The End of the World
TARDIS
Rose closed the TARDIS doors behind her with a grin as she raced up to the console, the Doctor and Clara waiting patiently for her. "Right then, Rose Tyler. You tell us, when do you want to go? Backwards or forwards in time? Your choice." The Doctor offers.
"Uh…forwards." She said.
The Doctor motions Clara, who flicks a few switches. "How far?" She asked.
"One hundred years." Rose said.
Clara pilots the ship to their new destination, looking at the Doctor with a nod. "There you go. Step outside those doors, it's the 22nd century." The Doctor informed.
"You're kidding?" Rose raised her eyebrows.
"That's a bit boring though. Do you want to go further?"
"Fine by me." She said with a smirk.
The Doctor then pilots the ship to their new destination. "10,000 years in the future. Step outside, it's the year 12,005, the New Roman Empire."
"He thinks he's so impressive." Rose quipped to Clara who just giggled.
"I am so impressive!" He whined.
"You wish!" Clara retorted.
"Right then, you asked for it. I know exactly where to go." The Doctor said smugly before piloting the ship even further into the future, the shaking of the TARDIS causing Rose and Clara to grip the railing in slight surprise as the ship lands and the Doctor motions Rose to the door.
"Where are we?" Rose asked. The Doctor just nodded to the door. "What's out there?" Rose reiterated, now giggling in anticipation.
The Doctor just motions to the door again, making Rose sigh as she moves to step outside while Clara goes to the Doctor's side. "When are we?" She asked.
The Doctor smiled at her. ""5.5/Apple/26"."
"English, please?"
"Come on, slow poke." He teased. "Five billion years."
"Woah. We that far?" Clara asked.
"Yup. Want to see?" He offers his arm.
"You didn't even have to ask." She grinned before taking his arm as they walk out the door to join Rose. They find themselves in a beautiful, cream coloured room and a window, which outside was a view of the Earth, a massive sun near it and millions of stars seen all around it and Rose looked out in soft admiration.
"You lot. You spend all your time thinking about dying, whether you're going to get killed by eggs or beef or global warming or asteroids. But you never take the time to imagine the impossible that maybe you survive." The Doctor said proudly. "Currently, we are five billion years into your future, and this is the day." The pair blinked and looked at him to continue. "Give it a mo." Almost as if on cue, the sun flared into a blinding glare, it's size expanding before their squinting eyes. "This is the day the sun expands. Welcome to the end of the world." He said, his words making Rose blink at the beauty and the sadness before them, unable to comprehend what exactly should she feel. Clara puts a hand on her shoulder and gives her a soft smile, putting Rose more at ease. "Come on. Let's have a look around." He said, leading them out a door into a series of hallways.
"Shuttles 5 and 6 now docking. Guests are reminded that Platform One forbids the use of weapons, teleportation and religion. Earth death is scheduled for 15:39 followed by drinks in the Manchester suite." The computer reported in an automated female voice.
"So, when it says "Guests", does that mean people?" Rose asked.
"Depends what you mean by "People"." The Doctor said.
"I mean "People". What do you mean?"
"Aliens." Clara answered for him, making him send her an empty warning glare, which just made her wink at him.
"So, what're they doing on board this spaceship? What's it for?" Rose asked as they entered a large room with a massive window overlooking the Earth.
"It's not really a spaceship, it's more of an observation deck. The great and the good are gathering to watch the planet burn."
"What for?"
"Fun." The Doctor said simply.
"Mind you, when he says, "The great and the good", he really means "The rich"." Clara points out as they stand by the window.
"Hold on, they did this once on "Newsround Extra"; The Sun expanding. That takes hundreds of years." Rose reiterated.
"Millions." The Doctor corrected. "But the planet is now the property of the "National Trust", which they've been keeping preserved. See down there?" He points to the top of the planet as they see distant machines moving about in its orbit. "Those are gravity satellites, holding back the sun."
Rose frowned ever so slightly. "The planet looks the same as ever. Shouldn't the continents have shifted?"
"They did, but the Trust shifted them back, recreating a classic Earth. But now the money has run out, nature shall take over."
"How long has it got?"
The Doctor looked up into the distance, blinking twice before he nodded. "About half an hour, then the planet gets roasted." He said with a grin.
"Is that why we're here?" Rose asked. "I mean, is that what you two do; Jump in at the last minute and save the Earth?"
"We're not saving it. Time's up." He said simply.
"Doctor, what about the people?" Clara protested.
"They all moved off world. By the year 200,000, you lot colonised half the galaxy, now you're all over the universe. But today is the day that humanity lets their planet go."
"I guess, that makes us the ones that say farewell." Rose muttered.
"Who the hell are you?!" They turn around to see a blue man moving towards them with a look of fear on his face.
"Oh, that's nice. Thanks." The Doctor retorted sarcastically.
"But how did you get in? This is a maximum hospitality zone. The guests have disembarked. They're on their way any second now."
"No, that's us, we're guests too. See?" Clara quickly said, holding up the psychic paper and ignoring the Doctor's incredulous glare at her. "It's fine. "Clara plus Two". I'm Clara Oswald, this is the Doctor and Rose Tyler. They're my "Plus Two'. Is that alright?"
"Well…obviously." The man takes a breath of relief. "Apologies, et cetera." Clara nodded to him in agreement. "Since you're on board, we'd better start. Enjoy." He said with a smile before moving to a small podium at the front of the room.
Clara turns to Rose first. "The paper's slightly psychic. Shows them whatever we want them to see. It just saves a lot of time." Rose nodded before nudging her shoulder and pointing in the Doctor's direction. "What?"
"When did you get that from me, missy?" The Doctor asked.
"While you were talking." She teased.
"Oh, so you thought it was a good idea to nick my stuff then?"
"Well, you weren't using it."
"That doesn't mean you can start nicking my sonic."
"Oh, is that a dare?" She flirted.
"More of a challenge." He flirted.
"Children, please." Rose grumbled.
"Yes Mum." They said in unison, chuckling as they did while Rose shook her head.
"Who's he then?" Rose asked, pointing towards the blue man.
"He'd be the Steward of this event." The Doctor said, making Rose shrug slightly.
"We have in attendance: Clara, the Doctor and Rose Tyler." They waved at him and he nodded in return. "Thank you. All staff to their positions." The Steward said on a michrophone before clapping his hands and a horde of hobbit sized blue people came rushing through the room. "Thank you. Quick as we can. Come along, come along." He ushered.
Clara raised her eyebrows at them while Rose hid her giggling behind her mouth. "Oh my god, they're so cute." She cooed.
"Rose!" The Doctor and Clara admonished despite their grins.
"And now, might I introduce the next honoured guest." The Stewart said. "Representing the Forest of Cheem, we have…trees. Namely Jabe, Lute and Coffa." Three humanoid figures made of wood and clad in golden regal uniforms came into the room. "There will be an exchange of gifts representing peace." The Stewart quickly added.
"They're gorgeous." Rose awed.
"That they are." Clara agreed.
"If we could keep the room circulating, thank you. Next, from the solicitors Jolco and Jolco, we have the Moxx of Balhoon." A small, blue man with a large head and barely any clothes came into the room on a hovering charcoal chair. "And next, from Financial Family Seven, we have the Adherents of the Repeated Meme." A group of five black hooded figures came into the room. The Steward then began to list several more aliens that came into the room as they were called. "From the "Silver Devastation" and the sponsor of this event, the Face of Boe." A large, manoeuvring glass capsule, filled with steam came into the room, containing a large pale pink head, with massive eyes, lips, a nose, and hair that looked rather similar to dreads, just with large pink balls on the ends.
"The inventors of Hyposlip Travel Systems, the brothers Hop Pyleen, thank you. Cal "Spark Plug". Mr. and Mrs. Pakoo. The Ambassadors from the city-state of Binding Light."
The three trees led by Jabe walked up to the TARDIS trio, one of them holding a tray of dirt filled pots that had a small stick and a leaf in each one. "The gift of peace. I bring you a cutting of my grandfather." Jabe said, handing a pot over, which Rose took.
"Um, yes, gifts." The Doctor shifted through his pockets, finding nothing to give. "I give you in return, air from my lungs." He breathed out a sigh softly in her direction.
Jabe blinked and looked at him with surprised interest. "How…intimate."
"There's more where that came from." He flirted.
"I bet there is." Jabe flirted back before moving away with her two companions.
The Doctor looked at Clara, who had a dissatisfied look on her face. "It was all in fun." He reassured.
"Yeah, sure." Clara grumbled but the Doctor didn't hear it.
"The Moxx of Balhoon." The Doctor said warmly as said person came forth.
"My felicitations upon this historical happenstance." He said in a high-pitched voice. "I bring you the gift of bodily saliva's." He said before spitting, which landed just under Rose's left eye, making her shudder as she wiped it off.
"Thanks very much." The Doctor chuckled, which made Rose glare at him. "Sorry." Rose looked over at Clara to see she had a distant look in her eyes, which began to prickle with tears. Before she could ask what was wrong, the Doctor interrupted. "Ah! The Adherents of the Repeated Meme!" He beamed. "I bring you, air from my lungs." He said before gleefully breathing all over them.
The one in front held up a silver clawed hand, which showed a small grey ball. "A gift of peace in all good faith." It said in a deep voice that sent shivers down Rose's spine, as the Doctor took it and passed it to Rose, who looked at it in confusion before putting it and the plant down on a nearby table.
"Last, but not least, our very special guest." The Steward said, silencing the room and drawing everyone's attention to him. "Ladies and gentlemen, consider the Earth below. In memory of this dying world, we call forth the last Human. The lady Cassandra O'Brian.Δ17!" He motioned a hand to the door, which opened to reveal two men dressed in full white and carrying…some form of moisture sprayer. What was with them was a moving, upright stretcher, holding skin with flaring veins. In the centre was a pair of eyes and a mouth that moved just like any Human and underneath it all was a glass jar filled with blue liquid, containing a brain. Rose looked at her in bewilderment and slight disgust, while the Doctor simply grinned. Clara just continued staring blankly, her mind racing at a thousand miles an hour.
"Oh now, don't stare." Cassandra said in a dignified British accent. "I know, I know, it's shocking, isn't it? I've had my chin completely taken away and look at the difference. Look how thin I am. Thin and dainty. I don't look a day over two thousand." She beamed before blinking. "Moisturize me, moisturize me." She muttered, one of her helpers conveying the order silently, while Clara moved around, pretending to look at her closely but was really aiming for the door. "Truly, I am the last Human." Cassandra continued. "My father was a Texan. My mother was from the Arctic Desert. They were born on the Earth and they were the last to be buried in its soil. I have come to honour them and to say…goodbye." She tried to hold back a few tears, which made some of the people present look at her with sad smiles as one of her helpers pulled out a tissue. "Oh, no tears. No tears. I'm sorry." She sniffed and quickly returned to her sweet smile. "But behold, I bring gifts." She said as the door opened, with one of the blue workers came through. "From Earth itself, the last remaining ostrich egg." The people awed at it, which made Rose look at them with slight confusion. "Legend says it had a wingspan of fifty feet and blew fire from its nostrils. Or was that my third husband?" This made everyone except Clara chuckle. "Oh no. Oh, don't laugh. I'll get laughter lines." Cassandra chuckled before clearing her throat slightly as the door opened again, two more blue workers wheeling in the next gift, a large classical music player. "And here, another rarity. According to the archives, this was called an iPod." The Doctor blinked at her, furrowing his eyebrows at her information. "It stores classical music from humanity's greatest composers. Play on." She said, as one of its songs was inserted and started playing.
"Refreshments will now be served." The Stewart informed. "Earth death in thirty minutes."
The Doctor and Rose exchanged a look at the choice of song before he started to unconsciously bob his head.
Sometimes I feel I've got to
Run away, I've got to
Get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night
"Doctor. Where's Clara?" Rose asked. He looked around, his eyes widening as he couldn't find her, before they saw the door open, with Clara walking out, making them move over to follow.
"Doctor?" Jabe called, making them stop briefly as she walked up and took a scan of him. "Thank you." She said. He looked at her in confusion before shrugging and moving out of the room with Rose.
Jabe moved off to a silent corner while the Repeated Meme approached the Steward. "A gift of peace in all good faith." One of them said, holding up another identical ball.
"No, you're very kind, but I'm just the Steward." He protested.
"A gift of peace in all good faith." It repeated calmly.
"Oh yes, thank you. Of course." He quickly said in defeat before taking the ball.
In a corner of the room, Jabe held up her device, which was doing a diagnosis of the Doctor's scan. "Identify species." She pressed a button, making it chirp.
*Chirp* (Species unknown)
"Please identify species." Jabe said with a small groan and a roll of her eyes.
*Chirp* (Species cannot be-)
"Now, stop it!" She snapped before quickly taking a breath to calm herself. "Identify his race. Where is he from?"
*Chirp* (Home planet: Gallifrey)
"That's impossible." Jabe muttered with wide eyes.
"So, what do you think?" The Doctor asked Rose as they looked for Clara. "Of…all of this." He motioned to their surroundings and their current situation.
"It's great." She said before frowning slightly. "Once you get past the "Slightly psychic paper"." He chuckled at her words. "They're just so alien." He looked at her in utter bewilderment. "I mean, the aliens are so…alien." She reiterated but it still wasn't helping. "You look at them…and they're alien."
"Good thing I didn't take you to the Deep South." He quipped.
"How are they all speaking English?" She asked.
"Well, by now English is a popular language. For those that don't know English in there, it's just a gift of the TARDIS. She generates a telepathic field and translates for you."
"I'll be sure to give her my thanks when we leave." Rose smiled. "Where are you from?"
He smiled but it was a sad smile. "Oh, all over the place. My home was called "Gallifrey", but like everybody else, I wanted to leave. But it was mainly to see the universe."
Rose just smiled. Clara's a lucky girl then. Good on her.
The Steward entered his office, placing down the grey ball onto a nearby table before sitting at his desk. The computer blipped at him, drawing his attention.
*Blip* (There's a blue box)
"What's that?" He asked.
*Blip* (In private gallery 15. How did it get there?)
"Well, how should I know?" He shrugged before pressing a button on the microphone, not noticing the ball open, showing a grey spider drone crawling out and away from sight. "Would the owner of the blue box in private gallery 15 please report to the Stewards office immediately? Guests are reminded that the use of teleportation devices is strictly forbidden under peace treaty 5.4/Cup/16, thank you." He finished before pressing a button to switch off the microphone.
The Doctor and Rose walked into a hallway, seeing the blue workers moving the TARDIS. "Oi! Park it properly and no scratches!" He called, one of them walking over and handing him a piece of paper, squeaking as it does before walking back. He and Rose looked at it, which said "Have a nice day". They shrugged at each other as he chucked it aside before walking away.
"Earth death in twenty-five minutes. Earth death in twenty-five minutes."
"Oh thanks." Rose said sarcastically, earning a chuckle from the Doctor. They came to a closed door, which he proceeded to open with the sonic.
"Clara? Are you in there?" They entered into a small room, with Clara standing by the window in silence. "Ah! There you are. Was wondering where you got to." The Doctor grinned. "Rose has takin' a liking to the workers." He quipped teasingly.
"No, I haven't!" She denied with a giggle.
He was about to continue speaking until he turned to see Clara. She was looking out upon the Earth in distant bitterness with tears running down her cheeks. "Clara? What's wrong?" He asked.
"Do you remember, Doctor?" She asked, her croaking voice causing the Doctor's chest to clench as she began her tale. "The date on their graves?" And indeed, he did.
Queen's Arcade, London
March 5th, 2005
"I mean, there's no point creating a spreadsheet if you're going to spend summer money in winter months." Danny argued as he, Dave, Ellie and Clara walked into the shopping mall.
"Thank you! See, he gets it!" Dave chuckled.
"I swear, you two are bloody awful." Ellie sighed.
"You get a couple of guys talking, they'll talk about anything." Clara teased.
"That they will, dear." Ellie giggled.
"You two can talk." Dave retorted.
"Oi!" They said in unison, making Dave and Danny chuckle. They walked past a shop window, Ellie gasping as she saw the dummies turn to look at them.
"Jesus! I thought they were dummies." Ellie breathed.
"No, I think they are." Clara assessed with squinting eyes. The dummies walked up to the window and raised their hands before smashing through, breaking the glass all over the floor as many other dummies smashed through theirs, causing the people in the mall to back away in fear. One dummy walked up to them before raising its arm, popping its hand to reveal a gun, aiming straight at Ellie.
"No! Ellie!" Dave yelled. The dummy fired twice, hitting Dave square in the chest, sending him falling to the floor, completely lifeless.
"Dave!" Ellie yelled before the dummy fired again, hitting her forehead, causing her to collapse broken to the ground.
"Mum! Dad!" Clara yelled, tears in her eyes as Danny grabbed her.
"We've got to run, Clara! Now!" He said, holding onto her waist tight as he quite literally dragged her away and out of the mall as other people around them started getting scream as their loved ones dropped dead in front of their eyes.
"No! Mum!" She shrieked. They ran onto the street to find crashed cars in flames, people running and screaming in terror while some of them were shot dead by the dummies. Danny and Clara found themselves being followed by a group of them, who backed them against a wrecked, turned over bus. Clara grasped onto Danny as he held her, still looking around yet failing for a way to escape. "I love you, Danny!" She cried.
"I love you too, Clara." He said sadly. They closed their eyes, waiting for the inevitable yet it never came. They opened their eyes to see the dummies stumbling to the ground, before going limp and motionless. The silence that followed was filled by Clara's crying, which only intensified at what happened to her parents. "Come on, Clara. Let's get out of here." He said sadly, to which she nodded weakly before he led her away.
The Doctor and Rose just stared at her in sadness as she finished her tale. "I never realised, but that was the day it happened. Now I wonder-"
"Don't Clara." He warned bitterly.
"Would they be alive if I just killed it?" She asked.
The Doctor looked down. "Clara, there's no way of knowing if they would've lived. Or if they would've died anyway -"
"Will you just shut up?! I am so sick of listening to you!" She roared, silencing the Doctor, who gave her a very hurt look. "Do you have some music playing in your head when you're trying to tell people rubbish like that?! Telling people that everything will be fine?! Telling them that it isn't their fucking fault when it bloody well is?!"
"Language." He said simply.
"Oh, don't you dare tell me to mind my language! Don't you dare tell me that it wasn't my fault because it was! My parents and all those people that died would've been alive if I just killed it! But no, I had to give it a chance when I shouldn't have!"
"Don't ever say that!" The Doctor yelled.
"Why?! You'd never do any different! You wouldn't just outright kill it even if it could save so many lives when you bloody well should have!'
"Then why did you want to go down there in the first place?!"
"To make sure you wouldn't die! One bloody Human is barely anything to you, but the entire race is so much more, so who would even care if I died?!"
"I would!" His simple words quickly placed Clara into silence as she stares at him, blinking despite the tears flowing out of her eyes. "Clara, I care if even a single person dies when I can't save them, so you are no different! Never think that about yourself and never think that it's better to live as a murderer because trust me, it isn't!"
"You're not a murderer, Doctor!"
"Oh yes, I am." He said calmly with a clenched jaw. "I have killed many people before I even fought in the War and I have loathed myself every time I did, because no one deserves that! Why do you think I didn't want you going down there?! So you wouldn't blame yourself if anybody died! It was my fault they died, Clara and it was my fault that they should've lived!" He quickly stops and takes a deep breath before stepping forward and placing his hands on her shoulders. "Please, Clara, never think this about yourself. Never again. Trust me, it doesn't end well. You hear me?"
Clara sniffed, making him move his hands to cup her face. "I'm *Sniffs* I'm sorry." She whimpered.
"I know." He said softly before drawing her into a hug as she sobbed into his chest. He kissed her forehead as he repeatedly whispered "It's okay" until she was breathing steadily. He looked over at Rose, who had been watching them in silent sadness. "You all right?"
"Yeah. You two all right now?" She asked.
"Yeah. Clara?" He asked, stroking her cheek with his thumb.
"*Sniff* Yeah, we're all right. I'm sorry you had to listen, Rose." She said.
"Not your fault."
"What did I just say?" She teased as her voice slowly improved from its croakiness.
"You said that to the Doctor, and last time I checked I'm not a man, so you can't count me." Her words made them laugh, finally letting the tension drain out of the room into a comfortable silence. Rose got up and walked over to them. "Come here you two." She said, making them pull her into the hug. "I just realised; how can I be taller than you?" She teased Clara.
"Shut up!" She admonished.
"I think her height makes her look adorable." The Doctor grinned.
"I said shut it!" She blushed, making Rose laugh. They pulled away and the Doctor quickly got an idea.
"Tell you what, you have your phones?" He asked. Clara and Rose pulled them out, Rose looking at Clara's with interest.
"At least the technology gets better with age." Rose commented.
"Not all of it does." The Doctor warned lightly.
"Huh?" They asked in unison.
"Spoilers." He grinned before holding out his hand, making them give their mobiles to him. He pulled out his sonic and went to work. "With a little jiggery pokery…" He muttered under his breath.
"Is that even a term? "Jiggery pokery"?" Clara teased.
"Of course. I came first in jiggery pokery. What about you?" He teased.
"Nah. Never even applied. You?" She asked Rose with a chuckle.
"Nah., I failed hullaballoo."
"Aww." He mocked cooed with a grin before putting away his sonic and handing them each back their phones.
Rose held hers up. "No signal. Guess we're out of range by a tiny bit." She teased.
"Give it a try." He said. Clara quickly gained an idea before holding up her phone and dialling a number.
"Would the owner of the blue box please sort the issue with its ringing audio equipment? Thanking you." The voice of the Stewart said, making Clara and the Doctor chuckle as she hung up.
"You have his phone number?" Rose raised an eyebrow with a knowing grin.
"That's how we met. I phoned him up, asking for the internet."
"And I was in 1207, Cumbria."
"Really?" Clara asked in surprise.
"Yep."
"I really was phoning a different time zone." Her words made them laugh. "How about you?" She asked Rose, pointing to her phone. Rose racked her brain before coming up with an idea and dialling Jackie.
"Hello?"
"Mum?" Rose asked, hiding back her bewilderment.
"Oh, what is it? What's wrong? What have I done now? Oh, Rosie, you tart!" She grumbled. "You need to stop buying these red tops, they're falling to bits! You should go and demand for your money back. Go on, there must be something. You never phone in the middle of the day." Her words made Rose chuckle as she failed to hold back her grin. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing. You all right, though?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
"What day is it?" Rose asked, deciding to avoid what could become a rather complicated question.
"Wednesday, all day. You got a hangover? You and Mickey should stop going to the pub. I mean, I know he likes watching those games of his, but you two should calm down on the bourbon you drink. Oh, by the way, I put a quid in that lottery syndicate. Got 75 quid from them. Bloody rip-off! Anyway, I'll pay you back later. Give that money something to do."
"Yeah…um…I was just calling because I might be late home." Rose said, holding back her giggling.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Jackie asked with obvious concern.
"No, I'm fine. Top of the world." The Doctor and Clara chuckled at her pun. She heard Jackie give a sigh of "Really?" before hanging up.
"Think that's amazing? You'll want to see the bill." The Doctor said.
"How much?" Clara asked, remembering their first meeting.
The Doctor gained a sheepish blush as if he read her mind. "Oh, it's nothing! It's fine!"
"That was five billion years ago." Rose muttered. "Five billion years later, my mum's dead."
"After what we talked about, you're a right bundle of laughs." Clara scoffed, making Rose smile. Suddenly they felt the station rumble like a small earthquake, making them look at each other in confusion.
"That's not supposed to happen." The Doctor blinked.
"Well, what was it?" The Steward asked the computer. "I'm just getting green lights at this end." He pressed the microphone button. "Honoured guests may be reassured that gravity pockets may cause slight turbulence, thanking you." Taking his hand off the microphone, he wiped his brow which began to sweat from his growing paranoia. "The whole place shook! I felt it! I've hosted all sorts of events on platforms 3, 6, 12, 15 and I've never felt the slightest tremor! I warn you, if this lot decide to sue…" He grumbled under his breath. "I'm going to scan the infrastructure." Pressing a few keys on his computer, he looked at it as it showed its findings. "What's that? Control, I don't want to worry you, but I'm picking up readings."
*Blips* (What kind?)
"I have no idea. Well, they're small and the scan says they're metal."
*Blips* (What species?)
"Ugh, I don't know what they look like!" He groaned in frustration before noticing a small, spider drone climb up the legs of the desk to stand beside the computer, fixing its singular red eye on him. "Actually, I think they rather look like that." He said as the spider inched closer to him. "You're not on the guest list. How did you get on board?" He thought for a few moments before looking up with wide eyes, glancing at the other table to see the opened ball.
*Click*
He looked back to see the spider drone taking one of its legs off a computer key before scuttling away. "No!"
"Sun filter deactivated."
"No!"
"Sun filter descending."
Beams of intense, yellow light began to shine through the top of the window, moving downwards towards him, burning each part of the room to a charcoal black scheme as it went. "No! Sun filter up!" He pressed random keys on the computer, his horror growing as it did nothing.
"Sun filter descending. Internal temperature 4,000 degrees."
"Control! Sun filter up! Sun filter up!" He gave a scream of agony as the filter burned him alive until there was nothing left but ash and dust in the room.
The Doctor, Clara and Rose re-entered the main room where all the guests were conversing, except for Jabe who was quickly walking over to them. "That wasn't a gravity pocket. I know gravity pockets and they don't feel like that." The Doctor said. "What do you think?" He asked the three of them.
"The engines." Clara deducted.
"Yes. They've pitched up about thirty hertz. Jabe, is that dodgy or what?" He asked.
Jabe shrugged. "It's the sound of metal. It doesn't make any sense to me."
"Where's the engine room?" Clara asked.
"I don't know." She shrugged. "But the maintenance duct is just behind our guest's suite, I can show you and…your husband."
"He's/I'm not my/her husband!" They said in unison with a blush.
"Partner?"
"No!"
"Concubine?"
"No!"
"Prostitute?" Jabe asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Whatever he is, he must be invisible." Rose giggled at his bewildered expression. "Tell you what, you three go and pollinate or whatever. I'll go have a quick word with Michael Jackson." She said as she walked in Cassandra's direction.
"Don't start a fight." The Doctor warned as he held up an arm for Clara. "Let's go have a look then, eh?"
"Why not?" She grinned as they walked to the door with Jabe.
"And I want you two back home by midnight!" Rose called.
"Yes Mum!" They called back in unison, making Rose shake her head.
"You sure you two aren't together?" Jabe asked.
"No! What makes you think that?" The Doctor denied.
"One: You're blushing. Two: She got jealous of me flirting with you."
"No, I didn't!" Clara denied.
"Yes, you did." Jabe corrected with a smile.
"Earth death in fifteen minutes. Earth death in fifteen minutes."
The Doctor, Clara and Jabe entered a long maintenance corridor, lit by dim yellow lights. "Who's in charge of Platform One? Has it got a captain?" Clara asked.
"There's just the Steward and the staff." Jabe shrugged. "All the rest is controlled by the metal mind."
"So, who controls the computer?" The Doctor asked.
"The Corporation. They move every platform from one artistic event to another."
"But, there's no one from the Corporation on board? Are they not needed?" Clara deducted.
"No. This facility is purely automatic. It's the height of the alpha class. Nothing can go wrong." Jabe said proudly.
"Unsinkable?" The Doctor said, exchanging a small glance with Clara in remembrance of the submarine.
"If you like. The nautical metaphor is appropriate."
"You're telling me. I was on board another ship once. They said that was unsinkable. I ended up clinging to an iceberg. It wasn't half cold. So, what you're saying is, if we get in trouble, there's no one to help us out?" The Doctor reiterated.
"I'm afraid not."
"Fantastic." The Doctor beamed. Clara rolled her eyes while Jabe looked utterly bewildered.
"I don't understand. In what way is that fantastic?"
"That's just how he is. He's an overgrown child. Just give him a tug on his elephant ears and he'll grow up a bit." Clara teased.
"Oi! Leave them alone!" He said defensively.
"Soon, the Sun will blossom into a red giant and my home will die. That's where I used to live, when I was a little boy, down there. Mummy and Daddy had a house built into the side of the Los Angeles crevasse. *Sigh* I'd have such fun." Cassandra said nostalgically.
"What happened to everyone else? The Human race? Where did they go?" Rose asked.
"They say mankind has touched every star in the sky."
"So, you're not the last Human?" Rose reiterated.
"I am the last PURE Human. The others…mingled. Oh, they call themselves "New Humans", "Proto-Humans", "Digi-Humans" even "Humanish", but do you know what I call them? "Mongrels"." She growled in disgust.
"Right. And you stayed behind." Rose said sarcastically.
"I kept myself pure." Cassandra said proudly, not seeing the silver lining.
"How many operations have you had?" Rose asked.
"708. Next week its 709, I'm having my blood bleached. Is that why you wanted a word?" Cassandra asked with a smirk. "You could be flatter, Rose. You have a little bit of a chin poking out."
"I'd rather die." Rose said bluntly.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Honestly, it doesn't hurt."
"No, I mean it. I'd rather die. It's better to die than live like you, a whining, bitching trampoline."
"Oh well. What do you know?" Cassandra grumbled.
Rose clenched her jaw. "I was born on that planet. So was my mum and dad, so that makes ME, officially, the last Human being in this room, because you're not Human. You've had it all nipped, tucked and flattened till there's nothing left. Anything Human got chucked in the bin. You're just skin, Cassandra. Lipstick and skin. Thanks for the word." Rose ranted before storming off. If Cassandra had a jaw, it would've clenched with a scowl, making the Repeated Meme move to follow Rose. They found her wandering aimlessly in a series of corridors. Walking up to her, as Rose gave them a kind smile, the first raised its clawed hand and struck her hard across the face, sending her crashing into the wall and the floor, completely unconscious. They picked her body up and proceeded silently and swiftly out of the room.
"So, tell me, Jabe. What're you doing in a place like this?" Clara asked.
"Respect for the Earth." Jabe answered.
"Oh, come on. Everyone on this platform's worth zillions." The Doctor huffed.
"Well, perhaps it's a case of having to be seen at the right occasions." Jabe said cunningly.
"In case your share prices drop?" The Doctor retorted bluntly. "I know you lot. You've got massive forests everywhere, roots everywhere and there's always money in land."
"All the same, we respect the Earth as family. So many species evolved from that planet. Mankind is one, I'm another. My ancestors were transplanted from the planet down below, making me a direct descendant of the tropical rainforest." Jabe said proudly.
"Has it been a good life for you then?" Clara asked.
"Well, there were some hurtles to overcome for us. Some more serious than others, even taking hundreds of years for us to evolve properly, but I think we got there in the end." Jabe smiled.
"Excuse me." The Doctor said as he moved to a small console panel and using the sonic to scan it.
"So, what about your ancestry, Clara?" Jabe asked.
"Oh, there's nothing much there." She shrugged. "I mean, at school I was called "Young Victoria" but I never really understood it."
"You do act like her back in the day." The Doctor said honestly, and she raised her eyebrows at him. "Okay, maybe not that much." He backtracked, making her smirk.
"What about you, Doctor?" Those words made them fall silent. "Perhaps you could tell a story or two. Perhaps a man only enjoys trouble when there's nothing else left. I scanned you earlier. My machine had trouble identifying your species, it refused to admit your existence. And even when it named you, I wouldn't believe it. But it was right. I know where you're from. Forgive me for intruding, but it's remarkable you even exist. I just wanted to say…how sorry I am." She said softly, putting a hand on his arm. He glanced at her, some tears prickling his eyes as he placed his hand on hers, giving her a soft smile before moving it off and going back to his work on the panel, which caused a nearby door to slide open. Jabe looked at Clara, who gave her a sad smile before they followed him, entering through the door. They found themselves in a large, dark grey room, with a bridge over a deep chasm. Over the bridge was three, large fans, rotating slowly and causing a chill to flow through the room.
"Is it me or is it a bit nippy?" Clara asked.
"Nah, it's just you." He teased.
"Doctor are you seriously wanting a smack, right now?"
"I don't know. You haven't followed up on it yet."
"Is that a dare?"
"Would you two please keep the flirting down for a moment?" Jabe asked with a groan.
"Sorry." They said in unison before performing a "I'm watching you" motion to each other.
"That's a great bit of air-conditioning. It's sort of nice and old-fashioned. Bet they call it retro." He moved over to a console with a switch, using the sonic to scan underneath. "Gotcha." He said, ripping off part of the console, which made a spider drone scuttle out and up the wall. "What the hell's that?" He asked.
"Is it part of the retro?" Clara teased.
"Watch it, missy. Hold on." He said, pointing the sonic up to the drone. However, Jabe beat him to it, throwing out a liana which caught the spider and brought it down into their grasp.
"Nice liana." Clara commented.
"Thank you. We're not supposed to show them in public." Jabe blushed slightly.
"Not a word then." The Doctor smiled before inspecting the drone. "So, who's been bringing their pets on board?" He wondered.
"What does it do?" Jabe asked.
"Sabotage." Clara deducted.
"How would you know?"
"Earth death in ten minutes."
"Because the temperature is about to rocket. We should head back." Clara said, making them rush from the room.
"The planet's end. Come gather! Come gather!" Cassandra ushered, making the people present move into a group. "Bid farewell to the cradle of civilization. Let us mourn her with a traditional ballad." Another song was inserted, this one making everyone look at each other in complete confusion.
Baby, can't you see
I'm callin'
A guy like you should wear a warnin'
It's dangerous
I'm fallin'
The door to the Stewards office was surrounded by blue workers, who were whining and crying as they tried to open the door as the Doctor, Clara and Jabe came rushing in. "Get back!" Clara ordered, making them move out of the way as the Doctor used his sonic on the door panel.
"Sun filter rising. Sun filter rising."
"Is the Steward in there?" Jabe asked in horror.
"You can smell him." The Doctor said. "Hold on. There's another sun filter programmed to descend. Clara, with me!" He said, the two of them rushing out of the room as Jabe helped the workers.
Rose groaned as she shook the sudden drowsiness from her head, moving to stand up and holding a hand to her forehead, which was throbbing slightly in agony. "Sun filter deactivated. Sun filter descending. Sun filter descending."
Blinding light began to shine in at the roof of the room, making Rose hurry to the door. She tried to wrench it open, but found it locked. "Anyone there?! Let me out!" She demanded.
"Sun filter descending. Sun filter descending."
"Let me out! Please, let me out!"
"Sun filter descending."
Rose heard a hurrying pair of footsteps come to the door. She breathed in relief slightly, figuring out who they were as she heard the sonic. "Is anyone in there?" The Doctor asked.
"Let me out!"
"Oh, it would be you." The Doctor grumbled.
"Not now!" Clara admonished.
"Just open the door!"
"Give us two ticks!" The Doctor said.
"Sun filter descending. Sun filter descending." Rose heard a small beeping noise outside as the light stopped moving for a moment. "Sun filter rising. Sun filter rising. Sun filter descending."
The Doctor groaned, as Rose heard Clara rip open the door console. "Just what we need. The computer is trying to get clever." He said.
"Well, stop mucking about!"
"We're not mucking about! It's fighting back!" Clara said.
Rose quickly moved to lie down flat on the floor as the light inched closer, burning through the door. "The lock's melted!"
"Sun filter descending. Sun filter descending. Sun filter rising." This made Rose give a sigh of relief as the light moved upwards and disappeared from the room, leaving only a thin haze of steam as she got up to the door.
"The whole thing's jammed! We can't get through. Look, just stay there, Rose." The Doctor said.
"Where am I going to go? Ipswich?" She quipped.
"We'll be back, Rose, okay?" Clara asked.
"Okay. Just don't take too long, all right?"
"All right." Clara said as she and the Doctor raced away.
"Earth death in five minutes."
"The machine confirms: The spider devices have infiltrated the whole of Platform One." Jabe said in front of all the guests and the Doctor and Clara came into the room and her words made them all gasp.
"How is that possible? Our private rooms are protected by a code wall. Moisturize me, moisturize me." Cassandra muttered.
"Summon the Steward." The Moxx said.
"I'm afraid the Steward is dead." Jabe said grimly as she handed Clara the drone, the room gasping collectively as the news was delivered.
"Who killed him?" The Moxx asked.
"This whole event was sponsored by the Face of Boe. He invited us. Talk to the face, talk to the face." Cassandra said, making said Face shake his head.
"There's an easy way of finding out." Clara inputted, making everyone go into silence. "Somebody brought their pet here, so let's send him back." She placed the drone down, which began to waddle through the room, and flickered an eye briefly to Cassandra. Clara looked at the Doctor, who just squinted his eye as the drone moved towards the Repeated Meme.
"The Adherents of the Repeated Meme. J'accuse!" Cassandra growled.
"That's all very well, and quite obvious, but if you stop to think about it…" The Doctor said as he approached the group. The first one threw a fist to strike him, but he caught it and wrenched its arm out, making it gasp in pain. The arm was made up of metal covering white liquid and wires. "A repeated meme is just an idea. And that's all they are, an idea." He said, pulling one of the wires out which made the group collapse onto the ground, twitching for a moment before laying stone dead as he threw the arm back at them. "Remote-control droids. Just a little cover for the real troublemaker. Go on, Jimbo! Go home!" He said, nudging the drone with his foot who waddled over to Cassandra, making many in the room gasp.
"I bet you were the school swot and never got kissed. At arms!" Cassandra snarled.
"Oh, what're going to do, moisturize us?" The Doctor mocked.
"With acid." Cassandra said bluntly, making Clara clench her jaw. "Oh, you're too late anyway. My spiders have complete control of the mainframe." Everyone in the room just scowled at her and she scoffed. "Don't look at me like that, you all carried them as gifts, tax-free past every code wall. I'm not just a pretty face." She smirked.
"Sabotaging a ship while you're still inside it. How stupid's that?" The Doctor asked.
"I'd hoped to manufacture a hostage situation with myself as one of the victims. The compensation would've been enormous." Cassandra explained.
"Five billion years and it still comes down to money. How pathetic." Clara growled.
"Do you think it's cheap, looking like this? Flatness costs a fortune." Cassandra retorted. "I am the last Human, Clara. Me, not you or that freaky little kid of yours." The Doctor clenched his fists at her words.
"Arrest her, the infidel!" The Moxx said.
"Oh, shut it, pixie! I've still got my final option."
"Earth death in three minutes."
"And here it comes." Cassandra sighed dreamily. "You're just as useful dead, all of you. I have shares in your rival companies, and they'll triple in price as soon as you're dead. My spiders are primed and ready to destroy the safety systems. How did that old Earth song go? "Burn, baby, burn."" She growled.
"Then you'll burn with us." Jabe retorted.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." She pity mocked. "I know the use of teleportation is strictly forbidden, but…I'm such a naughty thing. Spiders activate!" The station shook and rocked about as many ducts in the walls burst out with smoke and the alarm went off.
"Alert. Forcefields are deactivated. Safety systems failing."
"Oh dear, force fields gone, and the planet is about to explode. At least it'll be quick, just like my fifth husband. *Chuckle* Oh, shame on me. Bye-bye, darlings! Bye-bye, my darlings!" She called mockingly as she and her two workers disappeared in a flash of blue light.
"Heat levels rising."
"Reset the computer." The Moxx said fearfully.
"Only the Steward would know how." Jabe denied.
"No, we can do it by hand. There must be a system-restore switch. Clara, come on! You lot, just chill." He quipped as he moved out of the room, Clara going to follow.
"Let me help." Jabe offered.
"No, you can't. Jabe, don't protest, please. You're made of wood; you'll burn in there. Just stay here and make sure everyone is fine."
"All right then. But you two keep safe." Jabe said softly.
"Oh, don't worry. We killed a sun with a leaf." Clara quipped, moving out as she giggled at Jabe's bewildered look.
"Heat levels critical. Heat levels critical."
The Doctor and Clara arrived back in the engine room, the fans moving at a faster rate, while he gave a groan as he saw the switch on the other side of the bridge. "Oh and guess where the switch is." He grumbled. He moved over to the nearby console, ripped the guard off and lowered the switch, causing the fans to slow down tremendously. Letting go, the switch flicked back up, causing the fans to return to their new speed.
"External temperature: Five thousand degrees."
Clara moved over the switch and lowered it, making him look at her with wide eyes. "No, Clara, please! The heat is going to vent through this place!
"I'll be fine!" She said, her breathing starting to get heavy from the heat.
"Clara, your hands are going to burn in here!" He pleaded.
"Then stop wasting time, Time Lord." She quipped, making him give her a soft smile before he rushed over to the first fan.
"Heat levels rising. Heat levels hazardous. "The Doctor let the blades pass by five times before rushing through, stopping at the next fan. "Shields, disabled. Shields disabled." The Doctor looked back at Clara, who had already started to sweat heavily, and her palms started to redden. He turned back, letting the blades pass three times before rushing through. "Heat levels critical. Heat levels critical. "The Doctor heard a scream of pain, making him look back to see Clara collapse to the ground, unconscious. His eyes widened, and his face dropped, hoping that she wasn't dead. He turned back to the fan, which without Clara's help started to spin so fast the blades became a blur, making the Doctor grip his feet into the bridge as his eyes struggled to stay open against the onrushing wind. "Planet explodes in…10.9."The Doctor closed his eyes and started to breathe calmly. "8. 7. 6. 5."He took a calm step forward, before standing straight. He opened his eyes to see the switch in front of him as he felt the fan inches from his back."4."
He rushed towards it, ripped off its guard and lowered the switch. "Raise shields!"
"3. 2. 1. Heat levels, normalised. Exo glass repairing. Shields enabled."
The Doctor rushed back through the now slowly moving fans to Clara's unconscious body. "Clara?" He asked with his hearts in his throat. Placing his fingers on her throat, he could feel her pulse, making him sigh in relief as he grasped her hands, which were blistered and torn on both sides. He placed a kiss on her forehead before picking her up and carrying her out of the room.
Rose walked back into the ruined and cracked guest room, looking around in sadness as she saw only a third of the workers helping the guests. Jabe and her friends were helping pass out medical supplies to those that were injured while some merely cried over their dead family. A few of the workers were huddled around the smoking chair that once belonged to the Moxx, now a pile of ash. She walked over to Jabe, who stood up to greet her. "You all right?" She asked.
"Yeah, I think so." Rose breathed shakily. "Where are they?" Before Jabe could answer, the Doctor came in through the door, carrying the unconscious Clara and a look of contained rage on his face. "Oh, my god. Is she all right?" Rose asked, as he placed Clara down with them.
"She'll be fine." He muttered. "She better be."
"Here, let me." Jabe offered, bringing a few supplies over as she began to patch up Clara's hands.
"Thank you." He said softly before getting up, his frame trembling as he began to pace the room.
"You all right?" Rose asked in worried fear.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm full of ideas, I'm bristling with them." He growled. "Idea number one: Teleportation through five thousand degrees needs some kind of feed. Idea number two: This feed must be hidden nearby and in plain sight." He walked over to a nearby table, which held the ostrich egg. Picking it up, he smashed it, finding it only to be made of glass and containing a small device which he caught as it fell out, before he moved to the centre of the room. "Idea number three: If you're as clever as me, then a teleportation feed can be reversed." Flicking the switch on the side, he and Rose looked as a blue light shined into the room.
"Oh, you should've seen their little alien faces." Cassandra laughed until she noticed her new surroundings, making what was left of her face tremble in fear. "Oh."
"The last Human." He growled.
"So, you passed my little test. Bravo. This makes you eligible to join the…um…the Human club." She stuttered.
"People died here, Cassandra. You murdered them, you tried to murder my friend and you're going to witter on like that?" He snarled.
"Oh, it depends on your definition of "People', and that's enough of a technicality to keep your lawyers dizzy for centuries. Take me to court then, Doctor. Watch me smile and cry and flutter-"
"And creak?"
"And what?"
"Creak." The Doctor reiterated. "You're creaking."
"What?" Cassandra stopped as she felt herself began to tear and wilt, becoming more inhumanly pale by the second, causing a loud noise like old, groaning wood to echo through the room. "I'm drying out!" She gasped out as pain began to burn through her. "Oh, sweet heavens! Moisturize me! Moisturize me! Where are my surgeons?! My lovely boys, it's too hot!"
"You raised the temperature." He mocked.
"Have pity! Please, Doctor! Moisturize me! Please!"
"Help her." Rose muttered softly as she looked at Cassandra with fearful pity.
The Doctor didn't turn to look at Rose. "Everything has its time, and everything dies." He said coldly.
"I'm…too…young!" She gasped as she suddenly burst apart, parts of her skin flew through the room, making Rose gasp while the Doctor took a breath as he moved to join Clara's side.
"Will you be all right?" He asked Jabe, who finished patching up Clara.
"Yes, we'll just return home. Have a hell of a story to tell." She said softly. "Just, do me a favour. Look after her."
The Doctor smiled as he gently stroked Clara's hair. "Oh, it's more like she looks after me."
Jabe chuckled. "Despite that, do look after her. She's good for you, and you're good for her." She got up and walked over to Rose, who had a distant look on her face. "Will you be all right?" She asked.
Rose failed to find words for a moment as tears started to come into her eyes. "The end of the Earth. It's gone. We were too busy saving ourselves and no one saw it go. All those years, all that history, and no one was even looking. It's just…" She held back a sob as Jabe placed a hand on her arm.
"We didn't need to see it go to say farewell. We already did." She said softly. "Nowadays, most people's planets are dying and they're seeking new worlds. But they don't need to see it die to consider it a farewell. They said it when they left." Rose mumbled thanks as they gave each other a small hug. "Take care of them. They may be good for each other, but they need a parent to hold them back." She quipped softly, making Rose smile. "Well then, we'll have to leave. I guess this is goodbye."
"Goodbye, Jabe. It was nice meeting you." She said softly as Jabe and her accomplices left the room with the other guests. Rose looked over to see Clara gasp softly as she woke up.
"Clara? Are you all right?" The Doctor asked.
"I feel bloody fantastic. Next stupid question." She quipped, making them chuckle softly. "What did I miss?" The Doctor looked at her sadly. "Doctor, it wasn't your fault. Whatever happened, it wasn't your fault."
He looked at her with slight surprise. "How did you know?"
"Those big, sad eyes." She smiled softly.
"Ah." He muttered as he helped her up, blinking as she leant forward to kiss his cheek.
"I always know." She said before moving over to Rose. "You all right?"
"Yeah, I think so." Rose said, yet it was not entirely earnest.
Clara gave her a sad look, which was echoed by the Doctor who came over to them. "Come with us." He said, as he wrapped an arm around Clara and lead them slowly out of the room.
London
2005
Rose exited the TARDIS to see a busy street, full of people moving about, conversing together and completely unaware of what would happen to their planet. The Doctor and Clara came out and joined her side. "You think it'll last forever. People, cars, homes, pets and concrete, but it won't. One day, it's all gone, even the sky." After a small moment, he gave a sigh. "My planet's gone." Rose looked at him with shocked sadness, Clara carefully placing her wounded hand in his to rub her thumb on the back of his hand. "It's dead. Gallifrey burned like the Earth, now it's just rocks and dust. Long before its time."
"What happened?" Rose asked.
"There was a war, against a race called the Daleks. But we lost. Even the Daleks lost. Their planet is a ruin now. Barren and empty."
"What about your people?"
"I'm a Time Lord. But I'm the last of the Time Lords, cause they're all gone. I'm the only survivor. I was left on my own for a while, sulking but then…" He trailed off, which Rose already figured out the answer, looking at Clara who gave her a soft smile. "You've seen how dangerous it is. Do you want to go home?" He asked.
"I don't know." She muttered. "I want…" She blinked, glanced around the street with a small sniff. "Oh, can you smell chips?" She asked.
Clara burst out laughing, which made the Doctor grin as he smelt it too. "Yeah!"
"I want chips." She chuckled.
"Me too." Clara said.
"Right then, before we go back in that box, chips it is, and you can pay." Rose said to him.
"I've got no money." He shrugged.
"Well, I am not making Clara pay. What sort of friend are you?" She groaned with a laugh. "Come on then, tightwad, chips are on me. We've only got five billion years till the shops close." She quipped, making them laugh as they walked off.
AN: That was a roller coaster, but then again, so is the episode. Anyway, thanks for reading and leave a review if you wish. :)