Doctor Who: The Time of the Companions: Book One (Doctor Who: The Companions Adventure 1)

by Cour M.

  “Yes, I’m sure you did,” Ten grinned, winking at her.

  “Whoa, enough with the winking,” Rory warned.

  “Yessir, now come along Williams.”

  “I still like it when he calls us that,” Rory admitted as he took Amy’s hand and they followed after the Doctor.

  

  With Ten’s credentials showing the ticket booth that he was an honorary member of the Galactic Alliance, they were allowed not only entry, but some of the best seats in the stands.

  “But I don’t get it,” Rory began, “how can we be breathing now?”

  “Oh come on, don’t be stupid, stupid face,” Amy mocked, “it’s a Dome bubble, sealing us in.”

  “Precisely,” Ten remarked, “I taught you well. This stadium has a bubble surrounding it, but they also have an oxygen factory underneath it, so that we don’t suffocate in here.”

  “The oxygen factory takes starlight and converts it into oxygen,” Amy also explained.

  “Precisely!”

  “Yeah, I learned that one in my first encounter with the Weeping Angels.”

  “You saw the Weeping Angels?” Ten froze, looking at Amy.

  “Yes.”

  “And it was the last thing that we saw,” Rory reported, “it’s how we got separated from the Doctor.”

  Ten was not one to overlook a coincidence at that time, for he had begun to realize too often that coincidence, and all its hidden meanings, quite ruled his life. Amy Pond, a future companion had her last adventure with the same monster that he first encountered when he had been accompanied by Martha. But what did that mean?

  “And how did you get separated from me?” Ten asked, but his question was cut off as the football players entered the stadium, wearing spacesuits that gave them full speed and flight skills for the game, they saluted their captains, the crowd, a song was sung and then the game began.

  

  Despite not having any real team to root for, Amy and Rory were having a grand time, cheering for everything as they watched the football players zoom around the stadium of space and kick the ball all through the air. Football in space! They never would have thought it were possible.

  During the game, Rory had to use the loo, therefore he excused himself and Ten was only with Amy, surrounded by people, and he saw this as a fortuitous circumstance. There was so much he wanted to know, and he just lacked the opportunity.

  “I see you looking at me,” Amy pointed out, too defiant to be coy, “So you might as well spit it out. Just to be clear, you taught me well, so there is no way that I am ever going to fully give up much about your future.”

  “No, it’s not that.”

  “Then what?” She smiled kindly.

  Ten rested his elbow on his knee and leaned his head on his fist.

  “You and him are married.”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “Well, I never had travelled with a married couple before. My regeneration, I mean. But my previous self did, long ago. Long LONG ago.”

  “Yeah, well now you have. We had good times, we did. Though now I feel terrible. In getting you, we have quite messed up your future self, because we have interfered with the timeline.”

  “Don’t worry about that. With each regeneration, we can choose certain things—even what we wish to remember. Or due to the timelines being thrown out of whack, I won’t even be allowed to remember. Don’t ask me why that is, because I wouldn’t even know why. Time is funny that way.”

  “Yes, time is.”

  “But in the future, out there, I travel with a husband and a wife.”

  “You have a family,” Amy replied simply.

  “A family?” Ten inquired, not ever considering that.

  “Yes, we were your family.”

  Ten smiled.

  “So that is what I have to look forward to?”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Thank you,” Ten smiled, “that is of great comfort.”

  “I’m happy it is. I once realized something about you. I realized that you would be rubbish if you ever travelled alone.”

  “Yes, I have this habit of always talking to myself.”

  “We all talk to ourselves occasionally, as long as you know no one is answering back, then you are sane. But still, you now, are alone.”

  “Yes, I am. Not by choice, admittedly.”

  “Are you ready to talk about what happened? I know how sometimes you aren’t ready to talk always.”

  “Amy Pond,” Ten answered warmly, “wonderful Amy Pond, the truth is, right now, talking hurts.”

  “Why with you, do you say so much often, but then say very little?”

  “Because it’s better that way.”

  “Secrets cannot be outrun forever, fool,” she grinned.

  “Amy, tell me, how did we meet?”

  “I should not tell you that.”

  “You’re right. You should not.”

  “I should not have even told you our names.”

  “But you did. And perhaps it is a good thing. Or a bad thing, how am I to know? But there is one thing that I must know.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “When you traveled with me, did I ever let you down?”

  “Yes, but you had never meant to.”

  “Did I make it so that you could never forgive me?”

  “No, because you did not ever intend to make any mistakes. You would go years without seeing me, but it turned out that it was not your fault. Your TARDIS is a type-40, therefore it was having some complications.”

  “And… did you ever think of leaving me? Of stop travelling with me?”

  Amy looked at him, pointedly.

  “Well… we were thinking about it, but it had nothing to do with you.”

  “Then what did it have to do with?”

  “We were getting older, Rory and I. We were growing up, and therefore we thought it was best to settle down.”

  “Ah, you grew up.”

  “Yes.”

  “You all do that eventually, don’t you? You all grow up.”

  “Yes, I suppose that we all do. While you stay the same. But you did everything to help us. You were worried that you would lose us somewhere, so you tried to leave us as well.”

  “I did?”

  “Yes, you did. You try to fix the things you break. Are you like that now? Do you try and fix the things that you break?”

  “I thought I did, but not so now.”

  “And by that, you mean Martha,” Amy replied simply, to which the Doctor blinked. “Don’t worry, you didn’t mention your companions hardly at all to us, but one day, when I was playing around on the TARDIS computer, it showed me the history of your previous companions. I saw them all, and I could not rest until I finally got the Doctor to talk about them. And you’re 903 years old now, which means that this is right around the time that you lost Martha.”

  Ten did not confirm this or deny it either, but only remained silent, wondering what Amy would deduce.

  “And now you need to know if you evolved, don’t you?” Amy realized, “you need to know that you learned, that you did not ruin something, and that someone would never want to leave you. Don’t worry, Doctor, you didn’t drive us away… we simply grew up. And you know how it is when we grow up. But again, when we did try and break away from you, you did the same, and tried to stay away from us.”

  “And let me guess,” Ten sighed, “I couldn’t stay away, could I?”

  “Of course not,” Amy chuckled, and then Rory returned.

  

  Eventually the game came to an end and Amy and Rory were happy for the winning team—despite that they never had even heard of them before that day, and Ten was feeling quite content with himself.

  In some ways, he was breaking a very essential rule. To be traveling with future companions of his would not affect their memories at all, but it could easily affect his, and mar every action that he made. The universe was vast, and complicated, but was it ready for him t
o unwind a future relationship he would have with his companions?

  Also, they had mentioned another face of his, which meant that his face would not be the one to meet them. It saddened him, but he knew perfectly well that it was always only a matter of time before he died, but still… he did not want to go. However, beside him walked hope. He would eventually travel with a married couple. How lovely! He honestly never knew that he had that in him, and also he felt joy in that he had taken them some place that Eleven never would have.

  They walked back to the exit where the TARDIS was located, but were surprised when they saw a person sitting down in front of it, facing the doors of the Police Box.

  “Were you expecting someone?” Rory asked.

  “I never am, but always here we are,” Ten replied, sauntering forward as he placed his hands in his pockets, “Sorry, but if you were trying to make a call, the phone is broken.”

  “I know,” the woman said, standing up and turning to him. She was an elderly woman in her early fifties, it appeared, and she had blonde medium length hair that had gray and white clinging to the roots of it. Her face was older but also still young, and she was of medium height. As she turned to the three of them, her eyes turned from the Doctor to Rory. “So, which one is it?”

  “Pardon?” Rory asked.

  “Which of you is the Doctor?”

  “Whoa,” Amy replied, defensive, “Who’s asking, sister?”

  “Don’t worry, I’m nice,” She replied raising her hands in supplication, “Well, nice enough.”

  “Well, no guts no glory,” Ten stepped forward, “Hello, I’m the Doctor.”

  The older woman smiled.

  “Good, I hoped it would be you.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “When I saw the box, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Truly I never thought that I would see you again, but then again, my Doctor had a different face.”

  “And who are you? Come on, whoever likes being teased?”

  “Doctor,” the woman gasped happily, “it’s me. It’s Ace.”

  

  The Doctor’s mouth dropped open.

  “Ace?”

  “Yes,” she laughed, “bloody hell, I never would have believed this would happen!”

  “Ace!” Ten exclaimed, rushing forward, lifting her up and twirling her around. “I can’t believe it.”

  “My god,” Ace cried, “look at you! Your look, the hair and your face, and your suit. And that is a nice coat!”

  “Thank you. Janis Joplin actually gave me this coat.”

  “And what did you give her for it?” Ace smirked.

  “I saved her from a mechanoid who was hiding away in her dressing room, so you know what, I feel as if I deserved this.”

  “I’m sure you did,” Ace replied, then she turned to Amy and Rory.

  “Ah, introductions of course,” Ten allowed, “This is Amy and Rory, and this is an old friend of mine, Ace. And please, don’t fight! I cannot stand fighting.”

  “Why would we fight?” Amy said, “unless she tries to take Rory from me, then I’m not gonna start trouble.”

  “She’s protective of me,” Rory smiled happily. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you both as well,” Ace said, “But to be clear, my full name is Dorothy Gale McShane.”

  “But Ace suits her best,” Ten explained.

  “Especially when I traveled with you, I believe,” Ace explained.

  “Precisely.”

  “So,” Ace extrapolated, “these must be your new companions.”

  “Well, technically yes and no,” Ten answered.

  “It’s complicated,” Amy put in.

  “What they said,” Rory magnified.

  “How is it complicated?” Ace laughed, “And what do you mean by yes and no? Doctor, you are more complicated than before.”

  “I know, it sucks to get old.”

  “While looking younger while you do it.”

  “You like my hair,” Ten grinned.

  “Oh shut up. And while I love the look, I admit that I do slightly miss the question mark of a sweater you wore.”

  “He wore a sweater with question marks?” Amy repeated.

  “Yes, it was comical and cool at the same time.”

  “So, you traveled together for a while?”

  “She traveled with me when I was in my seventh regeneration, the seventh Doctor,” Ten explained.

  “Ah.”

  “And those were the good times,” Ace commented. “So, what about you two? Judging by your clothing, you came from earlier.”

  “We did, the Doctor got us in 1916.”

  “Oh, that makes sense!” Ace cried, “of course you would have been there, Doctor.”

  “Yes, yes I would have,” Ten confirmed, confidently, and then his true ignorance of the matter came through, “Why would I have been there exactly?”

  “Oh, well because of the case of the missing soldiers.”

  “The case of the missing soldiers?”

  “Yes, I learned about it when I was on the planet Janus. I was there before I was given a ride to the game.”

  “You were given a ride here? By who?”

  “By the man who also helped me travel to Janus. Charming he was. He had a vortex manipulator, so he could transport us through time, and he knew that I wished to see Janus.”

  “Let me guess, was he handsome?”

  “Oh, you have no idea!”

  “I think I do, and he was also charming.”

  “Yes, he was.”

  “And his name began with Jack and ended with Harkness, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, it was. You know him, huh?”

  “Oh yes.”

  Ten turned to the Ponds.

  “Williams, we need to go on a trip.”

  Ten turned to Ace.

  “Fancy a lift back to Janus in the TARDIS?”

  “I never would have thought I would get the chance again!” Ace cried, “I’m not too old to feel young about things.”

  “Right, well come along you three. We need to take a trip to Janus.”

  

  As they entered the TARDIS, Ace was amazed by the way the TARDIS looked, for it had changed a bit, so the Doctor felt the need to explain his preferences.

  “I like the rugged appearance.”

  “Do you?” Ace remarked, looking around happily, “In truth, I’m not surprised.”

  Ten pulled the lever as everyone had to hang on for dear life.

  “You’re even worse at driving than before!” Ace cried.

  “Well, nothing in this universe has any right in being perfect. Not even me!”

  Ace grinned at him as Ten gathered an even further sense of security. He had two future companions in his TARDIS as well as a past one.

  This was the perfect sort of fascinating.

  Chapter 9

  Nine & The Impossible Girl

  The TARDIS stopped moving right in space, on the edge of the atmosphere of Uxarieus.

  “We can look at it through the screen, but I think a better look is required,” Nine suggested, and he nodded at Clara, gestured to the doors of the TARDIS and Clara read his expression.

  “You would open your TARDIS right in the middle of space?” Clara asked, dubious.

  “She’s the TARDIS. She makes her own rules, not space, or time for that matter.”

  Nine walked to the doors and Clara followed after him with ease as he opened them.

  “You trust me quickly.”

  “Well, I don’t see why you would have any reason to lie.”

  “Did you trust the Doctor this quickly?”

  “He saved my life no more than five minutes after we met. I had no choice but to trust him, really.”

  “How did he save your life?”

  “There was something that was sucking people’s souls into the wifi. I got sucked in almost, and he pulled me out. But I’ve got computer stuff in my head, you know,” She tapped her head, “I used to have
no idea how to work computers, now I can do anything, but it’s more than that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you know how computers can do things super fast? They can figure things out right quick.”

  “Yes. Let me guess, you inherited its processing skills and speed?”

  “Yeah, and I’m worried. Sometimes I feel as if I am part human and part…”

  “Machine?”

  “Yes. I even feel as if my speech patterns have changed, because I can also make fast deductions, conclusions to things, etc. The truth is I’m well… I was never overtly smart, and now that I am, I’m worried that this new thing I’ve been given—would it be dangerous? I feel like only the Doctor would know.”

  “Is that why you want to see him again? Because you are worried that you might have turned into a machine a bit?”

  “I want to know if I am safe. Things like this usually come with a price. Certain types of knowledge always do.”

  Nine looked on her in surprise.

  “What?” She asked.

  “I just… you talk tough but I’m wondering if it’s hiding that secretly you don’t think you are special.”

  Clara blinked.

  “You presume to know me very well for someone that you just met.”

  “It’s a habit.”

  “Find a new one. John Smith, I don’t think we came here to stand on the other side of your doors and not look at what you brought us here for.”

  “Right,” Nine smirked, and then he opened the doors, hoping to see Clara’s jaw drop, and he wasn’t disappointed.

  “I can’t believe it!” She gasped.

  “Yes, yes it is.”

  Standing in the open doorway of the TARDIS, they looked on and saw Uxarieus, with a black hole that surrounded half of it, but it was as if they were watching a single image frozen in space. But it was more than that. There were two planets right next to each other, with the black hole in between them. And not only that, but it was as if the black hole was originating from the other planet, making a bridge between the two planets.

  “But...” Clara stuttered, “but…”

  “Yes, behold the planet Uxarieus. It was not always this way, because this event happened in the last century.”