The Doctor's Journey: Chapter 3
"How were we able to understand…whoever that was?" Rose asked the Doctor as they walked down the corridor. "For that matter, how were we able to understand Seeker while we were in that vision? I could hear him chirping like always but they just made sense to me."
"Whatever that creature was, it was extremely powerful." The Doctor said thoughtfully. "It might have been one of the white robed people we saw in the visions. If that's the case I can see them easily creating a civilization with abilities like that."
"What abilities?" Rose asked in confusion. "I mean, yeah, it was able to communicate with us but…"
The Doctor shook his head. "That creature had most likely never experienced a human mind before, let alone a Time Lord's, and yet it could communicate with us in a way we could understand without any effort on its part. Only a few races in the entire universe have that kind of natural capability. I can understand any spoken language and read any dialect with my connection to the TARDIS and you get the same understanding with that connection but even that's based on the Time Lord's technology; even with the TARDIS link we couldn't perfectly translate Seeker's form of communication. That creature we saw can speak to a person's soul directly. The only other thing I know of that can do that is the heart of the TARDIS itself. Which means it's either got access to technology on par with the Time Lords or it's just naturally that gifted."
"Wow." Rose murmured in amazement.
The Doctor nodded. "Not only that, it's been showing us those pictograms directly; that's how they were able to change in real time. Casual manipulation of an alien being's cerebral cortex and nervous system at that level, especially with a higher-order mind like mine, and when they have no prior knowledge of its mental processes and cultural expectations, is almost unheard of unless you've got extremely deep knowledge and hyper-advanced technology. The few races in the universe capable of things like that were usually worshiped as gods by other cultures. Even the Time Lords were venerated like that to some degree."
"So that…creature was a god?" Rose asked with a hint of awe.
The Doctor shrugged. "Well I say gods…" he drawled, waving a hand, "technically there's no such thing unless you count the Guardians of Time and Chaos that keep the universe in balance but this one would be powerful enough that other races would think they were god-like in their power. They'd probably call these visions we've been getting 'revelations'." He said with a smirk, quoting the air with his fingers.
"So the statues are…what? Video phones to contact them?" She asked.
"Something like that." The Doctor replied with a smile. "Like I said, its transmission technology that allows us access to their realm or mind. It might also be what grants them their abilities, assuming there's sufficient tech buried in that statue or under the floor. I'll need to check out the next one to see if it's solid rock or if it's got some kind of psychotronic transmitter."
Moments later they exited the long hallway and emerged into a sprawling desert. Looking around Rose pouted.
"Great! More sand and lots of hills! I'm never visiting the beach again after this."
~I find this [setting/place/area] [peaceful/serene/enjoyable].~ Seeker remarked chirpily.
"You live here, that doesn't count." Rose teased.
Seeker looked back at her for a moment before they continued their trek, slowly climbing a large sand dune. Looking around, Rose frowned a bit before speaking.
"You know I didn't notice but the sky isn't blue, it's kind of a sickly green and the sand here is kind of pinkish instead of brown like before."
The Doctor glanced around before nodding. "Curious that. Of course if this planet is mostly desert the sky wouldn't be blue anyway, not enough ocean. And I've been on worlds that have pink water so pink sand isn't a stretch." He smiled. "It's probably due to the particles in the atmosphere that make the sky look green."
With a happy chirp Seeker slid down the large dune with Rose and the Doctor following after it.
"You know, that looks like fun." Rose smiled. "Maybe we should learn how to do that."
"You know me; always up to learn new things." The Doctor replied easily.
As they crested the next, smaller dune they came upon another segmented structure with the teary face mask and third eye. This time almost the entire construct was buried, leaving only the head and first segment uncovered, from which flapped a tapestry.
"Another one of these." Rose muttered as Seeker leaped on top of it. "I wonder what they were."
"Hopefully we'll find a database or something that can tell us." The Doctor replied. "They're obviously manufactured and they have some storage space. Maybe these were used like lorries to move goods or equipment around?"
Seek let out a loud chirp, activating the cloth which disappeared into the box. A moment later the ironwork grill on the front of the box shuddered open and out flew what appeared to be a mass of smaller tapestries making up a single creature. The cloth circled around Seeker in a friendly manner before letting out a few gentle chirps that sounded bird-like.
"Ooh! What's this?" The Doctor asked excitedly, climbing onto the box, making the creature zip upwards before circling above them. "Come here little fella!" He cajoled the carpet.
The carpet slowly floated into the Doctor's arms, hovering in front of him as he examined it. The creature consisted of a rolled up piece of square cloth for a head and main body with three long but thin ribbons extending out from the back of it, looking slightly like a squid with three tentacles, the middle tapestry somewhat longer than the other two. The cloth brushed up against the Doctor's front, nuzzling him before making a series of chirps.
"Oh, aren't you just adorable!" He exclaimed with a grin, petting the carpet's body with a hand, making the glyphs on his hands and the creature's body glow as the cloth chirped at the Doctor inquisitively. "Come take a look Rose!"
~The [carpet/cloth/ribbon] seems quite [friendly/peaceful].~ Seeker suggested, gazing at it curiously.
Rose stood next to the box and held out her hands as the Doctor gently shooed it in her direction. The carpet allowed itself to be handled, its glyphs glowing along with Rose's.
"It's so cute!" She squealed with delight as it chirped at her, nuzzling her cheek before floating in circles around her as she stroked it. "Can we keep it for a pet?"
The Doctor chuckled at her exuberance. "I'd say that's up to it."
"You want to stay with us little guy?" She cooed, catching it in her arms and stroking its body.
The carpet chirped happily before wriggling out of her grasp and flying several feet away, chirping as it went.
"I'd say Sir Wilgums wants us to follow it." The Doctor said with a smile.
"Sir Wilgums?" Rose asked.
The Doctor shrugged. "It's the first thing that came to mind. Good a name as any."
Rose snorted in amusement, shaking her head at the inanity as they followed the flying carpet.
"What do you think Seeker?" Rose asked. "Is 'Sir Wilgums' a good name?"
~I know not the [Glyph/identity/soul] of [WILGUMS]. The [ribbon/cloth/carpet] has no [Glyph/soul/identity].~ Seeker stated.
Rose frowned slightly in confusion. "But in the first vision we saw that birds and plants have a glyph in them. Sir Wilgums can make sounds and move so it's obviously alive."
"Not necessarily." The Doctor suggested as they began climbing the dune in front of them. "Wilgums has glyph energy in it because glyphs were woven into it and infused with that energy, so it's enough to animate it and give it some kind of sentience, but it's not a fully formed soul like the orbs. Just like a dog or cat can be aware and live but not be 'intelligent'. I think the cloths may be just that; simple materials imbued with energy to make them useful and maybe even enjoyable but they aren't like Seeker or us."
"Well, I still think Wilgums is sweet and cute." She said.
The Doctor smiled as they crested the large hill. At the base of it sat several more metal boxes strewn about haphazardly, around which the flying carpet circled and chirped. They quickly descended down the slope with Seeker once again surfing down with ease before leaping gracefully onto the box with its signature ribbon. Chirping loudly, Seeker made the ribbon promptly vanish after which several grills opened on the various boxes, releasing four more of the cloth creatures. Chirping excitedly Wilgums joined the others as they circled around each other, each chirping seemingly in excitement.
"Aww! It's a reunion!" Rose said.
The Doctor nodded in agreement. "Those things have probably been stuck in there for quite a while. Not surprising they'd be happy to see each other."
Moments later the carpets began to swirl around the three of them. Jumping slightly Seeker floated on top of one of them and the carpet began to ferry it up the nearby hill making Rose grin happily.
"They really are magic carpets!" She said excitedly. "I want to ride one!"
The Doctor chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Assuming one will let you ride them. Dunno if we have enough glyph for that."
Rose walked up to one of the circling carpets and beckoned one to come closer with her hands. "You'll take me for a ride, won't you little fella?" She asked sweetly as one of them approached.
The carpet slowly circled her before nudging up against her hands, making the glyphs glow. She carefully pulled herself onto the carpet until she was kneeling on it, resting her glowing hands on its surface.
"I think I'll call you Frederick." She stated as the carpet began to slowly glide towards the hill ahead of them.
"Do you plan to name them all?" The Doctor inquired in amusement as he walked beside her, a carpet trailing behind him.
Rose shrugged. "Gotta keep track of them somehow." She dimpled. "At least we don't have to feed them or take them potty."
"Well, there certainly is that." He drawled. "Nothing like a pet that doesn't make a mess on the floor."
They slowly reached the top of the dune with Seeker waiting for them. Suddenly the carpet that was carrying Rose shook her off, making her land on her butt with a soft thump before it moved to join the other carpets that floated on ahead of them.
"Oy! Come back here you!" Rose cried petulantly as she stood and dusted herself off. "I wasn't done with my ride!"
"Apparently Frederick was." The Doctor chuckled. "You have to admit you're not exactly as light as Seeker is."
Rose looked at him archly, her hands on her hips. "And what's that supposed to mean then?" She demanded.
~I [believe/think] he is [saying/suggesting/hinting] you are [heavy/weighty/ponderous].~ Seeker replied helpfully.
"Shut it you!" Rose retorted, glaring at Seeker. "I wasn't asking your opinion."
Seeker took several steps back in surprise, letting out a dismayed chirp.
Rose blinked in surprise before moving to Seeker and putting an arm around the figure's cloak. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you." Rose said gently. "I wasn't really angry, just a bit annoyed is all."
Seeker let out a series of gentle chirps. ~I am [sorry/sad/unhappy] I have [angered/frustrated] you.~
"It's okay, I'm not upset anymore." Rose assured Seeker before looking over at the Doctor with a slightly stern glance. "You, though, I might have words with later."
"Riiiight…anyway, let's see where our flock is taking us shall we?" The Doctor suggested quickly.
Rose smirked, shaking her head. "You're only delaying the inevitable but let's go."
Seeker moved closer to the Doctor. ~I am [concerned/worried/frightened] for your [wholeness/well-being]. [RED-FLOWER/TIME-PREDATOR] [seems/appears/indicates] [anger/frustration/violence] against you.~
The Doctor shook his head. "No need to worry. Rose isn't a violent person. She just likes to threaten me every so often when I say foolish things. I suppose you could say it's a control issue her species has."
~Is not [telling/bestowing/imparting] [TRUTH] [important/paramount]?~
The Doctor chuckled. "Oh my friend, you know nothing of females and trying to explain them would take far too long."
Descending another dune they came upon the broken remains of a two story building which was little more than a pair of connected walls with an archway around which the carpets circled. Walking around the side they came upon another blank area with a pair of double markers.
"Seeker, would you mind?" The Doctor asked, motioning to it.
~I would be [happy/glad/agreeable].~ Seeker chirped.
Walking over to the wall it let out a harmonic burst. The markers lit and the wall blazed revealing the picture beneath it; five white figures standing in the midst of rows of plants.
"Well, isn't that interesting." The Doctor said as Rose joined him. "It looks like this planet's changed quite a bit since this was done. Apparently this area was once very rich farmland or forest. Now though…" The Doctor looked around, his face creasing a bit in concern. "There's not even scraggle brush or a relative of the cactus here. No water, no viable dirt with nutrients. Nothing."
"What could cause something like that?" Rose asked in concern.
"Something terribly devastating." The Doctor replied quietly, his face grim. "Something worse than the nuclear bombs you lot have developed. Even the strongest of them wouldn't leave the Earth irradiated for thousands of years unless you lot fired off every one of them at once. And even then there would still be some kind of life evolving, a few small plants here and there. Not here though. The ground is completely dead."
~As if the [life/energy/vibrancy] [disappeared/died/vanished].~ Seeker stated solemnly.
The Doctor nodded. "Come on, let's keep going. I want to see what else is here."
The trio continued to follow the carpets up and down several more dunes though Seeker chose to walk with them rather than surf as before.
"How old are you Seeker?" Rose suddenly asked.
~I do not [comprehend/understand].~ Seeker chirped in confusion.
Rose bit her lip gently in thought before trying again. "How many…days or cycles of the sun have you been alive?"
~I have never seen it [change/move].~ Seeker replied, still puzzled.
Rose frowned, wracking her brain for a frame of reference the traveler might understand. "What is the first thing you remember?"
Seeker chirped curiously at her before becoming silent and introspective for a moment as they walked. Finally it looked over at her again.
~Sitting on [sand/ground] as a glowing [Glyph/soul/identity] [flew/moved] [over/above] me. ~
Rose's frown deepened. "Were you ever a child? Umm….smaller or…less developed than you are now?"
~I have [always/ever] been as you [see/observe] [RED-FLOWER/TIME-PREDATOR].~ Seeker replied, still puzzled at her questions.
Rose looked over at the Doctor in confusion as they crested the top of another hill. Below them lay the shattered remains of another structure, this one seemingly circular in construction with three broken pieces of wall, the fourth being larger with two empty windows at the top as the carpets flowed about it idly.
~[Look/observe]!~ Seeker called to them quickly. ~In the [sky/canopy]!~
The pair of them looked up to see a glowing ball of light streak across the sky, losing altitude as it went. Reaching the structure below the ball swirled around the remains of the building before slamming into the highest piece of wall at the very top with a loud 'thud'. Flaring, the ball released a swarm of small cloth pieces before dimming and glowing gently atop the building while the cloths began to swirl around the interior of the structure. The trio quickly hurried towards the remains of the building with the Doctor attempting to grab one of the cloth pieces.
"Gotcha!" He crowed as he finally he managed to snatch one. "Now let's have a good look at you!"
The cloth tugged ineffectually as it tried to escape as the Doctor ran his screwdriver over its surface.
"Same energy signature as the orbs we've seen so it wasn't just carrying these things with it." The Doctor pondered as he continued his scans. "It looks like these cloth pieces were actually part of it before it released them!" He said in surprise before releasing the struggling cloth.
"You mean these cloths were pieces of its soul?" Rose asked in confusion. "Why would it…shed them then? Wouldn't it need all of itself to be whole?"
~I [believe/think] I [comprehend/understand/know].~ Seeker answered. ~The [Glyph/soul/identity] is itself [whole/undamaged] but it [holds/contains] [power/energy/creation] that it can [bestow/release/impart] where it [chooses/decides/determines].~
The Doctor nodded thoughtfully. "I couldn't have put it better myself. Well, now we know where the small cloth pieces come from. Let's see if we can get that orb."
The pair grabbed onto Seeker's cloak, the traveler let out a loud blast of sound. The cloth pieces immediately swirled around them, glowing brightly and lifting them into the air. Flying forward, they landed carefully on the top of the masonry. The orb blazed into motes, creating more glyphs on Seeker's scarf and the Doctor and Rose's hands. Seeker carefully glided to the ground, settling them on their feet.
"I wonder what happens when the orbs break up like that." Rose murmured. "Do they become part of Seeker's skin and just power his scarf when he jumps or does it communicate with him? Can it even communicate like that or…"
"All very good questions Rose." The Doctor interrupted. "Wish I had an answer; this whole place is one big puzzle." He grinned suddenly. "I'm rather enjoying myself! Lots of puzzles and nobody shooting at us. I couldn't think of a better holiday!"
"You know, you've just jinxed us saying that." Rose teased.
"Aww, come on! My luck's not that bad!" The Doctor grinned.
Rose just snorted in disbelief as Seeker led them onwards, the carpets playing and swooping out in front of them, some of them diving into the sand like dolphins before surfacing and flying into the air.
"I have to say, all that running from people trying to kill us did help the legs." Rose stated. "A few years ago I would have been huffing and puffing up and down these hills."
The Doctor grinned. "See? Some good came out of it after all!"
Reaching the top of the latest dune they stopped in surprise.
"Well, that's not ominous as all get out." Rose remarked sarcastically. "I told you not to jinx us."
Below them in a deep basin sat a collection of buildings surrounded by swirling clouds of sand and massive high walls. Such was the difference in height between the buildings and the walls that the flying sand clouded what little sun peeked through, making the entire area dim and dark. At the various cardinal directions stood the broken remains of three bridges.
The Doctor looked at the sight before him with his hands in his pockets, his face scrutinizing. "Can't blame me for this one Rose, that little sand storm's been going for a while now. Come on."
The group slowly made their way down the steep side of the depression, Seeker walking with them as the carpets flew about.
"At least Sir Wilgums, Frederick, and his friends don't seem worried." Rose pointed out. "They look relatively happy."
"They're not dogs Rose, I wouldn't use them as danger detectors." The Doctor cautioned. "We don't know if they can even recognize a threat."
Rose huffed but chose not to respond as they slowly made their way into the dim shrouded light surrounding the buildings. The clank of gears and machinery echoed across the tall structures as the wind blew drearily around them. The carpets slowly became more subdued until they barely chirped at all, flying slowly in the direction of one of the buildings. Looking around, the Doctor noticed a small slope of sand leading up to a stairwell on the side of one of the structures. Waving them onward they began to climb the stairs, walking up several stories until they came to a small landing, the stone walkway that connected it to one of the other buildings shattered. Looking around for another way up, one of the carpets began to nudge the Doctor's elbow. As he looked at it quizzically one of the other carpets began to swirl around Seeker's feet. Jumping a bit in the air, seemingly on a whim, the carpet immediately slid under Seeker, boosting it up to the next level of the tower onto another staircase. Looking at the insistent carpet next to him the Doctor rested his hands flat on the carpet before carefully climbing onto it with Rose doing the same a moment later. The two carpets slowly flew upwards, depositing them on the stairs next to Seeker.
"Good boy!" Rose smiled as she stroked her carpet, making it chirp happily.
Smiling, the Doctor patted his own before walking up the remaining stairs. On the landing sat a partially open grilled window, the ironwork broken outward in which a struggling carpet was stuck.
"Aww! Poor thing!" Rose moaned as she walked up to it. "Here, let me help you."
The Doctor walked over and began to struggle with the metal grillwork, shifting it just enough for Rose to pull the carpet free. Immediately it began circling them with happy chirps as another carpet managed to slip through the slightly widened gap.
"Now where to?" Rose asked as she looked around at the landing they were on.
"I'd say up." The Doctor replied as the carpets they had freed began to nudge against their legs.
Climbing carefully onto the carpets they were once again carried up to the next level of the structure. In the center of the floor sat a large hexagonal grill. A solid walkway connected them to a nearby building.
"These carpets are right useful, aren't they?" Rose smiled, petting the one that had conveyed her.
The Doctor nodded. "Be a great help next time I need to do some maintenance in the TARDIS and don't have a step ladder handy."
As the trio walked across the causeway they came to a large arched window with more grillwork. Inside the tall structure they could hear machinery clanking away regularly. Suddenly a dark, foreboding figure with glowing, flickering blue eyes appeared in the window with a clang, making Rose jump at the sight. A moment later the figure slid out of sight with another clang.
"What was that?" She asked in surprise.
~I [know/understand] not what the [figure/thing/construct] was, but its [appearance/face] was [similar/close/near] to the [constructs/machines/figures] we have [seen/observed].~ Seeker stated with a thoughtful chirp.
"Seeker's right, that thing, whatever it was, had tear trails down its face just like the ones in the desert and I think I caught a glimpse of that third eye marking they have." The Doctor mused as an identical figure slid into view with a clang, its bright blue eyes flickering.
"Interesting." The Doctor said, walking up to the window and gazing inside. "Seems to be some kind of factory; lots of machinery at work here but it all seems to be automated."
Rose peeked inside as well. "Funny thing, nothing's being produced; the machines are just moving in circles."
The Doctor shrugged. "Probably ran out of raw materials a long time ago. Pretty impressive they're still running after all this time. Your people sure made things to last Seeker." He smiled.
Seeker seemed to shrug indifferently as they walked around the side of the wedge-shaped building, following the wide stone walkway. The mysterious machines continued to shift past the grilled windows at regular intervals like a clockwork mechanism. Moving around to the back side of the building they came upon a new circular room in which flew a massive flock of carpets. A few of them pressed against the windows, chirping at them as they walked.
"Poor things have been stuck in there for who knows how long." Rose commiserated, resting a sympathetic hand against the cool metal grill of a window. "Can we get them out?"
The Doctor looked over the windows for a moment before shrugging helplessly. "No cutting tools around here and these things still look sturdy after all this time. Dunno how we'd go about it. My screwdriver can break molecular bonds for small things like wire or thin metal fencing but nothing that dense. I couldn't even get it to resonate concrete very well, if you recall."
Rose smiled, recalling that particular night when the two had been trapped in a building and the Doctor had attempted to vibrate the window bars out of the wall by setting up a resonance pattern in the concrete that held them in place. Fortunately they had been able to escape by other means but the memory of it was still fresh in her mind.
"Come on, maybe we'll find something along the way." He suggested bracingly with a smile.
Nodding, they continued their walk around the circumference of the building until they came to another dead end.
"Could you give me a boost?" Rose asked her carpet.
The carpet chirped, nudging against her.
"I'll take that as a yes." She smiled as she pressed her hands against the top of the carpet before carefully climbing onto it, the Doctor doing the same for his as Seeker merely jumped gracefully onto its own carpet, the three of them slowing flying upward to the top level of the structure. The roof of the building seemed to be temple-like in construction with a series of steps leading up to a columned area with another gateway statue with various markers and a split walkway off to the side of the stairs. In front of the stairs was a massive grill which looked down into the room filled with the captive carpets. Getting off his carpet and giving it a quick rub of thanks, the Doctor began to walk up the stairway while Rose sat down on the grill, trying to get the attention of the carpets below. Seeker, meanwhile, began to wander along the left walkway which led around the side of the raised portion of the roof. Coming to a dead end near the back the traveler began to chirp enthusiastically.
~Come [see/view/look]! I have [found/located] another [Glyph/soul/identity]!~
The other two quickly joined him, the Doctor inspecting the orb intently but as before they failed to get a response from it beyond a quiet acknowledgement of their existence.
"They're kind of stuffy, aren't they?" Rose asked a bit crossly. "No interest in anything but themselves."
The Doctor shrugged. "Not like it's been doing much. For all we know it's been sitting in this spot for a thousand years. After that kind of solitude they may have forgotten how to interact with other people. Not surprising really. At least they're willing to imprint on us; they could just as easily ignore us completely."
Glyph light once again swirled around them though this time the motes swirled around Rose's and the Doctor's feet before vanishing. Frowning in puzzlement, Rose unlaced her shoes and pulled them off before doing the same to her socks. On the tops and bottoms of her feet sat a simple glyph.
"Huh. Okay." Rose murmured before putting her socks and shoes back on. "Maybe they wanted some space from the other glyphs?" She wondered.
The Doctor gazed at his own feet thoughtfully. "More to it than that, I'm sure. Maybe they want us to go barefoot?"
"At the heat that sand is going to be?" Rose asked in dismay.
~I feel no [heat/energy] when I [walk/travel/move].~ Seeker said.
"We'll try it later." The Doctor said. "Right now I'm more interested in that statue."
Walking about around the building they quickly ascended the double flight of stairs. Off to each side of the flat area were two double columns of markers with the statue at the back. Walking over to it, the Doctor began to tap on the stone with his knuckles as well as pressing his ear to the statue itself.
"Seems solid and I don't hear any kind of energy conduction going on inside." He muttered. "Seeker, could you activate the statue for me?"
~[Of course/certainly/yes}.~ The robed figure replied before letting out a burst of sound, activating the markers. As the circle began to materialize from the motes of light given off by the markers, the front of the statue began to glow as its miniature glyphs became active. Listening closely the Doctor frowned.
"Still nothing." He murmured before aiming his screwdriver at the glyphs. "It's giving off the same energy as the markers to but no other energy types or transmissions coming from the statue."
"Maybe there's an orb in the statue that talks to us?" Rose suggested.
"Could be," The Doctor replied, "but I'd rather not break open the statue just to find out."
~Shall we [commune/speak] with the [god/figure/being]?~ Seeker asked.
The Doctor nodded. "Why not? Let's see what it has to say."
Saying so the three of them sat down in the circle.
FLASH
Once again they stood in the white void as a group, the figure in white and gold standing before them imperiously.
"I don't think we were properly introduced last time." The Doctor started off. "I'm the Doctor, this is Rose, and that is Destiny-Purpose-Seeker. May we ask who you are?" The Doctor requested.
Though we have not met before, I know who you are. The figure stated, the Doctor noting its tone and attitude were somewhat different than the figures they had seen before as it loomed over them. I am a member of the Remnant.
"What is the Remnant?" The Doctor asked.
We are Those Who Came Before and The Last Who Remember. It stated. We are the Guardians of Knowledge and the Keepers of Wisdom. History is our shame and it is our DUTY to impart our wisdom that it might not be repeated.
"Why is history your shame?" The Doctor asked shrewdly. "What exactly happened here?"
Learn from us and you will find the answer to that question. It replied heavily.
"Where exactly are you?" Rose asked hesitantly.
The figure turned its head to gaze at her. We are everywhere. I sense your desire to free the servitors nearby. I shall be generous and grant you what you seek for there is no reason for them to remain there. Know that the glyphs upon your feet will allow you to ride them as One Who Seeks Their Destiny does.
It then turned to Seeker. See the height of our creation that you might also know the depths of our foolishness, One Who Seeks Their Destiny.
Their vision swam and when it cleared they saw the three lit buildings connected to the sky train filled with ribbon they had seen before. As the scene scrolled to the side they beheld more buildings, seemingly the ones on which they stood with the first building containing a massive room filled with ribbons with the other taller structure bent slantwise at the top, similar to the temple area upon which they sat. As the vision progressed, they came to a massive hill or large mountain covered with crops. Suddenly buildings began to appear, covering over the crops as more of them became constructed as they traveled up the side of the mountain until the very peak of the mountain was covered with buildings. Atop the buildings stood several figures in white their postures proud. Suddenly their vision washed out and they once again sat in the dimming circle of light. Behind them, the massive grill in the roof slid open with a clatter, releasing the vast swam of carpets. Standing, Rose ran down the stairs to greet them as the hatch closed, laughing as they swirled around her, chirping loudly and rubbing against her. The Doctor and Seeker stood at the top of the stairs, watching the display.
"I could watch her play all day like that." The Doctor said quietly with a soft smile, his eyes crinkled with joy. "Watching her reminds me of just how much good there is in the universe. When all you do is fight against the evils…you need the light to remind you what you're fighting for."
Seeker let out several encouraging chirps, making the Doctor chuckle gently. "I'm not sad Seeker, just thoughtful. Come on, let's go join in the fun."
As they walked down the stairway the carpets began to fly off towards the buildings in the distance as Rose waved to them. A few remained behind to wait as Rose turned to the Doctor and Seeker.
"That was awesome!" She gushed happily. "Can we go with them?"
"I'd say that depends on our friends here," The Doctor replied with a smile as he moved to the one that had a longer middle ribbon. "What do you say Sir Wilgums? Want to go have fun with your friends?"
The carpet chirped enthusiastically as Rose and the Doctor removed their shoes and socks before mounting their carpets. Like Seeker they seemed to float just millimeters above the surface of the material, the glyphs on their feet glowing brightly.
"This is amazing!" Rose stated in wonderment. "It's like standing on a cushion but I don't feel like I'm going to fall off or wobble!"
"I'm guessing they designed these carpets to move about on like personal conveyances." The Doctor said. "Even if they could fly on their own it would be pretty impractical to make a flying machine only to fall off it when it starts to move. Some kind of inertial dampening field around it maybe."
~The [progenitors/ancestors/Rythulians] were [potent/powerful] indeed.~ Seeker stated.
"Let's go then!" The Doctor cried. "Allons-y!"
The carpets immediately flew into the air, making them laugh in excitement as the ribbons bore them away from the dark pit and into the sky.
A\N: I know that the Doctor and Rose didn't free all the carpets and find the other glyphs. Just like most first time 'journeyers' don't. Please rate and review!