Chapter 4

The Doctor kept her eyes closed as she entered the ever-changing world of the Matrix. She knew whatever was seen was nothing more than an illusion, but all the same she kept them shut. She was less likely to fall under its spell if she couldn't see it.

"Concentrate, Doctor.' she thought. 'Concentrate. Don't fall for the illusions. Deny this reality.'

She felt something touch her shoulder. Startled, she reacted on impulse. She turned and felt her fist connect to something solid.

"Ow." said The Master. "What did you go and do that for?"

He was hunched over, holding his jaw. The Doctor's shock was replaced with pride. She had been wanting to do that for quite some time.

"You should've known better. It's bad manners to sneak up on someone."

He stood up and adjusted his coat. As he did, she was shocked to see...nothing. Unlike her previous trips into the Matrix, there was no grand illusion. No cities, no trains, no beaches filled with quicksand. Just an endless grey abyss.

"What is this?" she asked aloud. "Why are there no illusions protecting this place?"

The Master looked smug as he pulled something out of his coat. The Doctor recognized it as the same key he used to access the Matrix.

"The Key of Rassilon", he said, holding the key up high. "Allows me unlimited access to the Matrix and all its secrets."

Now it made sense. The Master had used the Key to dispel the protective countermeasures that kept rogue Time Lords from obtaining forbidden knowledge within the Matrix.

"I snuck in here," he began. "And started playing around, no real plan in mind. I just wanted to mess with the higher ups. But then, I got a bit lost. While browsing, I came across this place. I realised that here, I could access the thoughts and memories of all the Time Lords that came before us. Sort of a front row seat to Gallifrey's past without breaking any of those annoying rules. So I grew bold. I decided to go back further, and further, and even further until finally, I came to the very beginning. The Creation of the Time Lords and the Lie of the Timeless Child."

The Doctor flinched. There it was again. The Timeless Child. The Remnants mentioned it on Desolation, and then The Master after that business with the Kasaavin. It seemed like no matter where she went, the Timeless Child would be at the back of her mind.

"Who are they?" she asked. "The Timeless Child."

The Master looked at her stoically.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked. "Because once this secret is known, it can never be..."

"Don't play games with me, Master." The Doctor interrupted harshly. "I have already come this far, listened to you prattle on like a child, walked through the remains of my home, and have yet to properly mourn the loss of a really good friend. So I am really not in the mood. Show me what you found. Now!"

"Alright", replied The Master. "But don't say I didn't warn you."