Before opening the TARDIS door, the Doctor spun on his heels and gave Endeavour that look of his—part urgency, part theatrical annoyance.
"Before you set one foot outside… turn off the barbecue." He pointed at the fiery hero with the sonic screwdriver. "Where we're going, people aren't used to men wrapped in flames… and honestly, I'd rather not end up burned at the stake for heresy."
Endeavour grunted, but obeyed. The flames surrounding him slowly faded away, leaving only a faint reddish glow in his eyes.
With a final click on the console, the Doctor swung the door open. A gust of salty, humid air rushed in, carrying with it the distant murmur of chaos. As they stepped outside, they found themselves in a narrow, dark alley, the night blanketing everything under heavy clouds that smothered the moon.
One by one, the others followed, and that's when the expressions of shock appeared: everyone stared at the TARDIS, now looking like nothing more than an old police box, utterly ridiculous compared to what they'd seen inside.
"How… how can this be bigger on the inside?" Erina muttered, still trying to process it.
The Doctor smirked, that mischievous spark dancing in his eyes.
"Physics. Quantum. Spatial. And a sprinkle of magic if that helps you sleep."
But there was no time for questions: from the main street came the sounds of screaming, explosions, and the unmistakable smell of burnt gunpowder. The Doctor looked up, scanning the surroundings in an instant.
"Early 18th century," he declared, eyes darting over the colonial buildings and torchlight. "Caribbean. And, judging by the soundtrack…" —a cannon blast thundered in the distance, followed by savage laughter— "…I'd say we've landed smack in the middle of a pirate raid. Brilliant!"
In the distance, firelight painted the coast in shades of orange, shadows darting through the streets. Chaos was in full swing.
"Right, quick plan," the Doctor said, turning to the group. "All of you, stay hidden here. Nobody moves, nobody screams, and nobody, absolutely nobody, touches anything." His eyes landed on Jack, who was whistling like innocence itself. "Shiryu, you stay here and keep everyone safe. I trust you to knock out anyone who gets too close."
The knight nodded without hesitation, fully grasping the seriousness of the situation.
"And what will you do?" Erina asked, nervous.
The Doctor spun the sonic screwdriver in his fingers like a gunslinger from the Wild West.
"I'm going to find out what's breaking the timeline. But I'm not going alone. I need eyes… and muscle."
He turned to Endeavour, who was already cracking with impatience.
"You, serious version of the Human Torch, you're with me."
"Obviously," Endeavour growled.
Jack Sparrow took a half-step back as he realized everyone was staring at him.
"Oh no, no, no. I'm staying here, with the gentlemen, the ladies… and the treasures that might be lying around. Very noble of me, right?"
But the Doctor was already shoving him forward, while Endeavour grabbed him by the shoulder like a child being dragged to school.
"Come on, Captain Trouble. This involves your world."
Jack let out a dramatic sigh.
"This is going to end badly. I know it."
The trio disappeared into the shadows of the alley, torchlight casting flickering shapes on the walls, while behind them, worried eyes watched from the TARDIS.
And from the streets beyond, the chaos of the Caribbean roared on.