Robin dived through the doors of his TARDIS, heaving Astral in with him. Her unconscious body slumped on the floor. Robin cleared her of the door, weapons fire missing them and scarring the room. A shower of sparks reigned down from the console. Anne had been waiting inside anxiously, she ducked for cover and flicked the button on the console to close the doors. Within moments the troops outside could be heard crashing against the doors, to no avail. Robin lay taking a moment to gather his strength. He coughed profusely; the atmosphere outside having burnt not just his skin but his lungs as well. With great effort he climbed to his feet and scrambled his way to the console.

Robin dialled in the controls sending his TARDIS into flight. He clung to the console in a weakened state; it was the only thing keeping him standing. Now, out of harms way an air of relief eased over Robin and he began to relax. He slowed his breathing and let out a sigh of relief; welcoming this lull in his days events.

"Robin?" Anne spoke nervously looking upon his damaged condition.

Robin's senses began to numb as even's Anne's concerned calls felt distant. He moved to take a step away from the console but his legs folded beneath him and the young Time Lord fell. Were it not for Anne catching his fall, he might have likely struck himself another wound on his way down.

"Ah Robin?!" Anne huffed frustrated. She supported his weight as best she could. Robin was delirious at best, though he felt her warm, tender embrace as she helped him up and he chuckled 'We escaped.' Anne shook her head. This was fast becoming the norm for him. "Where would you be without me?" Anne worried to think, dragging him into a chair beside the console she began to inspect his wounds. She pulled off his favourite brown leather jacket which appeared to have escaped any real damage. Though once down to a plain white shirt several blood stains became obvious.

Anne peeled off Robin's shirt revealing an array of wounds and lacerations. With her years of expertise Anne collected a few necessary things and tended to his injuries. His shirt off all he had on now was his Mark 7 Postitian life preserver; which took the form of a thin singlet like garment that - from what he had explained was essentially an extremely futuristic bullet proof vest. Anne feared had he not been wearing it he would probably be dead. She pulled it up an over his shoulders, the device had done it's job and protected his torso from any real harm. No blade had pierced it and it had protected him from weapons fire... No? The garment became snagged as she pulled it over his head. It was stuck to his back. Over his left shoulder the garment had literally fused to his skin. The wound looked raw and open; drenched in clotted, burnt blood. Were it not for the life preserver the wound could have been lethal. Just what weapons were Azrael's men using? Such weapons were unanimously illegal throughout civilised space. Some sort of phasic disruptor rifle; designed to rot flesh and soft tissues, irradiate internal organs - spreading systematic organ failure and a wound open to disease. And a stimulated anticoagulant to add no less! Anyone else would be left dying a slow, inevitable and cruel death. Fortunate Robin was not most people.

Anne had no choice but to tear the fabric away from the skin. She had to treat the wound. Soon with a dermal regenerator and some stitching of the worst lacerations; Robin was mostly patched up. The wound on his shoulder would likely trouble him a while longer but fortunately with his accelerated Time Lord healing Anne figured he'd likely be rid of any scars within a week.

Astral was another matter entirely. She was part Time Lord / part TARDIS. There was no real way of treating her; or none Anne knew of. Probably unnecessary however Anne deduced, observing Astral's condition to be rapidly improving.

After about an hour Robin eventually regained consciousness. He opened his eyes finding himself in the chair beside the console and Anne watching over him.

"Anne!" Robin moved to stand but she halted his intention immediately. His breathing was heavy and he wheezed while exerting effort. Anne gritted her teeth in concern.

"Rest." She firmly commanded authoritatively. A small smile quickly diminished her strict tone and she giggled. "You're looking better. You came out on top against a god!"

Robin couldn't decide if she was congratulating him of teasing. Probably more the former he decided. "Depends on the criteria I suppose."

Anne laughed slightly mockingly and sat on his lap and he winced in pain a little. "Still being alive is all I really asked for." She kissed his cheek.

"At what cost?" Robin asked dismally thinking back to his questionable actions.

"You saved my life Robin. You did what you had to do. We would have never escaped otherwise. I've never seen you so fight so fiercely. Perhaps you can overcome the Toymaker. There may be hope for us yet." She said impressed.

"I put us all in danger. How did I not see that coming. I said you shouldn't come along. You only needed saving because of my lack of foresight. I killed a man, and maybe led others to their deaths. I was ruthless. All to save my own interests. All actions have consequences. Even the right ones. I think I went too far..." Robin couldn't help but think back on the Time War. "But perhaps there is hope?" He noted, feeling Anne's increased weight he moved his hand to her belly. "Someone's getting heavier!" Robin mused happily.

Anne smirked. "Watch it mister! Choose your words carefully." Robin grinned, pulling her into a tight kiss.

"I won't let anything interfere with our future. This baby represents everything I could have dreamed of." Robin was becoming day dreamy and lost in fantasy. "Suppose we were to settle down, find a nice little cottage on the side of a mountain somewhere? Somewhere peaceful we can properly raise a family!"

Anne smiled giddily. "You would really do that? I couldn't think of anything better."

"Getting ahead of yourselves aren't you?" Another spoke up. Astral rose to her feet and straightened her back. "The Celestial Toymaker will never lose interest in you. And Azrael will never stop hunting you down. Both of you." Astral spoke sharply, she picked up Robin's sword spinning it in her hand. "They must be taken out."

Robin laughed mockingly. "Really? As if Azrael isn't enough of a challenge. How do you propose we destroy a god like the Celestial Toymaker?"

"Azrael is easy. I hold the answer in my hand." Astral referred to the sword. "But the Toymaker... I was hoping you may have an answer?"

Robin shook his head in amazement. "Really, that so? Oh you and your agenda. Now I do understand. Think I'm just going to clear up your mess. You make it sound so triflingly easy. I don't think you've fully grasped the impossibility of the task. What world you must live in." He continued to laugh at her.

"What world I live in? You're the one who hides away on that backwater planet. Locked away in your TARDIS. Planning some dismal delusional future where you can actually have a family life. Stop fooling yourself Robin! Perhaps you should be asking yourself what world you live in?" Astral huffed angrily coming a few steps closer. Anne stepped forward offended pointing her finger.

"After we pulled you out of there. That was every bit your mess. You got Robin into this!" Anne remarked, turning back to Robin. Robin was hung in thought. "We're done fighting. I'm so tired of this eternal conflict. We'd found peace and then you came along stirring up hell!"

He clicked his fingers grasping onto an idea. Anne turned in surprise. "My little world! Genius!" Robin jumped to his feet. "My world! Brilliant."

Astral smiled clapping in support. "Are you actually suggesting? Robin that's genius! Stupidly clever!"

Anne wasn't pleased with their scheming. "We were lucky to make it out of that last skirmish with our lives. Can't we just quit while we are ahead. Robin? Please don't be rash."

"Just this one last jaunt and then we're through with this. I promise Anne." Robin pleaded. Anne made an uneasy agreement and nodded in return.

Sure enough within minutes the TARDIS console room housed a heated debate as they decided the finer details of their plan.

"Robin; you are playing with fire! Don't let her push you back into a mess you barely escaped from. If we do this we do it. Let us avoid any escalation. It must end!" Anne insisted Robin see her logic but Robin seemed to have already made his mind.

The young Time Lord rushed around the console implementing some plan he was still piecing together. "I'm calling in the Toymaker. We'll tell him we're willing to concede, but on our terms."

"You think he will actually listen to that?" Astral chuckled rolling her eyes in disbelief. "You'll have to be more convincing."

"He does! He's already agreed." Robin remarked peering over the console. "He gives one condition in return. That we meet at his place of choosing... Here?" He conveyed the message to them coolly.

"Mm he'll want to avoid any repeats of last time. Ensure we won't retreat from the negotiations. What better place to guarantee that than your own ship. He knows you'd never run from here." Astral surmised.

Anne shook her head in disbelief. "You can't really be considering that. Allow the Toymaker here? It is our only safe place, drop the shields and allow him on board and we lose that."

"A risk we must take." Robin plotted in the controls. "I'm making the arrangements now."

Anne caught Robin making him stand still a moment. "Robin, are you listening. Are you really sure this is the way?"

Robin was conflicted, clearly. But his mind was set. "Positive, Anne. My whole life has been driven by the will of an insane god. If I don't do this. Nothing. Not anything, will ever really be of my choice, my will. If I don't do this how do I even know this is me?" His eyes searched Anne's expression, hoping for some sign of support...

"You really feel that messed up?" Anne sighed, unwilling to agree but unable to entirely reject Robin's motives either. She gulped, relinquishing her nagging objections and deciding to go along. Robin smiled pleased to see her coming around. He gripped her shoulder giving her a knowing wink and went back to implementing his plan.

"If this is going to work I'll need bait. Something to show the Toymaker I'm willing to cooperate. I need something he wants. And I'm willing to bet I know of just the thing. Are you in?" Robin asked Astral keen eyed to begin.

Astral took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders. "Like I have much choice." Astral put forth her hands. "Go on, put some cuffs on."

Robin grinned at the suggestion, if this was to be convincing simple hand cuffs wouldn't contain a humanoid TARDIS like Astral. "We'll have to be a bit more convincing than that." Robin dashed out of the console room. "I have something around here salvaged." Robin explained as he searched the other rooms for his old possessions. "A Dalek device from back in the Time War." He said grasping at some unusual bits and pieces. "A chronon loop. A Dalek prison for holding TARDISs. If I paralyse your higher functions with this, the Toymaker may just believe me."

Astral eyed the device unsatisfactorily. In a perturbed fashion she grimaced and gave in. Allowing Robin to bind her with the; it wrapped glowing green cables around her which seemed to be of great discomfort to her. "Great. Now I'm plain old Time Lord, unable to dematerialize, teleport, inert and deprived of my true self."

Robin laughed slapping her over the back. "Welcome to the club." At that moment the whole TARDIS shuddered and shook. "That will be the Toymaker, expecting me to make good on the deal and let him in. I just need a room with open space." Robin began to run down the corridor, leading them to a particular room. He pushed through the doors and Anne instantly recognised it.

"Gallifrey... Your life size model of it." She spoke surprised as they made their way up one of the rolling red hills. She always took comfort in strolling these thick red grassy slopes. Why would Robin allow the Toymaker in this special place? As one last caution Anne had brought along Robin's ancestral sword. Not sure what good it would do against the Toymaker, at very least it would be of use if Azrael came here as well. "Keep this with you." Anne said handing him his sword. He sheathed it off his belt and thanked her for the sentiment.

"Okay, dropping the shields now..." Robin spoke and with a click of his fingers the shields were dropped and the Toymaker appeared in front them with Azrael.

Immediately the uneasiness of the situation sunk in. The Toymakers devious smile troubled Anne most as the mischievous god glanced from her to Robin and then took interest in Astral. "Ah thank you Robin. Thank you for welcoming us into your most humble abode. So kind of you." The Toymaker chirped looking further around. In the distance he glanced noticing the magnificent Time Lord Citadel. "And what a special place. A replica of your home world? What a privilege."

"A shame it no longer exists for me to truly tear down. Your people were a blight on creation." Azrael professed.

Robin turned sternly to Azrael. "I didn't invite you here so I could listen to him. Please quiet your pet." He asked the Toymaker.

The Toymaker gave Azrael one angry look which immediately shut up the Vampire King. "Very well, as you've been so hospitable." The troublesome god circled over to Astral, smirking at the kronon loop restraining her. "Gift wrapped!" The Toymaker smiled enthused. "Oh Robin you have been obliging."

"Anne and I have had enough of the running, hiding and this mindless destruction. If we can come to some peaceful agreement where we all get what we want then we will concede to assist you. I think that must surely sound agreeable." Robin stated firmly, turning and affirming glance to Anne who simply nodded in agreement.

"Excellent Robin! That is all I ever asked for." The Toymaker resounded jovially and embraced Robin in a sort of half hearted hug. "I expect then you have considered your terms? What is it you would ask for in return?"

"First; nothing less than our guaranteed safety. Azrael must cease pursuing us and his assault on our friends. Secondly I ask for the return of my dimension gateway, the device you stole from my TARDIS." Robin announced his terms to the Toymaker.

"Done. If that is what secures your cooperation then done." The Toymaker clicked his fingers and the device once stolen appeared before Robin.

Robin smiled and clapped his hands. "Terrific!"

"Anything else or shall that be all?" The Toymaker replied keenly.

Robin grinned rubbing his palms together. Astral rolled her eyes at him as if to urge him to hurry up with it. He pushed himself to progress. "One other thing I require. Your eternal imprisonment." Robin spoke nonchalantly. The Toymaker laughed finding the concept quite humorous.

"Now Robin you know that is not possible. I am a god, you cannot control me." The Toymaker's once laughing expression turned cold. "Consider your actions carefully Robin, there will be consequences if you upset me. I hate to punish my friends."

"Friends? That's just another illusion to you. I am done being toyed with, my entire life has been a sick puppet show. No longer." Robin stomped his foot firmly into the red grass sounding a firm 'Thump'. "Astral show him."

Anne upon Robin's go ahead released the chains holding Astral, she smiled. "All to plan." Astral grinned at Robin.

"Indeed." Robin agreed in accordance to their plan.

The Toymaker snarkly critical tensed his body. "It is not often I actually must resort to carrying out such actions against my assets but Robin you leave me no choice." The Toymaker decreed. He moved forward to exact punishment upon the Time Lord but ceased in astonishment. "My powers... Gone?"

At that Astral flung the Toymaker several metres backward like a rag doll. Azrael immediately took several steps glancing back and forth the powerless Toymaker and his four enemies. "Seems you've found yourself in something of a predicament Azrael. Who do you turn to when your one ally is helpless?" Robin coolly asked the Vampire King.

"Don't patronise me!" Azrael raised an arm sternly. "I am far from helpless."

The Toymaker rose to his feet and dusted himself off with a firm smile. "Well, well, well; Robin you are plucky. I'll give you that. But a man should know when he is beaten."

"You have no power here Toymaker. The interior of the TARDIS is a dimension I control, you might as well be human. Best you get used to this Toymaker, you'll be here a while." Robin angrily spoke. He walked toward the Toymaker and set upon him with cold fury. "You will make no further threats."

The Toymaker met Robin's hard gaze with a happy smile and patted his shoulder smugly. "Ah Robin I do enjoy our talks. I have grown fond of you Robin, so much so what happens next might actually move me. Oh well, your ascension is so nearly complete I won't be hesitant now. You see it is you that must be freed from your bonds."

"What are you talking about?" Robin asked flabbergasted by the Toymakers words.

"True I may be helpless." The Toymaker modestly nodded. "She however..." The Toymaker gestured to Astral whom was standing beside him. "is not."

Startled by the remark Robin narrowed his eyebrows turning hesitantly but too late. At that Astral plucked his very own sword from him and before Robin could even begin to comprehend what was happening Astral had plunged the blade through the stomach of the woman he loved most.

Horrified; Robin screamed, lunging at the so called friend who had now betrayed him. As he dove toward Astral he'd never felt so furious. He wanted to grab her, to lift her off her feet and squeeze the life out of her.

Anne dropped to the red grassy pasture which embraced her and cushioned her like a bed. She clutched the blade piercing her belly in disbelief.

Robin hauled Astral to the ground ready to pummel her to a pulp and exact some vengeance. The Toymaker watched with glee and Azrael couldn't help but smirk.

"Do it Robin. Let go your inhibitions; feel your anger, exact your vengeance! This is your domain. She is helpless against you here. You said so yourself." The Toymaker urged Robin on, punch after punch until a cool voice broke him free of his fury 'Robin'.

Anne stretched out a hand to tug on his jacket. 'Robin.' She called. Her breathing was becoming erratic and strained, her skin drained and pale as the blood streamed out of her and drenched the ground beneath.

Robin snapped from his mindless rage and knelt at her side. He took her head and lifted her hair from her eyes so he could look upon her eyes. "Anne." He spoke heartbroken with inconsolable regret. "This is my fault."

The Toymaker rubbed his hands with satisfaction. "At long last, he is complete. The transcendence has begun. A fine general he will make in the wars to come." The Toymaker said in exchange with Azrael and Astral as they watched from mere metres away. "I leave you now Robin. Mourn your lover, I'll be needing you soon. From the rubble you will rise!" The Toymaker affirmed tensing his fist. Astral and Azrael stood at his either side and the trio vanished from his TARDIS leaving Robin and Anne alone to say farewell.

Anne strained to sit up a little but her strength was rapidly depleting. Robin helped her up and rested her head in his lap. "Shh." He said stroking her cheek. "Don't struggle, save your strength."

Anne coughed, blood spluttered from her lips. She began to gasp and choke on the blood. Robin raised her head slightly more to ease her breathing. "Save my strength? Don't think me a fool Robin. I'm a doctor remember. I know when someone cannot be saved."

"Easy." Robin urged her. "Stay with me. Don't leave me like this." Robin looked into her eyes imploringly.

Anne gasped a deep and troubled breath. "The baby... it's gone."

Robin scrunched his eyes shut a moment wishing this wasn't the reality he was now faced. "Don't worry. I am a Time Lord, I can reverse this. Make it so it never happened."

Anne cupped his cheek in her hand and brushed the tears from his cheek. "I know you better. That would break one of your people's most sacrosanct laws and go against everything you stand for as a Time Lord. You would never betray that and I have both respected and admired that quality about you. I know you won't change it now." Anne spoke incredibly calmly though with difficulty. "You mustn't let the Toymaker change you. That is what he wants. Do not let him win. Live on for me." Her strength almost gone her hand dropped from his cheek. "Remember." Her last words left her lips and immediately Robin felt alone in the world. His heart fell into a moat of emptiness as he was greeted into this new era of his existence.

Robin placed her hands centre her chest and closed her eyes one final time.


Back in Novopangea the others were busily at work searching for the Door Lords. Coming upon a three way branch in the tunnel the group had no choice but to split. Marceline and Simon took one tunnel, Bonnibel and Finn another and Ben drew the short straw and made his way down the third alone.

Finn and Bonnibel wandered down passageway after passageway. "What's the point of this?" Finn questioned in frustration. As much as he may have enjoyed exploring, little about this made sense. "Aren't we just wasting our time, there's nothing here. Why did your sister send us here PB?"

"Don't call me that!" Bonnibel reacted with disdain, rubbing her arm nervously. "That's not my name. Not yet, Finn."

"Sorry, it's what I know you as." Finn responded with a touch of confusion. He read her expression, but this younger version of his friend felt like a ghost of the person he knew in the future. And yet she intrigued him immensely. Whereas PB was confident and secretive; youthful Bonnibel was full of enthusiasm, innocence and generally more of an open book.

"Anne knows what she's doing and Robin's no fool. They'll have some sort of plan." Bonnibel replied surely, reaching into her pocket and bringing out a device. "Besides, she leant me this." Bonnibel waved the device keenly. "Her Sonic Laser." She inspected the device's settings with some idea of what she was doing and it began to 'ping' which Bonnibel took to mean they were on track.

"These Door Lords are troublesome. I've met them before." Finn boasted remembering the one time he, PB and Marceline had chased a Door Lord through a series of doors to reclaim their possessions. "They seem different here in the past though."

From the darkness a figure hopped by, narrowly missing them both. It stopped turning to them curiously. "Yip Yip Yip." It announced in a mysterious dialect which seemed to include many unusual vowels and clicking noises.

The Door Lord clambered/ crawled forward - being more accustomed to hopping. Coming nearer into the light of their torch they could see the creature for all it's detail. Far different to the Door Lords Finn had known; this creature was tall and of pale complexion. Bipedal with immense frog like legs and long arms. It wore a long dirty scientists lab coat which reached far down it's legs and nothing else. It leant closely over them, inspecting them intently. They both had to step back, unsure of the creatures intentions. Pressed back against the wall of the passage they could move back no further. The Door Lord looked them closely over with it's large round eyes. It had a very round head and appeared to be able to nearly turn it a full 360 degrees. It took close attention to the device in Bonnibels hands and sniffed her with it's practically non existent nose.

"Stay calm." Finn urged. Easier said than done, Bonnibel returned a wholly dissatisfied look. Finn lent down slowly not to startle it and picked up a large rock, he gripped it firmly and threw it at the creature. "Leave her alone!" Finn demanded. "Back!"

The Door Lord opened it's mouth, snarling it's large serrated teeth fiercely at him. Finn raised the sword defensively and It took full turn and bounded away at full pace.

"Thanks." Bonnibel said with a sigh of relief. "That was getting too close for comfort." She wiped the sweat from her brow.

"Come on, that made a lot of noise. I want to get you out of here before someone else comes looking, who knows if Azrael or his men are around." Finn pulled her along by the hand protectively.

Bonnibel cursed that name with fury. "He'll get what's coming for him." She balled her fists, the emotion of losing Zion still feeling raw.


Down another dingy passageway Simon and Marcy had been having different luck.

Simon shone his torch along the walls, looking with interest at strange scribblings along the walls. "There appears to be a degree of development in these... erm... writings." Simon treaded along quickly, eager to read on. "Where as further back they were crude and caveman like, here they are clearly more complex and refined. There is sophistication in these writings, culture. The society which created these experienced very rapid evolution. The entirety of what we have read along this tunnel alone took place in a short period, no more than a few hundred years. How did this race become so quickly elevated?" Simon mused.

Marceline smiled in response, always enjoying to accompany the old man on such excursions. "Yeah Simon the archeologist!" She chuckled with impress. "We might just solve this on our lonesome."

"My dear Marcy. When as old and scholared one can not help but take up particular pass times. I only wish I could decipher this..." Simon plodded on with delight. "Come!" He urged her. "These old places always instil a sombre mood on me. They're so sad... But happy deep down." Simon spoke strangely to Marcy's worry. "It serves a solemn reminder that all things do come to pass. I find it deeply intriguing."

The passage widened into a large chamber. Here the writings became even more sophisticated. More like hieroglyphs; they appeared to tell some tale?

Simon gasped, admiring the tremendous find. "This is beyond anything I could have imagined. The find of the millennia!" All of a sudden Simon's crown began to glow a deep blue and light emanated from it's jewel. Simon unchained it from where it hung off his belt and lifted the crown so that it's light shone upon the hieroglyphs. "My goodness! Marcy; the crown is telling me what this says!" Simon's eye's almost shone with the amazement he felt.

Marceline gulped with deep worry. "Simon is it really a good idea you be using that?"

"That's only if I put it on." Simon continued to inspect the hieroglyphs with great interest. "It speaks of a journey... With their new technology the Door Lords discovered a higher power. They speak of meeting their makers? Their Gods? On a distant world their gods; The Osirans tasked them with guarding something. A secret. It goes on to speak of their eventual demise brought by their most devious and powerful; one known as Sutekh..." Simon read intently before pausing, he continued onward down the dark passageway. "My interpretation is that the Door Lords built their technology in effort to become closer to their gods."

Marceline nudged Simon's shoulder. "Nice work! Should we get back to the others now and out of this dingy maze? Robin may well know more on these Osirans? And speaking of which maybe it is about time you allowed Robin to inspect your crown, he could help?"

"No rush. Remember the entire land is war torn thanks to Azrael. We're probably better off down here." Simon turned to Marcy, a heavily sober expression graced his face. "Mm Robin. With all the recent drama I have had little chance to pause in retrospect and consider his revelation. Robin; a Time Lord from another world? For all his peculiarities I wouldn't have guessed. Still... It is nice to see you've found yourself a like minded friend. Someone who's more your age. I know how hard it is for you."

Marceline looked confused by Simon's out of place talk. "I am sorry we didn't tell you sooner." She replied apologetically concerned... "But what are you getting at Simon?"

"I mean I know how hard it is watching those you love grow old and die. It is comforting to have the company of others who can understand and relate. And be there. You have Anne, and now Robin too. I say this as I fear I may not always be around for you Marceline. I don't want you to be lonely. This crown takes it's toll on me. Even now, I fear I lose a little more of myself each day. With every new morning a little more has been washed away. Become simply history, until some not so distant future I'll look in the mirror and I won't even recognise myself anymore." Simon spoke solemnly, head hung low. He clutched the crown in his hands, as much as it fascinated him and for all good it did in keeping him alive; he loathed it for the hold it had over his sanity and for what it had made him become. "Robin is a complicated person; for all his bravado and intellect I sense a great deal troubles him. There are things he will not speak of or admit, things he might rather forget. His lack of mortality ails him, similarly to how it does you. It is different for Anne somehow, but has always been a point of connection you and Robin have shared. Perhaps that is why you both get on, despite the initially hostile meeting you told me of."

Marceline continued on with Simon unsure how to respond. Simon was in essence her father, the thought of losing him would drive her to despair. "I never wanted to be a vampire. I didn't ask for any of this. And neither did you. You must hold out; we will find a cure for the crown."

Simon shook his head. "Time will tell; I'm doing all I can already."


"I hear someone ahead." Finn exclaimed leading PB down another tunnel.

"Not so fast Finn. I'm trying to make out these hieroglyphics. They're so intriguing." Bonnibel shone her light across the wall trying not to miss anything. 'bump.'

At that moment the tunnel opened into a larger room where they ran into Simon, Marceline and Ben who appeared to be fixated with something. "What up?" Finn asked curiously.

Marceline smiled noting their arrival. "Simon thinks this room is important. All tunnels seem to converge on this dome room."

There was a complex clockwork locking mechanism in floor which Simon looked over intently. "The mechanism is ancient. It's seized from age. If I could only prise it free. A lubricant or some well applied heat might do the trick."

"And when Simon puts his mind to something, there is nothing that can deter him. Not when archeology is concerned." Ben spoke in mutual agreement with Marceline.

Footsteps stirred down a distant tunnel. Marceline switched her attention to it and alerted Simon with a nudge. "Someone's coming."

"We're all here. Who?" Simon asked. "The others aren't due yet." He said clearly concerned. Just as they were about to hide the figure emerged from shadowy tunnel.

He reached into his jacket pulling out a device which buzzed; illuminating fluorescent lights around the room. "Robin." Ben remarked. "Why are you here so early?"

Robin retrieved another smaller device from his jacket, attaching it to the tip of his sonic screwdriver. "Sonic lance." He spoke simply before aiming the device at the clockwork mechanism. His device charged rapidly and emitted and illuminated ray of hot energy which sent ear piercing echoes throughout the room. The clockwork device glowed red hot and with a kick from Robin it began to tick and then whir to life, spiralling upward an altar emerged from the floor which then to everyone surprise gave rise to a modest little orb which floated innocuously in the air before them. Robin snatched it before Simon could get a hold of it and placed it within one of his jacket pockets. He turned heel and strolled out without a word. Simon looked stunned from the discovery and more so by Robin's behaviour.

"Robin stop!" Simon called frustrated.

Marceline rushed forward, grabbing Robin by the hand. Startled by what she could make out in the dark she shone her torch in his face and similarly looked stunned. "What happened?" She asked, his face sported several burns and blood dripped down his arm; staining the sleeve of his shirt. There was evidently some wheeziness to his breathing as he heaved his arm free of her. She could smell the blood on him. "Robin?"

"What's going on? Robin what is this place?" Simon demanded. "What is that orb?" He stepped closer and noticed what had troubled Marceline. Robin was a mess.

Rather than speak of his condition, Robin hesitantly changed subject. He pulled the orb from his pocked. It was translucent, somewhat smoky inside. He pressed it against his lips and blew the glassy sphere floating back into the air. Only this time from his touch it shone; and projected a 3D holographic image around them. "A star map!" Simon spoke amazed. The Orb then floated to a sector of stars, highlighting one in particular which shone red.

"What is it?" Marceline asked seeing Robin's displeasure.

"The writings in this room speak of an artefact. A key made by their gods. They worshipped the Osirans, a powerful and magnificent race even older than my own. They survived many cataclysms. They mostly became extinct when one Osiran called Sutekh, more powerful than any other, single handedly killed about eighty per cent of their population and much of the inhabited universe at the time. After he was defeated some survived and found a new home world they named Otis. One last shot at their existence. A beacon to call any survivors home. After the Door Lords created this portal technology they discovered others far more powerful; the Osirans. And became devout worshippers. They aided in tracking down survivors and sending them to Otis. Setting up beacons like this." Robin pointed to the Orb.

"And what of Otis and these Osirans now?" Simon asked amazed.

"Wiped out in the Time War. Along with the rest of this universe. My people did it. In this universe my own people destroyed ninety eight percent of the universe in their war against the Daleks for all creation." Robin explained, he snatched back the Orb and placed it back in his jacked then turned to leave. Marceline sensed great despair and self loathing in him. Simon could see it too.

"You can't blame yourself. You had nothing to do with this universe before you became trapped here." Simon exclaimed and caught him by the shoulder. Robin hissed in pain from his wound.

"What happened?" Simon asked which annoyed Robin more.

"Don't you see? None of this matters about me. I'm not important! What matters is my people lost! A loss which enabled the Toymaker to take charge of this universe. To craft it into his very own toyhouse. And if I don't do something this universe will only be the start. This Orb may be the last remnant of an age where there was hope. And even I can't give that back." Robin promptly walked out. The others followed.

"Won't the Door Lords be angry if you take that?" Ben questioned speaking up in concern.

"I doubt it. From what I can make out, Astral and Azrael massacred the most of them but a few hours ago. They won't be needing this any more." Robin yet again hinted a little more the troubled state his psyche was in.

Simon wreathed his fingers through his long silver hair in fury. "I thought she was working with you?"

"Apparently I was wrong." Robin confessed.

Marceline felt as if a pit were opening up in her stomach. Something here was drastically wrong. "Where is Anne? Robin, where is she?"

Robin didn't reply, instead quickened his pace. Bonnibel ran forward. "Robin where is my sister. Where is Anne?" She urged him.

Robin didn't know how to reply. The light of the opening basked them in the sunlight as they briskly made their way out. And there on the slopes of the hill just before them was parked Robin's TARDIS; beside it a body wrapped in a clean white blanket. The others all stopped in their tracks at the sight. Speechless.

Robin reached deep into one of his pockets and retrieved Anne's Sonic Laser. Handing it to Bonnibel, a tear ran down his cheek, "She'd have wanted you to have this." And he presented Bonnibel her sisters tiara and placed it on her head. "I promise you; your future will be your own. The Toymaker and all those who follow him will rue the day they did this."

A/N:

Sorry for the delay. This chapter was a hard one to write. How do you feel about Anne's death? I was sorry to have to make it so but it has become a crucial part of the characters development and there was no way around it.

I look forward to your thoughts and comments. Please review, it will push me to write faster :D