Chapter 4: The Sorcerer's Hat

(*PRESENT DAY*)


The Doctor, Amy, Rory, and River promised Mulan that they would help her find whoever was using the Sorcerer's Hat to consume the fairies and absorb their power. The group split up to search in the forest. Amy and Rory remained together. The Doctor elected to go with Mulan. He thought it would be exciting to go on a mission with a famous warrior and hero. River understood his excitement and let him go while she explored the forest alone on this dark night. She cherished the remaining time she did have with the Doctor, of course not knowing how much time that would actually be before he forgot her existence completely. Now, he knew most her her backstory, who her parents were, and their wedding. It was one of those rare times when they both remembered the past, and they remember different futures that they wouldn't tell the other about for the sake of spoilers. Suddenly, as River was walking through the trees, she saw an orange light in the distance. Seeing this as strange, she decided to investigate. River got as close as she could and then hid behind a tree. She peeped her head out and saw a tall women in a long purple coat and dress. This woman was holding a large, sparkling hat. This must be the Sorcerer's Hat. Then she saw what looked like an orange vortex appear out of the base of the hat and suck in two nearby fairies. Then, the vortex disappeared and the hat transformed into a small circular box. River got a good look at this woman's face and immediately stepped out from behind the tree to confront her.

"What are you doing here?" River asked.

"I'm sorry dear. Do I know you?" The woman asked.

"Cut the act Missy." River said. "I know you know who I am."

"True." Missy said. "I've been catching up on what the Doctor did while I was away. I never pictured him as the married type. Luckily in the future, you aren't a problem for me."

"Spoilers." River said. "What are you doing with the hat?"

"I've been trying to get powerful magic and it keeps evading me. I stumbled onto the hat and figure I'd give it a try." Missy said.

"You need to give me the hat and you need to leave." River said. "As a Time Lord you should understand the importance of preserving time."

"Time Lady." Missy said. "I'm old fashioned."

"Anyway." River said. "The Doctor can't know who you are yet. He can't even see you yet."

"I know dear." Missy said. "I didn't know he'd show up here."

"Just give me the hat and leave." River said. "Preserving the future is more important than whatever you're planning."

"Oh sweet Melody Pond." Missy said. "What I'm planning is the future."

Missy then pressed a button on her vortex manipulator and disappeared from the scene. River knew that she hadn't fully retreated. Missy still needed to put more power in the hat and there were still plenty of fairies nearby in the Enchanted Forest. At least now, she knew who they were dealing with. River had to figure out a way to stop Missy and prevent the Doctor from finding out who she is. That would certainly not be easy, especially since Missy had the Poison Fairy working for her.