fandomweekly | [#006] Superbia et Humilitas (Doctor Who)

Theme Prompt: #006: Vainglory
Title: 'Superbia et Humilitas'
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating/Warnings: G; No warnings
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 415

Summary: Let this be a lesson to me, ey? The ultimate lesson in humility.

I thought I had them. Damn it, I thought I had them! And, all along, they had me.

I'm such a bloody idiot!

Alarm bells were ringing loud and clear, if I'd had the sense to hear. I should have listened to River; she told me to run. Why didn't I listen to her?

I'll tell you why I didn't listen: Because I have a chip on my shoulder the size of Betelgeuse, with an ego to match. I knew--I knew--I could win. Never mind that I was hopelessly outnumbered.

Hopelessly outnumbered. What's that? That's nothing. Been there, done that; what's so terrible about it? I thrive on those times when the odds are stacked against me. Adversity inspires me, pushes me.

And it pushed me right smack into a trap. It was all around me, as plain as day, and I didn't even see it. It's so obvious now. Now that it's too late.

Damn me for the greatest moron in the universe. Damn the vanity that brought me here.

I'm the one man in all of Creation who can prevent its total collapse...but I can't escape the Pandorica. How's that for irony?

I can go one better, actually. Here I've always tried to help people, done my best to save lives, to save whole worlds...and I'm feared enough to earn the ultimate prison. Me, the Doctor: An object of terror. The bringer of nightmares and untold devastation. It makes me sick, to think that they see me in such a horrible light.

I...I never wanted anyone to fear me. They're not supposed to do that. So, what are they supposed to do, instead? Adore me? Worship me? No--I never wanted that, either. That's not what I'm about; never has been.

Okay, so maybe I wanted them to think I was impressive. I might have let the admiration go to my head now and then.

Oh, who the hell am I kidding? There's only me in this horrid little cube; I have no one to lie to now. I liked the adulation. I enjoyed being viewed as the hero. It was good to feel needed.

Well. Now I am needed. And I can't get free. Damn it; I wish they'd listened to me! But why should they? Why would they ever listen to the man who always set himself up against them?

Let this be a lesson to me, ey? The ultimate lesson in humility.

Shame I can't make good on what I've learned.