Eyes of Time: The Final Line ✓

Chapter 68: The End of Time Part I

[Ood Sphere]

Snowflakes whirl across the bleak expanse of the Ood Sphere, dancing through the frigid air as the TARDIS materializes with a familiar wheeze and grind. The doors swing open, and the Doctor steps out, wearing a ridiculous combination of a stetson and a colorful lei. Right behind him, the Alchemist emerges, equally absurd in her own lei, a coconut bra, and a grass luau skirt pulled over her usual black lace dress. Their breath fogs in the icy air, but they don't seem to notice. Waiting for them is Ood Sigma, silent, solemn.

"Ah! Now, sorry. There you are. So, where were we? We were summoned, weren't we?" the Doctor says, grinning widely.

"Yes, an Ood in the snow, calling us out," the Alchemist replies, folding her arms under the lei, "You even knew where to wait."

"Well, we didn't exactly come straight here. Had a bit of fun, you know. Travelled about, did this and that. Got into trouble. You know us. It was brilliant."

She gives him a sideways look, clearly remembering more than he's letting on, "Came straight from Hawaii. Had a bit of a dance around the volcano. Just a little fun, you know? Until we almost got thrown in."

"Not my fault!" the Doctor points to her, "Before that, we saw the Phosphorous Carousel of the Great Magellan Gestadt, saved a planet from the Red Carnivorous Maw, named a galaxy Alison. Ally didn't want another named after her, so we compromised. The wife and I married someone else, technically illegally...again," he says this with a flourish, gesturing to the Alchemist as if proud of the chaos they left behind.

"That was a mistake," the Alchemist deadpans, "Good Queen Bess."

The Doctor winces, "And let me tell you, her nickname is no longer..."

The Alchemist reaches over and promptly smacks the back of his head.

He clears his throat, "Anyway, what do you want?"

"You should not have delayed," Sigma intones, his voice as calm and unfazed as ever.

The Doctor raises his eyebrows, "The last time we were here, you said our song would be ending soon, and I'm in no hurry for that."

"You will come with me."

The Doctor hesitates, then fishes a remote key from his coat. He points it at the TARDIS. The doors lock with a mechanical click, the light flashing in tandem with the beeping sound.

He grins as they walk forward, "See? Like a car. I locked it like a car. Like. It's funny. No? Little bit?" he glances toward his wife, who is rolling her eyes, "Blimey, try to make an Ood laugh. I know Ally hates it, said I took too long," he steps forward, "So, how old are you now, Ood Sigma? Ah..."

They crest a snowy ridge—and the city comes into view. The Ood city. Towering, glimmering, impossibly intricate.

The Doctor stares, "Magnificent. Oh, come on, that is splendid. You've achieved all this in how long?"

"One hundred years. It's been only one hundred years," the Alchemist says, her voice low with awe and unease.

The Doctor's eyes narrow, "Then we've got a problem. Because all of this is way too fast. Not just the city, I mean your ability to call us. Reaching all the way back to the 21st century. Something's accelerating your species way beyond normal."

Sigma's tone shifts, darkening, "And the Mind of the Ood is troubled."

Concern etches itself onto the Alchemist's face. She steps forward, almost instinctively, "Why, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Every night, Alchemist, Doctor, every night we have bad dreams."

[Ood Council]

A circle of Ood sits in silent stillness within the crystal-blue shadows of an ice cave. Their breath clouds the air, mingling with the low hum of psychic energy. At the center of them, the Elder sways slightly, as if listening to something only he can hear.