Christmas in Deathworld
Written By Isaac Travers
Eerie echoes. A cold wind howls. A sinister, distant laugh creeps in — low and hollow.
DOCTOR
There are many demons and gods that wander this world. Some speak of Krampus, the trickster of folklore, punisher of naughty children, who creeps down chimneys with chains and claws. But long before him, there is another. A silent figure. The patient one. He doesn’t care if you’re good or bad… Only if your time is up. And every so often even at Christmas… for Death comes calling at the merriest of times.
EXT. BUSY CITY STREET – DAY – CHRISTMAS EVE
Festive music plays faintly from a nearby speaker. Crowds bustle under twinkling lights and fake snow machines. Street performers dressed as elves dance beside food stalls. It’s Christmas chaos — charming, but chaotic. The doctor carries far too many shopping bags with Skyler trying to keep up, balances a coffee cup and a shopping bag. She looks unimpressed.
DOCTOR
There we go, just a few more Isles left and will be all done
SKYLER
You know, we could’ve just gone to the Frenko Bazaar. At least it’s a place im familiar with, here it's just a madhouse
DOCTOR
Ah, but where’s the fun in that? Look at this. tinsel, overcooked Lamb, shoppers fighting over the biggest toy of the year for the kids. It’s chaos, it’s tradition, it’s oh, is that a man in a chicken suit being arrested?
They glance over. A man in a giant inflatable turkey costume is indeed being handcuffed while yelling about “holiday injustice.”
SKYLER
(dry)
Nothing says ‘peace on Earth’ like a public poultry protest.
DOCTOR
Exactly! Besides, Earth Christmas has a certain... grit. Something about this season feels alive. Or maybe that’s just the overpriced mulled wine talking.
The Doctor stops suddenly as a chill fills the air. All of a sudden, it goes quiet
SKYLER
(noticing)
Doctor? Are You Ok?
DOCTOR
(quietly)
Did you feel that?
SKYLER
...Feel what?
DOCTOR
Like a sudden breeze just filled in the room
SKYLER
Well, the one thing I've noticed it's a lot quieter now
DOCTOR
Maybe that's the change, thousands of noises, but now it's just the two of us speaking to each other right now. Almost as if the world is just stopped
A church bell chimes in the distance deeper than it should be. Slower. Off. The Doctor slowly turns to look down a narrow alleyway. It’s empty… but something seems wrong. The two find a number of people lying down on the floor, almost Unconscious
SKYLER
Doctor, that man there wasn't like that before
DOCTOR
I think you're exactly on the right point there, It's almost like he's dead even though his skin is not pale.
SKYLER
Look, I know nothing about corpses, but this is definitely freaking me out.
DOCTOR
Almost this was like it was all planned. Something is approaching.
Suddenly, everything starts to shake almost as if an earthquake is occurring.
SKYLER
Um, what's happening
DOCTOR
Seems like this is where the fun begins, come along.
SKYLER
Don't forget the shopping
The Doctor runs off leaving his shopping bags Behind to see what is going on, Skyler starts Follow was also claiming some of the doctors leftover bags
EXT. HIGH STREET – MOMENTS LATER
The Doctor and Skyler step outside the department store. The able to get some of the shopping back into the tardis at a rapid place.
DOCTOR
Well, at least we didn't lose too much
SKYLER
I had to be the one carrying it all once you found out what was going on.
DOCTOR
Well, you know me Skyler. I'm always curious about what happens in the world.
SKYLER
At least it can't get any worse
Suddenly the bustling, cheery noise dims. The air is still. The sky above is now a dull, swirling grey — like a storm caught in suspension.
SKYLER
Okay, I swear it was sunny just now...
DOCTOR
(frowning)
That’s not just weather, there is something here.
SKYLER
And Exactly who is it
DOCTOR
That's for us to find out
The Christmas lights along the street flicker once... twice... then die. Silence falls. And then — a terrible sound. One by one, the people around them — shoppers, carolers, Santas ringing bells — begin to twitch, shudder... and rise.
SKYLER
Um... Doctor?
The Doctor watches grimly as a woman in a reindeer jumper lets out a low, unearthly moan. Her eyes glow faintly blue. More follow — limbs jerking unnaturally, heads snapping toward the Doctor and Skyler like predators catching a scent.]
DOCTOR
(softly)
Oh no. No, no, no, this isn’t festive. This is necromantic.
SKYLER
Are those?
DOCTOR
Zombies. Christmas zombies. Now that is something I wasn't expecting today.
The reanimated crowd begins to lurch forward — slowly at first, then faster. Skyler grabs a candy cane lawn ornament, swinging it like a bat.
SKYLER
Why did it have to be zombies!? Why can’t we have, I don’t know, haunted snowmen or something?
DOCTOR
I had a run in with those in 1892, It definitely wasn't fun.
SKYLER
Doctor, did you happen to bring that yo-yo with yours?
DOCTOR
You mean my Anti destructor wave yo-yo Oh, that's something that might come in rather handy actually. Haven't used it in quite some time
SKYLER
Well, it better work because those zombies are coming in fast.
DOCTOR
Well, let's give it a shot
The doctor pulls out his yoyo which he flings out like spiderman, once it lands on the ground a massive wave blast sends a number of the zombies flying out from the sky.
DOCTOR
see, that went well
However, more of the undead keep rising as the army keeps growing
SKYLER
(panting)
Great, This is getting worse!
DOCTOR
(backed into a corner)
Seems They’re not just undead, they’re connected. Someone’s Telepathically Commanding them to grow more stronger. That’s old magic. Very old
SKYLER
Well, we're done for alright. It was nice knowing you doctor
Suddenly A can hurtle through the air, lands in the middle of the horde and A deafening, fiery explosion erupts, blasting a path clear through the crowd. Skyler and the Doctor dive for cover as flaming wrapping paper and plastic snowmen rain down.]
Smoke clears. The Doctor coughs, blinking soot away.
DOCTOR
(eyes wide)
Was that?
SKYLER
What was that!?
DOCTOR
Nitro Nine. Homemade. Highly illegal. Absolutely beautiful.
SKYLER
Okay, seriously, what even is that?
DOCTOR
It’s the calling card of an old friend.
He looks toward the rising smoke in the distance, eyes searching, hopeful.
DOCTOR
Ace...?
The smoke starts to clear as an old friend appears from within,It is not other than Patrick Matthews of UNIT
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Not entirely, doctor. But your friend Ace did ensure these would come in handy. Keep in mind I have a very short supply of these explosives
SKYLER
Oh my goodness, it couldn't be
DOCTOR
Sergeant Matthews how great to see you again
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Oh, it's Captain Matthews now.
DOCTOR
I see! Promoted, Well, congratulations, Captain,
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
That's much appreciated by your doctor. Have to say It's been a while since I last saw you two.
SKYLER
The last time we met it was the Westgrove Fiasco!
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
And that was three years ago. A lot’s changed since you two disappeared off Earth.
DOCTOR
(shrugging with a smile)
We’ve been... around. Recently stopped a plane from being eaten by Vortisaurs.
SKYLER
And parked the TARDIS in the luggage hold. No one even noticed!
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
(chuckling)
Now that must’ve been one for the books.
Suddenly, a deep rumble cuts through the air. The pavement beneath them fractures violently. Christmas lights above flicker and snap. The storm clouds overhead thicken, swirling like a vortex.
SKYLER
(stepping back as cracks spread at her feet)
I have to say boys, I love the reunion, but maybe we save the small talk after we’re not standing on a crumbling apocalypse?
DOCTOR
(snapping to attention)
Quite right. We better take shelter, Back to the TARDIS quickly!
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
About time I finally set foot in that box of yours.
DOCTOR
(grinning as they run)
Well then, Captain, consider this your lucky day.
The trio start running as the ground opens up like an earthquake
They then burst inside as the doctor slams the doors shut. The TARDIS groans and lurches slightly. Captain Matthews pauses, taking in his first look at the interior, wide-eyed.
DOCTOR
So then Matthews, what do you think? No No Don’t tell me, It's bigger inside than out, that usually stuff.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Blimey... it’s a bit dim in here, isn’t it? I can hardly see anything properly.
DOCTOR
(fiddling with controls)
Better dim than being blinded by grey skies and undead shopping malls, wouldn’t you say?
SKYLER
Besides, the lights warm up once she’s in a good mood.
The TARDIS console lights flicker brighter with a soft hum — almost in response.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
...She?
DOCTOR
Oh yes. And I’d be careful how you speak about her because she gets touchy.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Now that's new.
The TARDIS rumbles violently beneath their feet. Warning lights flash red. The time rotor jerks and pulses. A low giggle echoes through the control room — faint at first, then unmistakable. It’s childlike… and wrong.
SKYLER
(tense)
Okay. Tell me you heard that.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
It better not be coming from inside.
DOCTOR
(grim, already moving to the controls)
More so a calling card, someone’s wanting to take us to its homeworld plus that laugh wasn’t human.
The Doctor begins flipping switches and pulling levers in a sequence that’s clearly deliberate — almost ritualistic.
SKYLER
What are you doing?
DOCTOR
Taking us out of reality, from what I can gather whatever is at work is not from our dimension.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
(shocked)
You can do that?
DOCTOR
(as the rotor surges)
I'm not supposed to, it's a very bad idea. Believe me Skyler and I went to wonderland the exact same way but we don’t have much choice. Best you two hold on tight.
With a final yank of the main lever, the TARDIS stops completely as it lands with a massive thud.
SKYLER
(gasping)
Are we... dead?
DOCTOR
(checking monitors)
Not yet. But we’re close.
He steps around the console, tapping a display. A holographic projection flickers to life — jagged, red-toned terrain.]
DOCTOR
Right, from what I can see, there's broken tombstones, Ash falling like snow. From the looks of it we’ve made it.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
To where, exactly
DOCTOR
To Deathworld. A hidden dimension, Old as the dark times. The domain of the one who calls himself the Reaper.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
But it's simply just a quarry with fog and a small beach. Shouldn't it be like the Netherworld with fire and lava?
DOCTOR
Believe me, this place can take on many different forms. Could be a beach, could be hell or even a bar where they do a song and dance, Please don’t ask me why.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
(peering at the projection)
Then if that's the case. Is that smoke... or are those souls?
DOCTOR
(not answering)
He’s probably raising the dead from here to earth, it means the barrier between here and there is collapsing. And if that continues, we won’t just lose Christmas. We’ll lose everything.
SKYLER
So… what’s the plan?
DOCTOR
(flicking a final switch)
First we find the reaper. Stop him. And try not to die.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Sounds like a good though i hope we don’t die when we get back
DOCTOR
Right then folks, Let's go and meet the neighbour.
The Doctor throws open the doors. A blast of cold, grey wind rushes in carrying with it faint bells tolling in the distance.
SKYLER
Bloody hell, it’s freezing here.
DOCTOR
That's what you come to expect when you go to places beyond our dimension.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
I gotta say this place looks more Bad Wolf Bay.
DOCTOR
That's probably just the stench, but the scent. It’s more like ash and dust, not particularly good if you ask me.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Maybe those guys up there can give us some answers.
SKYLER
Well, who exactly?
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
You know, those blokes on horseback on top of the hill
The crew then noticed on the top of the hill four samurai warriors on horses watching them from above. As they noticed the blue box they started coming down closer to the doctor and friends.
SKYLER
Guys, I think those folks are coming towards us.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
I look more like Samurai Warriors. I can see that they look with it and even the skull is showing.
DOCTOR
What are you expecting from Deathworld. It's a place where anything goes to die, and reincarnates into nothing but the unliving.
SKYLER
Well, I'm not gonna be standing around here getting executed.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
You better stay with me, Skyler. What about you, doctor? Are you coming?
DOCTOR
You two go without me, I've gotta talk with death.
BEAT
That definitely sounded a bit off but it can work
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Well come along Skyler, this way.
Skyler and Captain Matthew start running as the skeleton samurai Warriors chase after them, The doctor ends up standing alone as he starts to hear the menacing laugh of here who is called the Grim Reaper
GRIM REAPER
Welcome Time lord to my domain
DOCTOR
I have to say, it is quite the pleasure meeting you at last. Although I thought deathworld would be a song and dance number for some reason.
GRIM REAPER
That is merely a figment of imagination, but here it is nothing but sand and despair.
DOCTOR
Why have you summoned my friends and I here?
GRIM REAPER
I didn't summon you, I invited you. I thought it was about time we met.
DOCTOR
By dragging my tardis out from Nspace to Deathworld, You know full well that it is impossible to cross over from other dimensions and other universes. Now you keep bringing your terrors into our world and everything splits.
GRIM REAPER
I’ve been aware of my plans?
DOCTOR
For quite some time, yes. From what I've learnt as of now you're planning to take over earth on Christmas Day, leading it into a world into hell a new deathworld you may call it.
GRIM REAPER
Indeed I am, not only I will rule it, but with My legions of darkness, Are you prepared for war?
DOCTOR
I’m but a peaceful man, but I am ready to stand against you and your army of darkness.
GRIM REAPER
A foolish waste. You could avoid unnecessary bloodshed by surrendering.
DOCTOR
Never!
GRIM REAPER
Very well. War it is.
DOCTOR
Wait a moment. An all out Interstellar war will result in universal chaos and destruction. There won’t be anything left for you to rule.
GRIM REAPER
I am rather fond of chaos and destruction. Besides, if you are unwilling to surrender, there is no alternative.
DOCTOR
You play chess, don’t you Believe me, I haven't played it for years
GRIM REAPER
How did you know that?
DOCTOR
I have seen it in paintings and heard it sung in ballads on a thousand planets throughout time and space.
GRIM REAPER
Yes, in fact I'm quite a good chess player.
(The President reaches inside his cloak and takes out a small chessboard. He places it carefully on the ground and begins setting up the pieces.)
GRIM REAPER
Why do you want to play chess with me?
DOCTOR
I propose that we play for universal stakes. If I beat you, You will cease your conquest and you will let myself and my friends go
GRIM REAPER
And if I win?
DOCTOR
Then the universe will be yours. And I remain your prisoner
(Beat)
Is it agreed?
DEATH
Agreed.
DOCTOR
I assume you are familiar with the rules of five dimensional chess?
DEATH
Naturally.
DOCTOR
Excellent, so Let's begin
Meanwhile Skyler and Captain Matthews are sprinting across a bleak, cracked wasteland under a blood-red sky. Behind them, the Samurai Warriors Up upon their horses with unnatural speed Pursue after.
SKYLER
They still gaining on us
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Just keep running, they nearly just illusions trying to trick us
SKYLER
(breathless, panicked)
Tell me again how this isn’t a nightmare!
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Run first! Existential breakdown later!
They veer behind a jagged ridge, sliding down a slope of cracked earth. But the Samurai leap effortlessly, surrounding them in moments.
Skyler grabs a shard of broken stone like a makeshift blade. Matthews draws his sidearm — pointless here, but brave nonetheless. But the Samurai don’t attack. One raises his skeletal hand. They freeze.
SAMURAI GENERAL
Who are you... outsiders?
SAMURAI WARRIOR
You walk the ground of the Forsaken. Yet you carry no mark. No passage.
SAMURAI GENERAL
Speak now or you will face death at the hands of the samurai.
Another Samurai gestures to the horizon, the TARDIS still visible in the far distance, glowing faintly.
SAMURAI WARRIOR
That blue Cabinet you and your friend arrived in... it reeks of secrets.
SKYLER
(stepping forward slowly)
We’re not here to fight. That box it's a ship. We came to stop the Reaper.
CAPTAIN MATTHEW
(under breath)
Did you really have to name-drop the Reaper, That's obviously a bad sign of getting out of situations like this.
SAMURAI GENERAL
Enough, You seem to be a threat to the great one. therefore you are to die.
SKYLER
Well, it was nice knowing you, Captain Matthews. Wait a minute do you hear that?
Suddenly the sharp roar of an old-school engine cuts through the air.
Descending from the clouds above, a World War I biplane, its wings patched with spectral flame, a skull-and-clock insignia painted on its fuselage.
FIGHTER PILOT
stay fixed on the target and fire
The plane dives. Gunfire rips through the mist, a barrage of spectral bullets hammering the ridge.
SAMURAI WARRIOR
What is that flying machine?
SAMURAI GENERAL
The enemy is approaching, Quickly, man fullback
The Samurai scatter, some vanishing in wisps of black smoke.
SKYLER
Is that a biplane?! Is it on our side!?
The biplane swings around, then opens fire again, this time at Skyler and Captain Matthews. Bullets rip through the cracked earth beside them.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Definitely not on our side!
They dive for cover behind a ruined obelisk as the biplane circles for another pass. Ghostly tracer fire lights up the sky.
SKYLER
This place gets more insane by the second!
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
(grim)
I’d take steampunk air raids over zombies and Samurai Warriors any day.
As they hunker down, the biplane prepares for another run but something seems to shift in the sky, like a pulse of energy or a crack in the universe is ready to split, all of a sudden
KRRAAAAAK!
The sky above them splits. A massive, jagged crack opens in the fabric of reality, glowing with sickly white light. The biplane vanishes into the rift gone without a trace.
Through the widening crack, they glimpse the impossible: a cosmic eclipse, hanging silently over a shattered celestial horizon. Planets frozen mid-collapse. Stars bleeding shadow. And Earth slowly being *dragged* across the void, tethered to Deathworld by invisible chains.
SKYLER
(staring, horrified)
That’s... that’s Earth. It’s falling into this place.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
It’s not just a breach... It's a merger. Our world’s being pulled into this one.
Back on the main beach, The doctor continues to struggle with the chess game towards the Grim Reaper The board is nearly full. The Doctor’s pieces are few. His king is cornered.
GRIM REAPER
(low, echoing)
You were warned, Doctor. In my domain, there is no escape. Only endgames.
DOCTOR
(slumping)
I was never good at chess. Always too impatient, Too many rules. All those bishops running diagonally like they're trying to dodge their taxes.
The Reaper moves a piece.
GRIM REAPER
Checkmate.
A long silence. The Doctor stares at the board… then slowly looks up, eyes gleaming with sudden mischief.
DOCTOR
Alright. You win this one. But It's not over just yet because I'd like to play another game you could say.
GRIM REAPER
Another game? You wish to delay the inevitable?
DOCTOR
(standing)
Not delay. Rethink. Reset the board. Let’s play something a bit more my speed. Less aristocracy, more chaos.
He snaps his fingers — and the chessboard vanishes in a puff of blue light. In its place: a glowing BATTLESHIP GRID, hovering midair, pieces slowly materializing as energy pulses.
GRIM REAPER
Battleship?
DOCTOR
Oh yes. Beautifully simple. Pure strategy, pure chance. No kings, no pawns. Just two minds. Two fleets. And a lot of very satisfying explosions.
The Reaper regards him silently… then reaches out one long finger and touches the board. His pieces rise from the grid like specters from a mist.
GRIM REAPER
(darkly amused)
Very well, Doctor. Let us wage war.
The Doctor grins, settling back into his chair.
DOCTOR
Skyler, Matthews, hold on just a little longer. Captain D. is about to sink a Reaper class destroyer. Now let me start with A7
GRIM REAPER
Sadly for you, that is a mess
DOCTOR
Have to admit, we've only just started.
The Doctor leans forward, ready to play the long game with the reaper this time with a game of his choice.
DOCTOR
Alright, your move Reaper. And remember, choose wisely.
The Grim Reaper hovers one clawed hand above the board, then slowly places a finger on a square.
GRIM REAPER
...E6.
A deep BOOM echoes as the square flashes — but nothing happens. A miss.
BATTLESHIP GRID
(AUTOMATED VOICE)
Miss.
DOCTOR
(grinning as he leans back)
Oh, unlucky. I thought Death never missed.
GRIM REAPER
I never do. This board lies.
DOCTOR
Oh no, I don’t think so. It's calibrated to temporal fairness. I should know — I built it.
The Reaper glares silently. The Doctor straightens and points with a flourish.
DOCTOR
My turn, then. Let’s try... G4.
A tense beat. The grid flashes red. A low rumble shakes the room. One of the Reaper’s ships flickers — hit.
BATTLESHIP GRID
Hit.
DOCTOR
Yes! Lovely bit of instinct, that. Gotta trust the gut. Or maybe just centuries of playing board games in the Time Vortex during siege protocols.
GRIM REAPER
(low growl)
Suspicious. You strike with precision. Almost… as if you’re cheating.
DOCTOR
(feigning offense)
Cheating, Me? Oh, come on I may bend the rules, flirt with the edges, but cheat? Never. Unlike chess... where someone may have stacked the pieces in their favour.
GRIM REAPER
I do not cheat. I am the rules.
DOCTOR
Exactly. And that's why you never expect someone to change the game. Now then, your move again, oh Lord of the Lost. And I do hope you're not targeting G5 next. That’d be far too predictable.
GRIM REAPER
(coldly amused)
You amuse me, Doctor. That is rare... and short-lived.
Lightning crackles along the ceiling of the chamber. In the distance, the eerie echo of tolling bells grows louder — as if time is running out.
DOCTOR
(quietly, almost to himself)
Let’s just hope Skyler and Matthews are still playing their game too...
A massive clock tower collapses into ash as it almost tries to crush Skyler.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Skyler, watch out
Suddenly, a rustling from the cracked ground beneath Skyler.
SKYLER
Wait, what's that sound?
The Two then spot within the ground pale, rotted hands burst out of the soil, gnarled, veiny, with blackened nails.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Wait Are those hands coming out of the ground?
Before the two can react, The Hands latch onto Skyler's legs, grabbing, pulling her down.
SKYLER
AHH—Matthews!
She’s dragged halfway into the soil within seconds. Matthews bolts to her side, grabbing her under the arms.]
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Hold on! I've got you!
SKYLER
(panicking)
They're everywhere, they're pulling me in!
More hand mines burst forth — some with mouths muttering her name. A few claws at Matthews’s boots.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
(growling)
Alright then, Looks like we don't have any options, I hope these things aren't immune to bullets.
He pulls his revolver, cocks it, and FIRES each shot blasting apart a hand in a spray of dust and ichor.
SKYLER
It's working
The Hand mines Shriek, twitching back into the ground. He gets off five precise shots before dragging Skyler free.
Panting and bruised, Skyler lies on the soil, hands trembling.
SKYLER
They… they nearly had me.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
(checking the remaining bullets)
You alright?
SKYLER
(nodding)
I think so. But we need to move. This place is alive.
They both look up again. The eclipse begins to shimmer, a sliver of blinding gold sunlight pierces around its edge.
SKYLER
(hopeful)
Is that...?
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
The Eclipse It’s shrinking, But How?
SKYLER
The Doctor. He’s turning the tide.
The shadow over the world seems to ripple, as if time itself is momentarily hesitating. Far off, a massive tolling BELL is heard. The landscape quakes again — but it feels… less malevolent.]
SKYLER
(quietly)
I knew it He’s winning.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
I never knew the doctor was really good at chess
SKYLER
Nonsense, the doctor’s rubbish at chess, Or maybe he's playing a game of his choosing.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Like Cluedo or Battleship?
SKYLER
That's it,I've seen the doctor play battleship and he'd rather be good at it. This we get back to him so we can get out of here
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
We better start running
The Doctor leans forward over the Battleship grid. He places one final peg down.
DOCTOR
Right then, just one more move and I win the game.
GRIM REAPER
Then, if we miss, then we carry on
DOCTOR
Right then, let's see, how about D7.
GRIM REAPER
…Hit.
A beat passes. The Reaper slowly leans back, staring at the board as the final ship vanishes into ash.
DOCTOR
And with that I win the game
GRIM REAPER
Very Well played, Doctor.
DOCTOR
Oh, don’t act so surprised. I told you, I never cheat. Unlike a certain toymaker...
GRIM REAPER
(smirking slightly)
Perhaps. But even victors carry burdens.
The sky above them begins to unravel, the eclipse receding, light breaking through as Deathworld begins to collapse inward.
DOCTOR
And once everything goes back to the way it was, deathworld will be sealed off once again
GRIM REAPER
You may have beaten me for now… but mark my words, the true threat lies not in me but in you.
DOCTOR
What do you mean?
GRIM REAPER
Your darker self, the one you hide, even from your friends — will one day be the death of you.
DOCTOR
Maybe. But not today.
With a defiant step, the Doctor turns from the game board. Deathworld Begins to crumble as the Reaper watches the doctor walk away through the light.
GRIM REAPER
It will come doctor, it will come
The reaper would give a sin to laugh before feeding away
Captain Matthews and Skyler shield their eyes as light pierces through the clouds. The eclipse fades completely. A faint wheezing, groaning sound begins to rise.
SKYLER
Do you hear that?
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Yeah. I think he's back.
With a rush of wind and howling dust, the TARDIS materialises nearby.
The Doctor steps out,
DOCTOR
Did you miss me?
Skyler runs up and hugs him tight. Matthews offers a relieved nod.
SKYLER
Well, we almost died, you know! Hand mines! Kill a samurai and A Biplane shooting at us!
DOCTOR
I know. And I’m sorry about that. I was playing a very old game… But the good thing is that you're alive and safe.
SKYLER
I'm guessing we better be getting out of here,What's gonna happen to deathworld
DOCTOR
It will simply be locked away once again, though it might reopen it again the next time the reaper wants to have another game. He's always very picky and sometimes a sore loser.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Well, best we get the hell out of here.
The three are able to get inside the tardis as the ship de materialises from death world making its way straight through the vortex
The console pulses softly. Skyler sips a mug of tea while Matthews leans against a rail, The Doctor stares at the console pensively.
SKYLER
So… is he really gone? The Grim Reaper?
DOCTOR
For now at least. Like the Toymaker, He can never really be defeated but even with such a powerful world like deathworld. there is a possibility he may come back but not for a very long time.
SKYLER
Well, at least you'll be a bit more prepared for next time
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
You know Doctor, We should probably get back to earth.
DOCTOR
Yes, I remember now, It's nearly Christmas Day, And everything is getting back to normal
The TARDIS lands back in the exact same spot that it departed. The doors creak open and the Doctor, Skyler, and Captain Matthews step out. To their relief, everything is normal. The grey skies have cleared, people are smiling, and the world seems restored.
SKYLER
(relieved)
We’re back... properly back.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
And even better, the people are around just minding their business like it's nothing ever happened
DOCTOR
Just like a game, everything will reset
SKYLER
Are you still thinking like a chess player?
DOCTOR
You know me Sky, I’ll stick to Battleship.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Looks like I Better get back to you in HQ there's a Christmas party happening and I don't wanna miss out, You’re both welcome to come on by.
SKYLER
(grinning)
Yes, please! After all that, I need something solid and... not screaming.
DOCTOR
I'm not sure if I should go, I'm not usually the party type
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
You can consider it as a thank you for saving the world again. And for All your hard work over the years
DOCTOR
Oh, alright. But only if there’s a Pavlova with no fruit on it.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
Best in UNIT. Guaranteed.
They begin to walk off together, sharing a quiet camaraderie.
DOCTOR
(softly, to himself)
Merry Christmas, indeed Matthews.
CAPTAIN MATTHEWS
And to you too, Doctor!
THE END