Yes, i changed the title of the story. Not, you're not lost, this is still the same story. No, I didn't give this chapter a name because screw it.
Heheh, anyway, happy reading!
Chapter 7
The Doctor's footsteps were the only sound as the guards guided him down the hallway. His arms pinned behind his back, the Doctor silently wondered how many times he'd been in the same situation- too many to count, probably. Well, he could take the time to count, but now was certainly not appropriate.
He looked at both of the guards for a minute, studying the helmets they wore and the weapons they carried. No legs on these ones either- was that normal for ghosts, to have no legs? He didn't know. He would have to ask Clockwork before he left.
"So!" The Doctor said abruptly, hoping to catch one of them jump. They didn't. Frowning, he continued. "Where exactly are you taking me?" He peered into the visor of the left-hand guard. Nothing. "Well, come on then- you aren't mute, are you?" He paused, then frowned deeper. "Are you?" He asked again, worried. More nothing.
He sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Good lot of fun you two are in a conversation, I see. Won't even let me get a word in, just keep yap yap yap-ing." He smiled at his own joke, while the two ghosts just kept moving.
Eventually, they reached a large set of doors, dark wood and no windows. "This it then?" He asked, leaning forward to peer at the wood. "Bit bland, don't you think? I mean, yes, it's an entrance to dungeons or cells or whatever it is ghosts use, but can't you make them a bit more- I don't know- intimidating?"
"Ghosts that find themselves here don't need to be intimidated." The Doctor twisted around to find one of the talkers, an Observant in extravagant white robes, complete with tall collar.
"And why would that be?" The Doctor quipped, following him with his eyes as he floated around to the door.
"This is not the way to the holding cells." He corrected, shooting him a glare. "Sentenced beings do not need to be intimidated- they should be cowed enough by their fate."
The Doctor frowned as the Observant brought out a key to open the doors. "Now wait a minute, 'sentenced'? I wasn't sentenced for anything! They were still talking after I left!"
The Observant opened the doors into another large circular room, a raised circular stage set in the center. "Your fate was decided before you entered, Doctor." He said, stepping aside so that the Time Lord could be guided forward. "We had guessed that you had swayed Clockwork's decision, so we decided to act against it."
"What do you mean." The Doctor asked hollowly, although he already knew what the ghost ment as he stared at the low, flat pedestal on the platform. The guards roughly pulled the Doctor up on the platform and pushed him on his knees.
The Observant floated in front of him. "By order of the High Council, for the act of treason and interference of the Council's work, you, Doctor have been sentenced to death."
The Doctor gave a laugh, although it was not his full, true laugh. "You can't- I haven't even done anything wrong!" His mind whirred and he vaguely wondered how many times this had happened before. Dozens and dozens of attempted executions. Something felt different this time.
"By our Laws, you have." He turned and floated to the wall, away from the platform.
"I'm not an ordinary human, you can't kill me so easily, you know. A lot, and I do mean a lot of others have tried before you."
"We have dealt with various ghosts' natural defences, and any human tendency to... come back after sentencing-" He turned back, looking the Time Lord in the eye. "I am sure you have nothing up your sleeves we cannot overcome."
His head was shoved down onto the pedestal, neck out as one of the guards moved for the axe standing nearby.
"Oh, using the old fashioned axe, then? Haven't seen that in a while." The Doctor quipped, struggling slightly to test the other guard's strength. He kept the tremor out of his voice; you didn't get threatened with death on a near-daily basis and walk away scot-free every time without being able to get a grip on your emotions. "Sorry, but even with that, I think I'll just come back in a new body and be off on my way." There was a tang in his voice as he said that. He really liked this body, damn it! If he could just get out of this hold he wouldn't have to even let himself regenerate. And he really didn't even want to even be thinking about that.
"If you come back, we will simply do this again until you do die, Doctor." And that would only be two swings away from now. The guard barely even budged, even when he did start to really struggle. No way out, none that he could control, at least.
"Come on, now! I have people back home that will notice I'm gone. They'll come after you."
The Observant narrowed his eye at him. "You said you were the last of your kind." He said quietly.
"I didn't say they were allies." The Doctor replied in kind. "I got some scary enemies. Enemies I wouldn't wish on anyone, so why don't we just call this even and I'll leave you lot alone?" He silently hoped they'd take that warning.
"You fell through by accident, they couldn't possibly find the opening. Not to mention, we have our ways of fixing the rip." And there went that hope- oh well, not like it was all that reliable anyway.
"But-!" A gooey green material muffled his protest, and he grunted at the sudden creation of the gag.
"Quiet!" The Observant dropped the hand that had created the ectoplasm, and nodded at the guard with the axe. He straightened and lifted the axe.
There was shouting outside, and the Observant glanced at the doors. Something crashed into a wall outside, and the shouting grew louder.
The axe reached its peak and started to descend just as the doors crashed open.
The Doctor closed his eyes.
"Stop!"
There was the sound of clashing weapons and the Doctor waited for the sting of steel to touch his skin.
"Let go of him." A voice commanded harshly.
The other guard did so, and he felt more than heard or saw the ghost retreat. Daring to open his eyes, the Doctor looked up at where the axeman had been. Clockwork stood there, glaring into the visor of the guard, his staff unmarked as it held back the axe. With a grunt and a shove, he unlocked the weapons and pushed the guard back, holding himself at the ready in front of the Doctor. Guards from outside had entered and circled them on the platform. One moved to attack-
"Wait!" The Head Observant rushed forward, two others following behind as he pushed through the line.
There were a few beats of silence, the guards at the ready, the Doctor, muffled and shocked, and at the center of it was Clockwork and the Head Observant. The tension was thick enough to choke on.
Realising his hands were now free, the Doctor reached up and tried to pull off the gag, causing the guards to shift again. The Observant stopped them with a hand.
"Clockwork." The timekeeper didn't react. "Stand aside. The Council has spoken, you must comply."
"All I must do in follow the Contract- all else is optional." Clockwork said.
"By standing in our way, you have!" The Observant pointed out.
"Not yet." Clockwork glanced at the guard wielding the axe. "I stopped the execution- that is not a breach of the Contract. What would be is if I attacked the Council, or vice versa. The Contract holds."
"Then move aside!"
"No."
The Observant flinched as if stuck, glancing back at his associates in confusion. "What?"
"I said no." Clockwork smirked at him. "I know that you aren't used to hearing it, but I don't think you had forgotten such a simple word."
The Observant gesticulated angrily. "This man has been sentenced to death, Clockwork! There is no argument that would take back the Council's choice!"
"I know."
"Then what is the purpose of this? Stand aside!"
Clockwork sighed, glancing back at the Doctor, now standing at the ready to run or fight. They caught eyes, and the Doctor seemed to grin sadly through the gag, as if to say 'It's okay, you tried, I don't want you to be hurt because of me'. Because he really didn't- the Doctor had hurt enough people for 10 lifetimes.
Clockwork smirked back, and turned to the Observants' demanding stares.
"Since you seem to be thicker than I had thought possible, I will explain what I mean when I say 'no'." Clockwork drawled, a hard look of determination setting as he continued. "I will not more aside and let you kill the Doctor. I will fight for his sake."
"You would break the Contract for this- this-" He gestured at the Doctor. "This time-distorting monster?!"
"Mhh!" The Doctor grunted defensively, scowling.
"I said I would fight for him." Clockwork said. "I did not say I would be the one to strike the first blow. I will not attack the Council if the Doctor is released."
"His sentence was made!"
"Then come try to enforce it." Clockwork threatened, pointing his staff right at the Observant.
The guards reacted to the challenge, again moving to engage the Master of Time, but again the Head Observant stopped them with a silent signal.
"You cannot do this!"
"You follow the word of the Council, Clockwork!"
"You rely on the Contract as much as we do!"
"This interloper means nothing!"
The other three Observants in the room were talking, but Clockwork didn't seem to hear. He and the Head Observant merely held their gaze, one judging the other's actions, the other holding true to his word. Either they complied, or the Contract would be forsaken. A war would break out- a real, true war, the likes of which had not been seen since the Ghost King had ruled. All because the Master of Time would not let this 'Time Lord' die.
"Silence."
The simple order stilled his underlings as the Head Observant moved forward, still not breaking eye contact with Clockwork. Clockwork lowered his staff and waited for his decision.
The Observant broke their gaze finally, looking past the other ghost at the Doctor, close behind Clockwork and watching the proceedings with curiosity and not a small chunk of worry. He studied this man's expression, his stance, his actions since coming here, and he wondered why. Why, in the great vastness of the Ghost Zone, Clockwork would care so much about a simple, interloping time traveler. Why would he care so much about this 'Time Lord', this old, yet still mortal, alien that had done seemingly nothing but cause the Time Ghost trouble? Why would he be willing to break the Contract, the only thing that kept him and the Council, and the whole Ghost Zone as well, from full-out war, just to save this 'Doctor'?
But why didn't matter right now. What mattered is that he would break the Contract. If they pushed him. He would protect this man. And war hung on this decision.
The choice was clear. But still reluctantly made.
"He must leave this dimension immediately." The Observant finally said, to gasps and glares from his fellows.
"No!'
"He must-"
"You cannot-"
"Silence!" he roared, turning on them. "Would you have us descend into war over this insignificant mortal!?" They resignedly went quiet, glaring at the Doctor and Clockwork as their superior turned back and continued.
"As I was saying- The Doctor will leave immediately, and not return to this dimension. If he ever returns, accident or no, he will face his sentence." The Observant waved a hand at the Doctor, and the ectoplasm disappeared. "You will return to your...ship without further delay, and will return to your world. You will not come back, and you will not tell others of what you have seen nor what has come to pass. Do you understand?"
The Doctor worked his jaw, trying to ignore the too-sweet taste of ectoplasm the gag had left in his mouth. "Yes, I-" He sighed. "I understand completely." His shoulders slumped a little. Looks like he would have to break another promise. He glanced at Clockwork, but he didn't look sad or affected in any way.
The Observant turned to Clockwork. "You will make sure his departure is complete and quick. If you interfere with this order-"
"Why would I?" Clockwork interrupted monotonously.
The Head Observant hesitated, as if to say more, then huffed and stormed out of the room. The other Observants and all but two of the guards followed after. The room suddenly was empty and quiet, and the Doctor shuffled in place and glanced at Clockwork.
"Uh..." He said.
"This way." Clockwork suddenly moved for the door, leaving the alien to stumble after.
Quickening his pace, the Doctor caught up to walk beside Clockwork. They were stuck in awkward silence for a few moments. The Doctor scratched the back of his head.
"Thank you for that." The Doctor said quietly.
Clockwork glanced at him, quickly looking away. "For what?"
The Doctor laughed. "For what?" He managed. "You just risked- well, I'm going to assume by how you talked, that Contract means a lot- and you risked that for me! Some bloke you just met!" He laughed again, then sobered a bit. "That...that must have been hard, so...thank you."
Clockwork looked at him again, and finally smiled. "You're welcome."
There was a pause.
"You know," Clockwork said. "I actually wasn't sure they would agree to that." He laughed nervously, feeling himself decompress with that simple confession. The Doctor laughed too, raising an eyebrow.
"What, really? You risk both of our lives on a hunch-" The Doctor stopped, realising something. "I actually have no right to say anything to that."
He was really laughing now, and Clockwork joined him for a minute. They had to stop in the hallway, laughing to themselves over their near-death experience. As they quieted again, Clockwork wondered when he had really laughed like that last, or if he had ever had such a nearly-catastrophic situation at his hands such as that. And then he wondered, why had he felt so strongly to protect the Doctor?
The Doctor interrupted his thoughts just then. "So, where exactly are we going?"
Clockwork chuckled, nodding to the front doors of the Observatory down the hall. "We leave for my Tower, and-" He paused, smile falling. "We send you home."
Once portal later, they were in the main room of the Clock Tower. The Doctor spun in a circle, looking around the tower with his hands in his pockets. He whistled and said, "Nice place you've got here."
Clockwork smirked, moving towards his mirrors. "Thank you. If I wasn't sure the Observants will be breathing down my neck, I would show you around."
The Doctor shrugged, following. "That's all right." He watched the screens as a fuzzy picture of his TARDIS appeared. "Bad connection?"
Clockwork rolled his eyes, sighing. "Your TARDIS still doesn't fit in with this time stream. I cannot get a clear picture, but at least I can get a picture at all."
"Why's that?" The Doctor tapped on the screen, glancing back at him.
"I've spent time with you." Clockwork smiled. "Being around you and your...unique time signature has made it easier to work around the differences."
"So, if I stayed longer-"
"It would eventually dissipate. Although I would probably still not be able to predict the futures that you would cause."
The Doctor grunted in understanding. Both of them paused, wanting to say something, but waiting for the other to speak first. Clockwork sighed, deciding to break the lull.
"I suppose...I suppose this would be goodbye." He said quietly.
"No!" The Doctor exclaimed. "No, no, goodbye means we won't ever see each other again. Besides, I'm terrible at goodbyes. No, this is just...See you later."
Clockwork gave him a sad smiled. "You aren't supposed to ever return on penalty of death, Doctor."
The Doctor waved a hand. "Oh, pshh, there's at least a dozen planets I'm 'banned' from! Doesn't mean we'll never see each other again."
"Doctor." Clockwork frowned. "No matter how much I would wish to see you again, if you came back…" He paused, and the mirrors dissolved into static. "I won't let them kill you. But the Council will hardly allow you to even exist. It would be war, Contract would break, and that has been the only thing keeping us from each other's throats for centuries. If it broke, the Ghost Zone would be split in two. There hasn't been a war that would even come close to this size since Pariah Dark was Ghost King- and it took many years, and seven powerful ghosts, to just imprison him." Clockwork sighed again. "And I cannot let something like that to happen either. So, the only option is for you to...never return."
The Doctor frowned at him, glancing at the still static-filled screens. "I've seen a Time War before, Clockwork." He said, voice hollow. "I fought in it, and it destroyed my people. It destroyed many planets, many races, many innocent people. I don't want to start another one here." He paused, looking down. Then, he suddenly smiled. "Then I guess that means that you will just have to visit me."
"I'm sorry?" Clockwork exclaimed, shocked.
He laughed, slapping him on the back. "Well, that's the only solution, isn't it? Unless you want to just never see each other again,- but what fun would that be? Then those pesky old Observants would win."
"Doctor, I'm needed here-"
"You control all of Time in this dimension-" The Doctor stepped away, gesturing around them. "You see everything that happens, and you can manipulate the very fabric of Time- and you can't take one day to come visit little ol' me?" He flipped around to look at the ghost, and they smiled at each other.
"You're impossible."
"Like I've never heard that before."
They laughed, and then Clockwork found himself with the Time Lord's arms around him. He froze in the Doctor's arms, shocked beyond thought.
"You know, when someone hugs you, you're usually supposed to hug them back." The Doctor murmured, and he could feel the other man's laugh vibrate through his chest. Laughing himself, Clockwork complied, letting go of his staff to embrace the Doctor- his new friend.
They disengaged from the hug, and Clockwork opened a portal that led just outside the TARDIS's doors. Pausing there, the Doctor turned and pointed a finger right at the ghost.
"Now, I wasn't joking. You come visit me, or I'll drag you back there myself- you go that?" His face was serious. Clockwork laughed nodding.
"Alright, alright, Doctor. I'll try." The doctor smiled.
"You better." He smiled sadly, then jumped through the portal, the vortex closing behind him.
Clockwork turned and the screen showed the Doctor in the door of the TARDIS. The Doctor seemed to know just from where he was watching, and smiled and waved at him before closing the doors. The sound of the TARDIS's engine reverberated through to his ears, and the machine slowly disappeared from sight.
Clockwork smiled, watching the Doctor leave once more. "Goodbye, Doctor. Perhaps we will meet again. Eventually."
This chapter may be over, but the story has one more tidbit left. Stay tuned for the Epilogue! I'll post it soon- hopefully. ^^ Also sorry this took so long.
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