3. Pre/Post Time-War Conflict
Building on the idea of the War Doctor's potential enforced service in the armies of the Time Lords, another potentially brilliant alternative path comes to mind. What if his younger self did indeed become a sort of Gallifreyan gun for hire and go against his role in the common soldiery, travelling as a mercenary and fighting for the highest bidder, so to speak? A truly selfish Doctor would be a great departure from the 1963 ethos of the founding fathers of 'Who', but it offers a tantalising pre-Valeyard glimpse at a truly dark incarnation. Travelling alone and thinking of nobody but himself before a Damascene conversion to the right path following his meeting with his Tenth and Eleventh selves would give him plenty of push towards seeing the light post-'Day Of' in his Ninth body, but seeing or hearing his truly dark, possibly even amoral or evil side at work beforehand would surely be amazing. Plus, did River Song not say whole armies turned and ran at the mention of her Doctor's name? Imagine if they weren't even given the chance to fear him before he just steamrolled in and showed them absolutely no mercy. Survivors of encounters with him would be scarred, and a trail of death would put all but the hardiest souls off crossing him. it sounds awesome, in a contrarian sort of way.