Hey, guys! Back with a new chapter! This takes place during the End of the World episode in season one, so a lot of the quotes are included in this chapter. It does deviate, for obvious reasons, but it's pretty much like that episode.
I don't own Doctor Who.
Chapter 1: Disturbance at the End of the World
The Doctor opened his eyes with a start as he felt a jolt from his TARDIS. Face slightly numb from where he'd been resting it, he pried himself from the console and straightened up. How had he gotten in that position? One minute he was poring over the screen deciding his next destination, and the next minute, he was slumped over, having (apparently) fallen asleep. He didn't remember when the last time something like that had happened. Hell, he didn't remember that happening ever, period. And on top of that, there had been a strange echo in his mind, like someone was calling to him. Was it an echo? No, it was more like an image. Of...someone. But then there was no more.
He shook his head as if to clear it. A nonsensical dream wasn't the issue here. The problem was he hadn't input any coordinates yet; he had still been drifting about earlier. So why had the TARDIS landed here? Where was here, anyway? Shrugging nonchalantly to himself, the Doctor strode over to the door. Might as well have a look, he thought, opening it. A lobby of some sort greeted his somewhat-cold stare. A small set of stairs led to a rather large window. Descending said stairs to the large window, he saw a barren planet just below. ...Wait a minute...Was that the sun over there? There was a flare, and then realization struck. This is the day the sun expands. Still doesn't explain why she brought me to 5.5/Apple/26, he thought, giving the lobby another once-over, before he headed down a corridor. An automated woman's voice sounded out through the PA system.
"Shuttles 5 and 6 now docking. Guests are reminded that Platform 1 forbids the use of weapons, teleportation, and religion. Earth death is scheduled for 15:39, followed by drinks in the Manchester Suite."
The corridor opened up to a room far bigger than the lobby. It was lined with slate grey columns and display cases. Above, taking up most of the ceiling and running all the way down the front, was the viewing window. The Earth burned brighter now that he was closer. In fact, he could almost feel the raging heat if he stood close enough...
"Who the hell are you?!"
The Doctor turned toward the source of the angry sounding voice. A pompous-looking blue humanoid, dressed in bronze, made his way over.
"Oh, that's nice. Thanks," said the Doctor, mildly amused.
This only seemed to annoy the Steward further.
"But how did you get in here? This is a maximum hospitality zone. The guests have disembarked! They're on their way any second-"
"No! That's me, I'm a guest. Look, I've got an invitation," the Doctor interrupted, pulling out his handy psychic paper. "Look there, y'see? It's fine, y'see? The Doctor. Is that alright?"
The Steward studied the "invitation" for a moment with suspicion in his eyes before looking back at him.
"Well, obviously. Apologies, et cetera. If you're on board, we'd better start. Enjoy," he said, and walked away to a podium near the entrance.
The Doctor smirked. Oh, the amount of times he had fooled people with that slip of paper. Why, there was that one time...No, this was not the time to reminisce. His face became solemn as he heard the Steward introduce him to the mostly empty room.
"We have in attendance The Doctor. Thank you! All staff to their positions."
The Steward clapped three times and suddenly, a troop of small, black-clad blue-skinned figures came marching in and began to line themselves around the room, chattering in high-pitched voices.
"Hurry now! Thank you! Quick as we can, come along, come along!" ordered the Steward. "And now, might I introduce the next honored guest. Representing the Forest of Cheem, we have Trees. Namely Jabe, Lute, and Coffa. There will be an exchange of gifts, representing peace. If you could keep the room circulating, thank you..."
The Doctor found himself tuning out the introductions, coming back to reality only to accept the gifts of peace (the cutting from Jabe's grandfather was rather nice, the bodily salivas he could've done without, and what the hell was he supposed to do with a metal sphere?), and give his own "gift" in return. Which just consisted of him breathing heavily on the guests. Really, why was he here? And more to the point...What in the name of Rassilon made her decide to land here, of all places, he wondered again. He knew that she would go to a location if she picked up a distress signal, but this was just a bloody planet roasting! These guests circled about, fraternizing with one another; if anything, they were far from being distressed. He scowled. Definitely not his type of place. As he quietly made his way toward another set of doors, hoping to slip out quietly, he caught the next introduction.
"...The Silver Devastation, the sponsor of the main event, please welcome The Face of Boe."
The Doctor stared at the giant head in a tank that was now entering the room (well, being gently pushed was more like it). Its great eyes blinked, surveying the room and the guests, before they rested on him. Those eyes were incredibly old, and seemed if they had seen everything throughout time and space. Like me, he thought. The Face of Boe stared at him intently, and after a few increasingly uncomfortable moments on the Doctor's end, he closed his eyes.
More than you think, Doctor...
The Doctor looked around, alarmed. None of the guests seemed to be paying him any mind. So who...?
"...And last, but not least, our very special guest. Ladies and gentleman and trees and multi-forms, consider the Earth below. In memory of this dying world, we call forth the last human. The Lady Cassandra O'Brien Dot Delta Seventeen," announced the Steward.
The Doctor narrowed his eyes a little as The Last Human made her way into the room. At least, he thought it was a "her," if you could call a great big piece of skin with a face stretched out in a frame a "her" in the first place.
"Oh now, don't stare. I know, I know. It's shocking, isn't it? I've had my chin completely taken away and look at the difference! Look how thin I am. Thin and dainty! I don't look a day over 2000. Moisturize me, moisturize me!"
The Doctor grinned widely, hiding the revulsion that was quickly growing inside him. He'd seen humans before, and Cassandra DEFINITELY was not human. And though he knew that some Earth females had an obsession with being thin, this was ridiculous. Not bothering to listen as Cassandra presented her gifts, he let his mind wander (fifty-foot wingspans and fire from nostrils were most definitely not ostrich. Although, that was a rather catchy tune). Exasperated, he began making his way toward one of the doors. As he was about to leave, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye on the left side of the room. Before he even had the chance to investigate, he felt something brush past him. A strangely warm something. From the corner of his eye again, this time on the right side of the room, he thought he saw another movement.
Doctor...so we finally get to meet...
The Doctor slowly turned toward the Face of Boe, who was looking back at him. He approached the giant head in a tank and knelt down to eye level.
"You speak like you know me," he began.
Boe peered at him through heavily-lidded eyes.
I know many things. I have seen much in my lifetime.
"I don't doubt it. They say you've lived for thousands and thousands of years, that you've witnessed everything that has ever happened," said the Doctor.
Perhaps I have. Who really knows?
The Doctor gave a wry smile. He never had much patience for vagueness. He opened his mouth to excuse himself when Boe spoke again.
So lost after the Time War. So angry. So bitter. "But not for much longer."
Boe spoke the last words out loud, and the Doctor widened his eyes.
Danger is coming. And when it does...
But the Doctor never heard Boe finish, because the room started shaking right then. The Steward's voice rang out over the PA.
"Honored guests may be reassured that gravity pockets may cause slight turbulence. Thanking you."
The Doctor shook his head slowly. This was not supposed to happen. He'd experienced them enough to know what they felt like. And whatever that was, it was certainly no gravity pocket. So what exactly was it? He began to pace around the room, arms crossing. Strange...no one seemed to notice anything was off. They just seemed to be standing there, talking. But as he looked closer, he noticed they were all just standing. No one was moving. There was no sound at all. Even the air was silent.
There was another movement out of the corner of his eye again, and this time, he saw something white disappear around the corner. Immediately, he made to go follow it. And then suddenly, everything returned to normal. But he knew at once that something was still off.
"The metal machine confirms, the spider devices have infiltrated the whole of Platform One," Jabe was saying.
"How's that possible? Our private rooms are protected by a code wall. Moisturize me, moisturise me!" said Cassandra.
"Summon the Steward!" said the Moxx of Balhoon.
The Steward! The Doctor bolted down one of the other doorways and down a corridor. A band of the black-clad attendants were grouped around a figure. Approaching them, he saw that it was the unconscious form of the Steward. His body and clothes were singed and slightly smoking, but otherwise, he looked unharmed. The Doctor addressed the attendants.
"Alright, you lot! Get the Steward to someplace safe. Quickly, before something else happens again."
As soon as they were out of sight, carrying the Steward away, the Doctor knelt down by the door which he assumed the Steward had come out from, and examined the twitching "body" of a metal spider (although, technically, it only had four legs, and spiders had eight). His face darkened, realizing why they were here. And he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
The Face of Boe closed his eyes, as if thinking.
That was dangerous, Child of Time. What if he had discovered you? He already suspects something isn't completely right.
For the last time, don't call me that. And I know what I'm doing. I'm not letting any unnecessary deaths happen here.
But you must still be careful. You know what must happen after today is over. I must release you to him. I'm not able to look after you anymore.
I know, old friend. I'll miss you. And I guess I'll see you again someday.
You can count on it. Now, if you still insist on speeding things up, I suggest you finish soon. I am rather getting bored of this.
My pleasure.
Boe opened his eyes and nodded to the small girl dressed in white, before she disappeared again. And he hoped this time, things would be as they should.
Welp, that's it for that chapter. I tried making it as subtle as possible in regards to what happens in the second half. Not sure if I succeeded though. Oh well. Till next time!
