A/N: I really like this episode, so I hope I did it justice. This takes place immediately after the previous chapter. I added a few things and changed a lot of other things, so I hope you guys don't mind.

I assume you've all seen Peter Capaldi's new outfit? He looks a lot like Three! (He's gonna be my new favorite. I can tell already.)

I ran my hand along the walls as I walked towards my room. Even though the walls of the TARDIS changed almost every time I walked through them, I still thought of them as home. I could feel the ship tremble beneath my fingers and smiled.

"Hey, Sexy," I muttered. "How are you, old girl?"

She hummed in response and flickered a few lights. I laughed and patted the wall, "Yeah. It's good to be home."

I opened the door to my room and stared at the empty walls. I remembered Nine's bedroom, with pictures of his companions and friends over the years, and wished I could have something like that in my room. Pressing my hand against the wall, I looked up at the ceiling.

"Can you hear me, Sexy? Can you hear what I'm thinking?"

The ship hummed again. I looked back at my walls and saw them shimmering. After a few seconds, the shimmering disappeared and on the wall next my bed were two new pictures complete with frames. I walked over to my bed and stared at the pictures in surprise.

The first looked like it had been taken from a camera in the wall and showed me and Three in the library, sitting next to each other on a couch and laughing. The other showed me with Eight in the console room, me holding my TARDIS journal for the first time and him sitting next to me and smiling. They both made my heart flutter in my chest and smile.

"Oh, Sexy," I breathed happily. "Thank you so much."

"Who are you talking to?"

I stood and turned around to face the Doctor. He was leaning against the doorway and smiling. "Oh, just the TARDIS. She put a few pictures up for me."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

He looked down at his hands and let out a shaky breath. "Can I... Can I come in?"

"Of course. Make yourself at home."

"Diana," he started slowly, fiddling with his hands as he walked towards me, "I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. About what happened. And that... I'm not as bad as I might have made myself look."

"I know that."

"I don't want you to think that I'm any sort of monster. It's just that I care for you very much."

I felt my cheeks flush red and I looked away from his eyes with a smile. "Well, I care for you, too."

Taking a deep breath, the Doctor stepped forward and took my hands in his. I looked up at him expectantly. "Did he hurt you? Badly? Did he do anything... inappropriate to you?"

"No, no. Nothing like that," I answered with a shake of my head. "I thought Kamelion was you and he brought me right into the Master's arms."

He brought my hands close to his face and looked over my wrists carefully. His fingers ran lightly over my skin and the feeling made the Master's face appear in my mind. My breath caught in my throat and I recoiled from the Doctor's touch.

"Diana? What is it?"

I ran my hands through my hair as I turned away from him. I kept my tears at bay, but the Master's face wouldn't leave my mind. He was smiling like he had when I fell and begged for mercy. His eyes sparkled with an evil intent that sent shivers down my spine.

"Diana. Darling, what is it?"

The Doctor's hands rested lightly on my shoulders. I grabbed at his hands and held them tightly, closing my eyes and trying to block the image of the Master from my mind. The Doctor rested his forehead against the back of my head and sighed.

"Is it him?"

I nodded once. "Yes."

"I never meant for this to happen. I never wanted him to do this to you."

"It's not your fault," I told him. "If I had just known what was going to happen, then he wouldn't have been able to take advantage of me. I should have tried to harder to get away-"

"Diana, it's not your fault either."

"Isn't it?"

"Look at me." I twisted so that I could look at the Doctor comfortably and waited for him to continue. "None of this was your fault. The Master tricked you. He's tricked me before. It's not wrong that you were fooled. How could you have known that it wasn't me, but Kamelion? I realize you don't know everything and that's perfectly normal. But don't blame yourself for something that couldn't have been prevented."

"So... You're not mad at me or anything?" I asked slowly.

"No. Of course not." He pulled me into a hug and laughed softly. "Never."

The TARDIS let out a long wheeze, telling us that she had landed. The landing was surprisingly gentle, to both mine and the Doctor's surprise. He looked down at me and smiled. "I've taken us to the Eye of Orion."

"Oh? Where's that?"

The Doctor pulled away and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of my room and down the hallway. "It's a planet. Oh, Diana, it's beautiful. It's the most tranquil place in the universe. Oh! But first, I have to do something."

"What?"

-page break-

"Can't you clean it later?"

"There's no time like the present."

I rolled my eyes. "Doctor, we're in a time machine."

"Yes, I know."

Smiling, I waved my hand and started towards the TARDIS doors. "Alright. Well, you have fun. I think I'll look around outside."

The Doctor flipped the lever that opened the doors, then turned back to start cleaning the console with a cloth. As soon as I stepped outside, the sound of birds whistling sweetly reached my ears. I looked up at the sky and saw fluffy gray and white clouds passing by overhead. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue and the sun, which was partially hidden behind a cloud, was shining just enough so that I had to narrow my eyes.

I saw Turlough sitting on a rock that was through a stone archway. He looked like he was drawing, so I decided not to disturb him. Instead, I walked to the other side of the small clearing and through another stone archway. The Doctor had parked the TARDIS on top of a hill where an old, ruined castle was. But the hill offered a view that was absolutely breathtaking. I wondered what the planet would be like at night, how many stars would be sparkling in the sky without any civilization-based lights to mar the view.

"I could stay here forever," I whispered to myself, sitting down on the grass and pulling my knees to my chest. "It's like something out of a Disney movie. A perfect sky, beautiful scenery."

There was a gust of wind that blew over the hill, but it wasn't cold. It had just enough of a chill, but wasn't so cold that I needed another jacket. Near the horizon, I could see a large group of trees swaying in the wind. The image made me smile and put me at peace. My worries felt like they were melting away.

After what felt like a blissful eternity of relaxing on the grass, I heard the Doctor call out my name. I sat up and ran over to where I had last seen Turlough. The Doctor was clutching his chest and grimacing. Panic struck me in the chest and I rushed to his side.

"Are you all right?" I asked as I supported him against my shoulder.

"Just a twinge of cosmic angst," he answered as a sharp pain shot through my chest. I ignored it and instead paid closer attention to him.

"Cosmic angst?" Tegan repeated.

"As if I'd lost something."

My eyes widened and I suddenly realized what was about to happen. His other selves were being taken from their time stream, as well as some of his companions.

"Doctor, we should go back into the TARDIS," I urged worriedly.

He shook his head. "No, no. It's fine." He cried out again and fell against me, one hand grabbing his chest and the other grabbing my shoulder.

"Doctor, what is it?" Tegan asked.

"It's fading. It's all fading."

I gasped as another sharp pain erupted in my chest.

"What's fading?" Turlough asked.

The Doctor groaned and closed his eyes. "Great chunks of my past, detaching themselves like melting icebergs."

But when he cried out again, I grabbed the arm around my shoulders and put my other arm around his waist. "Come on, Doctor. We're putting you inside the TARDIS and you're going to lie down."

"Oh, no. No, don't look so worried. I'll have it all worked out soon. Everything's all right. Everything's quite all right."

Then his legs gave out and he collapsed against me. I stumbled backwards and barely managed to keep myself from falling over. Just as Turlough caught me by the arm and steadied me, another painful sensation started in my chest. I hissed through my teeth and shook my head in an attempt to block out the pain. Tegan grabbed the Doctor's other arm and put it around her shoulder. Turlough put a hand on my shoulder as I wobbled beneath the Doctor's weight. He asked me if he should take my place, but I refused his offer. I was determined to take care of the Doctor as best I could.

"We need to get him back to the TARDIS," I said firmly.

"What's happening to him?" Tegan asked me worriedly. "What are we going to do?"

Turlough answered before I could say anything, "He seems to be under some kind of psychic attack."

The Doctor lifted his head slightly. "I am being diminished. Whittled away, piece by piece. A man is the sum of his memories, you know. A Time Lord even more so."

Tegan readjusted the Doctor's arm around her shoulders. "What can we do to help you?"

"TARDIS," he muttered. We were halfway to the TARDIS when he let out another cry and leaned heavily on me and Tegan. "I have to find, to find..."

"Find what?" Turlough asked.

"My other selves."

As soon as we stepped back into the TARDIS, the Doctor out her in flight. He stopped after the ship started to dematerialize and then fell backwards into Turlough's arms. I flew across the console room to the Doctor's side and kneeled next to him as Turlough placed him on his back on the floor. As I leaned over him, I felt the same horrible pain in my chest and wondered fearfully what was happening to me.

"Doctor?" I asked as I cupped his cheek. "Doctor? Can you hear me? It's going to be alright. I promise you. We're going to take care of you."

Turlough kneeled on the Doctor's other side and checked him for a pulse.

"Two hearts," Tegan told him.

Turlough shook his head. "Well, his body's all right. He just seems to be fading away. Why did he have to set the TARDIS moving? We were safe before he did that."

"I'm sure he knew what he was doing," I said as I sat back on my heels.

I had pulled my hand from his face mere seconds before the Doctor's body started to fade in and out. I wasn't sure what would happen if I touched him; would I be transported like he was? Was there a way I could help him?

"Doctor?" Tegan asked. Then the TARDIS jolted slightly. "What's going on?"

"We've landed.," Turlough answered.

I briefly looked back at the time rotor, then back at the Doctor. His eyes were fluttering open and closed as his body faded in and out. I started to reach out for his arm, but pulled back when he disappeared again. His body didn't return for a few minutes and I sat on the console room floor in worry, waiting for him to come back so I could make sure that he was safe.

"According to the instruments," Turlough began, "we're nowhere, in no time."

"The Doctor must have forgotten to reconnect something," Tegan thought.

"No. The instruments are all working perfectly. They just won't tell us anything. The TARDIS is paralysed."

"How did we get here? What do we do now?"

"We wait until the Doctor recovers."

"And if he doesn't?"

I looked up with a shake of my head. "He will be. I can promise you that he will be. If there's anything that I know for sure, it's that he'll be okay."

"Come on, Doctor," Tegan pleaded.

Turlough pointed to the spot beside me. "Hold on! Look!"

The Doctor reappeared very slowly, his chest rising and falling heavily. I hurriedly leaned over him to make sure that he was unharmed. I ran a hand through his hair, which made him open his eyes.

"Doctor," Tegan started worriedly, "what's happening to you?"

"I'm being sucked into a time vortex," he said haltingly. "Part of me there already. It's pulling the rest. I must send a signal."

"What signal?"

"I must send a signal. Find them. I must be whole."

"Doctor," I tried, "that doesn't help us very much."

He looked up at me, his brows drawn together in confusion. "I thought you knew everything?" he questioned weakly.

I smiled. "Details escape me at the moment, Doctor. I'm sorry."

Letting out a gentle breath, the Doctor grabbed for my hand and twined our fingers together. He turned onto his side and rested his cheek on my knee. "Help me up. Please." I grabbed his arm and helped him stand. He leaned heavily against my shoulder, one of his arms wrapped around my waist to keep himself from falling. He stumbled forward and reached for the console. "I've got to. What is it I've got to do?"

"You said something about a signal," Tegan suggested, taking the Doctor's other arm and placing it around her shoulders.

Turlough nodded. "About being whole."

The Doctor squeezed his eyes shut and hung his head. "Ah yes, of course. A recall signal."

"What's the signal for, Doctor? Who's it to?"

"His other selves," I told her. "His other selves are being taken out of their time stream and the Doctor has to call them back."

"I must send the signal," the Doctor said softly, his strength fading quickly. "They'll hear it. That'll bring them."

"Doctor, tell where the signal control is so we can help you," Tegan said.

He started to point. "It's, it's-..."

His legs suddenly gave out and he collapsed with his arms still around me and Tegan. I stumbled forward under his weight, only just managing to keep all three of us from falling over. Turlough came to my side and helped us adjust the Doctor so that he was lying down comfortably. I sat next to the Doctor and held his hand, hoping that in his unconscious state I could give him some form of comfort.

"He's only just about conscious," Tegan commented in a blank tone.

Turlough ran a hand over his jaw. "If only he'd managed to send that signal."

The TARDIS doors suddenly opened and the First Doctor and Susan walked in, followed by a woman. I stayed by Five's side, but watched the trio with curiosity. The woman gazed at me curiously as she came in close on One's heels. She had light brown hair with tiny streaks of gray that reached just past the middle of her back. She wore silver rimmed glasses that rested lightly on the curve of her nose and two necklaces, one silver and one gold. I couldn't see what was hanging on the chains because they rested beneath her shirt.

"Who are you?" Tegan asked.

"More to the point," One started, "what are you young people doing inside my TARDIS? And- My word. Diana, is that you, my dear?"

I smiled shyly and nodded. "Yes, Doctor."

The older woman gently grabbed the Doctor by the elbow and pulled him towards her. "Theta," she whispered. The rest of her sentence was in a language that I had never heard before, so I couldn't understand what she was saying. but her tone implied that she was scolding him.

"It seems that we have stumbled upon quite the conundrum," One said after the woman pulled away. "This is the Doctor's TARDIS, hm?

"Yes," Tegan answered. "He's right there, unconscious. Are you the one that caused this?"

"Tegan, he's going to help us," I told her quickly, not appreciating the fact that she suspected One even though she didn't know who he was.

Five suddenly called my name. I turned and gently cupped the back of his neck as he tried to sit up. His eyes fluttered open and closed before settling on something just behind me. "You're here," he said with great difficulty. "You're here."

"Yes, evidently." One stood behind me and put a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him and he gestured for me to help his other self stand. "Now, take it steadily, my boy, and let us help you up."

I stood and grabbed Five's right arm while One grabbed the other arm. We both pulled Five to his feet, although he had to lean very heavily against us. "I tried to send a recall signal," he mumbled.

One waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, it doesn't matter. How do you come to be here?"

"Well, the TARDIS was, uh. Well, I don't know."

"Never mind that," One said.

Susan tugged on her grandfather's sleeve. "Is he really-"

"Me?" One finished. "Yes. Yes, I'm afraid so. Regeneration?"

"Fourth."

One laughed, the idea amusing him greatly. "Goodness me! So, there are five of me now! Oh, um, this is Susan."

"Yes, I know. Hello, my dear."

"Grandfather?" she asked slowly.

"Yes. It's me."

Susan smiled and stepped forward to give Five a hug. I was glad that he could see her again and smiled when he rested his chin atop her head. I assumed he was trying to make the moment last as long as possible since he hadn't seen his granddaughter in so many years.

While they were embracing, One turned to Turlough and Tegan. "And, er, you two are?"

"Turlough."

"And I'm Tegan Jovanka. Who might you be?"

"I might be any number of things, young lady. As it happens, I am the Doctor. The original, you might say."

I smiled fondly at One. He smiled at me in return and nodded once in my direction. The woman who had entered with him and Susan walked up to me, putting a hand on my forearm. I looked form the Doctor to her, startled when I looked into her eyes and found that they were the same as mine. Then I knew.

"You're me," I blurted.

"From a long time into your future," she answered.

"You're still with the Doctor?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes. I stay with him for a very long time. After all the years I've spent travelling and fighting and seeing everything there is to see, I'm still with him."

"He never leaves you- or, us?"

"You know him. Always thinking he's not good enough. He tries to keep you safe. That's all I can say."

I nodded. "I understand."

My older self gestured to a corner of the console that had a few chairs. "Sit with me?"

I followed her to the two chairs and sat across from her. I noticed as she sat and ran a hand through her long hair that she wore a ring on her left hand. The setting was silver and was designed very elegantly. It looked very old, despite shining brightly in the light of the console room. The stone was a beautiful misture of fiery oranges and reds combined with purple and blue.

"Your ring is beautiful," I commented.

"Thank you." My older self gazed fondly at the ring and smiled, running her finger over the stone. "The person who gave it to me is very important. I treasure it above all other things."

I rolled my shoulders back, sighing when the bones cracked, and leaned back against the chair. "So... What did you want to talk about?"

"Well after all the years I've been seeing and doing things, I sometimes find it hard to remember small details. Not to mention the fact that my memories of this meeting were erased because of the mixed timestreams."

"They were?"

"Do you remember 'The Day of the Doctor'?" she asked.

"Yes. What about it?"

"We're sort of like that."

"Oh."

I found myself very amusing and found that over the many years my older self had been alive, her sense of sarcasm and humor had only gotten stronger and more prominent. And while I had been talking with my other self, the two Doctors had been talking as well.

"Well, what do you intend to do, young man?" One asked.

"I shall go to the Tower."

"But there could be great danger."

Five nodded. "Help me set up the computer scanner. We can at least see what is out there."

I looked back at my older self and she smiled at me. "There's not much I can remember and there's not much that I can even tell you, but I can say this." She paused, put her hand on top of mine, and said, "Go with him. Don't let him leave without you."

"Okay," I answered slowly. "I won't."

"Even if you- Even if you reach this Tower, what are you going to do?" Turlough asked.

Five scratched the back of his neck. "Er, release the TARDIS. The computer scanner's located the force field generator."

"I'll come with you," Susan said.

"I'd like to come, too," Tegan added.

I nodded and said, "Yes, me, too."

But One shook his head and stared firmly at me. "No. I think it would be safer if you were to remain here with me. Both you and Miss Jovanka."

Doctor, please let me come with you. I smiled a little shyly and clasped my hands together in front of my stomach. "I might be able to help. And, I really do want to stay with you."

Five gave his younger self a sideways glance and the two of them seemed to share thoughts for a moment. Finally, One sighed and nodded. "Very well, my girl. You and Miss Jovanka come with me. And Susan, I would like for you sto stay here."

"But, Grandfather," she protested, "I want to go with you, too!"

"I know you do, my girl. But it will be much safer for you to stay here. Themba will look after you."

Five folded his arms behind his back and stood on his toes. "Er, yes. Uh, now, you'll bring the TARDIS to the Tower as soon as I switch off the force field?"

"Of course," One responded.

"Yes, of course. Right, better get started. Time's running out." He turned the dial that opened the TARDIS doors and smiled when they opened. "Eureka."

Five nodded at Tegan and I and started through the doors, not waiting for the rest of us to follow. I looked back at One, who was speaking with my older self and offering her a sweet farewell in the form of a kiss on the cheek. She blushed and urged him to leave. I waited until One had left and said farewell to Susan to appraoch my other self.

"Stay safe," I told her.

"And you," she responded. "Stay with him, will you? Look after him. Both of them."

"I will. Of course I will."

Then I ran out of the TARDIS after Five, Tegan, and One. I heard the doors close behind me, but didn't stop to give the ship a farewell glance. I ran a little faster and caught up completely to the other three. One turned to look at me, but Five and Tegan continued to look forward.

"How are you?" he asked me with a kind smile.

"I'm... I'm alright. The only thing keeping me up and running right now is probably adrenaline. I'm pretty tired," I admitted.

One nodded. "Yes, I can understand that. You do have quite the hectic life."

"You could say that again," I answered with a smile. "Although, I am hoping that maybe I can have a nap and some food after all this is over."

"Miss Jovanka made some food."

"She did?" I asked curiously. "Funny. I don't remember that. Must not have been paying close attention."

The First Doctor chuckled and swung his walking stick once, then planted it in the ground. "You and your other self were busy having what I am sure was a very interesting conversation."

"I like her," I told him. "I mean, it's like she could be my best friend. It's just sort of... weird."

Before one or I could add another comment, there was a small cry from behind us. We all turned towards the source of the noise to see Susan a small distance away, resting on her hands and knees. I ran forward and stopped when I reached her, then knelt next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?" I asked worriedly.

She nodded. "Yes. Yes, I'm quite alright. I just tripped."

"You haven't twisted anything, have you?"

Susan shook her head and smiled. "No. But could you help me up?"

I grabbed her by her forearms and pulled her to her feet. She thanked me, but almost immediately hid behind my shoulder when both Doctors and Tegan approached us. One scolded her, his grumpy tone gentle yet firm, and then assured that she was in good health. Five, however, was very angry that she had followed us without his permission.

"I want you to go back to the TARDIS this instant!" he demanded.

"But I wanted to come with you, Grandfather! I want to help! I'm a Time Lady, I'm Gallifreyan. You know I can help."

"But this isn't safe. The only reason Tegan and Diana are coming with me is because there are two of me and I can protect both of them much easier with two of me. But Susan, my dear, I don't want you to get hurt."

"You don't want Diana or Miss Jovanka to get hurt either, but you still let them come," she protested.

"Please, Susan," Five tried, his voice gentler, "I just want you to be safe."

"I won't cause any trouble, Grandfather. I really won't!"

I smiled at the older incarnation and nodded encouragingly. He looked from Susan to me and then sighed. "Very well, Susan. Just promise you'll be careful. And that goes for both of you, as well," he added with a finger pointed in mine and Tegan's direction.

I mock saluted and winked. "Aye, aye, captain!"

Five rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand, pulling me along behind him. "Oh, do be quiet," he grumbled.

"You don't mind," I retorted playfully.

"Of course I don't."

Tegan stayed back to talk to One and Susan. I was glad that she was able to make friends with Susan and the younger Doctor and was also glad that I was able to be with my Doctor without anyone else around. I looked up at Five, who was staring straight ahead, and smiled. To my surprise, he turned and looked down at me.

"Yes?"

I shook my head quickly, feeling embarassed that I had been caught staring at him. "Nothing," I mumbled.

"Are you alright?" he asked after a moment. "And don't just say you are because you don't want me to worry."

"Yeah. I'm... just tired. Really tired. Can we go back to Orion after this?"

"Anything you want," Five assured me with a comforting smile.

"I need to rest." The memory of the Slitheen's claws around my neck and Susan's death still haunted me, even though I tried to push the thoughts to the back of my mind. "That's all."

The Doctor stayed silent for a few more moments, tightening his grip on my hand as we stumbled over a particularly rough patch of grass and weeds. "You know that I'm here for you if you want to talk."

I smiled and nodded, looking up from the ground and into his eyes. "Yes. I know."

He started to respond, but stopped when I tripped and fell. He lunged forward and brought his free arm under my back, only just catching me. I was staring up at him with wide eyes and with my hands gripping his shoulders. I exhaled softly and laughed nervously. The position we were in was completely cliché and romantic and was sending my heart into a nervous, thudding frenzy.

"Well isn't that lovely?" Tegan said in an annoyed tone.

The Doctor pulled me back to my feet and then stepped away, crossing his hands behind his back again. He smiled a little shyly and cleared his throat. "Well. We'll soon be there," he assured us.

Sussan finally broke the awkward silence and said cheerfully, "I'm finding this quite exhilarating."

Tegan rolled her eyes and sighed. "I wish I were."

I turned my head to look down the sloping hill on my left side and gasped when I spotted the Master. I had been so focused on less important things, like the Doctor's face, that I had forgotten about the Master's appearance almost completely. The Master smiled when I caught his eyes. "Doctor," he all but purred. "Diana. How lovely to see you both again."

Five turned to me and put a hand on my arm. "Wait here. All of you." He briefly kissed my forehead before walking calmly down the sloping hill.

"Is this man a friend of my grandfather's?" Susan asked.

I shook my head bitterly as the Master looked from Five up to me. He smirked and nodded once in my direction before looking back to the older Doctor. "No. Well, he was once a very long time ago. But not anymore."

Susan narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Well, they're talking as if they were friends."

Tegan pressed her lips together and sighed heavily. "That's what worries me," she said.

I watched as the Master pulled out his weapon from before, the one I thought was called the tissue compressor, and pointed it at the Doctor. Angered and afraid for the Doctor, I started down the hill at a fast pace that almost made me lose my balance. The Doctor turned to look at me, grabbing my arm when I reached him and pulling me against his chest.

"Diana, what the hell are you doing?"

I glared at the Master, repressing the series of chills that shot up my spine when he smiled at me. "I'm staying with you because God only knows what he'll do to you."

The Master nodded. "Quite right, Diana."

"No. Go back this instant. Stay with my other self and don't leave his side!"

The Master tutted and shook his head. "Now, now, my dear Diana. Don't leave just yet. As you can both see, I'm armed. I could easily kill the two of you if I wanted to."

Five narrowed his eyes and pushed me slightly behind him, keeping one hand on my waist. "And not humiliate us first? Oh, that isn't your style at all."

"I also have a recall device that'll take me back to the conference room in the heart of the Capitol."

"So you say," the Doctor replied. "I would prefer more positive proof of your credentials."

"One of your other selves took it from me."

"Do you honestly expect me to believe the fantastic tale you've just told?" Five retorted harshly.

Tegan suddenly cried out, "Doctor, look out! Cybermen!"

Five pushed me away from him and pointed to his other self. "Go back!"

I stumbled, but refused to leave him. "I'm not going without you."

He glared at the Master and said, "After you," then grabbed my hand and took off running after the other Time Lord. I looked over my shoulder to see One, Tegan, and Susan running away and silently prayed that they would be alright. Ahead of us was the Tower, still a distance away, and behind us came the sound of Cybermen and their halting gait.

"Halt!" called one Cyberman. "Halt, or you will be destroyed!"

A burst of energy suddenly shot past my head, hitting a large boulder just ahead of us and causing it to explode into smaller pieces. I brought my free arm up to block my head from the explosion. One of the rock fragments hit the Master in the forehead and another hit me in the arm and on the side of my face. The impact didn't knock me unconscious, but stunned me and made me fall to my knees.

Five knelt beside me, checking my face with worry written across his face. Then he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Don't move," he told me. "You might hurt yourself if you move too quickly."

Looking past me, he noticed something on the ground near the semi-conscious Master. I turned to see him grab a small, circular device with the Rassilonian seal on it. The sound of Cybermen stomping closer and closer sounded in my ears and terror struck my heart.

"You will accompany us," one of the Cybermen ordered.

The Doctor looked back at me, reaching forward to grab my hand, when the Master suddenly shoved him to the side. The Doctor stumbled and then disappeared, being transported to Gallifrey by the High Council. I lunged for the Master and beat my hands against his chest.

"Why did you do that?" I shouted, tears clouding my vision and falling down my cheeks. "He was trying to take me with him!"

The Master smiled and put an arm around my waist, effectively pinning me against his chest. "Yes, I know. And now I have you."

I scowled and shoved my hands against his chest. "Let me go, you disgusting creep," I demanded. "I won't let you handle me like..., like I'm an object instead of a person!"

He rolled his eyes and pushed me away so he could stand. I wiped my tears of frustration and worry away with the back of my hand and quickly got to my feet. I realized then that the Cybermen had come closer whilst I was fighting the Master. With a shriek of fear stuck in my throat, I turned and tried to run away before the Cybermen could kill or assimilate me. But the Master wrapped an arm around my waist and held me back.

"They'll kill you if you run," he muttered in my ear. "Stay with me and you'll live. Simple."

"Let go of me! I'd rather take my chances with them than let you protect me! Now get your hands off of me!"

"Would you really let them have at you?" he asked. "Would you? Are you sure that's wise, my dear?"

I looked back at the Cybermen and stopped my efforts to escape when I saw that they were pointing strange guns at us. My fear of them overrode my fear of the Master and I ceased struggling. I felt his arm loosen around my waist.

"A wise decision, I think," he said lowly.

"This is not the Doctor," the Cybermen with a particularly large gun said. "But the female is the Doctor's companion. She could be useful."

"Take them," another Cyberman instructed.

The Master held his hands up and smiled uneasily. "Wait! I've been looking for you."

"Kill him!" the second Cyberman ordered. "Leave the female."

"Wait," the Master insisted. "I'm here as your friend."

"Who are you?"

The Master smiled and bowed politely. "I am the Master, and your loyal servant."

An incredulous snort worked its way out of my mouth. The Master tightened his arm around my waist and put his mouth by my ear. "Try anything and I'll make sure they kill you, even if it means I lose your powers."

"The Doctor won't let you do this," I told him. "He'll stop you. I know he will."

"Not this time, my dear."

I smiled coldly and looked up into the Master's unfeeling eyes. "I believe in him. He'll stop you."

"I do not believe your lies," the Cyberleader said.

"What I have said is the truth." The Master smiled and held his arms out as he explained, "We've all been sent here for the same reason."

"To fight?" another Cyberman asked.

"No. To destroy each other for the amusement of the Time Lords. But you don't have to play their game. You can defeat them, gain your revenge, but only with my help."

"Explain," the leader demanded.

"Close by there's a Tower, the fortress of your enemies the Time Lords. It's well defended, but I can help you break in."

"And, what do you ask in return?"

"My life. My freedom. A chance to share in your revenge. To destroy the Time Lords."

"And what of the female?" the leader questioned. "Is she to assist you?"

The Master nodded. "Yes. And when I have helped you, you will give her to me."

"She is the Doctor's companion. She will be used to lure the Doctor to his death."

"No I won't," I protested. "You can't do this! You can't use me like this! I won't let you! The Doctor'll stop you, all of you."

"The female will be silent," the Cyberleader ordered. "She will be restrained and used to lure the Doctor to his death, then turned over to the Master's keeping."

"I won't!"

"She will or she will be eliminated."

The leader stepped away to speak with another Cyberman. I turned to the Master and grabbed him by the collar. "Master, you have to listen to me. They're going to kill us once we get to the Tower, so if you want to stay alive, we have to get rid of them. And I swear if you let them kill me-"

"Yes, I know," he said. "Now let go of me. Ridiculous girl."

I shoved him backwards and set my jaw. "Why can't you just leave him alone? You used to be his friend, Master. Why did that have to stop? Why do you have to set your heart on killing him at every chance you get?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you," he snarled.

"But can't you just leave him alone?"

"No, I can't! You and he both are always there, ready to stop me from my plans. Once your Doctor is out of the way, I'll be able control the universe through you and there's nothing you can do about it. So don't try and stop me this time."

The two Cybermen returned and the leader pointed at us. "You will guide us to this Tower."

The Master gripped my wrist and pulled me against him. "Don't try anything," he whispered in my ear, "or I'll leave you to the mercy of the Cybermen."

He kept his hand around my wrist as he led the Cybermen towards the Tower. I kept my lips pressed together, refusing to speak to the Time Lord, but wasn't able to pull out of his grasp. And even though I knew that Five would be alright, I couldn't keep myself from worrying about him.

"There," the Master said after about ten minutes of walking. "The Tower, as I promised."

I looked up from the ground and saw the Tower looming intimidatingly behind the large hill in front of us. I squinted and readjusted my glasses as I gazed at the cliff that stood next to the Tower. A small gasp escaped my lips when I spotted four figures at the top of the cliff and recognized three of them as Sarah Jane Smith, Jo Grant, and the Third Doctor. I saw Sarah approach the edge of the cliff, look over and point in our direction, then walk back to the Doctor, Jo, and the mysterious fourth figure.

"What is he doing?" the Master questioned absently, loosening his grip on my wrist slightly.

I saw the Doctor tying some sort of rope around a boulder at his feet. Sarah, Jo, and the other person suddenly rolled a large rock down the sloping hill. The Master tugged on my arm and pulled me to the side, suddenly losing his balance and tripping over a tuft of grass. The boulder whizzed past us as I fell on top of the Master, my arms flying out to grab onto his shoulders and his hands latching onto my waist.

We landed with a grunt and stayed locked together for a moment. Then I shoved at his chest and slipped off his torso. He looked over at me and smirked. "Why, Diana, I had no idea you felt that way for me."

"You can shut the-"

"Ah, ah. Keep it clean, my dear. You know how the Doctor and I dislike curses."

I narrowed my eyes and balled my hands into fists. "I swear, one day I'm going to knock your lights out."

"You mean on a day when your life doesn't rest in my hands?"

The Master had lead us to the entrance of the Tower, where One, Susan, and Tegan had entered only minutes before. He kept a firm grasp on my arm and dragged me along with him, telling the Cybermen that the Doctor was only just ahead of us and that they would soon be able to take their revenge. I knew that he would destroy them, but still felt a little worried that something would go wrong.

When we came across a darkened corridor, the Master stopped us and told the Cybermen to wait. Then he pulled me down the rest of the corridor to a corner. I struggled to look around the corner of the corridor and saw that One was tossing small coins in front of him onto the checkered tiles on the floor. "Diabolical ingenuity!" he cried when one of the coins was electrocuted upon landing. "Nothing happens until you reach the fifth row, half way, and then the entire board becomes a death trap."

The Master stepped out of the shadows, pulling roughly on my arm and making me stumble. "Our ancestors had such a wonderful sense of humor."

One turned and looked the Master up and down, sparing me a worried glance. "Do I know you, young man? And what, may I ask, are you doing with Diana there?"

Ignoring his second question, the Master answered, "Believe it or not, we were at the Academy together."

"Koschei?" the Doctor asked incredulously.

"I am the Master," he sneered, pulling me in front of him and chuckling when I nearly fell. "And unless you do as I say, she will be eliminated."

"What do you want?" Tegan asked.

"To help."

"That's the funniest thing I've heard all day."

The Master smiled. "Believe what you like, I should advise you to hide. I've got very suspicious allies close behind me."

"Allies?" Tegan repeated.

"Cybermen," I told her. "Now go. Hide!"

She and Susan nodded, grabbing the Doctor by the arms and pulling him out of sight. The Cybermen come around the corner and stared at the Master and I.

"Enter, but be careful," the Master warned. "The fortress of the Time Lords is at your mercy."

"Why was the main gate left unguarded?" the Cyberleader questioned.

I looked up at the Master and waited for his explanation. "Oh, the Time Lords believe that no one could survive the Death Zone. It's that sort of woolly thinking that'll bring about their destruction. Do you fear an empty room? Shall I lead the way?"

He released my arm and I rushed away from him, staying in the sight of the Cybermen but pushing myself against the wall so he couldn't grab me again.

"You will cross to the far side," the leader commanded.

"Very well." He walked all the way across the floor, then held his hands out with a pleased smile. "You see?"

He returned and walked over to me, taking my hand. I let out a frustrated noise and quickly pulled my hand away before his grip tightened. "Don't touch me," I snapped. "I've had enough of you."

"Fine. You try and get across on your own," he snarled. "In the end, I'll still have you and your powers."

In the background, I heard the leader instruct his company of Cybermen to cross. They were all electrocuted and killed upon reaching the fifth row of tiles. The leader turned to the Master and stared at him.

"You have betrayed us. Why?"

"Betrayed? No. Oh, I might have misled you a little, but the safe path across the board changes with every journey."

"You will show me the safe route, or I shall destroy you."

After jumping over the tiles, the Master reached the other side of the tiles. When the Cyberleader started across, he turned and fired at him. The Cyberleader let out a strangled cry, then fell over dead.

Tegan, Susan, and One stepped out of hiding and stared in shock at the Master. He merely smiled and raised a hand in farewell to the Doctor. "Try it, Doctor, it's as easy as pie."

"As easy as pie?" the Doctor repeated. "As easy as pie?"

"That's what he said," Tegan said in frustration, staring at the space the Master had once stood in.

"Grandfather, not pie," Susan exclaimed, "but pi! Three point one four one five nine two six five!"

He nodded and smiled. "Exactly. You find the safe path by using the mathematical formula pi. Oh, but the application, the application. Now, let me see, now. Hm... Yes, that's it!" He pointed to Susan, Tegan, and I. "You stay there, all of you."

After crossing in a specific pattern he had figured out in his mind, the Doctor reached the other side of the tiles and waved at us. "Now! Step here," he instructed, pointing to a tile with his cane.

"I hope you've got your sums right," Tegan said before stepping forward.

The four of us were walking through a darkened corridor. The dark had always frightened me, even after I had turned the age where the dark wasn't supposed to scare you anymore, and I found that I was completely terrified in that corridor. I also couldn't stop the images of all my other fears creep into my mind's eye. Susan had put her hand in mine and was kind enough not to say anything about the fear I was sure she could sense in me.

"Do you feel weird, Doctor?" Tegan asked.

"Full of strange fears and mysterious forebodings?"

"That's it."

"No, as a matter of fact, I don't. It's all illusion, child. We're close to the domain of Rassilon, whose mind is reaching out to attack us. Just ignore it, as I do."

"How?"

I looked expectantly at the Doctor. "Fear itself is largely an illusion," he answered. "And at my age, there's little left to fear. Hmm. No, there's nothing here to harm us."

When we reached the end of the dark corridor, there was a large chamber with a coffin at the opposite end. I recognized the room immediately and was glad that the end of the journey was nearly over. One walked over to the engraved stone in the middle of the room, letting Tegan, Susan, and I move to the other side of the room and rest for a moment.

"Ah, there you are at last, dear fellow," One said haughtily.

Confused, I turned and saw Three, Jo, and Sarah walk in. Letting out a cry of excitement, I rushed forward and threw my arms around his neck. He laughed and put his arms around my waist, holding me against his chest. "Hello, my dear," he said softly.

I buried my head in his chest and sighed. "I missed you so much."

"My dear girl, have you been away very long?"

"Well... Not really. I haven't seen you in this incarnation for a few days." He laughed and shook his head. I was grateful that he couldn't see my blush and continued, "I guess I'm just a little clingy."

"Of course you're not. And I don't particularly mind you missing me."

I rolled my eyes and pulled back. "Arrogant sod," I mumbled.

He pressed a kiss to my temple before stepping past me. One looked briefly over his shoulder at us before asking, "What kept you?"

Three 'humph'ed and gave his younger self a pointed stare. "What kept me? Of all the confounded arrogance."

"Never mind, never mind, you can tell me later. Come and take a look at this," One said with a wave of his hand.

"What is it?"

I decided not to follow because I wouldn't understand what any of the writing meant, nor could I remember what it said. So I walked over to where Sarah, Tegan, Jo, and Susan were standing and introducing themselves. I stopped short when I noticed a young woman with brown hair that reached middle of her back. She was wearing glasses that looked similar to mine, but weren't exactly the same. But was I found very interesting (and disturbing) was that her face looked eerily like mine, much like the other me that had appeared with One and Susan.

"Hello," she said softly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Hi."

"Do you know who I am?"

"I can guess." Then realization stuck me; I gasped and exclaimed, "You were the person on the cliff!"

She nodded and brushed her bangs out of her eyes with her left hand, which I noticed had two rings on it. "I remember this. Surprisingly."

"Surprisingly?" I asked. "Oh. The jumbled time streams."

"Yes, exactly."

I looked her up and down, taking in every detail. "You look great. I mean, really, really nice."

"Thanks. I got some help from a few good friends."

"The little fellow is perfectly all right, thank you very much!" Two suddenly snapped as he marched into the room. My other self smiled fondly as he hurried over to where his other selves were. I noticed that Jamie and the Brigadier had come in after him and I couldn't help but smile. "Of course I'm here. You don't imagine anything you two could do could stump me, do you? Let's have a look. What's this?"

He shoved the other Doctors aside and started examining the stone. I laughed along with my older self and smiled. The Brigadier and Jamie saw us and started in our direction. Sarah and Jo called Alistair's name fondly and he responded kindly with a smile.

"Oh, hello," Jamie said with a polite smile.

"Hi, Jamie," I said in time with my other self.

"Good heavens. It's Miss Smith, isn't it? And Miss Grant. No, it's Mrs Jones now, isn't it?" Alistair leaned forward and kissed Sarah on the cheek, then Jo, and smiled at Tegan. "Miss Jovanka. Don't ask me how we got here. It was like a cross between Guy Fawkes and Halloween. Who are you?"

Susan smiled sweetly and extended her arm. "Susan Foreman. The Doctor is my grandfather."

"Really? How very interesting." He looked over at me and smiled. "Oh dear Lord, three of you?"

My older self smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so, Alistair."

"Wait," I interrupted, "three?"

I saw my other self hanging back by the entrance, looking a little shy with a smile on her face. Her hair reached a few inches past her shoulders and her glasses were exactly like mine. She was watching the Doctors with a happiness that I was glad she had been able to find.

"How many of me are there?" I asked.

The me that was standing beside me laughed. "Oh, Diana. When you're my age-"

"When I'm your age? Blimey, how old are you?"

"A lady never asks another lady her age."

I rolled my eyes. "But you're me, you stupid-"

"Oi, who exactly are you calling stupid? You're me. Remember?"

"Oh, God," I said in shock. "Look at us. We've turned into the Doctor!"

My other self glanced at the Doctors and shook her head. "You're right. Isn't that sad?"

"He's rubbing off on us."

Meanwhile, the other companions were having their own discussion about the Doctors. "Oh, I know, I know," Sarah was saying. "Drag you through time and space without so much as a bye or leave, then leave you out when things get interesting."

"Or never say hello to you once you try and have a normal life," Jo added quietly. I put a hand on her shoulder and smiled warmly at her.

"My version isn't any better." Tegan added.

"Which one's yours?"

Tegan shook her head. "He's not here."

"He's on Gallifrey," I said in time with my older self. We glanced curiously at each other before laughing.

"I'm here," announced a dark voice that I hadn't been expecting to hear. "Please, keep calm and let me through. I must see."

I turned to see the person from whom the exclamation had come and raised my eyebrows. "Four?"

He looked up at me, his eyes widening significantly, and then smiled. "Well, well, well. Four of you, hm? The mind races, does it not?"

"Theta," scolded a young woman that looked much like me. She was standing behind the scarf-wearing Gallifreyan and had both her hands on her hips. "Behave."

"Is that supposed to be Grandfather?" Susan asked incredulously. "That scarf! It's absolutely ridiculous!"

"Wait til you see Six's rainbow coat," I responded with a laugh.

"Yes, yes. Of course, my dear," Four replied flippantly to my other self. He then eagerly approached his other selves and grinned wildly. "Now, let's see. What do we have here? I assume you fellows need help translating it, yes?"

"We've already translated it," Three snapped, one hand on his waist and the other resting on the stone. "Without your help."

"Nonsense. You've probably got it all wrong."

"My dear fellow," Two added with a smile, "we are quite capable of doing this on our own. Thank you very much, but your help is not needed anymore."

Four narrowed his eyes at his younger self. "Now see here, you... you cosmic hobo-"

"Just a moment!" Two protested.

"Young man," One scolded, "you certainly have terrible manners. Especially towards your own self."

Four narrowed his eyes. "Well, at least Diana actually likes me!"

"Nonsense!" Three snapped. "How could she like an arrogant-"

"Arrogant? Why, just look at yourself! You're nothing but an old dandy!"

The four Doctors erupted into arguing and squabbling. I looked at my other selves and they all looked at me. We seemed to share a moment of understanding where we knew what our other selves were thinking. At the same time, we all started forward to rein our respective Doctor back in. I went to One's side and put a hand on his elbow.

He stoppped mid-sentence, as did the others as their respective versions of myself drew their attention, and looked back at me. "Yes, my dear?" he asked.

"You'll never get anything done if you argue, you know."

"Well, he started it!"

I smiled and nodded. "I know. And he's a clotpole for being so rude. But, please Doctor, tell us what the translation is. We've got to contact your fifth self."

One gently patted my hand. "Of course, my dear, of course. You're quite right."

I pulled my hand back, sharing a quick glance with my other selves and smiling when they did. The Doctors all mumbled half-genuine apologies and avoided eye contact with each other. Then they looked back at my different selves and sighed.

I looked back at the companions who had gathered in a small group. Jamie, Tegan, Susan, and Alistair's mouths had all fallen open in shock, while Sarah and Jo just looked mildly amused. I realized that the picture of four Doctors and four different versions of me all interacting was probably a strange sight to behold.

"Well?" Tegan asked. "What does the inscription say?

Alistair nodded. "Yes, I'd quite like to know as well."

"Yes," Sarah added, "we've all been through a great deal to get here."

"I think that's the least you can tell us," Jo continued with a hand on her waist.

One nudged Two with his elbow. "You. Tell them."

Two nodded and cleared his throat, putting on a serious face. "It's Old High Gallifreyan, the ancient language of the Time Lords. Not many people understand it these days."

"Fortunately, I do," the four Doctors said simultaneously.

Alistair huffed and rolled his eyes. "All very interesting, I'm sure, Doctors, but what does it say?"

"That this is the Tomb of Rassilon, where Rassilon lies in eternal sleep," Three said.

Two nodded and added, "It also says that anyone who's got this far has passed many dangers and shown great courage and determination." He looked back at the stone and pointed to one of the inscriptions. "What does this bit mean?"

Three looked over his younger self's shoulder and said, "To lose is to win and he who wins shall lose."

Two, now clearly annoyed, rolled his eyes and looked up at his counterpart. "I know what it says. What does it mean?"

"It also promises that whoever takes the ring from Rassilon's hand and puts it on shall get the reward he seeks," One said with a hum of interest.

"What reward?" Sarah asked.

"Immortality."

Alistair raised his eyebrows skeptically. "What, live forever? Never die?"

"That is what the word means," Four responded condescendingly.

"But that's impossible," Jo responded.

Three shook his head. "Apparently not."

Two nodded. "It seems Rassilon possesses it now, and is willing to share it with whoever takes the ring."

"Thank you, gentlemen. That is exactly what I needed to know." I turned and saw the Master standing by the entrance. He was smiling wickedly and holding one of my older selves captive, pinning her arms behind her back and holding his strange tissue compressor tool to her head. "I came here to help you. A little unwillingly, but I came. My services were scorned, my help refused. Now I shall help myself to immortality and to the girl's powers."

One narrowed his eyes and took a step forward. "You should know by now, Master, that Diana's powers cannot be controlled even by her, let alone by you. Immortality is something that I shall never let you have, I'm afraid."

"You're hardly a suitable candidate," Three remarked cooly.

"For anything," Two added.

The Master pushed the compressor hard into my other self's neck and smirked. "The decision is scarcely yours. Once I kill all four of you, which will be quite gratifying to do, I will claim Rassilon and Diana's powers for my own."

Alistair, who had crept up behind the Master, tapped him on the back and smiled. "Nice to see you again." When the Master turned to face him, my other self ducked out of the way and the Brigadier punched the Time Lord in the jaw. My other self struggled free and into Alistair's waiting arms. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, fine," she answered. "Been through worse. Thank you."

I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair. "Well, it's certainly weird to see yourself being kidnapped," I mumbled. "Again."

While Tegan, Sarah, and Jo tied the unconscious Master at his hands and feet, the Doctors examined a control panel on the wall. My other selves had all gathered together and stood just behind their respective Doctors, watching in curious silence. "Well, I've reversed the polarity of the neutron flow," Three said, "so the TARDIS should be free of the forcefield now."

Two hummed and waved his hands in the air for a moment. "I'll try to get through to the Capitol, then."

"I'll do that," Four insisted.

"I'm perfectly capable of doing it without you, thank you very much."

Ignoring his remark, Four pushed his younger self out of the way and pushed one of the buttons on the control panel. The version of myself that had gone in with him smiled and blushed a little. She looked over at me and winked. Flustered and confused, I smiled awkwardly back at her and tried to understand what she meant.

The sound of the TARDIS materializing echoed through the chamber. I turned and saw that the ship had landed in one corner of the room and Turlough and my older self had exited the ship.

"Can you hear me, old fellow?" Two asked as the screen went from black to white.

"Calling the Capitol," Four said quickly, "calling the Capitol. This is the Doctor speaking."

"Well, one of them, that is," Two added dryly. "Can you hear me? Can you hear me, Doctor? Is there anybody there? Calling the Capitol."

"Yes, I'm here," Five answered, his face appearing on the screen embedded in the wall.

I smiled in relief, finally feeling able to relax knowing that the Doctor I had travelled with was safe.
"Ah, there I am," Four replied. "I mean, there you are."

"We've reached the Tower," Two informed himself. "We're all safe, and so is Diana. Well, all of them. The barriers are down and the TARDIS is here. And I say, we've made the most extraordinary discovery."

Five nodded. "I know what you have discovered. Do not transmit further. Stay where you are and touch nothing. President Borusa is arriving to take full charge."

"Touch nothing, indeed," Two mumbled grumpily.

"Who does he think he is?" Four asked in a tone that matched his predecessor's.

"He didn't want us to mention the Ring of Rassilon," One told his other selves. "Natural enough."

Three shook his head. "Something's wrong, you know."

Two rolled his eyes. "You haven't changed. Still finding menace in your own shadow."

"I feel the same," One said with a nod.

Four let out an exasperated breath and rolled his eyes. "Well, we'll soon see, won't we?"

Across the room where some very advanced looking equipment stood, Five and a Time Lord, who I guessed was the aforementioned President Borusa, appeared. I started to walk across the room towards Five, eager to give him a hug and reassure myself that we were both alright.

I noticed Tegan had smiled in relief when Five appeared and started to speak. "Doctor, are you all right?" she asked.

The other Time Lord held up his hand and glared at her, then at me. "Be silent. Be silent, all of you. Do not move or speak until I give you leave." I noticed that all the companions were frozen in place, but me and my other selves were still able to move. The president looked at the four Doctors by my side and nodded once. "Gentlemen, I owe you my thanks. You have served the purpose for which I brought you here."

"You brought us here?" Three asked incredulously.

Two narrowed his eyes. "He's after the Ring of Rassilon. He wants immortality!"

"And you were the one who didn't sense anything was wrong," Three snapped.

One ran a hand across his chin in contemplation. "He's a renegade. No better than that villain down there," he said in reference to the conscious Master.

"We can't allow it, you know," Two said.

Three nodded. "Yes, the Tomb was sealed for the best of reasons."

"And as soon as we're back to our own time streams," One added, "it must be sealed again. Permanently!"

The Doctors all to stepped forward, along with a few brave versions of myself. But the Time Lord raised his staff, which somehow stopped those that were advancing on him. Two, who looked very distressed, grabbed the hand of the older version of myself standing next to him.

"Doctor," he told Five, "we need you. Join us."

But One shook his head. "He can't. Some kind of mind lock. Fight it, my boy, fight it. Concentrate. We must be one!"

The first four Doctor closed their eyes and concentrated, while Five slowly walked towards us. When he finally managed to reach us, I held out my hand to him and he took it with a strained expression. The Lord President lowered his staff and narrowed his eyes.

"You see, Borusa?" Five asked, turning to face the other Time Lord. "Together, we're a match for you."

"Perhaps, but you will never overcome me."

Five smiled. "We don't need to. Soon, Chancellor Flavia will be here with her guards, or can you overcome the whole High Council?"

"Why not? I am Lord President of Gallifrey and you are the notorious renegades. We shall see who is believed."

A voice suddenly called out, "This is the Game of Rassilon."

I tightened my grip on the Doctor's hand and looked worriedly up at him. He smiled reassuringly at me and squeezed my hand in return. The Lord President walked over to Rassilon's coffin and leaned over it. Knowing that everything was about to go wrong for the Time Lord, I looked back up at the Doctor in concern.

I stood on my toes and whispered in his ear, "If he tries to gain immortality, he'll get stuck in some sort of time lock. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's not the immortality he's thinking of."

He nodded and responded in a hushed voice, "I assumed as much. But I don't think there's anything we can do to change his mind."

"Can't we try?"

"Who comes to disturb Rassilon?" asked the ominous voice of Rassilon.

One reached an arm out. "No, wait, my boy," he told the president. "That was the voice of Rassilon. It's out of our hands now."

"I am Borusa, Lord President of Gallifrey."

A giant head suddenly appeared above the coffin. The man was wearing an elaborate Gallifreyan collar and had a stern face. "Why have you come here?" the face of Rassilon asked.

"I come to claim that which is promised," the Lord President responded.

"You seek immortality?"

"I do."

"Be sure. Be very sure. Even now, it is not too late to turn back."

"Please, Lord President," I pleaded. "You don't know what you're doing!"

"Silence, child!" the president snapped harshly. "You are a pathetic human and I am a Time Lord. Your words mean nothing to me."

Rassilon raised an eyebrow. "And these others?" he asked.

"These are my servants."

"Is this so?" Rassilon questioned the Doctors and my other selves.

"It most certainly is not!" Three exclaimed.

"Of course not," the version of myself that had entered with Four snapped. "We're living, breathing people, not an arrogant Time Lord's property."

"Yes," Two agreed. "Don't believe him."

Five nodded. "It's nonsense."

"Don't listen to them, Lord Rassilon," One implored. "President Borusa speaks the truth."

"What?" I asked incredulously.

"You believe that Borusa deserves the immortality he seeks?" Rassilon asked.

"Indeed I do."

I turned at looked over at One in shock. "Doctor what are you doing?"

"What I must, my dear."

"He shall have it," Rassilon declared. "Take the ring."

"You know what'll happen?"

One nodded solemnly. "He must learn his lesson the hard way."

I shook my head. "But-"

"You claim immortality, Lord Borusa. You will not turn back?"

"Never!" the president declared, taking the ring from Rassilon's mummified remains.

"Then put on the ring," Rassilon ordered. "Others have come to claim immortality through the ages. It was given to them, as it shall be given to you."

I desperately pleaded with One a final time, but was too late. The faces of other Time Lords that decorated the side of Rassilon's coffin suddenly came to life, their eyes moving back and forth. Rassilon nodded and said, "Your place is prepared, Lord President Borusa."

The president cried out and clutched his head in pain. "No! No!"

"Doctor, please," I tried again. "Can't he be punished another way?"

The president suddenly vanished and his face appeared on an unoccupied portion of the coffin. His eyes flickered briefly before him and all the other faces returned to stone. Tegan, Alistair, Susan, Sarah, Jo, and Jamie all let out large breaths and started moving normally.

"And what of you, Doctors?" Rassilon asked. "Diana Scott? Do you claim immortality too?"

"That's very kind of you," Two, Three, and one of my other selves exclaimed.

"No, no," Four continued. "No thank you!"

Five gently released my hand and stepped forward. "No, my Lord. All we ask is that we be returned to our proper place in time and space."

"It shall be done," Rassilon replied. "The one who is bound will find the punishment of his sins in due time." The Master's body suddenly disappeared and I let out a breath in relief. "It is time for your other selves to depart. Let them make their farewells and go. You have chosen wisely, Doctor. Farewell."

Five turned back to face me and his other selves. "Did you know what would happen?" he asked One, who was chuckling.

"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry." He smiled and waved his hand. "I suddenly realized what the old proverb meant. To lose is to win and he who wins shall lose. It was all part of Rassilon's trap to find out who wanted immortality and put him out of the way. He knew very well that immortality was a curse, not a blessing."

Five nodded. "Well, now it seems we must part, just as I was getting to know me."

My other selves all looked at each other, then walked over to me. They smiled sweetly at me, some shaking my hand and some offering me hugs. The me who had come with Four smiled kindly and put a hand on my shoulder and the me who had come with One took my hand in hers.

"You're the one who started it all," the oldest me said. "And we want you to know that we have faith in you."

"No matter what happens," Four's me continued, "just remember that. The Doctor loves you. don't give up on him, even when he makes a mistake."

"And he will make mistakes," Three's me said.

The me who had come with Two nodded. "But don't hate him for that. He's just trying to take care of you."

"Themba," One called. The oldest version of me looked up at him expectantly. He waved his hand and smiled. "Come along, my dear. You too, Susan. It's time to leave."

Susan approached Five and gave him a farewell hug, then did the same to the other versions of her grandfather. She smiled and waved at the others. "Goodbye, everybody," she said.

"Goodbye," everyone responded.

Two came over to the group of me's and took the hand of his Diana. "Time to go, my dear. Jamie, Brigadier?" He walked my other self over to the others and smiled politely at the other companions. "Well, goodbye."

One, Susan, and the oldest me all joined hands and a strange, yet pleasing thought came to mind: they looked like a family. Their bodies started to shimmer and fade away and they were gone within seconds.

Two looked at his third self with an annoyed smile. "Goodbye, fancy pants," he grumbled.

"Scarecrow," Three retorted.

"Doctor, don't you want your coat?" Alistair asked, holding up two's bulky and furry coat.

"Yes, please. Bring it along, would you, Brigadier? Now, Diana, Jamie, come along."

"Goodbye, Doctor," Alistair responded.

Five smiled fondly at the Brigadier. "Goodbye."

Alistair smiled and let out a gentle breath. "Doctors. Splendid fellows. All of you."

I felt tears well in my eyes at the bittersweet farewell. I looked over the Brigadier as he walked over to Two, Jamie, and my other self and felt a twinge of sadness in my heart as I noticed the many gray hairs on his head; he was getting old. The four of them started to fade away before disappearing completely.

"Goodbye," Alistair," I breathed sadly, hoping I would see him again very soon.

Three looked over at me and smiled. "Goodbye, my dear. All of you. Do try and stay out of trouble."

"I will," I responded simultaneously with my other selves.

We looked at each other in surprise and then laughed. Three's me kissed me on the cheek and smiled at me. "Take care of yourself. And just remember, like I said, he just wants to take care of you."

I nodded wordlessly and watched her walk over to Three, take his hand, and smile. Jo and Sarah walked over to the two and stood silently behind them. Three smiled and at Five and pulled my other self's hand to his chest.

"Well, goodbye, my dear chap," Three said pleasantly. "I must say, I've had the time of my lives. Haven't we, Sarah Jane, Jo?"

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Have we? Well, I only have one life and I think I've had too much already."

Jo nodded. "While I have missed this life very much, I also miss my husband. And I am ready to go back home."

Jo shook the older Doctor's hand. "I hope you have all the fun in the world, Doctor. And please, don't forget about me. Come and see me every now and then."

"Oh, Jo, Sarah," Five answered with a sad smile and a shake of his head. "My dear friends. I could never forget either of you. Ever."

Sarah smiled at Five and held out her hand. "Goodbye. Um, it was really nice meeting you."

"Thank you, Sarah Jane," Three answered for his other self. "It was nice meeting you, too."

"What?"

Three, Jo, and my other self all smiled. "I'll explain later," Three responded.

"Oh. Fine. And, Doctor?" she asked, turning to Four with a smile. "Goodbye. Thank you for K-9."

"Oh, Sarah. You're ever so welcome."

"You didn't forget me," she said.

"I never could," he responded honestly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Three and his companions disappeared. I watched him go in disappointment, wishing I could have had a moment alone with him. But I was more than grateful that I had been able to see him again.

Four then waved my remaining self over. She smiled and ran to his side, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest. I felt my jealousy melt into adoration as Four smiled genuinely and pressed a kiss to her temple. He looked at Five and nodded once.

"Farewell," he said simply. "Until we meet again."

"Until then," Five responded. "Take care of her. I know-"

"Yes, I'm sure you do. But spoilers." Four tapped his forefinger against the side of his nose and grinned wildly. "Goodbye, Diana. And, uh, be careful, won't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I will. I promise."

Then Four and his Diana faded away, their arms wrapped around each other in a gentle embrace that warmed my heart. Five turned to me with a smile and a sigh. I rushed forward into his arms and closed my eyes as his arms came around my back.

"Are you alright?" he asked me. "The Master-... I could kill him."

"Don't," I protested. "I'm fine and I don't want you getting violent on my account, of all things. Just... let me hug you for a second."

A dizzying sensation suddenly overwhelmed my senses. I groaned in discomfort and pulled back a little so I could look up at the Doctor. He glanced curiously at me, offering me a half smile. "Something wrong?"

"I feel dizzy."

"Why don't you sit down?"

He moved his arm to my waist and helped me walk to the TARDIS, waving to encourage Tegan and Turlough to follow us. As soon as I stepped into the TARDIS, I lost my balance and fell against the Doctor's chest. He gently moved me so that he could easily hold me in his arms, then picked me up and carried me over to the small sitting area in the console room.

"I'm fine," I protested. "Doctor. Put me down."

He placed me in one of the chairs and gingerly tucked my hair behind my ears. "Is it worse? Better?"

I felt a strange tugging sensation in my chest. Bowing my head, I answered, "I think this is goodbye. For now."

"Oh."

"I'll see you again, won't I?"

The Doctor's hand came under my chin and brought my head up. He looked down at me and smiled. "I promise you will."