Closing Time
(Jared's POV)
TARDIS stage…
"Can't believe the TARDIS has a stage for me and Maria." Tsubasa said, in awe.
Tsubasa and Maria are walking around the stage.
"The TARDIS is telepathic after all." I said, smiling. "Like, almost every time you had a concert, Tsubasa. Noise appeared. Not here."
"I, I don't know what to say…" Tsubasa said.
"Is this our cue to sing?" Maria asked.
"It is!" Hibiki said, happily.
"Go and sing, you two." Kirika said.
"So, no Noise will pop up in our time." Chris said. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yeah. A while ago, I placed down teleportation beams. The TARDIS will reroute those Noise back in time. Involving these versions of you all." I said, smirking. "So your younger selves would take them out."
"This means Tsubasa and Maria will be able to sing together on stage all night." Miku said.
"Yup."
"Are you okay?" Shirabe asked.
"Positive." I said, running towards a seat. "So, where are we sitting?"
"Front row is fine." Tsubasa said.
"What song should we sing?" Maria asked.
"All of them!" I said, excitedly. "All of your duets."
I'm sitting in the front row with Hibiki, Miku, Shirabe, Kirika, and Chris.
"All?" Tsubasa asked.
"Yeah." I said, looking between Tsubasa and Maria.
"If that's what you want." Maria said.
"Oooh…cold moon…blue shine…" Tsubasa said, singing.
"Tonight is the night that the world becomes one; let it reach, let it come true…" Maria said, singing.
Front door…
"I'm coping on my own!" Craig said, angrily.
"Hey, Craig. The Doctor and I are back in your life!" I said, happily.
"She didn't. How could she phone the both of you?" Craig asked.
"How could who phone us? Nobody phoned us, we're just here. Meet Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika. They're friends of ours. Oh, you've redecorated. I don't like it." The Doctor said, peeking inside Craig's house.
"Doctor, they moved house." Maria said.
"Yes, that's it."
"Doctor, Jared, what are you doing here?" Craig asked.
"Social call. Thought it was about time I tried one out." The Doctor said.
"I always make social calls." I said, smiling. "How are you, Craig?"
"I'm fine." Craig said.
"This is the bit where I say I'm fine too, isn't it? I'm fine, too." The Doctor said.
"You did good." Kirika said, happily.
"Give my love to Sophie." I said, grabbing Kirika's hand. "Let's go! Bye!"
The Doctor turns to leave with Kirika, Maria, and I, then Shirabe watches the lights flicker.
"Stare…" Shirabe said, staring at the lights.
"Something's wrong." Maria said.
The Doctor runs inside with Shirabe, Kirika, Maria, and I.
"We need to check this out." Shirabe said.
We head upstairs as the Time Lord is holding the sonic screwdriver.
Staircase…
"On your own, you said. But you're not. You're not on your own." Kirika said, walking up the stairs.
"Just shush." Craig said.
"Increased sulphur emissions." The Doctor said.
"Look at the state of this place. It's a mess. What are you not telling us?" Shirabe asked.
"Doctor, Jared, girls, please." Craig said, annoyed.
"Let me guess, a baby?" Maria asked.
"Yeah." I said, sadly.
"And the Doctor is talking loudly with Shirabe and Kirika."
"The baby is asleep too."
"No, you shush!" The Doctor said, angrily.
"Doctor! Shirabe! Kirika!" Craig said, worried.
"That won't end well." Maria said, walking up the stairs with me.
Alfie's bedroom…
The Doctor bursts in with Shirabe and Kirika.
"Whatever you are, get off this planet." The Doctor said.
"Whaaaa!" Alfie said, crying.
"You, Shirabe, and Kirika have woken him!" Craig said, looking between the Doctor, Shirabe, and Kirika.
"Let's calm him downstairs." Maria said, walking down the stairs.
Kitchen…
"So when you say on your own…" The Doctor said.
"Craig was on his own with the baby." I said, smiling. "I knew this was coming. And I love this."
"Yes. Because no one thinks I can cope on my own. Which is so unfair, because I can't cope on my own with him. I can't. He just cries all the time. I mean, do they have off switches?" Craig asked.
"How do you shut up a baby?" Kirika asked.
"I don't know." Shirabe said.
"Same difference. Sometimes this works though. Shush." The Doctor said.
Alfie goes quiet.
"Can you teach me to do that?" Craig asked.
"Not the best idea." Shirabe said, sadly.
"Oh, please. Come on, I need something. I'm rubbish at this." Craig said.
"At what?" Kirika asked.
"Being a dad. Maria is a mom to Shirabe and Kirika. And she is a natural. You read all the books, and they tell you you'll know what to do if you follow your instincts. I have no instinct. That's what this weekend's about, trying to prove to people I can do this one thing well."
Kirika is flicking through the books on the table. She laughs at Daisy's Wild Ride.
"Shirabe, look!" Kirika said, looking at the book.
"That's awful. Why did that happen?" Shirabe asked.
"So, what did you call him? Will I blush?" The Doctor asked.
"No, we didn't call him the Doctor." Craig said.
"No, I didn't think you would."
"And we didn't want to call him Jared. He's called Alfie. What are the both of you doing here anyway?"
"Yes, he likes that, Alfie, though personally he prefers to be called Stormageddon, Dark Lord Of All." The Doctor said.
"That's a weird name. For a baby." Shirabe said.
"Why is he called that?" Kirika asked.
"I don't know. Forgot."
"You forgot why Alfie called himself that." Maria said, looking at me. "You don't want us to help you then."
"Of course you do. I don't even know when his nappy needs changing, and I'm the one supposed to be his dad. Oh." Craig said.
"Yeah. He's wondering where his mum is? Where is Sophie?" The Doctor asked.
"She's gone away with Melina for the weekend. She needs a rest."
"No, he's your dad. You can't just call him Not Mum." The Doctor said, angrily.
"Not Mum?"
"That's you. Also Not Mum, that's me and Jared. Maria is Almost Mum. Shirabe and Kirika are Older Sisters. And everybody else is peasants."
"Peasants? That's a bit unfortunate." Shirabe said, sadly.
"What are you here for? What's happening?" Craig asked.
"I just popped in to say hello." The Doctor said.
"Doctor, you don't do that. Only Jared does that, and he's here. I checked upstairs when we moved, it's real. And next door, both sides, they're humans. Is it the fridge? Are there aliens in my fridge?" Craig asked.
"I just want to see you, Craig! Cross my hearts. I've been knocking about on my own for a bit." The Doctor said.
"And I've been at Remnant with Team RWBY and JNR. Basically a businessman wants to rule over the kingdom." I said, sadly. "We're on a bit of a farewell tour, that's all."
"One last thing, we're popping in to see you, and Jared wanted to see Symphogear, then I'm off to the Alignment of Exedor." The Doctor said.
"The Alignment of Exedor?" Craig asked
"Seventeen galaxies in perfect unison. Meant to be spectacular. I can't miss it. Literally can't. It's locked in a time stasis field. I get one crack at flying my Tardis straight into it, if I get my dates right. Which I have." The Doctor said.
"Sounds nice."
The Doctor looks through the local paper, "So this is me, doing what Jared does, popping in and popping out again. Just being social. Just having a laugh. Never mind that."
"Never mind what?" Craig asked.
"Nothing." The Doctor said.
"No, you've noticed something. And Jared traveled with you so he's able to notice when you notice something. You've got your noticing face on. I have nightmares about that face."
"Ooo, nope, given up all that. Done noticing things. I didn't even notice that, for example." The Doctor said, while the lights flickered. "Well, got to go. Good seeing you, Craig. Goodbye, Stormageddon."
"No, no, wait, wait. Can you do the shushing thing?"
"No, it only works once, and only on life forms with underdeveloped brains."
"Hang on. Jared said farewell tour. What does he mean, farewell?"
"Shush."
I left the house with the Doctor, Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika.
(Open POV)
Outside Craig's home…
"Just go. Stop noticing. Just go. Stop noticing, just go. Stop noticing, just go. Stop it. Am I noticing?" The Doctor asked.
"Yes, you are." Shirabe said.
"No. No, I am not. And what I am not doing is scanning for electrical fluctuations." The Doctor said, scanning away with his sonic.
"You're scanning away because something is wrong." Kirika said, happily. "We should check it out."
"Oh, shut up, you." The Doctor said, looking at Kirika.
The Doctor, Shirabe, Kirika, Maria, and Jared are walking towards the TARDIS.
"I'm just dropping in on a friend with Jared, Shirabe, Kirika, and Maria. The last thing I need right now is a patina of teleport energy."
"Doctor, we're staying. We're not going anywhere." Jared said, smiling.
"We're not." Maria said.
"Jared, we were supposed to be through saving them. We're going away now." The Doctor said.
Toy department....
The Doctor is demonstrating a remote control helicopter to a group of children, "It goes up tiddly up, it goes down tiddly down for only forty nine ninety nine."
"It is a bit steep for a remote helicopter." Miku said, sadly.
"It's your parent's cash and they'll waste it on boring stuff like lamps and vegetables." Hibiki said, smiling.
"Yawn!" Jared said, watching the Doctor play around with the helicopter. "Who cares about paying for stuff anyway?"
"Yeah, Soph. Just enjoy your holiday. Yeah, coping." Craig said, on the phone.
"Nobody panic, but I appear to be losing control." The Doctor said.
The helicopter crashes near Craig.
"Yeah, love you." Craig said, ending the call.
"Oops. Guys, guys, ladies and gentlemen. While Jared, Hibiki, Miku, and I deal with this awkward moment, you go and find your parents slash guardians." The Doctor said.
"Why don't you guys look in lamps?" Miku asked.
The kids run off.
"Craig!" Jared said, excitedly.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Craig asked.
"I'm the Doctor. This is Hibiki and Miku." The Doctor said, looking over at Hibiki and Miku. "You know Jared."
"We work in a shop now. We're here to help." Hibiki said, happily.
"Look, they gave me a badge with my name on in case I forget who I am. Very thoughtful, as that does happen."
"You were leaving. Doctor, you were going to the Alignment of Exeter. And Jared, you were going to Remnant, what about that? Doctor, you had one chance to see it, you said." Craig said.
"Well, we were on my way, you know. Jared and I saw a shop, got jobs. Hibiki and Miku wanted to get jobs too for the time being." The Doctor said.
"You got to live in the moment." Jared said, happily.
"Craig, mind Yappy."
"What?" Craig asked.
"Yappy. The robot dog. Not so much fun as I remember." The Doctor said.
"You look awful." Hibiki said, sadly. "Did you sleep well?"
"I haven't slept, have I? I still can't stop him crying. I even tried singing to him last night." Craig said.
"Yeah, he did mention that he thought you were crying, too. He didn't get a wink. Yappy, say goodbye to Craig and Stormageddon. Goodbye, Craig. Goodbye, Stormageddon." The Doctor said.
As the Doctor puts down the little robot dog, something whizzes past the end of the aisle.
"What was that?" Hibiki asked.
"Doctor, you and Jared are here for a reason, aren't you? That's why Jared brought Symphogear with him. Doctor, you noticed something, Jared knew about it ahead of time, and you two are investigating it. And because it's the both of you, it's going to be dangerous and alien." Craig said.
"It might not be dangerous." Miku said, sadly.
"Doctor, Jared, Hibiki, Miku, I live here. I need to know." Craig said.
"No, you don't." Jared said, looking at Craig.
"My baby lives here. My son."
"Fine, I'll tell you. Sheila Clark went missing Tuesday. Atif Ghosh last seen Friday. Tom Luker last seen Sunday."
"Why's none of this on the front page?"
"Oh, page one has an exclusive on Nina, a local girl who got kicked off Britain's Got Talent." The Doctor said.
"The missing people are on pages seven, nineteen, and twenty two." Hibiki said, smiling. "No one had noticed yet. That they're missing."
"And they're far too excited about Nina's emotional journey, which in fairness, is quite inspiring."
"And what else?" Craig asked.
Miku wheels Alfie's buggy out into another section of the department store.
Children's clothing…
"The power fluctuations coincide with the disappearances." Miku said, grabbing Hibiki's hand.
"That's just the council putting in new cables, isn't it?" Craig asked.
The Doctor stops at an Out Of Order lift.
"Oh yes, that's it. Mystery solved." The Doctor said.
"Craig, you're wasting our time. You can go home, I can enjoy watching another concert by Tsubasa and Maria, before heading back to Remnant. The Doctor can go to Exedor." Jared said, happily. "Goodbye. It was nice seeing you."
The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver.
"And here's the elevator." Hibiki said.
"It says it's out of order." Craig said.
"Not any more. See? Here to help." The Doctor said, sonicing the elevator.
"It says danger."
"Oh, rubbish. Lifts aren't dangerous."
"Do I look like I'm stupid?"
"No, you don't." Miku said, squeezing Hibiki's hand.
Alfie makes a comment in Baby.
"Spider-Man. Just saying." Jared said, laughing a little.
The Doctor laughs, "Quiet, Stormy, Jared. Oh, all right. There's more."
Lift…
"Just between you, me, Stormy, Jared, Hibiki, and Miku, don't want to frighten me punters." The Doctor said.
"Someone has been relaying a teleport in this shop." Jared said, looking around the place. "Missing people were last seen in this area."
"And the security camera footage had been wiped." Miku said.
"A teleport? A teleport? A teleport like, a beam me up teleport, like you see in Star Trek?" Craig asked.
"Yeah! A beam me up teleport seen in Star Trek!" Hibiki said, excitedly. "It could be disguised as anything."
There are six circles in a circle on the ceiling.
"But a teleport in a shop? That's ridiculous." Craig said, scoffing.
Cybership…
"What was that? Was that the lights again?" Craig asked.
"Yes, that's it. That's all. It's the lights." The Doctor said, strangled.
"Why are we on a Cybership?" Miku asked.
"I don't know." Hibiki said, looking at Jared. "Can you give us a hint?"
"Love." Jared said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Love?"
"What about love?" Miku asked.
"Spoilers." Jared said, smiling.
"Oh. We'll find out later then."
"Yeah. You will."
"Me?" Craig asked.
"Is that so surprising?" The Doctor asked, putting his arms around Craig's neck and uses the sonic screwdriver on whatever is behind the definitely not a lift any more scene behind him.
"Doctor, are you going to kiss me?"
"Yes, Craig. Yes, I am. Would you like that? Bit out of practice, but I've had some wonderful feedback."
"Yes! From Amy and River!" Jared said, angrily.
"Doctor, no. I can't. I'm taken." Craig said, looking behind him. "Oh, my God!"
"Or we could just hold hands if it make you'd feel more comfortable." The Doctor said.
A Cyberman notices them.
"What is happening?" Craig asked.
"Well, first of all, I don't really love you, except as a friend." The Doctor said.
"What is that?"
Lift…
"Quick reverse." The Doctor said.
"What the hell just happened?" Craig asked.
Children's clothing…
"They must have linked the teleport relay to the lift, but I've fused it. They can't use that again. Stuck up there on their spaceship." The Doctor said.
Soft furnishings…
"What were those things?" Craig asked.
"Cybermen." Jared said, smirking. "I haven't seen them in a while. Not since you girls blew up an entire Cyber Legion."
"Ship. A spaceship. We were in space?" Craig asked.
Pedestrian precinct…
"Where is it?" Miku asked.
After sunset.
"It's got to be up there somewhere." Hibiki said.
"Can't get a fix. It must be shielded." The Doctor said, scanning away.
"But you fused the teleport. You sorted it. They can't come back." Craig said.
"No, we bought ourselves a bit of time." Jared said, sadly. "I have to remember what they're doing before we can stop it. And the Doctor has to work it out too."
"You're still exhausted after taking on a ton of Grimm. Once Jacques Schnee won an election." Miku said, frowning.
"But if they've got the teleport and they're that evil, why haven't they invaded already?" Craig asked.
"Craig, take Alfie and go with Symphogear." Jared said, looking at Craig. "The rest of Symphogear is in the TARDIS. There's seven of them. Just have them call up S.O.N.G. A helicopter can…"
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
"No. I remember from last time, people got killed. People that didn't know you and the Doctor. I know where it's safest for me and Alfie, and that's right next to you and the Doctor." Craig said, looking at Jared. "Symphogear looks like they help, but with the way I saw on the news. The way they deal with Noise, they're a bit more gung-ho."
"Is that so?" The Doctor asked.
"Yeah. The both of you always win. Doctor, you and Jared always survive." Craig said.
"Those were the days." Jared said, grabbing Hibiki's hand. "Me and the Doctor saving you guys."
"I can help you two. And Symphogear can help too. We're staying." Craig said.
"Craig. Craig. All right. All right, maybe those days aren't quite over yet." The Doctor said.
"Yup, they aren't. Come on. I need some rest." Jared said, dragging Hibiki away. "Miku, can you cook dinner for us?"
"Okay." Miku said, running behind Hibiki and Jared. "Jared, you, the Doctor, and Craig can go and investigate the department store tomorrow. Bring Tsubasa and Chris with you."
"There's no immediate danger right now!" Hibiki said, excitedly.
Jewelry section…
"Good afternoon, Val." Jared said, happily.
"Hello." Val said.
"Where am I investigating with Chris?" Craig asked.
"Just look around. Ask questions." Jared said, smiling. "And people like it when you're with a baby. It makes it easier for people to talk to you since babies are sweet, innocent, and pure."
"Don't mess this up, alright?" Chris asked.
"And that's why I usually take a human with me." The Doctor said.
"So, I'm your baby?" Craig asked.
"You're my baby." The Doctor said, hugging Craig.
Chris walked away with Craig.
Val smiles indulgently, "Hope you don't mind me saying, Doctor, Jared, but I think you look ever so sweet, both of you, and your partners and the baby."
"Partners. Yes, I like it. Is it better than companions?" The Doctor asked.
"Companion sounds old-fashioned. There's no need to be coy these days." Val said.
"At least it wasn't assistant." Tsubasa said.
"Have you noticed anything strange, Val?" Jared asked.
"Well…"
"Yes, yes?" The Doctor asked.
"Mary Warnock saw Don Petheridge snogging Andrea Groom outside the Conservative Club on his so-called day off golfing." Val said.
"Yeah. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all." The Doctor said, air kissing Val and moving away with Jared.
"And then there's that silver rat thing."
"What? Silver rat?" Tsubasa asked.
Ladies underwear…
The thing that has just scuttled past.
"All right, Alfie, you watch Daddy investigate with Chris. You look cute, Chris, shut up, you have a temper. Let me do the talking." Craig said, finding Kelly by a rack of bras.
"Good afternoon, sir. Can I help you?" Kelly asked.
"Hiya. I'm Craig. This is Chris."
"Yeah?"
"Do you mind if we just ask you some questions."
"You what?"
"Just between me, you, and Chris in confidence, have you noticed anything unusual? Interesting?" Craig asked.
"You what?"
"Talk to me about ladies wear."
"Craig!" Chris said, blushing. "You should have shut up. Not me. You're such a pervert."
"Chris is right, you are a pervert. George!" Kelly said.
Enter the well built security guard.
"Hi, George. Nice uniform." Craig said.
Toy department…
The Doctor is underneath a table, scanning, "A silver rat, glowing red eyes."
"Yes. Then it zizzed off. I wanted to get one for my nephew, but stockroom say there's no such item." Val said.
"Of course they're as fast as an RC car." Jared said, sadly.
"Well, what was it then? Answer me that."
Ladies underwear…
"Can I help you, sir?" George asked.
"Have you seen how cute my baby is? Look at his face. I'm going to head off, actually. Let's go, Chris." Craig said, backing away.
"Craig!" Chris said, when Craig knocked something over. "Careful! You dummy!"
Toy department…
"Whoa!" Craig said, nearby.
"What's all that hullabaloo?" Val asked.
"That's Yukine, Owens, and the baby…" Tsubasa said.
"Ah."
(Jared's POV)
Ladies underwear…
Craig has knocked over a rack of frillies.
"Make a habit of hanging round in women's wear, sir?" George asked.
"I'm sorry. Oh, shush. Alfie, Chris, come on." Craig said.
"Chris, you're not wrong at all. He's a pervert. Look at him." Kelly said, looking at Craig.
"Hey guys. The Doctor and I are here to help. I brought Tsubasa Kazanari with me." I said, grabbing Tsubasa's hand.
"Hello, Doctor, Jared, Tsubasa." Kelly said.
"Hello, Doctor, Jared, Tsubasa." George said.
"Hello." Tsubasa said.
"Has anyone seen a silver rat?" The Doctor asked. "No. Okay. Long shot. I see you've met our friend, Craig."
"Sorry. He wasn't listening to me." Chris said, sadly. "He was being awkward."
"It's okay, Chris." I said, smiling. "Love your uniform, George."
"Thank you, Jared. If he's with you, the Doctor, and Symphogear, that's all right, then." George said.
"Sorry. I thought he was hassling me, because that's the last thing I need today, because Shona's not turned up, right, so I'm doing twice the work for the same money, if you don't mind." Kelly said, annoyed.
"Shush." The Doctor said.
"Please teach me how to do that." Craig said.
"No. Hold on. Un-shush. Shona?" The Doctor asked.
"My supervisor. She's meant to be in today but never showed up." Kelly said.
"So, where did you last see her?" I asked.
Changing rooms…
"Doctor, how do you do that? It's a power, isn't it. Some sort of weird alien hypnotic power. I bet you excrete some sort of gas that makes people love you, Hibiki, and Jared." Craig said.
"Would that I could, Craig." The Doctor said.
"No, that's not it." I said, looking through a curtain and a woman screamed. "Sorry ma'am! That outfit in red would so suit you!"
Chris closed the curtain immediately.
"I'm right though, aren't I?" Craig asked.
"Well, you love me, I've never excreted any weird alien gases at you." The Doctor said.
"I don't love you. Don't start that again." Craig said.
Alfie gurgles.
"Yes, I know. Course he does. Of course you do. We're partners." The Doctor said.
"Yeah, but I did exactly what you and Jared would have done, and I nearly got arrested." Craig said.
"Stormy thinks you should believe in yourself more."
"Great. So now my baby's reviewing me."
"It was here. Right here last night." I said, smirking. "This was where a Cyberman took Shona."
"A Cyberman? I thought it was a little silver rat." Craig said.
"It's not a rat. It's a Cybermat."
"All right. Don't have a go at me just because I don't know the names. Since you did watch the Doctor on telly."
Ladies clothing…
"Cybermats are infiltrators. Very small, very deadly. They collect power like bees collect pollen. One of them's been sucking the electrical energy from this area." The Doctor said.
"The hell did they pick a shop? Why not a nuclear power plant?" Chris asked.
"Okay, why?" Craig asked.
"We could ask it. We wait for the shop to close. And we do a stake out. Just so we can grab the Cybermat." Tsubasa said.
"And this is just a coincidence, is it?" Craig asked.
"What is?" The Doctor asked.
"Aliens in Colchester. Aliens twice in my life, happening to me, just when you and Jared turn up."
"Craig! This is not our fault! For fuck's sake!" I said, angrily.
"Oh, shush. Look what you've done now."
"It's his nappy. He's mentioned it twice." The Doctor said.
"Well sorry, I don't speak baby, do I." Craig said.
"There's a changing station over by Electrical Goods." I said, smiling. "Go and change his diaper so Alfie can sleep."
"And of course, you'd know that. You are the fanboy after all. Come on, Alfie." Craig said, pushing the stroller away.
"Craig! It's a coincidence. It happens. It's what the universe does for…" The Doctor said.
"Amy…" Tsubasa said.
"...and Rory…" Chris said.
The Doctor, Tsubasa, Chris, and I see Amy and Rory walking towards us when a little girl stops them.
"Shit." I said, looking back at Tsubasa and Chris. "Why didn't the girl approach you, Tsubasa?"
"Can I have your autograph, please?" Elly asked.
"Er, yeah. Sure." Amy said, grabbing Elly's magazine.
"Tsubasa, isn't signing autographs fun?" I asked.
"Fun meeting fans. But a lot of work." Tsubasa said, sadly.
"What's your name?" Amy asked.
"Elly." Elly said.
"To Elly. I like your hairband." Amy said, signing the magazine.
"Thank you."
The Doctor conceals himself behind Tsubasa and I conceal myself behind Chris.
"All right?" Rory asked.
"There you go." Amy said, handing the magazine back to Elly.
"Thank you." Elly said.
"Yui?" I asked, putting on my Augma. "Did you call them?"
Amy and Rory leave.
"The Ponds? Yeah. I did." Yui said, floating in front of me.
Elly points towards the Doctor and I.
"Why?" I asked.
The Doctor and I turn to see a big perfume advert on the wall nearby with Amy's face on it.
"Because you and the Doctor need them." Yui said, as she floated down to sit on my shoulder. "They're part of your family."
Petrichor. For The Girl Who's Tired Of Waiting.
"Amelia Pond." The Doctor said.
Ground floor…
The Doctor, Craig, Alfie, Tsubasa, Chris, and I hide amongst the perfume and make up counters as George makes his rounds.
When it is clear, the Doctor starts scanning with his sonic screwdriver.
"Right, let's be having you then, Cybermat." The Doctor said, while Alfie cries. "Shush."
"That thing is really loud. Can't you silence it?" Chris asked.
"He can't. He uses a sonic screwdriver." Tsubasa said. "A sonic noise equals sound."
"Here." I said, handing Craig a baby carrier. "Discount. Ten percent off. It's a baby carrier."
"Why do I need a papoose?" Craig asked.
"Alfie wants you attached to him. You are far too slow when he summons you." The Doctor said.
"When's he going to stop giving me marks?" Craig asked.
"Never. That's parenthood. Couldn't you have just got a babysitter? No, any babysitter. Doesn't have to be a hot one. It can be Hibiki, Miku, Shirabe, or Kirika. Hell, it can be Chris, who looks hot to him. Or sexy moms like Maria and Tsubasa. It doesn't matter to Alfie."
"I told everyone I know I didn't need their help this weekend."
"Well…" I said, rubbing the back of my head. "You do need a bit of help."
"They won't even answer my calls. I didn't know there was going to be an invasion of Cyberman." Craig said, angrily.
"Shush." The Doctor said, while down in the basement, the lights are playing up.
"It's okay." I said, looking down at Alfie. "Everything is okay."
We get Alfie out of the buggy to go into the papoose when the Cybermat shows itself.
The Doctor snares it in a butterfly net, "Ah ha! That's very odd. It must be on low power. Or I'm better at that than I remember."
"That's it?" Chris asked.
"Yeah." I said, smiling. "For now, at least."
"Oh, that's quite cute. Look at that. Look, Alfie, look." Craig said, when the Cybermat bared its teeth. "Argh!"
The Doctor sonicks it into submission. Down in the basement, George hears some noises and goes to investigate. There is a Cyberman behind him.
"Metal rat, real mouth! Metal rat, real mouth." Craig said, terrified.
"Yes, I know it is that." Tsubasa said. "Calm down."
"Metal rat, real mouth."
"Stop screaming." I said, sadly. "Please. You're gonna get us caught."
"Shush." The Doctor said.
George screams.
"Come on! Someone is in danger!" I said, excitedly. "They need our help."
Basement...
"George!" I said, looking for George.
The Doctor and I find the torch, then the man.
"George…" I said, looking down at the body.
The Cyberman knocks the Doctor and I out.
A little later.
"The hell happened?" Chris asked.
"Oh, we've been, we've been chipped, chapped, chopped." The Doctor said.
"The Cyberman. It killed George, took him back to the ship." I said, sadly.
"The Cybermen are here? But, Doctor, you said…." Craig said.
"Yeah, I know what I said. I say a lot of things. But I fused the teleport. It should have taken them days to repair." The Doctor said.
"Are you okay?" Tsubasa asked.
"Oh, we should be dead, and Jared���s Aura should have been depleted, but the arm it chopped us with, it was damaged. Old spare parts. Must have changed those missing people." The Doctor said.
"They've changed the missing people into Cybermen? Why didn't they change the both of you?" Chris asked.
"It's a long story. But the Doctor and I, we're not exactly compatible for upgrading." I said, frowning.
"But why the hell are they using spare parts? Why?" Chris asked.
"Everything I find out makes less sense." The Doctor said.
"Doctor, Jared, Tsubasa, Chris, listen to me. If the Cybermen are here, then we're not safe. We've got to go. We've got to go back to base." Craig said.
"We have a base? When did we get a base?" I asked, my eyes widening. "Oh, your house. Makes sense. Bit home-y."
Kitchen…
Miku is mixing something up in a bowl.
"I'm going down the shop. Miku, you're welcome to come. We've run out of milk. Doctor, Jared, Hibiki, you know what to do if he cries." Craig said, tossing a mobile phone to the Doctor and leaving with Miku.
"No." The Doctor said.
"Me neither." Craig said, nearby.
"He's crying." I said, sadly.
Alfie cries.
"What do we do?" Hibiki asked.
"Oh. He's tired." The Doctor said, picking up Alfie. "You two talk. I know you want to catch up."
The Doctor left the room with Alfie.
"You've been through a lot." Hibiki said, smiling. "But you know what you want to do. I know you do."
"Hibiki, I've been doing this for ages." I said, walking up to Hibiki to hug her. "Saving you guys. Defending the universe. Is it worth saving?"
"Yes. It is. You helped return the Earth to its proper place. After the Daleks took it. I managed to save Miku thanks to you."
"How about Lake Silencio? What do I do about that?"
"Change the future. You know your destiny. You did it twice. You can do it again."
"I don't know if I can. It's a fixed point in time."
"It's going to be okay. Good Alfie. Yes. Don't worry about anything. We're going to go outside." The Doctor said, dropping his screwdriver as he goes through the patio doors. "Oops. I dropped my sonic. And I left Jared and Hibiki with the Cybermat."
(Open POV)
Craig's home…
"We're back!" Craig said.
He puts his phone down on the hall table.
"Hey." Jared said, happily.
Craig's phone starts to buzz.
"Welcome back." Hibiki said, smiling.
Garden…
More of a patio, really.
"Come on, Craig, pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up." The Doctor said, he looked over to see that Jared and Hibiki aren't in the kitchen. "Where did they go?"
Craig's home…
"Doctor? Doctor?" Craig asked, going into the kitchen. "Jared? Hibiki? Where's the Doctor?"
"Do you know?" Miku asked, putting the milk in the fridge.
The Cybermat leaps for Jared's throat.
"Shit!" Jared said, looking at the Cybermat,
Craig grabs it and manages to hold it off.
Garden...
Craig's phone has gone to answerphone.
"Craig? Don't worry. Alfie is fine. Hibiki and Jared probably went into the TARDIS to hang out with the rest of the Symphogear wielders. But on no account, Crag, enter the house with Miku." The Doctor said.
"Doctor!" Miku said, nearby.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!" The Doctor said.
"Help us! The Cybermat is trying to bite off Craig's face!" Hibiki said, nearby.
The Doctor puts Alfie in his baby bouncer and crashes through the glass door.
Kitchen…
"Where's Alfie? Where's Alfie?" Craig asked.
"He's safe. He's safe!" The Doctor said.
"Get it off me!"
"I think I can find the right frequency, shut it down again!" The Doctor said, holding his sonic screwdriver.
"Kill it!" Jared said, looking at the Cybermat. "Hurry!"
"Right!" Hibiki said, hitting the Cybermat with a large pan. "This is easier than I thought."
It leaps onto the Doctor.
"Argh! Baking tray, Miku. Baking tray!" The Doctor said.
Miku gets the tray and they get the Cybermat onto the floor under it, "Okay. What now?"
"We have to hold it down!" Hibiki said.
"Hurry up, Spaceman!" Jared said, angrily.
"Ah, it must be shielded from metastatic energy. Of course." The Doctor said.
"Of course. Why didn't I think of that? Maybe because science isn't my forte."
"Don't worry, I have an app for that. Stand back. Stand back!" The Doctor said, zapping the Cybermat. "Success. That was amazing. Craig, you must be really, really strong. That thing should have had you easily. And Hibiki, you training with Tsubasa's uncle made you strong."
"Is it definitely dead?" Craig asked.
"Inactive, yes. Technically never been alive. It was playing possum before, to take us by surprise. Bravo." The Doctor said.
"Phew. Alfie!"
Living room…
Craig is walking up and down with Alfie while the Doctor takes the Cybermat apart.
"I'm knackered. That thing was eating up the electricity?" Craig asked, yawning.
"And transmitting it up to the Cybership." Miku said.
"But why? Why do they need power?" Hibiki asked.
"Why are those conversions not complete yet, and what are they doing up there?" The Doctor asked.
"You said you were going to look at its brain." Craig said, looking at the Doctor.
"No, I had to wipe its brain. Now I can reprogram it and use it as a weapon against them."
"The Cybermat came after us?" Craig asked.
"Nope, they were after me, Symphogear, and the Doctor." Jared said, sadly.
"They sent it after us."
"No, they were after us. Because of me, Craig, you and Alfie nearly died. Do you still feel safe around us?"
"You and the Doctor can't help who your friends are." Miku said.
"No, I'm a stupid, selfish man. The Doctor too. We always have been." Jared said, frowning. "I should have made you and Symphogear go, Craig. The Doctor and I, we should've never come here."
"What would have happened if the both of you hadn't come? Who else knows about the Cybermen and teleports?" Craig asked.
"Craig, we put people in danger."
"Don't ask like that. Please! If it wasn't for you and the Doctor helping us." Hibiki said, happily. "This whole planet would be in a mess."
"Hibiki, Miku, Craig, I won't be here soon, and neither will the Doctor. Our time is running out. I don't mean Salem. And the Doctor doesn't mean Exedor." Jared said, placing his hand on top of Hibiki's.
"Silence will fall when the question is asked. Don't even know what the question is. Jared and I always knew we'd die still asking. Thing is, Craig, it's tomorrow. Can't put it off any more. Tomorrow is the day we…" The Doctor said, while Craig, Alfie, Hibiki, and Miku are asleep on the sofa. "Ah."
Outside Craig's home…
Next morning.
"Safe mode. Clever me. Come along, Bitey, Shay." The Doctor said.
The Doctor is walking away with the Cybermat and Jared.
Living room…
Craig wakes to hear Sophie's voice leaving a message.
"So I'll be back about ten, because Melina's totally gone off on one. She's going to kill David Jenkins. I know I'm stupid to worry. I can't wait to get home to my special boys!" Sophie said, over the phone.
"Oh, no, no, no, no." Craig said.
Kitchen…
"Doctor? Jared?" Craig asked.
"Love you, Alfie. Love you, Craig." Sophie said, her voice over the phone.
There is a message on the fridge door. Dear Craig. Gone to stop Cybermen. Sorry, goodbye. The Doctor. And Jared.
"You idiots!" Craig said, angrily.
Ladies clothing…
"Morning!" Val said, excitedly.
"Morning. Teleport's still fused. They didn't repair it." The Doctor said.
"Doctor, the Cyberman last night. How did it get down here? How did it get out?" Jared asked.
"I don't know."
"You found the silver rat?" Val asked.
"Yeah. We did. But where are the silver men?"
Kitchen…
Craig is putting Alfie into the papoose, "I'm sorry, Alfie, I can't leave you here while the Symphogear wielders are asleep. They're exhausted from babysitting you the past few days. There's something up with the Doctor and Jared, and we owe them. I wouldn't have you or Mummy if it wasn't for them. They need someone. They always need someone. They just can't admit it. It's why Jared has loads of friends. It's why he makes social calls and visits them. I promise nothing's going to happen to you. All right, come on, here we go."
Changing rooms…
"Secondary teleport. No, there is no other teleport." The Doctor said.
"Doctor, maybe they have a backup system somewhere." Jared said, grabbing the Doctor's hand.
"Of course. Something complicated, something powerful, something shielded."
"Maybe it's a door!"
"A disillium bonded steel door disguised as a wall." The Doctor said.
At the back of the cubicle.
"That's cheating, Spaceman!" Jared said, annoyed.
"It is. So, it didn't teleport down, it climbed up." The Doctor said.
Cybership…
The tunnel is nice and circular, with the occasional tree root poking through.
"Jared, do you know what we're supposed to do here?" The Doctor asked.
At the bottom is a big cavern with the Cybership in it.
"Nope." Jared said, grabbing the Doctor's hand. "But it is metallic."
The inside is the exact opposite of the normal Cyber clean and shiny.
"Yeah. Well, well, well. You have been busy." The Doctor said, as Jared squeezed his hand.
Ladies clothing…
"Doctor? Jared? Doctor? Jared?" Craig asked.
"Another row? They went into the changing rooms. Something about silver men." Val said.
"Oh, God, no. Val, I need you to look after Alfie for me, okay? Please look after him. If Hibiki and the others come. Have them help you babysit Alfie. They know what to do. The Doctor and Jared need me." Craig said.
"I understand. You three need time alone." Val said.
Craig hands the papoose over and runs off, "And don't follow me!"
"I wasn't intending to." Val said.
Cybership…
The Doctor and Jared find George's name tag amongst the dirt on the floor.
"You two have come to us." The Cyberman said.
"It took us a while. We had a lot on our mind. For me, it was HoloLive. Man, I love Korone Inugami and Amelia Watson. The doggo and the detective." Jared said, smiling. "Let's see if I remembered what happened. This ship crashed here centuries ago. There's no survivors. But the systems for the ship are dormant. Waiting for power."
"And then the council stick a load of new cables right on top of you. Bitey wakes up and channels the power. You start crewing up from the shop as best you can." The Doctor said, looking at the Cyberman.
"There's not enough power, and there's not enough parts."
"When we are ready, we will emerge. We will convert this planet to Cyberform." The Cyberman said.
"What, the six of you?" The Doctor asked.
"Sorry to break it to you pal, but you're not the Symphogear wielders." Jared said, scoffing. "And number seven came later."
"Both of you know that is enough. You know us. You are the Doctor and Jared Shay." The Cyberman said, looking between the Doctor and Jared.
"You're not wrong. The Doctor and I, we always give you Cybermen. As well as the rest of our enemies, a choice. But since you're Cybermen, and not Daleks, Sontarans, or Slitheen."
"Deactivate yourself, or we deactivate you." The Doctor said.
A second Cyberman approaches from behind.
Changing rooms…
"Doctor? Jared? Doctor? Jared?" Craig asked.
He finds the hole in the wall, grabs a laser barcode reader and heads inside.
(Jared's POV)
Cybership…
"Stop!" I said, looking at the Cybermen. "Let us go! Please!"
The Doctor and I have been seized.
"Argh!" The Doctor said.
"They must be the new leaders." The Cyberman said.
"No. The Doctor is not like us. Brain and binary vascular system incompatible. They will be discarded. Other body parts may be of use. And Jared's Aura protects him. And his pendant has a fail safe that adds an extra layer of protection." Cyberman 2 said.
"Oi, Cybermen! Get off my planet, or I activate this." Craig said, holding the barcode reader.
"Craig, stop it. You're embarrassing yourself, get out!" I said, angrily. "Save yourself and go!"
"It's like you said, Doctor, Jared. Got to believe you can do it. " Craig said.
"You located us?" The Cyberman asked.
"Yeah. Teleport in the lift, bit rubbish. And that little Cybermat never stood a chance. So you see what you're dealing with?" Craig asked.
"You are compatible. You are intelligent." The Cyberman said, zapping the barcode reader from Craig's hands and a third one grabs him.
"Argh! No, I'm not intelligent. You don't want me." Craig said.
"Do not fear. We will take your fear from you. You will be like us. You will be more than us."
"No, no, no."
"Your designation is CyberController. You will lead us. We will conquer this world." The Cyberman said.
"Doctor! Jared!" Craig said, terrified.
"Craig!" The Doctor and I said, at the same time.
"Do something, please!" Craig said, while he is clamped into a conversion chamber. "Doctor. Jared."
"Craig, don't worry. I've reprogrammed their Cybermat. It'll drain their power." The Doctor said.
"You want to be heroes that badly?" Chris asked.
"That's right, you're not the only ones on the battlefield." Tsubasa said.
"Sorry we took so long!" Hibiki said, happily.
Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris entered the room. The Cyberman stomps on the Cybermat.
"You have failed, Doctor, Jared, Symphogear. Begin conversion. Phase one. Cleanse the brain of emotions." The Cyberman said.
"No. Craig, fight it! They can't convert you if you fight back. You're strong. Don't give in to it." Tsubasa said, looking at Craig.
"Help me!" Craig said, worried.
"Think of Sophie. Think of Alfie. Craig, don't let them take it all away. You have a family and a foundation." Chris said.
"Make it stop. Please, make it stop!"
"Craig, listen to us. We believe in you. We know you can do this." Hibiki said, smiling.
"Craig, I believed in all of my family and friends. My entire life. The Doctor and I, we're gonna die, Craig. We're gonna die tomorrow." I said, letting out tears.
Hibiki grabbed my hand, to comfort me and make me feel stronger.
"We don't mind if you just prove us right. Craig!" The Doctor said.
A Cyberman helmet closes over Craig's face.
"Begin full conversion." The Cyberman said.
Ladies clothing…
Alfie is crying. There's one Karma Noise in the department store and Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika are fighting it off. Miku is near Val and Alfie, protecting them inside that section of the store.
"Don't worry, It's just a little light going out." Val said, comforting Alfie.
Cybership…
"Alfie's crying…" Hibiki said, sadly.
Miku, Val, and Alfie are on one half of the monitor.
"The hell is a Karma Noise doing there?" I asked, looking between Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris. "How?"
Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika are on the other half of the monitor.
"It must have been Craig and Alfie." Chris said. "They drew it in. I don't know if that's smart or stupid."
"Unknown soundwave detected. On top of the soundwave of phonic gain." Cyberman 2 said.
"It is the sound of fear. It is irrelevant. We will remove all fear." The Cyberman said.
"Alfie, I'm sorry! Stop crying, please! The Doctor and I, we can't help him! Symphogear can't either!" I said, looking at the screen.
"Emotions eradicated. Conversion complete. Alert. Emotional subsystems rebooting. This is impossible." The Cyberman said.
"He can hear him. He can hear Alfie." Hibiki said, happily.
"While Cadenzavna Eve, Tsukuyomi, and Akatsuki are busy singing and fighting the Karma Noise." Tsubasa said.
"Oh, please, just give us this." The Doctor said.
"Craig, you wanted a chance to prove you're a dad. You are never going to get a better one than this." Chris said. "Come on, break free, you dummy!"
"What is happening?" The Cyberman asked.
"What's happening, you metal moron? A baby is crying."
"You better watch out! Because it's the best day ever! Yes! Alfie, your daddy is coming home!" I said, excitedly.
The Cyberman helmet opens again, and Craig starts to break out of the conversion chamber.
"Alfie! Alfie, I'm here! I'm coming for you!" Craig said, worried.
"Yes, Craig." The Doctor said.
"Alfie!"
The Doctor gets free of the confused Cyberman and grabs his sonic screwdriver. Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris help me break free of the confused Cyberman.
"Alfie needs you!" Hibiki said. "You have to comfort him!"
"Emergency. Emotional influx!" The Cyberman said.
"You've triggered a feedback loop into their emotional inhibitors. All that stuff they cut out of themselves, now they're feeling it. Which means a very big explosion." The Doctor said.
"Overload. Overload. Overload."
"Get it open! We need to get to Alfie!" Craig said.
"They've sealed the ship!" The Doctor said.
"We've got to get out of here!" Chris said, annoyed. "You dummy, don't you have a plan?"
"I know!" I said, angrily. "I don't have a plan."
The Cybermen's heads start exploding.
"Of course you do." Hibiki said. "You always do."
"The teleport!" I said, grabbing Hibiki's hand. "How could I forget that?"
The Doctor sonicks the controls and we beam away just before the whole Cybership goes KaBOOM.
Ladies clothing…
"How did you get in there?" Val asked.
"Alfie!" Craig said, happily.
"Here's your daddy." Val said, handing Alfie over.
"How much did he give Craig?" Hibiki asked.
"Was it a good score?" Tsubasa asked.
Alfie gurgles.
"That dummy has been through a lot as a dad." Chris said.
"Craig. That was another review. Ten out of ten." The Doctor said, looking at the seven Symphogear wielders. "He is also thanking you, Symphogear."
"The Cybermen. They blew up. I blew them up with love." Craig said.
"No, that's impossible. And also grossly sentimental and over simplistic. Craig, you destroyed them because of the deeply ingrained hereditary human trait to protect one's own genes, which in turn triggered a, a, a..." The Doctor said, coming up with a reason.
"Doctor, catch up, will you?" I asked. "Craig blew up the Cybermen with love."
Ladies underwear…
"The building should be totally safe structurally, and of course the bonded disillium contained the explosion." The Doctor said.
"Yup, we saved the day as usual." I said, smiling. "Y'know, I'm gonna miss this."
"Same. So, what do you want to do now? Symphogear is staying in the TARDIS for the time being. They're at the karaoke bar."
"It suits you." Val said.
Craig has a new shirt, "Thanks."
"Discount applies to partners." Val said.
"Great." Craig said.
"Val, the Doctor and Craig aren't married." I said, walking towards Craig and Val. "Craig has a girl. Her name is Sophie."
"Sophie. Yeah." Craig said.
"Thank you for your help, Val. Good noticing. Keep them peeled." The Doctor said.
"I will. I'm glad you three made up for baby's sake." Val said.
"Val, it's not a double date!" I said, angrily.
"You never know. You do have a thing for the Doctor too, you know. It's nice for baby to have two daddies and an uncle who love each other."
"Wait. Hang on a sec. Two daddies? And an uncle? You think I'm?" Craig asked.
"Their companion." Val said.
"Ha ha ha! Doctor? Jared?" Craig asked, turning around to the Doctor and I sneak away.
"Oh. Now where've they rushed off to?"
"They're gone."
Living room…
"Who's tidied all this up?" Craig asked.
Kitchen…
"See, I do come back." The Doctor said.
I'm standing next to the Doctor.
"How did you?" Craig asked.
"We have a time machine, Craig." I said, happily.
"But even with time travel, getting glaziers on a Sunday." The Doctor said.
"It was a bit tricky, but Serena and Kanade helped keep neighbors busy. Hibiki and the others helped us clean." I said, smiling.
"The both of you went back in time? That means you two used up your hours. Jared, what about Salem? And Doctor, what about Exedor?" Craig asked.
"What about you being in trouble with Sophie when she comes back? We couldn't let that happen."
"The two of you used up your time for me?"
"Well, of course we did. You're one of our friends, Craig." I said, happily.
"I notice Stormageddon's very quiet and happy. Oh, he prefers the name Alfie now. And he's very proud of his dad." The Doctor said.
"He calls me dad?" Craig asked.
"Yes, of course he does now. Yeah, I know. He's a bit thick, isn't he?"
"Oi, shut up, you two."
"Doctor, it's time, we have to go." I said, looking at the Doctor.
"Doctor, Jared, I know that something's wrong. Symphogear knew that something's wrong too. We can help you two." Craig said.
"Nobody can help us. I hope Sophie won't mind. I need these." The Doctor said.
The Doctor picked up the Tardis-blue envelopes.
"And I need these." I said, noticing something in the corner. "Red is one of my colors after all."
I picked up the ruby red envelopes.
"Where are you going to go? Both of you?" Craig asked.
"Home. Or a version of it. The United States of America." I said, smirking.
"Sophie'll be home any second. Are you sure…"
"We can't miss this appointment, Craig. Goodbye, mate." The Doctor said.
"Wait there. One second." Craig said, returning with a stetson. "From Sean's stag."
"Wow."
"You ride 'em, pardner."
"Oh, thanks."
"Thanks for everything, Craig." I said, laughing a little. "We really appreciate it. See ya."
"Bye." Craig said, and there is a knock on the door. "Doctor, Jared, that will be Sophie arriv…"
The Doctor and I have gone out the back. Craig answers the door.
(Open POV)
Front door…
"Hello, hello, I forgot my keys." Sophie said.
"Oh, I've missed you so much." Craig said.
"I missed you, too. Both of you. Are you wearing a papoose?"
"Yes."
Living room…
"Oh, my God, the place is spotless. Has anything happened? You look different." Sophie said.
"Nothing happened. Nothing weird." Craig said.
"Look at you two, thick as thieves. Who's Daddy's little boy then?"
"Doctor." Alfie said.
"What? Craig?" Sophie asked.
Outside the Tardis…
"Well then, old girl. One last trip, eh?" The Doctor asked.
"It was nice, y'know." Jared said, grabbing the Doctor's hand. "Seeing all of time and space. And seeing most of Remnant too."
Some children nearby stop playing to stare at the weirdos talking to a police box.
"Hey. I'm the Doctor. And this is Jared. We were here to help. And you are very, very welcome." The Doctor said.
"Come on, TARDIS." Jared said, opening the blue box with his TARDIS key. "Symphogear has been home for a while."
"Yeah. So, do you want to go back to Remnant?"
"I don't know, I really don't. With Jacques Schnee winning the election."
Study…
River puts the eye witness reports back into their folder and checks her diary. 22/04/11 5:02pm Lake Silencio.
"Tick tock, goes the clock, and what now shall we play? Tick tock, goes the clock, now summer's gone away." Kovarian said, nearby.
"Hello?" River asked.
"Such a lovely old song. But is it about them?"
"You know about the Doctor and Jared?"
"So very well. Oh, don't try and remember me. We've been far too thorough with your dear little head."
Two Silence creep up behind River.
"Oh! What are they? What are those things?" River asked.
"Your owners." Kovarian said, smirking.
"My what?"
"So, they made you a Doctor today, did they? Doctor River Song. How clever you are. You understand what this is, don't you?" Kovarian asked, looking at a page in the diary.
"According to some accounts, it's the day the Doctor and Jared die." River said.
"By Silencio Lake, on the Plain of Sighs, Impossible Astronauts will rise from the deep and strike the Time Lord and fanboy dead."
"It's a story."
"And this is where it begins." Kovarian said, when two soldiers enter with a NASA spacesuit. "You never really escaped us, Melody Pond. We were always coming for you. Like how we came for Ryuko Matoi."
"How do you know who I am?" River asked.
"I made you what you are. The woman who kills the Doctor. And you failed on killing Jared, so we found Ryuko. Someone capable of killing one of your best friends instead of you."
"No! No! No!" River said, and she is injected with a sedative.
"Tick tock, goes the clock, and all the years they fly. Tick tock, and all too soon, your love and your best friend will surely die."
River wakes up in the spacesuit, underwater. She looked over to see Ryuko Matoi in a spacesuit, underwater too.
"Tick tock goes the clock, the cradle now be rocked. Tick tock, goes the clock till River kills the Doctor and Ryuko kills Jared." The children said, nearby.