Note: My old readers probably noticed some typos along the way. Well I've gone back and corrected them just now; an author's work is never truly finished after all.
The Final Moments
The Doctor sat in his armchair in the console room of his trusty TARDIS. The room was magnificent; a large chamber of stone with shelves, desks, exotic plants, and even a library. It was extremely inviting with the appearance of a very cluttered but very cozy home. However the beauty did show harsh signs of reality here and there. In places the walls held smudges, cracks, and dents. Some sections of wall looked melted but not quite breached. Pieces of furniture had been demolished or even burned to cinders but the remains had not been cleared up. The library, where the Doctor now sat, was littered with torn and shredded books. The once beautiful TARDIS had been marred by the Time War.
The Doctor observed all of this with a stony expression. Long gone were the days of freely traveling and having grand adventures with his many friends. Long gone even was his own care free, happy-go-lucky attitude toward life; the harsh events leading up to and encompassing the war had stolen all of that from him.
The Doctor shivered and a single tear fell from his eye.
Images of the Time War raged through his mind. He remembered that he had tried to avoid the conflict but had witnessed the death of that poor child by a Dalek. Soon after that he personally led an army of Time Lords into battle. So many battles, so many deaths. His own hands were soaked in the blood spilt by the terrible, senseless battle. He had tried and failed to save many. He had tried to save Romana when the resurrected Rassilon had ascended to the position of Lord President. He had even tried to save his enemy Davros in the first year but the Nightmare Child had other ideas. That was so long ago…
He was shaken out of his thoughts by a loud beep issuing from the console in the center of the room. He knew he was approaching his destination; he stood, walked to the console, and input a few final commands. He glanced up at the screen which read Destination: The Medusa Cascade ETA: 1 Minute
Suddenly the Doctor flipped another switch and the ceiling became encompassed by a hologram of the constellation of Kasterborous. The image zoomed in on a beautiful burnt orange planet. This was Gallifrey; his once beautiful home. He thought of the silver forests, the twin suns, the beautiful fields he and his old dear friend played in so many lifetimes ago. Oh what a bright and shining childhood he had enjoyed on that planet with Koschei, later known as the Master. He had raised a family on that planet, his granddaughter Susan had been his first companion.
The bell sounded again and the TARDIS stopped moving. He had arrived at his destination but could he do this. Could he cause night to fall forever on that mighty planet? The tears were falling in earnest now. The war was raging out of control. The universe had become Hell itself; infested with the Deathsmiths of Goth, the Skaro Degradations, the Horde of Travesties, the Could've Been King and his Army of Meanwhiles and Neverweres, and the Nightmare Child. Countless people were murdered, ressurected, and murdered again every second but was it worth it? Even with all of this raging on could the Doctor actually commit this terrible but necessary act?
He collapsed to the floor weeping openly. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" he screamed.
"No it's not" a familiar voice spoke.
The Doctor looked up and saw an elderly woman in Time Lord robes standing nearby. His heart swelled with emotion as he looked at her; emotions both wonderful and terrible.
"My precious Doctor you have been so brave. You must now show more courage than you have ever shown before as you do what you know is necessary to halt the insane plan of Rassilon. But do not weep for me; I accept my fate with no regrets. Now go and do quickly what you have to do my dear Doctor, no my dear _ "
He gazed deeply into her eyes and felt himself move beyond tears. He rose to his feet in silence; he had no words for her and yet words were not necessary. He picked up the heavily modified De-mat gun now known as The Moment. He flicked the switch that opened the stone doors and walked towards the outer police box doors. He paused and looked back; the woman was gone. Taking a deep breath the Doctor opened the doors.
The TARDIS was hovering in the very heart of the Medusa Cascade where the great rift was located. The Doctor hoisted the gun and took aim for the rift itself. He stood there, a silent statue preparing himself. Without warning he screamed "FORGIVE ME" and pulled the trigger