A/N: Hello, all!
I'm glad that most of you seemed to enjoy "Daisy and Rose", and I hope that you will continue to enjoy everything as we move forward with the Doctor and the Guardian's story (sorry it's taken me so long to update this book). ️
Anyway, in this, Daisy and Rose have now run off with these two strange individuals and are about to experience for the first time what traveling to far off places really can be like.
~o0o~
Episode Summary
The Doctor and the Guardian take Rose and Daisy on their first voyage through time, to the year Five Billion. The Sun is about to expand and swallow the Earth. But amongst the alien races gathering to watch on Platform One, a murderer is at work. Who is controlling the mysterious, deadly spiders?
~o0o~
I, at long last, present to you... "The End of the World"!
Enjoy! 😘
Inside, TARDIS, Console room...
"Right, then, Tyler twins, you tell us." The Doctor turned to Rose and Daisy as they came up to join him and the Guardian at the console. "For your first official trip, where do you want to go? Backwards or forwards in time? Take your pick. What's it going to be?"
"...Forwards." Rose decided, speaking up first.
The Guardian smiled slightly, then looked to Daisy. "And what about you? How far should we go?
Daisy pursed her lips in thought for a moment before deciding. "Er... One hundred years?"
The Doctor grinned, pulling a lever and turning a knob as the Guardian flipped a few switches, the TARDIS landing a moment later.
"There you go." The Doctor told the two sisters. "Step outside those doors, it's the twenty-second century."
Rose blinked. "You're kidding."
"I do think that's a bit boring, though." The Guardian chimed in. "Maybe we should go further?"
"Well, don't keep us in suspense!" Daisy laughed.
The Guardian and the Doctor went about working the controls some more, and the next time the TARDIS landed, the Doctor grinned. "Ten thousand years in the future. If you step outside, it'll be the year 12005. The New Roman Empire."
Rose giggled, shaking her head at the Doctor and the Guardian's demeanors. "You both think you're so impressive."
"Oi!" The Guardian leaned past the time rotor to look at her and Daisy. "We are so impressive."
"You wish." Daisy rolled her eyes, but still had a smile on her face.
The Doctor and the Guardian shared a look.
"I think we've been issued a challenge." The Guardian stated.
The Doctor grinned. "Well then," He began as they looked back at the two sisters. "challenge accepted. I know exactly where to go."
The Guardian pointed to the console. "You might want to hold on."
Daisy and Rose gripped onto the edge of the console as the Guardian and the Doctor moved around, flying the TARDIS. When they stopped, the two Time Lords stepped back in-sync and folded their arms.
Rose grinned excitedly. "Where are we?" She asked. "What's out there?"
The Doctor gestured towards the doors in response. "Take a look."
The Tyler sisters shared a look, grinning before bolting for the doors.
•••••
Inside, Viewing gallery...
They opened the TARDIS doors eagerly and stepped out, their eyes widening as they took in the gallery they appeared to be in.
"I'm guessing this is some sort of observation gallery?" Daisy spoke, looking around the open room.
Rose walked down the flight of stairs leading to a few shutters in the wall, Daisy following behind her as the Doctor and the Guardian stepped out of the TARDIS; the Doctor going and using his sonic screwdriver on a panel to open the shutters.
"Humans... Fascinating species." The Guardian spoke, coming to join the two sisters as the shutters opened, revealing an enormous window that let them look upon the whole of planet Earth down below. "You always occupy your time with things such as thoughts about dying. Like you're going to get killed by... oh, I don't know: eggs or beef or global warming or asteroids... I haven't been to your planet all that much, but I always notice you seem to worry about things like that."
"But you never take time to imagine the impossible. That maybe you survive." The Doctor added as he came and joined the three women. "This is the year five point five slash apple slash twenty-six, five billion years in your future, and this is the day..." He checked his wrist watch. "Hold on."
The Sun flared suddenly, turning red as something gold and orange then bubbled up and began to surround the planet.
"This is the day the Sun expands." The Guardian stated, crossing her arms as she glanced at Daisy and Rose – both of whom had gobsmacked looks on their faces. "Tyler twins, welcome to the end of the world."
•••••
Inside, Platform One, Corridor...
"Shuttles five and six 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."
"So when it says guests, does that mean people?" Rose asked as the four of them walked down the corridor.
"Depends on what you mean by people." The Doctor shrugged.
"I mean people. What do you mean?"
"Aliens."
"Okay... So aliens are all gathering on a spaceship." Daisy said slowly, picking her words carefully. "There's gotta be a reason. Why?"
"Well, you got it right the first time: Observation." The Guardian stated, glancing at her. "This isn't really a spaceship. More of an observation deck. The great and the good are gathering to watch the planet burn."
"What for?"
"Fun."
•••••
Inside, Manchester Suite...
"Mind you, when Aria said the great and the good, what she means is – the rich." The Doctor spoke as they entered a large observation gallery where one wall was just a window, all the way to the ceiling.
"But, hold on." Rose said as they looked out the massive window. "They did this once on Newsround Extra. The Sun expanding – that takes hundreds of years."
"Millions." The Doctor nodded. "But the planet's now property of the National Trust." He informed them. "They've been keeping it preserved. See down there?" He pointed out the window at tiny glints of light that were orbiting the Earth. "Gravity satellites, holding back the Sun."
"But the planet still looks the same." Daisy frowned a bit. "Didn't the continents shift and stuff?"
"They did." The Guardian nodded. "But if you do your research, you'll find out that the Trust shifted them back." She pointed directly at the planet in question. "That – that's a classic Earth. But, of course, the money runs out and nature takes over."
"How long has it got?" Rose tilted her head.
The Doctor checked his watch. "'Bout half an hour. Then the planet gets roasted."
"Is that why we've come here?" Daisy asked. "I mean, is that what two you do? Like a jump in at the last minute sort of thing? Save the Earth?"
"No." The Guardian answered. "Everything has its time. Everything ends... It's Earth's turn now."
Rose gaped at that. "But what about the people?"
"It's empty." The Doctor assured. "They're all gone. Everyone left."
"Just us then." Daisy mumbled, leaning over to Rose.
"Who the hell are you?"
The quartet spun around as a blue-skinned alien with gold eyes walked up. "Oh, that's nice. Thanks." The Doctor responded, sarcasm very clear in his tone.
"But how did you get in?" The blue man continued. "This is a maximum hospitality zone. The guests have disembarked. They're on their way any second now."
"That's us, we're guests." The Doctor told him. "Look, we've got invitations." He pulled out a black wallet, flipping it open and showing it to him; the Tyler twins noticing that the paper was completely blank. "There, you see? It's fine, see? The Doctor, plus one. I'm the Doctor, and this is Rose Tyler. She my plus one."
"And I'm Aria Carington." The Guardian introduced herself as the Doctor discreetly handed her the little black wallet behind his back, the Guardian pulling it out from behind her back on her other side before showing it to the alien man. "And this is Daisy Tyler. She's my plus one. Now, are we good? Can we move on?"
"Well... obviously." The blue alien stuttered, caught off guard. "Apologies, et cetera. If you're onboard, we'd better start. Enjoy."
"The paper's slightly psychic." The Doctor explained to Rose and Daisy as the Guardian handed the little wallet back to him. "It shows them whatever we want them to see. Saves a lot of time."
"He's blue." Rose whispered, pointing after the alien.
"Yes, he is." The Guardian nodded.
"Okay..."
"We have in attendance the Doctor and Rose Tyler... Aria Carington and Daisy Tyler." The alien announced as he took position at the podium. "Thank you. All staff to their positions." The quartet watched as more blue aliens entered the room. "Hurry now. Thank you. Quick as we can. Come along, come along. And now, might I introduce the next honored guest: Representing the Forest of Cheem – we have Trees, namely Jabe, Lute, and Coffa." Daisy and Rose blinked as bark-skinned Tree people walked through the main door. "There will be an exchange of gifts representing peace. If you can keep the room circulating, thank you. Next, from the solicitors Jolco and Jolco, we have the Moxx of Balhoon." The Tyler sisters watched in astonishment as a large blue alien on a floating chair entered the room. "And next, from Financial Family Seven, we have the Adherents of the Repeated Meme." Black-cloaked aliens entered, their faces covered. "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..."
As the alien continued the various introductions, Rose and Daisy moved their attention to the trees as they approached.
"The Gift of Peace." The Tree woman, Jabe, smiled. "I bring you a cutting of my grandfather." She took a rooted twig in a pot from one of her fellow Tree companions and held it out.
"Thank you." The Doctor said brightly, taking the plant before handing it to the Guardian who then handed it to Daisy who then handed it to Rose. "Er..."
"On behalf of the Tyler sisters, the Doctor, and myself – I thank you." The Guardian intervened before the Doctor could do something embarrassing. "And in return, we gift you with specially crafted environmentally friendly liquid fertilizer." She pulled out three miniature glass bottles of said solute from the pockets of her black leather jacket, each one with a little blue ribbon tied around it. "One drop of this whenever you're feeling a bit tired, or out of sorts, and you'll be as good as new."
Jabe nodded and took the three small bottles as the Guardian handed them to her. "Thank you. How thoughtful." She said as the trees then turned away.
"Quick thinking." The Doctor remarked, glancing at the Guardian.
She rolled her eyes. "Well, couldn't have you going and doing anything stupid now, could I?"
"You just happen to have little bottles of liquid fertilizer in your pockets?" Daisy squinted at her.
The Guardian grinned at her. "Gotta be prepared for anything..." She shrugged. "And I get bored sometimes, you know, so..."
"...sponsor of the main event, please welcome the Face of Boe." The blue alien man, the Steward, continued.
Daisy and Rose watched a gigantic head get wheeled in, caged inside of a glass case. "What in the...?"
"The Moxx of Balhoon!" The Doctor greeted as the small, fat blue alien came up on his hover-chair.
"My felicitations on this historical happenstance." The Moxx greeted in return, neither Tyler twin trying to understand what he had just said. "I give you the gift of bodily saliva."
He then hacked and spit accurately into Rose left eye, said women jerking back with a squeak, but the Doctor just laughed. "Thank you very much."
The black-robed Adherents then came up to them, and the Guardian smiled kindly. "Ah, the Adherents of the Repeated Meme. Lovely." She glanced at the Doctor. "Doctor?"
He glanced at her. "What?"
"Your turn to give the gifts."
"Why?"
"'Cause I said."
"Why?"
The Guardian huffed. "Just do it."
The Doctor sighed then looked back to the Adherents. "Right, yes, er... I bring you air from my lungs."
At that, the Tyler sisters raised their eyebrows as they watched the Doctor breathe on the Adherents.
"Random much." Rose muttered, leaning over to Daisy.
"A gift of peace in all good faith." The lead Adherent offered a silver ball with its metal hand.
The Doctor tossed it into the air, then handed it to the Guardian who then tossed it to Daisy who then tossed it to Rose who then tossed it back to Daisy, said Tyler then just tossing it up and down.
"And last but not least, our very special guest." The Steward said. "Ladies and Gentlemen and Trees and Multiforms, consider the Earth below. In memory of this dying world, we call forth the last human. The Lady Cassandra O'Brien Dot Delta Seventeen."
The Tyler twins' eyes widened when a face on a piece of skin was rolled in, stretched across a rectangular frame.
"Oh, now, don't stare." Cassandra said, two men in head-to-toe hospital whites accompanying her. "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. Moisturize me, moisturize me!"
Her attendants sprayed something on her, and then she continued. "Truly, I am the last Human." Daisy and Rose shared a look before turning back to look at Cassandra. "My father was a Texan, my mother was from the Arctic Desert. They were born on the Earth, and were the last to be buried in its soil. I have come to honor them and say goodbye." She sniffled. "Oh, no tears! No tears! I'm sorry. But behold, I bring gifts! From Earth itself – the last remaining ostrich egg!" The Tyler sisters watched with wide eyes as the egg was brought in. "Legend says it had a wingspan of fifty feet and blew fire from its nostrils. Or was that my third husband?"
There was a snort behind them, and Rose and Daisy couldn't help but glance back to see the Guardian as she covered up a giggle while the Doctor had an amused expression on his face himself. The Guardian quickly motioned for them to look back to Cassandra, which they did.
"Who knows? Oh, don't laugh. I'll get laughter lines." Cassandra continued as a juke box was then wheeled in. "And here, another rarity." She stated as Daisy and Rose began to slowly walk around her, their eyes widening even further when they saw just exactly how thin Cassandra really was. "According to the archives, this was called an iPod. It stores classical music from humanity's greatest composers. Play on!"
"Seriously?" Daisy thought as Tainted Love by Soft Cell began playing, but couldn't help but tap her foot a little to the beat.
The Doctor bopped his head in time to the music as the Guardian began dancing a little, nudging Daisy playfully and making the blonde laugh.
"Refreshments will now be served." The Steward announced. "Earth Death in thirty minutes."
Rose looked around, a lost and overwhelmed expression on her face. Everywhere she looked there were aliens, but no other humans. Well, no other humans except for Daisy.
That was it, she couldn't take it anymore.
Rose quickly grabbed Daisy's hand as the Doctor and the Guardian were distracted by a few other aliens. Rose abruptly tugged her sister away, making her squeak as she basically dragged her from the room.
The Doctor was still bopping along to the music when the Guardian looked around. "Where are Daisy and Rose?"
The Doctor looked around, him and the Guardian just catching sight of Rose rushing from the room while tugging Daisy along behind her. The two of them went to go after the Tyler sisters, but were blocked by Jabe.
"Doctor? Aria?" Jabe asked, raising a device, the Doctor and the Guardian wincing at the flash it gave. "Thank you." She smiled before the duo then proceeded on.
Jabe then walked in the opposite direction, looking down at her device's screen intently.
"Identify species." She told the device, trying to get it to tell her the Doctor and the Guardian's origins. She frowned when the device made a small whistling noise. "Now, stop it." She said. "Identify their race. Where are they from?" She enquired. After a moment, the device made another noise.
Jabe stared at the screen in disbelief, even frowning when she saw the label by the Guardian's image did not say Aria Carington. She gazed down at the Guardian and the Doctor's images side-by-side, utterly bewildered, speaking in a hushed tone.
"That's impossible..."