Full story: Chapters 34-39 of Lost in Time

Recap: Lyssa jumps to the Twelfth Doctor and new companion Bria, and they visit a Chuck E. Cheese-themed Escape Room that quickly turns into something much more sinister. With Bria and civilian Scott already taken by the animatronics and presumably dead, the Doctor and Lyssa are left traversing a not-so-fun house in the dark, hoping to find the exit and survive until dawn.

POV: Twelfth Doctor

The Doctor cast a worried glance behind him as he turned down yet another hallway, Lyssa's hand clutched tight in his. She'd been worryingly silent ever since Bria had been taken. Not just verbally, as was needed to stay alive, but emotionally as well - she'd shut down once the blood landed on her palm, visibly struggling to fight off flashbacks to Canary Wharf. He mentally cursed the Master for the fourteenth time that night, knowing he'd set that up deliberately just to toy with her.

Once he'd found it in himself to forgive the man for his many crimes, to offer him compassion and another chance to do better, over and over again.

No more.

Now, he knew that his childhood friend was well and truly gone, leaving only a vicious predator that had no hope or desire for redemption. After what the Master had done to Lyssa, to Vina and his alternate universe counterpart, after who he'd allied himself with... there was no coming back from that.

The beam from her flashlight wavered as her hand shook and he tightened his grip, trying to send her some of his strength and wishing once again that she was capable of sustaining a bond for that very purpose. She was far too early, and he knew that, but it would have been easier on them both. They'd been trapped for six hours and eighteen minutes by this point, and the constant surge of adrenaline was keeping her up, but he could tell she was reaching her limits. Particularly so soon after Canary Wharf.

He stopped in front of another open doorway, listening carefully. He didn't hear anything, or detect any odd airflow movements - only the ever-present scent of dried blood, a fact he'd very carefully kept from Lyssa - but that didn't mean anything.

He'd learned that the hard way.

He reluctantly released Lyssa and carefully moved across to the other side, then held up a hand to wait as he listened once more. When he nodded for her to go, she leaped across into his waiting arms, silently shaking as she buried her face into his chest and let out a shuddering breath. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight to him, resting his cheek on her hair but keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.

They couldn't stay there, and both of them knew it. They'd tried it earlier, just sitting still and waiting until dawn, but that had only attracted more of the animatronics. They obviously hadn't been found, but having the robots appear randomly in the hallway every few minutes - with rapidly decreasing intervals - had made it too dangerous to stay. It had only been a matter of time before one of them would have moved at the wrong moment, and so they'd kept going, wandering further into this labyrinth of a building where the inside was bigger than the outside in a gruesome mockery of the TARDIS.

He tightened his grip on her for just a moment, silently willing his fairy-girl to be brave, then released her. She let her arms fall away as she stepped back, avoiding his gaze as she swiped at her cheeks with her free hand, but not before he saw fresh tear tracks on her face. His hearts ached for her, but they couldn't afford to stop.

He led her through another hallway, sensing they were getting close to the end - the air smelled fresher - and hoping she could make it just a little bit longer. She was near constantly shaking now, her strength depleted after hours of surviving on pure adrenaline. Her reflexes were slower, leaving him even more tense each time she gathered what was left of her energy to cross an open doorway.

But they were doing it - despite everything, the fear, the animatronics, the blood stain on her hand that she refused to look at - she kept going, refusing to give up with the same courage and determination that had helped her survive all those years with her mother's neglect and abuse. And he was so immensely proud of her.

He just hoped he'd be able to tell her that when all this was over. But he'd had a feeling for a while now, much like he had shortly before they'd lost Rose, that something was coming. Or, perhaps more accurately, someone. A feeling that had only grown stronger when Bria had been taken.

One of the animatronics teleported around the corner behind them and he held out his hand to warn her to stop. She flinched and almost dropped her flashlight, ducking to grab it and trying to freeze in place, only to wobble unsteadily as the robot entered their hallway, tilting its head at them.

He closed his eyes, knowing what was going to happen before it happened. What had to happen - he wouldn't allow anything else. He just regretted that she would have to watch.

He was already in motion by the time she started falling, darting in front of her and using his arm to keep her behind him as the animatronic lunged with an earsplitting screech.

His last thought as the gaping maw filled his vision was of her.

xXx

His first thought as he woke up was that he hated teleports. And knockout gas, which he could just about detect the remnants of as it dissipated. Also otters, but that wasn't related. He hoped.

Once had been enough.

His second thought was that he had a horrendous headache - one of the many reasons he hated said teleports, no matter how quickly it was fading.

His third thought was more of a realization that he had been handcuffed to the wall. Which, he supposed, still counted as a thought.

His eyes flew open and the Master's grinning face promptly greeted him. "Did you miss me?" the other Time Lord crooned.

He rolled his eyes, scanning his surroundings as he spoke and tensing when he saw no sign of Lyssa - or anyone else - in the circular control room. "Inasmuch as I miss the sensation of getting attacked by a swarm of carnivorous flies several centuries ago. Or maybe that particularly tenacious squid." He paused for a moment to think about it. "Actually, upon consideration, I think I prefer the squid."

"Now that's just hurtful," the Master pouted, his shoes producing a dull clink as he paced the hard metal floor. "And after all I've done just for you and your precious girl," he sneered.

The Doctor cast him a flat look, using the opportunity to subtly test his bonds. "Build a bridge and get over it," he said scornfully, borrowing one of the human phrases Lyssa was so fond of before changing the subject. "Where are we?" he asked, giving up on breaking out of his cuffs. They'd been made out of Gallifreyan zinc, one of the strongest metals in the universe - and, after what happened to Gallifrey, one of the rarest.

But who would better know how to restrain a Time Lord than another Time Lord?

"Don't you know already?" the Master pretended to look shocked. "And here I thought you were so very fond of robots filled with tiny cross people. I liked it so much I used it as inspiration. It's different enough from Cybermen that Missy can't claim I copied her."

He gestured to the large screens covering one wall, a row of controls set into the desk below. The black and white feed coming through the screens glitched occasionally, but seemed to indicate that they were looking out onto the stage, the other animatronics once more beside the one they were in.

The Master flipped something small and golden between his fingers, tossing it in the air long enough to draw the Doctor's attention to it before enclosing it in his palm. He smirked as the Doctor stiffened in realization, glancing at his bare left hand, a small white circle marking where the ring should be resting - where it had since he first put it on, several centuries ago.

"If you didn't miss me, Doctor, then perhaps you'll miss this a bit more." He shrugged. "Or perhaps not. You're always so interested in fairness," he sneered the word. "And I couldn't help but notice that Alyssa's fingers were so bare compared to yours. In the interest of equality, I think I'll give it to her, if she's still alive." He smirked. "After all, the poor girl's only human. She's not as good as you at sensing threats." He paused, glancing meaningfully at the Doctor. "Or lies."

The Doctor stared at him, fury burning white hot at the edges of his vision. "Every time we meet, just when I think you can't sink any lower, you continue to disappoint me," he snarled.

The Master grinned, though it was more baring his teeth than a gesture of joy. "I brought along my shovel just for you," he purred. He twirled his fingers and the ring disappeared. "But enough about you," he decided, strolling over to the controls. "I have a ring to share, a girl to dispose of, you know how it is." His fingers flew over the keyboard, inputting an array of commands. He finished and twirled around, eyes glinting with manic triumph.

"Playtime's over, Doctor. It's time for the Siren to rise."

The Doctor shuddered at the name, forcibly shoving down the memories that threatened to overwhelm him. "You know what will happen when we meet," he bit out, straining against his bonds. "Life would be in danger. All life. Every living thing could be wiped out the second we meet."

"And wouldn't that be glorious?" the Master hummed, appearing almost ecstatic at the very thought of it. "Still, it would be hard to rule a universe with no universe," he conceded. "I can't exactly rub it in your face if you're dead too. Which is why you won't be there alone," he added, assuming a nonchalant air as he tossed the ring carelessly about in the air before pocketing it once more.

The Doctor surged to his feet, fury coursing through every vein in his body as he lunged for the Master, only held back by the chains. And while the chains may have been made of unbreakable metal, the wall they were connected to was much less able to withstand the fury of a Time Lord as a crack formed in the base.

"Don't you dare. Bring her into this, and I will kill you," he swore, meaning every word of it.

The Master paled and stumbled back a few feet despite himself. "What happened to being a man of peace?" he tried to regain his bravado, though his sneer was too shaky to have much effect.

The Doctor held his gaze steadily. "He was dragged into a war started by another that threatened the whole universe and became a warrior," he stated grimly. He'd done it before. And he hated it, but he'd do it again. He would if he had to. "Sound familiar?"

The Master looked away first. "It doesn't matter anyway," he said, affecting a casual air. "We both know you don't have a choice. Where you go, she goes."

Yes, but he'd sooner give up every last one of his regenerations - however many he had - than drag the young Lyssa out there into what he was about to face. Although, he might have a way around that.

Ironically, he had actually come across it while working with the Teselecta and searching for a way for, if not both him and Lyssa, then at least Lyssa to survive Lake Silencio. And while it hadn't truly been needed then, given what had happened, it could be used here.

He just hoped she could forgive him.

"Oh, don't, I recognize that face," the Master complained with a scowl. "You're already plotting some way to get your precious girl out of here, aren't you?" He huffed. "It's not like I could use her anyway, she made that very clear that time with that redheaded girl." One hand came up to rub at his arm beneath his coat sleeve, and he winced at the touch. He noticed the Doctor's smirk and dropped his hand with a glare that quickly melted into his own malicious smirk.

"Well, I suppose if Plan A has failed, it's on to Plan... B," he emphasized the... name.

"I'll see you around, Doctor," he grinned, pushing back his sleeve to reveal a vortex manipulator and tapping at it. "Don't be late, I'd hate to start without you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Doctor's sonic, setting it pointedly on the control table, right in the Doctor's line of vision and thoroughly out of his reach. "But then, I'm just so terribly impatient."

And with that, he vanished in a flash of light, like a horrible mockery of Lyssa's jumps.

The Doctor grit his teeth, glancing longingly at his sonic before turning his baleful gaze on his chains. Unbreakable metal, pointless to even try without the sonic. He could pull them loose from the wall, maybe. But that would take time, time he didn't have when Lyssa was in growing danger with every second that passed, and Bria was already in the hands of the Master. And who knew where Scott was, if the Master had even bothered to spare him in the first place.

So if he couldn't break the walls or the chains... that left one (relatively) easily damaged point of connection. Or two, if you wanted to get technical. And he could heal himself quickly enough, it would only take a bit of regeneration energy.

He resolutely set to work, grimacing as pain radiated through his palm and up his wrist. Lyssa - any version of her - would not be impressed if she knew, and rightly so. But only if she knew what he'd done. He already had to hide so much from her just to preserve the timeline - a timeline he'd sworn an oath to preserve long ago when he graduated from the Academy. It had always hovered in the back of his mind even when blatantly flouting every other law they'd demanded he obey.

But the Time Lords weren't here anymore, with their rules of non-interference and cruel impassivity. And Lyssa, his wonderful fairy-girl with enough compassion for others in her one heart to easily match all he could muster with two, was. What was one more paltry omission to protect her?

After all, there was one important rule to remember above all others when traveling with the Doctor.

The Doctor lies.

A/N: Whoo! That only took a day and an age to get posted lol. There was a great response to the first chapter, thank you all so much for your support, and I'm so glad you all seemed to enjoy it! :)

Gallifreyan zinc is technically canon, according to at least one audiobook. It's recorded as the strongest metal in the Whoniverse.

Don't forget that the Master and Missy are two separate people in this story. Also, this regeneration of the Master is based off of Andrew Scott's portrayal of Moriarty in BBc's Sherlock.

Annd friendly reminder that Lyssa's mother is abusive - it does not have to be physical/leave bruises to be abuse, both neglect and verbal abuse - yelling, insults, constant demeaning, etc - all count as abuse, and they are wrong. Absolutely no one deserves to be treated like that, whether by a parent, a partner, or a friend.

I have no idea when the next snippet will be up, but I think I'm probably going to do 10's POV of Lyssa's first "kiss" in chapter 8 of Lost in Time. That one should actually be a drabble this time (Watch me write a 5k fic), but I make no promises lol. Also it should be fun delving a bit into what was going through his mind. ;D

Special thanks to everyone who's favorited and followed, and shout-out to everyone who reviewed! You guys are amazing :)

Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! And as always, please feel free to request any scenes you'd like to see :)

General Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who, just Lyssa.