Chapter 14. Nightmare In Silver
A/N- thanks for the comments guys I'm glad to know I surprised a few of you!"
Also someone else who isn't me owns Doctor Who :(
Also, Also you will be upgraded! :)
"But how is this possible?" Donna asks as a newly regenerated Wren lay on the bed in the sickbay and the Doctor was sitting next to her. Afraid that if he turned his head for a second she would be gone again just like that.
"I don't know" came his response, "honestly for right now I don't care I'm just happy that she's alive." Donna placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Me too." They both sat in silence until Wren began to stir and they both became excited yet anxious to see how she was going to take the news. Finally she took a deep breath and quickly sat up holding a hand to her heart and then finally sighing in relief. She turned to them and jumped in surprise before confusion filled her new yet to them, old eyes.
"I died" was all I could get out as I watched the two of them, relief and excitement sketched across their faces.
"Yes" answered the Doctor scooting closer to me, "technically for about three minutes." I looked at him surprised but when I thought back on it I remembered it clearly. River holding me, the blood, pain and coldness of my body. It felt though, as if I were watching someone else instead of me living through it which was weird.
"But I'm alive right now" I said confused, "how is that possible" I say louder and for the first time I hear a completely new accent fill my ears.
"This is going to sound crazy" Donna started, "oh who am I kidding everything that goes on around here sounds crazy."
"Shush" I say holding a finger to my lips and she's about to protest until the Doctor grabs her arm. "Do you hear that?" I asks as the accent fills my ears again, "listen there it is" I say excitedly looking around before I finally realize. "Oh my god, is- is that me? No way I'm I'm. I'm bloody Scottish!" I yell jumping off the bed, "I died and now I'm in Scottish heaven!" I shouted and the Doctor grabs my shoulders.
"Wren let me explain" he says fast not leaving me any room to argue, "the poison Margaret gave you wasn't arsenic, it was a special kind made to prevent regeneration and was initially for me. However she poisoned you with it and the bullet that River shot you with absorbed the poison in your body which let you die from a bullet wound which allowed you to regenerate" he finishes in one breath and I looked completely shocked.
"You regenerated!" Yelled Donna and then she covered her mouth as the Doctor sent her a look.
"Thank you for that Donna" he said before turning to me, "you're still you Wren. Well you look a bit different, well a lot different but your accent is, well that's different to."
"Not helping" Donna sang.
"I regenerated?" I asked slowly and he nodded, "but how? I'm not a Time Lord nor am I River Song."
"What do you mean by you're not River Song?" He asks confused and I swallow.
"Um nothing" I mumbled still taking in my new accent, I kinda liked it if I was completely honest. "I want to see" I say pushing the Doctors arms away and quickly looking for a mirror, conveniently enough there was a full body one in the corner and I hurried over. I gasped in complete shock as I stared at my new body it was so surreal. I slowly removed my hands from my mouth and walked closer taking it all in. My skin was paler than the natural tan I previously had, I was definitely taller about 5'6, my short brown hair was now reaching just below my shoulder blades and surprisingly it was curly but loosely so and red, about a shade darker than Amy's. "I'm ginger!" I yelled looking back at the Doctor who pouted.
"Yea, don't rub it in" he mumbled looking cross and I laughed as I turned back to the mirror to examine my face closely. I could still see a resemblance from my new self to my old self which kinda reassured me that I wasn't completely different. I had dimples which was new and my eyes they were beautiful I must say.
"You have big clear doll baby eyes" the Doctor voiced making them grow wide.
"Oh please tell me this isn't why Jack calls me doll" the Doctor just smiles cheekily and I look back once more to look at them. They were a light green with spots of blue and grey, I loved them. I found my eyes traveling down my body and I was intrigued that I was much curvier.
"Well you look at there! It's all going on down there eh?" I asked looking back at the amused Donna and an embarrassed Doctor who was looking the other way but stealing glances at me. I looked down at my long legs and excitedly touched them "They just never stop, look" I say before realizing I was being a little cheeky, "well not you" I say to the Doctor, "I meant for me to look." Then I quickly think it over and a smirk crosses my lips, "unless you want to look, then help yourself" I say with a wink and he completely goes red as Donna laughs.
"Now that's my Wren" she laughs smacking the Doctors arm and he couldn't help but smile.
"Will I still act the same?" I asked and he shrugged.
"That's for you to find out" he says and I smirk walking over to him.
"Well let's see then" I say and he looks at me confused.
"See what?"
"If I'm still a great kisser" I said before wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. He stiffened for a second but his arms immediately found my waist. I melted into his arms and if I didn't have to breath I would of glued my lips to his. Once I pulled away I exhaled gold smoke which I assumed was from regenerating.
"Oh yea you've still got it" I heard the Doctor mumble under his breath which made me smile. Before I could respond I felt a familiar pain in my head and I took a step away from him and Donna.
"Already?" Donna whined and I just grinned.
"Don't worry Sassy I'll be back before you even know it" I said and she frowned.
"Oh god not that nickname" she mumbled and the Doctor snorted before giving me a smile.
"I'll see you later Wren."
"See you in a second Rude Boy" I said blowing a kiss as my skin glowed gold and seconds later my body shifted and I caught myself before I fell. I looked around and immediately knew I was in Elevens version of the Tardis. "Hello" I called but got no response which led me to think they had already started adventuring. I decided to have a shower first and get some fresh clothes before wondering after them.
Once I was done I quickly changed into the outfit the Tardis had for me. A short jean skirt, black boots that stopped under my knees and a grey tanktop with a long sleeve black shirt on top. I smiled looking in the mirror it wasn't something I would have necessarily worn before. I stared at my wet hair that immediately curled up once I had gotten in the shower and decided to leave it only adding a cute little black bow. I stared at the red lipstick on my dresser for about five minutes before deciding I wasn't into it anymore, the new Wren was more into chapstick. After deciding I was ready I stuffed my gun into my boot and headed downstairs and out of the Tardis. When I stepped out I immediately thought we were on the moon but after walking a bit I noticed the wrecked roller coaster and other rides.
"Hedgewick's World" I said aloud remembering the episode, "the biggest and best amusement park there will ever be" I quoted the Doctor. I looked for the door I remembered the man, Webley took them through. Once I found it I nudged it opened and closed it behind me. I walked down some steps into a comfortably furnished room with lots of waxworks on display, all lit by chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I stood at the end watching the Doctor, Clara, Artie and Angie interact with Webley and a cyberman.
"If you can tell me how it works, I'll give you a silver penny" Webley says looking smug like he knew they couldn't answer it.
"I think you do it with mirrors?" Angie guesses.
"Hmm. Mirrors. Clever girl" the Doctor says in his usual I know everything voice and I roll my eyes, "Well, let's see, hey? Low tech. It's a puppet. Monofilament strings, which means the brains are in-" he trailed off bending down and opening a small door on the Cyberman's chair to reveal a little man with a control box, Porridge.
"Hello" he says shortly.
"Hello" the Doctor says amused.
"I'm the brains" he says and then reaches his hand out, "give us a hand." The Doctor helps Porridge out of the small space and he dusts himself off.
"They call me Porridge. Oh, it's good to be out of that box."
"For you, Miss, an Imperial penny" Webley says pulling one from behind Angie's ear.
"Show off" I say making everyone spin on their heels and look for the source. "Not you Mr. Webley but that man right there" I say with a smile pointing at the Doctor who's eyes lit up.
"Wren!" Came Artie's excited voice and he ran over and hugged me, I was taken aback by his affection but hugged him back with a smile none the less.
"It's good to see Artie, how are things?" I say ruffling his curls.
"Good, I took your advice, thanks again" he said with a smile before walking back over to Clara. I didn't know what he was talking about but I assumed it was in my future. I walked over and hugged Clara, "how are you Tootz?" I say declaring that was her new nickname.
"I'm good and you?" She asked pulling away.
"Alive" I say glancing back at Angie who looked disinterested. "Hi Angie" I say and she allows one corner of her lips to turn up.
"Wren" she said in greeting and then I turn to the Doctor who looked like he was running out of patience awaiting his turn.
"Rude Boy" I say and after the words leave my mouth he pulls me into a entrancing kiss that takes my breath away.
"Eww!" Both Angie and Artie say simultaneously and I pull away laughing.
"Can you believe it?" I ask and he looks at me confused, "I'm alive!" I shout and recognition filled his eyes and he hugs me. "And if that wasn't amazing enough, I'm ginger!" I yell again pulling away to see him pout.
"Stop rubbing it in" I giggle and kiss his cheek before laying my head against his chest in content.
"Do you know how its possible for me to regenerate" I whispered.
"Spoilers" he said and before I could respond Mr. Webley interrupted.
"Sorry to ruin this reunion but my dear, just who exactly are you?" He looks me over curiously.
"Sorry" I say pulling away from the Doctor only to have him wrap his arm around my waist. I see out the corner of my eye a metal bug run across the floor briefly catching the Doctors eye. "I'm Serenity Logan, please call me Wren."
"Nice to meet you I'm-"
"Mr. Webley" I interrupted shaking his hand, "and you must be Porridge" I say turning and also shaking his hand.
"You seem to know us" says Webley.
"I don't necessarily know you but I know your future well at least today" I say trying to make sense.
"Excellent" he says eyeing me again, "what a rare gem you are." The Doctors arm tightens on my waist.
"My rare gem" he says aloud and clearly to Webley.
"Well" Porridge said interrupting what would have been awkward, "If the kids want to ride the Spacey Zoomer then I can operate the gravity console." We nodded in agreement and followed them outside.
I laugh as Artie and Angie enjoy flying around in microgravity while Clara takes photographs with her phone.
"Wow!" Artie exclaims.
"Smile! Say, Spacey Zoomer" Clara says still clicking away with her phone.
"Look at us, Doctor, Wren. We're flying!" Artie says.
"You guys look awesome" I say.
"Having a good time?" The Doctor asks them as Porridge turns off the anti-gravity and they're lowered to the ground.
"I think that was the most fun I've had in my whole life" Artie says grinning.
"It was" Angie started searching for the word, "okay" she says offering a small smile shocking Clara.
"Clara, I think outer space is actually very interesting" Artie said.
"Right. Wonderful day out, Doctor, but time to get the kids home" Clara says turning to see the Doctor scanning around with the sonic screwdriver.
"Yeah. Er, no. Not actually ready to leave" he says not looking up.
"Why not?"
"I don't know. Reasons."
"What reasons?"
"Insects. Funny insects. I should add them to my funny insect collection."
"You collect funny insects?"
"Yeah, he's starting to, right now" I say squatting down next to him and whispering.
"I noticed you see it earlier" I said and he gave me a cheeky smile before turning back.
"I noticed you noticing me see it."
"Well I noticed you noticing me noticing you see it."
"Well I-"
"Alright enough the two of you" Clara says and we stand up looking her way like children who've been scolded as she smiles at us with her hands on her hips. "I swear it's like I've got four kids with me" she says walking off and I bump the Doctors arm with mine.
"Now look what you did, got us both in trouble" I said pouting and he moved closer.
"You started it" he said lowly.
"No you did."
"I absolutely did not-"
"Oi!" Came Clara's voice again and we quickly looked her way like we'd been caught, "what'd I say?"
"Sorry!"
"Sorry Clara!" We both yell at the same time. When she goes back into Webley's cave the Doctor and I stick our tongues out at each other and laugh before following after her. Once we walked into the room Angie and Artie were lying on the sofas getting ready to sleep.
"How long do we have to stay here?" Angie asked.
"Not long. Have a nap. I'll wake you when we're ready to leave" the Doctor says with a smile.
"Sleep well" Clara says.
"Good night" says Porridge.
We walk to the door and the Doctor turns the lights out as we leave, but then he suddenly grabs my hand and pulls me back into the room.
"Don't wander off" he warns the kids, "now I'm not just saying don't wander off, I mean it. Otherwise you'll wander off and the next thing you know, somebody's going to have to start rescuing somebody."
"From what?" Angie asks.
"Nothing. Nobody needs rescuing from anything" I reassure her before grabbing the Doctors hand and dragging him towards the door.
"Don't wander off" he says smiling, "sweet dreams." Once we left I nudged him a little.
"You probably scared them."
"Of course I didn't, I just warned them not to wander off. It's rule one, don't wonder off, it's the one rule everyone ignores" he says exasperated and I laugh.
"No, I'm pretty sure rule one is the Doctor lies" he looked at me bewildered.
"Says who?"
"Past and future experiences, also River Song."
"Oh alright! I see, you always take her side!" I patted his cheek and pecked his lips before leaving him there scowling but he quickly caught up with me.
"I don't always lie" he said trying to reassure himself, "I just you know don't always-"
"Tell the truth?" I finish and he pouts. "It's ok I haven't always told you the truth either" I say and we stopped walking as I meet his green eyes with my own.
"I am sorry you know, for not telling you" I said sincerely referring to me being poisoned, "twice" I finished remembering I lied to him and Ten.
"I should of realized" he said pressing his hand to my cheek, "I just wanted to believe you when you said you were fine."
"Plus there were a lot of distractions."
"Yea" he says stroking my hair and I hum in satisfaction, that was something that hadn't changed. "But promise me right now that from now on you'll be honest with me."
"As long as you return the favor" I say and he frowns.
"Wren you know that-"
"The Doctor lies" I say smiling at him and fixing his bow tie, "yea I know, so do I." He seemed satisfied that it was the closest we were both getting to a promise. He leaned down to kiss me and before our lips met I looked over his shoulder to see Angie going into the barracks.
"Is that Angie?" I ask already knowing the answer and turns around furring his eyebrows before pulling me along to catch up with Clara and Porridge.
"Clara, did you tell Angie she could go to the barracks?" He asks.
"You know I didn't" she pauses and looks around, "she hasn't" she says.
"She's just gone in there" I say and she sighs.
"Come on" she says and we follow her into the barracks. "Angie! Angie!" She calls as we walk through the building.
"She always has to turn up and spoil everything. I wasn't doing anything. Why can't you just leave me alone?" Angie grumbles and before she can respond there's a big crash, and a Cyberman enters.
"Cyberman!" The Captain yells and everyone starts panicking.
"Angie!" Clara calls and what seems like the blink of an eye the Cyberman moves to the other end of the building swatting a man away.
"No! Attack formation, quickly" the Captain yells and they start shooting at it but have no affect.
"Upgrade in progress" comes its robotic voice and in another blink the Cyberman moves through the group puts Angie over his shoulder and carries her off.
"Angie!" Clara yells and runs after her but I grab her arm.
"We'll get her back" I promise but she just looks off to where Angie was moments ago.
"That was a Cyberman, but they're extinct" the Captain says.
"Listen to me. I will get her back" he says to Clara before facing the Captain, "Captain, a word please. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I take it your platoon doesn't do much fighting."
"What do you expect?"
"What?" Clara says surprised.
"We're a punishment platoon. It's why they sent us out here, so we can't get into trouble."
"Right, right, well, okay. As Imperial Consul, I'm putting Clara and Wren in charge." He takes and pins the Captain's insignia on Clara's jacket.
"You don't need one" he says to me before looking back and forth between the two of us. "Clara, Wren stay alive until I get back, and don't let anyone blow up this planet."
"Is that something they're likely to do?" The Doctor ignores her as I shrugged my shoulders.
"Get to somewhere defensible."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm getting Angie, finding Artie and looking for funny insects. Stay alive. And you lot, no blowing up this planet!" He runs out of the barracks and Clara and I share a look.
"You're going to follow him aren't you" Porridge says and I smile at him.
"Be safe and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid" she says hugging me which I returned.
"I definitely will, but that second part-" I said trailing off and pulling away, "practically impossible" I say. "Stay safe Tootz and don't blow up the planet and all that" I say saluting her and then running after the Doctor. Once I entered Webley's living room I saw the Doctor bent down talking to the Cybermite.
"You are beautiful" he says somewhat excited.
"Thank you" I say walking over to him and he glances at me before sonicing the Cybermite.
"Wren" he says in warning.
"To be fair, you knew I wasn't going to stay put" I say and the corner of his lips twitch up.
"Now, there's a local transmat link open to your home, If I can just find the frequency" he says working on his screwdriver and I wrap my arms around him as he pushes the button and we're transported into some sort of metal room. "That really shouldn't have worked" he mumbles and I let him go.
"Doctor, help us" came Artie's robotic voice.
"Angie? Artie?" He called running over to them but they were unresponsive.
"Webley" I say taking a step towards to see his face covered in metal.
"We needed children, but the children had stopped coming. You brought us children. Hail to you, the Doctor, saviour of the Cybermen!" The Doctor grabs my arm and pulls me around the table before leaning on it.
"Explain" he says in a dark voice.
"As the battle raged between humanity and the Cyberiad, the Cyberplanners built a Valkyrie, to save critically damaged units and bring them here, and one by one, repair them."
"The people who vanished from the amusement park, they were spare parts for repairs" I say.
"We've upgraded ourselves. The next model will be undefeatable."
"Nothing's undefeatable" the Doctor says.
"We needed children to build a new Cyberplanner. A child's brain, with its infinite potential, is perfect for our needs. But we no longer need the children. The Cybermites have been scanning your brain, Doctor. It's quite remarkable" he says coming around the table and the Doctor meets him halfway.
"Also completely useless to you. Cybermen use human parts. I'm not human. You can't convert non-humans."
"Well, that was true a long time ago. But we've upgraded ourselves. Current Cyberunits use almost any living components" I ran over to him and before I could reach him Webley throws some Cybermites onto the Doctor, he squirms and yells as they climb on him. I try to help but one crawls at my feet backing me into the wall and jumps on me knocking me to the ground. I scream and grab it but it's stronger than I thought and I struggle holding it with both hands as it wiggles trying to get to my face.
"Incorporated. Yes. Ah. Unfamiliar pulmonary set-up. Nervous system hyperconductive. Remarkable brain processing speed. Ho, ho. Amazing" the Cyberplanner says in a darker tone of the Doctors voice before his body spazzes.
"Get out of my head!" Came the Doctors original voice.
"A little help!" I yell and he glances at me before shaking and spinning around.
"Relax, relax. If you just relax, you will find this a perfectly pleasant experience. You are being upgraded and incorporated into the Cyberiad as a Cyberplanner" he spun again.
"Get out of my head!" He yelled before leaning over the table.
"Oh, this is brilliant. I'm so clever already, and now I'm a million times more clever. And what a brain. Not a human brain, not even slightly human. I mean, I'm going to have to completely rework the neural interface, but this is going to be the most efficient Cyberplanner. Not a great name, that, is it?" He said grinning and jumping on the table, "I could call myself Mister Clever. So much raw data. Time Lords. There's information on the Time Lords in here. Oh, this is just dreamy." I struggle holding off the Cybermite while the Doctor and the Cyberplanner struggle for control.
"Stalemate. One of us needs to control this head. We're too well-balanced" the Cyberplanner says.
"What did you say? No, no, no, no, no. I heard you. Rhetorical device to keep me thinking about it a bit more. Stalemate?" Says the Doctor breathing hard.
"Doctor" I call and he faces me, "I don't mean to interrupt your inner turmoil but, I could use a little help" I say struggling. He twitches and the Cyberplanner glares at me.
"You can't win" he says aloud and I assume he's talking about playing a chess game.
"Try me" said the Doctor.
"You understand, when I do win, the Cyberiad gets your brains and memories. All of it."
"When I win, you get out of my head, you let the children go, and nobody dies. You got that? Nobody dies!" He yells and then quickly jumps on top of me grabbing the Cybermite and disabling it. I sigh in relief my arms aching from the struggle.
"Thanks for that" I say slightly smiling, "I thought I was about to become a Cyberman" I finished and an evil smirk appeared across the Doctors lips.
"From what I know about you, you still just might" he winked and I swallowed hard, that definitely wasn't the Doctor.
Comment and tell me, do you dig Wren's new look?