Konnichiwa guys ! I'm in a really good mood today, I've made new friends yesterday. They're living in America and are really nice, I'm always happy to meet new people ^^ Same with you guys, if you want to talk to me, I would be delighted to talk with you ! You've been all so lovely with your reviews, it warms my heart. I love you all ! You're awesome people ! A big thanks for following this story, I hope you still love it ^^
It's with a big smile that I post this new chapter !
Enjoy ! ^^
Disclaimer : I need to own Doctor Who one of these days, so Xandrota and I will be able to do a correct dub. So, I don't own it. For now.
The Legend Of The Hybrid
Chapter 10 : Happy New Year
They landed on 55 Cancri D with a tremor. For once, the Doctor hadn't missed their destination. That was a start.
"Don't forget to take a coat, it's freezing out there." After being suitably dressed, she took his hand and they began to explore the surroundings.
55 Cancri D was a beautiful planet reigned by ice itself. The landscape, which was frozen in place, gave the impression to be also frozen in time. Dunes of ice, scattered amongst habitations, and then this impressive tower near the skyline, an almost guardian of the city at its feet. It was shining magnificently.
"They call it the Ice Desert. The ground under our feet is composed of millions of tiny ice crystals, giving the impression to walk onto sand. In some millions of years, it will host one of the greatest capitals of the Ice Warriors, Argyruul. However, this planet, as well as its civilization and its fellow neighbours will perish during The Great Cancer Constellation War."
"What happened ?"
"Every planets orbiting around 55 Cancri fought for two thousand years to get resources only available on their neighbours' planet. In the end, Major Mark Ishmal, leader of 55 Cancri C's army, took a fatal decision."
"His aim was to end this war, so he decided to destroy the planet responsible for the first conflict, 55 Cancri E. However, a miscalculation of the trajectory of the missiles intended for 55 Cancri E led to the annihilation of their sun, 55 Cancri. Since then, The Cancer Constellation is deserted, plunged into eternal darkness."
"Who's living here for now ?"
"No idea. Let's find out, shall we ?"
Not waiting for her answer, the Doctor started to walk again, barely hiding his excitement. He was like a child who had found a new toy. He was checking every living plants on the planet to slake his curiosity. The fact that there was any was a miracle in itself, given the temperature.
"Clara, look !"
She observed what he was pointing at. It was a beautiful rose covered with a thick layer of ice, reminding her of a crystal. Its petals were of a pale blue colour, variable according to your point of view.
"It's an eternal rose ! Not these pathetic ones you have on Earth, a real eternal rose. They bloom every millennium and stay frozen in time, exactly like the rest of the landscape. But their real particularity is that they never die. When they're about to wither, the thaw freezes them once again, giving them back their lost youth. Isn't it clever ?"
She skimmed the surface of the rose but removed her hand suddenly when she felt the ice melt under her fingers.
"Doctor, it's melting !" He gave her a proud smile. He had something to do with this !
"I know. I know. And did you know that today, it's the New Year ? We're entering a new millennium."
She admired in wonder, the rose was feeling for the first time in ages the warmth of the sunshine. Its petals shined under the light, embracing the sunbeams.
"Doctor, it's..."
"Happy New Year."
The Doctor could be a real ass, the rudest man she had ever seen but there were also these moments. These moments of kindness, of joy, these moments in which he was also shining.
It didn't matter all these things he had said or he had done. In these moments, he was simply the Doctor. Someone really old and really kind, ready to show wonders to anyone who was willing to follow. She came closer to him, happiness sparkling in her eyes.
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year !"
They looked at each other, startled. A little man was standing nearby, jumping everywhere. She could swear he was an elf. Pointy ears, little height, green clothes. Was Santa Claus going to appear from nowhere ? Was it another dream again ?
The Doctor seemed just as confused as her.
"Who are you ?"
"Happy New Year ! Happy New Year !"
The elf like man was still jumping, clearly happy. The Doctor, annoyed by this overexcited man, asked the question once again.
"Answer me, who are you ?"
"Happy New Yeeeeeeeeee-..." The sentence was left unfinished, the elf repeating the E endlessly. Loud laughs could be heard nearby.
"Who are you ? Show yourselves !"
Three elves came out from the embankment, giggling. The Doctor was completely ignored, the elves preferring to approach her. One of them even took her hand.
"Hello Laaaaaady."
He pulled on her hand, bringing her to his level. He kissed her. Wait, he kissed her ? He kissed her ! Clara decided to return the favour by making her hand kiss his face. He got out of her grip, shocked.
"You slapped me." His eyes filled with tears. "You slapped me !" He began to cry, followed by his companions. They were so loud !
The Doctor, who hadn't said a word, cried in pain, his hands on his ears. He collapsed to the ground.
"Doctor, what's wrong !?"
"Telepathic field...! They keep on screaming in my head, it's unbearable, make them stop !"
"Okay, okay ! Hmm...listen, I'm sorry guys, I didn't mean to hurt you, okay ? Could we make peace ?" They didn't hear or simply ignored what she said. They continued to cry, along with the Doctor.
"Come on, I'm really sorry. What can I do ? Do you want money ? Doctor, do we have money ?"
"CLARA, MAKE THEM STOP."
"I guess it's a no then...hum..."
There was something she could try. It wouldn't be pleasant though... Her doubts disappeared when she saw the Doctor, nearly begging
"Oh, sod this !"
She kissed the little elf, hoping it would work. She stepped back a bit, praying. He wiped his tears and grinned with his big wet eyes.
"Thank you...it was lovely." The Doctor got up painfully, grumbling.
"Stupid planet...They have a strong telepathic field, sending their emotions into others' mind. Never. Slap. Them. Again."
"I won't, I promise." He looked at her in a funny way.
"How did you stop them ? I didn't see, I was keeping my eyes shut." She blushed deeply, mumbling.
"What did you say ? "
"I said I kissed him !" His look went to the elf, then to her.
"I didn't know you were attracted by that kind of person."
"S-shut up ! I'm not !"
He raised his hands in defence, in a "I'm just saying" way. His attention went back to the elves who were quietly playing with figurines.
"So, who are you ?"
"I'm fluffy ! This is Cloud and the shy one is Candy. We're the guardians of Sweetville !" The Doctor tugged on Clara's sleeve, catching her attention.
"Sweetville...we've been together in this city. I...I don't know if it's a memory but I remember you being trapped under a glass dome, like a statue." He wasn't trusting his memory, it was too foggy.
"I was. I couldn't remember because I was unconscious but you saved me that day. Thank you again." She squeezed his hand to reassure him. He was right, he could trust himself.
Candy, hearing their conversation, gave them a wary look.
"You're lying. Sweetville is forbidden to foreigners." Clara was going to clarify the situation when the Doctor, interested, asked him another question.
"Why ? Why is it forbidden ?"
"Chief doesn't want them near the city. Because of It. The monster." He hid behind his two friends.
"Chief ? Take me to your leader !" He got closer to Clara, whispering in her ear.
"It never gets old."
They followed the three little elves, the Doctor barely containing his glee.
There was, nonetheless, a problem. The elves were slow. Reaaaaaaaaaally sloooooooow. Sheeeeee coooouuuu hum, sorry. She couldn't believe the pace they were at. So couldn't he.
She could swear at some point he would kick their arse to make them walk faster. They had tiny little feet so it was complicated for them to hurry up. After all, maybe they were children. Their behaviours, how he kissed her, an adult wouldn't do these kind of things.
"Say guys, how old are you ?"
"I'm 467 this year ! So are they !" Riiiight, children. In the Doctor's way then. Why was she surprised...
"So, you are the old man in this group Doctor !" He didn't react. He probably ignored her.
"Clara, I'm really starting to remember. That's not normal. It was only an impression earlier but now it is clear. I remember the Ice Lady. Your life as a Victorian governess. I shouldn't. Why is the neural block crumbling ? What started this ?"
To be honest, she had no idea. She had reversed the polarity with the sonic sunglasses, making him forget instead of her, but she hadn't known what she had been doing. Not at all. Maybe she had messed it up ? Maybe it had been broken ? Maybe it was...
"Maybe your regeneration had some consequences on it. After all, it's supposed to fix every damage, it must have had tried to fix your memory as well."
"..."
He stared at her, mouth agape. He hadn't thought about this. You see ? Companions can be useful from time to time.
"Its effects would only disappear now ? I travelled a bit before meeting you and the others."
"I don't know...maybe because I'm with you ? My presence must have stimulated your memory, the neural block, being deficient, couldn't block the memories this time."
But it would mean...it would mean his memories were only dormant for now, that the presence of Clara on the long run had waken some of them up. Did he have a chance to remember ? Was he going to regain his memory ? After so much time ?
I wanted to say that the thing with the eternal rose is inspired from the story "Damaged" written by Lornesgoldenhair, a really good writer ^^ It was a gift that Clara had received from the Doctor on her birthday, I loved the idea and the author, it's kind of a homage to both.
Otherwise, I don't know from where the elves are coming from. I was writing the Happy New Year thing and I thought it could be funny to add another character to ruin the moment. Yeah I know, I'm a meany face. And about the Doctor's memory, I know regeneration can't change memories, but I guess it can heal them if they are damaged. Moreover, the Neural Block must be considered as a intruder by the body, so it will try to fight it. That's my theory anyway. What is yours ? I'm curious about it.
What do you think ? Is it a good chapter ? I'm eager to have your impressions on it ^^ Until then,
See ya guys ! Love you !
Salut les gens !
Spirit