Why were they getting so much glee out of this? This wasn't the behaviour of that young, innocent child he had known. This wasn't like the friend he had grown up with, the one he shared dreams with of travelling the universe and visiting every star in existence. He wondered what their younger versions would have said if they could see themselves right now. The Doctor and the Master, overlooking the destruction of a civilised planet. That's what it seemed like anyway. He couldn't tell from where he was what was actually happening around them. All he could do was sense that feeling in the air, the sense that was tickling him. Raw time energy. It was attacking everything around them, everything of this time. Once he dealt with this nuisance, the duo currently being more annoying than threatening, he needed to try and contact the others, hoping that they were all still okay. With them spread across the globe, he already knew that the effects they'd be suffering would be wide and varied.
The person he couldn't help but feel sorry for was the woman standing by his side like she always did. This was Clara's home after all. He always said that it was under his protection, seeing it as his home away from home. The planet that had taken him in after he ran away, after he was forced away. But this was hers more. And he knew exactly how she would be feeling because he had lived through the experience of watching his home planet burn around him, even if it had ultimately not happened. He was failing to do his job and the Doctor realised that it was getting close to the time when he would be forced into a difficult decision. He'd been trying to put it off since the rift had first appeared but all this delaying was just making more people suffer. Making him suffer. But what would his choice end up being? Which would he put first? Earth or Gallifrey?
"How can you just stand there and watch this happen?" he asked angrily at the two of them. It had been a while since they had heard him sound so furious and it made Missy's smirk falter for a brief moment. He wasn't supposed to be mad. She was doing this for him. He was meant to appreciate the fact that she was trying to do something good for once, saving their planet before it died without anyone else knowing. Sure, the methods weren't ideal but she had hoped that he would look past that when she reminded him of all the good times they could have together again. It was infuriating that he wasn't seeing this, just viewing this as another example of her being her usual stereotypical evil self.
"Quite easily, in fact," the Master replied, rubbing his goatee. "Surely you should have realised by now how much I enjoy moments like this." He stepped closer to the Doctor, who pushed Clara behind him in a small attempt to protect her, whatever good it would do. "Getting to see you despair so much. It's like you're practically about to cry." He laughed again, loving how right he was. "It's pathetic. You used to be such a worthy opponent, driving me to be better, to do better."
"In which you mean, get better at being a monster."
"Exactly! What else would I mean? You can't possibly expect anything else. No matter what strange notion you have got into that head of yours, I am not going to change, regardless of how much you may wish it." The Doctor instinctively glanced at Missy as he said that since he still clung onto the hope that this would be the incarnation that had the small essence of goodness within it which he could bring out. "It's a shame, seeing what you've become. This planet and its worthless inhabitants would always be your downfall. I never expected that I would have the privilege of seeing it happen in person. Although, it would always have to be us two together at the very end like fate always wanted." He sneered at Clara, who glared back at him, not allowing him to see how truly scared she was. She wouldn't even let the Doctor see because she didn't want him to think any less of her. "Have you got nothing to say this time? Before, you were so willing to add your own thoughts, shouting at me. Yet you're now so boringly quiet. Has he been training you since we last met? I've got to commend him on the progress he's made." The Doctor moved threateningly towards him. He could do a lot of things, saying anything at him, but he drew the line at insulting his Clara. But she was the one who stopped him before he could do something he would end up regretting. This was one battle that she could fight on her own as she walked up to him, not even letting her brain wonder why Missy wasn't getting involved in this altercation.
"You know why I'm not talking?" she asked, her voice steely and resolute in the face of someone she knew had done unspeakable things in the past. He shrugged his shoulders, not bothered in the slightest that she was incredibly close to him. She was probably the least threatening person in existence. The Doctor didn't contemplate telling him wrong a thought that would be. "Because I want you to do the grand soliloquy. I want you to gloat and brag in his face like I bet you've done hundreds of times before. I want you to think that you are unbeatable, untouchable. That your victory is mere moments away and nothing can stop you." Despite himself, he asked the obvious question, intrigued as to where she was going with this.
"And why's that?" he responded in a low voice. Now she was closer, he could tell how much of an enticing figure she cut. No wonder why the Doctor was so...captivated with her. Then she smirked and the innocent women before him transformed into the person who had fought the worst monsters, who had made impossible decisions, who had traveled through the Doctor's very own time stream to save him.
"Because...I know how mighty the fall will be. I can already envisage your dumbstruck face when the rug gets pulled from out under your feet. It's going to be so sweet when we beat you because of how high and mighty you have been. Our greatest victory."
"There's only one problem with that. You. Can't. Beat. Us. Look around! What do you see? The cities changing and morphing before your very eyes? The people screaming and running as if it will make any difference? Do you want to know what I see? No way of you finding a way to win this time. It would be much easier if you gave up." But the small speech Clara had given had stirred something up within the Doctor, invigorating him when he was reaching his lowest. He put a strong arm on Clara's shoulder, standing at his full height. Missy could see it in his eyes. Something had changed within his mindset. She knew what that was. He thought that he could still win somehow. Despite everything, despite how hopeless it all seemed. And if he still had that bit of hope, they were all in trouble. She wouldn't, of course, say this to her previous self because she would likely be ridiculed. But she feared that he had overplayed his hand, antagonising the Doctor too much.
"That's where you're wrong," he said. "Because there's one thing you're forgetting. Something incredibly important." He pointed up at the sky, still a strange orange colour. "Gallifrey is not yet through that rift. It is still trapped in the reality I put it in, no matter what you say. And you really should have left celebrating until that happened. Since you've just ignited the belief in me that I can do this. That's the difference between us two and it always has. I continue to fight until the very end even if it kills me. I choose to make a stand and stand for something I believe in. I believe and have faith in the human race. You always downplay their capabilities but you should have realised something by now. They're resilient. They have faced so much and always come through the other side somehow. Do you know how many times they have been invaded or held at gunpoint? There's probably too many times to count. But do you know how many times those plans have succeeded? Exactly zero. Because I stay here to help them and will never ever stop." The Master was no longer smiling. He wouldn't say that he was intimidated but he certainly wasn't as confident as he had been. "So, I'm going to tell you one final thing. You should be extremely afraid right now and I would strongly advise you to run away like you normally do. Since you'll have figured out how far I will go to save Earth. Get off my planet."
Without even waiting for a response, the Doctor turned on his heel and headed back to the Tardis, Clara following, still shocked at how passionately he had spoken. The Master did not want to say anything to him as he left. Missy couldn't say anything. As they entered the time machine, the Doctor running ideas through his head to decide what their next plan of action should be, Clara grabbed him by the arm, spun him around effortlessly, and planted a searing kiss on his lips. It caught him by the surprise and his arms were waving about as he struggled to breathe. But then he returned it with a similar gusto despite not knowing what had prompted her to do this. He wasn't stupid enough to ask why just yet. Eventually, they parted, the both of them attempting to compose themselves. She didn't know what had come over her, just having the need to do it after his small speech.
"You...are brilliant," she said in a breathless voice. "I hope you realise that."
"I have tried telling you this in the past and you've never seemed to listen."
"What you were saying just then...I've never seen someone talk like that." He gave her a small smile and walked over to the console.
"It comes with the territory of living so long," he explained. "After a while, you figure out what sort of words are most effective with certain people. The best ways to convince them to join your way of thinking."
"So you think you will have convinced them to reverse what they've done?"
"If only. I'm still trying to find the magic words that stop them. Do you think I would still be struggling against them if I could do that?" His voice sounded tired and almost...bored. He just wished that this constant cycle of battling against the many versions of the other Time Lord would come to an end. Weren't they just as tired with it as he was by now? Wasn't it simply time for them to spend their time in a new way? He could have laughed. In a strange sense, he was being unreasonable and hypocritical. There was no way he would change the way he acted. There was no way that he would ever stop trying to be and do good.
"I guess not…"
"But, like I said, it will have worried them. There's only ever been one person capable of stopping them. And you're looking at him. Maybe they'll abandon this plan and give me one less thing to think about. Or two, I guess."
"And if they do?"
"Then Gallifrey is still trying to reach us. No matter how flimsy their beliefs are, they still want that to happen. They won't stop it. Just hide away from the aftermath until it's safe."
"And it's our job to be there at the middle of the problem." She shouldn't have been grinning but she just enjoyed how she was able to deal with these kinds of large issues by his side. Despite himself, he smirked back, glad that she was there. If he was being honest to himself, she was the main reason why he was doing this. It scared him a little which was why he didn't voice that mindset.
"Exactly. It's good that you've learnt that after all this time."
"I do pay attention, you know." He arched an eyebrow. "Sometimes." His attention was diverted when the monitor started flickering, static noises coming through. He slid it over, trying to boost the signal. Someone was trying to reach out amongst the chaos. Kate's face came into view but it kept buffering and failing. As the two of them peered at the camera, the Doctor attempted to help her make the full connection.
"Come on, old girl!" he shouted, hoping that Kate wouldn't think he was talking about her. "You can do this." Finally, the video seemed to settle, the UNIT director letting out a happy sigh as she saw who she had been looking for.
"You don't know how good it is to see that face," she said. "And I'm not normally one to say that."
"Is everything okay? Is something happening with the Cybermen?"
"No. That's actually no longer a problem. Your plan worked. As far as we can tell, they've all been wiped out. I'd allow you to be smug if it wasn't for the apparent danger we're in."
"The widening of the rift?" Clara asked.
"Is that what happened? All I know is that, one minute we were jumping up for joy as the Cybermen collapsed across the country, then the sky looked to have burned above us and people started...fading out of existence! Disappeared right in front of our eyes. Osgood was standing next to me and then...nothing. Along with about a third of my men. Care to explain? Is this happening everywhere?"
"It sounds like temporal dislocation," the Doctor explained. "As for whether its effects are widespread, I simply don't have an answer. It could be completely different in other countries or exactly the same."
"You know that you're supposed to be the expert on this sort of thing, right?"
"It's infuriating, isn't it? How do you think I feel?"
"But...Doctor," Clara spoke up. "What does temporal dislocation actually mean? Because it doesn't sound good."
"All of those people have basically been plucked from their current existence and placed back in a different part of the Earth's history. Or future. There's no way of knowing which."
"Oh, dear Lord," Kate moaned, thinking about the young woman who she had been working with for such a long time. She was the last person this should have happened to. She had done nothing in her life to remotely deserve this fate. "Can you save her? Everyone? Reverse the effects of it all?"
"I don't know!" He stopped himself from getting too angry, knowing that his frustrations weren't directed at her and she didn't need to face the brunt force of them. "I don't know," he proceeded to say in a quieter voice. "In theory, if the rift was to close there would be no output of this time energy, which would hopefully mean that the effects would simply cease." Clara could sense that a 'but' was coming though. "But…" Why did she always have to be right? "Something could happen to them in the different periods of time. Thrown into a battle or war. Killer robots. Stomped on by a dinosaur." He saw the look Clara was giving him and realised what he was doing. "Sorry. Got a bit carried away there. And I'm sorry that I can't give you any concrete reassurances, Kate."
"It's alright. You've never been one to give out false hope. But at least I've got something to cling on to. Just think of how many people this could have happened to though." Clara's mind turned to her family, her father, her nan, even Linda. Would they be okay? She felt guilty that it had only got to this point before she started thinking about them. Had she really turned into such a horrible person who had to prioritise who she gave her attention to? Was this what it was like to be the Doctor? Having to only think about one problem whilst still knowing that there were a handful still occurring in the background. She doubted that she had felt more sorry for him in that moment, the old man who bottled everything up because, if the lid was loosened, there would be no way to stop the pain from pouring out. He was confused when she took his hand in his and even more so at the sad eyes that were unnaturally wide and teary. He just noted it down as general worry about the state of her planet, which was perfectly reasonable due to the circumstances.
"Who else do you have with you at the moment?" he asked her, wanting to know whether the others were still okay. He'd brought so many people into this and he felt responsible for every single one of them. Despite the fact that they would have probably been affected if they'd stayed at home. It didn't dampen his guilty conscience.
"Barring Osgood...my team is still in one piece. Sarah Jane and Perkins are down here with me."
"There were more there though when we last left."
"The others were on the surface when this happened." That made the Doctor stop. He hadn't expected that. "Mickey, Martha, Nardole, and Wilfred."
"Why would they have gone out there?" There was an angry tone to his voice now, at them for being so stupid and reckless, at her for letting this happen, at himself for not being there to stop this.
"Making your plan work! They couldn't do it from the base so it was the only option. Believe me when I say that I tried my hardest to stop them, before you start on one your moral high ground rants. They were willing to do anything to see it through." He let out a long sigh, understanding why they had that view. Before they had known him, they would have chosen to stay inside, away from any danger. Survival was the most important thing. But he had changed them. Davros had once said that he turned them into weapons. He was right, in a sense. He made them take risks because they had seen him do the same thing. He made them think that pushing yourself to the extreme was the only way to win because that was his daily routine. He looked at Clara, the one who embodied those worries and fears he had. So very like him.
It wasn't the time to wallow in his self pity or think about all the times he had been wronged. Because, right now, he had the opportunity to put everything right. It would be extremely difficult but there was still a chance. And that was all he needed to do this. To stop Gallifrey, to close the rift for good, to save the planet all before it was too late. He moved around the console, dragging the monitor with him.
"Hang tight, Kate. We're on our way. Keep everyone safe for now and then we'll figure out what we can do. Together."
"That's the way it's always been," she responded with a warm smile. "It took you awhile to realise that it was the case. You have so many people here to help you. And they'll be waiting for your arrival. See you in a bit." The camera cut off, leaving the Tardis in a strange silence apart from the usual organic yet mechanic noises that rang out. They sounded more strained than normal, which he guessed was because of the rift's effects. He just needed her to dig a little deeper for a bit longer.
Kate couldn't put into words how relieved she was to see that magical blue box appear in front of her. All of the stories she had heard over the years, of how people reacted to seeing it when it inevitably arrived in the nick of time as it always somehow did. She understood them now, the Tardis being the symbol of hope across the universe. Especially in this fight. Regardless of how difficult the situation was, it was still able to fight through and get to where it needed to be. Even if it sounded strained and it had taken a couple of times to finally properly solidify within the base. When the Doctor stepped out of it, looking almost as shocked as she was that they'd made a successful landing, she contemplated running over to him and giving him a tight hug, putting aside the strictly professional relationship they were meant to have. She'd always wanted to do it but had ultimately always found a way to talk herself out of it. Her father had often spoken about how he always relished the few handshakes he'd given, telling him that, to the Doctor, he was more than just another man in a suit. She wanted one of those moments to make herself believe that she was an important, or at least memorable, figure in his hectic life. In the end, she simply didn't have the courage to do it, instead resigning herself to a relieved smile sent his way.
"Thank the heavens you made it here," she said. "We've been practically stunned into inaction since it all happened."
"Ah, a small time avalanche couldn't stop the Tardis," he replied, patting his ship affectionately.
"Is this what this is then? An avalanche?"
"It's a pretty apt description. Time energy hurtling towards us, wave after wave. Maybe a tsunami. Both sound equally as cool as the other." Clara hit him on the arm for his fairly insensitive comment.
"Sorry," she apologised. "You know what he gets like. He's just talking nonsense to occupy himself to stop himself worrying too much."
"He must be worried a lot then." He scowled at her but she was saved from his angry retort when the others emerged to greet them, all sporting matching concerned expressions. Their arrival made it clear how empty the base now felt. Malcolm was the only other person in the room, nervously biting on a hangnail to occupy himself when he wasn't trying to make a breakthrough on the computers.
"Oh, good! You're here!" Sarah Jane exclaimed. "We haven't been able to contact anyone. I've been trying to phone Luke constantly. Either it's not getting through or he's being his typical teenage self and not picking up." He smirked at the joke. It was a testament to her character that she could still make him smile even when she was obviously scared about the person she cared about the most. All of his friends and companions had similar qualities, being able to see the light amongst the darkness. It was why he so strongly relied upon them.
"What about that alien computer you have?" the Doctor asked. "Mr Smith or something?" She put a hand to her mouth in shock.
"How could I be so stupid? Forgetting that!" She started to run off to fetch her phone. "I'll see if that works. He might be able to tell us more accurately what is going on." He turned his attention back to Kate as the implications of what Sarah Jain said began to sink in.
"Communication networks are down?"
"As far as we can tell. I only just managed to find a way to contact you through the secure line we keep for emergencies. I've told you before, we've got the capability to message world leaders...which I guess includes you, Mr President...in times of global crisis. But that obviously doesn't extend to the people who really matter."
"Even the people on the surface?" Clara queried. "They're so close! Don't you have something like walkie-talkies?"
"We did. But it's like the national grid has failed. Or disappeared. Either way is pretty terrifying in this modern age. Thankfully, the base has its own internal power supply. Secure and self-supporting. We've had to plan for an occasion like this."
"I really wish you didn't have to be so well prepared but at least you are," the Doctor mumbled. "So there's no way of knowing what's going on above us right now?"
"Exactly. We lost radio contact a short while ago. Pretty much immediately after the Cybermen were overwhelmed."
"At least that's something positive," Clara added with a hopeful tone.
"Every cloud…" the Doctor responded.
"I've been working on reestablishing the connection," Malcolm said from where he was sitting. "Not made a lot of progress so far sadly. But I don't think the Power Grid has completely gone."
"Why do you say that?"
"Our systems are attempting to reach out to other local servers so that they can latch on to that power too. It's their basic programming to ensure the base always has a supply. Although the majority of outside systems are offline, there are a few that are still clinging on, blinking in and out of existence. They're so faint that it's difficult to latch on, though."
"It's something to work with. Maybe if Perkins helps you, you might be able to make more strides."
"I've been trying to do it from the lab," the engineer explained. "But it wouldn't hurt to join our efforts."
"Good. Because we need to know what the regional and national situation is like before we even concentrate on international matters. The Tardis won't be able to do such a short trip under the circumstances. She hates them even on a perfectly sunny day."
"You can count on me, sir!" Malcolm said a bit too loudly. Even in times like this, he was still overly exuberant around the time traveller. The Doctor could use this to his advantage.
"I tell you what. If you can find a way to sort this out, I'll take you for a trip in the Tardis. Wherever and whenever you want to go. Within reason, of course." It was safe to say that they'd never seen his eyes go wider or the scientist turn around so quickly to get back to work.
xxxxxxxxxx
They couldn't fathom what was going on. One minute, they were celebrating being successful in defeating the Cybermen. The next, it seemed that they had a new threat to deal with. Yet this one was a threat that they couldn't see. They didn't know which one they preferred. The group anxiously moved away from the Cybership, fearing that they had somehow caused this to happen. Pol Kon Don was trying to fix her device since it wasn't receiving its usual signals. They could see the other Judoon soldiers marching about, just as perplexed as they were. Regardless, they continued scoping the fallen metal men, making sure that they were, in fact, actually dead and promptly destroying the bodies. It was the fastest way of cleaning up after the battle and the Judoon had always been a resourceful race, never wanting to make things overly complicated. As that job was nearing its end, their focus turned to returning back to their ships currently in orbit above the planet. They'd be able to wait there until their presence was needed again. Yet they could instantly tell that something was wrong, mainly because their entourage was acting even grumpier than usual.
"What's the matter?" Mickey asked as they quickly trudged back to the UNIT base, hoping that they would get sanctuary there. It looked like it wasn't going to be that simple.
"Judoon teleportation down!" the alien responded strongly, hitting the tube-like device on a broken car as they walked past it. "No explanation given. Answers must be figured out soon!"
"Well, maybe it has something to do with the literal sky changing colour?" he said like it was obvious.
"Hypothesis makes sense. Concrete evidence required still."
"Do I look like I have that on me? We're all in the dark here. Frankly, my planet crumbling around us is more important to me than you being able to get away." The Judoon grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him against the wall, Mickey trying to struggle and wriggle away but making no progress. Martha was shouting for them to both stop this needless altercation when they had other pressing matters to attend to, Wilf and Nardole trying to hold her back before she did something she would regret.
"Stop it!" she screamed. "Stop it! Before you hurt him. We're on the same side for goodness sake!" Pol Kon Don blew out some hot air, baring her yellow teeth on full display.
"He started it," came the timid reply. She could have laughed at the response.
"You sound like a child." Before she could turn her ire on her, Martha quickly continued. "There's only one way that we're going to find answers right now. And that's if we can get back to the base unharmed. I'm betting there'll be a person there waiting for us who can explain everything."
"But...that's only if you let me...go," Mickey managed to say through gritted teeth. Now he understood all the stories he'd heard about these brutish creatures. "Come on. We're thankful that you're helping. It's just the situation we're in! I'm stressed. I...apologise." He said the last bit reluctantly but knew it had to be done. After a few more moments of pause, Pol Kon Don finally relented, Mickey dropping to the ground and coughing heavily. "Thanks." He got nothing more than a huff in response. It was the politest conversation they'd had so far.
They'd only taken a few more steps before multiple shouts could be heard, followed by the unmistakable sound of rapid gunfire. They ducked behind more rubble, looking over it to see the UNIT soldiers shooting desperately at new figures that had suddenly appeared. They were hulking, ugly forms, grey dead skin covered in glowing blue lines. They were letting out fearsome roars as they slowly approached. What was worrying was that the bullets didn't seem to be having any effect on them, the disgusting creatures still advancing. One soldier got too close and a monster pounced, steam coming off of its mangled claw as it pressed into his face. They winced at his loud screams and could see the withered corpse that was left on the floor. The troops fired even more but it was to no use. Even the Judoon's weapons weren't working, something that was even more concerning.
"What are they?" Nardole wailed, grimacing as one looked to have seen him and hiding again as fast as possible.
"I have no idea," Martha answered. "They don't exactly look friendly and that's all I'm worried about."
"All Judoon personnel and instructed to disengage until further information is acquired," Pol Kon Don instructed into her communications device. All she got back was static. "No contact currently available." More people were falling and they wouldn't survive long unless they got out of there promptly.
"Let's just carry on with what we were doing. Get back to somewhere safe. Then we can figure out what the hell they are." Crouched over, they continued to move away from the scene, only for their path to be suddenly blocked by one of the creatures. It received a few blasts of a Judoon blaster but it simply absorbed the blows with no outward pain or discomfort. It stepped closer and Wilf decided to stand in front of the rest of them.
"You go. There's another route over there without any of them prowling. Get back to UNIT. They need to know what's happening."
"No! We're not doing that! What a stupid idea!"
"It's not though, love! It can't follow all of us. I can distract it." He wasn't leaving any room for argument and Mickey, giving him a sombre nod of his head, started pulling his wife away. Wilf started shooting at the creature, goading and teasing it as he did so. He began running away and, thankfully, if it could be seen as a good thing, it chose to pursue him, seeing Wilf as the more annoying target. He got a bit further, looking back to see that the others had more good progress, before aiming his gun and firing. No effect. Just like before. He chucked it to the ground as he saw another one appear, the two figures slowly approaching. He closed his eyes, wondering how they would explain this to Sylvia. How would they even begin to tell Donna?
Just as he could feel the cool sting of whatever energy they were using, the creatures screamed in pain. He opened his eyes and saw them collapse to the ground, gaping holes in their torsos, scorched by a glowing gold beam. He warily eyed the two people behind them, both pointing cylindrical weapons at where the Dromulus had stood. They approached the shaken man, making sure he was okay.
"Who are you?" he asked, hardly above a whisper. The man with fairly long black hair that reached the base of his neck answered first.
"Hi, I'm...um… Clive. You're probably just as confused as I am." Wilf turned his attention to the older the two. He was clad in a tweed jacket with a red pocket square, matching red pants. His curly white hair hardly detracted from the large eyes that he couldn't help but stare at.
"We saw you needed help." His voice was deep, authoritative but...kind. "You were with other people. Talking about UNIT."
"That's right."
"Good. I'm an old friend. A very old friend. I need you to help me get there too. Tell them that the Curator is looking for them."