To Be a Time Lord

Chapter 11 - The Almost People

The Almost People, part 1 -

"Oh, not again", the Oracle groaned.

Before either of the Doctors could question her statement the Ganger doubled over in pain, "Argh. What's happening? I wonder if we'll get back. Yes, one day. Argh. I've reversed the polarity of the neutron flow."

"The Flesh is struggling to cope with our past regenerations. Hold on", the Doctor dashed forward but turned back to the Oracle, "Help him."

With his fourth regeneration's voice the Ganger stretched his hand out to her, "Would you like a jelly baby?", then his voice turned back to his eleventh, "Why? Why? Why?"

"Why, what?", she held out her arms to him.

He took them and with his tenth regeneration's voice said, "Hello. I'm the Doctor", he shook his head, "No, let it go, we've moved on."

"Yes, we've moved on, hold tight, darling, we'll get through this", she held the Ganger's elbows as he thrashed around.

"I've reversed the jelly baby of the neutron flow. Would you like a Doctor, Oracle, Doctor, I'm, I'm the- I can't", he grabbed the hood of her jumper to move closer, then hung onto her like a lifeline.

"Hold on, Doctor, come on, you can do this", she took his face in her hands.

"No", he pushed her back into the original Doctor's arms before his face turned back to the milky white Ganger's, "Aaaaargh!"

The Time Lords watched as the Ganger's face turned normal again while the humans still tried to barricade the door their Gangers banged against. Suddenly, they stopped. And everyone dropped their actions for a moment.

"I think I liked it better when they were being noisy", Buzzer commented.

"Mmm-hm", Amy hummed in agreement, "Doctor, we need you. Get over here."

"Hello", the Ganger-Doctor smiled.

"Doctor", Amy demanded the Original.

"Cybermats", the Doctor told his Ganger.

"Do we have time for this?", the Ganger asked.

"We make time. I'd like more proof that you're me. Cybermats", he asked again.

"Created by the Cybermen. They kill by feeding off brainwaves", the Ganger-Doctor answered.

"Are you sure there aren't any weapons we can get to, like big guns with bits on?", Amy went back to the humans.

"Yeah, big guns would be good right now", Buzzer agreed.

"Why would we have guns? We're a factory. We mine", Jimmy said.

Suddenly the door started to smoke with a sizzle and Amy realised in horror what it was, "Acid."

As the door started to dissolve the Gangers banged against it once more.

"Rory and Amy, they may not trust both of us", the Doctor said.

"But the Oracle will", the Ganger added.

"Of course the Oracle will, she started trusting you before I started trusting you, bit unnerving."

"Will you two get to the point?", the woman in question rolled her eyes.

"Right", the Ganger-Doctor said, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Inevitably", the Original said.

"I'm glad we're on the same-"

"Wavelength. You see, great minds", the Doctor smiled pointing between himself and his Ganger.