Frantically, the Doctor pulled one arm free from the Valeyard's vice-like grip and, just in the nick of time, grabbed a handhold on the ledge, stoping him from falling in. But the Valeyard was less fortunate. Having lost his hold on the Doctor, he plummeted right down the infinite shaft, giving out a final horrific scream which echoed ghoulishly around the duct as he disappeared from view.

Catching his breath, the Doctor pulled himself out of the vent, just as its large hemispherical doors began to automatically close shut, its mechanism sensing an unusual amount of energy being poured into the Matrix. Seeing the charged ions still flooding into the chamber via the disseminator, the Doctor darted out of the building, dashed across the courtyard and threw himself through the Matrix door, which closed shut behind him. A second later, the snowflake-like ions began to pour out of the factory chimney, causing everything to glow a blinding hot blue. Then, unable to contain all the energy being poured in any longer, the entire Fantasy Factory was consumed in a colossal explosion!

For a few minutes, all was intense whiteness. Than, a figure slowly came into view. It was the junior Mr Popplewick, who had been spared being obliterated on the simple basis that he was not real in the first place. With a weary expression, he sadly surveyed the white void that had once been home to the Factory Factory, the place of ultimate perfection.

"Oh dear," sighed Popplewick. "However will I explain this to the proprietor?"

Then he began to smile as a silver lining came to mind. Explaining such disturbance on this scale would require a fair amount of paperwork to prepare and sort...

All had turned quiet in the courtroom as the members of the court pulled themselves together, relieved at having been so miraculously saved. As Peri, Mel and the Inquisitor surveyed the damage caused by the ions, the Doctor bounded in through the main doors and smiled as he saw that all was well.

"Ah. Now, let me see. Where were we?" said the Doctor modestly as he crossed over to the Inquisitor. "I was about to be sentenced, I believe."

The Inquisitor smiled warmly in gratitude. "All charges against you are dismissed, Doctor. We owe you an immense debt of gratitude."

"And, ahem, apologies for the, um, inconvenience you and your friends had been put through," added one of the peers in embarrassment, to which his fellow jurors muttered in humble agreement.

"Now then, once law and order have been restored, a new High Council will need to be elected," continued the Inquisitor. "Can I persuade you to stand for Lord President again?"

"Ah, very kind of you madam," said the Doctor shrewdly, clearly not keen on the idea, "but I really should return Mel to her proper place in time with my future self. Besides, I've a better idea."

"He's going to suggest you stand," clarified Mel.

"Indeed I am," smiled the Doctor. "And were there such a thing as an intergalactic postal vote, you'd have mine."

Peri laughed. "I shouldn't broadcast that, if I were you," she remarked to the Inquisitor.

"Oh, you could do me one small favour, if you would," said the Doctor as he remembered something.

"Simply name it," said the Inquisitor.

"When the Matrix is restored, you can do what you like with the Master, but exercise leniency with Sabalom Glitz. He's not beyond redemption."

"Just don't let him anywhere near the crown jewels," chuckled Mel as she, Peri and the Doctor strode out of the courtroom and into the reception area.

"Gallifrey doesn't have any crown jewels," remarked the Doctor as he fished out the TARDIS key and prepared to insert it into the lock of his time-space ship.

Peri gave an awkward shuffle. "Um Doctor, there's something I've been meaning to say. Since you're going to take Mel back to where she came from, I was wondering if... I mean, what I'm trying to say is..."

"You want to go home too, don't you?" said the Doctor with a sad, but understanding smile.

Peri looked surprised for a second, then she realised how the Doctor knew. "The Time Lords showed you my talk with Yrcanos in the cell, on that Matrix screen, didn't they? Do they always eavesdrop like that?"

"I'm afraid they can do, yes," admitted the Doctor.

"Are you sure you want to leave?" asked Mel.

Peri sighed. "Well, it's just that after Ravalox and Thoros Beta, I've been a bit homesick for my own time and place. I mean, I'd love to keep travelling in the TARDIS, but..."

"It's all right, Peri," said the Doctor reassuringly. "I understand."

"Mind you, knowing how temperamental the TARDIS can get, it'll probably be some time before either of us can get home," joked Mel.

"Yeah, you've got a point there," laughed Peri. "Well maybe along the way we can get a decent wig to cover up this bald head Crozier left me with."

"And while we're about it, we can all have a nice glass of carrot juice..." began Mel.

"Carrot juice?!" exclaimed the Doctor in horror.

"...and then we'll get you back on the exerciser."

Peri grinned. "Oh yeah, now that I've got to see."

The Doctor was perplexed. "You two are ganging up on me! You know, I think I was rash in turning down that offer of the Presidency."

He began to turn back towards the courtroom, but Mel tugged at his sleeve in amusement and the Doctor reluctantly led his two companions into the TARDIS. A few seconds later, the TARDIS gave the usual groaning noise of dematerialisation and faded from view, taking its passengers towards their next adventure.

The Inquisitor sighed as she heard the Doctor's TARDIS takeoff. It was a pity that the Doctor had no interest in being president, but then again, he might have proven to be quite insufferable to put up with in office. She began to lead the other jurists out of the adjourned courtroom, passing the Keeper on the way, who had his head bowed at her.

"Repair the Matrix, Keeper. Requisition anything you need," instructed the Inquisitor absently as she and the others marched out of the chamber.

"Yes, my lady," replied the robed figure. Then, once everyone-else was out of the chamber, the figure lifted his head. But while the robes were the Keeper's, the face was not his.

It was the Valeyard's. And the the cold, dark laugh he gave echoed ominously across the chamber...