[On the Run] Righting the Wrongs

[captoftardis]

There once was a beautiful planet, covered in vast jungles, with the largest trees in the universe. And the habitat was left mostly unharmed and adapted with technology creating the perfect symbiotic relationship for the inhabitants

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[noblexcompanion]

The sight that met Donna was not what she was expecting at all. The planet had been so beautiful, so breathtaking. The first time she and the Doctor had visited she had been mesmerised. Even the second time during the attack the planet was still so beautiful. But this? It was heartbreaking. The stench made her want to retch. Tears filled her eyes and it took all her willpower not to weep.

"Doctor... You can't blame yourself for this." Because if he was blaming himself than it was just as much her fault.

[captoftardis]

"It's never been your fault." He muttered to both Donna and John, still caught up in his anger, "Let me go back; let me change this! It shouldn't have happened! I can change it..."

There was a loud "smack!" as Rose's hand connected with the Doctor's face, leaving everyone looking rather stunned. "Stop blaming yourself for everything! Because it's not your fault, and you know you can't change what's happened." And without another word she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.

"I'm sorry." He spoke, loosening his fingers as he returned the hug, entangling his fingers her hair momentarily, feeling his entire body relaxing and anger evaporating.

We will rebuild... The Soothsayer stood there emotionlessly watching the display before it, almost looking bored or apathetic.

[noblexcompanion]

Hang on... wasn't it Donna's job to smack the Doctor around? She was pretty sure it was in the Time Lord/Companion contract that slaps relating to stupidity, self pity, and general Doctory annoyances were her territory. Oh well, she supposed Rose could get away with it this time.

Donna made her way over to the Soothsayer, standing silently at it's side for a moment. "Isn't there anything we can do to help? There must be something. We can't just abandon you here amongst all this... destruction and decay..."

She bit her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth as she obviously mulled something over. "I could stay. I could help..."

"Donna..." John's voice was a mix of warning and worry.

[captoftardis]

The Soothsayer took a couple steps towards Donna, raised it's hand and almost in an awkward gesture, touched her arm. He needs you, Donna Noble. My people are here and we will reseed and rebuild. Thank you for the words. it was a private conversation ended with that grotesque smile that was rather frightening although it meant well.

The Doctor pulled away and stepped towards Donna, unsure what was transpiring between them. "Donna?"

[noblexcompanion]

There was a slight burst of pride in Donna that John sided with her. It was short lived though, since it was neither the time nor place to get into petty bickering with the Doctor over who was right and who was wrong.

"Right, let's all take a breather and work out where we go from here, alright?!"

[captoftardis]

"You said time wasn't being kept correctly on that planet. Why?" Rose sped up to walk alongside the two Doctors who seemed to be in a heated debate with each other. It was really surreal seeing the two interacting, although she suppose it was nothing different from twin brothers talking with each other.

"I don't know." The Doctor commented.

"Yes you do, stop over thinking it." John retorted, pausing to give Rose a sympathetic look.

"Fine, I think I do, but I don't know how to stop it. Really this is all ridiculous. We can't pull it off." The Doctor wasn't in a good mood as he tucked his hands deeper in his jacket pockets.

"Back with the Soothsayer, you were threatening to change time, and now you're too scared to do so? Do I have to get Donna to slap you?" The Metacrisis wasn't going to let the Doctor have any time to breathe over it.

[noblexcompanion]

"Will you two stop bickering for five seconds? You two arguing isn't going to help matters. Let's look at the facts we've got and figure out where we go from here. What do we know? The timelines are fractured and damaged. The Shadow Hunters are dangerous and smart. The Shadow Hunters are breaking the law and the Shadow Proclamation can do nothing to stop them. This is what we know."

Donna sighed, rubbing at her temples. Ugh. Last thing she needed right now was a migraine. "So, we fix the timelines and then we face the Hunters."

[captoftardis]

"Hunters then timeline." The Doctor corrected.

"But wouldn't it weaken the Hunters if we fix the timeline first?" John mused out loud.

"Yes... no! Well, I don't really know for sure..." The Doctor's shoulders relaxed as Rose slipped her hand around his arm, causing him to look over to her, and for a second, felt himself backing down. "We'll fix the timelines in due time. I... I need your help. Donna and I can't do it alone."

[noblexcompanion]

Donna listened intently to the Doctor's plans, being sure to make mental notes. Trying to remember every detail just in case something went wrong. She really hoped things would go well, but they really didn't have the best of luck, or the best track record. Still, their run of bad luck had to end sometime, right?

She smiled her best reassuring smile and nodded. "Ready!" With that she put on her helmet and activated it. Taking a moment to adjust to the numerous flashing screens and data that momentarily overwhelmed her. At least she was prepared this time.

[captoftardis]

He placed his helmet on as well, adjusted, and gave a thumbs up to Rose and John. Right, they got this! Hopefully he wasn't being too optimistic.

Out into the open world they went, moving down the streets at an almost leisurely pace, weaving through traffic. John and Rose would have to be their backup, to alert them is anything big were to happen and they somehow missed it.

Finally, they reached HQ, and the Doctor glanced over to Donna. "Ready? I need to be able to hack into their files."

[noblexcompanion]

No, totally not ready and wanting to crawl back into bed and hide forever - at least, that's what went through Donna's head at the Doctor's question. But instead of saying so she simply nodded. "Ready."

She looked around her to check there was no obvious signs of danger. "Do we need to get some some kind of console room or can you do it from any terminal?" She really hoped Rose and John were safe.

[captoftardis]

"Console room would be preferable." He would've added 'unfortunately' in there, but that was already implied and no need to be spoken.

The hallways were narrow, and they tried their best to avoid any interaction with the surrounding Hunters that they passed. So far, everything was going well when they reached a door that he was confident opened into a console room. With a glance around, he pulled out his sonic screwdriver from one of his pockets and got them in.

"Keep an eye out for me, this might take a bit."

[noblexcompanion]

Donna let out an 'omph' as she crashed into the Doctor's back. Luckily, they didn't end up in a heap on the floor. She was about to yell at him for stopping so suddenly when she saw exactly why he had stopped and she felt her heart break.

Wires and body melded and joined as one. She had already been experimenting with using the computer attached to her own mind the last time they had seen her, but this was way beyond that. It was impossible to tell where Kassia's mind stopped and the machine began. It was like something out of bad sci-fi movie.

She opened her mouth to speak, but at first no sound came out. It had been so long since she had had need for her voice. "Doctor... you came."

[captoftardis]

The helmet slipped from his fingers, making a loud 'clank' on the ground as he moved forward. He forced himself to swallow back the anguish at the site of the young princess like this. Although they spent little time on the planet, the Doctor had to confess he had strong paternal feelings towards her, and in a way felt guilty that he couldn't go back and protect her better; to allow her have a better childhood.

He raised his hands to cup her face, looking into her eyes. "Of course I came." There was pain, he could telepathically sense it through his fingertips as the wires bore themselves deeper, making connections, embedding themselves more and more in her. "I never wanted to leave you here." He had always intended to come back for to rescue her. There was nothing more than he wanted than to take her back home to find happiness and have a normal life... And now he wasn't sure if that was possible as his eyes roamed downwards, trying to be subtle in assessing the situation.

[noblexcompanion]

"I am sorry you have to see me like this." She still wished she was that little girl sneaking into the Doctor's guest-room and trying to work out which girl was the Doctor's forever girlfriend. But those days were long gone for Kassia.

Still, every ounce of pain was worth it if it allowed her to protect the Doctor. He saved her life, it was only fair that she returned the favour, whatever the cost. "You must run. I cannot keep the Hunters from you forever." She handed him a disc. "Here, all the data you will need to expose them."

Donna looked on heartbroken and helpless. "Kassia..."

[captoftardis]

Reluctantly, he takes the disk and tucks it away. "I can't leave you." He shakes his head and fingers touch the wires, warring with himself over tugging at them away. "I came back to help; I can't leave you, not like this!"

More wires slipped around her feet, moving in to make another connection, pushing the Doctor to grab them before they could. "Stop this, Kassia! Stop letting it take over you! You don't have to live like this!"

Frantic and emotional, he turns to Donna, "Help me, please!"

[noblexcompanion]

Donna was torn between checking on the Doctor and leaving him alone. On the one hand she thought he might enjoy the company, and on the other if he was sleeping she'd only wake him up which wouldn't be good. Eventually she just flopped into the jump-seat, looking exhausted and more than a little crestfallen.

She rubbed at her eyes, but all that seemed to achieve was to let tears she'd been holding back fall freely. She wiped at them as best as she could, not wanting Rose or John to see. She should've known that she couldn't hide them from them though since she soon found herself being hugged by John.

aw, Donna ;_;

[captoftardis]

Rose watched the scene with a sad, knowing smile. Everything had been the most difficult as possible for each and every one of them. If she stopped long enough, she'd be in the same situation as Donna and didn't feel she needed to justify her feelings.

Two hours passed and the Doctor made his presence known once again. He'd much prefer to be in his brown suit, but the Hunters uniform was back on, although not zipped up completely, Exposing his collar bones. "All copied?" This was the final chapter of their story. Hopefully righting all the wrongs.

She's an emotional bunny

[noblexcompanion]

Donna stepped up to him to adjust the suit, smoothing her hands over his shoulders lightly. She let out a heavy sigh, she was still feeling emotional but at least she had managed to get her emotions under control enough to focus.

"So, are we ready to do this?"

[captoftardis]

He smiles softly to her, sensing the anxiety and burden upon her shoulders as much as his. He'll never be able to pay Donna back for this, no possible way, and it both made him ashamed of the situation and extremely appreciative of her being next to him every step of the way.

Glancing past her shoulder, he looked to Rose and John, holding their gaze, but it didn't last long when warning bells echoed through the room. Darting to the console, the Doctor pulled over the monitor which displayed the outside of the TARDIS and quite the welcoming party. "That makes things easier." He commented sarcastically.