Series 3: The Lowdown

Series 3 of Doctor Who: Darkpaths is just around the corner. The first story, "Village of the Daleks" will begin on Saturday 4th January 2014. It's an ideal jumping on point for new readers, but I'd advise any newcomers to read the previous two series anyway.

But for anyone who wants a quick refresher, here is the story so far, and what to expect from the new series.

The Doctor played by Richard O'Brien.

This Doctor is a future incarnation. Where in the future? Who knows. We never reference the incarnation number or how far on from the Peter Capaldi Doctor he is, but there is another incarnation before this one who is referenced from time to time and, again, he is not Peter Capaldi's incarnation. These stories are set far on from what is on TV at the moment. And the previous Doctor will be seen this series. But who will he be played by...?

We discovered during Series 1 and 2 that the Doctor had suffered a trauma during his previous regeneration. He has now lost the ability to regenerate, the cells inside having undergone a freak accident, causing them to burn out and die. So now the Doctor hangs on to life, but he knows that very soon that life is going to be over, unless he can find a way to re-ignite the regenerative cells.

The Doctor has recently said goodbye to his previous companions, Caroline Parker and Danny Lennon, leaving them to finally live and get on with their own lives. But the next - and possibly final - stage of his this life is about to get underway. And everything changes when he meets school teacher, Alice Stokes.

The Doctor is played by Richard O'Brien, known for his roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Crystal Maze and many, many more.

Alice Stokes played by Louise Brealey

Alice is a secondary school teacher in her mid-twenties. She works at the local school in the small village of Little Pebbleford. She's a down to Earth woman, happy with her job and happy with her life.

In her younger days she was responsible for looking after her four sisters and this experienced had led her to seek a career as a school teacher. But this had also had drawbacks. Because she had had to grow up quickly, she hadn't experienced much of an adventurous childhood, so when the Doctor shows up, she jumps at the chance to experience the excitement of life as a time traveller.

Alice is played by Louise Brealey, who people may recognise as Molly Hooper from Sherlock.

The Eyeglass and The General

The Eyeglass is a huge space company, formed from the ashes of the old Torchwood Institute, centuries in the future. The Doctor has encountered them and their agents a number of times during the first and second series, and he is due for one final encounter with them during Series 3.

General Helix (played by Liam Neeson) is the head of the company. Ruthless and efficient, he was a bio-engineered Human being, created by the Time Lords during the Time War. But during the events of the Time War, he lost his battle TARDIS, escaped the War and created the Eyeglass.

The last time the Doctor met associates of the Eyeglass, he defeated their plans. And so now General Helix wants the Doctor captured and brought to him alive, and with his bounty hunter associate, Paragrim, heading up the mission, he might just succeed this time...

Gallifrey and the Time Lords

Although the Time Lords and the Time War get mentioned during our series, we try our best to steer clear of current events with Gallifrey. I think it's safe to assume that a some point in the not-to-distant future, Gallifrey is going to return to our TV screens. Until then, we shan't be going near it. There are reasons why the Doctor doesn't consult the Time Lords with regards to his ill health. This may be addressed in the coming season. If and when Gallifrey returns, we may then start to use it in our stories, but for now we just have to steer well clear of it.

What to expect in Series 3

Series 3 will comprise of 12 stories in total. Each story will have either 4 or 5 parts and each story will be published over the course of a month, culminating at the end of the year with the Series 3 finale.

The stories will see the Doctor take Alice from Little Pebbleford to the ice world of Issenttii. He'll battle deadly reflections and we'll see the Doctor's previous incarnation with his old companion, Ivy Coldstone. He'll do battle with General Helix and the Eyeglass and travel to a mysterious, haunted house which holds a dark secret that the Doctor has tried to keep hidden. Trees will invade Cologne, vampires will crawl from old film reels, and the Doctor and Alice will find them at the very beginning of the Dalek Invasion of Earth. We'll see the familiar face of the Sixth Doctor again, as he teams up with our Doctor. The Master will return and the Doctor will face a final battle, meeting up with a deadly new life-form - The Swych.

And there will also be someone from far, far back in the Doctor's past. Someone who we always knew existed, but who we had never met before...

Christmas Special: The Last Christmas

We last saw Caroline and Danny at the end of the series 2 finale, "Call of the Spirits". The Doctor said a final goodbye to his companions and left them to continue in their (relatively normal) lives. But this is our last visit to those characters and is a short piece set 4 months after they left the Doctor. Merry Christmas everybody.

December 25th, 2012


Caroline sighed and then smiled as she popped the final plate into the dishwasher.

It had been a long, long day. But a wonderful, beautiful day. It had been the best Christmas she had experienced in a long time, and she wasn’t really ready for it to be over.

Three months ago, she and Danny had gathered up enough of their savings and had rented a little house in a quiet little close in the west part of Thornsby.

Danny had gotten a job with an advertising company in Yarathorpe, and Caroline had quit her job at Hypersave to become a full-time stay-at-home Mum.

Being a mum to four-month old William wasn’t her only job, however. She had taken to writing children’s books about a mysterious alien known as Professor Time, who travelled around in his mysterious red telephone box. Well, she thought, she couldn’t exactly use the true details for fear of someone at UNIT or Torchwood stopping them from being published.

Now she was just waiting for the first story, “Professor Time and the Battle Dogs”, to come back from the publishers. All in all, things had taken a turn for the better in her life. She was enjoying life.

Steve bustled into the kitchen, already pulling his coat on and wrapping his scarf around his neck.

“Oh, are you going?” said Caroline, closing up the dishwasher.

“Got to,” smiled Steve. “Mum and Dad are gonna be waiting for me. It took me forever to convince them to let me miss their Christmas dinner.”

Caroline smiled. Somewhere, deep down, there were still feelings for this man, but they had faded now. He was still little Will’s father, and she’d always love him because of that, but the two of them were moving on. Had moved on.

“I’ve kissed Will good night,” said Steve, a hint of sadness in his voice.

“You know you can come over whenever you want,” said Caroline, smiling warmly at him.

“Caroline,” said Steve, his brown eyes and smile making her remember the first time they met, “I still haven’t gotten over you. It’s going to take some time. You and I…well, we went through a lot in such a short space of time.”

“I know,” said Caroline. “I wish it was different.”

“But it’s okay,” smiled Steve. “Our main priority is to make sure William has the best life he can have, and you and Danny - and me - can give that to him.”

Caroline smiled and then gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, smiling again. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” said Caroline, as she watched him make his way out of the kitchen, say his goodbyes to her guests and then head out into the snow beyond.

She made her way back to the living room. Sat around the table, laughing and joking, each with a different beverage were the oddest collection of people you could meet.

On the surface they looked normal enough, but each one had a story to tell.

There was Danny, a lager in hand, now wearing a pair of glasses, who had just finished telling a joke. Then there was Margot and Ben, the two survivors from the Ancestors. They had gotten a flat in the Victoria Mills complex and had gotten part-time jobs, via Caroline, at Hypersave. They weren’t intending on staying there forever, of course, just earning enough to get them back on their feet.

And then there was Catherine and Tony Parker, Caroline’s adopted parents. Tony had recovered from his heart attack and was doing well, and little William had been the one to bring the family back together. There were still underlying regrets between Caroline and her parents, but they had gotten over the worst. They were building bridges finally.

And finally there was Thomas and Rebecca - Caroline’s real parents. They had opted to stay in Thornsby, firstly to assist Caroline in her powers, and secondly to be friends to Ben and Margot, as well as Lilly and Father Ainslie and the rest of the people who had been deposited in this time. Tom and Rebecca had set up a home for the refugee’s, and were helping them to reintegrate back into the world.

Caroline pulled up a chair and sat down.

“So,” said Tom, taking a sip of brandy, “I see Steve’s left.”

“Tom,” said Rebecca, her eyes flashing him a warning.

Caroline smiled. She never knew what to call her real parents. Initially she had wanted to call them Mum and Dad, and had tried it, but the two of them looked younger than her. So she had opted to call them their actual names.

“Tom,” said Caroline, “he is William’s father, but it’s difficult for him. You’ve gotta understand.”

“Hmm,” said Tom, a cheeky smile on his face, “I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“You listen to your father,” said Tony, breaking into a big belly laugh.

“God,” said Tom, “I remember when you looked as young as us,” he said to Tony.

“Cheeky!” said Cath, slapping Tom on the arm.

Everybody laughed.

Only Margot looked a bit glum. “I remember one Christmas,” she said, a sad smile playing on her face, “must have been, ooh, back in 1963, Jayne came back to the crypt with our Christmas dinner - sandwiches.”

Ben nodded, smiling at the memory.

“We never had a lot back then. We were always trying to keep an eye on the Apparites. We never had time to make money and go out there and have a good time.”

“Work, work, work,” said Ben. “Even when I was being a vicar I never got paid for it!”

“The point,” said Margot, sipping on her mineral water, “is that even back in those days, even when it was a nightmare and we were working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Jayne still made sure we had some sort of Christmas.”

Tom and Rebecca smiled.

“She always looked after us,” said Ben.

“To Jayne,” said Caroline, raising her recently made cup of tea.

“To Jayne!” chorused the group, each raising their glasses.




Some time passed. Caroline checked on the sleeping William and, when everyone was gathered around the tree, unwrapping their presents, she made her way back to the kitchen.

It was then that she spotted the man in the garden. Standing amongst the snow, watching from the fence at the back. He wore a long, black coat, blue shirt with a black tie, and a yellow smiley-face badge pinned to his lapel. It was the Doctor.

She took a quick look back at the living room, made sure nobody was watching, and then quickly unlocked the back door.

She slowly walked up the garden path, her feet crunching in the snow. Shivering, she stood in front of the Doctor.

He was leaning on an ornate walking stick and had a black scarf tied around him.

He smiled sadly. “Proper snow this time?”

Caroline nodded. “None of your alien stuff. This is the real deal.”

He smiled.

She flung her arms around him. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” She broke away from him. “What happened? Are you okay?”

The Doctor smiled again. “I just wanted to come and see you one last time.”

“One last time?” Caroline frowned. “You mean…?”

The Doctor nodded slowly. “It’s pretty much the end now.”

Caroline put her hand to her mouth, her eyes flooding with tears.

“Don’t be sad, Caroline,” he said, taking her hands. “I’ve lived my life to the full. I’ve been travelling again.”

“On your own?”

“No,” he said. “I met a young woman - a teacher actually. Alice her name is. She’s from a little in your future.”

“And she understands what’s happening to you?”

He nodded. “She knows.”

“Is she having a good time?” said Caroline.

“She’s having the trip of a lifetime,” said the Doctor. “She’s just in the pub down the road now. Said I’d be back soon.”

“And there really is no way-?”

He cut her off. “I met someone who said they had found a way to save me,” said the Doctor, a dark look playing across his face.

“Then do it,” said Caroline.

“No,” said the Doctor, shaking his head. “The cost would be too high. I’m not willing to go that far to save myself.”

Caroline sighed. “You’re a stubborn git, you know?”

He smiled. “I know.” He nodded towards the house. “Having a party, are we?”

“Kind of. I got the rest of them round for dinner. Everyone’s getting on well. Margot and Ben have a flat and jobs, Tom and Rebecca are caring for the refugee’s. Steve’s - well - Steve’s just Steve. Mum and Dad have made up with me.”

“And you?”

“I’m good. William’s healthy.”

“Any problems with your powers?”

“Had a little accident a couple of months back,” she said sheepishly. “Burnt the shed down. But Tom and Rebecca are helping me. I’ll have it under control soon.”

The Doctor smiled. “Good.” He looked at her curiously. “You know, if you ever got those powers under control, I might be able to take you back to William. William Fieldgate, that is. We never really did find out what happened to him. As long as you were safe with your powers, you could have a life with him. It wouldn’t disrupt the web of time-”

“No,” said Caroline quickly.

“No?”

“No,” she said again. “I’ve thought long and hard about William, and I’ve spent a long time trying to get over him. I’m in a happy place now. William was a wonderful thing that happened to me, but it was just one moment in my life. Something I would never want to spoil. I loved him - still love him - and he loves me.”

“I can find out what happened to him. You never did let me finish reading that bit of info on him.”

Caroline considered for a moment. This was her last chance to really find out. “No,” she said. “As long as he was happy, that’s all I needed to know.”

The Doctor pulled out a tablet from his coat pocket, checked the info on it and then smiled. “He was happy. It says it here in black and white. He led a happy, healthy life.”

She smiled. “I’m glad.”

“And how’s Danny Boy?”

“He’s good. You know, we’re kind of together. Well, as together as two best mates can be. I love him. He loves me. But it’s complicated. I think we’re always going to be together.”

“Marriage?” queried the Doctor.

“God, no!” said Caroline. “It’s just not like that with him and I. I guess you could call us…soul mates. God, that sounds cheesy.”

The Doctor laughed. “Take care of him,” said the Doctor. He suddenly clutched at his chest.

Caroline stepped forward to help him, but he motioned for her to stay back.

“Doctor…”

“I’ll be fine,” he said. “I’ve gotta go pick up Alice from the pub. I need to take her home.”

She flung her arms around him again, hugging him tightly. “Thank you again.”

Just then Danny stepped out of the house. He looked at the Doctor and Caroline in shock.

“Hello there,” smiled the Doctor.

Danny gave a slight wave back at him, not really knowing what to think.

“Right,” said the Doctor, opening the back gate. “I’m off.” He smiled at Caroline. “Have a wonderful life, Miss Parker. And Merry Christmas.”

“Get help. Save yourself,” said Caroline, one last desperate attempt to save her friend. And then she smiled. “Merry Christmas.”

And she watched as he stepped into the dark alleyway behind the house, and slowly closed the gate.

“What was that all about?” said Danny, joining her at her side.

“He just came to say goodbye,” she said, sadly.

Danny put his arm around her. “Come on. Let’s go finish Christmas. There’s a bottle of Bailey’s with my name on it.”


THE END

Doctor Who: Darkpaths, returns on January 4th 2014 with the first story in Series 3 - "Village of the Daleks". Keep checking back for more updates on the upcoming series.

Looking Ahead to Series 3.

So with the conclusion of "Call of the Spirits", brings in the conclusion of one of the story arcs that has spanned since the start of the series.

The story of Caroline, Danny and the Ancestors is now over. But that doesn't mean that Darkpaths is ending. No, we are continuing with series 3, which is due to start in January 2014.

Before we look at what to expect from series 3, I'd just like to take a look back at what I've done so far.

On the whole I'm happy with the series. I think sometimes some of the stories were a little long, but overall I've enjoyed writing them and writing the characters. In fact by the time I'd gotten to the end of "Call of the Spirits", I realised I was going to really miss Caroline and Danny.

One thing I would have done differently would be to have not made the stories so arc-heavy. This is something I'm changing for the next series.

The series will have 12 stories. Each story will be much shorter than anything done before. Each story will also have 4 parts to it. The aim is to start in January and have one part a week, effectively giving us one story a month leading up to next Christmas. The stories will be much more varied, less arc-heavy, but still helping to tie up a few loose plot threads.

What are those plot threads that need tying up? Well, in series 3, we'll see the Doctor finally confronting the might of the Eyeglass and the General. We'll also pay a visit to Ivy Coldstone (first introduced in 'Eye of the Jungle'), and see exactly what she got up to with the Doctor's previous incarnation (but who will he be played by...?) And we have the Master back as well. He's out there somewhere, causing havoc and mischief. And finally there's the Doctor. He will take this painful journey with Alice, his new companion, as he heads towards his possible death.

And so to Alice ("played" by Louise Brealey - Molly Hooper from "Sherlock"). She's a teacher living in a small village called Little Pebbleford. When she meets the Doctor she is eager to experience time, space and adventure, and she's just what the Doctor needs to kick start him again, after travelling with the sometime's reluctant Caroline, and the pre-occupied Danny.

One of the questions I thought I should answer is the revelations about Gallifrey/the Time War in the TV episode "The Day of the Doctor". All in all it shouldn't effect anything we've done so far with the series. Although I've used a couple of things relating to the Time War (The General and the Proto-Time Lords), I've always avoided it as best as I could. There's nothing worse than creating your own storyline and alluding to something from the TV series and then having the rug pulled from under your feet.
And that brings me to Gallifrey. Gallifrey may or may not return in the TV series. Luckily, I haven't references what the Time Lords are up to. It's all left open, so nothing will be affected. The question on why/if the Doctor can travel to Gallifrey to get his regenerating problem "fixed" is something that will be questioned in series 3. It's not just a question of going back to his home planet. It's something else...

There are a number of plot lines or changes to the ongoing plot that changed during the course of the two series. Originally Danny was supposed to have died after the events of "Lockdown". He was going to be fighting off the Apparite inside him and at the end wage out to the water where the ghost escaped and he died. The ghost would have taken part of his personality back into their dimension where at the end of "The Story of the Ancestors" a strange amalgamation of Danny and Adrian would have emerged. I scrapped that story line as I liked Danny and wanted to keep him alive.

Also the Doctor was due to regenerate at the end of series 2. I won't tell you who I lined up to take over from him, but I wanted to continue with him a little longer. And the circumstances in which he regenerated would have been different. After regeneration he wasn't going to return to Thornsby, and Caroline, Danny and the others would have had to accept that the Doctor was dead and gone.

So, here's a run-down on each story (ordering could possibly change).

3.1 Village of the Daleks
The Doctor meets Alice Stokes and they discover a Dalek shuttle buried underneath a school in Little Pebbleford.

3.2 The Tipping Point
The Doctor takes Alice to her first planet - the site of one of the first Human-colonised worlds. But, as the colonists begin their terraforming, the Doctor discovers that the ice-world is not as lifeless as everyone thought.

3.3 Reflections
The Doctor and Alice land in an abandoned American town where deadly reflections crawl out of mirrors.

3.4 The Story of Ivy Coldstone
The Doctor recounts the tale of how he first met Ivy, back when he had a different face...

3.5 The Fall of the Eye
The Doctor is finally captured by the General, whilst Alice escapes to Earth where she is pursued by Eyeglass operatives, and is rescued by an anti-Eyeglass group.

3.6 Number 17
The TARDIS lands at Number 17 Westcliffe Drive - a house that is supposedly haunted. And it's a house that brings back some bad memories for the Doctor.


3.7 The Trees of Cologne
A normal holiday in Cologne, Germany lands the Doctor in the middle of a mystery - the trees are moving in on the city, and people are dropping dead one by one.

3.8 The Curse of Nosferatu
The Doctor and Alice are summoned to an old film library where a copy of the old film "Nosferatu" has been stolen. Stolen by a vampire...

3.9 Before the Dawn
The TARDIS lands the Doctor and Alice in the early days of the Dalek Invasion of Earth, where the Doctor is embroiled with a group of resistance fighters. But how can he help them when he knows he must not interfere?

3.10 War of the Machines
The Doctor meets up with the 6th Doctor as they become caught up in the middle of the war between the Centrix robots.

3.11 Friends & Enemies
Alice receives some disturbing information, the Master reappears, and the Doctor is introduced to the deadly Swych - a lifeform that exists outside of any kind of dimension, time or space.

3.12 The Final Battle
As the Doctor reaches his final days, Ivy and Alice team up to find a cure for him. Meanwhile the Doctor returns to UNIT HQ on Earth where he helps them fight off an old and deadly enemy.


As always, if anyone is interested in writing for Darkpaths, then please get in touch with me.

as we go through December I'll be updating the blog with small snippets of info in the build of to Season 3, including another "Story So Far..." piece and, of course, the cover and blurb for "Village of the Daleks".

Also, keep an eye out as we approach Christmas for a little something extra.

We've also redesigned the blog with a few new touches, new colour-scheme and new logo/banner. There may be little tweaks along the way, and if you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

So, for now, it's goodbye. Keep checking up on us and we'll be ready to go with "Village of the Daleks" (Part 1) on Saturday January 4th 2014.

Have fun!

Call of the Spirits: Chapter 11 (Endings)

He opened his eyes.

Above him was the church-like roof that had become so familiar to him lately. This was the TARDIS. His TARDIS. And he was alive.

He quickly scrambled to his feet. Standing there at the console with his back to him, was Matthew Cole. He turned and then nodded to the Doctor.

“Matthew, what are you doing?”

The Master smiled. “Can you believe that I rescued you?”

“What?”

“I couldn’t let my oldest enemy die, could I? And I’m even going to give you your TARDIS back. I’ve taken the liberty of procuring one of the escape pods.”

“I’m confused,” said the Doctor, rubbing his sore head.

“Not difficult to confuse you, is it?” laughed the Master. He walked up to the Doctor. “I flew your ship into that damaged TARDIS.”

“Last time I did that I couldn’t land.”

“The dimensions were collapsing. It was easy. I took her down and rescued you.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“We’re heading back to Thornsby now,” said the Master, checking the control readings. “And from now on, you owe me. You owe me your life.” He chuckled. “Imagine that, eh?”

“Matthew, what on the Fields of Centralis has happened to you?”

“I think you need to take a seat.”




Two Days Later




Caroline, Danny, Margot, Ben, Thomas and Rebecca were sat in the New Barge pub. Caroline was sipping on a glass of lemonade and her baby was sleeping soundly in the pram next to her.

“So,” said Danny. “How are we all feeling?”

“Still screwed in the head,” said Ben.

“Where’s your brother?” said Margot.

“He’s spending some time with Mum and Dad. It’s a little overwhelming for them at the moment.”

Caroline looked up as a familiar figure came strolling from the toilets. He pulled up a stool and sat down at the table with them.

“People,” said Caroline, “I’d like you to meet Steve.”

“’Bout time we met you, mate,” said Danny.

Steve looked a little sheepish. After he had walked out on Caroline, he had been taken and transformed by the Apparites, but during the few hours in which the police had been involved, he had been spotted, disorientated, by Caroline and they had finally been reunited.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” said Thomas.

“I beg your pardon?” said Steve.

“How dare you walk out on our daughter!” scolded Rebecca.

“Mum!” said Caroline.

“I’m sorry,” said Steve. “I am truly sorry. I hope we can work this all out.”

“It’s gonna take time,” said Caroline, putting her hand on his arm. “We’ll see what happens.”

Danny cleared his throat and then looked at Caroline. “Caz, do you mind coming out with me for a moment?”

The two friends made their way up the wooden steps from the New Barge and out to the open bus station area. It was a warm summers evening and there was no hint that there had ever been any snow only two days before. A little way off, around the church, work had already begun to repair the damage to the area and plans were already being drawn up to build a new church.

Caroline sat down at the wooden table, William in her arms, and Danny joined her.

“Thanks,” said Danny. “I needed it to be us together, one last time.”

“What do you mean?” smiled Caroline.

“Things are gonna get complicated from now on. Your old parents, your new parents and Steve coming back. Then there’s Mr Cope being back and Lilly, Ben and Margot. Not to mention Ade.”

“Yeah,” said Caroline, stroking her babies face. “There’s a lot to sort out. But you’ll always be my friend. I won’t make that mistake again. We’ll always be friends. And at least my other Dad’s getting over his heart attack.”

Danny nodded and then scratched at his temple.

“How are you anyway?” she asked.

“I feel a bit…empty. It’s weird. I guess I just got used to him being in there.”

Caroline sighed. “It’s weird to think that this is where it all began. At the Barge - the old one - talking about babies and stuff. And now look.”

“Technically you could say this all started sometime in the future.”

“Shut up,” said Caroline, smacking him playfully on his arm.

Danny nodded. “I’m so happy for you, Caz.”

“Me too,” smiled Caroline.

“And Steve? What do you think about him? Will you two get back together?”

Caroline chuckled to herself. “He’s the father of my baby, but he hurt me. He hurt me a lot. It’s going to take a long time for me to understand him again. And he‘s been through a lot as well.” Caroline looked sad. “We’ve been through so much together.”

Danny nodded sadly. He reached out and clasped her hand.

“I’m so pleased you’re here with me,” she said. “Sometimes you forget how much a person means to you.”

They leaned in towards each other, their lips about to touch, when…

“Hi, kids!” came a jovial voice, causing Caroline and Danny and quickly pull away from each other.

Caroline and Danny both looked towards the familiar voice. Standing there in a black suit, blue shirt, a yellow smiley badge pinned to the lapel and a shiny, bald head was the Doctor.

“What in the name of all that is holy…!?” said Caroline, happy, angry and shocked all at the same time.

“I’m back,” smiled the Doctor. “I escaped!”

“It’s been two bloody days!!” yelled Danny. “What the hell happened?”

“Oh,” said the Doctor. He bit the end of his finger. “Oh dear.”

“I thought you were bloody dead,” said Caroline, tears in her eyes. And then she got up, threw herself at the Doctor and flung her arms around him. “Thank god. Thank you!”

Danny found himself unable to contain his anger any longer and leapt to his feet and broke into a grin. He held out a hand to the Doctor and the Doctor grabbed it, instead pulled him in for a hug as well.

“How?” said Caroline.

“The Master rescued me, believe it or not, and then cleared off in an escape pod.”

“Oh my god,” said Caroline. “I can’t believe all that Matthew business.”

“Yes,” said the Doctor, “he explained everything to me on the way.”

“Listen, Doctor,” said Caroline. “I think you should come with us. There’s some people I’d like you to meet down in the New Barge.”




And after the Doctor had been reunited with everyone, and had been introduced to Thomas, Rebecca and Steve, they had all enjoyed a night of fun and laughter. They celebrated the life and then mourned the death of Jayne and the Doctor had taken the former Ancestors to the side.

“What do you want to do?” asked the Doctor.

Margot looked at Ben and then back to the Doctor. “We’re staying here.”

“You still have those powers,” said the Doctor.

“I know. They’re a part of us now. We’re going to stay with the Farrington’s and try and help Caroline control them.”

“I can take you back to the future if you want.”

“No,” said Ben. “This has been our home for centuries. And that’s what it’s going to stay as. Our home.”

The Doctor smiled. “And please remember Jayne. Remember the good things she did to keep this town - this planet - safe. She died with honour. Never forget that.”

Margot and Ben nodded.

“It’s difficult to believe she’s gone,” said Margot, trying not to get upset again.

“Gone, but never forgotten,” said the Doctor.




More time had passed. People had said their goodbyes. Thomas and Rebecca were going to stay at Caroline’s flat, while Ben and Margot had booked a room out at a hotel until they could find somewhere permanent to live. They had collected Lilly and the other former members of their team and had also sorted them out with rooms. And so the long process of rebuilding their lives had begun.

Steve had sad a quiet farewell to Caroline, mumbling something about sorting himself out and then disappeared into the night.

Caroline actually felt pleased that he was going. She needed time away from him right now.

And so just the Doctor, Danny and Caroline were left. The Doctor had parked the TARDIS next to the river and was leaning against the old, battered blue box.

“It’s going to take some time,” said the Doctor. “There are a lot of lost people out there. They’re going to need help.”

Caroline and Danny nodded. “Margot and Ben will help them.”

“I know they will,” he smiled sadly.

The Doctor let out a long, deep sigh. “And you two…”

“We’re staying here,” said Caroline.

“I thought you might say that,” said the Doctor, a little sadly.

“When I started travelling with you, Doctor, I came because I wanted answers. I found those answers. But I never got to really appreciate all those wonders out there.” She took a hold Danny’s hand. “But I just wanted to say thank you.”

“I hope you found the answers you wanted.”

“I know there’s a power inside of me. And I know it may always be there, but out of that power has come something…beautiful.” She looked down at William, sleeping in his pram. “And it’s time to get on with my life now.”

“And you, Danny?”

“Oh, I just wanna say cheers for dragging me around time and space with a ghost stuck in my head.”

The three of them laughed.

“But seriously,” said Danny, “you helped me get my brother back. I never thought that was possible. Thank you.”

The Doctor smiled.

Danny held out his hand and shook the Doctor’s.

And then Caroline leaned in, stepped on her tippy-toes, and gave the Doctor a kiss on the cheek.

“Don’t be lonely,” said Caroline. “And don’t die alone.” Caroline tried to hold back to tears. “Promise me.”

“Caroline…”

“The universe needs the Doctor. Who else is going to fight off all of those monsters? So promise me you’ll fight to stay alive.”

“Okay,” said the Doctor. “I promise.”

Caroline smiled.

“Time to go then,” said the Doctor, unlocking the TARDIS door.

“Take care, you daft old sod,” said Danny.

Caroline and Danny watched as he stepped into the box. For a moment Caroline felt a pang of regret. There was a whole universe out there to explore, but this was her life now. Her life with William and - maybe - Danny. And she couldn’t ask for anymore. This was the life she wanted. The most wonderful life.

The two of them stepped back as the TARDIS dematerialised for the last time.

And then they were alone beside the river.

“Come on,” said Danny, putting his arm around Caroline. “Let’s go and get on with life.”

EPILOGUE

February 2nd, 2544




President Jack Harkness surveyed the cold, empty control room of Torchwood LA. Only a month ago the place had been buzzing with as many as twenty members of the team, but now the place was cold, dark and soulless.

Jack didn’t know what had happened to Jayne and her team, but he was damned if he was going to let it lie there. He had to find out.

He pulled his grey military jacket tighter around him, turned to leave, and came face to face with a bald-headed man in a black jacket.

For a moment Jack was stunned by this stranger, and then he broke into a grin. “Doctor.”

“Jack,” smiled the Doctor, and the two men embraced.

“Changed again, huh?” said Jack, looking him up and down. “Loving the bald look by the way.”

The Doctor smiled. “Yes, I’m rather fond of it myself.”

“What number’s this then?”

“Too many to count,” smiled the Doctor. The Doctor looked around his surroundings. “So this is the famous Los Angeles branch then?”

Jack nodded. “Managed to rebuild Torchwood from the ashes. We’ve got branches all over the world now.”

The Doctor raised his eyebrows. “Doing it the Jack Harkness way?”

“Doing it the Jack Harkness way,” he said, nodding. He sighed. “But it’s failing.”

“What do you mean?”

“People are losing faith in us again. Just the other month we lost an entire team. The LA team. They just disappeared.”

“Jack,” said the Doctor, leaning against the railings that surrounded the upper walkway, “Torchwood will rise, and Torchwood will fall. It’ll come back in different guises with different names, but it’ll always be around.”

Jack nodded. He knew he had to trust and believe the Doctor’s words.

“Just be careful of some of the people in the halls of power.”

“Hey,” said Jack, “I’m president of Torchwood now. What I say goes.”

“But others may not believe that.”

Jack frowned.

“As I said,” continued the Doctor, “just be careful.” The Doctor headed towards the door.

“Why did you come here?” said Jack.

He stopped. “I came to tell you about your LA team.” He turned back to face his old friend. “They’re safe. They’re living their lives in the 21st century.”

“How?” said Jack, shaking his head.

“A long, long story,” said the Doctor.

“Can you bring them back?” asked Jack.

“I could,’” said the Doctor, “but they want to stay.”

Jack nodded. “What do I tell their families.”

The Doctor smiled. “Tell them that they’re out there, far away in the past. And they’re heroes. All of them.”

Jack watched as the Doctor walked through the doorway.

He turned to face the central hub of the control room again. For a moment he thought he saw a figure. Down in the darkness, a glowing figure of a woman. But he must have imagined it, because as soon as he had tried to register it, it had gone.

Jack laughed, shook his head and then made his way out of the base. He’d have to begin recruiting again. He wondered if there was anybody out there ready to take up the challenge. He wondered if he was still up to the challenge.




Somewhere else…




On a rain-soaked building site somewhere in a quiet country village, a JCB digger had been stopped. The workers were all gathered around something that the digger had uncovered.

The foreman bustled onto the site and pushed his way past the workers.

“Stand aside,” he said. He looked down into the small, uncovered hole at the base of the chalk cliff. “What the bloody hell’s that thing?”

His second in charge looked down at the twisted, metal thing that looked like it had been crushed under a heavy weight.

The thing’s eyestalk, although dead, was still pointing upwards, as if reaching for freedom.

“I’m buggered if I know what it is,” he said. “It looks like some kind of crushed, giant pepper pot.”




THE END

Doctor Who: Darkpaths returns in January 2014 in “Village of the Daleks”, starring Richard O’Brien as the Doctor, and introducing Louise Brealey as Alice Stokes.

Call of the Spirits: Chapter 10 (Resurrection)

Ben frowned as he looked the strange man up and down. “Master what?”

The Master turned to look at Ben. “Just ‘the Master’ will do.”

“I don’t understand,” said Caroline. “Do you even remember what happened to you?”

The Master crossed over to his former, travelling companions and looked down at them. “Of course. Every, single, last, pathetic moment of it.”

Danny frowned. “Then can you care to explain to us what happened to you.”




“You see, my dear friends, the Doctor and I go way back. Way, way back. Further than he cares to remember. And we’re not exactly…friends. I’ve always thought of him as a very dear ally. A competitor. And, I am ashamed to admit, he has defeated me on many occasions. I’ve even died a few times because of him.

Well, on this particular occasion I had reached the end of yet another regeneration cycle. Yes, it happens to the best of us, I’m afraid.

My body was dying, my TARDIS had been destroyed. I went to the only place I could think that could save me: The Proto-Store Moon.

During the Time War - so long ago, now - Time Lords began creating new Time Lords. Proto-forms. They would begin as blank slates and quickly evolve into mindless drones. Perfect to send into battle. There was one left. And it was damaged. My plan was to transfer my living consciousness into the proto-form, effectively giving myself a new body.

But there was no way to do it. The Proto-form was badly damaged. It needed a kick-start. The only way I could do it was in it coming into contact with another Time Lord. Another Time Lord’s regenerative cells. I was only dying. So I transferred - cloned - my consciousness, loaded the proto-form into the tube and ejected it into the vortex.

I can only assume that my old body died soon after.

I latched onto the TARDIS and caused it to land in Manchester, triggering the Doctor’s regeneration. I was in close proximity to him as he regenerated. I absorbed all of his cells, rendering him unable to regenerate, but before I could complete my transformation, his little blue friend - was her name Aleena? - took the new Doctor away and abandoned me in that blasted airport. I wasn’t able to complete myself.

And so I forgot. I had nothing but the mindless Human cattle and the Doctor’s regenerative cells. Slowly I believed myself to actually BE the Doctor. Rational thinking took over. I believed myself to be a Watcher - an echo of a future incarnation of the Doctor. And slowly I became Matthew Cole.

But now I know the truth. It’s a very liberating experience, I can tell you that.

Oh, and now I get to watch you all die."




Back in the shed-TARDIS dimensions, Adrian had been shepherding the Apparites - the good ones - towards the various cracks in the landscape. The Doctor had promised to save them, and he was determined to make sure none of them were trapped inside when he closed these dimensions down.

“Is it done?” said Jayne, as she looked at the Doctor, hunched over the console.

The Doctor nodded slowly. “It’s done.”

“So all you have to do is-”

“-disconnect the two wires,” said the Doctor.

“Seems a bit simple to me,” said Jayne, crouching down and looking at the two, pathetic little wires dangling underneath the console.

The Doctor crouched to join her. “You forget all the work I’ve just done to disconnect everything. This is just the very, very last thing.”

Jayne sighed. “And then it’ll all be over?”

“And then it’ll all be over. The power will be drawn back into the heart of the TARDIS. The dimensions will collapse and implode on themselves and - hopefully - the Apparites will all revert to their normal, Human form. They’ll finally be separated from this place.”

Jayne looked a little sad. “It’s a shame Brandon couldn’t have been here for this.”

The Doctor put his hand on her shoulder. “You’ve been very brave, Miss Robson. All these centuries guarding this place. Keeping everything in check. If only I’d know about it sooner.”

“Things happen for a reason,” said Jayne. “You can’t change them now. One thing I don’t get though. How are we going to get out?”

The Doctor looked at her inquisitively.

“Well, when you disconnect those wires, this whole place collapses, yeah?”

“Mmm-hmm,” nodded the Doctor.

“So how do we get out?”

The Doctor looked sad. “You and Adrian climb through a crack before I disconnect the wires.”

“And you then join us, yeah?”

The Doctor shook his head slowly. “There’s no time for me to get out.”

“What!?”

The Doctor held up his finger to Jayne’s lips. “I’m not here to argue. I need to shut this place down.”

“But you can’t just let yourself die!”

“Jayne, I’m dying anyway,” said the Doctor. “I might as well do it being heroic!” He laughed. “I don’t want to wither away and become a helpless old man.”

Adrian came running into the console room. “It’s done, Doctor,” he said, breathlessly. “I’ve got as many out as possible.”

“Good,” said the Doctor. He moved to a sitting/lying position under the console and grabbed the wires. “Head for a crack, you two.”

“But what about you?” frowned Adrian.

“He’s staying,” said Jayne. She leaned in a little closer to the Doctor. “Are you sure about this?”

“Absolutely,” said the Doctor, refusing to make eye contact. And then his grey eyes flicked to hers. “Just do me one favour.”

“Anything.”

“Make sure Caroline gets the help she needs. And tell her that I’m sorry.”

Jayne nodded. And then she leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek. “Thank you, Doctor. I won’t forget this. Ever.”

The Doctor watched as Jayne ushered the protesting Adrian out of the console room. And then he sat there, for what seemed like an eternity. Waiting for the right amount of time to pass until he destroyed yet another world.




In the crypt, the Master was pacing up and down, eyeing up the six people and the restless baby. His hands were behind his back and he was nodding to himself.

“So go on then, mate,” said Thomas. “How are you gonna kill us?”

“Don’t say that!” scolded Margot. “I don’t want to die, thank you very much.”

“I’m not going to kill you,” said the Master. “It seems there a few loose ends to tie up here, and I’m quite happy for our ghostly friends to do the business.” He smiled. “They’ll be in soon enough.”

He made for the inner door that led to where the Doctor’s TARDIS was standing.

“You can’t steal it!” shouted Caroline.

“My dear, Miss Parker, I can do anything I want.” The Master smiled and then went into the ante-chamber.

Standing there, gathering dust, was the blue TARDIS. Caroline raced after the Master, just as he unlocked the door - with the key the Doctor had foolishly given him a while back - and went inside.

Caroline hammered on the door, knowing full well that it was futile, as the TARDIS slowly dematerialised.

And then it was gone.

And for the first time, as Caroline heard the Apparites scrambling down the stone steps, she felt as though this really was the end.




The Doctor had given them a good ten minutes to get out. He looked at the small wire in his hand. He was about pull it free from the circuit board, when he heard footsteps. He looked from underneath the console. Standing there was Jayne.

“Adrian is safe,” said Jayne quietly.

“Jayne, what are you still doing here?”

“I’m staying,” said Jayne.

“You are not!” shouted the Doctor. “You are going back to your people. You have to be with them.”

“I lost them,” said Jayne.

The Doctor frowned.

“I let my obsession of protecting this place take over my life. I lost their faith a long time ago. The least I can do is help fix this with you.”

“But you’ll die,” said the Doctor.

But Jayne simply shuffled under the console to sit beside him. “I’ve done my duty in life. I can’t ever imagine doing anything else after this.” Jayne looked at him. “You know, when I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to do was visit the stars and have adventures. I could have done that with you, actually.”

“Jayne…”

“But you’re about to die. So that adventure is never going to happen.”

The Doctor closed his eyes and banged his head back against the console’s plinth.

“But maybe the greatest adventure is about to begin.”

“Jayne…”

“Too late, Doc,” she said, grabbing the wires from his hands and yanking them from the console.

At first nothing happened, and then there was an almighty rumble from somewhere in the distance. The ground was vibrating and bits of metal were beginning to slowly float towards the cracked time rotor. The Doctor and Jayne looked at each other and then got to their feet, running out of the console room, through the cavern and to the surface.

They watched as the sky flashed with electricity. The clouds started to evaporate and the snow all around was melting. The Doctor and Jayne looked as the land around them began to crumple and fold up. It was almost like they were standing in the middle of a giant paper bag and a hand was crunching it up into a ball.

Jayne put her arms around the Doctor and drew herself in. “Doctor, I’m frightened.”

The Doctor pulled her in to shield her. “It’ll be over soon. I promise.”

Bolts of time energy struck down from the ever decreasing sky. The land shook and the Doctor and Jayne stumbled apart. Jayne fell to the ground.

The last thing the Doctor saw of Jayne, was a bolt of energy hitting her. The red-headed woman exploded into light as the time energy overloaded inside her.

The Doctor saw her screaming from within the light, but he couldn’t hear her. And then, just as suddenly as the light had hit her, Jayne was gone. The energy within her had destroyed her from the inside.

The Doctor sat back and watched as the dimensions around him collapsed.

And then he closed his eyes.




Caroline and the rest backed away from the metal tube that contained the inner-dimensions of the shed-TARDIS. Outside the door the Apparites had arrived.

“Where do we go?!” yelled Rebecca.

“Back!” said Caroline. “We have no choice. That thing’s going to explode!”

They ran from the box and to the staircase where the Apparites were clutching their heads in pain. Caroline watched as they writhed around in agony. Their features were slowly shifting and changing back to Human again.

“They did it,” said Margot. “They bloody well did it!”

“GO!” said Caroline again as they pushed their way past the Apparites, who had also begun to stream out of the church.

In the crypt the shed-TARDIS was glowing white-hot. And then…

It exploded, sending one last shockwave of time energy coursing through the crypt, obliterating every single piece of equipment.

Outside the snow was melting as they all staggered out. They had just gotten clear when the church erupted outwards, showering them all with stone and mason. Everyone fell to the ground as St James’s church - a building that had stood there since the medieval age - exploded.

Rubble rained down on them, but Caroline and the others had managed to get to safety, shielding themselves under an overhang from the 1980’s-built Wilkinson’s building.

“Looks like it is good for something,” laughed Danny as they watched the light from underneath the ruins of the church recede back into the ground.

“Doctor!” yelled Caroline.

Danny watched as his friend stumbled across the smoke-stained snow. And then his head turned. Emerging from the smoke and muck was Adrian. He looked a little disorientated, but he was alive.

“Adrian!” yelled Danny, throwing his arms around his brother. “Where’s the Doctor?”

“And Jayne?” added Margot quickly.

Adrian shook his head. “They stayed behind.”

Caroline peered into the crater left from the explosion. At the bottom was the twisted, metal shell of the destroyed shed-TARDIS. She fell to her knees and sobbed. The Doctor was gone.

Next time: It's the series 2 finale. The Master has stolen the TARDIS, the Doctor is gone, Jayne is dead, and Caroline and the others are left to pick up the pieces. Coming Saturday 30th November.

Call of the Spirits: Chapter 9 (Cole)

Matthew lay on the cold, stone ground, gasping for breath, but knowing that it was pointless. He had been aware of a commotion a few feet away from him, and he turned his head to look. Lying next to him, wrapped in an incredibly fluffy blanket, was a small, pink, newborn baby. It was sleeping soundly, it’s fingers gently opening and closing.

And he felt at peace. He felt as though something good had come of today.

He still didn’t quite understand what had happened or what had gone on. All he remembered was having these memories of being the Doctor - but now all he could feel was hatred towards him. How could he hate himself? And then he remembered - he had been told he was not the Doctor. Back on Xanji-For. That medic had told him he was not the Doctor. He was not the Doctor at all.

Then how could he have his memories?




And then he went back even further.




He was aware of something. A memory before he was created. He was aware of himself - a pure, white Proto-Time Lord, lying within a metal tube with a glass front. The figure of a man was above, staggering about and finding it hard to stay upright. And then he felt a pulse through his body. He felt something within him changing. And just as he felt the changes, he saw the man stagger over and out of site.

Then he was travelling through the space/time vortex. He was heading towards the blue police box - the TARDIS.

He collided with it. The tube fell apart. He followed the TARDIS down to the Earth.

He was standing behind the Time Lord - the Doctor - as he regenerated. He was about to reach out to him. The collision with his TARDIS had flooded his brain with memories. Memories of being the Doctor. He was the Doctor. He was sure of it. It had imprinted on his very mind.

And then he was gone. The Doctor had left and he - Matthew Cole as he would come to be known - was left behind on planet Earth.

But he wasn’t the Doctor. So who was he?




In the console room, in the shattered dimensions of the shed-TARDIS, the real Doctor was busy. He was half under the console, fiddling with wires and causing circuits to spark. Occasionally he made the odd grunting sound followed by a complaint and had to slide himself out, go to his coat pocket, remove another instrument and then slide back under again.

Jayne and Adrian were sat down, their backs against the roundel-covered wall.

“Do you think this is gonna work?” said Adrian, nodding towards the Doctor.

“Let’s hope so,” said Jayne.

“But we’ve got to help them all.”

“Oh, I agree,” said Jayne, “and this was what I was frightened of.”

“Then what do we do?”

“Doctor!” shouted Jayne.

The Doctor glanced from under the console, his sonic screwdriver sideways in his mouth. “Hmmm?” he mumbled.

“What are we doing with all the people still in here?”

The Doctor frowned, removed the screwdriver from his mouth and then slid himself out. “What do you want me to do?”

“Save them,” said Adrian simply.

“The moment that the ‘bad’ Apparites realise what we’re doing, they’ll descend on this place and tear us to shreds.”

“We can’t not tell them,” said Jayne.

“But if we do, they’ll come for us.”

“Then what do we do.”

The Doctor rubbed at his eyes and gazed up at the high, broken roof of the console room. He could see the moonlight coming through the large crack in the ceiling. He found it curious, how a moon could be within a broken TARDIS. He turned to Adrian and Jayne.

“The Apparites want out, yes?”

“Yes,” said Adrian.

“Then we let them out. All of them.”

“What!?” spluttered Jayne and Adrian together.

“At the moment they’re like flies. Most have sensed the window is open and have buzzed out, but there are some still buzzing around, oblivious to the fact.”

“Like the good ones. The ones I was with,” said Adrian

“Exactly,” said the Doctor.

“I can make more cracks in these dimensions. Enough for all of them cotton on that they can escape. It’d leave just us three in here.”

“But then what?” said Jayne. “We can’t just unleash the whole lot on Thornsby.”

“That’s why I’m not going to do it until I’m ready to shut the dimensions down. My theory is that as soon as the dimensions are closed, the Apparites will return to their former state.”

“You mean they’ll be Human again?” asked Jayne.

“Hopefully,” said the Doctor.

“Like the ones in the cave. Like Cope and Lilly. They’ve already been slowly changing back.”

“Yes,” said the Doctor, sliding back under the console. “The ones who were with Brandon - the hardcore ones, if you will - were being manipulated more. The ones who simply sat quietly are less affected. It’s all a matter of being mentally linked to this ship.”

“Are you even close to shutting it down?”

“Soon. Very soon.”




Caroline was struggling to understand how her parents had arrived so quickly. With all the commotion of the last hour or so, the questions that needed to be answered hadn’t been answered.

Finally, when everything was settled, Caroline crossed over to them, her baby in her arms once again.

“Can you believe it?” said Thomas, grinning from ear to ear. “We’re actually grandparents now.”

“Crazy,” said Rebecca, touching the little boy on his cheek.

Caroline looked at the pair of them. “How?”

Thomas smiled sadly. “I know this must be confusing for you,” he said.

“Just a tiny bit,” laughed Caroline nervously.

“Before we left we sent the pendant to Cath and Tony,” he nodded towards the necklace, still around Caroline’s neck. “Left them a note.”

“So I could call on you?”

“Yeah,” said Rebecca, holding Caroline’s hand and smiling. “It would automatically signal us to these vortex manipulators.” Rebecca held up her wrist and showed the complicated, overly-large wrist-watch-style device.

“And we would be automatically be transported to where you were,” continued Thomas. He frowned. “Good job I wasn’t in the toilet or in the shower or anything!”

Caroline laughed. “But I don’t understand. Why haven’t you come back before, if you knew you could.”

Thomas let out a long, long sigh and leaned back against the stone wall. “You have to understand; we never wanted to give you up. At all. But you needed to live a normal, safe life.”

“But I haven’t, have I?”

Rebecca smiled sadly. “If you hadn’t met the Doctor, then you would have. Those powers may never have come to the surface.”

“And where have you been living?”

Thomas got up and crossed over to a console. He switched it on, punched in a few numbers and a small screen sprung into life. A lifeless, red planet hung against a blanket of stars.

“You’ve been living on Mars?” said Caroline, wide-eyed.

Thomas nodded. “Well, Mars in the future. Before we left we made contact with an ex-UNIT operative. He gave us a time ring - with a ‘use once only’ option - and we ended up a few hundred years in the future.” Thomas switched off the screen. “So we decided to settle on one of the Mars colonies. It was far away from Earth to not be noticed.”

“We even tried adopting,” said Rebecca sadly, “but she was a bit of a tearaway and ended up running away back to Earth.”

“And then we made contact with an ex Time Agent and purchased the vortex manipulators. Like time rings, but more sophisticated. We inputted the space/time coordinates of the pendant, and then waited.”

Caroline nodded. “All these years…living with the wrong parents.”

Rebecca shook her head. “You shouldn’t blame Cath and Tony. They did the best they could.”

“They were overbearing and overprotective,” said Caroline with a snort.

“They were just trying to protect you.”

Caroline folded her arms and sighed. “Maybe, but there could have been a better way than alienating your adopted daughter.”

Thomas nodded. “Are they okay?”

“Tony had a heart attack,” said Caroline.

“What??!” said the young couple together.

“He’s gonna be okay though. I had a big argument with Cath. That’s when she gave me the pendant.”

“We need to see them. It’s been a long, long time. Well, for them maybe. Not so long for us.”

“Bloody time travel,” said Rebecca, shaking her head.

Margot had been listening in. “Can we leave the reunions until we’ve dealt with this situation, please?”

There was a rumble from outside.

“Sounds like they’re getting ready for another attack,” said Ben, ominously.

Caroline shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do all that again.”

“Caroline…”

Caroline looked across. Danny was lying weakly next to Matthew. His arm was outstretched.

“Danny, are you okay?” she asked.

“It’s gone,” smiled Danny. “It’s left me at last. I feel free again.”




Outside the snow had completely covered the area around the church. A small trench-like walkway had been dug from the door of the church and out into the fields of snow. The Apparites had been set back, but they were now beginning to regroup. There was a sense among them that something wasn’t right. That something was threatening their world. Their very existence. And they weren’t about to let that happen.




Back in the crypt, Matthew’s breathing was becoming more and more rapid. He was rasping and gasping for air.

Caroline and Danny skidded over to him and knelt over his prone form.

He reached out a hand for Caroline. She grasped in tightly.

“The Doctor said to keep him alive,” said Danny, worriedly.

“Too…late…” croaked Matthew. “Tell…tell…tell…”

“Tell what?” said Caroline, feeling powerless.

Matthew gulped a few times, his eyes flickering. “Tell…the Doctor…I’m…I’m sorry…”

Caroline frowned. “What for?”

But Matthew’s eyes had already rolled to the back of his head. His arm went limp and Caroline let go of it. It flopped to his chest, lifeless.

Matthew Cole was dead.

“Oh, god,” said Caroline. “I don’t think I can take much more today.”

Danny took his jacket off and was about to cover Matthew’s lifeless face with it, when he noticed something. His face looked…odd. It looked like it was glowing slightly.

Caroline and Danny frowned at each other, and then leant in closer. It was glowing. Just under the surface of the skin were pinpricks of orange light. Soon those pinpricks gathered together to creature larger blotches of light.

“What’s happening?” said Caroline, edging away slightly.

They watched as Matthew’s entire face was engulfed in the orange light. And then, as though someone had jerked him up like a puppet on strings, he was pulled bolt-upright, his arms outstretched. His head lolled back as the glow covered his hands and then to the tips of his fingers.

And then…his whole body exploded in orange light. Flames danced around his face and arms as wave after wave of orange-golden light rippled from his body. And then.

Boom!

“He must be regenerating,” said Ben from the corner of the room. “You didn’t tell us he was a Time Lord!”

“He isn’t a Time Lord. Well, not exactly,” yelled Caroline over the cacophony of noise.

The light cleared. But something wasn’t quite right. Usually, during regeneration, the whole face would change. This time, however, it hadn’t. Instead, standing there stock-still, with his eyes closed, was the same, familiar Matthew Cole, his hair a little longer and the hint of a beard growing around his chin and mouth.

“Matthew?” said Caroline slowly.

Matthew’s eyes flicked open. But they weren’t the warm, friendly eyes they had grown accustomed to. These eyes were dark and mysterious. They were full of secrets. And they certainly weren’t friendly.

“Are you okay?” said Danny. “Matthew.”

Matthew broke into a grinned and chuckled. “It’s all so clear now,” he said, his Scottish accent gone.

“What is? What’s going on?”

“All of this. All of this stupid, memory thing.” He tapped the side of his head. “I can’t believe I’ve been walking around in such a haze for the last few months.” He laughed again, but looked disappointed in himself. Almost angry.

“Matthew, what’s wrong?” said Caroline.

“My name isn’t Matthew!” he snapped.

Caroline, Danny, Rebecca, Thomas, Margot and Ben stood still and silent as he looked around the room, cold eyes mentally interrogating every single piece of detail.

“Then who are you?” said Danny.

He smiled. “My dear, young Danny,” he chuckled. “My name is the Master, and you will obey me.”

Next time: Sacrifice in the penultimate chapter to the Season 2 finale. Coming Thursday 27th November. 

Happy 50th Anniversary, Doctor Who

I'd just like to take some time out to wish Doctor Who a happy 50th birthday.

For me, this is a personal piece. It's about what Doctor Who means to me, and what it has done for me over the 31 (almost 32) years that I've been around for. So please forgive me if this piece is a little patchwork in some places, but I just wanted to give a collection of thoughts on the show.

I first saw Doctor Who in the early 1980's. It's one of my earliest memories, watching a beta max recording of "The Five Doctors". My clear memory was of the Dalek blowing up after chasing the 1st Doctor and Susan. And after that my next memory was of "Time and the Rani" from 1987. I remember seeing Mel go up in that bubble trap set by the Rani. And then I remember being petrified when Ace turned around with yellow eyes in "Survival". So technically Sylvester McCoy was my first Doctor. I must have watched most of the 7th Doctor stories on original broadcast, because I remember that as soon as it finished every evening, my Mum would get me ready for bed.

Then during the late 80's my Dad would buy the VHS releases. "Death to the Daleks" and "Day of the Daleks" were the first few we got and I watched them over and over again (including the two Cushing films, which still hold a place in my heart).

I had a number of Dapol Daleks as a kid and a toy TARDIS as well. I remember being frustrated with the TARDIS as it fell apart so easily. As I didn't have a console toy, I ended up gluing the box together (something I regretted years later). I also remember a few years later, my Mum had bought me an Ice Warrior figure, but the morning it arrived at the door, she took it away and I had to wait until Christmas (!). But that Christmas I almost had a fit. We caught it on home video as I not only got my Ice Warrior, but also a 4th Doctor and K9 figure!

In 1992 I remember putting together a "Radio Who" programme. It was really just me messing about, playing selected Doctor Who music and putting them to tape with me talking between items. Lot's of fun!

But the big Doctor Who madness kicked in around the same time that I met my good friend Alex. He didn't know much about Doctor Who at the time. Myself, Alex and Matthew (another friend) were in the playground playing Doctor Who. I was the Doctor, Matthew the companion, and Alex wanted to be...the Doctor. No, no, no. That wasn't going to work. But sure enough, all three of us became the Doctor in that playground. Except this was different. Apart from my stint as the 2nd Doctor, all three of us created future incarnations.

Now, you have to remember that this was 1992 - when we only had 7 Doctors. So, I became the 8th Doctor - a bald headed, wacky, leopard-skin-coat-wearing Doctor in the guise of Richard O'Brien. Matthew became a curly haired, mustachioed 11th Doctor, and Alex became the slightly older, wiser and romantic 13th Doctor, along with his companion Ace (who had decided to travel with him again.)

So together we had big adventures in the small playground. But during the spring of 1993, we realised that we were growing up, and in a few weeks we'd be splitting up and heading off to separate secondary schools.
Our Playground Adventures had to come to an end. So we devised a finale on the very last day of school. The 8th, 11th and 13th Doctor's were gathered at the edge of the playground. ALL of the Doctor's companions had come to join the final battle...
All the 13th Doctor had to do was flip a switch or something, but he had to travel over deadly land (a piece of grass) to do it! And he did. The 13th Doctor sacrificed his life. With no more regeneration's left, he lay on the ground, dead.
But then the Time Lords appeared. They felt it too much to allow the Doctor to be gone forever, so instead they granted him a new set of regeneration's. But this time, the Doctor would be different.
As the Doctor regenerated, the 8th Doctor had the final line. "Oh yes, he's going to be very different."

The final act of the Playground Adventures was the birth of the 14th Doctor - and the hilarious situation that

Alex, now playing the 14th Doctor, had regenerated into a woman!

And then the school bell rang, and it was over. We had to grow up and move on.

But we didn't leave Doctor Who behind us. Alex and I remained good friends for years after, both obsessed with our favourite TV show.

I was collecting the magazines that my Grandma purchased  every month for me, my Dad bought each video when they came out, and there are many Saturday nights that I spent at my Dad's flat, light's off, engrossed in an old grainy Hartnell story, or a familiar McCoy story.

And Alex and I used to dress up. I remember going to a sci-fi market at the Town Hall. Alex was dressed as the 4th Doctor and myself in the 6th Doctor's trousers (I never really went the whole hog and got fully dressed up.) It was then when we made the most magical of discoveries. A dealer was offering us a copy of "The Tenth Planet" and a few other remaining episodes. Alex and I were so excited as we got them and ran back to his house. That normal, quiet Saturday afternoon was changed when we popped on the VHS and watched "The Tenth Planet". It was grainy and bad quality, but this is something I never thought we'd see. And not only that, but some silent cine clips from lost stories were tacked onto the end of the tape! Amazing! We even called the BBC to tell them about these clips. They already knew, of course!

In 1996, the proper 8th Doctor - Paul McGann - came along. Doctor Who was back! I remember recounting the entire story to someone at school. The entire thing. It was an amazing experience.

I collected books and other paraphernalia. We attended Grimsby gatherings were we watched "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy" recorded from the TV and I met Sarah Sutton (Nyssa). These were the magical days of my childhood. Doctor Who was virtually gone from the screen. I was laughed at for liking the show, but I didn't care. These days were the ones that have stuck in my mind the most.

But, as with all things, my interest faded a little. By the time I'd reached 16, I was more interested in music, college and girls. And then as I turned 18 it was all about going for a drink with the lads. I stopped getting the videos and Doctor Who Magazine. It seemed to me, that I'd exhausted everything relating to Doctor Who. It was time to move on.

But then, in around 2001, out of curiosity, I picked up "The Fearmonger" - a 7th Doctor audio story by Big Finish. Here, once again, was new Doctor Who. Brand new, shiny, perfect Doctor Who featuring the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Doctor's. And I fell in love with the show all over again, collecting the magazine, 8th Doctor books and the Big Finish audios. And I often wondered why I had ever left the programme for those few years.

Then, in 2003, it was announced that Dotor Who was returning. I was at my ex-girlfriends in Germany when I found out who the 9th Doctor was going to be. I remember feeling frustrated at the time that they weren't continuing with the 8th, as Paul McGann had been excellent on audio, but I soon warmed to the 9th Doctor.

And so Doctor Who came around again. I clearly remember that my girlfriend was supposed to be coming to Grimsby on the weekend of the broadcast of "Rose". She changed her mind and instead got us tickets to see Keane on that very night. I think we almost split up because of it, and it must have contributed somewhat to our eventual break up as bizarre as that sounds! So instead of watching "Rose", I swallowed my anger and went to Germany. By the time I'd gotten back, Eccleston had already quit the role and I had to watch the first episode of a brand new story knowing that this excellent Doctor would soon be gone.

I got my ex into Doctor Who. She fell in love with Captain Jack. Even her parents got into it. I have a happy memory of bringing a VHS recording of "The Christmas Invasion" to Germany and myself, Sarah and her parents sat around watching it.

We all know what happened to Doctor Who after that. The programme became massive. It became huge. So much bigger than mine and Alex's Playground Adventure days. Now I wasn't laughed at for being a Doctor Who fan. Everybody wanted to be one. The Doctor had reached the point that I always knew he should have been at.

And now here we are, in the 50th year. These past few weeks I've watched some amazing things on TV. I've exploded with delight at seeing Paul McGann's 8th Doctor return to TV. I've cried at watching the drama of William Hartnell and his "I don't want to go," after he had been moved on by the BBC from the role. Even my Richard O'Brien Doctor lives on, 21 years later, in my fan fiction stories "Doctor Who: Darkpaths". Although the stories and situation doesn't resemble anything I did at the age of 10!

Tonight I'm going to the cinema - THE CINEMA! - to watch "The Day of the Doctor". It was always a dream that I'd get to see Doctor Who at the cinema one day. Now that boyhood dream has come true.

And my wife is into Doctor Who as well. It's so wonderful to be able to share this wonderful show with the person closest to me.

Doctor Who has changed me over my life. It's made me into the person I am today. Yes, it's just a TV show, but it's much, much more than that. It's fantastic and it's beautiful and it's one of the happiest, most hopeful things in my life.

Thank you to William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, and everyone else who has been involved in making this phenomenon.

And finally, Happy Birthday Doctor Who!

Call of the Spirits: Chapter 8 (Returnees)

The Doctor and Jayne entered the room containing the shed-TARDIS. Jayne looked down at the key around her neck and then stepped forward. She held it out and inserted it in the lock.

The Doctor put his hand on her arm. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’m fine,” she said blankly.

“Your brother -”

“Like I said before,” said Jayne, “my brother died the moment that console exploded.”

The Doctor nodded sadly as Jayne turned the key in the lock and the doors were flung open.

The two were about to enter the box when they heard footsteps behind them. It was Adrian.

“Can I help you, Mr Lennon?” said the Doctor.

“You need to let me come with you. The ones inside need our help.”

“Adrian-”

“I won’t take no for an answer,” he said, hefting a rucksack onto his shoulder. “I’ve spent enough time with them to know that they need our help.”

“I don’t know if I can help them,” said the Doctor. “My first priority is to shut this TARDIS down.”

“And rescue the ones that are trapped.”

“I don’t know -”

“And rescue the ones that are trapped,” repeated Adrian, a little more forcefully.

“I’ll certainly try,” said the Doctor, quickly

“Good,” smiled Adrian. “Let’s go then.”

They made there way over the threshold and into the snow. The Doctor immediately felt a searing pain through his forehead and temples. He keeled over and gasped for air.

“You okay?” said Jayne, crouching down to check on him.

“It’s this TARDIS. It’s trying to communicate with me.”

“What’s it saying?” said Jayne.

“It needs to be….free…” he gasped.

There was a high-pitched whistling and the Doctor cried out in pain. He looked to the sky, almost begging for it to release him. And then, as quickly as it had started, the whistling died away and the Doctor slowly straightened himself up again.

“Alright?” said Jayne.

The Doctor nodded, getting his breath back. “Come on. Onwards.”

They made their way across the snow fields, dodging the occasional blast of lightning and the flurries of snow that had become too heavy for the trees branches to hold up. Every now and then one of them would slip on the ice, but they continued on their way.

They climbed a steep hill, clawing their way up by grabbing onto various ice-cold, jagged boulders until they reached the top.

“There,” said Adrian.

He was pointing towards a green glow in the distance.

“We’ve gotta get there?” said Jayne, out of breath.

“’Fraid so,” said Adrian. “That’s where the main console is. Where you can shut down this world.”

The Doctor sighed. “Then we best put our best feet forward. There’s no time to lose!”




Back in the crypt, Caroline was sat next to Matthew. His breathing had rapidly become worse. He was clearly in a lot of pain and his hand was still over the wound which Brandon had left in his chest.

Caroline had her baby in one arm and was gently stroking Matthew’s hair with the other, making the occasional “shushing” sounds.

“How’s he doing?” asked Danny, sliding down the wall to sit next to Caroline.

Caroline shook her head and said quietly, “I don’t think he’s gonna last much longer.”

Danny closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is a right disaster, isn’t it?”

“You’re worried about Adrian, aren’t you?” said Caroline.

“I’ve just got him back, Caz,” said Danny. “I may end up losing him again.”

“Hey, he’s with the Doctor,” said Caroline with a smile. “He’s gonna look after him. Don’t you worry about that.”

“It’s not really that,” said Danny, picking at his shoe laces.

“Oh?”

“I was so glad to see him again. So pleased,” he sighed, “but that’s not the same Adrian I lost back in 2004. He’s changed so much.”

“He’s had to go through a lot.”

“I know,” said Danny, shaking his head, “but has he changed too much?”

The ground shook and there came the sound of scuttling feet from behind the door. Ben quickly ran to the door and pulled the wooden barrier across it.

“It’s them,” said Margot, backing up a little.

“More of them,” said Ben, listening at the door.

They began hammering on the door to be let in.

“Can we put the barrier up?” said Ben.

Margot dashed to the controls and checked them. They were blackened and charred. “No chance. We blew out most of the power when we used the energy on Brandon.”

“We’ve gotta keep them out,” said Caroline, getting to her feet and shielding William in both arms.

“You don’t think I don’t know that?” said Margot, joining Ben beside the door.

“Use your powers,” said Danny, joining Caroline at her side.

“It depends how many there are,” said Ben.

Margot flicked on a monitor, giving her access to the CCTV camera nearby. A steady stream of Apparites were pouring into the church.

“Bloody hell,” said Ben. “I’ve never seen so many people trying to get in here.”

“There must be near on a hundred!” said Margot, for the first time showing a hint of fear.

“What do we do?” asked Caroline.

Margot and Ben turned to Caroline.

“Oh, no,” said Caroline, backing away.

“We need everyone we can muster,” said Margot. “The rest of the team are too weak. There’s only me, Ben and you with these powers. You’ve got to help.”

“I have no idea how to control the powers,” said Caroline, shaking her head.

“Now’s a good time to learn,” said Ben.

“No,” said Danny, standing ever so slightly in front of his friend, “she has no idea what she’s doing. You can’t expect her to fight the same as you.”

“We have no choice!” snapped Margot.

The door was now being pounded on over and over again. The four of them backed up against the wall, standing over Matthew.

“Then we’re finished,” said Ben, as an Apparite arm smashed through the wood, reaching for the wooden barrier.

Suddenly, Danny went white. His eyes rolled back into the back of his head and he straightened up, rigid.

Caroline, Margot and Ben edged away from him as his head snapped around to look at them. His lip curled into a terrifying smile.

“Danny,” said Caroline. “Don’t let it control you.”

“Poor little Caroline. Poor little people,” hissed Danny.

“Send it back,” said Caroline. “I know you can do it!”

“Too late now. Too late for all.” He laughed, throwing his head back.

Slowly Danny began to advance on the three of them. They were trapped between him and the doorway. This was surely the end.

Instinctively, Caroline reached for the pendant around her neck.

When things are ready to be finished.

She pressed the small button on the front of it. For a moment everything seemed to happen at once, and in slow motion. Danny leapt for them just as the door splintered open and the stream of Apparites poured in.

Caroline closed her eyes.

Things seemed to go cold. She dared to open them, and Danny was frozen in mid-air. The Apparites had also frozen to the spot. Margot, Ben and Caroline all looked at each other in confusion.

And that’s when she saw it.

Standing in the corner of the room, looking dazed and confused was a young man with short, light brown hair and a little bit of stubble. Next to him was a small, dark-haired woman with big, hazel eyes and a slightly pointed nose.

Slowly they became aware of where they were.

They turned to look at the small group of terrified people and then looked from Danny to the Apparites.

“Oh Jesus,” said the man.

And then all Hell broke lose. Everything unfroze just as Caroline, Ben and Margot jumped out of the way. The Apparites collided with Danny and he fell to the floor.

The female stranger grabbed William from Caroline and placed him in his blanket on the floor next to the dying Matthew.

She then crouched down next to Caroline - who was already on her knees.

“My baby!”

“You need to concentrate, Caroline,” said the man, crouching next to her as well.

“On what.”

“On what’s in front of you. Fight them off. We can all do it.”

“I don’t even know who you are,” yelled Caroline as the Apparites - and Danny - closed in on them.

“Yes you do. We gave Catherine and Tony the pendant.”

Caroline looked at the man and then to the woman. There was some recognition in her eyes. And then she smiled.

The man looked down at her and grinned. “Understand?”

“Yes,” said Caroline. “You’re my Mum and Dad!”

Thomas and Rebecca Farrington laughed as they helped her to her feet. Margot and Ben joined at the sides and Thomas and Rebecca grabbed Caroline’s hands.

“Nice to see you two again,” said Ben.

“Time for the pleasantries later,” said Tom. “Caroline, we’re going to channel our power through you. You’ll not have to do anything, but you’ll be like a conductor. You’ll also amplify us. Now, concentrate!”

Caroline closed her eyes as the five of them burst into a glowing, orange colour. A wave of light burst from them and hit Danny and the Apparites. They were all thrown backwards to their feet.

Danny came to his senses, but was hauled up by the lead Apparite.

“Let go!” said Danny.

The lead Apparite grabbed the back of his head.

“Danny!” yelled Caroline.

Without thinking, she lurched forward and grabbed at Danny. The Apparite pulled backwards whilst the glowing Caroline pulled forwards.

Danny screamed as the ghost - trapped within him for so long - was wrenched free.

Danny fell against Caroline and the pair of them crumpled to the floor in a great big heap.

“Finish it!” yelled Rebecca over the cacophony of hissing and growling.

Caroline scrambled to her feet as the five of them forced the Apparites out of the crypt and out of the church.

When all was safe, Caroline dropped to her knees, unable to control the power. Computer systems began to spark and fizzle as the waves of energy ricocheted around the room.

Thomas dropped to his knees in front of her and held her hands. “Calm down,” he said slowly. “Calm down.”

“I can’t,” said Caroline, tears streaming down her face.

“You have to,” said Thomas. “It’s us. Your Mum and I have come back for you.”

Caroline whimpered.

“We love you,” whispered Rebecca.

Slowly and gently, Caroline began to regain control, the power subsiding and returning to within her.

“See,” smiled Thomas, “I knew you could do it.”

Caroline shook her head and then threw her arms around her Mum and then her Dad. She sobbed. “You have to take it away.”

Thomas looked at Rebecca and then back at Caroline. “I’m not sure if we can.”

“But Jayne said that she could absorb it into herself.”

“With great risk to her,” said Margot. “And even then there’s no guarantee.”

“And not only that,” said Rebecca, “but you were born with these powers. It’s a part of you. It’s not something you can just erase from yourself. It’s a part of you and your baby.”

“But we’ll help you,” said Thomas, clasping his daughter’s hand tightly. “We’ll help you control the powers.”




The Doctor, Jayne and Adrian emerged into the console-room-like cavern. The Doctor’s face was bathed in the green glow from the cracked time rotor.

“Let’s finish this. Let’s shut this place down for good.”

Next time: The death of Matthew Cole? Coming Monday 25th November.