The TARDIS raced through the vast universe, its engines howling eagerly. Clara clung to the brass rail, each jolt and tumble bouncing her up and down. She had forgotten how rough these rides were.
She shot the Doctor an exasperated glare. "Blimey, ever thought about taking a flying lesson?"
He paused, frowning. "Oi,' I fly my TARDIS quite well, thank you very much," He protested.
Clara just rolled her eyes as the machine finally steadied, it's hums now steadied and calm. She leaned against the rail, relaxing a bit and watched him drift between switches and gauges.
A soft smile tugged at her lips, she was happy to see him like this again, everything was feeling normal, like the old days.
After a few moments, the Doctor turned to face her, his arms folded. "So," He said with a grin, "Where to? All of time and space before us, we can go anywhere you like."
Clara's eyes wandered thoughtfully across the glowing panels. She wanted something different, a mystery place, the thrill of the unknown. "Surprise me," She finally said, grinning.
His smile widened, he then yanked levers, and the TARDIS raced into motion once more.
Clara braced herself as the time machine groaned, her heart beating with excitement. Finally, there was a single thud.
"We're here!" The Doctor announced bounding for the door, he stood there grinning. "Ready?"
She nodded, her heart fluttering.
He slowly swung the door open. "After you."
Clara carefully stepped outside and froze in awe. She was in some kind of vast observation chamber, it was a spaceship! She looked around amazed at the huge futuristic metal structure. Above the ceiling was covered with large panes of glass and columns of tiny blue lights blinking rapidly. It was surreal and amazing!
"Clara Oswald, welcome to Platform One," The Doctor announced standing beside her. "Exactly, five billion years from now." He said.
She stared at the sun's growing glare on the now deserted planet in disbelief. "Wow," she whispered. "But why so close to the sun?" Clara asked.
He sighed, eyes somber. ""The earth is about to be roasted by the sun." He replied simply.
Clara's eyes widen in horror, wondering if she heard him correctly.
"Nothing to worry about, though," He assured her. "It's empty. Everything's gone." The Doctor explained.
That did little to comfort her, she stared out into the window, her stomach tightened, "Why did everybody leave?"
The Doctor shrugged, "Overcrowding, most likely. When worlds outgrow themselves, they collapse." He explained. "In a few minutes, everyone will gather to remember and celebrate. A farewell party of sorts."
Clara made a face, as the words slowly set in, "Lovely." She muttered.
She then looked around the empty room.
"So where are the guests?" She asked.
Suddenly a tall, thin blue alien appeared, wearing a gold metallic suit and cap. Clara's eyes widen, he was literally a giant smurf.
"Excuse me but who are you," He said frowning, coming closer. "This is a maximum hospitality zone. Do you have an invitation?" He questioned.
The Doctor quickly nodded, "Yep," He said flashing a blank card. "I'm the Doctor and this is Clara Oswald, my plus one."
The human like alien studied it and nodded.
"Oh, yes, of course," He smiled. "Well, welcome! Hope you enjoy yourselves, we will start introducing the guests shortly." The alien nodded politely and left.
The Doctor sighed waving his blank card, "Gotta love the psychic paper." He murmured.
Clara smiled.
The Doctor then pocketed the card, glancing at Clara, "Shall we?" He said offering Clara his arm. She grinned slipping her hand through and they strode into the banquet hall.
Inside, strings of lights hung over head making the already white room brighter, there was hardly any decor except the clusters of leafy plants, the room almost looked sterile. Standing in the room was a crowd of exotic aliens sipping green cocktails from wine glasses.
The Doctor glanced at her, noticing she seemed unfazed by all the alien's appearances, "Not bothered?" He said.
Clara shrugged, "Seen stranger, I'm a middle school, teacher, remember?" She replied simply.
The Doctor smirked slightly.
One by one, guests emerged from the elevator, strange beings, some in shiny metal suits with helmets covering their faces, some couples resembled dinosaurs, there were even guests that resembled walking trees. It almost felt like Star Trek or something.
Clara watched, stealing a glance at the Doctor, just nodding at the guests, she stared at him thoughtfully, it was still easy to forget he wasn't human.
Suddenly, the room was silenced by dramatic drumbeats, the host clearing his throat, as he announced the last guest, "And now, our special guest, the last human, Lady Cassandra!"
Clara stared intrigued as the elevator doors opened. Her mouth dropped, there, stretched across a metal frame, was a thin pale form of skin with painted lips and tiny blue eyes, attendants in biohazard suits and spray guns seem to be guarding her.
"Moisturize me!" Cassandra demanded. The helpers quickly obeyed.
Clara pointed, looking at the Doctor, baffled, "She's a sheet of skin," She blurted.
"Don't be rude," The Doctor chided gently.
"But she's skin," Clara replied. "Literally, skin. How?" She said stunned.
Cassandra arched her painted on brow, "Hello there, yes, I am the last human," She declared dramatically as one of the helpers wheeled her up. The guests awing and gasping.
Cassandra's smile grew, "Yes, I know you can't help but stare, I do look fabulous for my age," She boasted. "Lots of care and willpower to look like this!"
Clara suppressed a smirk, "And a ton of plastic surgery." She muttered.
"My parents were born on earth, my mother was a Texan, my father born in the Arctic dessert," Cassandra continued. "Sadly, they were tragically, the last to die on Earth." She sniffed, her tone becoming sad, a very fake sad, Clara noticed.
Clara rolled her eyes watching her helper dry her forced tears.
"No, no, no tears," She sighed. "This purely closure, a time for me to say my farewells!" Cassandra said bravely.
Everyone in the room applauded, Clara noticing Cassandra's fake smile. There was something off about her, something Clara just couldn't trust.
"And I've brought gifts from Earth," Cassandra announced. "First, an Ostrich egg, these birds breathed fire and had wingspans up to fifty feet!" She bragged.
Clara almost scoffed out a laugh as one of her henchmen pulled out a basketball, showing it off to the naive guests. Everyone gasping in amazement and applauding.
"Also I've brought an i-pod, a primitive earth music device, " Cassandra added, another helper rolling in what was obviously a giant vintage jukebox.
Clara just stared disgusted, this woman was just a clout chaser, nothing more, she concluded.
Cassandra then smiled, "And to celebrate this occasion, we will be playing earth's national anthem, a fitting tribute to mark this historic day!" She declared.
Suddenly, Brittney Spears 'Toxic' blasted from the juke box, and the party soon began. Clara just rolled her eyes, completely done with Cassandra, it was clear she was a liar and just conning the guests but there was nothing she could do.
While the Doctor chatted with the other guests, Clara wandered through the room before finding a corner to hide in, she scowled watching the other guests gushing over Cassandra like she was a Hollywood celebrity, it was ridiculous.
"Earth death in forty minutes,' a computer voice announced over the speaker. Clara winced, she had forgotten how surreal the Doctor's world could be. She noticed Cassandra nodding at one of her henchmen excusing them, an uneasy feeling came over her, something didn't feel right.
She felt her phone buzzing in her pocket, curious, she glanced at the screen.
'Clara are u there,' the ominous message read.
Clara frowned, it was a strange text, no sender, no context. It was a bit weird. Might be Danny, she thought, but she was five billions years into space, and her phone had no signal, there was no way for him to contact her.
Clara stared at the message, slightly worried, now, suddenly the Doctor's voice interrupted her thoughts, "You alright?" He asked.
Clara just nodded not wanting to worry him, "Yeah," She replied. "Just remembered I need to call Danny, but I can't. No service." She frowned.
The Doctor then grabbed her phone and began zapping it with his sonic screwdriver.
Clara scowled, "What are you doing?"
He looked at her, "Fixing your phone so you can call Manny." The Doctor replied simply.
Clara scowled, "Danny." She corrected.
"Whatever," He muttered handing the phone back, "There," He said. "Now, you can phone home from anywhere, anytime!" The Doctor grinned.
Clara looked at him skeptical, remembering the last time she trusted her phone with him but started dialing Danny's number. The Doctor watched suppressing a smile as her eyes brightened, hearing Danny's voice.
"Danny, hi!" She said slightly shocked.
"Clara, there you are," Danny exclaimed with worry. "Where are you, are you alright?" He said.
Clara nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine," She replied. "I'm just staying with a friend." She slowly added, glancing at the Doctor. It was sort of the truth.
"Oh, well, I'm glad you're okay," Danny replied relieved, "It's been chaos over here," He sighed. "When can you get home?" He asked.
'Earth death- thirty-five minutes,' the computer abruptly announced.
She then panicked for a moment, she hoped Danny didn't hear that.
"Uh, Clara what was that?" He questioned, his tone slightly concerned.
She swallowed, nervously, trying to think of a proper lie, "Just the T.V," She replied. "Anyway, I've got to go, see you at home." Clara added quickly before hanging up.
The Doctor looked at her, strangely, "What was that about?"
Clara scoffed, placing the phone in her pocket, "Well, can't exactly tell my boyfriend, I'm calling from a station platform billions of years from earth, can I?" She remarked.
The Doctor nodded, "Fair enough."
Clara then smiled, changing the subject "So, plus one," She said nudging his arm. "Back to the fun, yeah? I overheard Jabe asking about you." She teased.
"Shut up!" The Doctor blushed, a small smile forming across his face. Clara grinned taking his hand and they headed back to the party, unaware of the danger that was about to take place.
TBC