A/N: So here I was slightly sceptical over whether anyone would like this story, and instead its turned out to be a record number of reviews for only one chapter. It's definitely a first for me. As a thank you, here's the update slightly faster then I was going to post it.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nothing owned, still, but I'm always optimistic.
*PREVIOUSLY*
"How. I should have regenerated... It started, there's no stopping that... nothing... nothing can stop that." Taking a step back, he dropped his arms to his sides in disbelief. "It's impossible", he let out, baffled by the entire situation. "It..."
"Nothing's impossible".
Freezing at the unknown voice coming from behind him, he slowly turned coming face to face with the one who had achieved something he could not fathom.
"Oh".
The shuffling sound of material as the intruder stepped into the light shining from the console had The Doctor reaching immediately for his Sonic Screwdriver. Years ago, he would have lived on the edge as it was, and just enquire about the nature of this interruption; however, his latest confrontations had left him feeling wary. Especially due to the fact that by now another man should be wandering around the Tardis with his name.
Yet somehow, through the haze of confusion, he was so relieved and happy - he was alive.
With one hand in his pocket, he glared at the being across the room concealed entirely by white robes.
"Your weapon is of no use here Time lord," the figure said, seemingly amused by The Doctors reaction.
"Mm, right". Clearing his throat to hide his shock, he released the vice like grip on his screwdriver and moved over to the console computer, keeping an eye on the figure as he did so. As he leaned over to look at the screen, he removed his glasses and placed them on before taking in the various different pieces of information. Nothing appeared on the screen to give any indication on the current situation - it was baffling. Frowning, he straightened and slowly removed his glasses whilst throwing the intruder a questioning look.
"There's no logical explanation for this. How did you get through the Tardis' shields, it's impossible."
"Nothing is impossible, has it not been done before".
Stuttering in disbelief at the nerve of the character before him, he answered, "well... erm... yes... but that was a fluke and she was brilliant, managed it all in a wedding dress. Now tell me how you got through my ships shields."
"No shield can stop me."
Running his hand over his mouth, he quelled the frustration forming inside. "I seem to be having an incredibly bad day and so far you are managing to add to it. Now we'll try something else - " Stepping forward The Doctor glared at the place where he guessed the figures eyes were. " - Who are you?"
"Someone who is not affected by your feeble attempts at intimidation," the robed being answered confidently.
As The Doctor gaped at the reaction from the person opposite, they reached up and pulled the robes hood down to reveal a young woman hidden behind the confines of the material. Short, blonde hair framed her face to reach just below her jaw line whilst her deep blue eyes held immense power within their depths. A soft blue light seemed to spill from her creating a surrounding aura. It was almost hypnotic.
Pressing her palms together, she gave a short bow and finally answered The Doctors question. "I am a Sister of Fate", she said softly. Her voice holding an almost melodic sound to it.
"I don't recall ever hearing about the Sisters of Fate," he replied, completely taken back by the new chain of events. He had been convinced for a few moments she meant harm.
"That is because we do not allow ourselves to be known. We exist outside of the laws of time."
"Nothing can do that", he stated, with a shake of his head.
"Why, because it does not fit in with your rules. Who do you think made those to begin with?"
"A simple myth", he scoffed.
"No, was it not you who once said they continued to explore the far corners of the Universe in search of something even you could not describe."
"That was a long time ago. Things have changed, I've changed," he replied sadly.
"It was in this form."
"I don't like to dwell on the past. I was stupid to ever believe in such childish things."
"Is that so? Then answer me this Doctor. Why in your final moments before death would you choose to visit people who, as you have just suggested, are dead to you. Are they not things that count as in the past?"
Stepping forward The Doctor glared at the woman before him. "It was you who stopped my regeneration."
"You change the subject Doctor. You choose to live your life in a constant state of denial, but for now, I will appease you. I have not stopped your regeneration; I have merely halted the process. I can resume it when I wish, but first I need to talk to you."
"Ah," the Doctor whispered, looking down and swallowing the sudden lump in his throat. "I'm still going to die then". He really should learn to ignore hope.
"Only if that is what you want Time Lord. Do not ask me about it, all will be revealed soon."
"How do you know so much about me?" He asked trying to ignore the urge to demand she tell him why she had halted his death.
"We are the watchers of the Universe; we have seen everything that has happened and everything that will happen. We know all the things you have done, everyone you have ever cared for, all the deaths you have caused and the lives you have saved. We are the masters of fate and destiny. It is us who choose your path."
"Why are you so interested in me though," he queried folding his arms.
"On occasion we allow ourselves to intervene in the course of a beings destiny, and you Doctor have strayed from the path we set you."
"You cannot interfere with a person's destiny that would be corruption of the time-lines," he responded becoming angry.
"Time is insignificant to us Time Lord. As I have said, we exist outside of the laws. But you have strayed, and so we must intervene."
"For someone who says that they know me, you seem to have overlooked the fact that I never follow the rules."
Ignoring him The Sister changed the subject abruptly causing him to frown at her lack of response. "You are lonely Doctor. Over the centuries we have offered companions for you and yet each one you dismiss."
"Most left me," he interjected in frustration.
"Not all chose to. Nevertheless, that does not matter; they were not meant to last. The companions in your history were never meant to last; they were merely a way to help you survive until you could find the one who holds your destiny in their hands."
"Every one of my companions was brilliant and yet you seem to be dismissing them like they were nothing," he fumed, throwing his hands in the air.
"No I am merely telling you that most were never meant to last."
"Most? What do you mean by most - none have lasted."
"Only because you chose the wrong decision where they were concerned. The one who is your true equal has already travelled with you, and now your destiny is in tatters."
"Who was it?"
"You already know, your emotions give you away. Tell me Doctor of all the companions you have travelled with, who has been your most faithful, and do not try to use a childish attempt to stall."
He was certain this had to be one of the easiest questions he had ever been asked. There could only be one answer. "Rose", he whispered quietly.
"Mm".
"Wait, what do you mean by 'Mm'. Is that all you can say. I answer a personal question and don't even get a sincere reply...," he said, voice rising at the lack of genuine response.
"Time Lord", The Sister boomed halting The Doctor in his tracks and forcing him to quiet. "I knew the answer before the question was even sounded. Do not mock me with your impertinence Doctor. I am far more powerful than you could ever conceive."
Gritting his teeth The Doctor fought the urge to respond to the woman. Spinning on his heels, he moved to the control panel before leaning heavily on his hands. Moments passed as a silence descended on the room. The mention of her name had immediately put him on guard, it hurt to think of her. Especially after the past hour he had, had. The memory of her still burned deep in his mind. Unfortunately, he needed to keep his feelings in check until he sorted this situation out, and shouting at the person who seemed to have all the answers was maybe not the best solution.
Breathing in deeply he turned and looked sincerely at The Sister. "I apologise, it's just... moments ago I was dying after having seen the one person in the universe I truly cared for, and now..." Trailing off he looked away at the central column's bright hue. It was comforting for him and gave him a chance to hide his feelings away behind the mask he had perfected over the centuries.
Taking pity on the broken man, The Sister stepped forward to draw his attention, waiting for him to look at her before she spoke softly. "You are in mourning Doctor, and you're scared; no-one blames you for that, but you have to understand this, by changing the path of your destiny you have disrupted more then just your own time-line".
"I don't understand though, how have I changed my destiny... and what is so important about Rose," he questioned leaning back on the console.
"Because Rose Tyler is the reason you have strayed."
"How? She can't affect me from a parallel universe."
"For a Time Lord you understand very little," the Woman stated. The light surrounding her seeming to pulsate for a moment. "All universes are connected by the void. It does not matter where she is; her paths are still entwined with yours. She was made to be your equal. Have you never wondered why she was able to access the Time Vortex as she did?"
"I just assumed..."
"Assuming could be the key to your downfall. It was done because combining herself with the Vortex was her destiny."
"I removed it from her, it's the reason I regenerated," he stated, standing from his position on the console.
"The effect had already taken place. A small amount still resides within her, and it has transformed her."
"What, no... No, no, no, no." Running his hands through his hair in frustration, he threw his arms down. "How? Please tell me she's okay."
"For now, but she is a human who is no longer bound by the curse of their limited life span. She promised you forever and can now provide that. It was made so that her life is bound to yours, and all the time there are regenerations in your body she cannot be killed. However, she now has the same curse as you. Do you remember what you once told her."
"What?" He whispered.
Suddenly The Tardis lights flared wildly, and somehow voices could be heard echoing around the room. It took mere seconds for him to recognise his own voice as well as Rose's. She had seemed so defeated at the time.
'I don't age, I regenerate, but humans decay - you wither and you die. Imagine watching that happen to someone you...'
'What Doctor'
'You can spend the rest of your life with me, but I can't spend the rest of mine with you. I have to live on, alone.'
"Rose Tyler was made for you Doctor, but now she has been cursed with living the same life as you. Everyone she loves will wither; age and decay, and you cursed her with that."
"I never knew. She should have been happy, she had my clone. I left her to live the one adventure I could never have," he shouted, before the fight left him. Wearily he whispered the rest, "how was I to know".
"You are blind Time Lord. Even if you did not realise you still left her alone..."
"She had the clone," he interrupted.
"Doctor I ask you, what happens to a meta-crisis when separated from the original form?"
"It-" Suddenly realisation dawned on him and The Doctor looked wide-eyed at the woman. How could he possibly have been so naïve?
"Do you not have the words Doctor? Can you not own up to your failures? However, I will help you. The meta-crises dies when separated from the original form, and you left the universe through the void. He died exactly one day after you left your greatest companion on the beach. That moment there, is the day you changed your destiny. Can you not feel it, why do you think your time has been running out, because your fate is no longer sealed?"
"Why are you telling me this, when you know there is nothing I can do", he spat out, glaring at the woman.
"How can you be so sure?" She asked knowingly.
"I cannot cross the void, the last time she came back to me... wait, is that what will happen, has she managed it again somehow." Hope blossomed in his chest at the thought that he could make everything right again. However it was short-lived as he glanced at the Sister, she almost looked remorseful.
Shaking her head, she frowned. "As you know time moves faster there then it does in this Universe. It has been four years since the day your clone died, and she has become much different to the girl you once knew. She is now lost and truly destroyed. So why would she want to return to a man who repeatedly broke her heart and left her cursed. No Doctor, Rose Tyler is not returning...
... She is dying."
Let me know what you think.