The Beginning of the End (Doctor Who)

Chap. 13

You all sit like that for a while, watching as the humans pile up sandbags from the cellar and gather weapons. None of the children dare come near you. They whisper to each other for a little while, until you start staring at them.

"Listen," The Master says as the Doctor approaches, "Me, the human and sis are off now, but we were kind of wondering, what's your plan, Doc?"

"Because whatever you've got, you can't save them." Missy adds.

"There's another solar farm five levels above us. If I can get all the children up there, and most of the adults-" You cut him off, bursting into laughter.

"That's not going to work." You wheeze, waving a hand for him to continue.

"The Cybermen will find them again." The Master points out.

"It's the best I can do, so I'm doing it. Do you have a problem with that?" He specifically looks at you.

"You aren't going to win." You remark. "As you said, it's a mathematical impossibility."

"I know!" He exclaims, "And?"

The Master sighs, "Come on, Ladies." To Missy he points out, "I honestly don't know what you see in him."

"Likewise." Missy tilts her head, reaching a hand out behind her, which you take, fingers interlaced.

"No!" The Doctor shouts after you. "No!" He runs, "When I say no, you turn back around!" He catches up, standing in front. "Hey! I'm going to be dead in a few hours, so before I go, let's have this out, once and for all?" He scoffs, running a hand over his face then looks directly at you, you looking back with dry amusement.

"Winning? Is that what you think it's about?" He looks to the larger group. "I'm not trying to win. I'm not doing this because I want to beat someone, or because I hate someone, or because, because I want to blame someone." You look at Missy, who looks down with a conflicted expression, the Master amused.

"It's not because it's fun and God knows it's not because it's easy." He sighs, "It's not even because it works, because it hardly ever does. I do what I do, because it's right!" He exclaims, "Because it's decent! And above all, it's kind. It's just that." He pauses, "Just kind. If I run away today, good people will die." The Doctor lowers his voice, looking each of you in the eye. "If I stand and fight, some of them might live. Maybe not many, maybe not for long." He pauses.

"Hey, you know, maybe there's no point in any of this at all, but it's the best I can do, so I'm going to do it. And I will stand here doing it till it kills me." You notice Missy has closed her eyes, face still. "You're going to die too," He points at each of you. "Some day. How will that be? Have you thought about it? What would you die for?"

"Who I am is where I stand. Where I stand," The Doctor looks down, "is where I fall. Stand with me." He looks to each of you, taking a step forward. Clearly meaning it. "These people are terrified. Maybe we can help, a little. Why not, just at the end, just be kind?"

There's an eery silence after that speech, one that seems to extend across the entire level. You don't understand how one man could waste his life, all of it, to let others live just a little longer. It's completely selfless and you hate it.

The Master looks dead at him. "See this face? Take a good, long look at it. This is the face that didn't listen to a word you just said." He grins, shaking his head and walking off. The Doctor watches him go, taking a few steps as if contemplating running after him, then seeming to remember there are two more of you, he turns back around.

"Missy. Missy." He deeply inhales. "You've changed." She smirks, "I know you have." Her face falls, "And I know what you're capable of. Stand with me. It's all I've ever wanted." She sadly smiles, lightly nodding.