The Cosmic Mystery

Chapter 12: The Day of the Doctor (Part 3)

"The Zygons lost their own world. It burnt in the first days of the Time War. A new home is required." Elizabeth started to speak as she led us over the Zygon control.

                "So they want this one?" Clara asks catching up to me and linking her arm through mine. I pull her closer playfully, scrunching my nose, before following the Queen once again.

                "Not yet. It's far too primitive. Zygons are used to a certain level of comfort."

                A Zygon comes up to the Queen and there's clearly a level of comfort, the zygon clearly assuming that this was his commander. "Commander, why are these creatures here?"

                "Because I say they should be. It is time you too were translated. Observe this. I believe you will find it fascinating." The Queen gestures to a painting behind us as the zygon transfers itself into it.

                "That's him! That's the Zygon in the picture now." Clara tugs both of us closer to the painting as she finally puts the pieces together, though my doctor and I are still rather lost.

                "It's not a picture, it's a stasis cube. Time Lord art. Frozen instants in time, bigger on the inside, but could be deployed as-"

                "Suspended animation. Oh, that's very good. The Zygons all pop inside the pictures, wait a few centuries till the planet's a bit more interesting, and then out they come." My Doctor says coming up on the side that Clara isn't occupying.

                "You see, Clara, they're stored in the paintings in the Under Gallery, like cup-a-soups. Except you add time, if you can picture that. Nobody could picture that. Forget I said cup-a-soups." The bowtie Doctor dismisses himself and I laugh softly at him allowing him a small grin when he looks in my direction.

                " And now the world is worth conquering. So the Zygons are invading the future from the past." Clara states sighing softly and I raise an eyebrow.

                "Clearly, I missed a part of this story, does anyone feel keen to share?" I look around at our group and none of them choose to answer and I huff in annoyance.

                "And do you know why I know that you're a fake? Because you're such a bad copy. It's not just the smell, or the unconvincing hair, or the atrocious teeth, or the eyes just a bit too close together, or the breath that could stun a horse. It's because my Elizabeth, the real Elizabeth, would never be stupid enough to reveal her own plan. Honestly, why would you do that?" My doctor advances on Elizabeth bending to look in her eye, and I suddenly feel much better about him ignoring me, based on the embarrassment he's about to feel.

                "Because it's not my plan. And I am the real Elizabeth." She responds as if it's obvious, looking to Clara and I for confirmation that we knew, in which we both nod.

                "Okay. So, backtracking a moment just to lend context to my earlier remarks." He quickly backtracks and I snort softly leaning against the wall only for him to give me a withering look.

                "These Zygon creatures never even considered that it was me who survived rather than their own commander. The arrogance that typifies their kind." I nod, actually appreciating the conviction in her voice, and my ability to relate. Nice to see times haven't changed much.

                "Zygons?"

                "Men!" At that I grin and pat Clara on the shoulder looking back at the paintings.

                "And you actually killed one of them?"

                "I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but at the time, so did the Zygon. The future of my kingdom is imperilled. Doctor, can I rely on your service?"