The Littlest Timelord: Cracks in Time

Chapter 32

"I can't believe I've never thought of this before!" the Doctor said as Amy came up to the platform, "It's genius." The Doctor pulled the lever and the TARDIS landed with a thud. "Right. Landed. Come on."

"Where are we?" Amy asked.

"Planet One. The oldest planet in the universe. And there's a cliff of pure diamond, and according to legend, on the cliff there's writing. Letters fifty feet high. A message from the dawn of time And no one knows what it says, because no one's ever translated it. Till today."

"What happens today?"

The Doctor tapped Amy on the nose. "Us. The TARDIS can translate anything. All we have to do is open the doors and read the very first words in recorded history."

The Doctor took Amy and Elise's hands and pulled them outside.

On the cliff wall read two words: Hello Sweetie and a set of coordinates.

Elise smiled. That meant they were going to see River again!

"Vavoom," Amy commented.

They went back inside the TARDIS and followed the coordinates which led them to a hill overlooking a Roman camp.

"Right place?" Amy asked.

"Just followed the co-ordinates on the cliff face. Earth. Britain. One o' two am. No, pm. No, AD."

"That's a Roman Legion."

"Well, yeah. The Romans invaded Britain several times during this period."

"Oh, I know. My favorite topic at school. Invasion of the hot Italians."

Both Elise and the Doctor gave Amy a look.

"Yeah, I did get marked down for the title."

A soldier ran up to them and saluted. "Hail, Caesar!"

"Hi," the Doctor said as the Roman knelt down.

"Welcome to Britain. We are honored by your presence."

"Well, you're only human. Arise, Roman person."

The Roman stood up.

"Why does he think you're Caesar?" Amy asked.

"Cleopatra will see you now."

The Roman led them down the hill into a tent.

At the back sat not Cleopatra, but River dressed up as her. "Hello, sweetie," River said smiling.

"River. Hi," Amy said.

Elise ran towards her.

"My little star! You've grown", River told her.

"You graffitied the oldest cliff face in the universe," the Doctor said.

"You wouldn't answer your phone." River clapped and the servants left the tent. She presented the Doctor with a rolled up document.

"What's this?" he asked.

"It's a painting. Your friend Vincent."

The Doctor took it from River and unfurled it on a table nearby.

"One of his final works. He had visions, didn't he? I thought you ought to know about this one."

"Doctor? Doctor, what is this?" Amy asked.

It looked exactly like Starry Night, except the TARDIS was exploding in the middle of it.

"Why is it exploding?" Amy asked.