Vincent Valentine heard the sound of the TARDIS for the second time in his life. He leapt up, sprinting to the location of the noise. As he stood there, it appeared. Its apparition was unlike a summoning, but rather a gradual fading in and out, becoming more solid each time it faded in. With an audible thunk it settled into place, a silvery metallic sphere undistinguished in the ruins of Midgar.
The doors swung open, and a tall, blonde man in ill-fitted clothes stumbled out, leaning against the door for support as he looked around, a grin on his face.
"Made it," he sighed, smiling around. An armor clad giant stepped out of the TARDIS, watching the blonde with reverent worry. The giant's face was scarred, his left eye replaced with a glowing red cybernetic one. It was a feature Vincent had seen on several people before. Next were two girls in similar school uniforms, though with different colors; one, the girl wore a cloak lined in green, her tie green and silver. She was slightly taller, her longer hair tied back in a ponytail. The other girl sported a yellow lined cloak and yellow and black tie, her hair trimmed short. Both girls wore glasses. A taller man followed the girls. He was taller than the blonde, but still shorter by far than the giant. He wore a dark brown cloak over tan robes, a silver tube shaped device attached to his belt.
The blonde stumbled as he stepped away from the doors, only to be caught by the giant, who helped him stay on his feet. The TARDIS doors closed as the final person exited. It was a small, caramel skinned girl. She wore a tight fitting red dress with black tights covering her legs. Over the dress was a light yellow jacket with what looked to be metal shoulder pads. She wore a bracelet with a small key attached to it.
Rosie grabbed the TARDIS key she wore around her neck, carefully locking the doors behind her. The Professor was still talking about how he only needed some rest after regenerating because he was still cooking. The keyblade wielder strode forward, grabbing the Professor's shoulder and looking up at him.
"If you need a rest," she said. "Shut up about it and we'll find a place for you to rest." She looked around, trying to get her bearings. "Alright," she said, facing to the right of the TARDIS. She strode forward, looking to the armored giant.
"Stern," she said authoritatively. "Carry the Doc." The Professor looked from her to Stern, raising an eyebrow.
"I can walk, Rosie," said the Professor. He then stumbled, falling to the ground. Stern hoisted him into the air.
"Sorry about this, sir," he said. "But it is for your own good after all." The Professor glared at him and Rosie.
The Professor awoke in a bed, though he wasn't entirely certain where. Most likely in Midgar or Edge, though that was the only certainty. He sat up, looking around. His clothes had been changed to a set of black pajamas. On a bedside table, he saw his sonic screwdriver, goggles and the various detritus that had littered his pockets.
Pi-edi sat in a chair across the room. "How're you feeling," he asked, not moving to stand. The Professor nodded, smiling.
"Much better, thanks," he said, getting out of the bed. The Time Lord stretched, brushing his hair out of his face, only to have it fall back into it. "Where'd everyone else go?"
"They went into town to look for a friend of Rosie's. She said she knew the city well," said the Jedi, leaning back in his chair. "If I may ask," he said. "Where is your world? Would it not have been easier to go there for you to rest?" The Professor's eyes darkened.
"It's gone," he said, turning to the door. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"What happened," said the Jedi gingerly.
"Eddy," said the Professor, an edge coming into his voice. "Drop it. My home doesn't matter anymore."
Edge had grown since Rosie had left it that was certain. Where before, the ruins of Midgar had been the most striking feature of the area, now the city had almost overtaken the ashes of its predecessors. Rosie strode through the streets, finding her way easily enough despite the growth of the city.
Beside her, Athena and Billie looked at the young city in amusement. Stern was several feet back, looking like a monstrous golem with his helmet on and chainsword slung over his shoulder. The witches had been eager to explore this world and, with the Professor unconscious, Rosie saw no problem with showing them around the town. Stern had, at first wanted to stay with the Time Lord, but at Pi-edi's urging, had left with the girls as extra protection. Not that any of them needed it, but Rosie had to admit that it was nice of the Jedi to be concerned about their wellbeing, even if Stern was a little more intimidating than was helpful.
"Oh, wow," said Billie. Rosie had been lost in thought so badly that she almost jumped when the Hufflepuff had spoken. They had come to the end of the road and, while the city ended, they could see a building in the distance. There was what looked like a spaceship attached to the building somehow, standing up on its tail. The ship was massive, even from a distance that was obvious.
"That," said Rosie. "Wasn't there last time." She looked back at Stern. "I think we should tell the Professor," she told the giant. Stern nodded his agreement.