Episode One - Scene 1, Act 1

Theta's Bedroom – Opens on a stormy night on Gallifrey. Lighting crashes outside the window. Theta, frightened and sweating, gets out of bed, dresses and sneaks slowly down the hall towards the kitchen. Megana [his mother], having been woken by something, finds him.

Megana: What are you doing up? For the last time, you should be sleeping!

Theta doesn't reply. Megana pauses thoughtfully.

Megana: Still can't sleep after I told you that story? You know it's just legend right?

Theta: All legends have an ounce of truth. And besides, that's not why I can't sleep.

Theta paces the room.

Theta: I'm not scared of the Grandfather Paradox anymore. Not really.

Megana: You don't want to be tired when you look into the Schism. You'll be tired until you regenerate!

Theta: I'm never going to regenerate Mother.

Megana laughs, amused.

Megana: And what are you going to do if you fall and crack your head open on your console?

Theta: Then I shall go to the infirmary.

Megana: Then what will you do if you get a terminal disease?

Theta: Then I guess I'll die!

Megana: That's very sad Theta. What will your brother do without you?

Theta: Braxiatel will manage. We're not as close as you think.

Megana: [shocked] He's your brother! I'm not going to hear you talk badly about him.

Theta drops head and looks at his feet, ashamed.

Theta: I'm sorry Mother. I'm just scared.

Megana walks over and embraces her son warmly.

Megana: It's alright to be scared sometimes. Happy eighth birthday son.

END SCENE ONE

Scene 1, Act 2

The Initiation – Dawn is approaching. Theta, accompanied by Borusa, walks towards the Untempered Schism.

Borusa: I cannot go any further. You must to stare into the Schism alone.

Theta: What will I see?

Borusa: The future, the past: your whole timeline. And it will be painful and can make you sick. Or mad.

Theta starts walking towards the Untempered Schism.

Borusa: Stare deep into the heart of it my child!

Theta has reached the Untempered Schism. His hands are clammy and he is very nervous. He stares into it: images of unknown places and war zones flash before his eyes. Fire, then Gallifrey burning: a man with a beard and one hand holding a severed arm. On the severed arm's wrist is a Gallifreyan tattoo.

Everything goes white and Theta collapses.

END SCENE TWO -

Scene 1, Act 3

Run You Clever Boy – Theta is still unconscious. Borusa comes over and tries to wake him.

Borusa: Theta? Theta, can you hear me? Are you alright?

Theta opens his eyes.

Theta: Yes. Yes, I'm fine, just a little dizzy.

Borusa: In that case, by the power of Rassilon I, Borusa, declare that you, Theta Sigma, are an initiate of the Academy. Congratulations.

Theta stares blankly at Borusa. After a few seconds he runs past him, up and over the hill and through the bushes on the other side. He reaches a cave illuminated by torches which he enters.

The torchlight flickers dimly in the early morning breeze, making it difficult to see. Theta walks to the back of the cave and stumbles across a big round door. He tries to open it by using the handle, then by pushing it but the door won't move. Suddenly it vanishes and he falls to the ground, hitting his head.

END SCENE THREE -

Scene 1, Act 4

The College of the Time Lords – Azmael is sitting behind his desk as Borusa enters the office.

Borusa: [yelling] I've lost Theta Sigma!

Azmael: You lost him?

Borusa: He ran off into the forest.

Azmael: Did he say anything?

Borusa: No! He just looked at me and ran off.

Azmael: He was obviously scared. He'll come back.

Borusa: Oh how do you know?!

Azmael: Because that's what you did, remember?

Borusa: That was a few life times ago.

Azmael: Four. I know because I have only regenerated three times since. What were you doing fiddling with that boiler anyway to make it explode?

Borusa: I was trying to fix it! It had been faulty for the last time.

Azmael: Literally! Don't worry about Theta so much, he'll come back. Just give him time.

END SCENE FOUR -

Scene 1, Act 5

The Visionary's Cave – Theta is lying on a bed in a cave, surrounded by flickering candles. In the background an upper middle-aged woman stirs a big pot, talking to herself under her breath.

Visionary: I know you're awake young one.

Theta opens his eyes and looks at the woman.

Visionary: [urgent whispering]What if we're wrong?Shh! Quiet! We're not wrong.

Theta: Who are you?

Visionary: The Doctor speaks. Shh, Theta Sigma: his name is so well hidden. You will have a lot of names by the end. We are the Visionary, we and all thirteen of our regenerations at once. And we have been expecting you.

Theta: You've been expecting me?

Visionary: Yes, and you're late!

Theta:What do you mean all thirteen at once?

Visionary: We have taken the Blood of Rassilon, a poison so powerful that it burns up your future regenerations but lets you see all. Some say it turns you mad but there is no evidence. Shh, you shouldn't have said that.

The Visionary returns to stirring her pot.

Visionary: Why are you here? Were you curious?

Theta: I was afraid.

Visionary: Fear and curiosity are very similar, if not the same thing. Your fear led you to the cave then curiosity led you to me. You see? Now, here you are.

Theta: What?

Visionary: Sorry, we've fallen off topic a little. We have seen you all our lives; we have seen you live and die every time. We have seen you destroy lives and save them, all the while keeping your head high.

Theta: You've seen me die?

Visionary: Many times.

Theta: But I'm never going to regenerate!

Visionary: You will for your friends.

Theta is speechless.

Visionary: They will need you. It is only fear that will stop you.

Theta: Isn't fear enough?

Visionary: Fear is a good thing. It lets you know that you are still alive. You fear change but you will outlive us all, and you change for the better. Now, go home Theta Sigma, and prepare for your first day at the Academy.

Theta, his head pounding, wakes up in the cave, scrambles to his feet, and walks out into the light of a new day.

END SCENE FIVE -

Scene 1, Act 6

Welcome Timelings – The Six Chapters gather in the Panopticon, walking in through different doors. Each wears the distinct robes of their group.

They meet in the middle and turn to face a stage where Azmael is seated. He stands and walks to the middle of it, throwing up his hands and waiting for silence.

Azmael: Welcome, welcome, to the beginning of your academic career. There comes a time in a Gallifreyans life when they must embark on the journey of becoming a Timelord.

Azmael pauses.

Azmael: I hope you have all learned your vows? And now, I have the great honour of introducing to you our Lord President Pundat the Third.

Azmael bows and the President, wearing his sash and the Robes of Rassilon, steps forward to take his place. Pundat hits the ground with his ceremonial staff.

Pundat: Welcome young Gallifreyans to the capital of Gallifrey and to the beginning of your lives and many more to come. Now, please repeat after me.

Pundat recites the Timelord Oath and the children follow along.

Pundat: I swear to protect the Ancient Law of Gallifrey with all my might and knowledge. I will, to the end of my days, with justice and honour, temper my actions and thoughts.
I now pronounce you to be Time Lords. Go forth with all the strength of Rassilon.

END SCENE SIX -

Scene 1, Act 7

After party with the D.E.C.A – Theta walks into the room and looks over at Koschei who is talking to eight other children from the Prydonian Chapter.

Koschei spots Theta walking over through the crowd and gives him a hug, ushering him over to the rest of the group.

Koschei: Welcome Theta! Let me introduce you to the gang. Everyone, this is Theta Sigma: Theta, this is Ushas and Drax, Jelpax and Vansell, Mortimus, Magnus, Rallon, [pause] and the one that isn't paying the least bit of attention to the rest of us is Millennia.

Theta greets everyone but keeps staring, enthralled, at Millennia.

Theta: So this is where it begins: my schooling with the D.E.C.A.

END SCENE SEVEN -

END CREDITS