Chapter Twelve: Age of Steel
[Outside the Tyler house]
The Alchemist flicks her fingers toward their attackers, and the Cybermen collapse like lifeless statues. Her hair falls back in a cascade of fiery ginger waves, revealing her glowing, furious eyes.
"What the hell was that? What's with your eyes!?" Ricky shouts, his voice laced with alarm.
"We'll have that instead. Run!" the Doctor answers for her, cutting off further questions.
The Time Lady grabs Ricky and Mickey by their arms, pulling them out of their shock and into a sprint toward the driveway.
Mrs. Moore presses on the van's horn, yelling, "Everybody in!"
Pete turns back, his voice desperate, "I've got to go back. My wife's in there."
The Doctor stops him with a hard glare, "Anyone inside that house is dead. If you want to help, then don't let her die for nothing. You've got to come with us right now."
"They're all already dead! All of them!" the Alchemist shouts as she dives into the van.
Mrs. Moore leans out, urgency in her tone, "Come on! Get a move on!"
"Rose, she's not your mother," the Doctor tells her, dragging her forward as she hesitates.
"I know," Rose snaps back, glaring at him with red-rimmed eyes.
"Come on!" he orders, and finally, they all break into a run.
"Finished chatting? Never seen a slower getaway in my life! At least ginger has legs!" Mrs. Moore grumbles as the van's door slams shut, and everyone piles inside.
The van roars to life, speeding away past the advancing troops of Cybermen, their metallic figures shrinking into the distance.
[Van]
"What was that?" Ricky demands, his voice sharp with suspicion, "What did you do!?"
The Alchemist rolls her natural eyes and replies flatly, "Specialty lenses. They let out a charge through my body when needed."
"Are you with Cybus!?" Jake snaps, eyes narrowing.
"No. Just a bit of technology from home," the Doctor interjects, his tone dismissive but curious.
He glances at her, silently wondering about the full extent of what she'd done. They'd faced Cybermen before, but her abilities had never been this strong.
"You can do it again, then?" Mickey asks.
The Alchemist shakes her head, "No. I don't have enough left for that."
Ricky scoffs, "Right. So, we don't have a weapon anymore."
"Yeah, we've got weapons," Jake says, his gaze locking onto Pete with a menacing glare, "Might not work on those metal things, but they're good enough for men like him."
"Leave him alone. What's he done wrong?" Rose defends, crossing her arms.
"Oh, you know, just laid a trap that wiped out the government and left Lumic in charge," Jake snaps back.
Pete glares at him, his voice rising, "If I was part of all that, do you think I'd leave my wife inside!?"
"Maybe your plan went wrong," Ricky grumbles, "Still gives us the right to execute you, though."
"Talk about executions, and you'll make me your enemy," the Doctor says, his voice now cold and dangerous, "And take some really good advice. You don't want to do that."
The Alchemist's glare deepens, "And me. I'm in a nasty mood at the moment as is. Don't test it. No one has the right to execute someone. No one"
Ricky swallows hard under her gaze, then retorts, "All the same, we have evidence that says Pete Tyler's been working for Lumic since twenty-point-five."
"Is that true?" Rose asks, looking at Pete with a mix of disbelief and concern.
Ricky nods, glancing at Mrs. Moore, "Tell them, Mrs. M."
Mrs. Moore hesitates, then speaks, "We've got a government mole who feeds us information. Lumic's private files, his South American operations—the lot. Secret broadcasts twice a week."
Pete purses his lips, the tension in his face breaking slightly, "Broadcasts from Gemini?"
"And how do you know that?" Ricky demands.
Pete exhales, exasperated, "I'm Gemini. That's me."
"Yeah, well, you would say that," Ricky scoffs.
"He's not lying," the Alchemist sighs, though her comment is ignored.
Pete continues, "Encrypted wavelength six five seven using binary nine. That's the only reason I was working for Lumic. To get information. I thought I was broadcasting to the Security Services," he scoffs, "What do I get? Scooby-Doo and his gang. You've even got the van!"
"No, no, no," Mickey defends quickly, "The Preachers know what they're doing! Ricky said he's London's Most Wanted!"
Ricky grimaces, muttering, "Yeah, that's not exactly..."
"Not exactly what?" Mickey presses.
Ricky sighs, rubbing his head, "I'm London's Most Wanted for parking tickets."
"Great," Pete rolls his eyes.
Ricky perks up slightly, puffing out his chest, "Yeah, well, they were deliberate. I was fighting the system. Park anywhere—that's me."
The Time Lord smiles faintly, "Good policy. I do much the same. I'm the Doctor, by the way, if anyone's interested."
Rose waves cheerfully, "And I'm Rose. Hello."
The Alchemist, eyes shut and leaning against the van's interior, mutters, "Just call me the Alchemist."
Pete chuckles dryly, "Even better. That's the name of my dog. Still, at least I've got the catering staff on my side—and some gold-making ginger."
"I knew you weren't a traitor," Rose says reassuringly.
Pete raises an eyebrow, "Why's that, then?"
"I just did," she replies.
Pete exhales heavily, his expression grim, "They took my wife."
"She might still be alive," Rose offers hopefully.
"That's even worse. Because that's what Lumic does. He takes the living and turns them into those machines."
The Alchemist's sharp gaze snaps to Pete, irritation evident in her tone, "Cybermen. They're called Cybermen. They're not machines, not entirely. And if I were you, I'd take those earpods off. You never know—Lumic could be listening."
Pete immediately tosses them to the ground, and the Alchemist uses her sonic screwdriver to burn out his earpods, leaving them useless.
The Doctor speaks up, resolute, "But he's overreached himself. He's still just a businessman. He's assassinated the President. All we need to do is get to the city and inform the authorities. Because I promise you, this ends tonight."
The Alchemist turns her glare toward the vehicle's roof, her voice dripping with bitterness, "Yeah, and you're so good at keeping your promises, aren't you, Doctor?"
The tension in the van thickens as her anger radiates.
'Amara, please...' the Doctor pleads in her mind, his tone pained.
She clenches her teeth, her mental voice sharp as a blade, 'Don't. Don't even. We made a promise—to protect all our companions and ourselves first and foremost. But you didn't even bother to look her up, did you?'
Her burning gaze locks on him, daring him to deny it, and the Doctor looks away, his silence damning.
'That's what I thought,' the enraged Time Lady concludes, her fury unrelenting.
[Street]
"What the hell?" Jake mutters, scanning the scene.
"What's going on?" Rose mumbles.
The streets are filled with people moving mechanically, their steps synchronized, their faces devoid of expression.
"It's the earpods," the Doctor sighs, "Lumic's taken control."
Rose instinctively reaches for one of the earpods, "Can't we just... take them off?"
"Don't!" the Doctor and the Alchemist shout in unison, halting her movement.
The Time Lord rolls his eyes, "Cause a brainstorm. Human race. For such an intelligent lot, you aren't half susceptible. Give anyone a chance to take control, and you submit. Sometimes I think you like it. Easy life."
"Hey, come and see," Jake calls, waving them over.
They round a corner and freeze. A flood of controlled humans marches in unison down the street, accompanied by a squadron of Cybermen.
"Where are they all going?" Rose whispers.
"I don't know," the Doctor mutters, "Lumic must have a base of operations."
"Battersea," Pete offers, "That's where he was building his prototypes."
"Why's he doing it?" Rose asks, turning to him.
"He's dying," Pete sighs, "This all started out as a way of prolonging life, of keeping the brain alive at any cost."
The Alchemist tilts her head slightly, counting the transformed by the rhythm of their heavy, metallic steps.
Rose looks back at the Doctor, her brow furrowing, "The thing is, I've seen Cybermen before, haven't I? The head. Those handle shapes. In Van Statten's museum."
The Doctor nods grimly, "Ah, there are Cybermen in our universe. They started on an ordinary world just like this, then swarmed across the galaxy. This lot are a parallel version, and they're starting from scratch right here on Earth."
"What the hell are you two on about?" Pete demands.
"Never mind that," Ricky interjects impatiently, "Come on, we need to get out of the city. Okay, split up. Mrs. Moore, you look after that bloke. Jake, distract them. Go right. I'll go left. We'll meet back at Bridge Street. Move."
"I'm going with him," Mickey announces.
Before Rose can respond, Mickey leans in and kisses her quickly. Then, he takes off after Ricky.
"Come on! Let's go," Mrs. Moore urges.
Another legion of Cybermen appears in the distance.
"There!" the Doctor shouts, pointing toward a side street.
Without hesitation, they sprint down the narrow path, the metallic footsteps of the Cybermen echoing behind them.
[Alley]
A regiment of Cybermen parade through an alley where Mrs. Moore, Pete, Rose, the Alchemist, and the Doctor conceal themselves behind rubbish bins. Rose grabs Pete's hand. The Alchemist rolls her eyes at the move. The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to transmit a signal, and the Cybermen march forward in another direction.
"Go," the Time Lord orders.
[Street]
Jake runs up to the group, his face pale and voice strained, "I ran past the river. You should have seen it. The whole city's on the march. Hundreds of Cybermen, all down the Thames."
"I'd like to be wrong," the Alchemist mumbles, "But I theorize this is worldwide."
The Doctor catches her quiet words, his jaw tightening as frustration flickers across his face.
Moments later, Mickey appears, panting as he runs to join them.
Jake spots him and calls out, "Here he is! Which one are you?"
Mickey stops, tears in his eyes, "I'm sorry. The Cybermen. He couldn't..."
Jake steps closer, demanding, "Are you Ricky? Are you Ricky?"
Rose asks, "Mickey, that's you, isn't it?"
Mickey nods, his head hanging low. "Yeah."
Rose hurries to him, wrapping him in a tight hug as he struggles to speak, "He tried. He was running. There were too many of them."
"Shut it," Jake snaps.
"There was nothing I could do," Mickey insists, his voice cracking.
"I said just shut it!" Jake snarls, his grief and anger erupting, "Don't even talk about him. You're nothing, you are. Nothing."
The Alchemist strides forward, her face a mask of fury, and grabs Jake by his shirt collar, "Watch it, Jake! He is not nothing, and we will not forget his loss. Understood?"
Jake nods, subdued by her intensity. She shoves him back, her gaze sharp and unyielding.
The Doctor sighs, "We can mourn him when London is safe. But now, we move on."
[Waste Ground]
The group gathers at the edge of the barren land, staring at the ominous Battersea Power Station in the distance. The Alchemist stands resolute, her fiery gaze fixed on the building.
"The whole of London's been sealed off," the Doctor says grimly, gesturing toward the structure, "The entire population's been taken inside that place. To be converted."
"We've got to get in there and shut it down; this must be their primary conversion site. Stop London, save the world," the Time Lady declares.
"How do we do that?" Mickey asks.
The Doctor shrugs lightly, "Oh, the Alchemist and I will think of something."
"You're just making this up as you go along," Mickey accuses.
The Doctor grins, "Yep. But we do it brilliantly."
The Alchemist remains silent, her attention unwavering from the task ahead.
Mrs. Moore steps forward with her Cybus Industries laptop, pulling up schematics of the building. The Time Lady approaches, her eyes narrowing as she studies the plans.
"That's a schematic of the old factory," Mrs. Moore explains, pointing to the screen, "Look—cooling tunnels underneath the plant. Big enough to walk through."
The Time Lord nods, "We go under there and up into the control center?"
Mrs. Moore hums in agreement.
"There's another way in," Pete says, "Through the front door. If they've taken Jackie for upgrading, that's how she'll get in."
Jake huffs, "We can't just go strolling up."
Mrs. Moore rummages in her bag and pulls out two devices, holding them aloft.
"Or we could, with these," she tells them, "Fake earpods. Dead. No signal. But put them on, the Cybermen would mistake you for one of the crowd."
Pete nods, determined, "Then that's my job."
The Alchemist eyes him critically, "You'd have to show no emotion. None at all. Even a twitch would give you away, and they might kill you on sight. Say nothing, show nothing."
Rose steps forward, "How many of those you got?"
The Alchemist pinches the bridge of her nose and turns away, her frustration barely contained.
"Just two sets," Mrs. Moore replies.
"Okay," Rose nods, "If that's the best way of finding Jackie, then I'm coming with you."
Pete frowns at her, "Why does she matter to you?"
Rose shakes her head, "We haven't got time," she turns to her pilot, "Doctor, I'm going with him, and that's that."
The Doctor sighs heavily, "No stopping you, is there?"
"No," Rose answers firmly.
'Of course not,' the Alchemist mutters telepathically, her tone scathing. 'She does whatever the bloody hell she wants without consulting anyone. Doesn't bother to speak with the other pilot of the TARDIS about it either.'
The Doctor winces slightly at the remark but doesn't respond.
"Tell you what," the Time Lord says, redirecting the conversation, "We can take out the earpods at the same time. Give people their minds back so they don't march in there like sheep. Jake, Lumic's transmitting the control signal. It must be from over there."
The Doctor points his sonic screwdriver toward the power station, highlighting a zeppelin parked on top with a ring of red flickering lights encircling its transmitter.
"There it is. On the zeppelin, you see? Great big transmitter. Good thing Lumic likes showing off," he turns to Jake, "Reckon you could take it out?"
Jake smirks confidently, "Consider it done."
"Mrs. Moore, would you care to accompany the Alchemist and me into the cooling tunnels?"
She chuckles lightly, "How could I refuse an offer of cooling tunnels?"
"We attack on three sides: above, between, below. We get to the control center, we stop the conversion machines," the Doctor explains, laying out the plan.
Mickey steps forward with determination, "What about me?"
The Doctor hesitates momentarily, "Mickey, you can, uh..."
Mickey scoffs, cutting him off. "What, stay out of trouble? Be the tin dog? No , those days are over."
The Alchemist interrupts sharply, turning toward the two men, "You're right. You're going with Jake."
Jake rolls his eyes, "I don't need the idiot."
Mickey glares at him, his patience wearing thin, "I'm not an idiot, you got that? I'm offering to help!"
"Whatever," Jake mutters dismissively.
The Doctor steps in, his tone sincere, "Mickey. Good luck."
The Alchemist adds with conviction, "Mickey, you don't need luck—you've got this."
Mickey smirks, "Yeah, well... still, you too. Rose, I'll see you later."
Rose nods, "Yeah, you'd better."
"If we survive this," the Doctor says with a slight, encouraging nod, "We'll see you back at the TARDIS."
"That's a promise," Mickey replies, nodding firmly.
The Time Lord calls out, "Good luck, Rose."
Rose nods again, her confusion deepening as she notices the Doctor doesn't hug her and the Alchemist doesn't say a single word to her.
Instead, the Time Lady thunders ahead, her shoulders stiff with tension, refusing to look back.
[Cooling tunnels]
"It's freezing," Mrs. Moore shudders.
"Any sign of a light switch?" the Doctor asks, looking around in the dark.
"You should speak quieter, trust me," the Alchemist says softly, glancing around warily.
"Why's that? Can't see a thing," Moore replies as she rummages through her bag, pulling out a headband torch, "But I've got these. A device for every occasion."
"Ooh!" the Doctor exclaims in excitement.
"Put it on," the Alchemist commands.
The Doctor, smiling, places the headband torch on his head.
"Haven't got a hotdog in there, have you? I'm starving," the Doctor jokes.
Mrs. Moore laughs, "Of all the things to wish for. That's mechanically recovered meat."
The Doctor grins, "I know. It's the Cyberman of food, but it's tasty," he glances at his infuriated wife, "Ah, sorry, Ally. She's vegetarian. Maybe an apple? Do you have an apple?"
"No apple. A proper torch, though, but I only have one. Sorry again, Alchemist," Moore says with a frown.
"That's okay. I can see fine in the dark," the Alchemist explains, her steps light and silent in the echoing tunnel.
"Really!?" Mrs. Moore exclaims, surprised.
"Special lenses, remember? Although, please keep it down," the Alchemist mutters, her voice low.
"Let's see where we are," the Doctor whispers, switching on the headlamp.
Cybermen are lined up along either side of the tunnel, frozen in place.
"Ah, I see what you meant. Already converted, though, just put on ice. Come on," the Doctor comments, tapping one of the Cybermen's faces. The metal makes an echoing sound, but there's no reaction.
The Doctor backs up cautiously. "Let's go slowly. Keep an eye out for trip systems."
"How did you get into this, then, rattling along with the Preachers?" he asks, glancing at Mrs. Moore.
"Oh, I used to be ordinary," Mrs. Moore sighs, "Worked at Cybus Industries, nine to five, 'til one day, I find something I'm not supposed to. A file on the mainframe. All I did was read it," she shakes her head, recalling the memory with disdain, "Then suddenly I've got men with guns knocking in the middle of the night. Life on the run. Then I found the Preachers. They needed a techie, so I… I just sat down and taught myself everything."
"That's rather amazing, you're brilliant," the Alchemist compliments.
"Well, I... thank you," Mrs. Moore stammers, slightly flustered.
"What about Mr. Moore?" the Time Lord asks, his curiosity piqued.
"Well, he's not called Moore. I got that from a book, Mrs. Moore. It's safer not to use real names. But he thinks I'm dead. It was the only way to keep him safe. Him and the kids," Mrs. Moore sighs, turning to look at the Time Lord, "What about you? Got any family, or?"
The Doctor glances at the redhead ahead of them, a soft smile on his lips. "Oh, the Alchemist is my wife and…" he sighs, "We've got the whole world on our shoulders." He pauses momentarily, "Go on, then. What's your real name?"
"Angela Price. Don't tell a soul," Mrs. Moore responds quietly.
"Not a word," he says firmly.
The Alchemist hears the unmistakable sound of metal grinding, the eerie shift of Cybermen awakening. Her hearts race as the mechanical noises grow louder, signaling their imminent approach.
"They're awake. Run, now!" she orders urgently.
The human and Time Lord don't hesitate and sprint down the tunnel after her, their footsteps echoing as the rows of Cybermen begin to stir and follow them. They reach the ladder at the end, scrambling to climb it.
"Get up! Quick! They're coming!" Mrs. Moore shouts in panic, "Open it! Open it!"
The Doctor reaches the trapdoor, pushes it open, and quickly climbs up.
"Get up! Quick! Quick!" Mrs. Moore cries again.
"Come on! Come on!" the Doctor shouts, urgently pulling Mrs. Moore and the Alchemist through as the Cybermen close in behind them.
[First Floor]
The Alchemist slams the trapdoor shut just as the Cybermen approach, and the Doctor quickly activates his sonic, locking it tight with a reassuring hum.
"Good team, Ally, Mrs. Moore," he says with a grin, though it falters when he meets his wife's hard gaze.
She turns away, not acknowledging him, and shouts urgently, "Mrs. Moore, watch out!"
A Cyberman steps forward, its metal frame gleaming under the dim light. Mrs. Moore reacts swiftly, pulling a small, intricate device from her bag, its copper wire wrapped tightly around a small rod. She holds it out with determination, her eyes never leaving the Cyberman.
"You are not upgraded," the Cyberman states, reaching out.
"Yeah? Well, upgrade this," Mrs. Moore retorts, throwing the device with precision.
It hits the Cyberman's chest, and the small gadget instantly emits a pulse. Sparks fly, electricity crackling as the Cyberman convulses, then drops to the ground.
"What the hell was that?" the Doctor gasps, wide-eyed at the display.
Mrs. Moore smirks, breathing heavily but proud of her work, "Electromagnetic bomb. Takes out computers; I figured it might stop the cyber-suit."
The Time Lord nods, "You figured right. Now, let's have a look," he kneels beside the downed Cyberman, "Know your enemy. A logo on the front. Lumic's turned them into a brand. Heart of steel, but look."
The Doctor carefully lifts the plating from the Cyberman's chest, revealing a sickening sight—flesh intertwined with metal.
"Is that flesh?" Mrs. Moore asks, horrified, as the Doctor inspects it closely.
The Doctor nods, "Hmm. Central nervous system," he mutters, his fingers brushing against the exposed tissue, "Artificially grown, threaded throughout the suit so it responds like a living thing. Well, it is a living thing." he eyes a piece of tech embedded within the suit, "Oh, but look. Emotional inhibitor. Stops them feeling anything."
"But why?" she asks, shaking her head.
The Alchemist, standing a few paces away, turns to them, "It still has a brain; that's where emotions lie," she says in a low, measured tone, "Imagine if it could see itself—recognize the monster it's been forced to become under someone else's hand," she steps closer, "They'd go mad."
The Doctor's eyes widen at her statement as he turns his attention to his Bondmate, rising to his feet. Meanwhile, piercing and relentless, her gaze stays locked on the Cyberman, undeterred by the weight of his stare.
As realization settles in, Mrs. Moore's breath catches, "So they cut out the one thing that makes them human..."
She nods, still focused on the fallen creation, "Because they have to. It hurts."
"Why am I cold?" the Cyberman murmurs in confusion.
Mrs. Moore gasps, her eyes wide with horror, "Oh, my God. It's alive. It can feel."
The Doctor sighs, his face softening with regret as he looks at his Bondmate and back to the Cyberman, "We broke the inhibitor. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Why so cold?" the Cyberman repeats.
"Can you remember your name?" The Doctor crouches down, his tone gentle as he asks.
"Sally. Sally Phelan." the Cyberman responds, her mechanical voice says.
"You're a woman," Mrs. Moore realizes, tearing up.
"Where's Gareth?" Sally asks.
Mrs. Moore kneels beside Sally, "Who's Gareth?"
"He can't see me. It's unlucky the night before."
Mrs. Moore swallows hard, her heart aching for the lost soul within the machine, "You're getting married."
"I'm cold. I'm so cold," Sally murmurs.
The Alchemist steps forward, her voice gentle as she kneels beside the Cyberman, "Sally, dream of your wedding. How beautiful you are, the warm sunny day, and how lucky Gareth's going to feel when you walk down that aisle. Dream of it, Sally."
"Lovely, so lovely..." Sally whispers, the dream of a life she would never have swirling through her mind.
The Doctor nods, "It's alright. You sleep now, Sally. Just go to sleep."
He raises his sonic screwdriver, the device humming as he aims it at the chest cavity. The Cyberman powers down, voice silent. Sally is gone, at peace, and the Doctor lets out a slow, sorrowful breath.
The Doctor stands, "Sally Phelan didn't die for nothing," he says, his voice low but firm, "That's the key. The emotional inhibitor. If we could find the code behind it, the cancellation code, then feed it throughout the system into every Cyberman's head, they'd realize what they are."
Mrs. Moore looks at him, asking, "And what happens then?"
The Doctor's brow furrows, "I think it would kill them," he pauses, eyeing the group, "Could we do that?"
Mrs. Moore stands, determined, "We've got to. Before they kill everyone else. There's no choice, Doctor. It's got to be done."
The Alchemist's gaze snaps to a figure behind Mrs. Moore. Instantly, she leaps into action, pulling the woman down to the ground in one fluid motion, using her body to shield her from the approaching threat.
"What are you...?" Mrs. Moore starts to ask, but her words falter as the Cyberman speaks.
"Sensors detect binary vascular systems. You are unknown upgrades. You will be taken for analysis," the Cyberman states in its cold, mechanical tone.
[Control room]
"We've been captured, but don't worry, Rose and Pete are still out there. They can rescue us. Oh well, never mind," the Doctor says dryly before turning to Rose, "You okay?"
Rose nods, her expression tight with worry, "Yeah. But they got Jackie."
"We were too late. Lumic killed her," Pete explains, full of remorse.
The Doctor scoffs, bitterness creeping into his tone, "Then where is he, the famous Mister Lumic? Don't we get the chance to meet our Lord and Master?"
The Alchemist's expression twists into fury when the words leave his mouth. Her side of the bond shifts even further into her darker feelings, slamming into him with the weight of her anger and pain. The intensity of her emotions crashes into him like a tidal wave, leaving him breathless.
The Doctor grabs at his chest, struggling to breathe, his eyes wide with realization and horror as what he'd just said sinks in. He turns to his wife imploringly, desperately hoping she'll meet his gaze.
"He has been upgraded," a Cyberman states in its monotone voice.
The Alchemist's tone is sharp, "So he's just like you, or is he the Cyber Controller?"
"He is superior. The Lumic Unit has been designated Cyber Controller," the Cyberman replies
The air in the room grows heavier as the doors creak open, revealing a monstrosity wheeled into the space. Once human, the figure looms as a terrifying fusion of flesh and machinery.
"This is The Age of Steel, and I am its Creator," Cyber-Lumic declares.
The Doctor tentatively reaches out telepathically, " Amara, I'm…"
But she slams the connection shut, her glare cutting through him like a dagger. Whatever apology he had been ready to offer evaporates in the silence between them.
[Outside Battersea Power Station]
The crowd erupts into chaos as the earpods stop flashing, freeing the people from control. Confusion turns to terror, and screams fill the air. Panic spreads as they push past the looming Cybermen, desperate to escape. Once a hub of control, the Power Station descends into frantic chaos as humanity flees the nightmare.
[Control Room]
The Doctor stutters, "That... that's my friends at work. Good boys! Mister Lumic, I think that's a vote for free will."
"I have factories waiting on seven continents. If the earpods have failed, then the Cybermen will take humanity by force. London has fallen. So shall the world. I will bring peace to the world. Everlasting peace, unity, and uniformity," Cyber-Lumic intones, his voice devoid of anything but cold finality.
The Doctor steps forward, "And imagination? What about that? The one thing that led you here—imagination—you're killing it dead!"
"What is your name?" Cyber-Lumic demands.
"I'm the Doctor," he replies, his voice steady.
"A redundant title. Doctors need not exist. Cybermen never sicken."
The Time Lord admonishes, "Yeah, but that's it. That's exactly the point! Oh, Lumic, you're a clever man. I'd call you a genius, except the wife and I are in the room," he glances her way, frowning in regret, "But everything you've invented, you did to fight your sickness. And that's brilliant. That is so human. But once you get rid of sickness and mortality, then what's there to strive for, eh?" he scoffs, "The Cybermen won't advance. You'll just stop. You'll stay like this forever. A metal Earth with metal men and metal thoughts, lacking the one thing that makes this planet so alive. People. Ordinary, stupid, brilliant people."
The Alchemist stands rigid at his side, her gaze burning with anger—not just at Lumic, but at the Doctor himself.
She lifts her head slightly, her sharp eyes catching the glint of the camera's blinking light overhead. Her thoughts shift, recalling her conversation with Mickey. She could keep silent; she could, but that will never repair the rift between her and her husband, and there are bigger things at stake right now.
"You are proud of your emotions," Cyber-Lumic observes.
The Doctor nods, his words clipped, "Oh, yes."
"Then tell me, Doctor. Have you known grief and rage and pain?"
The Doctor hesitates, his mask slipping as he glances toward the Alchemist. Her expression hardens further, her pain feeding her fury.
"Yes... yes, I have," he says, his voice subdued.
"And they hurt?"
"Oh, yes."
"I could set you free. Would you not want that? A life without pain?"
The Doctor's glare sharpens, "You might as well kill me."
"Then I take that option."
The Alchemist steps forward before the Doctor can speak again, "It's not yours to take. You're a Cyber Controller. You don't control him or anything with blood in its heart."
Cyber-Lumic responds coldly, "You have no means of stopping me. I have an army. A species of my own."
The Alchemist smirks, tilting her chin defiantly, "You just don't get it, do you? An army's nothing. Because those ordinary people? They're the key. The most ordinary person can change the world."
Her sharp gaze flicks toward the flashing light above, drawing the Doctor's attention. His eyes widen in recognition, but he says nothing, letting her continue.
"Some ordinary man or woman, someone others might call an idiot... but those who truly understand, they wouldn't," she says, her voice brimming with conviction.
The Doctor takes over, his tone sharp with realization, "...Right. All it takes is for that so-called idiot to find the right numbers. The right codes. Say, for example, the code behind the emotional inhibitor. The code that's right in front of him.
"Because these days, everyone knows how to use computers. Knows how to get past firewalls and passwords. Knows how to find something encrypted in, oh, I don't know... the Lumic Family Database. Under... what was it, Pete?"
Pete's voice is clear and resolute, "Binary nine."
The Alchemist steps in smoothly, her voice unwavering, "Anyone who chooses to be trustworthy and reliable could find that code. The cancellation code. And he'd keep typing. Keep fighting. Doing anything he could to save his friends..."
Cyber-Lumic's cold voice cuts through, "Your words are irrelevant."
"Yeah, we talk too much; that's our problem," the Doctor shakes his head with a wry smile, "Lucky I got you that cheap tariff, Rose, for all your long chats on your phone."
"You will be deleted," the Cyber Controller intones.
The Time Lord nods, his expression hardening, "Yes. Delete, control, hash—all those lovely buttons. And, of course, my personal favorite: send."
"And let's not forget how you seduced all those ordinary people in the first place," the Alchemist growls, her sharp glance cutting toward Rose, who visibly shudders.
At that moment, Rose's phone chimes. The cancellation code has come through. She pulls it out, her hands trembling slightly.
"...By making every bit of technology compatible with everything else," the Alchemist concludes with a venomous snarl.
Rose tosses the phone toward the Doctor, "It's for you."
He catches it seamlessly, "Like this!"
The Doctor plugs the phone into the docking station, his jaw set with grim determination as the code begins to transmit. The room fills with an eerie cacophony of cries and whirs as the Cybermen falter, their movements jerking in painful recognition. The emotional inhibitor code floods every screen, the weight of their reawakened humanity palpable.
Cybermen all over clutch their heads, metal hands trembling as the cold horror of realization overtakes them. Standing near the Doctor, one sees its reflection in a wall's mirrored finish. Its lifeless eyes stare back, the monstrosity of its existence becoming undeniable.
"I'm sorry," the Doctor whispers, his voice thick with regret.
Beside him, the Alchemist squeezes her eyes shut, her expression twisted with pain and guilt. The cries echo in her mind, amplifying the agony that already grips her hearts. Another moment where she's manipulated someone into becoming a weapon. The burden of this reality bears down on her as the all-too-familiar sting of grief and accountability washes over her soul.
Outside the power station, a Cyberman collapses to its knees, sparks flying before its head explodes with a sickening finality.
Cyber-Lumic's voice booms with rage, "What have you done?"
The Doctor's voice rises, filled with defiance, "We gave them back their souls. They can see what you've done, Lumic, and it's killing them!"
Without wasting another moment, the Doctor grabs the phone, and he, the Alchemist, Mrs. Moore, Rose, and Pete sprint toward the emergency exit.
"Delete! Delete! Delete!" Cyber-Lumic roars behind them.
[Battersea Powerstation]
The air is filled with smoke and deafening sounds as Cybermen's heads explode one after another. The cries of pain echo, a horrifying chorus of anguish that carries the chaos.
The group sprints toward the emergency exit, but their path is blocked by a group of Cybermen, writhing in agony and collapsing under the weight of their reawakened humanity. Flames lick closer, the heat intensifying.
The Doctor's face twists in frustration as he yells, "There's no way out!"
The Alchemist shouts back, "There's always a way out. We need to go up instead of down!" she turns, "Come on, follow me!"
They make their way around the corner, dashing around the screeching Cybermen. Weaving through flesh and cracked metal, flames beginning to heighten.
Just as they reach the stairwell, Rose's phone rings, and she answers.
"It's Mickey," she says, surprised, "He says, 'Head for the roof.'"
"See? And you call him an idiot," the Alchemist growls, glaring at her Bondmate.
He flinches at the storm in her eyes, and they turn and begin sprinting up the staircase. The pounding of their footsteps echoes and mingles with the distant chaos below.
[Power Station roof]
They scramble onto the roof of Battersea Power Station, their breaths ragged as they look up. A massive zeppelin is closing in on them, its silhouette looming against the darkening sky.
Still clutching her phone, Rose glances at it, her voice filled with disbelief, "Mickey, where'd you learn to fly that thing?"
"You've got to be kidding," Pete deadpans, staring up at the descending ladder.
The Doctor waves them forward toward the ladder, urgency in his voice. "Rose, get up. Mrs. Moore, you next, Ally…"
"No," the Alchemist interrupts.
Without another word, she jumps, vanishing in a flash to reappear in the TARDIS.
The Doctor sighs heavily, watching her go before focusing on the task at hand. He climbs after Mrs. Moore, urging Pete, still frozen in shock, to follow. Pete finally moves, climbing up after them, still stunned by the Alchemist's sudden disappearance.
[TARDIS Console Room]
The Doctor carefully connects the power cell to the TARDIS console, his hands steady despite the tension in his chest. The familiar hum fills the air, the TARDIS coming to life again, but the Doctor's mind isn't entirely on the controls. His eyes flicker over the console room, every corner feeling like it's holding its breath.
He stands still momentarily, a tight frown pulling at his face. He can feel it—she's still got him blocked. The telepathic and empathic bonds that normally hum between them are gone, completely shut off. The silence between them is deafening.
His fingers hover above the controls, but he doesn't move. There's an ache in his chest that goes beyond the usual guilt, the weight of the situation pressing on him in ways he can't shake. He knows exactly where she is and yet... there's nothing. Nothing but the cold, empty space where her thoughts and feelings should be.
[Lambeth Pier]
With a raised brow, Pete looks at the TARDIS, "So, what happens inside that thing, then?"
His gaze flickers from the mysterious blue box to the girl before him.
With a hopeful gleam in her eyes, Rose responds, "Do you want to see?"
Pete shakes his head, a soft chuckle escaping him, "No, I don't think so. But you three... all that stuff you said about different worlds. Who are you?"
Rose meets his gaze, "It's like you say. Imagine there are different worlds, parallel worlds. Worlds with another Pete Tyler... and Jackie Tyler's still alive, and their daughter."
Pete backs away, his features tightening, "I've got to go."
"But if you just look inside..." Rose's voice falters, but he cuts her off.
"No, I can't. There's all those Lumic factories out there. All those Cybermen still in storage. Someone's got to tell the authorities what happened... carry on the fight..." he explains, shaking his head.
The Doctor's voice cuts in from behind them, "Rose? We've only got five minutes of power. We've got to go."
Rose turns back to her father, her face filled with sorrow.
"The Doctor could show you," she says pleadingly.
Pete shakes his head firmly, "Thank you. For everything."
"Dad..." Rose's voice breaks, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
He holds up his hands, cutting her off, "Don't. Just... just don't."
Pete turns quickly and walks away, leaving Rose frozen as she watches him disappear into the distance. Her eyes stay locked on him for a moment, the words unspoken.
Mickey, Mrs. Moore, and Jake approach the Doctor; Mickey holds up the suit with a proud grin.
"Here it is. I found it. Not a crease," he announces, handing it over.
The Doctor claps his hands in appreciation, "My suit! Good man. Now then, Jake, we've got to run. Mrs. Moore, thank you!"
Mrs. Moore offers a warm smile, "Thank the Alchemist."
The Doctor falters slightly, his mind heavy with his earlier thoughts, "I... I plan to. Off we go, then."
Mickey straightens up, his expression firm, "Uh, thing is, I'm staying."
The Doctor blinks in surprise, "You're doing what?"
"You can't," Rose denies, her voice rising in disbelief.
Mickey shrugs, his gaze resolute, "It sort of balances out. This world lost its Ricky, but there's me. And there's work to be done with all those Cybermen still out there."
Rose shakes her head, "But you can't stay."
Mickey takes her hands, "Rose, my gran's here. She's still alive. My old gran, remember her?"
Tears spring to Rose's eyes, and she nods, "Yeah."
"She needs me," Mickey says softly, his grip tightening.
Rose sniffles, "What about me? What if I need you?"
Mickey lets go of her hands, his expression soft but firm, "Yeah, but Rose, you don't. We had something a long time ago, but not anymore."
"Well, we'll come back," Rose pleads, hope flickering in her voice, "We can travel anywhere. Come and see you, yeah?"
Standing a few feet away, the Doctor shakes his head, "We can't. I told you, travel between parallel worlds is impossible. We only got here by accident. We... we fell through a crack in time. When we leave, I've got to close it. We can't ever return."
The Alchemist slips out of the TARDIS at that moment, her presence steadying the emotional tide that seems to engulf the others.
"Ally," Mickey greets her, his voice quiet yet kind.
She smiles softly and nods before pulling him into a tight hug.
"Good luck with her," he whispers.
"I might need it, but you don't," she responds just as quietly before heading straight back into the TARDIS.
Mickey watches her go, a slow realization settling in his chest.
He turns to face the Time Lord, "Doctor, you owe her big time."
The Doctor sighs heavily and extends his hand, shaking Mickey's with a resigned almost apologetic look.
"I know, I know I do," the Doctor sighs, "Take Rose's phone. It's got the code. Get it out there. Stop those factories. And good luck, Mickey the idiot."
Mickey laughs, wagging a finger at him, "Watch it."
With that, the Doctor trudges back into the TARDIS, eager to leave, his mind clouded by the weight of what's been lost and what he must face next. His desire to repair his bond with his wife is resolute.
Rose, still teary-eyed, hands Mickey her phone.
"Thanks," Mickey says, his voice thick with emotion, "We've had a laugh though, haven't we? Seen it all, been there and back. Who would've thought, me and you, off the old estate, flying through the stars?"
Rose nods, her voice a whisper, "All those years just sitting there, imagining what we'd do one day. We never saw this, did we?"
Mickey shrugs, "Go on, don't miss your flight."
Rose hugs him tightly, her sobs muffled against his shoulder. She then runs back into the TARDIS, her heart heavy with the weight of the goodbye.
Mickey watches her go, shaking his head.
"Jake, Mrs. Moore, you want to watch this," he suggests with a smirk, his voice light.
Mrs. Moore gasps, covering her mouth in surprise at what occurs.
"What the hell?"Jake, in shock, watches the TARDIS dematerialize before him.
Mickey grins, "That's the Alchemist and the Doctor in the TARDIS with Rose Tyler."
[The Tyler's flat]
Jackie is filling the kettle when she hears the familiar wheezing noise. She pauses, her eyes narrowing in surprise, then rushes into the living room just as the TARDIS materializes.
Rose bursts out of the blue box, her face lighting up, "You're alive. Oh, mum, you're alive!"
Jackie freezes momentarily, then wraps her arms around her daughter, holding her tightly.
"Well, I was the last time I looked," she frowns in concern, "What is it? What's happened, sweetheart? What's wrong? Where did you go?"
The Doctor steps out of the TARDIS behind Rose, voice soft, "Far away. That was far away."
Jackie pulls back from Rose, eyes scanning the room, "Where's Mickey?"
"He's gone home," the Doctor replies quietly, his gaze shifting toward the TARDIS.
"What about Ally? Why isn't she out here?" Jackie asks, her worry evident as she notices the absence of the Alchemist.
The Doctor sighs a deep, weary sound, "She's... upset. I need to talk to her. Rose, I'll come back in a few days."
Rose looks at him, her face a mixture of confusion and hurt, "You're... you're just leaving after all of that?" she asks, wiping away the remnants of her tears.
The Doctor shakes his head, "I just need to be with my wife for a bit. I did something... idiotic and need to apologize. And you need a few days with your Mum anyway, right?"
"And that means you have to leave to do it!?" Rose's voice is harsh, but it cracks with emotion.
Jackie steps forward, her tone soft but firm as she addresses her daughter, "Rose, they're married. They need time together, too."
The Doctor looks between them, his face somber, "Three days," he says, his voice full of quiet resolution.
Rose nods, though her lips press into a thin line, and she doesn't say anything. She simply watches as the Doctor turns toward the TARDIS.
With a final glance at Jackie, he disappears into the blue box, and with a low, repetitious wheeze, the TARDIS begins to dematerialize, vanishing into the Vortex.
Rose stands still for a long moment, her heart heavy.
Jackie watches her, concerned, knowing her daughter is facing a challenge that only time can resolve.
[On Alternate Earth]
Mickey stands alone on the pier, his hands in his pockets as he watches the last remnants of the sun vanish over the horizon. He's made his choice, and now he's left to face whatever comes next in this strange new world he's inherited.
He smiles slightly to himself, shaking his head.
"Mickey the idiot," he mutters, "Yeah, maybe... but someone's got to be the idiot."