Love, the Magician (Doctor)
A sorrowful cry.
That sound caught the Doctor's attention. He looked where the Torchwood team, Martha, Rhys, and their Pokemon gathered to go stargazing. Tosh had found a good telescope in the TARDIS, and was trying to focus it. Cleffa was on Ianto's shoulders, and was trying to get on top of his head, to get a better view of the stars. It seemed that no one else heard that sound. The Doctor concentrated on the sound, and tried to hear more.
A howl of sadness, a mournful breath, a voice filled with grief, tears of loneliness.
"Doctor?" Martha asked, seeing the strange expression on his face, bringing his attention to her. Beautifly was on her shoulders. "Doctor, what is it?"
"I'm just going to check on something out, Martha," the Doctor said, and started to walk to the source of the sound. He then stopped and turned around to see Martha looking a little worried. The Doctor gave her a quick smile. "It will be okay, Martha. Don't you remember that I have ways of letting you know if I need help?"
Martha gave the Doctor a small smile, before he started his search again.
The Doctor soon found himself looking down in a small valley. He could see a village below, but it seemed mostly abandoned; there were only a few lights on. The Doctor tasted the air, and figured out what happened. The people of this village had left because an invasive virus was going to destroy their crops . . .
Wait, how did the villagers know about the virus? The virus was still in its early stages; it wasn't ready to manifest itself visible. How did they know? There was only one answer: someone told them.
A movement caught the Doctor's attention. He saw a creature that looked like a cross between a wolf and a cat, trying to run to the mountains. The creature was covered with white fur. His neck and chest was covered with a white ruff. His dark gray-blue face was shaped like a cat's, except there were no whiskers. A tuft of white fur curled around the side of his face. On the opposite side of his head was a dark gray-blue 'horn' that was shaped like a scythe. His long dark gray-blue tail looked like a cross between an old-fashioned can-opener and a boomerang. The creature's feet were wide, and had three dark gray-blue claws. There was a dark gray-blue claw on the back of the creature's heels of his hind legs, and behind the elbows of his front legs. On the front of his head was a long smooth oval-shaped dark gray-blue jewel. The creature's nose was small and black, and his eyes were red.
The Doctor recognized this Pokemon as Absol from Owen's Pokemon book. However, there was something wrong with this Absol, and the Doctor frowned when he saw why. This Absol was covered with cutes, scratches, and bruises. He also seemed to limp a little, as he tried to get to the mountains.
Absol wasn't fast enough though, as an empty beer bottle hit him on the back side of his face. The beer bottle broke apart on contact, and the impact caused Absol to fall on the ground.
A holler brought the Doctor's attention to the life form responsible for throwing the beer bottle. Four men came running up to Absol. The person who threw the beer bottle was a pudgy, balding, middle-age man with long hair, and a thick mustache. He had another empty beer bottle in one hand and a rifle in the other. Two younger looking men looked very similar. They were skinny, had long heads, noses, and their lips were sucked in. They bother carried large sticks. The last one looked like he was a teenager. He was short, fat, and had wide eyes. He carried a rock. The middle-aged man hollered when he saw the fallen Absol.
"Do you see that boys? I got him!" the middle-aged man said, and shook his rifle in the air. "Now let's finish this Absol off so disaster won't come!"
The Doctor's hands were already in fists as he headed down into the valley.
Absol weakly looked up into the sky, as he lay on the grass. The stars were beautiful tonight, and the grass felt so soft. Absol knew he should enjoy the simple things in life while he had the chance. Maybe if he waited until tomorrow morning to warm the villagers about the virus instead of tonight, people wouldn't have suspected him bringing disaster . . . No, if he waited until daylight, the virus would have started to infect their harvest.
Absol was glad that most of the people believed him and left before the virus completely wiped out their crops. Just some people refused to believe. He decided to face his end with dignity, and looked straight at the humans as they raised their weapons . . .
"STOP!"
The humans froze when they heard that voice, and Absol raised his head a little. Where did that aura of controlled fury come from? It was strong enough that humans seemed to feel it as well. Absol saw a figure walking towards him. It was another human . . . no, wait; he wasn't a human. He looked like a human, but he sure wasn't one. Whatever this . . . being was, he was the source of the controlled fury. The middle-aged man seemed to be the first to recover from the force of the controlled fury.
"Who are you?" the middle-aged man said, trying to sound demanding.
"Who am I? I'm the Doctor," the being said, sternly, as he continued to walk. "Do you have a problem with that?"
The humans were too stunned to answer, but the short teenager spoke up first.
"N-n-no," the short teenager weakly said.
"Good," the being said, and stopped. "Then GO!"
Absol felt the being radiated another wave of controlled fury. This caused the humans to run away, terrified, taking weapons with them. Absol lowered his head onto the ground, tired and weak. He felt the controlled fury being replaced by transcendental kindness as the being . . . what did he say he was? The Doctor? . . . walked closer to him. He could see the transcendental kindness reflected in the Doctor's eyes as he examined Absol. His eyes became heavy, and they started to close as the Doctor took off his coat and covered Absol in it.
"No one will hurt you again," the Doctor said. Before Absol lost consciousness, he heard these words. "I promise to take care of you."
Martha sighed again, worried, as she stood by the TARDIS; Beautifly was keeping her company. Where was the Doctor? Why was he taking so long? Maybe she should tell the others that the Doctor left, or maybe she could look for the Doctor herself. He didn't say to tell the others.
She was about to tell the Torchwood team, when she saw the others staring at something straight in front of them. Martha soon saw what everyone was looking at. It was the Doctor. He was carrying a creature, like a shepherd carrying a lamb. The Doctor had his trench coat covering the unconscious injured Pokemon. He then walked up to Martha.
"Martha, would you please get the door?" the Doctor asked.
"Oh . . . yes," Martha said, bringing her attention back to the Doctor, and opened the door to the TARDIS.
"Thank you," the Doctor gently said, and walked inside.
"Do you need my help?" Martha asked.
"Don't worry, Martha. I'll take care of him," the Doctor said. "I promised him."
Absol woke up lying on a bed. Where was he? He looked around. He'd never seen a place like this before. Was this paradise? Absol noticed there was a blanket over him, and he felt . . . better. He checked himself. All his wounds were healed. How?
"You're awake; that's good," a familiar voice said. Absol looked to see the being . . . the Doctor, coming into the room. He then walked over to Absol. "How do you feel?"
"Absol," Absol said, as the Doctor pulled up a chair, and sat next to Absol.
"I'm glad to hear that you feel better," the Doctor said, and smiled a little. Absol tilted his head a bit, and studied the Doctor.
"Absol," Absol said, when he was done studying the Doctor.
"You're right. I'm not human," the Doctor said, and petted Absol. "I read about you, well, your species. You sense disasters and you try to warn people about them, but instead you get blamed for the disasters. You were only trying to help, to try to do some good. I can relate to that, well, kind of. Because sometimes, I bring disasters."
"Absol?" Absol said sounding surprised.
"Oh, yes," the Doctor said, and rest his hand on Absol's head. He then leaned in closer to Absol and whispered to him. "I was once known as the Oncoming Storm."
"Sol?" Absol asked his eyes widen in awe.
"Yes, really," the Doctor said, and he leaned back in his chair.
"Absol, absol, absol," Absol said.
"Well, that's very nice of you to say that I don't look like the type to cause disasters on purpose," the Doctor said, but then he turned somber. "But sometimes I have to; just to let others live, even for an entire universe."
Absol placed a sympathetic paw on the Doctor's shoulder.
"Ab, sol, absol, absol," Absol said, and he removed his paw from the Doctor's shoulder.
"Well, that's very wise of you to say," the Doctor said, and began to stoke Absol's back. "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
"Absol," Absol said. The Doctor looked surprised.
"Really? That young? So young, yet so wise," the Doctor said.
"Ab, sol," Absol humbly said. "Absol."
"Your welcome," the Doctor said, and continued to pet Absol. "You were the one who warned the village about the invasive virus; am I right?"
"Sol," Absol said, nodding, but then he looked sad. "Ab, absol, absol, absol, absol."
"Yes, it is hard when people still hate you when you're trying to help," the Doctor said. "It must be lonely. Always wondering if the next person you save will thank you or punish you. A lonely life indeed."
"A lonely angel," the Doctor solemnly said, and he stopped petting Absol, as he allowed the memories of Reinette to enter his conscious mind.
Absol noticed the distance look in the Doctor's eyes, and had a pretty strong feeling what was happening with him. He placed one of his paws on the Doctor's hand, and leaned forward, so the jewel on his head could touch the Doctor's forehead. The Doctor felt the cool jewel on his forehead, and closed his eyes, as Absol also closed his eyes and gently rubbed his head against the Doctor's. For that moment, unspoken words, even emotions that could never be put into words, were shared between Absol and the Doctor.
"Sol, absol?" Absol said when he was done. The Doctor blinked his eyes, and laughed a little.
"Why, yes, I do feel better," the Doctor said, and gave Absol a tiny smile. "Thank you."
"Absol," Absol said, with a small smile.
"So . . . what are you going to do now?" the Doctor asked. "You don't have to stay here. The TARDIS-"
"So?" Absol asked.
"My ship," the Doctor said. "I'll explain later. Anyway, I can have the TARDIS take you anywhere. It's your choice."
"Absol, ab, absol," Absol said, and he seemed to shrug to the Doctor.
"You're not sure?" the Doctor said. Absol nodded. The Doctor thought of something. "May I make a suggestion?"
"Sol?" Absol asked.
"You can come with me," the Doctor said. Absol's eyes widen. "I mean, if you don't want to-"
"Sol, ab, absol, absol, absol," Absol said. "Absol, ab, absol, sol, sol, absol."
"Yes . . . I'm lonely, you're lonely, so I guess we do need each other," the Doctor said, smiling, and ruffled the fur on top of Absol's head. "So, is that a yes?"
Absol began licking the Doctor's cheek as he wagged his tail.
"That's a yes," the Doctor said, smiling, when Absol was done. "Well, this is going to be interesting Absol . . . actually, I would like to ask you something."
"Sol?" Absol asked.
"May I give you a name?" the Doctor asked. Absol thought about it.
"Sol," Absol said, nodding.
"Great!" the Doctor said, and began petting Absol again. "Let's see . . . something not too masculine or feminine . . . neutral is the right way to go . . . but still expresses your personality."
As the Doctor petted Absol, thinking of a good name for him, he looked into Absol's eyes and remembered what Absol said: 'I'm lonely, you're lonely. We need each other since we're both lonely.'
Lonely . . . Lonely . . . the lonely god . . . My Lonely Angel . . . My Lonely Angel . . . Lonely Angel . . . Lonely Angel . . . My Lonely . . .
"Angel," the Doctor said, in a distance voice. Absol looked at him. "Angel. What do you think about Angel?"
Absol thought about the name for some time. He then licked the Doctor's cheek and wagged his tail.
"Angel it is then," the Doctor said, smiling, and ruffled the fur on top of Angel's head, when he was done licking the Doctor's cheek.
"Absol, sol, absol?" Angel asked.
"You want to know more about me?" the Doctor said. "Well . . . I don't usually like to talk about myself-"
"Absol, ab, absol, sol, absol, absol," Angel said. The Doctor smiled and laughed.
"Yes, since we're going to be together, we need to know a little about each other," the Doctor smiling, and ruffled the fur on top of Angel's head again. "Still so young, yet so wise."
"Absol," Angel said. "Sol, ab."
"Okay, I'll start first," the Doctor said, and made himself comfortable in the chair. "Let's begin with what you already know, I'm not human . . ."
The surprise the Doctor brought back took more precedence over stargazing. So the Torchwood team, Martha, Rhys, and their Pokemon went back inside the TARDIS, and waited in one of the rooms for the Doctor. An hour seemed to pass before the Doctor opened the door and saw everyone there.
"What are you all doing here?" the Doctor asked, incredulous.
"We were worried about the-" Martha started and looked at Owen.
"Absol," Owen said.
"The Absol you brought in," Martha said.
"Is he okay?" You've been in there for long time," Owen said.
"Oh, Angel and I were busy talking," the Doctor calmly said. The humans looked confused.
"Angel?" Martha asked.
"Absol," Angel said, walking in the doorway, standing next to the Doctor.
"Martha, this is Angel," the Doctor said. He then looked at Angel. "Angel, this is Martha Jones, Captain Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper, Dr. Owen Harper, Dr. Toshiko Sato, Ianto Jones, Rhys Williams, and their Pokemon: Beautifly, Buneary, Shellos, Hippopotas, Totodile, Cleffa, and Trapinch."
"Absol," Angel politely greeted, as the Pokemon came up to meet Angel.
"'Angel?'" Jack asked.
"Good name for an Absol," the Doctor said, and he watched the other Pokemon interact with Angel. Buneary, Cleffa, and Totodile were petting Angel. Hippopotas and Trapinch stood in front of him, and Shellos slid in on top of Trapinch's head to give Angel a kiss. Beautifly hovered above Angel.
"Absol, sol, absol," Angel said, smiling.
"Yes, Angel, friends are good," the Doctor said, as the other Pokemon finished greeting Angel. "By the way, are you hungry?"
"Sol," Angel said, nodding.
"All right. What do you like to drink?" the Doctor asked.
"Absol, absol," Angel said.
"I think we have that. And to eat?" the Doctor asked.
"Sol, absol," Angel said.
"I don't know if we have that. Let's go to the kitchen and find out," the Doctor said, and headed for the kitchen.
"Sol," Angel said, and followed the Doctor.
The Torchwood team, Martha, and Rhys were still astounded even after the Doctor and Angel left, but they immediately got up and followed them. They overheard small pieces of the Doctor's conversation with Angel as they headed towards the kitchen.
"Oh look, we do have some . . . what do you like to have? . . . Chocolate? Chocolate it is then! . . . Oh, we were stargazing . . . would you like to join us? Excellent!"
The Torchwood team, Martha, and Rhys looked in the kitchen to see the Doctor watching over Angel, who had two bowls in front of him. One of the bowls was filled with milk, and the other bowl was filled with chocolate ice cream.
"Do you like it?" the Doctor asked.
"Sol," Angel happily said, and smiled as he wagged his tail. He licked some of the chocolate ice cream off his face before he ate again. "Absol."
"Good, and your welcome," the Doctor said, and smiled back.
Jack and Martha looked at each other. They then started to laugh. The Doctor heard their laughter and looked at them.
"What?" the Doctor innocently asked.
"We're just happy you made a Pokemon friend," Jack said, smiling.
The Doctor just shook his head at Jack. He knew Jack wasn't telling the truth . . . well, maybe a truth, but not the direct answer.
"So what do you call that constellation again? Milotic?" the Doctor asked Angel. Everyone was back outside stargazing. The Doctor and Angel were sitting next to each other, as Angel pointed out the stars.
"Sol," Angel said, nodding. He then pointed out some stars with his paws. "Sol, absol, sol."
"Oh, yes, I do see the tail," the Doctor said, smiling. "Anything else?"
"Absol, absol, sol," Angel said, indicating another group of stars with his paw.
"Ah, I see why you call that constellation Persian," the Doctor said, still smiling. He then studied the constellation more. "In fact, if I'm right . . . "
The Doctor got up and went over the telescope; Angel followed him. They didn't notice that Martha and Jack were busy watching them, rather than the stars.
"Have you ever-" Martha started to say.
"-Thought to see the Doctor like this?" Jack finished, figuring out what Martha was thinking, and smiled. "No."
"I knew it! Angel, you got to see this nebula!" the Doctor said, after looking through the telescope.
Jack smiled again as he watched the Doctor making adjustments to the telescope for Angel. He then looked at Martha. To his surprise, he saw Martha had a serious expression on her face.
"What is it?" Jack asked, concerned.
"When we were cleaning up after the year that never was," Martha said. "I wanted to get out, to take care of my family, and continue my studies to be a doctor. Part of me wondered whom will the Doctor pick next. Will she be smarter than me? Stronger? More confidant? I guess I shouldn't say if the Doctor would like her more. He shows the same emotions for all his . . . "
"'Companions?'" Jack suggested. Martha smiled at Jack, liking his choice of words. "Well, I can see a flaw in your thinking."
Martha gave Jack a curious, yet confused look.
"You thought the Doctor would like a woman for his next companion," Jack said with a teasing smile. Jack laughed as Martha playfully hit him in the arm.
"I know we don't usually have a say on who travels with the Doctor next," Martha said, and looked at the Doctor and Angel. She then smiled. "But if I did, I would like Angel to travel with him."
Jack looked at Angel, who was looking through the telescope, and wagged his tail.
"Well, I only had a short time to get acquainted with Angel, but in my opinion, the Doctor and Angel seemed to have bonded on a new level," Jack said and smiled. "I have to agree with you. Angel would be a good companion for the Doctor."
"They seem so happy together," Martha said, smiling, as she watched the grinning Doctor ruffled the fur on top of Angel's head, when he was done looking through the telescope. "It's like they made a connection, like they know each other's secrets."
Martha never knew how right she was.
