A/N
Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who. Which is quite annoying, really, because I'd love to own Doctor Who.
This chapter I'm going to dedicate to The Chibi's Are Stalking Me because she was able to figure out who the Time Lord was (Talia- you guessed right too, but you guessed too many!). Although, as a side note, there is more than one bad Time Lord (yes, Talia, the 'bad' is for you). But the other bad Time Lord wasn't the one that was 'making evil plans' last chapter.
Anyway.
Onto the story.
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"Have you heard the news?" Mickey asked her.
Of course she'd heard the news. Who did he think she was? Cities were disappearing! Of course she'd heard the damn news!
Oddly enough, Britain hadn't been hit that hard. The strange energy beams had been aiming at the biggest countries- namely, America and China. Starting with the biggest countries first and making its way around the world. So, Britain hadn't been hit that hard… yet.
Every person around the world was panicking. Which was quite alright, really; the impeding destruction of the world was usually packed with rights to panic. But it wasn't very helpful.
Her husband, Pete, had been running himself ragged in an idiotic display of world loyalty. She'd tried to ask him to get some rest, she'd tried to force him to get some rest, but the idiot had been stiff as a brick. He hadn't slept for God knows how long.
And, to be honest, neither had Jackie.
Which was probably why her answer came out ruder then she first intended.
"Who hasn't bloody heard the news?" she responded to him, irate. "The bloody world's vanishing!"
If Mickey was affected by the display, he didn't show it. "We'll stop it," he tried to convince her, despite knowing that Jackie wasn't the type of person to appreciate hollow comfort.
Jackie sighed. "Pete's been at it for ages," she told Mickey, ignoring the fact that Mickey already knew, working at Torchwood. "None of our weapons will touch the thing."
Mickey sagged, and all pretence of comfort faded. "I know," he said. "So what'll we do?"
Jackie thought- or tried to. The only thing she could think of was having the Doctor come back to help- which was impossible.
And then she had an epiphany.
The world, when Rose and the Doctor had been separated, had been fine, no alien invasion attempts or world destruction attempts. There had been the odd crash landing here and there, but nothing even remotely similar to a weapon destroying the Earth.
And Rose had left to find the Doctor. Then, suddenly, the world was being destroyed.
Which, naturally, could only mean one thing.
"The Doctor's bloody well back," Jackie whispered.
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Rose launched herself out of the TARDIS once they had landed, not even noticing the smooth landing that the Doctor had never been able to achieve.
In the minute or less that she had been in the TARDIS, her worry had worked up to epic proportions, making her imagine all the worst scenarios- her family and Mickey dead, little Heather crying because her mother wasn't responding, Pete coming up to her and dying, all of them dead and London completely decimated…
It was no wonder she was scared.
She emerged from the TARDIS and immediately knew where she was. Powell Estate, which, to her relief, didn't look like a crater. So the house was okay.
She ran, ignoring Phantom's call behind her. But, she was happy to notice that the Doctor's familiar footsteps were approaching her- he still cared. She slowed down, allowing him to catch up, feeling comforted by his presence. There were no words shared between them; they both knew that there was no need for it. It was just the running, getting to the destination that mattered.
"Mum!" Rose yelled out, remembering this scenario from the last time something like this had happened. Running… calling…
No. Her Mother didn't have a TARDIS. Her Mother was there. It wouldn't be like last time. Rose would be answered. Her Mum would come.
"Oi!" the Doctor yelled out, imitating Rose, "Jackie!"
They skidded to a stop at the front door, but they didn't get time to knock as a harried Jackie Tyler banged open the door. "Rose!" she gave an exclamation of delight and pulled Rose in for a crushing hug, which Rose eagerly reciprocated, chuckling happily.
Jackie was the first to pull out of the hug, turning to stare at the Doctor with something unreadable in her eyes. Rose glanced at the Doctor too; he looked quite nervous, which was an expected reaction, as he waited with bated breath to see what her Mother would do.
She slapped him. "That was for making Rose so miserable," Jackie told him. Then she gave him a quick hug, "That's for bringing her back." Now she stared hard at the Doctor. "If you've messed up the world again," she told him, "You'd better fix it quickly, or I'll slap you again."
The Doctor opened his mouth in shock, had nothing to say, and closed it again. He opened his mouth again, letting out a small, "Ah," and then an "Okay," with a nod.
Rose grinned. The Doctor had been shocked speechless. But she didn't mention it; she had more important matters to attend to. Like saving the world.
"So, Mum, what's been going on?"
Jackie turned back to her, but was distracted by the arrival of four more people. "Master!" she greeted the one that she knew.
The Doctor spun around with narrowed eyes, and then turned back to face Jackie, eyes confused. "You don't greet me like that," he whined. Rose felt relieved that the Doctor hadn't told Jackie his doubts.
Jackie glared at him. "He's more polite than you," she returned. "Friends of yours?" this said to Rose.
"Sort of," Rose returned. Rose glanced at the newcomers. The Master was still staring at Jackie- probably with surprise at her remark. The Officer was a bit behind him, with Phantom next to the Officer. But Jorax and Loranos weren't there. "Where's Jorax and Loranos?"
Phantom answered. "They've remained in the TARDIS, trying to find a way to stop the weapon."
"Oh, so you've got a plan, then?" Jackie asked the Doctor.
The Doctor glanced at her nervously. "Ah… not yet. But we will have one."
"Good," Jackie bobbed her head. "Because everyone's disappearing and panicking, and it's really not helping things."
"Wait," Rose butted in. "Disappearing?"
"Yeah, just like that. Gone. Flash of light, then nothing. Entire cities. Reduced to nothing," Jackie told Rose.
Rose turned to the Doctor. "Is that what the weapon is doing?" she asked incredulously.
"Model Fifteen," the Doctor said grimly, "The one weapon the Time Lords never completed. It was a prototype, during the war. It was going to be used to destroy the Daleks once and for all. Never had time to try. Because the Daleks were winning. It should have been destroyed with the planet…" he trailed off and glared at the Master.
The Master put his hands up in a placating gesture. "It wasn't me. I didn't know it still existed."
Rose joined the conversation here. "You're making it sound like there was only one of them in existence," she said to the Master and the Doctor.
"And there is only one," the Doctor said. "It's a prototype- or it should have been. Any more than that would be dangerous- completely universe-ending dangerous."
Rose was confused.
"Rose," the Doctor started. "This device… this weapon," he said 'weapon' with a derisive snort, "Removes things from time altogether. They stop existing. Just like that. They don't die… but they don't live. If they never lived, they can't die."
Rose's eyes had widened with shock throughout the Doctor's speech. The device removed people's existences. Like that. "Is there any way to get them back?" she questioned, hopeful.
"No," the Master spoke up. "Once they're gone, they're gone. For good."
Rose glanced at Jackie. "How many…"
She didn't have to finish. Jackie stared back at her, responding with, "Millions. Millions are gone."
"Still," the Doctor butted in. "Model Fifteen… there has to be a controller somewhere. If we find that-"
"Then we can shut it down!" the Master finished.
"But it has to have been a Time Lord…" the Doctor said, almost to himself. "Only a Time Lord would know how to work it." He stared at the Officer and said something in Gallifreyan. The Officer responded back with a shake of the head.
"No," Phantom spoke for the first time. "There's no other Time Lords. We are the only survivors."
Rose watched the Doctor as emotions passed themselves over his face, realising what he was thinking. "Not Loranos?!"
The Doctor nodded sadly. "Loranos and Jorax."
"No," the Master denied. "I know them. They wouldn't do this."
"Yeah?" the Doctor was fast growing angry, probably because they were wasting time. "Well, someone is. And if it's no one here… then…"
The Master looked down. "I just…"
"Alright," the Doctor interrupted, addressing the group. "I'm going to the TARDIS, see if I can stop them. Rose, you and Jackie head inside. Officer and Phantom, you two go with them. Tell Pete," he paused. "Tell Pete that he needs to relay that everyone needs to stay calm. This weapon feeds off how active you are. That's why it's not here yet- it's going for the places with the most people. Don't panic. Tell everyone that. Panic and you die."
"Easy for you to say," Jackie grumbled. But she nodded all the same. The Officer and Phantom glanced at each other as if unsure, but both acquiesced as well.
"I'll-" the Master started, but was interrupted.
"You'll come with me," the Doctor almost snarled. "I'm not letting you stay here…"
With Rose. That's what he was going to say, wasn't it? Rose bristled. The Master wasn't bad! Why couldn't the Doctor see that?
But at least the Master would be able to help the Doctor. She had no idea how dangerous Jorax and Loranos could get, and, thus, she wanted to help the Doctor too. "Doctor," she started. "Let me come with you."
The Doctor stared at her. "No."
"Why not?" she argued. Rose knew she could help. She knew the Doctor knew. So what was wrong?
It was the Master who answered. "Because it could be a trap."
Rose ignored him, choosing instead to stare at the Doctor, looking for the real reason why she couldn't come.
"Rose," the Doctor placed both of his hands over her cheeks. "I need you to stay here. Look after everyone."
"But what about you?" her brown eyes stared into his darker ones.
"I'll be fine," he puffed out his chest to demonstrate the point. "Okay?"
Rose sighed, defeated. "Okay," she whispered.
The Doctor nodded at her once, grinning, before turning to the Master and nodding again. Both the Doctor and the Master took off towards the alternate TARDIS- the one looking like a phone booth. And Rose knew automatically that something would go wrong. "Doctor!" she screamed out, and caught up to where he had stopped.
Not letting him say anything, Rose leapt on him, giving him the biggest hug anyone could possibly imagine, before pulling back slightly and placing her lips fiercely on his. The kiss was fast, but filled with emotions that they both hadn't dared to bring up since they had been reunited. She pulled back, letting the Doctor stare at her in surprise, while she caught hold of her own feelings.
"Good luck," she whispered, and dashed back to her Mother, Phantom and the Officer. When she glanced back again, the Doctor and the Master had disappeared out of sight.
She turned back to the others. "Well, come on then, what're we waiting for?"
That prompted movement. Jackie led the procession into the house, Rose behind her and Phantom and the Officer behind them. Upon reaching the hallway, they were confronted by a very haggard-looking Pete.
"Dad!" Rose greeted happily.
Her father looked up, a smile breaking out on his weary features. "Rose!"
"Rose?" came a voice from behind Pete, and to Rose's delight, Mickey and Jake stepped out.
"Mickey!" she exclaimed. "Jake!"
"So you're back then?" Mickey asked.
"Did you find the Doctor?" was Jake's question.
"Yes and yes," Rose replied.
"Not for long," another voice snarled, and from behind her, a terrible gurgling sound erupted.
She pivoted, and her eyes widened with horror. The Officer fell to his knees, the bandana falling off his head and landing on the ground. He clutched at his chest- a desperate manoeuvre, attempting to get some air into his lungs. The tip of a knife was poking out his chest, and blood was beginning to trickle out of the wound.
The knife left the Officer's back with a squelching sound, and the Officer fell face first into the ground, blood now pouring faster and spreading on the pristine floors of the Tyler Mansion. Phantom held up the knife with a wicked grin.
But Rose wasn't interested in that. "Officer!" she cried, falling to her knees beside the bleeding figure. She rolled him gently onto his side- at least then he might have a chance to breath. "Officer…" she whispered, futilely holding a hand against his wound.
He lay on the ground, gasping for breath, but he still managed to whisper back, "Rose…"
She looked at his face in surprise. His intensely light brown eyes had faded almost to a deep yellow, but they were staring back at her, just as they had when Rose first met him. "Shh," she whispered, hoping to give him some comfort. She knew, as much as it tore at her, that there was nothing she could do.
"Rose," he whispered again, and began coughing, flecks of blood coming out of his mouth. When the coughing had subsided, his eyes were an even lighter shade of brown. The Officer attempted to speak again, his teeth stained red. "Rose…" he broke off again, coughing up more blood.
"Can't you regenerate?" she asked desperately.
A cruel chuckle came from above her. "He can't. He's on his last regeneration."
She didn't bother looking up, instead focusing on the Officer's face.
"Rose…" he tried again, "Meeting… you…" more coughing, "I'm…" his voice was getting fainter and fainter, and Rose had to lean in to hear it. "I'm… honoured."
Rose felt tears prickling at her eyes as she realised this was the first time he had spoken English. "I'm…" she choked, "I'm honoured to meet you, too."
The brown eyes gleamed once, and the Officer's mouth curled up into a smile, before his eyes slowly slid shut for the last time.
Rose rocked back, allowing her tears to fall and mingle with the huge amounts of blood on the carpet.
"Oh, Rose," Jackie whispered softly, and Rose looked up.
What she saw wasn't what she expected.
Herself, her mother, her father, Mickey and Jake were being held at gunpoint by no fewer then ten people, not including Phantom. And Rose gasped when she recognised them.
It was inevitable that she recognised them.
For they were from Torchwood.
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The Doctor ran towards the TARDIS, knowing but not fully appreciating the Master's presence behind him. He hoped Rose would be okay- he didn't fully trust Phantom, but he knew if push came down to shove, that the Officer would protect her. And of course, she could protect herself. And Jackie for sure would beat up anyone who dared harm Rose.
The Doctor grinned, but the grin faded almost immediately. Maybe he was supposed to be glad that the Master was back, and apparently 'not evil' but he couldn't bring himself to accept it. All that came to mind was the Master torturing him, torturing Jack, and Martha's parents, and Tish. It wasn't that the Doctor was scared; it was that he couldn't forget.
The difference was this time the Master was accompanying him, not as an enemy, but as an ally. Which was something the Doctor couldn't yet fully comprehend. The logical side of him knew that the Master in this universe had a different life- or had spun a different life, and thus was a different person to the Master of his universe. But still, the Doctor couldn't help the doubts about the Master's intentions. And now, he was running along with the Master, which was all fine and dandy, but he was running in order to prevent Gallifrey's last weapon from destroying the Earth. In order to prevent Loranos and Jorax from destroying the Earth.
And the Doctor wasn't sure if he could trust on the Master's help. This made him anxious for Rose's help; but he also knew that Rose was better off looking after people. Well, that, and he didn't want Rose privy to the fight that was sure to come.
But Rose's kiss had sure been distracting. The Doctor had half a mind to kiss her senseless there and then, but, alas, the world needed saving. Again. And, sadly enough, for the moment, the world had to take priority. Again.
He shook himself, similar to what a dog would do. He'd think about this after he'd used his excellent mind to save the world.
And he thought all this in the ten or so seconds it took to run back to the TARDIS, which was parked in a small alleyway out of sight of the Tyler Mansion.
Arriving at the door, the Doctor glanced back at the Master, who gave a tiny nod. The Doctor turned back around quickly, angry at himself for unknown reasons. Did he trust the Master? No. Did he want to trust the Master? Yes. Oh, yes.
But he couldn't think about that for the moment; he had more pressing issues. He swung open the doors, somewhat surprised when he realised they didn't need unlocking, and strode into the room. "Jorax?" he called out. "Loranos?"
The Master walked in beside him. Automatically, without speaking, they split, the Doctor taking the left route around the controls and the Master taking the right side.
They both saw the body at the same time. And they both ran to the body at the same time. The Master gently turned the dead person's body- it was obvious to them both that she was dead- so that they could see the face.
"Loranos," the Master said sadly.
"So she wasn't part of it," the Doctor replied, allowing himself a sad glance at Loranos' still features, aged but beautiful. "I'm so sorry," he whispered to the body.
"But if she wasn't part of it..." the Master began.
"That means Jorax was looking for a distraction," the Doctor realised at the same time. "Which means…"
They both looked at each other with shock. "Rose," they said simultaneously, both with worry in their tones.
The Doctor jumped to his feet, his cloak sweeping behind him as he dashed around the console, the Master hot on his heels. But he skidded to a halt when he saw Jorax, dark brown cloak and all, blocking the exit. "You're not going anywhere," he stated to them both.
The Master was the first to speak. "If you've harmed anyone…" he said in a dangerously low tone.
The Doctor spared a glance of surprise at the Master, followed by a quick flash of respect. So the Master did care about other people. Rose was right.
But that wasn't really very relevant at the present time. "I know, I know, this seems a little cliché," the Doctor told Jorax, "But… why? Why do this?"
Jorax grinned, lavender eyes turning a darker shade, almost indigo coloured. "Why?" he repeated. "You'll find out later."
The Doctor, glad his hands were by his side, slowly moved the left one behind him, giving him the Master's attention. Then, in a series of hand movements that he, and, he hoped, the Master had learnt while at school, gave the Master an option. The Master flicked the Doctor's finger to show he understood.
"That's not very nice, is it?" the Doctor renewed the conversation, "Not telling us why you killed Loranos."
The Master, hearing his cue, gave a desperate cry. "Loranos," the Master mourned softly, turning and running back over to the slender body sprawled over the TARDIS' floor. He bowed his head over Loranos.
Jorax gave a snort, "Weakling."
Yes. Just as the Doctor expected. So far, so good. He diverted attention again. "So, your plan is to destroy the world, huh? What's that going to get you?" During his speech, he had raised his head up to block the view of the Master. He started making hand gestures. "Well? Because destroying a bunch of dumb apes isn't really going to get you anywhere."
Jorax chuckled. "You speak of humans as if you hate them," Jorax said in their native language, "And yet you speak their language as if it is your own."
The Doctor narrowed his eyes and began to speak Gallifreyan as well. "I speak their language because I am used to it," he growled. "Now, answer my question. What will you gain from this?"
"Nothing," Jorax told him, "Except the opportunity for revenge."
Surprised at this response, but trying not to show it, the Doctor continued his distraction. "And who is accompanying you on this perilous and stupid quest for revenge?"
"No one of your concern just yet. I would, however, be concerned about that girl of yours."
Forgetting the plan when a current of rage passed through him, the Doctor snarled, "What have you done to Rose?"
"I have done nothing," Jorax said calmly, "However, my accomplice might have."
The anger and worry grew exponentially. "What did you do to her?!" the Doctor yelled at Jorax, back to English.
Jorax didn't respond, staring over the Doctor's shoulder. "What are you doing?" Jorax let out angrily.
The Master was fiddling as fast as he could with the TARDIS controls. He didn't bother looking up; the Doctor knew that the Master would finish what he was doing first. And he did. The Master gave a sigh of relief as he pushed back from the console.
"What did you do?" Jorax's voice barely concealed his fury.
"Oh, nothing much," the Doctor said, grinning at the Master. "He just placed the TARDIS under his specific control."
Jorax gave a growl of complete and utter fury.
"And you know what that means, right?" the Doctor asked happily.
"It means that only I can direct and fly the TARDIS," the Master finished, grinning back at the Doctor.
It was only then that the Doctor truly realised how much of an idiot he was. He turned to face the Master. "I'm sorry about doubting you," the Doctor said.
"Doesn't matter," the Master said.
They both grinned at each other again.
Jorax decided to intrude at this point. In one smooth movement, he pulled out a vial of a blue gas, throwing it as hard as possible. It hit the Master in the chest, and cracked, the gas floating up into the Master's face.
The Doctor's automatic reaction was to run to the Master.
"No," the Master choked out through the thick fog-like gas now covering his face. "It's got sedative properties."
The Doctor nodded, understanding two things. One: the Master was only going to fall unconscious; and two: the Doctor needed to do something about Jorax. Fast.
As the Master slumped to the floor next to Loranos' body, the Doctor spun around, searching out Jorax.
Jorax was over the other side of the controls, pouring another liquid directly into the TARDIS' heart.
"What is that?" the Doctor asked warily.
"Just a little incentive to get out of here," Jorax told the Doctor.
The Doctor sped over to Jorax, snatching the empty vial out of the Time Lord's hands. He read the label with growing fury. "You didn't."
"I did," Jorax replied in Gallifreyan. "And I suggest you get out."
The Doctor looked up. Already, the TARDIS' bright colours were fading, and the roof was slowly gaining cracks in its surface. He stared back at the centre console. The console had darkened already. He glanced back at Jorax, intending to give the Time Lord a piece of his mind, but Jorax had already left the TARDIS. He turned to follow Jorax, but realised he had forgotten about the Master, who was still lying unconscious with the blue fog above him.
The Doctor ran back to the Master, lifting the Master's dead-weight arms over his shoulders. He stared at Loranos once, knowing that he didn't have time to bring her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to her as he began the process of dragging the Master to the TARDIS' exit. The TARDIS had darkened even further, and pieces of the ceiling had begun to fall. The Doctor turned back to the exit and swayed, before falling to his knees. The blue gas was affecting him. He didn't have much longer. He had to get out.
Using all his strength, he forced open the door with the Master supported by one arm. With blurring eyes, the Doctor stumbled out onto the hard asphalt of the road. He let out a sigh of relief, and released the Master from his tight grip.
As his eyes began to close from the properties of whatever drug they had been exposed to, he saw the silhouette of Jorax staring down at him.
And then, darkness.
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TBC…
You think: Oh, no. Not another cliffie! Well, sorry all, but this story is going to be sixteen chapters long- so we haven't reached the end yet. Yes, everyone, sixteen chapters long. We're only just over halfway through. Which is why there isn't a lot of TenRose yet. But you'll get it, don't worry.
And, yes, the people who guessed Phantom- well, he's evil too.
Alright. Now to thank people.
Huge, huge thanks (and lots of cheers) for those who reviewed last chapter: Erikstrulove, QuiteRightToo, Talia-Taylor, CSITribe, x-EmilyTennant-x, M64, Tigris T Draconis, Doctor-Lost, scme, Sunny angel, gaiafreedom21, NewDrWhoFan, Rosie-Jess, The Chibi's Are Stalking Me, tylerfan23, MythStar Black Dragon, captaincatch, JeMS7 and artistgirl727.
Big claps and thanks to those who put this story on their favourites lists: Draco167, DramaQueen1133, I'mTheMasterOfWhatever, JeMS7, Kaia-S, Mara Jade Snape, QuiteRightToo, Rose Tyler, Rosie-Jess, Sunny angel, Talia-Taylor, The Chibi's Are Stalking Me, Tigerprime, VampMistress, Wanabee, artistgirl727, awesomepwincess123, captaincatch, caromac, enneisilee, gaia-x-goddess, gaiafreedom21, jimmybeam, sparks733 and tylerfan23.
A Billie Piper clone to accompany your David Tennant clone for those who put me as their favourite author: Draco167, I'mTheMasterOfWhatever, johnny-B-reading, Mara Jade Snape, QuiteRightToo, Rosie-Jess, Talia-Taylor, The Chibi's Are Stalking Me, VampMistress and Wanabee.
And, finally, thanks heaps to those who put me on their author alerts, and for those that put this story on their story alerts lists (there's over 50 of them!)
I'm ecstatic that you all like this story!
Oh, and I think this is my favourite chapter so far. It might also have something to do with my favourite number though ;)
Until next update (which will be soon),
SnowFox3