The Reluctant God

Chapter 1

The smell of blood drenched the atmosphere of the largest city on the planet Bellamy. The stench poured from its epicenter from a massive temple at the center of the city. Far outside the city, however, the smell of blood could not be found. The forests surrounding the city seemed like a whole new world compared to the urbanized area just a few miles away.

It was in that forest that the sound of the TARDIS materializing started to echo. As always the TARDIS came into form several seconds later. The doors opened with the Doctor stepping out, followed by Alex and Harper. The Doctor walked several yards away from the doors, taking in a huge breath of air. Alex and Harper didn't repeat his actions. They just stayed close to the TARDIS.

The Doctor tasted something in the air. It was a familiar taste to his. It was metallic. His eyes grew curious so he smelled the air. The scent hit him like an Ogron fist. Blood. That was he smelled. It was blood. He turned to Alex and Harper, asking them, "Do you smell that?"

"Smell what?" asked Harper, "I don't smell anything."

"I smell tons of weird stuff," Alex said, "But I think it's just the smell of the woods."

"Not those smells. Do any of you smell blood?" asked the Doctor.

"No," Harper said.

"Me either," Alex replied in agreement.

The Doctor turned away from them. He smelled the air again before finally finding the direction of the smell. He pointed in that direction, "The smells coming from that direction."

"How can you tell? There's no smell," Harper replied.
"I'm a Time Lord," the Doctor replied, "We have greater senses than humans do. When we get closer to the smell, you'll smell it. I guarantee it."

"You guarantee it? Who are you? The Men's Warehouse guy?" asked Harper.

The Doctor just glared at her, "Very funny."

Harper smiled, "I thought so."

The Doctor turned back to the direction of the smell, "Let's go."

"Wait a minute. You want to go the direction of the smell?" asked Alex.

"Yes," the Doctor said slowly, "There might be people hurt or something. Also, I want to know why there is a stench of blood that great."

"Maybe it's from all the sacrifices this planet has," Harper replied.

The Doctor turned to her and told her, "Don't even think that because with me, that's a very, very high possibility."

"That's kind of scary," Alex added.

"Of course it's scary. Sacrifices usually aren't bunnies and flowers," the Doctor shot.

"Very funny," Alex said.

The Doctor walked backed to his ship and locked the doors, "Come on, you two. We've got places to see."

"I really don't think we should go," Harper said.

Alex turned to her, "Come on. Don't be scared. This is our first true adventure on another planet."

"I never thought that you'd be the one ready to go do physical labor for an adventure," Harper replied.

"I've changed," Alex told her.

The Doctor was now several yards ahead of the two girls. He turned to see that they weren't close to him and called out, "Come on! You have no idea what could lurking in a jungle like this."

"Do you?" Alex yelled back.

"Of course not. That's the fun," the Doctor said.

Alex ran towards the Doctor and grabbed his hand. Harper mumbled under her breath, "Running and for no reason. She's definitely changed."

The three of them started again, but only for a few moments. The abrupt stop caused Alex to ask, "What's wrong?"

"We're not alone," the Doctor said, "We're being watched from behind the trees. Don't know how many there are, but there are things watching us."

Alex stayed close to the Doctor as he looked around trying to find out what was watching them. They heard a crack and a slight yelp from behind them. They both turned to find only forest behind them. Alex asked, "Where's Harper?"

"I don't know," the Doctor said, not turning around, "But I think they might know."

"Who?" asked Alex as she turned around. She saw several human looking creatures staring back at them with spears and knives.

"Well boys, where are we going?" asked the Doctor.

The one dressed in the most armor and had the largest knife walked up to the Doctor. He said, "To our city."

"Okay then," the Doctor said, "Lead the way."

The man nodded and led the way as the Doctor had asked. The Time Lord and Alex followed the party towards their city. The smell of blood was dizzying to the Doctor. It was sickening to think what these people had done to their own people or travelers like him and the girls. That thought was very uncomfortable to the Doctor as he thought about what they had done to Harper. He wanted to rush in and save her like he would any of his companions, but he also knew that could get him killed as well as any of his friends. He would just have to play along.

As for Alex, she didn't smell the scent right away until a mile away from the city. She was nauseated from the smell. She had never smelled anything like that before. Sure she had nosebleeds when she was younger, but this smell was so much more than that. She couldn't believe how anything could stand living with it. There was another smell that entered her nose. It was awful. She wanted to puke, but there was a strangely sweet smell in there. She turned to the Doctor and asked, "What is that smell?"

The Doctor's face was grim, "Death. Alex, that's the smell of death."

"Oh my god," she replied, "Where's it coming from?"
The Doctor shook his head, "You're going to find out even if you don't want to."

Alex turned around. What she saw too horrible for her eyes to comprehend She saw a pile of corpses as far as she could see. She could even do anything except just walk. The two of them walked in silence until they reached a break in the forest. In front of them was a field, beyond that was the city that the locals said they came from. The two of them were led into the city and throughout the city streets. The looks they received were on borderline joy as the local tried to get close to them, but the party that was surrounding them kept the citizens at bay. The Doctor and Alex were led up to the top of a temple in the center of the city.

At the top, Alex asked, "This is the part where we're sacrificed, isn't it?"

Just as she asked that, the one that brought them got on one knee and bowed. Everyone else in the city was bowing as well. The Doctor turned to Alex, "I think that would be a no."

The Doctor turned to the leader of the hunting party and asked, "What's your name?"

The man looked at the Doctor and was shocked that the Doctor would ask his name. He replied, "I am Jareth."

"Well Jareth, you can stand."

"Of course my lord," said Jareth, "It's been so long since you visited your humble people last. You have also once again changed your face again. I find this one better than the ones in the records."

"Thank you," the Doctor said, "I do find myself very attractive."

"As do I," Alex agreed, once again taking the Doctor's hand. She leaned her head on the Doctor's shoulder as well.

Jareth smiled, "It's good to meet your queen, my God."

The Doctor's eyes grew wide. He was their god. How did that happen? He was going to find out. He thought about what to asked, but found the perfect way. He said, "Since I'm you god, I have a test. What's my name?"

Jareth smiled at the chance to please his god. He answered, "You are the Master, my lord."

The Doctor was floored. He couldn't find the words to say anything response.