STORY DETAILS:
Disclaimer: Doctor Who and all its characters don't belong to me. This story is strictly for fun and exploration. However, Missy/The Fighter does belong to me since I created her in 2013.
Spoilers/Warnings: This story will incorporate things from Classic Doctor Who and it's EU. What to expect from this story: Friendship, Romance, Family Drama, Childhood Friends, Blossoming Romance, Sister like relationship, Lungbarrow brothers, Great Houses of Gallifrey, Character Exploration and Development, Mystery, The Deca, Plot Twist in Classic Doctor Who Fashion, The Master having a wife, Gallifreyan Culture and Time Lord Culture, Friendship problems, Relationship problems, plus much angst and tears to come.
Pairings: The Master/Koschei x Missy/The Fighter (Main Romantic Pairing), The Doctor/Theta x Missy/The Fighter (Friendship Only.)
Triggers/Warnings: Depression, Grief, Loss, Murder, Trauma, and Family Feels.
Universes this story will be following:
It's mostly my original take on the Academy Era of the EU's with some twists of Classic Who elements in it, especially from Time Lord culture.
ABOUT THE FIGHTER OF GALLIFREY SERIES/CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
It is optional for you to read the Prequels/Companion Pieces taking place in the Classic Who era, but not mandatory for you to understand everything that will be presented in 'The Last of the Time Lords.' However, a little extra bonus info, backstory and adventures isn't so bad. And I really love writing it out. Thank you for taking the time to read it if you do.
Prequels/Companion Pieces (optional):
0. Running Away from Gallifrey - Academy/1st Doctor Era - Master/OC (YOU ARE HERE!))
1. The Exiled Time Lords - 3rd/4th Doctor Era - Master/OC (in progress - hiatus - posted)
2. TBA - 5th Doctor Era - Master/OC (not yet started)
3. TBA - 6th/7th/8th Doctor Era - Master/OC (not yet started)
Main Stories:
1. The Last of the Time Lords - 9/10/11/12/13 Doctor Era - Master/OC (in progress - posted)
Running Away from Gallifrey
Chapter 1: The Beginning
She held her breath, anticipating the moment. Today was the day.
The initiation ceremony.
There were three reactions any Time Tot was sure to have when looking into the raw fabric of time itself: the most favored was being inspired, the next one was running away, and the worst of them all was going mad.
Missy was terrified of that last one. Thanks to the Morbius Crisis — an event that resulted with a former member losing his mind and being exiled for it. However, there was no mistaking that a certain 'madness' ran in the members of Dvora.
She just hoped it wasn't in her.
"Missy of House Dvora."
Okay, this is it.
Gathering what little courage she had, the Eight year old followed the initiators in her ceremonial robes through the darkness of the Drylands, lit by the torches. Spotting the Seal of Rassilon ahead and the Untempered Schism just above it, she braced herself for what would follow. Finally willing her brown eyes to glance into the swirling vortex ahead, she suddenly became transfixed there.
She saw different sights. Gallifrey, the seven systems and different worlds. It didn't make sense, but it was beautiful. She saw the stars and everything beyond it.
There were faces, so many different faces that flashed before her, and some that remained the same, but aged. She felt some of them were her.
And just when Missy started to think this would be easier to get through than she thought, that was when the vortex started to change and present something else. Pain. Nothing but pain. Loneliness. Grief. Anger. It suffocated her, almost making her turn to start running away from it all.
But then, she started to see a light shine through it all as it started to show time itself and how it spiralled, making its own path in a way no one could control, making a change in others lives — whether good or bad — and continuing on despite the pain or challenges.
She heard it's message for her, and felt inspired by it.
Walking the halls of the Prydonian Academy, Missyleanadvoralundar took in the sights of what would be her new residence for the next centuries to come. Holding the paper with directions to her shared room, she glanced back at it with confusion, finding herself lost before a voice made her jump in surprise.
"Do you need help?" She spun around to notice a boy with blonde hair. "Sorry, didn't mean to frighten you." He smiled.
"Oh yeah, she's definitely lost." smirked his dark-haired friend.
"I'm Theta Sigma of House Lungbarrow." He motioned to the boy who stood off to the side silently. "This here is Koschei of House Oakdown, my best friend."
The female greeted them formally. "I'm Missy of House Dvora."
Both boys' eyes went wide, a typical reaction whenever someone heard of the name Dvora. Her house was the most powerful and richest of the noble houses on Gallifrey despite the controversy of the 'Morbius Crisis.' Oakdown happened to follow in second place, much to the annoyance of their house members, causing a tension between the families for centuries.
Koschei whistled, mockingly. "Ah, we have a famous Dvora in our midst."
"I'm hoping there will be no bad blood between us." Missy said, addressing him.
He shook his head, smirking. "I'm not like my family."
Seeing things would be okay, Theta glanced at the map in her hands. "You're looking for Room A-2B. It's this way. We've just come from that direction. I think I saw your roommate already bringing in her things."
"Thank you!"
Without another word, she followed behind him as they walked down the hallway, making their way to the room. It was the perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other before the massive meeting for all the students later on at dinner.
Koschei walked beside her, cocking his head slightly. "So, have we found our first person to convert to our ways, Thete?" The smirk never leaving his face.
This caused the blonde to crack a look of confusion. "What?"
"He didn't mean anything by it." Theta stepped in to explain. "Kos and I have known each other before joining the Academy."
Her face started to soften. "Then you're already ahead of the game."
Everyone knew that the Academy's initiation dinner was when everyone could get the chance to meet others who would either become their friends, classmates, and a chance to talk about their personal reactions with the Untempered Schism. It was pretty rare for a time tot to already have a friend unless they were cousins, and these two weren't that at all.
"Lucky for you, you're our first recruit." Koschei pointed out.
Missy stopped in her tracks, raising an eyebrow at the two boys. "And what exactly am I signing up for? You've got to tell a girl the details before I officially sign the contract, ya know."
Theta grinned cheerfully as the two friends exchanged equally mischievous looks. "To join our band of misfits and troublemakers of course."
She couldn't help but chuckle over this. "It's not even the first day of classes yet and you two are already planning out how you're going to behave for the rest of the century? Isn't that kind of dangerous?"
"No, we just-" paused the blonde boy nervously, trying to find his words. "It's supposed to be fun. There will be no danger involved."
Koschei stepped in, obviously being the confidence for his friend. "Oh no, it looks like we have a goody-two-shoes here, Thete." he said, giving her a challenging look. "Afraid of a little fun?"
Missy just looked at him, unfazed despite the emotion in her voice that gave her away. "Far from it, actually. I just don't want you two getting yourselves kicked out of the Academy before you even start." She grinned playfully.
This caused both boys to glance at each other with surprise. Koschei having suddenly lost his confident streak. "Well, like anything, I'd go about it with a sense of intelligence, so the possibility of that ever happening will be slim to none. As for you Thete…" he patted his friend's shoulder. "The best of luck to you."
Theta looked greatly offended. "Wow, glad to see your faith in my abilities."
Missy chuckled at his sad look, realizing that she could get along with these guys quite well. Collecting herself, standing up tall, she cleared her throat. "Fine, I've decided - I'll accept your offer of friendship, but as long as we follow his example." she said, pointing at Koschei.
Finally making their way to the room, they found the door to be wide open with someone already in it. They were greeted by a blue haired female rummaging through boxes. Missy lightly knocked to get her attention.
"Ah, hello." she said, glancing up before noticing the three. "You must be my roommate?"
Theta awkwardly cleared his throat. "That's her. Koschei and I are just the ones who helped her find her way."
"I'm Missy of House Dvora." The blonde nodded in greeting with a small smile.
"I'm Millennia of House Brightshore!" the girl said warmly, before ushering her inside. "Let's get you settled in. It looks like they've already brought up your stuff. Your room is across from mine on the left there."
"Okay, let me say goodbye to my friends real quick." Glancing back to the two boys standing outside in the hallway, she couldn't leave them hanging. "Thank you for helping me."
"Please, call us Theta and Koschei."
"If you're going to be our friend, you're going to have to follow the rules." the Oakdown boy pointed out with a smug smile, prompting Missy to give the same.
"And here I thought you said we wouldn't be following the rules?"
"Who says we are right now?" After all, they were standing outside of one of the girls dormitories, not that gender mattered all that much to Time Lords, but there were certain formalities to take place and a whole long list of rules to follow, some she was already certain they had started to break.
Missy gave them one last smile, grabbing the door. "Then let me be the first to break your rules and start it off right. I'll see you and Theta later at dinner." And with that, she shut the door on them, leaving both boys to exchange smiles over their newfound friend.
They would get along perfectly.
It was already obvious at this point that Koschei was the brains behind the operation, and Theta was the support. Spending time with these boys would prove to be dangerous, and probably result in expulsion somewhere down the line, but there was a certain air of fun and excitement it brought to the dull and boring eternity of Time Lord life.
And it was a risk she was willing to take.
Time had passed since that day, and with it, the friends had grown closer to each other. Spending every day with Theta and Koschei proved to be an adventure in itself. Despite the fact they ended up landing themselves in detention at times, they at least shared the same class with Professor Borusa and aged the same now having the physical ages of 17 despite only being in their hundreds.
In that time, they had also learned a lot about each other. It was clear to anyone around them that they were a well-oiled team, balancing each other out and helping the other where they needed it.
Even on nights like this. Like clockwork, the usual knocks on the dorm door would be from the boys, coming to collect her.
"Hey, Missy, it's your boys again." Millennia said from the front room, having started to grow used to it by now and letting it slide, although continuing to be the mom friend she was.
"Thanks Millennia!" Popping her head out from her room, Missy quickly ran to the door with a smile, answering it.
She was greeted with Theta frowning in defeat as Koschei tried to reassure him. "Hey Missy, guess who needs our help again." The Oakdown male said, pointing to their blonde friend.
A look of sympathy crossed her face. "What's wrong this time?"
"I'm going to fail this weeks exam." he cried with exasperation.
Koschei and Missy exchanged a look before she nodded, running to go grab her supplies and everything needed. She turned to address her roommate. "I'll be back, Millennia."
"Same time as usual, I take it?" she cracked a knowing smile.
"Yep."
"I'll keep the door unlocked then for when you get back."
"Thanks."
Once she shut the door, Missy turned to see Theta give a sigh, dropping his sudden act. "Aww, did she already start to catch onto our act?"
"Afraid so. In fact, she caught onto it last week. I would have told you, but I wanted to see how many more excuses you could come up with." Missy said, chuckling.
Theta mocked hurt. "I think we've trained her a little too well in our ways."
Koschei smirked proudly. "I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, she's doing far better than you, Thete, and not just in class."
"Watch it, Koschei, I might even give you a run for your money too." she grinned playfully before sticking her tongue out at him.
He chuckled, finding her remark amusing. "Let me know when you do."
There was no mistaking the flutter in her hearts when his blue eyes connected with her brown ones, feeling a sudden rush of warmth come to her cheeks. Without expecting it, Missy had started to develop feelings for the Oakdown boy recently.
He was so charming, brilliant, confident, caring, and dare she say, rather handsome. Sure, there was that connection she had with Theta that she could only describe as pure friendship, instantly trusting him, but there was something far more with Koschei.
It had snuck up on her and taken her by hold, practically taking her breath away anytime she looked at him or heard his voice. It was thrilling and intoxicating. However, she wasn't sure if he felt the same. It was hard to tell apart from their usual teasing and playful banter with each other.
Making their way to the rooftops of the Academy, they opened the door to greet the cold, night sky, looking in awe at the stars and distant galaxies twinkling above. This was one of the places they would sneak off to every now and then after hours to get away from it all. And no matter how many times, it always amazed her.
"Someday we'll be able to go out and experience it for ourselves." Theta commented, noticing her face.
Koschei came up beside her, pointing to his mouth. "You're drooling, Dvora." he teased.
Her face instantly became bright red, trying to fix her appearance. Both boys couldn't help but chuckle over it. "Don't tease her for it, Kos. You know I've done the same before."
"Y-Yeah. Why do you always pick on me?" she nodded, blushing.
"Because you let me."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "You wish!"
"You know me, I can't help but point out the truths everyone refuses to see in themselves." Koschei leaned his face towards her, smirking smugly. He knew exactly what he was doing and didn't mind it one bit.
Sometimes it was as if he liked challenging her because he knew she wasn't one to back down unlike Theta. They were both too stubborn headed for their own good. It was like fire playing with fire between them.
It also didn't help that he was right: she let him egg her on. After all, he liked it.
Theta sighed, rolling his eyes. "Aw, come on, will you two stop bickering for once? I just wanted to have a relaxing night, watching the stars with my best friends."
The two paused, looking at him before Missy decided to appease him. "Sorry, Theta." she said, making her way over to the blonde, sitting next to him.
Seeing her easily put it aside, Koschei scuffed. "Goody-two-shoes."
"Koschei!"
"Okay, okay." he said, putting his hands up in defense before joining his friends side to look upon the stars.
Missy started to lay back to get a better view of the stars, not minding if her backside and hair got messy on the dirty ground. She just wanted to feel like they were already floating around in space, taking in the beauty the universe had to offer outside of Time Lord Civilization. "Do you think we'll really be able to see it all someday?" she whispered softly.
Theta hesitated. "No doubt."
"At least once we learn to operate a TARDIS." chimed in the Oakdown heir.
"Which reminds me…" sighed Theta, "I actually wasn't kidding about failing this week's exams. I mean, Borusa is going to give it to me for sure! At this point I'll never be able to operate a TARDIS if I flunk this one."
Koschei sighed, rolling his eyes. "You're being overdramatic, Thete. It's not like you haven't played catch up before."
"Yeah, he's right. Besides, with my studying skills and Koschei's academic brilliance, you'll survive like you always do." she patted the Lungbarrow male's back encouragingly.
However, it didn't bring comfort. "It's not going to be that easy this time. You're going to either have to leave without me or drag my ass along."
Missy and Koschei exchanged similar worried looks over their friend before she consoled him. "Oh, Theta. You don't give yourself enough credit. You're brilliant and kind, that in itself is a power. Besides, we know you're smarter than you come off as. Just put that brain to it and you'll pass."
"You really think so?"
"I know so." she smiled. "Besides, Koschei and I will help you as always."
Wipping away his tears, Theta smiled happily. "I'm so lucky to have friends like you!" he said, flinging himself towards the blonde, taking her into a hug. "Thank you, Missy."
She patted him back awkwardly, glancing up to see the unreadable look on Koschei's face. Now it was his turn for a hug as Theta came towards him, causing him to sigh. "You're hopeless, but that doesn't mean I won't help you."
His brown eyes sparkled, happy to hear those words. "Thanks friend."
"No problem, Theta." Koschei cracked a smile.
Pulling back from their hug, they cleared their throats, seeing the way Missy was looking at them with a huge grin. "Oh, my boys! If we ever do take our place in the universe, I fear it may have to watch out."
"We'll be an unstoppable team."
"Maybe that's why it keeps trying to pwn me in class." Theta commented innocently.
Koschei and Missy shot him a ludicrous look as the Oakdown male sighed, shaking his head at his comment, causing Missy to laugh.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's going to be noted a lot through this series on how much of a perfect team these three are.
In fact, it's an essential thing.
The Doctor is the Sherlock of the group, the Master is his Moriarty of course, and the Fighter is the Irene Adler of them. Not to mention, the whole Healer/Leader/Fighter roles they play to make said perfect team.
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