Hey everyone! This chapter is kind of late, because well... (Duh duh duh) I sort of broke my computer. It got fixed now, but I couldn't post anything in the period that it was broken. And it's kind of short, because I ran out of ideas toward the ending... this episode is surprisingly kind of hard to write. Anyways, I hope you enjoy and all of that!
Phoenix and the Doctor lead the group through the corridors, the Doctor scanning in front of him as everyone slowly travels forward. Shadows flash through the corridors, making Phoenix jump a bit. She has been infinitely scared of the dark and weird shadows when she was a kid, and of course, that kind of stuff never really went away. Although knowing the fact that the shadows were actually them in the future burnt to the crisp scared Phoenix even more.
"Shush. Something's in here." Clara said, gripping the edge of her dress with wide eyes.
"Those things, they've followed us." Tricky said nervously.
"Doctor, Phoenix, what are they? What aren't you telling me?" Clara questioned the two, crossing her arms.
"Clara, sometimes there are things you really don't need or want to know. This would happen to be one of those times. Trust me, you're better off without knowing the information. I'm having a hard time dealing with it myself." Phoenix said, looking back at Clara with sad eyes. She really just couldn't bring herself to tell Clara it was her.
"They're on the move again." The guy, who Phoenix found out's name was Gregor, said desperately.
"Run. Move, move!" The Doctor exclaimed, and they all ran off in different directions blindly, just wanting to get away from the monsters that happened to be them.
Phoenix, luckily, had grabbed Amy's hand in the cross fire, so they were both running down the corridor together. Phoenix was rather glad of this, truthfully not liking to be alone in those types of situations. It unnerved her.
Eventually, Phoenix suddenly stopped in her tracks, noticing an image over down another corridor. She slowly walked toward it, noticing it was her. But the more disturbing point to the story was, she was snogging the Doctor. Like, full out snogging. She had her arms wrapped around the Doctor's neck, and the Doctor had his hands on her waist. It looked kind of disgusting. Phoenix turned her back, instantly regretting walking over to see it.
So, she already knew the Doctor loved her. And it was pretty obvious that she loved him back. But when the hell did that happen? And how did the Doctor know not to jump her, well, except for the first time… but still! Phoenix shook her head, giving up. She doubted she would ever truly understand her time line. It was a mess inside a mess.
"What did you find?" Amy questioned as Phoenix caught up to her.
Phoenix sighed slightly. "A future image. Well, for him it's the past. But for me, it's the future. And truthfully, I'm rather disturbed by it." She said, running her fingers through her hair.
Amy could obviously tell she didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't try to push any information out or whatever she normally did.
They walked in silence for a while, before Phoenix said, "I think we should find the Doctor now. I'm pretty sure it's safe."
Amy nodded absentmindedly, and grabbed Phoenix's hand before dragging her in a random direction. Phoenix pouted, but let her do it. She was the one randomly taken and put here. Well, actually, that was Phoenix too. She didn't have a choice in the fucking matter. Which, was really quite unfair, and would probably make for a lot of sleepless days. Already she hadn't slept for about… a week or so. That's a long time without sleep. She was running on adrenaline only at that point. Phoenix really hoped she got to stay for a bit longer before she had to jump.
Phoenix must have been off in her own world for a bit, because the next thing she heard was the Doctor exclaiming her and Amy's names. She immediately jumped back up to alert, adrenaline kicking in stronger than before. Must have something to do with being around the Doctor… Phoenix stored that for the 'look it up later' bit of her brain.
Phoenix double checked who was there. The Doctor, Clara, Amy, and her. Ok, so burnt Clara was coming in about five… four… three… two… one…
A growl echoed throughout the corridor, and Phoenix turned around to see the burnt Clara staggering toward them. A stray tear left her eye at the sight. Oh Clara… oh poor Clara. Impossible Clara.
"I think this would be a good point to run." Phoenix said, glancing at the others. They all quickly nodded their heads in agreement, then the group of four turned and ran in the opposite direction of the creature.
"She's right on to us." The Doctor said, glancing back and noticing that she was following them.
"She?" Clara questioned, looking incredulously at the Doctor.
"Clara, don't ask. Please." Phoenix said, desperation in her voice.
Then, banging sounds start echoing through the corridor, making Phoenix cover her ears slightly. Still really sensitive. The Doctor glanced over to her, eyes glazed over in worry. She gave a weak smile, trying to show him she was alright.
"What's that noise?" Clara asked, her worry seeping through her voice.
"We're right under the primary fuel cells." The Doctor stats slowly.
"So? So, so what?" Clara questioned with a slightly frightened tone.
"So, so the fuel's spilled out, so the rods will be exposed. Means they'll cool…" The Doctor said, using hand gestures like he normally does.
"And start to warp." Clara finished, the scared look in her eye slowly growing bigger.
"And start to warp. Maybe even…" The Doctor said, but Clara interrupted him.
"No, you don't say it. Don't you dare say it." Clara stated, slight begging in her voice.
"Maybe even break apart." The Doctor finished anyway, just as a solid metal beam, like the one that had almost impaled Phoenix earlier, flew out of the wall and hitting the other side, missing the Doctor by inches and making the party of four stop in their tracks.
"Run?" Amy questioned, glancing at the Doctor.
"I'm liking how you're thinking." The Doctor comments, nodding absentmindedly.
"Yeah." Amy said, and then they all started running down the corridor, more beams flying out from the wall and hitting the other one, barely missing body parts of the group of four.
Further ahead, they meet up with Tricky and Gregor. Tricky had gotten stuck by a beam in his shoulder. Gregor looked panicked, not knowing what to do.
Phoenix felt sorry for Tricky. Really sorry actually. He got played, by his own brothers. All for some sick little joke to pass the time. It disgusted her, and she could hardly look at Gregor without thinking that.
"Cut it off. Just cut my arm off!" Tricky exclaimed to Gregor.
"No." Gregor replied, staring at the metal beam basically impaling his brother.
"It's the quickest way to release me. No fear, no hate, no pain. I can get a new one. Disposable parts. Just do it. It won't hurt me." Tricky exclaimed, basically begging at that point.
"Tricky, you just don't understand…" Gregor tried, but Tricky cut him off.
"I'm an android. Cut me!"
"You made it through." Clara said suddenly.
"What's the matter with you? Why won't you cut me?" Tricky questioned, frustration in his voice.
"Tell him. Tell him about your stupid joke. He deserves the right to know." Phoenix said, growling softly, eyes glowing golden, although she didn't know about the last part.
"Tell me what?" Tricky asked, looking confusedly at Phoenix.
"You can't, can you. You're a coward. You won't save him, but you're scared to tell him why." The Doctor growled at Gregor.
"What are they going on about?" Tricky asked his brother.
"Robots don't need blast suits. They don't need respirators. They don't get frightened of monsters in the dark." Phoenix said, eyes glowing brightly now. She was angry. Properly angry. You don't exploit people like that.
"What's she talking about?" Tricky asked, doubt slowly slipping into his voice.
"Two bionic eyes and a synthetic voice box. But you, my friend, are human. Flesh and blood." The Doctor said to Tricky, sadness in his eyes.
"It was a joke." Gregor said suddenly, looking down at the metal flooring.
"What?" Tricky asked, suddenly stopping his struggling against the metal beam on his shoulder.
"It was just a stupid joke. We did it to relieve the boredom." Gregor said, regret in his voice.
"An idiotic joke at that. You exploited and lied to another human being for in-flight entertainment. You used him. You're lucky there's someone to hold me back today, because any other day, oh, I'm not sure what would happen." Phoenix said, turning around and leaning against the wall, taking deep breaths trying to calm herself.
Exploiting a human being felt like one of the worsts things you could ever do in Phoenix's opinion. It was just wrong, from what they did to Tricky to rape. Any form of it. It was something she felt strongly against, and a belief probably that would never go away. That was the one thing that always really pissed her off. Exploitation. It was no wonder she was mad at Gregor. And at that point, she was being nice.
Later on, they had all traveled to the eye of harmony, Phoenix still refusing to gaze upon Gregor.
"Where are we?" Gregor questioned, looking into the window on the door to the Tardis core.
"Power source. Right, you lot, wait here. I'll check it's safe. We can only survive for a minute or two in there." The Doctor said, pointing at the group.
"Er, what happens if we stay longer?" Amy questioned nervously.
"Our cells with liquefy and our skin will start to burn." The Doctor said, running his hand through his hair.
"I always feel so good after we've spoken." Clara said sarcastically.
"Marvellous. Keep this door shut." The Doctor said, pointing toward the door between the corridor and the Tardis core.
"That will not be a problem." Clara said, and The Doctor went inside the core room as Gregor started scanning Clara.
"Lancashire. Sass." The sensor thing said in a monotone robotic voice.
"Intelligent sensor." Gregor stated, holding up the piece of machinery.
"Not like the Tardis of course…" Phoenix mumbled, rolling her eyes.
"Ever pointed that thing at yourself, Gregor? What would it see? What sort of person does this to another human? Made them believe they're made of metal. Who am I?" Tricky exclaimed, eyes wide.
Gregor ripped the patch off of his vest just as the Doctor returned to the corridor.
"My mouthy little kid brother." Gregor said to Tricky.
"Why, why can't I remember?" Tricky questioned, slightly scared now.
"It was a salvage accident. There was a big explosion. You lost your sight, voice and your memory." Gregor explained.
"And you, you thought of a way you could have some fun with me? I just wanted a brother beside me!" Tricky exclaimed, angry.
"You were always the smart one, Tricky. He wanted you to take over. He made you captain." Gregor said, regret just dripping from his voice.
"He?" Tricky questioned, not having the slightest to what he was talking about.
"Dad." Gregor said. Tricky's face turned from anger to sadness.
"I don't remember him. You did this to me just to be captain of a heap of junk." Tricky said, frowning deeply. He suddenly started to attack Gregor, the pair struggling against each other.
"Stop! Tricky, listen to me. Ask yourself why he couldn't cut you up. He has just one tiny scrap of decency left in him, and you helped him find that, okay?" The Doctor said to Tricky, then he turned to Gregor "Now you. Don't ever forget this."
They eventually get into the Tardis core room, and Phoenix stared at the eye of harmony. It was weird, she almost wanted to reach out and touch it. And she felt like she could. But it was a burning star, it would kill her instantly!
Phoenix's mind slowly wandered back to the past image she had seen. The Doctor and her kissing. She had been crying, Phoenix had seen the tear streaked face. Was the Doctor…. Making her… Phoenix shook her head. No, the Doctor wasn't like that! He was kind, and funny, not like that at all. He couldn't be… could he? Deception in a pretty package… Phoenix wasn't sure what to think anymore. Her mind was jumbled and she was burning up. She just wanted to get through the episode.
Phoenix heard footsteps coming up behind her, and turned to her right to see Amy leaning against the railing next to her.
"You ok? You look kind of… lost." Amy commented, frowning at Phoenix's sad demeanor.
Phoenix stayed silent for a while. She sort of did feel lost. Lost about everything. The image she saw, the Doctor, her life. It was all jumbling up inside her head and she didn't know if she could hold it any longer. A ticking bomb, waiting to explode. Nothing could stop it. It was only a matter of time…
"I…I don't know. Really, I don't know. The past days have been rough, and I don't know how to deal with it." Phoenix said, running her hand through her hair.
"What do you mean?" Amy asked, settling her chin on her hand, glancing over at Phoenix. She really was worried for her.
"I… I watched one of my best friends die recently. And time never gave me, well, time to get over it. I was just instantly zapped here." Phoenix said, a stray tear streaming down her cheek as she starred at the burning star.
Amy wrapped her arm around Phoenix's waist, letting the girl bury her head into her shoulder. Amelia was really hoping the best friend Phoenix was speaking about wasn't her, but even so, she needed the comfort at the moment, and Amy was happy to give all she could.
"I couldn't do anything either. It was unpreventable. But it still feels like my fault." Phoenix said, tears flowing more freely down her cheeks.
"Look at me." Amy commanded, turning Phoenix's face toward hers. "It's never your fault. Not for that kind of stuff. Stop blaming yourself for it and be that weirdo silly Phoenix you normally are."
Phoenix smiled softly, laughing on the inside. Amy always knew how to cheer people up, didn't she?
"Thank Amelia. I probably needed that." Phoenix said, chuckling slightly as she wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
Amy nodded her head curtly, smiling brightly. It was amazing what you could do when you're standing right in front of an exploding star.
"Phoenix, Amy!" The Doctor exclaimed from the other side of the room, calling them over.
Phoenix smiled as they both slowly walked over there. Maybe she wasn't able to save everyone. And maybe that was ok. Well, it was never okay, but she could deal with it. A bit.
Plus, she always had her Doctor.
Do you like it? The ending was slightly awkward and totally cliche, but it was somewhat necessary... yeah. Hope you enjoyed!
