Doctor Who: The Grandfather Paradox

Chapter 5: Eternally Yours

CHAPTER 5: Eternally Yours

"Your… own… granddaughter."

Rory and Amy looked at each other, their mouths open in disbelief. That word, that revelation. Was it true? Amy turned to the Doctor, seeking some form of clarification, but his expression said it all. Dumbfounded shock. Bewilderment.

And somehow, beneath it all, a hint of disappointment.

The woman, Susan, didn't hear the voice - couldn't hear it - over her own screaming. She continued to writhe in pain, struggling desperately against her bonds. An eternal prisoner in eternal torment.

Rory turned to Amy. "Is that... is she really..."

"Whoever she is," said Amy, "we need to get her out of there."

"You'll do no such thing," said the voice, a sharper tone. "The subject needs to continue to attract parallel TARDISes. Her link to the Doctor is the only thing that is preventing time and space from eternal implosion."

"But look at her!" said Amy. "You're hurting her."

"We are doing what is necessary. If you remove her, you remove all hope of maintaining the existence of reality. And we will not accept that."

As if on cue, a distant shuffling drew ever closer as dozens of footsteps ascended the worn rock stairs. Emerging up and out onto the stone platform was a large group - about twenty or thirty men, each looking wildly different to the next. One appeared to be wearing a stovepipe hat and purple silk cravat; next to him, a man outfitted in a plaid safari suit; and to his side, a man in a striped T-shirt and a loose black necktie. One was tall and lean; the next round in the face; the next sporting a big nose and jug ears. Black hair, blonde hair, red hair. Long, short, cropped, bald. Different outfits, different appearances. And all stood passive, each wearing a distant, glazed expression on their faces.

"Stranger," said the voice. "Your earlier statement. There are indeed Doctors from parallel universes. And here they remain."

Then they noticed it: the group's eyes. They were white. No colour. Just pair after pair of plain white eyes that stared soullessly ahead.

"Universes upon universes of infinite possibilities," said the voice, barely bothering to hide its wicked laughter. "Each one has its own version of you, Doctor, yet each one is nothing like you. The variables, the decisions, the things left to pure chance... everything has resulted in a version of you that is totally and completely unique. Completely unique, and completely under my control. Behold, the Doctors of the multiverse!"

As one united front, the group slowly began to move forward towards the four, slowly backing together into a huddle. They weren't given much room to move; Amy looked behind her to see her feet inching uncomfortably closer to the edge of the stone platform, moments away from a sheer drop into distant black and blue. She looked desperately around for an idea, a way forth. She looked towards the Doctor — his expression was still one of stunned wonder.

Susan.

His granddaughter.

"Oy! Doctor!"

Amy called for his attention, firm and sharp. Snapped out of his thoughts, he looked towards her and immediately regained his focus. He appeared determined now, and turned his attention to the oncoming mass. "Such incredible power," he said. "And for what? To use your army of indoctrinated puppets as a means of intimidation?" He raised his voice as he spoke into the air. "You're a cheap sideshow act."

The voice chuckled. "'Indoctrination'. How curious it is that you use that word. Would you like to know where it comes from?"

The Doctor didn't answer.