I mean, I knew fairly early on where this was heading, which made the whole thing seem disturbingly inevitable, but the last couple of paragraphs - and especially the last two lines - are simultaneously brilliant and utterly terrifying.
The Valeyard isn't a proper incarnation of the Doctor. He's a "distillation" of the Doctor's dark side "from between his twelfth and final regenerations"; by what agency, we never learn. And I hate to start off with a continuity nitpick because this is a wonderful, terrible [in the original sense of the word], horrifying story. I still knew exactly what, "He was older that time and his hair was black," meant. It's customary to list a "character death" warning in the headings of fanfiction, so be warned that some readers may complain, but I think it's more powerful this way and that you ought to continue leaving it off.
I kind of know that, but I was never sure what the heck 'distillation of darker selves' was supposed to mean. We were never told where the Valeyard came from. And because I was introduced to the New Series before the Classic, I brought New Series knowledge into Ultimate Foe. (It's actually a lot scarier that way). I think it's completely possible that Doctor himself could have manifested the Valeyard. This was more of a exploration of the question of where the Valeyard could have come from.
If you really want to nitpick, I've got a better one - it's stated in Mysterious Planet that "Valeyard" is a Gallifreyan title, not a name. I realized that a few weeks ago but decided to keep it as it is. I think it still fits.
I honestly forgot about the "character death" warning, but I'll take you advice. Thank you.
I too take liberties with continuity to serve my stories; I merely prefer to be doing it on purpose, and I commented because I assume the same of others. Don't change a word on my account.
VERY frightening, VERY disturbing, and very possible. As much as I hate to say it I could see the Tenth Doctor going off like this. Maybe. It's nearly happened before but he's always had someone to temper it back and with Martha gone... well, see what happens. Many kudos. Many.
I first read this a couple of hours ago, but it had such an effect on me that I decided to wait until I could get my thoughts across in a more coherent fashion to leave you a review.
That said, I have to honestly say that this piece is one of the most powerful stories I've read in a long time. It hit me like a punch to the gut, it was that powerful. I wish I had a better comparison than that, because it makes it sound bad, and it isn't, but it's the only one I can think of that accurately conveys what it felt like.
I'm with dukesfreers in saying that this is very disturbing yet also quite possible. The Doctor, particularly his damaged post-Time War incarnations, is capable of doing horrific things, provided the right conditions--like a regeneration under great duress and the horrific death of a companion. We have ample proof of that, unfortunately
( ... )
I'm a little floored at the praise this story received; I was expecting a little feedback, but nothing so positive. Thank you, really.
As for the Valeyard's return to Gallifrey, I always thought that the Valeyard, who lacked the morals his predecessors did, might be more inclined to break a few rules and ignore some dangers.
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I mean, I knew fairly early on where this was heading, which made the whole thing seem disturbingly inevitable, but the last couple of paragraphs - and especially the last two lines - are simultaneously brilliant and utterly terrifying.
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Also, as someone who has The Crane Wife literally inches from their right hand, your avatar is awesome. I'm spending minutes just...looking at it.
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The Valeyard isn't a proper incarnation of the Doctor. He's a "distillation" of the Doctor's dark side "from between his twelfth and final regenerations"; by what agency, we never learn.
And I hate to start off with a continuity nitpick because this is a wonderful, terrible [in the original sense of the word], horrifying story. I still knew exactly what, "He was older that time and his hair was black," meant. It's customary to list a "character death" warning in the headings of fanfiction, so be warned that some readers may complain, but I think it's more powerful this way and that you ought to continue leaving it off.
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If you really want to nitpick, I've got a better one - it's stated in Mysterious Planet that "Valeyard" is a Gallifreyan title, not a name. I realized that a few weeks ago but decided to keep it as it is. I think it still fits.
I honestly forgot about the "character death" warning, but I'll take you advice. Thank you.
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I too take liberties with continuity to serve my stories; I merely prefer to be doing it on purpose, and I commented because I assume the same of others. Don't change a word on my account.
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Thanks a lot for your comment.
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That said, I have to honestly say that this piece is one of the most powerful stories I've read in a long time. It hit me like a punch to the gut, it was that powerful. I wish I had a better comparison than that, because it makes it sound bad, and it isn't, but it's the only one I can think of that accurately conveys what it felt like.
I'm with dukesfreers in saying that this is very disturbing yet also quite possible. The Doctor, particularly his damaged post-Time War incarnations, is capable of doing horrific things, provided the right conditions--like a regeneration under great duress and the horrific death of a companion. We have ample proof of that, unfortunately ( ... )
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As for the Valeyard's return to Gallifrey, I always thought that the Valeyard, who lacked the morals his predecessors did, might be more inclined to break a few rules and ignore some dangers.
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