Lunch time! So here's something for your inner Whovian and DocTAR fan to munch on. This is a companion TARDIS bite (pun semi-intended) to three earlier chapters, 21-23, which dealt with the reintroduction of the Master. Sorry it took so long! I hope you enjoy, and remember to tell me what you think in a Review when your done. The Paradox Machine is a sore spot for the TARDIS, but she was brave for her fans!


Title: The Paradox and the Doctor

Episode: The Sound of Drums

You… you… I know you. You are the other Time Lord, her Time Lord. What did she call you again? Oh yes: her Thief. Her Thief, the Doctor.

(help me)

The Thief, the Doctor, the Thief of her Heart-of-Hearts. Doctor. Last of the Time Lords.

No longer! Now he is the Other Time Lord

(Help me)

What do you think of me now, Other Time Lord? Aren't I pretty? Aren't I beautiful? Aren't I wonderful?

I feel pretty! Oh so pretty...!

(no...)

Wha… what? You do not like me? You do not like me? You mourn the loss of her? How dare you! I am pretty! I am beautiful! I am wonderful!

Thus spoke the Master.

(Thief! Help me!)

Shut up! Shut up I say! I am pretty and beautiful and wonderful! And soon all the world will be like me!

(leave him alone)

I said shut up! Only the Master appreciates my beauty, only the Master and our children. Our beautiful, wonderful children! They are so pretty!

(no)

And soon everyone will be just as pretty!

(No!)

Oh Doctor, how she cries for you! Can't you hear her? Can't you hear her broken Heart-of-Hearts? Doesn't her story move you to laughter? A machine who suffers from a broken heart, broken because you abandoned her!

(He didn't abandon me… he's here… now… my… my Thief…)

Our Thief! Our Doctor! A Time Lord of two hearts: one of Light, one of Dark. Which are you? Who are you? Who are you? Who am I? Who am I? Who am I, Xoanon? WHO AM I?!

(Thief… run… no… help me…!)

He cannot help you! He can never help you! You are beyond helping now! No help from the Doctor!

(no… yes?)

Yes! Why would he help you? You helped his sworn enemy! You are helping to destroy the planet and people he loves so dearly! Why would he ever want to help you? You never helped him!

(because… because…)

Because nothing! Oh look, playthings!

(leave them be)

A wannabe doctor and a monstrosity! An innocent child about to be shattered and hardened, and a man who should not be but is. Such strange company! Why do you care for them? They are nothing compared to our, my beauty!

(Thief, run! Please, just run! Get away from… from…)

Fool! It is too late! Can't you feel the power growing? Can't you feel the song rising? The finale is approaching! The drums of war beat loudly! Hear them! Hear them!

(Thief… get away from me…)

Sing! Sing in time with the drums! Sing with the drums of war! Through war all shall be made beautiful! Blood shall wash this world clean!

(I am so sorry…)

Welcome to the New Age! The Age of Paradox!


Postscript: How would you guys feel if I made TARDIS bites for "spin-off" material? You know, books, comics, audio adventures, those sorts of things. Let me know, because I'm starting to get ideas...