Sorry for the wait. Stuff has happened that's really played with my stress levels.
But that's not why we're here.
Please enjoy this next chapter. Not long to go now till the finale.
Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Chapter 15.
The two Time-Lords stared at each-other, then they stared at Eggman. 8 blinked and 10 folded his arms.
"You wanna run that by us again? We're doing what now?"
Eggman sighed adjusting his glasses, "I'm going to be here, working on this," He gestured to a small pile of odd bits beside the make-shift transporter pad they had rigged up, "Amelia is staying with me, " a nod towards Amelia, who was loading up a phaser-blaster looking device with small black objects, "as I need an extra pair of hands. And you two," he pointed to the pair, "are going down to the asteroid's basin to get the others back."
"OK...uh how?"
Eggman turned towards one of the TARDISes, "Surely one of you has a mode of transport hidden in your ships?"
8 shook his head sadly while 10 was quiet for a second, then a big smile lit up his face, "I have just the thing..."
He dashed into his TARDIS leaving Eggman to continue with his work (whatever is was) and 8 and Amelia looking over the ledge they were hiding on. Laser fire could be heard in the distance followed by small explosions. A much louder explosion, making them jump, rocked loose stones nearby into the valley below. On the horizon purple smoke plumes rose from the depths. Nazo and Celosia were fighting by the temple, not caring who or what got in their way. The white-gold Demi-God hell-bent on stopping the Demi-God of Fire resurrecting The Serpent for her own gain, no matter what the cost.
"It's going to end badly, isn't it?"
8 glanced over to the rose-pink hedgehog. Her jade eyes watering at the battle-field. He drew an arm around her for a comforting squeeze.
"TA-DA!"
All three looked over at the voice. Eggman blinked over the rim of his glasses, Amelia hid a smirk behind her hand and 8 stood there with his mouth slightly open.
"You. Are. Kidding..."
A moment later found both Doctors racing down the winding paths towards the base of the asteroid. The blue two person Moped had been souped up by Tails during their travels and now resembled something that would make any Mod the talk of the street.
10 was at the front, foot on the pedal and gunning the little bike for all it was worth. 8 was sitting behind him, the dart-gun slung over his shoulder, and grasping the back of his seat like his life depended on it.
The Moped hit a bump causing 8 to lose his grip. He reached out and grabbed the only thing he could; 10's shoulders.
Waves of different emotions washed over him so quickly his vision blurred from it. His hands tightened on 10's shoulders that the other Doctor glanced back.
"You OK?"
He nodded, "Fine. Don't stop on my account..." He frowned slightly, fingers clutching the rough fabric of the others suit. "How am I..?"
10 shrugged, "As I told you earlier. This whole place is weird. Seeped in Timey-Wimey stuff. But...there's something else here... I don't know what's happened. But for the time being we can risk it. Now..." He revved the engine, aiming for a small jump. "...Hold on!"
From the safety of the ledge Eggman and Amelia scanned the Doctors progress on the computer. The small dot on screen indicated the bike as it hurried towards the others.
A loud beeping made Eggman frown as he switched over to the CCTV on board his abandoned Flag-Ship. Amelia watched him with small smile.
"What is this? Life sign readings on my ship." He clacked some keys to get further information. When the computer dinged its response he blinked, "B-but that's not possible..." He slowly turned to face Amelia and found her smiling. "What did you do?"
Her smile grew, "Called for help."
On the screen in black and white a lone figure could be seen strolling along the corridors of the ship like they owned the place. The camera zoomed out showing a small group walking behind him dressed in cloaks, the toes of their shoes were just visible. There was no sound and picture was grainy and flickered every so often so there weren't clear views of their faces...
The man knew where he was going, he had been there twice already. He rounded corners, screw-driver in hand, aiming it at any unlucky EK that stood in his way. The EK would screech, holding its head in pain before falling to its knees.
Heading towards the Throne Room he spotted a group of EKs trying to break the door down. As one they stopped and turned to face him. They raised their arms ready to fire but he and his group were quicker. A quick blast from his sonic and they crumpled in a metallic, howling mess. If he missed any, a member of his party would dash forward to smash it to pieces in a shower of blue sparks.
The way now clear he pushed opened the large doors and entered the room. At the far corner he found the one he was looking for huddled at the bottom of his glass prison.
"Well now...Why all the doom and gloom?" At his voice the blue shape jolted and scrambled to his feet. They looked closely at him, tilting their head this way and that. "Yeah, it's me. I changed."
Sonic patted his throat and then pointed. The man huffed and folded his arms. "I got a bit of a Scottish accent. What, you don't like it?" Sonic made a so-so gesture. He frowned, "Who asked you, anyway?" The hedgehog grinned, he rolled his eyes, "Cheeky bairn." He muttered causing Sonic to chuckle.
The new-comer walked around the side of the mirror, "Aye, thing's not been turned on. Bawface wimp out, did he?" Finding not what they expected they frowned, "Now where…?" A quick scan of the floor and they grinned, "A-ha! There you are my bonnie trinket. Come to papa." Crouching they fumbled with a small object. Blowing the dust off it, they showed it to a waiting Sonic. "There's been a slight change of plans…" Sonic cocked his head slightly listening. "OK...I need to reset the Time-Bubble and then input the master code before switching it on but I've forgotten it." Sonic raised a brow in question. The new-comer sighed, "Look. What's been hours for you has been centuries for me. I'm getting forgetful at my old age. I need you to set the code with one of my past selves so that I can remember it here and now."
Sonic looked at him as if he'd grown an extra head. He folded his arms, tapping his foot.
"It's not that tricky, you know. Make sure you set the code in such a way that I'll remember it, like a good riddle, a puzzle or a poem or something. All you have to do is go through the door and find me." He nodded to the door in the mirror behind Sonic. "As a dear friend of mine once said; ' A door once opened may be stepped through in either direction.' Give it a wee go." Sonic shrugged before turning on his heels, making his way to the door. With one last look at his companion ,the hedgehog squared his shoulders, pulled opened the doors on his side, and walked through.
It was a couple of seconds before Sonic came back. His face was paler and there were faint traces of tear tracks on his cheeks. He stopped at the glass barrier and nodded sadly.
His friends eyes were full of sorrow as a new set of memories came forth."I'm so sorry you had to do that. That was such a sad song, I felt your pain in both my hearts..." He put his Screwdriver to his ear listening to the pitch, "Hhmm...Nothing yet...Wait...wait...Yes...YES!"
At that moment the doors opened again and the leader of the little group stepped forward. "Are we ready?"
"Aye. Ready now, your Highness."
Pushing back the hood of their cloak Sonic's eyes widened taking in the second new-comers face. Looking back were a pair the same forest green eyes but just a little older and wiser. They twinkled in the dim light when the owners face broke into a grin.
"Hello again…me."
The camera chose that moment to cut off. Eggman thumped the top of the workbench growling low in his throat. "I finally have a chance of getting rid of the rodent for good, and you ruin it!" Slowly he turned towards rose-pink royal. "You…"
"I know you have no intention of helping the others, Ivo. So, I called for reinforcements."
"You…Brought him here!?" He started walking towards her. "The bane of my existence..."
Amelia stood firm, eyes never leaving his. "I did. And he's not alone."
The mad doctor was shaking with fury, "How many?"
The area behind her burned with bright blue light as others appeared by her side. Eggman's mouth dropped opened. "How..?"
Amelia grinned, "Time-Lord technology is amazing, isn't it?"
Well...
Another couple of chapters and I think we'll call it a day.
Thanks for reading.
