Chapter 3

The Fourth Doctor finally gained a bit more composure. The troubling idea of him being the threat of which he was going after would send most people screaming into a corner. Thanks to past memories he knew of many times when he's managed to be collected in various incarnations to deal with threats. The problem is that the threat was never with himself. He had been lucky enough to this point not to crossover with his future or past selves, although he was aware that it wasn't for lack of trying. During one mission on Gallifrey, it seemed that he would have been apart of such a gathering if not for the fact that he was trapped in a time eddy. He was in a perpetual loop of time that he could not get out of. The resolution of the situation on Gallifrey lead to his being freed from it. Of course he wasn't really sure what happened after that. Future events and such nonsense. It was the problem with time travel; you're never quite certain when you'll run into an event that is supposed to happen to you later.

The Doctor worked his way over to the control panel that would set the date and for his next travel. Surprisingly he found it to be already set and just awaiting his push to sent it towards it destination. He frowned, "My will, indeed." It was set to late 1986. "What good is all this, if I'm not allow to pick them up at my will? You're choosing time frames for me. I don't remember ever being in the later part of 1986! Was it some UNIT adventure? Was it something else? This 'Keeper' is more annoying than most Time Lords I've met! Why not let me choose which versions of myself to collect first? I remember places I could find the first three of me! One I could manage to pick up my sixth incarnation! That would just leave me to find my fifth and seventh! I really must find out how he's controlling my TARDIS! This is getting far too annoying for words."

The Doctor had some memories of two of his future incarnations. The first was a rather thin man, fair-haired and wore a cricket outfit with celery on his lapel. He looked youngish and seemed reasonably well mannered, but their was still a sense of smugness that came across when he was in the room with his otherselves. The other was too fair-haired, but wore a rather garish coat with all sorts of colors and patterns. Not nearly as even tempered as the previous Doctor before him, he seemed rather content with barking at people around him. It was only when he wasn't barking when he was truly at him most dangerous. It was the second incarnation's thoughts of him anyway. The Fourth Doctor was curious if he'd have the same thoughts of him were they to meet. He supposed he would get his opportunity very soon.

The TARDIS twirled through the vortex and the engines were screaming the familiar sound. Soon, it started to dematerialize from it's location and rematerialize in Pease Pottage, England. It was a small village in West Sussex. The Doctor looked at the view screen of the quaint village. There he scanned the entirety of it to find out why he was delivered here. There he saw a blue box materialize into view near a small place not too far from his landing point. Out of it stepped the garishly attired Doctor he had just been thinking about and a red headed woman who was, to say the least, the most perky individual he'd ever seen. He's seen his share, but she seemed very excitable. She gave her Doctor a reassuring smile, said something that the Fourth Doctor didn't quite make out, and jogged away. As she did, the Fourth Doctor bolted from the TARDIS in order to catch up with the sixth before he left.

The Sixth Doctor stood there and watched a woman who he didn't even know jog towards her home. He was indebted to her for helping him during a very difficult period in his life. Just moments ago, they had left the the courtroom of the Doctor's trial. A mysterious Time Lord called the Valeyard had put forth that the Doctor was a meddler, constantly breaking the laws of the Time Lords, and far too dangerous to allowed to continue to roam the cosmos. His want was to kill the Doctor that he might have what was left of his regenerations. The Valeyard was unsuccessful at his attempt, but it still had the Doctor lost in a great deal of thought. He realized how close he was to losing the case, but that wasn't the worst part of it. No, if anything it was who he would've lost the case to. The Valeyard wasn't just some Time Lord with another name, he was the Doctor himself! Another of the Time Lords gone evil. That part disturbed him more than anything.

As the Sixth Doctor started to back into his TARDIS, he noticed that someone was running towards him. His look gave way to some surprise, but it also showed how utterly tired he was of dealing with himself. Not too long before the trial, he had run into his second incarnation. The Androgum situation was nothing less than frightening. A transfusion of blood from one of the Androgum, Shockeye, started to turn his second incarnation into one himself! It was lucky that it hadn't managed to fully completely the process. If it had, then the Sixth Doctor might not be the man he is today. Working with himself was always a difficult experience even when he wasn't changing into other species. This last run-in was the worst, though. It was one thing to dislike an aspect, but to know that he wanted to kill himself... He knew Freud would have a field day with this one. He saw that the Fourth Doctor grew ever closer, and the first instinct he had was to shut the TARDIS door and leave. He really had no want to talk to his former self, not after all he'd been through. Still, he realized that it must be important if his fourth incarnation was so intent on meeting with him. With a heavy sigh, he shut the door of his TARDIS and stood there waiting for himself to get there.

"Well, that was unpleasant. I'm afraid I'm much better darting through hallways and over rocks than over fields and hedges." The Fourth Doctor said with a pant in his voice.

"Yes, well, one does need to be in the best of shape when doing such exercises." Six retorted with a sarcastic smirk. "I suppose you're here for some other reason than going for a run?"

"Down to business, eh? I see at least some of my charms have still kept around."

"Oh yes, I remember. Always with the smart remarks, make yourself feel superior to everyone. Thank heavens none of that retained."

"No, I suppose not. I suppose your personality is subdued by that nightmare of a coat you wear."

"I'll have you know this coat has more meaning to it than that ratty old scarf of yours!" He said belligerantly.

"Ratty? This scarf is perfectly fine! It's even useful. Though, I can see your coat being useful too! I should think most of your enemies might have problems being blinded."

"I don't know why I bother! It's never good to talk to yourself, and I should know!"

"Listen, I didn't come here to get into some silly argument about what should and shouldn't be done! I'm here because I need your help."

"My help, eh? Is it hard for you to admit it?"

"More so, listening to you. In any case, one of our incarnations has gone rogue and I need your help." The Sixth Doctor's face turned from one of sarcastic glee into something more stern and hardened. Had the Valeyard survived the ordeal?

"Rogue? Perhaps, a little less bickering is in order. Tell me more."

"Let's go back to my TARDIS and I will explain on the way. I'm supposed to be gather the other Doctors together so that we might try and reason with him." As they started to walk, Four told his future self everything. Six listened intently, he was surprised and rather dismayed that the Doctor they would be pursuing wasn't the Valeyard. As they entered Four's TARDIS, he sighed deeply. His mind raced at the fact that this problem started at his eighth incarnation. He assumed that it had all stewed in him until the last incarnation. He assumed that part of him after this incarnation or possibly the next just gave up. In terms of regenerations, he had gone through several very quickly. It was always in the act of doing something good that he'd meet an end to one of this regenerations and wondered maybe if the Valeyard didn't directly influence the idea that perhaps it was doing all that good that's caused his spiral towards the last. For the first time he was afraid to regenerate for the idea of unleashing whatever hell he had inside him. He wanted to refuse the possibility, but look at the Valeyard! The Master had told him that it wouldn't be till the end, but he's a known liar. The unknown never looked more fearsome.

As the TARDIS started up, the Doctors stood hovering over the control panels. The Fourth's hands glided over the switches and in mere moments the sound of the engines started to fill the room. The Fourth Doctor looked at all the instruments to make sure everything was set accordingly, although the destination was preprogrammed into the system. He was rather pleased that other than some small amount of chatter from his future self, there had been little in the way of keeping them from the appointed task of collecting the next in line of Doctors. The whole situation rolled in his mind, like his ship in the vortex. He wanted to put some sort of positive spin on this. Something that would be of extra benefit than to collect the others to help stop this situation. He couldn't see one. If the Time Lords were going to step in about this, they likely would have done so when he attempted to meet with Eight. Instead, they allowed him to continue on to Six and now off to retrieve the next in line. Nothing was right about this, and yet it seemed true. Four knew that the best liars were the ones that wrapped their lies in truths, so many questions and so few answers.

Eventually the engine noises weren't enough for the Sixth Doctor, he wanted to start talking. His curiousity was far too great, which was a trait that all the Doctors had. Four was lost in thought, he could tell the look. He knew how it was back then, always so introspective about things. It was the unpredictable nature that is still talked about today. He knew that even today, he had to live up to that legacy. The problem with regeneration, he found, was that their personalities changed with each new face. Unfortunately, the previous incarnation's personality quirks were imprinted wherever he went and sometimes were expected. He wanted to thank Four for cause some of the havoc that he wrought all over the universe. Still, to do that was to admit that he hadn't done the same. Well, he didn't think he had done that badly. The problem was that he knew for everything he remember going smoothly, there would be someone there to claim that it was a train wreck before and after the situation was dealt with.

"So where are we off to now?" Six finally broke the silence.

"Somewhere in 1994. The 'Keeper' is sending me after certain incarnations first. It would be far simpler to just allow to me pick up ourselves as it seemed easiest to me."

"Yes, I never did much like people interefering with the TARDIS' operations. Especially when I don't know them."

"I find it difficult to believe he didn't have an ulterior motive in sending me here first. Honestly, if it were me I would have gone to our seventh regeneration and sent him back to collect us."

"Perhaps our seventh incarnation is up to no good, eh?"

"Quite possibly, but then I wouldn't know would I? I was warned about the eighth, not the seventh. And for that matter, I only know about you because you ran into us when we were our second version."

"Yes, well... That wasn't very pleasant. It was good to see Jamie at least, but that's where the pleasantries end."

The TARDIS did it's work and in very short order it sat down on a planet far from Earth. The planet Mynostra was a refuge for many travelers come to seek its solitude and peace. The inhabitants there were often cited as being some of the most welcoming people in all of the known galaxies. Their only lot in life was to serve others in the further pursuit of their happiness. It exuded from their bodies. The sky even at the brightest of days was a beautiful shade of navy blue, the trees were serene in greens and orange. The skintone of the inhabitants was a very calming light blue which matched their eyes. The pupil of the eye was white giving them a distinct look. The Doctor had been here only once, and it was to meet someone then as well. He'd made some friends in his travels and in the times when he couldn't do much else, he would suggest Mynostra since it was so inoffensive.

The scanners looked over the terrain, trying to find their next passenger. There, sitting on a bench made from what we would consider to be marble was a smaller man with a frown on his face. He wore a panama hat with the brim turned upwards, plaid pants, and a vest riddled in question marks. Off of his wrist hung an umbrella that too had a question mark that formed the handle. His eyes were shadowed as he sat there contemplating the universe. It wasn't hard to see that he had the weight of creation upon his shoulders. The Fourth and Sixth Doctor watched him carefully. The Fourth's study ended with a look of disturbed interest, "He looks a rather pleasant fellow, doesn't he?"

The Sixth Doctor's eyebrows raised as if piqued by what his former self had said, "Mmm...Yes, it seems he's quite the pleasing soul." He walked closer to the monitor to look over his face. As he did, his seventh incarnation looked up as if to respond to the intrusion of his personal space. His face turned from sullen thinker to angered Time Lord in a moments notice.

"Well? You didn't think that I wouldn't hear you rematerialize? You're in a TARDIS for heaven's sake, landing on one of the most peaceful planets in the cosmos! Don't stand in there waiting!" His face turned back to the ground in a sullen anger.

Four and Six gave a look of surprise to one another. "Well I suppose he's right," the Fourth Doctor said.

The two disembarked from the craft and walked slowly towards their future self. As he looked up his jaw tightened a bit. It wasn't a shock that two of himself should be walking towards him, but the fact that it would be those two in specific that gave him some pause. To say that the Doctor's personality, in whatever form, was strong is to say that a hurricane is merely a puff of wind. These two on the other hand were stronger than most. The force of their personalities would long be remembered through time and space. As the two approached he let out a huff of air. The other two knew from that moment that convincing him of their purpose wouldn't be easy.

The Sixth Doctor couldn't help but continue his analysis of his next regeneration. He couldn't help but see that there was a darker side to him, even through the bright clothing. Their eyes met and the Seventh Doctor gave a bit of a smile. Six wasn't sure what to make of him. "What's the matter," Seven started, "something troubling you?"

"You seem a great deal more chipper than you were a moment ago." Six replied back.

"Chipper? No, I don't think so. I'm somewhat amused by your showing, however."

"That would be my doing." Four butted in with a big smile.

"Undoubtedly, and I'm sure you have good reason."

"There's a renegade version of ourselves that has the ability to end anything at a whim. Your next regeneration." Four answered.

"Renegade, eh? And perhaps this renegade is merely doing the work that's necessary. Have you ever considered that?"

"He's talking about the destructive power to destroy everything we know! " Six yelled back.

"Everything we know? What do we really know? Eh? What do I really know? The situation might be bigger than you can conceive and you're ready to end it all at a whim! And for what? The survival of the Time Lords? The survival of Earth? The best cup of tea you ever had?"

"Why are you playing Devil's Advocate with the situation? We know that something isn't right. Whether it be with this 'Keeper' or with our self, we must press on. And here we are wasting moments debating the situation with you."

"And you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

"Stop! I can't stand to see myself bickering. Especially knowing that this is my future! So what will it take to convince you of our need to be involved with this?" Four ended the bickering quickly.

"Telepathically link with me, the both of you, and maybe that will convince me that you're cause is worthy of looking into." Seven squinted his eyes and gave them another dark smile. Both gave each other a glare and nodded begrudgingly.

"Contact," Four called out. This was followed by Six and Seven. In the theatre of the mind's eye, the three stood in the quarry where Four met the 'Keeper'. Six looked at the face intently and his eyes narrowed, if Seven saw the same thing he didn't make it known. The image forwarded to Eight. His demeanor was so cool and collected, his words so assured in their purpose. As they broke telepathic contact, Four noticed that there seemed to be a shift in the balance of those 'in the know.' He looked at the two with that great curiosity he was known for.

"It seems you were right. There is call for a gathering of the Doctors. I can't say what our future self has in mind, but this Keeper does require special attention indeed." Seven said with a sense of mystery in his voice.

"What do you suggest?" Four replied.

"You go and gather the other and go after our errant self. We two will go and look for the Keeper. We need to learn all we can about him and his motives."

"Why do I have the feeling you're keeping secrets from me?"

"Really now, Doctor. Aren't we all working towards the same goal now?" Seven's devilish smile wouldn't seem to go away.

"At this moment, I'm not so sure."

"Hold on one moment! Let's not start all this again. We're all on the same page now. And he's right, it would be best if we split company now. We're best suited to go after the Keeper. The others are going to need you to rally behind to stop us from doing whatever it is we've got in mind to do." Six said.

"Very odd that you've become the diplomat, isn't it?" Four retorted.

"Desperate times beckon, Doctor." Six replied with a smug air.

"I suppose they do," with that the three Doctors broke company and headed for their TARDIS'. It wasn't how Four had envisioned this going, but he couldn't fault the logic either. He wasn't sure where the next destination would take him, but he hoped that there would be a quick resolve.