Author: Me, of course!
Rating: T - there won't be any fluff, but it's written for a slightly more mature audience. Possible language later on.
Main Characters: The Master, random Time Lords and later on, the Doctor
Full Summary: The Time War: a war raging across time and space, with the Time Lords pitted against the ruthless Daleks. Needing every helping hand they could get, the Time Lord Council decided to recall all of those that they possibly could... even one of their greatest enemies, the Master. Did anyone ever really know what they were getting in to?
Setting: Gallifrey, right up to LotTL.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, unfortunately. Unless you want to buy it for me? Ooh! Please!!
Author's Notes: Hasn't anyone else wondered more about the Master's story? Well, here it is... my interpretation at least! Spoilers for everything... just in case. Read, review, enjoy!!
Masterstroke
Beginning of the End
He spat at the other members of the room as they sat in their fancy, high backed chairs. The man himself was still up in chains, held in place carefully with a mixture of metals and force fields, all designed to keep the monster leashed, at least for the moment. A vicious, blazing glare was only reserved for the entire room, simply because the restraints still allowed him to crane his neck back and forth. Just because the rest of his body was practically paralysed, it didn't mean that he couldn't show his fury as well as he wanted to. With enough venom behind him, they could see how much hatred he had.
One of the group stood ceremoniously, robes just as stiff as the chairs as the bright red gave the impression of a passion that was rarely expressed. This was a matter of state, and nothing was going to ruin their plans. "You will do exactly as we ask. There is no choice in the matter."
"Will I? Will I indeed?" The words were just as poisonous as the gaze, with fear hidden by the vehemence of his tone. "I am subject to nobody! Bringing me here… who do you think you are!?"
"We are the Council," another piped up, this time being a female voice. The original member looked towards the new entrant to the verbal exchange, nodding at her in encouragement.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you admit to being on their side?"
A tense silence descended upon the chamber as the councillor had quickly snapped back a response. The caged creature snorted, shaking his head. He was just exhausted, going through something that had previously been forbidden – and for good reason. Even he was against something so debauched, seeing it as utterly against everything that he had really fought for. Yes, he may have tried to force power for himself, but life after death? Shouldn't that subject have been left to the imagination of religious species instead of fact amongst his own? "You know that's not true, Councillor," he bit. "You bring me back and expect me to fight beside you?"
Leaning forward on the table in front of that almost presidential chair, the councillor shook his head in disbelief. "This isn't just for us, it's for the whole planet! We need you to fight with us; we need everyone to fight with us!"
"Fine, I'll help you, if you let me out of these pathetic shackles." A sigh of relief rippled across the cavernous room, as few had actually believed that some kind of compromise could have been made with the prisoner. Before they could really jump figuratively for joy, though, he decided to add a stipulation to his services. A cruel smile then played across his dark features as his voice lowered provocatively. "I'll help you… if you use my name."
Silence reigned for a few more moments, with the chained individual smirking now happily to himself, knowing that he had won at least a small victory. It reminded him so well of his previous exploits, and he also supposed that the rest of the room's occupants thought in at least a similar vein. Succumbing to the pressure, the main councillor hung his head as he sighed again. "Fine." Giving one last glance to his peers, the silver haired Time Lord lifted his head once more to look at that monster before him. "Please help us… Master."