Episode 138: Before the shop closes, we only have five billion years left.
『 She was trapped in a small room, imprisoned by an unknown entity.
She was facing the same life-or-death threat as the previous crew member.
The Doctor rushed to the control panel, attempting to enhance the room's solar filtration.
In the nick of time, he successfully saved Rose Tyler's life just before danger struck.
However, the Doctor then discovered that he couldn't open the door. He quickly told Rose to stay calm and remain inside for now, assuring her he would solve the problem immediately.
When the Doctor returned to the main hall, the Tree-Woman had already recounted everything that had just happened to everyone present.
Now was the perfect opportunity to unmask the mastermind.
The Doctor took the item from the Tree-Woman's hand and gently placed it on the ground, allowing it to quickly return to its owner.
After circling around, he paused at the feet of the black-robed figure, seemingly deep in thought.
Immediately after, Cassandra couldn't help but shout out first, demanding an explanation!
But she was immediately stopped by the Doctor.
Because he had long since seen that these black-robed figures were nothing more than puppets. The real mastermind was not this superficial lot.
Before he finished speaking, the Doctor began to fight with the black-robed figures. With a forceful tug, he managed to pull off one of their "hands."
Sure enough, that hand was merely a prosthetic connected by tubes, making the entire thing a fake person.
Immediately, the Doctor manipulated the metal spider in his hand. This time, it zipped over to Cassandra.
Everyone present was stunned. Who could have imagined that this thick-skinned, sorry-looking face harbored the intention of harming everyone present?
They all remembered clearly that they had no grudge with this person. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "This so-called last human is indeed not a good person." ]
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Even though they don't look human anymore, they still claim to be human, it's too detestable." ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "However, if that's the case, then Rose's previous attack was also done by this Cassandra, right?" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Rose was attacked by the black-robed figures right after she cursed this person." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Not only is she detestable, but she's also very petty." ]
[ .....]
『 Ultimately, this whole thing might actually be quite simple.
The Cassandra before them had no personal grudges with anyone present. She was just an utterly ordinary mortal.
In a world five or six billion years in the future, what people still cared about was, surprisingly, what seemed like the least important thing: money.
(Hmm, all the insignificant ones come to me~)
The 708 plastic surgeries she had undergone cost no small sum.
Cassandra's original plan was to completely destroy this observation station. She wanted everyone present to perish here, so she could be the sole survivor and claim a large sum of compensation from above.
For this plan, she had even booked her 709th plastic surgery long ago, just waiting for this scheme to succeed and turn into cash.
But now, her plot had been exposed by everyone. Naturally, she couldn't stay here any longer.
After a grand boast about her perfect plan, Cassandra hastily used a teleportation device to take two of her subordinates and escape from the observation station.
As for the remaining people, because there was a rule at this observation station prohibiting bringing teleportation devices inside, no one else could escape by other means except Cassandra.
At this moment, the metal spider that had been released earlier had already shut down the observation station's protective shield.
In less than five minutes... by the time the sun expanded enough to burn the Earth, this small, out-of-the-way observation station was also destined to be destroyed.
However, apart from the already deceased staff member, no one else could restart the protective shield. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "No, that's not right, she just left like that?" ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "She did the bad deed and just ran away!" ]
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "This hateful Skin, the Doctor must teach her a lesson." ]
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "That Skin is already gone, so there's no chance to teach her a lesson, is there?" ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Damn it!" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Teaching her a lesson or whatever isn't the most important thing right now. That person left, but this crisis isn't over yet~" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "If it's not resolved, the danger caused by the sun will destroy everyone here." ]
[ Yukinoshita Haruno (Oregairu): Oh? Well, things are about to get dangerous now~ ]
[ .....]
『 Suddenly, the Doctor remembered something very important.
While inspecting the pipes, he had inadvertently discovered something beneath the station control room: a button that could repair the system.
As long as someone bravely passed through the perilous giant cooling fans and pressed this crucial button, the observation station's protective shield could be reactivated. This way, everyone could escape disaster.
But to do this, someone had to hold down the control switch to slow down the fan in front, allowing safe passage through the area. However, pulling the switch meant enduring immense damage.
Just as the Doctor was in a dilemma, the Tree-Woman behind him resolutely stepped forward and took on this heavy responsibility.
The Doctor naturally disagreed, as slowing down the cooling equipment would make it increasingly hot here, and the Tree-Woman, being a true "vegetable person," would soon be consumed by the surrounding high temperatures.
However, time was running out. It was too late to call someone else to pull the switch.
Therefore, the Tree-Woman insisted on staying, undertaking this almost certain one-way mission.
From her determined gaze, the Doctor no longer hesitated and resolutely charged through the layers of cooling blades.
Even though he could feel the Tree-Woman behind him being engulfed by flames, he could only glance back hastily before continuing to sprint towards his final goal.
Since the sacrificed one was gone, the living had to rely on this sacrifice for protection. As the Doctor, he had no time to wallow in grief.
With the Tree-Woman's sacrifice, the surrounding fan blades resumed their original speed, making the Doctor's progress even more difficult.
Looking at the spinning fan blades before him, the Doctor could only compose himself, focusing all his senses.
Finally, driven by willpower, he took the crucial last step, successfully pressing the system repair button before the sun could scorch the Earth.
At the last moment, the Doctor succeeded.
As the system repair was initiated, the observation station's protective shield slowly rose.
Just as it ascended, the sun's energy bombarded the Earth, and surging heatwaves turned the once blue planet fiery red.
"BOOM—!"
After a massive explosion, the home that had nurtured humanity turned into cosmic dust under the impact of the sun's energy. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Earth, just disappeared like that." ]
[ Shizuka Hiratsuka (Oregairu): "Although it looks spectacular, but..." ]
[ Shizuka Hiratsuka (Oregairu): "Why do I feel a little sad?" ]
[ Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia): "The mother Earth, gone just like that." ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Even though I know this is another world, it still makes me a little uneasy." ]
[ .....]
『 After the explosion, only the observation platform, whose shield had been activated early, stood intact.
Everyone was finally out of danger. But the brave and beautiful Tree-Woman had lost her life forever to save others.
In the banquet hall, some guests who were already in poor health also didn't make it.
Those who witnessed the explosion mourned silently in their hearts.
At this moment, the Doctor stepped forward. He had personally witnessed the Tree-Woman's sacrifice and would absolutely not let the culprit escape so easily.
On the screen, the Doctor strode into the ostrich egg and discovered the teleportation device Cassandra had secretly brought in.
Through some technical manipulation, he reversed the teleportation process, successfully dragging the already escaped Cassandra back.
Upon her return, facing the furious crowd, Cassandra couldn't help but feel a little scared.
Just teleported back, Cassandra still wanted to brazenly argue that it was all just an experiment. But the moment she saw the Doctor's serious and stern face, she immediately stopped acting.
Cassandra put on a show of wealth, saying she had plenty of money and could even find the top lawyers in the galaxy to represent her. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "This skin is so detestable." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "She's done so many bad things, yet she's still so arrogant." ]
[ .....]
『 On the screen, even with so many people suffering, Cassandra remained arrogant and conceited.
But the Doctor didn't show a hint of anger. He casually threw a sentence at her:
"Haven't you noticed, you seem to be missing something?"
It was then that Cassandra realized that this time, she had returned alone. Her servants, who were supposed to spray her with water to keep her moisturized, had not returned with her.
She had to keep herself moist, after all, this sun-baked, unbearably hot hall was even more stifling. Cassandra's "delicate" skin was rapidly losing moisture.
Seeing this, Rose couldn't help but feel a touch of sympathy.
But the Doctor, on the other hand, coldly uttered:
"Everything in this world has its vibrant moments, and naturally, its moment of demise."
"No! I'm still very young!" Cassandra shrieked in pain.
But before she finished speaking, a huge face suddenly exploded, flesh and blood splattering everywhere in the hall. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "So, the last person in that world ends up like this?" ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "So, this can also be considered the moment of humanity's destruction in another world?" ]
[ The Herta (Honkai: Star Rail): "..." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "Truly, spectacular." ]
[ .....]
『 The Doctor saw this scene and said nothing more. He simply turned silently and walked towards his TARDIS.
With the matter concluded, at this moment, Rose, as an "ancient" Earthling, looked at the Earth, now turned to ash, and a hint of sorrow welled up in her heart.
This planet, which had existed for billions of years, with its long and ancient history, had no one to witness its end.
Rose knew that people were busy escaping the sun's scorching heat, self-preservation being paramount. But no matter what, it always left a bitter taste in her mouth.
The Doctor seemed to notice something too, but said little. He approached Rose, gently took her hand, and quietly brought her back to 21st-century Earth.
When Rose pushed open the TARDIS door, she saw a bustling crowd, and a sense of peace filled her heart.
She quietly watched the prosperous streets, the bustling crowds, the ordinary yet noisy scene, which inexplicably gave her a feeling of reassurance.
"Do you think all of this is eternal?"
"Humans, cars, concrete buildings."
"Unfortunately, no."
"One day, they will all disappear."
"Along with the sky of this world."
Rose listened, silently looking up at the sky, not speaking. Until she heard the Doctor's sincere thoughts:
"My planet disappeared a long time ago."
"It was destroyed, like Earth, turned to ash."
"All that's left are rubble and dust."
"Actually, it shouldn't have ended so early."
"Then," Rose looked up at the Doctor, "what happened back then?"
"At that time, there was a war."
"But unfortunately, we lost."
"Who were you at war with?" Rose asked curiously.
Seeing the Doctor remain silent, Rose changed her question: "Then, what about your people?"
"I am a Time Lord," the Doctor said, turning to look directly into Rose's eyes, "and I am the last one."
"Everyone is gone, dead."
"Now, I'm all alone."
"I wander around alone because there's no one else left."
"No," Rose said softly, "you still have me."
Hearing this, the Doctor changed the subject and said:
"You've witnessed the hardships along the way."
"So, do you want to go home?"
Now, the Doctor left the decision to Rose to see if she was willing to embark on another journey with him. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Will this Rose embark on a journey with the Doctor again?" ]
[ Shizuka Hiratsuka (Oregairu): "It's hard to say, there will be many dangers along the way." ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "I think she will go with him, because she might have an idea that she hasn't acted on yet." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "An idea?" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Because last time, she agreed to come along when she heard about time travel, and her father wasn't home." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "Are you saying she wants to go back to see her father through this?" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Perhaps, that's just my guess." ]
[ Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia): "Very logical." ]
[ .....]
『 "I can't make up my mind..." Rose seemed quite conflicted, but she didn't directly refuse the Doctor's invitation.
"I feel..."
Mid-sentence, Rose suddenly changed the topic:
"Do you smell fried chips?"
"Hmm, I do," the Doctor smiled.
"I want chips now."
"Me too."
"Then it's settled," Rose made up her mind, looking at the Doctor. "Before you put me back in that box, let's go get some chips."
"You're paying, though."
"I don't have any money~" The Doctor spread his hands, grinning at Rose.
"Are you that stingy when you go out with a girl?" Rose said helplessly, "Fine, I'll treat you, you cheapskate."
"We only have five billion years before the shops close."
Then, the two smiled at each other and walked hand-in-hand towards the nearby chip shop. 』
『 .....』
/Screen goes black
"Ding! 'The End of the World // The Last Human After 5 Billion Years' concludes."
"Ding! 'Even If It Means Breaking the Laws of Time, I Still Want to Save You' begins."
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Even if it means breaking the laws of time. I still want to." ]
[ The Herta (Honkai: Star Rail): "The laws of time?" ]
[ Yuri Nakamura (Angel Beats): "Laws of time, does that mean there are gods?" ]
[ Tanya von Degurechaff (Youjo Senki) "Gods? Existence X???" ]
[ .....]
『 In the scene, as Rose embarked on a series of adventures with the Doctor, she witnessed many complex sights and encountered various alien creatures.
However, deep in her heart, there was always one destination she yearned for the most: November 7, 1987.
The reason was that on that day, her father, whom she had never met, tragically died in a car accident.
Although Rose had never seen her father with her own eyes, she could piece together his general outline and personality from her mother's fragmented descriptions.
When she learned that her father had no one by his side in his dying moments and had to face the cruel reality of death alone, young Rose felt an unspeakable sorrow and grief deep within her.
The scene shifted, rapidly moving from the warm moments of young Rose and her mother to adult Rose inside the TARDIS. 』
『 .....』