The Arts in Space (comic story): Difference between revisions

Given a choice between the past, present, and future, [[Gabby Gonzalez]] picks the future. The [[Tenth Doctor]] suggests the [[Pentaquoteque Gallery]] on [[Ouloumos]]. Finding herself on an alien planet, Gabby is amazed by the alien landscape of a sea of [[star]]s, [[sky aqueduct]]s and the subtle differences from [[Earth]]: the animals, the birdsong, the sand, the grass. She can barely understand how the Doctor can take it all in without much notice.

The two look around the Pentaquoteque Gallery, where the Doctor shows her a variety of different art styles, both futuristic and known in her time. The Doctor wants to show Gabby [[block transfer sculpture]]s by the artist and his friend [[Zhe Ikiyuyu]]. Surprised to find an empty room where their sculptures used to be, the Doctor and Gabby visit the museum [[Curator (The Arts in Space)|curator]]. She explains that a century ago, having faced some criticism, Zhe had withdrawn their works and exiled themself to their private retreat on the planet's [[Zhe's moon|moon]], which can be accessed by a private [[space elevator]]. Since then, the only person to attempt a visit was an [[Art dealer (The Arts in Space)|art dealer]], who quickly returned in a great rush.

The elevator's robotic pilot [[Vernon (The Arts in Space)|Vernon]] recognises the Doctor using a DNA analysis, treating Gabby as a "plus one" and letting them board. Gabby is in awe of the view of Ouloumos from the elevator. On the other hand, the sculpture garden surrounding the path to Zhe's house seems somewhat old fashioned to her when compared to the art she's seen in the Pentaquoteque Gallery. The Doctor explains that Zhe found beauty in any form - humanoid and alien — and that they used body augmentation to change between [[gender]]s and forms to see the world from different perspectives.

Suddenly, the sculptures start moving and attack the visitors. The Doctor lifts Gabby and throws her out of harm's way, then grabs her hand and runs towards the gates. He is surprised as matter manipulation on such a scale should have been too complex for Zhe. He correctly guesses that the sculptures will not enter the gates and proceeds to Zhe's house.

The Doctor and Gabby are greeted by a male figure, who calls himself "[[The Apprentice (The Arts in Space)|the Ultimate Apprentice]]". He seems worried that the newcomers want to become apprentices too. But the Doctor assures him that he's an old friend of Zhe's and just came for a friendly visit. The Apprentice then brings them to a room where Zhe sits without movement. She has four arms, more than during the Doctor's last visit. Upon a closer examination, the Doctor concludes that this is a block-transfer-sculpture self-portrait.

Suddenly, the Doctor and Gabby find themselves separated: the Doctor is still in the room with motionless likeness of Zhe and the male Apprentice, whereas Gabby is in a different room with a figure almost identical to the Apprentice but female. The female Apprentice accuses Gabby of lying and of trying to become an apprentice and also calls herself "the Ultimate Apprentice". Gabby asks her about the male "Ultimate Apprentice" she just met. At this, the female Apprentice grows a second male head and claims to be all aspects. Without waiting for the Apprentice to grow more extremities, Gabby runs away in search of the Doctor.

Meanwhile, the male Apprentice grows scissor hands and proceeds to attack the Doctor, accusing him of being a critic. The Doctor escapes onto the roof terrace, hears Gabby's cries and observes her throwing a plant pot at the multi-armed and two-headed Apprentice below. He calls to her and suggest to try finding Zhe in their studio in the glass wing. As Gabby runs back into the house pursued by the two-headed Apprenitice, the male Apprentice catches back with the Doctor. The Doctor tries to reach the main stairwell, but the Apprentice has changed the house layout, and the Doctor falls down an infinite stairwell.