A/N - Hello Everybody and welcome back to Tails' TARDIS Tales! It's been a long time coming. For the last couple of months I've been dealing with the aftereffects of a fire at my old building that heavily damaged my apartment. Fortunately most of my stuff survived, if not always entirely intact. The clean up of stuff is still going on because everything had to be packed up and moved out in a hurry and I'm still going through boxes. I must say it's AMAZING how much crap one accumulates without even thinking about it! Also wiping ash and soot off of stuff is not fun. I've probably washed my hands more in the past two months than in all of last year combined.
Unfortunately one thing that did not survive the fire was my old computer which was too damaged to repair. Luckily the hard drive was intact so when I finally got a new computer a short time ago I was able to transfer everything over to it.
As I promised, this story has returned. This is the first new chapter since mid-February. Thank you everyone for your patience and support during this difficult period.
Normally I would respond to feedback here before heading into the chapter but today I'm going to post the responses at the end of the chapter so we can get straight to the story.
As always, standard disclaimer: Neither Doctor Who nor Sonic the Hedgehog belong to me. Doctor Who is property of the BBC. Sonic The Hedgehog SatAM is property of Sega and DIC. The only things that are mine are the story itself and any original characters I might come up with. Please read and review; I always appreciate feedback. Constructive criticism is welcome, however no flames please.
And now here is the new installment. I hope you find that it was worth waiting for:
35 – ARCULEAN PARTY
Tails sat down on a mat just opposite to Chancellor Borusa and crossed his legs.
"Good" said the Chancellor, "now the first rule of building up stamina in your mind is being able to keep your concentration, no matter what, so..."
It was an absorbing lesson, if one that Tails found mentally taxing. Borusa had Tails close his eyes and attempt to concentrate on a single subject at a time. Then he would throw mental distractions at the young fox, first minor ones, then getting increasingly complex, yet constantly reiterating that Tails keep concentration no matter what. After about an hour of this Tails was released back into Dar's care, being given some mental concentration exercises to work on between now and his next session with the Chancellor.
Tails' next class wasn't until the afternoon so he was taken back to his room where he went into the TARDIS and found the Doctor and Sarah Jane about to leave. He told them about the lesson and the Doctor mentioned that he had also undergone such training when he was in the academy. Tails then showed them the invitation he had received.
"Well" said the Doctor taking the card from Tails, "a party at the Arculean chapter. We will of course attend. When you're invited to another chapter house for an event it's considered bad manners not attend unless you have a really good reason. Generally the only acceptable reason is death – specifically your own." The Doctor said this with a grin but Tails wasn't entirely sure he was joking.
"We will both go with you" said the Doctor, "the academy has an early curfew for younger students against being out late without adult supervision. We can provide that. Also, Sarah, I think you will enjoy seeing how young Gallifreyans party."
"Well if it's anything like Earth university students I believe I know a thing or two about that" said Sarah Jane.
"Yes" said the Doctor, "there's probably a commonality about school parties that spans the universe. But a Time Lord academy party, well they're even more so – if you understand my meaning."
"Oh dear" said Sarah Jane, shaking her head a bit.
After the Doctor and Sarah Jane left for a trip into the capitol Tails went outside the TARDIS, turned on the dorm room's computer, and logged on to the network. There was a message waiting for him from Laxallia letting him know that her feature on him had just been published by The Daily Panoptican. Tails immediately went to the periodical's home site where he found that his profile was right on the front page! A prominent image of him that Laxallia had taken the previous day led off the feature. She had taken it when she was in the room since it showed the TARDIS behind him.
"Oh boy" muttered Tails to himself as he began to read the piece. He had to admit that there was nothing wrong or inaccurate with it. Laxallia had been scrupulous in setting out everything he had told her about himself, about Mobius and its situation, and about his travels with the Doctor. Nothing was added, exaggerated, or misrepresented. It was all true, but, having spent almost all of his life until very recently essentially in hiding (from Robotnik anyway) it was a very strange feeling to realize that everyone at the Time Lord Academy would know who he was and be able to recognize him on sight.
After he was finished with Laxallia's feature on him he went to his profile and began considering what he should do with it. Dar had said that the more information he published about himself the fewer questions he'd have to deal with later. Still, even with the publication of Laxallia's feature on him he felt shy about putting out more information about himself. He supposed he could post a link to the feature on his profile and that would do for the time being.
While he was thinking things over another message came in, this time containing an online friend request from Caltec. With a chuckle Tails accepted the request and made his first network friend.
Knowing he still had some time before his afternoon lesson and remembering that he could take available electives or attend one time lectures Tails clicked on the "academics" tab on his profile to see what was available. There were a lot of science classes available in just about every branch of science Tails had ever heard of, including several classes about Time Travel theory and consequences among other things, but the first class that really jumped out at him was an accelerated class in basic Gallifreyan engineering. He signed up for that course at once.
"Oh boy!" said Tails, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of what he might learn in that class, "maybe I'll learn how to build my own TARDIS!"
Not long after that Dar came back for him to take him to his afternoon lesson which was another course in mind strengthening and control, although from a different angle. This time his teacher began to train him on how to shield his mind from unwanted intruders and even strike back at anyone who tried to invade his mind against his will. His teacher said that it was possible for him to do this because he had some telepathic potential that had been discovered during his examination by the Doctor, Borusa, and Spandrell. The mere fact that he was able to sense them when they examined his mind was proof of that. If he had not had such potential he would never have noticed anything. Whether he would eventually achieve true telepathic ability remained to be seen and would depend on his own efforts to develop this power.
The lesson and the rest of the day passed swiftly and almost before he knew it Tails was walking across campus towards the Arculean House, his invitation in his hand, the Doctor and Sarah Jane on either side of him. It was evening, or so the clock said; Gallifrey's primary sun had set but its other sun was still quite high in the sky.
"We're not going to stay too late" said the Doctor, "but we won't leave so quickly as to be rude. You'll have time to enjoy yourself – both of you I mean."
They soon reached the door of the Arculean House and Tails presented his invitation to a security guard at the door who, after inspecting it, ushered them inside and directed them to go to the main lounge where the party was happening.
The main lounge was a huge chamber, easily bigger in size than the house itself appeared from the outside, something Tails was used to by now. The whole chapter seemed to be there and spread out around the room mainly by year and age. It didn't take long for Tails to find (or rather be found by) Caltec, accompanied by Taliasanian.
"You made it" said Caltec to Tails, "I'm glad you could come."
"Is everyone in your chapter here?" asked Tails looking around the huge room.
"A lot of them" said Taliasanian, "they don't let us mix with the older students much though."
"I should think not" said the Doctor, "you're not old enough to partake of some of things the older students are allowed to do."
"Some things do stay the same from planet to planet" said Sarah Jane, "I suppose this would be the equivalent of Earth's minimum drinking age?"
"Something like that" said the Doctor, "however you and I, Sarah, are adults, although I should warn you that Gallifreyan drinks can be very strong. There's a reason we have two hearts."
"I'll just have a small one then" said Sarah Jane.
"Wise" said the Doctor, "you look after Tails and I'll fetch us some refreshments. Be right back" and the Doctor began to move across the room towards wherever the refreshments were.
"Where's Xeras?" asked Tails.
"This way" said Caltec, "it's his turn to jump." Rather than explain what he meant Caltec urged Tails to come see for himself.
Sarah Jane turned to follow Tails who was walking with Caltec and Taliasanian towards a corner of the room where more of the first years were gathered around what seemed to be some sort of gaming area. There was a platform raised about a meter off the ground and as he drew near it Tails saw that Xeras was standing on it. At the end of the platform was an archway. In front of the archway below the platform another first year that Tails had not met was holding a square meter mat with a target painted on it. After a second Xeras ran forward and jumped forward through the archway, promptly disappearing.
"What?!" exclaimed both Tails and Sarah Jane.
"Just wait" said Caltec. The first year standing in front of the platform placed the target square down on the floor at a small distance from the platform and stepped back. After about fifteen seconds Xeras reappeared exactly where he had been only now everyone was able to see the rest of his jump. He sailed across the area, overshooting the target and missing it completely before landing on the floor. There was a cheer from most of the first of the first years gathered around and several of them smacked Xeras' back when he stood up.
"Well done Xeras" said the other first year in a good natured manner.
"Better luck next time" Xeras said, shaking the other's hand. He then picked up the target mat while another first year mounted the platform to jump.
"This is a popular game for first years" explained Taliasanian to Tails and Sarah Jane, "it's called 'Time Warp'"
"Oh?" asked Sarah Jane brightly, "is it a jump to the left and a step to the right?" Tails, Caltec, and Taliasanian all looked at Sarah Jane blankly. "Sorry" she muttered, "that would be a rather obscure reference on this planet."
"The arch sends anyone who steps through it fifteen seconds into the future" said Taliasanian, "one person runs towards it and jumps through it, being sent ahead in time fifteen seconds. During that period the other player has to guess where the jumper will land and place the target on that spot. Then the jumper returns and lands. If he manages to avoid the target he wins. If he lands on the target the other person wins."
"Xeras is very good at it" said Caltec, "both as a jumper and a guesser." They watched as the new jumper jumped through the arch. Xeras quickly placed the mat down where he thought the new jumper would land and waited...
...And proved to be correct in his guess. The jumper reappeared and landed smack in the middle of the target mat to the cheers of the other first years.
"I retire undefeated" said Xeras, handing the mat off to the last jumper and stepping away from the game area towards his friends.
"Hi Tails" Xeras said when he joined the group, "good to see you. Been watching the game?
"Yes" said Tails, "it's fascinating. How do you manage to guess so accurately?"
"I'm good at calculating arcs quickly" said Xeras, "if I can get a sense of the arc of the jump when the other person takes off I usually have a pretty good idea of where they'll land."
"I see" said Tails, who did see quite well, "and what about when you jump?"
"I can't help it if other people can't calculate as quickly as I can" said Xeras a little smugly.
"In other words he's lucky" said Taliasanian.
"Do you want to try it?" Caltec asked Tails.
"No thanks" said Tails indicating his two tails, "If I jumped I'd have an unfair advantage."
"That's true" admitted Caltec remembering how Tails could fly.
"Then be the guesser" said Xeras, "we've been hearing that you're a genius. Let's see how good you really are."
"Now I really don't think – " began Sarah Jane but at that moment the Doctor returned carrying some cups.
"Hello everyone" he said to the group, "are you're playing 'Time Warp?' I remember playing that when I was here. Tails have you tried it?"
"He was just about to" said Xeras before anyone else could speak.
"Good, good" said the Doctor, "have some fun. It's a party after all."
"I'll be your jumper" said Xeras with a sly grin, "if you lose to me it won't matter since no one's beaten me yet."
"Is that a challenge?" asked the Doctor, "go on Tails. Show him what you're made of."
Tails shrugged and went towards the game area with the other first years. The Doctor and Sarah Jane followed them to watch.
"Is this a good idea?" asked Sarah Jane.
"He'll be fine" said the Doctor with a grin, "trust me."
Reaching the gaming area Xeras gave Tails the target mat and showed him where to stand for the start of the round. He then mounted the platform and faced the arch. Meanwhile all of the other first years at the party had also gathered around to watch.
"Try and catch me – if you can!" Xeras called out to Tails. He ran at the arch and jumped through it, vanishing at once. Tails' eyes narrowed as he watched the beginning of Xeras' jump. After a few seconds he placed the mat down at a considerable distance from the platform and well to one side. A few seconds later Xeras reappeared and as he sailed through his jump it was immediately apparent that Tails had guessed very well. Even Xeras could see that he was headed straight for the target. He tried to twist out of the way as he came down but only succeeded in landing on his bottom right in the middle of the mat. Everybody started to laugh and a few nearby students patted Tails on the shoulder. Tails hurried forward and helped Xeras up.
"Are you okay?" he asked the boy, afraid he might have hurt himself when he landed. Xeras smiled wanly.
"I'm fine" he said, "that was a lucky guess. Can you do it again?"
Now Tails sensed a real challenge in Xeras' words. For answer he picked up the mat.
"I don't know" he said
"I bet you can't" said Xeras, "I bet you were lucky."
"I bet he can" said Taliasanian stepping forward and facing Xeras.
"You're on" said Xeras to his classmate, "but if he can't then you have to be my partner for the basic temporal physics final project."
"Fine" said Taliasanian, "but if he can then you have to come with me to my extended family's formal gathering next week and be on your best behavior the whole time."
"Whoa!" said Xeras, "there's no need to get nasty."
"They like each other, don't they?" said the Doctor to Caltec.
"Yes, they do" said Caltec, "even though they bicker a lot."
"They remind me a lot of Koschei and Ushas" said the Doctor a little wistfully, "they were two friends of mine when I was here. They sparred a lot like those two are doing, but we were all still good friends, at least in those days." For a moment the Doctor's face became sad, but just as quickly his expression cleared again and he turned to Sarah Jane, handing her a small cup.
"You might like this" he said to her, "it's Arculean wine. I'd advise you to drink it slowly and in small sips." The Doctor took a large sip from his own, rather larger cup, "ahh, that's as good as I remember."
"You're nostalgic tonight" said Sarah Jane, "that's unusual for you."
"Everyone deserves to be a little nostalgic now and then" said the Doctor. Sarah looked at her cup. The liquid in it was clear and it did not have a smell when she sniffed it. Cautiously she took a small sip...
"Dear me!" exclaimed the Doctor as Sarah Jane suddenly started wobbling back and forth as if she was going to fall. He grabbed her and held her steady, "I told you to be careful."
"I was" said Sarah Jane in a slurred voice, "I only had a tiny sip. Why is the room rocking back and forth? Make it stop!"
"You'd better sit down" said the Doctor leading Sarah Jane to a nearby chair and sitting her down in it, "Arculean wine always hits you hard the first time but the effects pass within moments as long as you're careful and don't drink too much at once."
"I don't think I'll have any more, thank you" said Sarah Jane, although her voice was clearer this time.
"It won't be as bad the second time" said the Doctor, "I promise."
Further talk was cut off by the sounds of cheering coming from the gaming area. The Doctor turned to look to see that Tails had again managed to successfully target Xeras' landing.
"Best four out of seven" he heard Xeras yell, "we agreed."
"We agreed" came Taliasanian's answer, "he's already gotten you twice now – although I'm not counting that first one."
"Feeling better?" the Doctor asked Sarah Jane who now seemed clear headed.
"Much" she said getting back to her feet.
"Then let's watch the rest of the match" said the Doctor leading her back to the gaming area.
Xeras jumped again – and Tails got him again – and again – and again! It was straight four to zero match.
"Yes!" yelled Taliasanian over the cheering.
"You are as good as they say" said Xeras to Tails, some shock in his voice.
"Thanks" said Tails, "I hope you're not mad."
"At you? No" said Xeras, clapping Tails on the back, "you're the only person in our year who's really been able to beat me. Too bad you're not staying very long."
"Thank you Tails" said Taliasanian coming over to them. She gave Xeras an evil smile. "Xeras, let's talk about my family gathering next week." Xeras gulped while Taliasanian took him by the arm and led him away from the gaming area.
"Are family gatherings that bad?" Tails asked Caltec who had come up to offer Tails his own congratulations.
"They can be" said Caltec, "especially when about 20 or more generations are all gathered in one place and all of the older members have regenerated several times and you don't know who's who because you're the youngest and everyone treats you like you're still a baby and no one takes you seriously or really listens to anything you have to say – "
"That's enough Caltec" said the Doctor observing Tails shocked expression, "there's no need to make it sound like a complete nightmare."
"20 generations?" asked Tails in disbelief, "how long do Gallifreyans live?"
"We'll discuss that some other time" said the Doctor before Caltec could answer, "why don't you come over here and sit down for a bit? I brought a plate of snacks which you might like. Don't worry; none of it's dangerous for Mobians or humans." At this Tails was more than willing to follow the Doctor and Sarah Jane over to some chairs. Caltec went with them and soon all four of them were sitting around a low table eating some of the food the Doctor had brought over.
Tails and Caltec were finally able to have a real conversation that wasn't hurried because they were going to different classes. Tails told Caltec about Mobius and his friends, and also about some of his travels with the Doctor and Sarah Jane. In turn he learned that Caltec's immediate family lived in the capitol but most of his other relatives lived in Arcadia, which was where both sides of his family line originally hailed from. All four of his grandparents had moved to the capitol when they were younger and that's where Caltec's parents had been raised before they came to the Academy themselves. They had met at school where they had both also been in the Arculean chapter. All four of his grandparents were still in their first lives, although Caltec suspected that his paternal grandfather might be preparing to regenerate some time in the next few decades. Tails still didn't understand what was meant by "regenerating" but before he could ask he felt the Doctor touch his shoulder.
"It's getting late" said the Doctor, "we need to be going. Besides" he went on, forestalling a protest from Tails, "I think I'm going to need a little help getting Sarah Jane back to the TARDIS."
Tails looked over at Sarah Jane who was standing up rather unsteadily.
"I don't need help Doctor" she said in a slurry manner.
"Yes you do, yes you do" the Doctor replied, putting Sarah Jane's arm around his shoulder and holding her in a standing position, "I told you to drink that wine slowly. You shouldn't have drunk the bottom half of the cup at once. It will take at least an hour for the effects to pass through you. Just be glad there are no aftereffects."
"No hangover?" said Sarah Jane unsteadily.
"Certainly not" declared the Doctor, "we've moved beyond such things. Come along Tails. You keep an eye on her other side and help steady her."
"Uh, okay" said Tails who turned back to Caltec for moment, "thanks for inviting me to the party" he said, "would you say goodnight to Xeras and Taliasanian for me?"
"Yes" said Caltec, "thank you for coming. Get back safely."
Tails and the Doctor left the party, the Doctor supporting Sarah Jane as they went. On their way back to the TARDIS Tails asked the Doctor again what exactly a regeneration was but the Doctor said that right now was not the time to discuss Time Lord biology. That was all he would say but Tails made a mental note to see if he could research the subject for himself before too long.
They made it back to Tails' house room without incident and as soon as they were back in the TARDIS the Doctor sent Tails to bed, saying he would take Sarah Jane to the kitchen and give her a strong cup of tea to help sober her up before she went to sleep too. Tails accepted this and went to his TARDIS room to sleep, realizing that he was starting to feel tired. It had certainly been an eventful day.
(To Be Continued)
A/N - And that is that. We're back in business. For anyone who might be wondering, Koschei and Ushas are the names of the Master and the Rani respectively, both of whom were friends with the Doctor at the Academy.
Now for some feedback responses:
Guest 1 (02/14/2014) - Your response that both the Doctor and Sarah Jane have valid points regarding the Doctor's family is quite true. I'm working on that subplot and I hope it comes out okay.
Stallion6 of Deviantart - Ah yes, my most faithful reviewer. All will be revealed eventually. I Promise.
eventyraren - I'm glad you like the story, and I hope you liked the new chapter too.
Guest 2 (03/06/2014) - I've been as quick as I could. I hope it wasn't too long.
K.K. - If you gave me 10,000 Japanese Yen I would happily take it!
Adadave - Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you liked my wrap up to SatAM.
evansadamd - Thank you for all of the things you wrote. I'm happy you like the story and some of things I've done with the characters (like Tails getting into Punk for instance). As for the 11th Doctor showing up later for a visit - well you never know; where the Doctor's concerned anything really is possible.
Guest 3 (04/02/2014) - Thank you for the support. I appreciate it.
Thanks again everyone for reading. Hopefully the wait for the next chapter won't be quite so long. Cheers until then!