Hello everyone. I know it's been a very long time since I worked on this, and for that, I apologize. When I put out the first chapter, it was because I just wanted to get it out of my head. I've had some time since, and I've got some ideas where I want to go with this. I will admit, some things in the Doctor Who world have thrown me off, slightly. The introduction of the Hurt and Capaldi Doctor, for instance. I'm not entirely sure I want to include either one of them. I've got a pole in my profile where you can tell me what you think. For now, neither will appear, but if enough demand comes for them, and I can think of a way their presence would benefit the plot, I'll put them in. For now though: Let us begin...
Chapter Two: Get to Know the Territory
"Well… this is…" Six said, clearing his throat as he and… himselves looked around the strange village they had been transported to the outskirts of.
Nine scratched his shaved head, not sure what to make of what he was looking at "Oh, I, it's very… um…"
This was what most of the Doctors were feeling, as they took in what appeared to be a village from the feudal area of Japan. After dying and walking into a white light they kind of expected… well, they weren't sure what they expected, but it was certainly a little more then this.
Eleven shook his head "This doesn't make any sense at all. How could dying send us back in time…" he reached into his jacket pocket, reaching for… Ah, there it was, he pulled out his sonic screwdriver. Turning it on, he scanned the immediate area, but what the device came back with made no sense at all.
A few of the other Doctors crowded near him to see the results, only to end up just as confused as he was.
One and Two just rolled their eyes. They had never had to rely on such a thing to tell them about wherever they happened to be. Somehow they'd gotten more and more reliant on the bloody thing as they got older.
"Gentlemen" Two called out "If I may make a suggestion. Clearly this isn't something we're going to be able to divine with a scanner. Might I instead suggest we do something a bit more practical, and simply scout out the area?" he asked, setting his stovepipe hat atop his head.
The other Doctors exchanged looks, before shrugging and agreeing. At the prospect of getting to explore something so unexplainably strange, they even started to perk up.
"Alright gents, Allonz-y!" Ten said, happily walking off in a random direction "Let's agree to meet back here in a few hours; compare notes."
And with that, the Doctor's dispersed, ready to see what this new world was offering.
-Death: The Next Adventure-
"You know, once you get past the rather rustic feel, it's really quite nice" Eight said, crossing his hands behind his back as he smiled at the shop venders they passed. It was like being in a market place back before people invented malls and credit cards. It was charming really. Granted, he wasn't exactly hungry right now, but maybe later he'd get the others to try out some local quinine. Then again, it wasn't like they had any money…
"Bah" One said, his eyes narrowing in the sunlight. His posture indicated that he did not share his older self's sentiments. "I don't care how nice it is, it's still all wrong." he muttered, gripping his cane tighter.
Eight looked at… himself? His companion? Huh… Anyway, he looked at One with some surprise. "What's the matter with you? Don't tell me you're still thinking about that unpleasantness with Marco Polo, because that was ages ago, and I hardly think-"
"It has nothing to do with that!" One snapped, glaring at Eight. Sighing deeply and regretting snapping at himself, One felt as old as he looked. "After everything that's happened, I just thought… " he stumbled for the right words "If there really was to be an afterlife why…" he looked away from Eight, tears starting to creep into the corners of his eyes "Where is my Susan? Where are the ones we loved?"
Eight was stunned silent. He hadn't thought of that. He'd always been a bit scatter brained, but One did have a point. If this was the afterlife, did that mean that somewhere was-
"'Scuse me!" a small child shouted, barreling past One and Eight, rudely bumping into both of them. But while it may have looked to an outsider like a small child running past some adults, not looking where he was going, the Doctors had been around a long time. Long enough to know when someone was picking their pockets. Eight's watch and One's bag of tobacco were lifted almost expertly as the thief ran past, sunlight shining on his silver hair.
The Doctor's shared a look. One raised an eyebrow "You don't expect ME to run after him do you?" he motioned after the boy, leaning exaggeratedly on his cane. Eight snorted. Cheeky old man. He bolted after the boy.
One smirked "Gets him every time." he looked around, noting that some of the shop keepers were glaring after the boy. It was likely he was a common nuisance. Still, a child stealing in the afterlife? Whatever for?
From the corner of his eye, a splash of color caught his attention. A bit of strawberry blonde framed the face of a young girl, looking forlornly down the path Eight had chased the thief. Perhaps she knew him…? Only one way to find out…
"Pardon me my dear, may I have a moment of your time?"
-Death: The Next Adventure-
"I'm just saying, who are you going to impress out here? If you don't really need them, why wear them?" Six commented as he and Ten trekked through the forest. Initially there had been a path, but after about three minutes of that, they both figured 'screw it' and left the standard path to forge their own through the woods.
Ten just threw he head back in exasperation "Am I really going to be taking flack from a man that willing chooses to go around looking like-"
"I swear, that is the only thing anyone ever wants to remember about me!" Six through up his hands "After all I've done, all anyone seems able to recall is my outfit. It's ridiculous I tell you."
Ten gave a reassuring pat on the back "There there, you're being to hard on yourself… myself…ourself? Blimey this is gonna get confusing."
"Indeed, imagine if we actually manage to meet someone, how are we supposed to introduce ourselves?"
"If we find anyone, these woods just seem to go on and on and-" Before he could finish, they broke through the trees, and came across a most peculiar sight.
Ten took his glasses off, thinking they might have been broken, but nope, nothing changed.
Six furrowed his brow "Maybe we are on some alien world. I can't think of any normal human that would want to build a house that looks like… that"
Before them in the middle of the clearing were two massive stone legs sprouting out of the earth, the soles of the feet facing the sky. Between the legs hung a long banner baring the message "Home to the great and most awesome Noble Shiba Clan."
The two time lords shared a look. They'd hoped to find something interesting out in the forest, and looks like this was it. Whatever exactly 'it' was. Either way, judging by the banner, the people inside would surely prove an interesting bunch…
-Death: The Next Adventure-
"You know, I have to wonder why we never did visit Japan" Five wondered aloud as he and Four looked about the people in the district. It was likely a lower class district, as the people didn't appear to own any cloths that weren't covered in dirt, their faces were worn, and their hands were those that had seen a lot of hard labor in their time.
Four simply shrugged, adjusting his scarf (quite pleased he'd been allowed to keep it in… whatever strange afterlife this was). "I imagine it had something to do with that Marco Polo business. Probably put us off the whole continent altogether."
Five nodded, ignoring the strange looks he was getting directed at his celery "True. But does it ever feel like we spent an inordinate amount of time in Eng-" This line of questioning was cut off when an agonized cry split the air, making both the Doctors go ramrod straight.
Immediately locating the source, they rushed to a rather ramshackle home, where the voice of a woman in severe pain could be heard screaming her lungs out. Manners put to the wayside for a moment, the two burst in, ready for anything…
Well, okay, maybe they weren't ready for the sight of a woman flat on her back, legs spread, with an elderly woman kneeling before her.
The old woman, stood, her hair wrapped in a tight bun on her forehead "Oh no you don't!" she shouted, advancing menacingly on the two (or as menacingly as an old lady half their size could). "I don't know what you thought you were gonna do coming here, but if you think I'll let you hurt this lass and her babe, you've got another thing coming"
Five blinked "That woman is going into labor…" he stammered, not having had to be in the same room as a birthing woman in… well a very very long time.
The old woman rolled her eyes "Oh, noticed that did you. How astute. You some kind of doctor?"
"Yes" both Four and Five replied at the same time.
The elderly woman raised a gray eyebrow "Oh really now… and how-" she was interrupted by another scream of pain from the woman on the floor.
Four coughed to get the elder's attention "Miss, I can understand your skepticism, but right now we don't have time for such things. That baby isn't going to wait for you to catch up with the facts, so why don't we relax and you let us help." He stepped further into the shack and began examine the woman more closely, reaching into his pocket as he did. Glancing up at the glaring elder he produced a small white bag "Would you like a jelly baby?"
-Death: The Next Adventure-
The calm of the forest was broken by a screeching noise, not unlike someone beating a bird against a tree.
Nine winced, glaring at his younger self "You know, I remember being able to play that better when I was younger." he said.
Two just shrugged, inspecting the instrument for any flaws that might be causing the poor notes. "Yes, and I imagined that when I grew older I wouldn't become such a grumpy old man." he cast a look with just a slight smile on his face "I'm just out of practice, what's your excuse?" he asked, his tone making it hard to tell if he was being serious or messing with Nine.
Before Nine could respond, he heard something from up ahead "But… but it's not safe to just be wondering out alone like this!" Nine shushed Two, and the Time Lords focused on picking up what was said.
"Oh please, we were already out here. And I'm not alone, I have you to protect me… or don't you think you can do it?" the voice was young, feminine, and teasing.
"O-of course I can Yoruichi-sama!" the second voice sounded embarrassed and horrified at the same time.
You could practically hear the smirk in the voice "Good, now I know I heard that noise from around here somewhere, and I want to find out what it was…" the voice trailed off as the speaker and her companion broke through the bush cover.
Nine and Two observed two young looking women. One with dark skin and golden eyes, her hair so dark it appeared purple in the light. She had a mischievous air about her, as though nothing really concerned her and she was just there for the fun. The Doctors liked her almost immediately.
Her companion was slightly shorter, and her skin paler. She stood by her companion, seemingly unsure what to do. At the sight of the Doctors, she had unconsciously moved slightly ahead and in front of the other girl, as though she thought she might need protecting from them. The Doctors had to wonder what would bring on that sort of behavior.
For a moment, silence reigned. The first girl just standing with a playful smirk the second girl looking unsure, and the two Doctors not sure how to start things off.
Finally, Two could take it no more. Stepping forward he tipped his hat "Good day my dears. I am the Doctor. And might I ask who you are?"
If anything, the first girl's grin widened.
-Death: The Next Adventure-
Once more, two Doctors found themselves in a rather nice neighborhood. Seven and Eleven smiled and nodded towards people, getting some strange looks for their choice of attire, but they'd long grown used to it.
They had no real destination in mind, and were simply chatting amiably, waiting for something to draw their attention.
"Personally, I think you're mad." Eleven said, casting a sidelong glance at Seven "The Coronation of King Zxcv the fourth was amazing! He had tiger juggling queezes!" Eleven was practically bouncing at the memory.
Seven rolled his eyes "It's always showy spectacle with you!" he grumbled good naturedly. "I assure you that the first council meeting of the Ethereals far surpasses a circus of a coronation. It was the start of peace for the Tau Empire!"
The two's semi-argument about some of the greatest moments in history was interrupted as they caught sight of sign advertising…
"Oh a chess tournament!" Seven grinned, always eager for a decent challenge.
Eleven didn't look quite so enthused "Oh, no thanks. Never been quite as fond of chess since… well" he shrugged, Seven realizing he was referring to the incident with ' '. "But you go ahead. Looks like there's a park here. I'll just go and do… park things. Maybe there's a swing!" and Eleven was off, his mind already on parks, and swings, and cabbages and kings.
Seven chuckled, how the old man could be so childlike he'd never fully understand (which was double strange because that was him, and not him, at the same time!). Ah well, whoever was already there was certainly about to have a whirlwind time.
Now though, was the time for what would hopefully be a decent game. Seven had not had a true challenge in a long time, which disappointed him greatly. He was never more relaxed then when he was using his brain to formulate a plot or a scheme, or a madcap idea.
Stepping up to the signing table, he looked at the list of names. Most were all Japanese in origin, though a few looked like they might have been from other parts of the world. Quickly finding an open spot, he signed 'The Doctor' (and he briefly wondered what they were all going to do about actual names at some point) right beneath the the name of some chap named 'Sosuke Aizen'.
He couldn't wait to get started.
-Death: The Next Adventure-
"Well, that's not at all unusual" Third said sarcastically to himself as he gazed at the bizarre scene in front of him. As the only one who hadn't paired off with any of the other hims, he'd have to talk to himself. But that was alright, because right now company wasn't the main focus of his interest.
Ahead of him, the distinct dusty rural road abruptly stopped, replaced by shimmering white tiles. Further on, the patchwork huts gave way to a vast expansive white city that looked shockingly out of place next to the small village. Third looked left, then right. It was like some invisible barrier cut across the landscape, and someone had glued these two lands together.
He considered going back to tell the others…himself about this. But… well… he still had a little time left. Why not pop in for a quick look?
And so, ever so cautiously, Third crossed over to the shimmering and clean land. Nothing happened. He took a few more steps. Still nothing.
It wasn't until he'd made it thirty paces that a gust of wind nearly knocked him flat. Dust and smoke obscured his vision, and he quickly backpedaled, settling into a stance to defend himself in case of attack.
When the dust settled though, all he could do was gap. Standing before him was an actual giant. A giant that did not look happy to see him.
Oh bugger.
-Death: The Next Adventure-
And thus ends chapter two. I will say, Bleach has a very strange timeline. Characters don't age at consistent rates, meaning some things are in flux. As an author, I get to take advantage of those things for the purpose of storytelling. While this shouldn't be much of an issue now, in later chapters it might be. Please don't send me a review telling me that 'so and so' should be this old, or that 'what's his name' shouldn't be there.
Now then, next chapter, I'll likely focus on one Doctor or set of Doctors more then the others. I know who I want to focus on, but who would you like to see more of:
Doctors 1 & 8 with silver haired boy and strawberry blonde girl (not gonna spoil it for those of you who didn't guess their identities)
Doctors 6 & 10 at the Shibi house
Doctors 4 & 5 with the pregnant woman
Doctors 2 & 9 with Yoruichi & Soi Fon
Doctors 7 & 11 at the park/chess tournament
Doctor 3 with the gate guardian
That's where our characters stand right now, and next time we'll expand upon some of this. Hopefully it won't take quite as long. This is my first post of the New Year. I hope all of you enjoyed it. If so, please tell me so. If not, hopefully you'll stick around until next time, maybe that'll do ya. As always, please, no flames. I hope you all are having a good year so far.
Until Next Time...