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Free World Story: Bad Wolf.
Category: Uncategorized
Free World Story: Bad Wolf.
Thirty years ago...
Young Jovie ran through the tree's fear etched on his face. The Stars and Moons offered little light for him to see and in truth he likely wouldn't want to see if he could. Bursting through the tree's, with relief he saw the outer villages of his home. The Viking Nation. The homesteads were as settled as they could be and yet the moment he called out the empty communal areas burst to life.
"Bad Wolf! I saw it! It's back!"
The first to reach him was the leader of the village, Ognin Evo. "Jovie, what were you doing out in the woods? Are you hurt?"
Jovie, still shaking responded hesitantly "we were hunting, we knew the Viking trials were coming up and ..."
Ognin interrupted quickly "we? Who were you..." But he knew. Jovie was a young boy that was hard to get along with and only one person could ever work with him. "Jovie...where is my son? Where is Agnar?"
Now, Japan...
The doctor gave the Queen Lucinda a bow "thank you for your hospitality. And erm, sorry about the mess that alien made. I'm sure the green splatters will wash out" he turned to heather sheepishly. "we should go pick up your new goddaughter then! I promised we would take her to see her mum and dads wedding in the tardis".
Queen Lucinda wiped the green mess off her hand as she turned to face the doctor."I wish things had not gotten so messy .. but at least we know it wont come back. your welcome Doctor and Heather. we don't get many guests." Lucinda waved as they left.
"tell my Cousin I said hello!" Lucinda added. Heather nodded as the left.' I always liked her..." heather commented as he opened the doors that lead them outside. "you know you could have done the clean up better, you just like messes." heather said giving the Doctor a look.
As they stepped into the tardis, the doctor tried to ignore her comment. Instead he mumbled to himself "I'm a doctor not a cleaner" he stroked the tardis control panel "okay beautiful let's go visit our little charity". The sound of the tardis kicking into gear filled the air as slowly it's blue form vanished from the mainland of Japan. At the same moment it arrived on the lawn outside the Temp'elar Estate. "Okay, two rules... One: No making fun of me in front of our guests. Two: if we end up in the wrong place pretend it was a surprise!"
Heather leaned against the controls knowing it wouldn't take long. She laughed at his statement. "me? make you look bad?" she walked over to the Doctor and fixed his shirt "sweetie you do that on your own" Heather turned and walked to the doors. "it's always a surprise were we land ..." She added as they walked outside.
Inside the Temp'elar Estate Cal noted the sound of the Tardis right on time, something of a surprise considering the Doctors rather ironic poor time keeping. "Charity, your godmother and her ride are here for you". Charity had been anxiously looking forward to the promised trip back in time to see her parents, Cal and Mizzy, getting married. Cal, however knew the truth. The Doctor wanted to see how the time paradox that had led to her unusual birth was effecting her and a trip through time would be the only way to do that.
Outside the Doctor now stood, looking up to the window and gave Cal a wave. He loved coming to this estate. It was full of history, something the Doctor loved. It usually led to trouble too, something else the Doctor loved!
"She will be right down Doctor" Cal called then turned back in "Charity, don't keep them waiting".
At her Daddy’s second yell for her, Charity lets outa huff as she gives her mini top hat one last adjustment, trying to get it right. Deciding not to mess with perfection anymore, Charity practically prances down the stairs, her large suitcase thumbing along. “Hold your horses Daddy and don't get your panties into a twist. Perfection can not be rushed. Once Heather and the Doctor see me I am sure they will understand anyways” she leans up and gives her Daddy a kiss on the cheek as she grins at him.
The doctor gave a wave up towards Calcifer and then applauded the arrival of Charity "oh just wonderful. Look at you all growing up!" He gave a glance back to Heather with a smile. Heather knew that this wasn't just a trip. The two of them needed to assess any long term effects of Charities rather unusual birth but needed her in the Tardis to do this. "Well then let's get into the Tardis and go see your parents wedding!" He walked over opening the door "and before you say it, yes bigger on the inside, yes it's a police box, no it doesn't matter that nobody knows what a police box is and yes it is amazing". Heather looked over to charity. "he's trying to impress you, always does with new guests. "Heather turned back to the doctor. "He is very good at impressing people". Charity smiled "should we tell him that us beautiful ladies arent impressed with just fancy words? We need actions and more importantly, beautiful worthy items"
The Doctor was oblivious to their chatter and instead ran to the controls starting up the Tardis. "Don't worry this is the most advanced work of art ever created, we never get lost. There isn't even a chance of anything going wrong!"
Twenty seconds later, the doctor stood outside the Tardis in a large grass field looking across at five viking soldiers pointing there axes at him. "Why do we always end up in the wrong place?" Heather felt the hard landing and walked behind the doctor to the doors of the tardis. " where did you ...." She stopped speaking and watched as the Viking surrounded them. Charity follows Heather to the door, her eyes widening when she sees the Vikings. Nudging Heather she grinned "think they're here to play?" Charity tries to joke, until she heard the seriousness in Heather's next words "Charity get behind me ..."
"This can't go on! This monster has been attacking our outer villages and outposts for months now". Ognin tried to compose himself as best he could before continuing his petition to the Viking King.
"Your highness, we are a strong people. Under your rule we grow more powerful each season! Even the King of Camelot has taken notice, if this continues we will look weak and..."
Before he could continue the King stood tall from his throne "Enough!" He slowly composed his roar and speak in a calm but firm voice "You think I am so alone on my throne that I do not hear of what happens in every village under my rule? This attempt to play on our people vanity to look strong is beneath you". He sat back down, noting the people in attendance settling. "This is about your son. Young Agnar attempted to hunt the beast did he not, and now he is missing".
Ognin bowed his head "forgive me sire. Yes, it is my son I am currently concerned for. But how many of our children must fall before we act". He could tell that the King had thought the same. Suddenly behind him the doors opened as a young viking led in his troop of soldiers along with a group of prisoners "Your highness! I have found intruders on our land! They practice witch craft and have magicked themselves into our nation in a ship of blue!"
The King gave a scowling look to the Viking before turning to Origin. "Forgive Bloodstone. My son is eager to prove himself a strong leader but he is a better fighter than he is decision maker". Bloodstone looked around aware suddenly he had interrupted a discussion. Before the debate could continue the skinny face of the Doctor popped from behind Bloodstone "excuse me, hi! I'm the Doctor. Alien time lord, science genius, not a witch... I couldn't help but over-hear that you have some sort of problem with what sounds like a beast in the woods?"
Origin looked back at the Doctor with curiosity. He didn't fear witchcraft nor anything else. Save for the loss of his son. "Your highness, I say this man and his... Rather small female companions are a message from the gods. Let me lead them and a few of my men into the woods to find my son, and this beast".
The Doctor glanced back. He had already forgotten about Charity being here. Perhaps this was one monster hunt he should ignore. He opened his mouth, preparing to decline the offer...
Origin added "I am sure we can defeat this creature that the locals call the Bad Wolf".
The Doctor froze and whispered "bad wolf...". He turned back to Heather "it seems we have a creature to find" then glanced to Charity "and you have a young boy to find".
That evening, back in the village...
"Bad Wolf, Charity, are two words that have followed me across time and space. They are the universes way of telling me that something big is coming". He was, for once more concerned than excited by the trouble following them. Especially given that it was probably no coincidence that the Bad Wolf, whatever it was, happened to be here while Charity was. "Myself and Heather will investigate this creature. Ideally I would want you to stay away from this whole situation but I know you'll just ignore me so I want you to go with the Vikings to find this young boy. Perhaps another young mind will help them find him".
The following morning the two groups set off with their differing tasks. The Viking soldier that escorted Charity into the woods appeared I'll at ease around the quirky youngster. However he did his best to engage with her. He knew after all that she was likely unnerved by the stories of the Bad Wolf, not that she showed it. "It started attacking people around here well over two hundred years ago, at least that's the earliest story of it. But it comes and goes, often not seen or heard of for years".
Her eyes roaming over the Viking soldier escorting her, Charity grins big as she wonders how he would feel about her using him as a steampunk guinea pig. She had been trying her hand at creating steampunk clothing and she could see him wearing a steampunk top hat…with Viking influences of course. She taps on her chin as she thinks of what the Viking said about the creature, having trouble figuring out what it could be just off of that. Then again Charity wasn't really that old and hadn't had many chances to hear about a lot of different creatures. Her Mama and Daddy told her fairy tails not nightmares.
One Viking in the group behind them joining the search added "it's a massive mutant of a thing girl, you see it, you run!" The First Viking chit him a glare "don't listen to him young Charity. Nobody has ever seen it and survived. Nobody knows what it looks like. By the way, my name is Ognin Evo, I appreciate you helping to find my son".
Charity felt her hackles raise at the other Viking soldiers words. What did he think she was some weakling who couldn't hold her own in a fight? She ignores what he said though and focus her attention on the other Viking, who she now knows to be Ognin Evo. She waves off his appreciation as she gives him a wide grin “Nothing to thank me for Ognin!” she crosses her arms behind her as she practically prances beside him.
"These caves ahead... You think he could be in there?" Asked Ognin, pointing to a network of deep caverns. A half way point between the Viking Nation and the outskirts of Camelot they rarely ventured this far.
Cocking her head to the side she eyes the cave, giving a shrug “If I was a young teen boy…I would probably hide out there. Its dirty and grimy and isn't that what teen boys like?”
Elsewhere...
The doctor looked down at his screwdriver "the DNA I got from the remains of the body are all over the place. Even the Tardis couldn't tell me what this bad wolf is!" He said for about the tenth time to Heather. He gave the screwdriver a bang "but, it's picking up a signal ahead. I don't know what it is but it's somewhere in this cavern".
Heather crossed her arms over her chest " is it the tardis again ? Like before ? giving us clues still to whatever it is ?" Heather asked knowing the story of rose Tyler and bad wolf. Of her putting the words. Through our time and space for the doctor to find. Her eyes looked up to the path they had to follow. " Doctor , I ... For once I am not sure if following it is a good idea ..." But nothing she said would change his mind. He was a blood hound.
The doctor looked back to her. He hadn't said much before whilst Charity was around but he knew he could tell Heather. "We are not meant to be here at all. Charity... She is what brought us here. I can only guess that this boy, Agnar is the reason. The link. He grows to be a king that declares war on her family essentially. We can look into this animal, whilst she resolves her fate".
Heather hadn't told the Doctor this , but before this trip herself and charity had been spending time together. Heathers time vortex jumper always broke or misfired around charity. Heather could tell that time was off around her god daughter. " Doctor it's always been this way. Hasn't it. She was meant to find us. " Heather asked looking into the eyes of her closet friend.
The Doctor nodded as he led them deeper into the cave "we knew from the beginning that she was a living paradox just like her father. But she was born this way. I knew taking her through time would be the only way for the Tadis to understand her but..." He paused looking to the sonic screwdriver and readjusting their path "...but it seems time itself is trying to make sense if her. Though I don't quite understand why of all people it would bring her to Agnar, a man she never even met". Suddenly ahead he heard a roar, something terrifying yet in pain!
Heather looked to the cave walls. " since when has time ever made since doctor ? We both know it has a mind of its ..." Her comment was broken when she heard the scream.
The Doctor ran through the caves just in time to see a figure crouched down, surrounded by what appeared to be Its own blood. The figure appeared to be almost human, yet overly muscled with excessive hair and long claws. It's eyes were filled with rage and anger. Fury to a level that wasn't natural. "I think..." He whispered "...we have found the bad wolf. Now, whatever you do... Don't. Make. A sound".
"RAAAARRRGGH" came a raw as a small athletic figure came charging in! The boy, in his early teens hurled a spear which pierced the bad wolfs arm yet seemed only to draw his attention, the creature showing no sign of pain. "Oh well that's just typical" whispered the Doctor before leaping down from the ledge "Geronimo!" He called out only to see the bad wolf leaping towards him! The beast shoved him sending him flying back into the wall before turning back to the boy "I'm gonna taste your organs boy" it growled before the sound of footsteps signalled the arrival of Charity and the Vikings.
"Charity ?!" Heather yelled , running down the dark cave halls toward the sound. If something had happened to her God daughter she'd never forgive herself.
The creature ran into the dark and escaped as the Doctor came to his senses. "Charity?". Behind her the hulking figure of Ognin came charging past and grabbed his son. "Agnar! You foolish boy, you could have been killed by that monster".
The teenager, red with embarrassment stood back "I would have defeated him, been a warrior like you!" He slowly calmed and returned a hug to his father before noting the strange girl at his side. Ognin turned to her and smiled "this is charity. She helped us find you. These people are going to help us stop this monsters rampage".
The doctor looked through the caves, using his sonic screwdriver to scan them "these caves... They come out into the outskirts of Camelot correct?"
Ognin gave a nod, mostly distracted by the relief of seeing his son again.
"Then i think we have a problem. If one of there outlying villages is killed by a hairy savage man coming from the Viking Nation lands... There could be a war. One that isn't meant to happen!"
The creature ran without any pause, leaping over rocks and fallen trees. In the distance he saw a heard of deer. Their beauty and grace was a thing to behold. Yet the creature called bad wolf showed his lack of compassion and appreciation by charging towards them. For miles around the screams could be heard as it sadistically tore through them. The animals were left in a mound of ripped flesh. A decaying monument to a creature on a path to set about a war that would alter time.
The doctor was unusually quiet, and despite only knowing him a short time Ognin was astute enough to notice this. "This creature. Do you know what it is?" The Vikings question hung unanswered for a moment until the doctor realised suddenly that it had been directed at him. "Oh...no, no I don't. It's just, well our presence here has set it on a path it would not otherwise have taken and if anything should..."
The sentence ended abruptly, drowned out by a series of gasps. Among the mighty Viking warriors even the sounds of vomiting could be heard as the site of the small village, now just a series of shattered buildings and meat...bones...came into view.
Not even bodies could be seen, for it wasn't clear where one persons remains ended and another's began.
"Camelot?" The doctor asked, trying to ignore the horror of what he was seeing to focus on the horror that would follow if war broke out at this point in history.
"..." Ognin struggled to speak, his warriors eyes filling up at the sight of a small when toy. Their had been children. Suddenly he turned to the Doctor "no...no not yet. These villages are not aligned to anyone. Just a family or two. This... This could have been my Agnar. Or even my wife. She is expecting our second soon too, and she has been so I'll. if this had happened in our village..."
Suddenly with frustration the doctor cut him off "IT DIDNT!" He took a deep breath "it happened here. And now these people are dead. And we have two bigger concerns. Firstly if this happens nearer Camelot your people's will be thrown into a war that will destroy both Kingdoms. And secondly, why are Agnar and Charity so quiet". He turned quickly then to Heather. All three looked around just in time two see the bushes in the distant woods shaking.
Agnar ran through the woods, chasing the shadowed figure he had seen on the outskirts of the massacre. The little village, known only as Norris Green would now be famous for being the sight of a massacre. Agnar was young, but he wasn't as easily phased as the others had been his focus had remained alert and noted the creature escaping the scene. Suddenly hearing yet another sound behind him he turned lifting his spear, instead seeing a young girl "charity?"
Charity stumbles to a halt, the tip of Agnar’s spear practically in her face. Blinking, she merely cocks her head to the side, pushing the spear away “Careful with that, you wouldn't want to hurt little ole…little young me” She gives him a grin as she walks around him, looking in the direction he had been headed. “So you saw the bad wolf escaping too?” Looking back at him, she motions forward “Two sets of eyes are better than one right? We can find him together” she gives Agnar a thumbs up and a silly grin.
Agnar's faced shifted into a grin. "Good thinking. Your not as dull minded as your friends" he looked around the opening, a former campsite it seemed. Various cooking utensils scattered over the floor.
The doctor ran after the youngsters gesturing to Heather "come on! If charity catches up with that beast God knows what it will do?" He pushed through the trees using his screwdriver to scan for Temp'elar DNA "this doesn't make sense... Heather, I'm getting two signals".
Agnar lowered his spear as he approached Charity, then suddenly raised it again turning but too late. From behind him, a figure leapt out, it's claws slicing across his chest leaving deep wounds. It's charge shattered the spear before vanishing again, circling them.
Charity rushes to Agnar’s side, biting down hard on her bottom lip. The wounds looked bad and was bleeding heavily…which was a problem for Charity. Angar’s blood smelled and looked amazing. Shaking her head of those thoughts, she looks at him frantic with worry “We have to get to help Agnar” she glances around them, knowing that might be harder than they thought.
Deep in the trees the creature they called Bad Wolf licked the blood from his fingers. The sight of death was glorious yet the sight taste and smell of suffering was better. "You can't help him little girl. You can only decide to die with him or run" he shouted then edging closer whispered "and die alone...". He closed his eyes breathing in deeply. Her scent was families somehow. So very familiar.
Charity's eyes continue to shift between the trees surrounding them. She was trying to pinpoint where the Bad Wolf was but it's voice echoed throughout the woods. Without thinking of her precious skirt, she rips a ruffle off and presses it to Agnars wounds. Maybe what she did next was a dumb move, but Charity was never one to be won over. "Why don't you stop being a coward and come out to face me" she stands up, trying not to be tempted by the blood on her hands "Or are you afraid of a little girl?"
Agnar looked up to her shaking his head vigorously "don't..." She was brave and damn it he knew she wouldn't back down. But she should. Their was a time to fight and a time to pray. "Afraid? Do you know what fear is little girl? If you knew what I was you would know it all to well. I can feel your heart beating. I can taste the bitterness on your lips..." He stepped out of the shadows, his eyes filled with anger and rage "...and your wrath...l can feel that most of all". He leapt forward, wrapping his hands around her neck and pinning her to the floor "I can smell him on you...".
Heather kept up with the doctor. Years of running had always taught her to be ready with the doctor. So much running. " I think hlaf the time that things broken !" Heather yelled to the doctor. Though the sonic was right 99% of the time , it had it says of being wrong. Heathers pushed herself harder to run. " what does that mean ?? Two DNA ?"
The doctor suddenly stopped running "wait... A thought.... NOOOOO, no no no no it couldn't be?" He quickly checked the date on the screwdriver. "Oh my god, I know what the bad wolf is! We have to hurry!"
What !?" Heather almost fell over her own feet trying to stop. She wrapped her arms around the doctor to herself stop. "who , who is the ..-"AAAAAA!!!!" Heather couldn't tell where the scream came from , but she knew who. "it's charity !" Heather started to run off in the direction she heard the scream.
Pinned to the ground, she let's out a chocked gasp of both fear and surprise. The bravado she was once expressing was instantly gone as she realizes the danger she is in. She could sense the malicious and wrath coming of the Bad Wolf, causing her to claw and struggle to get free. "Please..."
Suddenly, the bad wolf let out a roar as his side was pierced by a spear. Agnar pushed it in deeper, throwing the monster back "I don't die easily Bad Wolf! Maybe I'm already dead!" The creature turned pushing Agnar across the camp site.
Running from out of the woods Heather noted that the shadow of bad wolf looked wounded. "charity!" Heather yelled pulling her a side from the stabbed form. Heather looked around for a weapon and found a frying pan and hit bad wolf over the head with it.
"A frying pan?" The Doctor asked then aimed his screwdriver towards the creature "long time no see" he said and with a high pitched screech from the device the Bad wolf fell to his knees. He screamed out and his skin began to tremble. His bones could be heard to crack and his muscles tear. With a roar he creature stood glancing at Heather and then Charity "see you again" it growled and ran into the woods.
Agnar went to give chase but the Doctor put his arm across to stop him "no!" He placed a hand on his shoulder "I upset his genetic make up, it will be many years before he can return to do any harm. And by then the Viking Nation will be... At no risk".
Later that night...
The celebration in the Viking Capitol was long and filled with wine and meats. A few fights broke out also, as the soldiers exadurated their roles in slaying the beast. Agnar however remained silent as whispers began to spread about the young Viking warrior that couldn't die. "They really do throw a wonderful party don't they Heather?" Her lack of response and glare made it clear she wouldn't rest without an answer. The Doctor gave a sigh "okay... The Tardis wasn't pulled here because of Charities connection to Agnar. It was pulled here by her connection to the Bad Wolf". He lifted the screwdriver exposing a small screen, showing to her shock the true face of the creature.
"Good bye Agnar, you take care and try not to get in trouble" said Charity with a smile. Agnar gave her a smile back, hoping the other Vikings didn't see his crush. The Doctor and Heather gave him and his friends a nod as they walked back to the Tardis in silence. Once inside its engines fired to life the Doctor turned to Charity. Heather was still silent, likely from the shock of who the bad wolf was. "We will be back in Blackthorn now, right by your estate!" Charity bounced excitedly to the door and opened it. "Ummm hi there" she said to the tall female samurai standing in front of her, looking cautiously at "I'm Charity Temp'elar. Where exactly are we?"
The female smiled "I am Noshiko, your uncle Philips Samurai guard. You are in Tokyo Japan!"
The Doctor smiled nervously at her "close enough!?"
Elsewhere, in the past they had just left...
On the outskirts of Camelot the crumpled bloody mess of what had been the Bad Wolf began to drag itself to his feet "not again" he said, with shame and regret. He approached a nearby building, a monastery and knocked on the large doors. A cloaked figure opened the door "welcome my son, who are you and what do you seek?"
"My name... My name is Seven" he lifted his head "and I need some help controlling my Wrath".
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