmates were coming towards him, but there was nothing they could do to help, or catch his attention. He was solely focused on the wheezing noise keeping time with the deep breaths he was pulling in as he sneezed – a very familiar wheezing.
As the TARDIS began to materialize in front of him, Ben kept time and continued to... well... sneeze it into existence. He could feel the final burst coming – the big finale. He sneezed long, and hard, and the TARDIS made it's final groan into existence. On his desk, appearing swathed in purple lightning, was a small Yale Key that had no uncertain purpose.
"Ben?" a friend asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said, trying his best to keep calm.
"Is that what I think it is?" she asked, excitedly.
"I hope so." He began to walk over to the TARDIS when he saw a firm arm stretch out in front of him.
"Ben Spencer, where do you think you are going, and at the very least without an explanation?"
His teacher, Ms Parks, wasn't letting him go easily. She was surprisingly strong for a lady of her age bracket, and he found he couldn't budge.
"I'm going into that ship, and making sure there's not anyone inside."
He gently lowered her arm and turned the key easily inside the lock. As he stepped inside the TARDIS, he was taken aback.
After having watched Doctor Who for a while, Ben had naturally assumed that he would be okay with the idea of the TARDIS being bigger on the inside – but watching the set from a TV screen wasn't the most accurate portrayal, and as such he was shocked at the sheer size of the console room.
As he turned to announce the emptiness of the TARDIS, the doors shut sharply. He started to wrap on them hard, knocking and whacking.
"Let me out!"
A holographic projection of the Doctor appeared on the mezzanine of the ship. "Activating Emergency Protocol Seven – escort TARDIS guest to home era. Please do not attempt to interfere with TARDIS systems as this process occurs. Thank you and have a safe trip."
"I'm in my home era you stupid -" as he was about to finish his rant, the TARDIS started to lurch and the turbulence hit him hard. Ben was splayed on the floor, but managed to run to the console and grab on quickly. He pulled the screen into view.
It read: DESTINATION: UNABLE TO DISPLAY – COURSE MALFUNCTION. PLEASE RESET PLOTTER.
"Plotter, plotter." Ben searched the console for the device he sought, the Zig-Zag plotter. He'd seen it before and Amy had used it to stabilize the TARDIS. He gave the plotter a few shakes and pulled the screen to face him again.
This time, it displayed a different message. DESTINATION COURSE PLOTTED. RECALIBRATION IMININENT. WARNING – TIME STREAM CROSSING. PLEASE BRACE YOURSELF FOR IMPACT.
Ben knew what that meant – alternate reality. He had to think it over in his head before considering what he could do to stabilize the TARDIS. "Stabilizers!" he yelled, rushing over to a different part of the console. "The BLUE stabilizers!" He quickly pressed the blue buttons in sequence, settling some of the rumblings shaking the ship.
Running around the console madly, Ben was pressing buttons, flicking switches, turning nobs and working levers like a pro, until the ship started to slow.
"Ease the breaks..." as he said this he slipped his finger over a small switch and brought it down gently. He was aiming for silence at this landing. Discretion was key here – he didn't want anyone knowing he was there. To seal the deal, Ben made his way to the launch lever, and brought it down to a stop. The TARDIS stopped it's shaking, and Ben made his way to the door.
As he walked closer, the TARDIS doors opened suddenly, and the ship shook him out with a lurch, forcing him to do a somersault onto a hard lino floor, as the doors shut behind him. He looked up quickly to see a number of very confused faces looking back at him. He took an inventory check of the stereotypes – the cheerleaders, the goth Asian girl, the kid in the wheelchair, the strong football players, the kid with the Mohawk – it all made sense now. And as their familiar curly haired teacher made his way towards him, Ben Spencer fainted.
