The Beginning of the End (Doctor Who)

Chap. 51

On the outskirts of Gallifrey you can sense the boundary. The air feels warmer, electrical, like there's something just in front of you but you can't quite... Pointing your sonic switchblade outwards you squeeze the handle. For a split second you see another world with shadowy figures. You've found it.

Taking a deep breath you smile to yourself. The familiar buzz of energy and adrenaline courses through you. You jump through, falling for only a second before soft ground meets you. Sand meets your shoes. You stand up perfectly straight, arms up like a 21st Century Gymnast who just stuck her landing.

"Hello Doctor. Miss me?" You smile, hands on hips, a smirk on your face. There are a few human-looking figures behind her, one you recognise as Ryan.

Faces of shock meet your smug expression.

"How are you here? Why is Gallifrey on the other side of the boundary?" The Doctor asks, shadows crossing her eyes.

"You were always one to question." You sigh, "I did it, alright? Now come with me." You don't bother to offer her your hand, judging from her stance she wouldn't take it.

"Never."

"You see this?" You wave your knife, "Come with me or... well, I know you can finish that phrase."

"How have you connected Gallifrey to that Boundary?" She wonders, decidedly avoiding your eyes. She looks afraid. What laid behind her eyes when you were human is so much darker now.

"Are you satisfied with your life Ryan?" You aim for him, the Doctor stepping to hide him from view.

"Fine." She grabs your hand. You wave goodbye, dragging her through.

The moment the two of you hit the red-orange ground, her face turns to one of shock, horror, sadness, anger... and many more.

"Enjoying the new view?" You whisper. Fires - now orange - still burn, ash still blows in the wind. The air still smells of sweet smoke.

"Why? Why - how could you do this?" She gasps. You frown.

"Patience dear. Answers come with patience. Now walk with me." You lead her to the Citadel.

"Are you proud of yourself?" The blonde demands, just keeping pace.

"Definitely. A few hundred attempts later and finally... this..." You spin around, laughing.

"All this death finally made you happy?" Her voice hardens.

"Mmm... for now." You shrug.

"Has it calmed all the rage? I can sense it in you, flaming just under control-"

"We both know the power of rage, don't we? How many have you killed on your mercy missions? Remember Grace, or Astos? I'm certain there are more. So many more deaths you're too ashamed to take credit for."

"Unlike you, I didn't want that to happen." She softly says.

"Not even a little bit?" Your voice goes an octave higher as you pinch your fingers together.

She doesn't speak the rest of the way, neither do you. You notice her glances to the city below as you walk down the halls. You sense her looking for the places she ran to as a Time Tot, looking for something you could've missed. She doesn't find anything. 

In the Matrix Chamber at last, you spin around, very careful to naturally avoid the paralysis field.

"The Matrix Chamber. The only fully functional room left. We couldn't destroy every memory of the Time Lords now, could we? There still might be some... useful information left."