It took less than three days for the doctor to get everything ready. After Edward checked everything, they began the plan. Clara placed a device on her head and closed her eyes.
“Concentrate — you only need to constantly think about reaching Gallifrey,” said Edward with a reassuring voice before looking at the doctor. The latter had his own device, but it was a bracelet on his wrist.
“Let’s begin.”
The Tardis shook slightly, and each had a screen before them. They saw the Tardis hurling the floating city, traveling through these blue corridors in the Time Vortex. Another part of the screen showed them countless data.
“She has accessed my timeline,” said the doctor, surprised by how easy that was. This fact only proved that Edward was telling the truth and was deeply interconnected with Clara.
“Clara, what do you see?”
“I see…me and different versions of you. Young, middle-aged, handsome, ugly, and even a woman exists.”
“Woman? My next regeneration is a woman? Bloody hell, this should be interesting.”
Edward looked at him and did not explain. The current doctor has not gone to Trenzalore and received another round of 12 regeneration. As such, he believes his life will soon end with his next regeneration.
“Clara, focus. Follow the doctor to a time of a major war–that’s our destination,” said Edward.
“War? There are a few — too many to count.”
“Go for the biggest one you see.”
“O…Okay,” she said as her face concentrated.
Boom!
The Tardis shook so intensely that everyone flew from their position. Edward acted swiftly as his boot magnetized, sticking him to the floor; he even had time to create a magnetic shield around Clara. With his athleticism, he remained on the spot, but it was not the same for everybody else.
The doctor was relatively fine; his Gallifreyan physique was stronger than that of humans. However, Clara was bleeding in the nose despite Edward’s actions.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“No problem.” Edward looked at the doctor, “What happened?”
“Lucky we took preventive measures,” said the doctor, looking at Clara’s fading pale complexion. His eyes then shifted to the screen.
“The Time War is a fixed point in time, so it’s protected in the vortex by an immense amount of time energy. Normally, it would be impossible to travel to that era, but since we’re only using it as a mode to reach the Gallifrey pocket dimension, we can come close.”
“So, the turbulence is our direct confrontation with all the time energy?”
“Correct.”
“Okay. Let’s continue. Is everything still operating? Ms. Oswald, how do you feel?”
“I’m fine. I can continue.”
“Our system has no problem,” added the doctor.
“Let’s proceed. Ms. Oswald–”
“Call me Clara.”
“Alright. Clara. Focus on our destination.”
The Tardis and its companion traveled through the vortex for a brief period before hitting something. It tried to pass with incredible difficulty.
“Argh,” yelled Clara as she held her hands.
“Clara.” (2x)
“Her mind cannot bear breaking through the dimensional wall of Gallifrey,” commented Edward beside her. “Didn’t you prepare for this possibility?”
“Yes, Tardis,” yelled the doctor, and this weird orange light emanated from the tardis and entered Clara’s head. She stopped screaming and opened her eyes.
“Are you alright?” asked Edward.
“I…I’m fine.”
“Do you want to stop?”
“What about your plan?” she asked.
“Now that we’re here, it’s only a matter of using extreme means to enter.”
“It’s okay, I can still continue.”
“Are you sure?”
“Are you worried about me?” she asked with a beautiful smile.
“Of course. Since I promise nothing will happen to you, I intend to keep my word.”
“Only because of this,” said Clara underneath her breath. Of course, Edward heard him, but he did not mention it. Soon afterward, they broke into the dimensional wall with Clara’s effort and the protection of the Tardis’ Core.
“Gallifrey,” said the doctor in a voice full of awe and reminiscing after walking out of the police box. While he was in a daze and Clara was looking everywhere, Edward had a screen floating before him that only he could see the content.
‘Morgana, how is it?’
‘I already scanned the entire planet and found the places we wanted.’
‘That’s good.”
“Let’s go,” he said to the group. They soon found themselves in a city, but everything was frozen in time. The people, the animals, the flying ships, and even the buildings seemed static.
“I’m going to the central hub to get what I want,” said Edward, stopping the sightseeing mood. “Once I’m done, you can decide whether to unfreeze or release them. I don’t think you need my help for this.”
“...No, I’ll be fine alone.”
Edward went to the central hub, where most of the data on Gallifreyan’s technology was kept. Normally, this place was of the highest order of security, but it was now very easy to get into. The only trouble was retrieving the data during the time stop.
Edward did not waste time and used his Time Authority to speed up the process. Afterward, he traveled around the planet where core databases were located and took everything.
One of his priorities was the technology of the Tardis, and he took all of them in the museum–from the first generation to the latest Tardis. Once he finished, he returned to the group.
“Have you decided?”
“Give me a little more time,” he said, and Edward did not rush him. He returned to Tardis while Clara followed the doctor. In the next few days, they will return before going out again. More than a week later, the doctor finally made his choice.
He would unfreeze Gallifrey but would not free them from their prison. He believed the return of his people was not good for the universe. Edward looked at him and did not say anything. As long as the Time Lords regain their mobility, they will definitely try to escape this prison.
The doctor did not meet anyone from Gallifrey. Through the Tardis, he unfroze this dimension before leaving.
“Are you sure you cannot stay? You could travel with us for a while,” asked the doctor.
“That’s a terrible idea.” Edward shook his head. “Although we have many things in common, we have even more differences. A short voyage is fine, but not a long one. Plus, like I said, I have people counting on me. I can’t say long.”
“Will we see you again?” asked Clara
“I’m afraid the chances are low.”
Once he has processed and analyzed the acquired data, he will leave for his next world immediately.
“That’s a shame.”
Edward smiled as he looked at her, “I hope you found your purpose in life, and I wish you fulfillment in all your endeavors.”
“Thank you, and I hope you can save your people.” She gave him a hug before Edward focused on the doctor. They shook hands firmly.
“Any words for me.”
“Yes, " nodded Edward. “Now that you’ve dealt with Gallifrey, I hope you can stop running from your past and find peace. River Song is a great woman who deserves more than you gave her.”
“You’re maybe right.”
They hugged tightly before Edward entered Netheril, rushing into the sky and disappearing.
“Are you sure you want to leave?” asked Morgana. “This world has a lot of potential.”
“I know, but it’s best not to have too much interaction with someone like the Doctor.”
Edward would not be surprised if the Doctor one day developed Omniversal Travel and one day reached his home world. In this stage of his development, it’s best not to deal with these kinds of people.
“Let’s analyze our loot on this trip,” said Edward with a smirk.
“I love how your thieving days are far from over, even after so long.”
Edward blushed as he remembered his youth, traveling the world and infiltrating places like the Vatican to steal books.
“What do you know? It’s all for the pursuit of knowledge and truth.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, but I know you enjoy the thrill of it all.”
“Shut up and show me what we got.”
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