Summary: Alasdair fights alongside Astrid and Jean-Luis but what he does not expect in the middle of London - or more accurately the 'battle zone' - is to run into - himself!
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Episode 35 – Crossing Paths
4:28 pm - It was an interesting position - despite the fact that the roads were clear - people were smart enough to stay off them - which was rare - humanity typically didn't act in an intelligent way in dangerous situations. Alasdair, Astrid, and Jean-Luis all stood in the middle of the street. Alasdair and Astrid stood back-to-back while Jean-Luis was crouched only about a foot away at Astrid's right - Alasdair's left. Alasdair couldn't say that having his sonic screwdriver doubling as a laser screwdriver made him particularly happy but he wasn't the pacifist that the Doctor acted like - he just didn't like guns! Alasdair knew that Astrid was using her 'ice powers' on a much larger scale then he'd seen before - and probably causing a lot of damage to that road in the process - it was row after row of ice spires - shooting up from the road. He also knew that Jean-Luis was there for 'close combat' - which really just meant - protecting him and Astrid.
When his direction was clear for a moment, Alasdair looked back over his right shoulder, and was amazed and slightly intimidated by what he saw. That part of the street was covered in ice spires half the height of Wolf's Den! Spires shot through cars and Mondasian Cybermen and if he wasn't mistaken - the edges of a couple of the buildings! Returning his attention to his direction - he was amazed at how little damage was done to the street but 'lifeless' Mondasian Cybermen were scattered - everywhere!
4:53 pm - Alasdair was amazed at the sight - it wasn't just Astrid and Jean-Luis fighting - off in other parts of London - some he could see - some he could not - there were other freaks fighting the Mondasian Cybermen, as well. Fire and ice, electricity or lightning as he was starting to consider it, wind, and one he would almost think was something like - it seemed to be able to create and control a rift! The howl of a banshee - this was - amazing! London was being torn about - if not by the Cybermen then by the freaks but at least the freaks were defending themselves - and probably - a lot of other people, as well!
xXxXx
The Doctor looked around and asked in something between shock and disbelief, 'What is going on here'? Rose said, 'The freaks - they're part of this'! The Doctor asked curiously, 'The what'? Rose shook her head and then said, 'It's complicated, Doctor - but just trust me - I was here long enough to know - the freaks are just as dangerous as the Cybermen - and by the looks of what's happening - potentially even more dangerous! We need to go to Torchwood and talk to dad'! Donna argued, 'We need to find the Meta-Crisis'! The Doctor said, 'We worry about Pete and Jackie first'.
xXxXx
5:11 pm - Alasdair couldn't help but smile - the freaks were fighting the Cybermen - they weren't worried about Torchwood or any other government agency - they were fighting to survive! And, the freaks were - winning! Jean-Luis stood up and asked curiously, 'So now, what do we do'? Alasdair said, 'We stand were we are - we protect where we are'! Jean-Luis shivered and then said, 'Alright'. Alasdair knew it had to be cold for someone who was even less equipped to deal with the cold temperatures then a normal human - to be standing out in a t-shirt in temperatures that were below zero.
Alasdair watched as Jean-Luis yawned before stretching his arms up above his head and then rubbing his eyes - if he remembered the details about snakes correctly - they hibernate in winter - he wondered if members of the Viper Clan had that ability if they spent too much time in the cold.
But, then Alasdair noticed - the power he was seeing was fading and fading fast - that wasn't good - where the hell were all these Cybermen coming from?
5:26 pm - The Cybermen were again nearing Alasdair, Astrid, and Jean-Luis but it seemed like the Cybermen had changed tactics - they weren't - working loosely together - they were in much tighter 'teams' - they hadn't changed their appearance yet - but - they were upgrading!
Alasdair began to feel static in the air - he glanced at Jean-Luis who was actually watching Astrid wide-eyed. The next thing Alasdair realized, Jean-Luis had pinned him to the street - cold! Even though the clothes - cold! And, there was a huge burst of electricity that shot out from Astrid in all directions.
Well, the Cybermen were down again - but so was the power grid!
xXxXx
The Doctor asked intrigued, 'What was that'? Rose said angrily, 'The freaks! They're turning this city on its head and using the Cybermen as a distraction to get away with it'! The Doctor still wasn't real sure what these 'freaks' were but they would have to be awfully stupid to try to use Cybermen - as a distraction! And, what purpose did knocking the greater London power grid out - serve?
As they kept walking - the Doctor began to squint - he knew that person - but - he couldn't tell from where!
xXxXx
5:31 pm - Alasdair asked curiously, 'So, now what? It's already starting to get dark and unless the power can be brought back up before it gets to dark - we can't fight in the dark! And, these Cybermen are obviously intelligent - the next wave could just wait until we can't see and then attack'! Astrid was leaning against him - she'd worn herself out using her ice powers as much as she had and then using that large of a burst of electricity - he had his left arm around her to keep her from hitting the ground. Jean-Luis asked hesitantly, 'I could go and ask father to send a few people out and they could circle through London - to make sure it was safe'? Alasdair nodded and said, 'Do it'. Jean-Luis disappeared.
It was less then a minute later when Alasdair heard, 'It's you'! How strange to hear your own voice and not having actually spoken. Alasdair looked to the right and said irritated, 'Now, you show up'! The Doctor said, 'Well - we were actually looking for Pete at Torchwood but they seemed to be out'. Rose said, 'I still think he's probably out trying to deal with the freaks'. Alasdair snapped, 'Oh, come off it, Rose! The freaks were protecting themselves and other people from the fucking Mondasian Cybermen! How is that wrong'? Rose said angrily, 'The freaks should not exist! They deserve to be imprisoned'! Alasdair snapped again, 'So, you're like your fucking father and think they deserve to be executed'? The Doctor asked surprised, 'What'? Alasdair wasn't really surprised when Rose stepped up to him and she said disgusted, 'You're not the Doctor'. Alasdair said, 'No, I'm not. My name is Alasdair Noble'. Alasdair glanced at Donna to see if that bothered her - having her last name - but she just smiled. What happened next - Alasdair had not expected - Rose literally spit in his eye - his right eye - and the Doctor and Donna both said surprised, 'Rose'! Rose said disgusted, 'You're nothing but one of the freak-friendly people'! Alasdair used the right sleeve of his jacket to try to 'clean' his eye and then said - with a restraint he was surprised he still had, 'Doctor, if you actually do care about Miss Tyler - you will get her far away from me'!
Alasdair felt as Astrid shifted slightly, she stood up better, and he could see the confusion on her face seeing him and then - him again. Astrid stepped back slightly and signed, 'Is he the Doctor'? The Doctor said, 'Yes, I am'. Astrid signed, 'Which one's Rose'? Alasdair signed, 'The dumb blonde'. The Doctor did something between a laugh and a cough - Alasdair was surprised - but he figured the Doctor understood how his opinion of Rose had dropped so quickly. Astrid signed, 'I thought you loved Rose'. Alasdair signed, 'She's to much like her father where freaks are concerned. And, I must admit - getting spit on is a new experience'. Astrid looked confused and signed, 'Why would she do that'? Alasdair said, 'She called me one of the freak-friendly people -' Alasdair laughed and then continued, 'She hasn't figured out that I'm in love with one'. Astrid smirked and signed, 'I think she knows now'. Rose pointed at Astrid and asked, 'You're a freak'? Astrid signed, 'Yes, I am'. Rose demanded, 'Say something - don't just -' The Doctor interrupted by saying defensively, 'Rose, she's deaf'! Rose looked at the Doctor and said, 'But, that's not possible'. Alasdair said, 'Yes, Rose - it is'. Rose looked at Alasdair and said, 'No, it's not! Freak's cannot be deaf'! Alasdair said, 'Well, she is'. Rose said angrily, 'Then, she's lying'! Astrid signed, 'Do you think the Doctor would be angry if I made her sleep'? Alasdair signed, 'You won't do that - you don't like her - and honestly, I don't either - right now - but you won't do that because you might not be able to wake her up'. Astrid shook her head and then signed, 'I know - but it's tempting'. Alasdair signed, 'And, it's equally tempting to just tell you to - go ahead'. The Doctor asked curiously, 'What do you mean - put her to sleep'? Alasdair said, 'It's one of her abilities - she can lock someone in a dream or nightmare depending on what she feels at that exact moment - it can also be deadly because she can't necessarily wake them up'.
Alasdair flinched as Rose screeched, 'So, she's a murderer'! Alasdair crossed his arms and said, 'Rose, go back to the T.A.R.D.I.S. - go home - go to hell - I really don't care as long as it's away from me'! Rose asked angrily, 'How could you fall in love with a freak'? Alasdair snapped back, 'How did the Doctor ever fall in love with someone like you'? Oh - he expected the slap and he wasn't disappointed. Rose said angrily, 'You will never be the type of man that the Doctor is'!
6:09 pm - Alasdair wished he were back on Bad Wolf Bay - then he could at least try to bury his head in the sand - Rose just would not let it go! The Doctor had taken to 'playing' with his sonic screwdriver while Donna was drumming the fingers of her right hand on her left forearm - Rose wasn't listening to either of them - and Astrid was probably getting whiplash by now listening to Rose argue with him. Seeing Jean-Luis was a small blessing, he looked at Rose, and asked, 'Who're you'? Alasdair said, 'Rose Marion Tyler. The bloke who looks like me is the Doctor and the ginger next to him is Donna Noble'. Jean-Luis nodded and said, 'Nice to meet -' Rose interrupted by saying angrily, 'You're a freak too'! Alasdair whispered, 'Oh, bloody hell'! Jean-Luis nodded and said, 'Yes, I am. I'm also Renee Moreau's son and I will one day be the leader of the Viper Clan'. Rose crossed her arms and asked irritated, 'Am I supposed to be impressed'? Jean-Luis said, 'You apparently didn't spend much time in this universe if you don't know who the Viper Clan is'. Rose said dismissively, 'I know who you are. I've just never been impressed by your attitude'. Jean-Luis said eerily calmly, 'Alright then - let me try it this way - you have half an hour to hop back in the Doctor's time traveling police phone box slash T.A.R.D.I.S. and get the hell out of this universe or I will personally hunt you down, rip your stomach and intestines out, and shove it all back down your throat'! Rose stepped back, Jean-Luis smirked showing one of his fangs, and asked smugly, 'Any other questions, Miss Tyler'? Rose backed up until she collided with the Doctor and said, 'I want to go home'! The Doctor said, 'We can't yet - I need to make sure the Mondasian Cybermen are gone'. Jean-Luis said, 'Well - about that'.
And - as if on cue, the Mondasian Cybermen began to surround Alasdair, Astrid, Jean-Luis, the Doctor, Rose, and Donna.
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Author's Note 1: Despite my portrayal of Rose in this story - I actually really like her - she was an amazing companion for the 9th and 10th Doctor's! And, getting to 'spend her life' with a human version of the Doctor that she loved and despite his inability to say it - loved her - Journey's End was definitely one of my favorite episodes. One of these day's I would like to see that deleted scene from that episode. Another of my favorite episodes - despite it being the episode where David Tennant ends his portrayal as the 'lead' - I'd have to go with the End of Time, why? Really, because after seeing Rassilon - you realize just how sane the Master was - and also because it seemed like - while the Master obviously had his own agenda in doing so - he did kind of protect the Doctor. And then, there's the final episode with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor - the Bad Wolf is freaking awesome! Poor Jack! And also, while I've figured that I still don't like Matt Smith as the Doctor - after seeing him in a movie called Patient Zero - he's a hell of an actor - just a lousy Doctor!
Author's Note 2: So, what did you think of Jean-Luis' rather - creative threat - to Rose?
Author's Note 3: The next part will be the final part of this 'mini-arc'.
Reviews/Comments/Critiques welcome!
Written on April 5th, 2019