A/N: From this chapter onwards there will be flashbacks in italics featuring the sixth Doctor as portrayed by Colin Baker and the Master as portrayed by the late Anthony Ainley.
The Doctor ponders on how much this war has changed Emperor Vespax. In a way it seems to him that Vespax has come full circle. When he first met him the young Emperor came across as conceited. In actuality he was damaged by the dynasty of a cruel family. Vespax had came into the Doctors life when he had been sent reluctantly on a rescue mission to save the Emperor of Namor when he was kidnapped by the Master and after finding compassion for the troubled young man he took him travelling on the TARDIS with him.
The Doctor watched Vespax grow from an obnoxious, frustrated and self destructive potential tyrant into a charismatic, excited and heroic companion. This made him a great ruler and even when the Emperor decided to embrace his responsibilities they kept in close touch with one another. The Doctor was proud of the Emperor and grateful that his former traveller was still alive and that he could still spend time with him, unfortunately he couldn't say that for many of his former best friends and it broke his hearts everyday.
It hadn't been a completely happy ending though, their relationship was conplicated and had become almost toxic when a third party was reintroduced. The Doctor had found him stowed away inside the TARDIS...up to no good as usual. The Master had refused to leave and insisted on being a dangerous nuisance for quite some time. He joined them on adventures-frequently attempting world domination and risking all of their lives in the process.
The Doctor had barely been able to keep control but it was exhiliarating to have his best friend back. The problem was Vespax, he was vulnerable-and he had developed a slight case of Stockholm Syndrome for the Master. Despite the Emperors youthful arrogance and bravado he was fascinated with the two timelords and despite the Doctors best efforts the Master had being a manipulative bad influence on him.
The threesome had experienced a lot together and at one point it even seemed like there was a possibility that the Master could be redeemed. Perhaps foolishly the Doctor believed this as well as the young Emperor-he loved both of them and he desperately wanted to believe that just maybe there was a way to make it work.
30 YEARS EARLIAR VESPAX RETURNS TO NAMOR FOR HIS BIRTHDAY AND TO RETURN TO RULE
The fireworks had been phenomenal-the Fausinium looked absolutely spectacular. Emperor Vespax was at the end of his speech and he raised his glass to toast.
"To peace in Namor."
"TO PEACE IN NAMOR"
"And one day to peace in the Vandros galaxy."
"PEACE IN THE GALAXY." Cheered the Emperors subjects.
Vespax stepped down from the podium and disappeared into the thick crowd.
The Master turned to the Doctor with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Don't you even think about it." The Doctor warned sharply.
The Master took a sip of champagne and raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"No I mean it this time! I'm proud of him he's come a long way-and so have you..." He fixed the Master with a serious clear stare.
"When did you become such a sentimental fool Doctor? I mean really it's embarassing." Sighed the Master.
"Nevertheless..." He continued, reaching up to stroke his beard before he was interrupted.
Vespax had strolled up behind the two timelords and whacked them both on the back in what was supposed to be a gesture of excited affection but resulted instead in the Doctor choking on his champagne.
"My Emperor..." Purred the Master using his title almost triumphantly.
Vespax grinned expansively showing off his shiny white teeth, his brown eyes practically bursting out of his sockets with pride.
"So what did you think? I absolutely love making speeches and I just know that was tremendous. We'll unite the provinces in noooo time." Continued Vespax his eyes glazing over- lost in his vision of a shining future.
"Doctor you are as red as a tomato, will you PLEASE COMPOSE YOURSELF." Chided the Master as Vespax shook out of his trance and finally noticed that the Doctor was about to choke his way to death.
"Doctor!" Vespax whacked him on the back repeatedly as the Doctor spluttered around viciously much to the shock of the crowd of onlookers. The Master shook his head in unveiled disgust.
" If you don't pull yourself together you will regenerate! Now that would be most selfish of you when this is supposed to be the Emperors special night Doctor."
The Doctor, who was now bent over almost double with an almost purple face looked up at the Master with a deathstare so violent that if looks could kill then he would be the one regenerating.
"At least perhaps you'd lose the penchant for making such ridiculous style choices..." The Master carried on with disdain.
"I'd miss the curls however- they really are quite becoming." A sly grin spread acrosd the Masters face as Vespax gave another almighty whack and the Doctors eyes popped wide open and he took in a proper breath much to everyones relief.
"WATER! SOMEBODY PLEASE." Requested the Emperor.
After the Doctor had sipped on said water and recovered somewhat from his ordeal despite losing his dignity, the Master made some sort of comment about the Emperor saving the Doctors life and wasn't that a wonderful thing to accomplish on his birthday? Vespax seemed so genuinely humbled by the idea that the Doctor didn't have the heart to remind him that it was his own fault for whacking his back in the first place. After mingling with the guests for a while together the Doctor noticed that Vespax had an unusual excitement in his eyes.
"Vespax, what are you up to?" The Doctor questioned suddenly. He didn't reply at first- just displayed a strange little smile that was nothing like his usual dramatic facial expressions.
The Master fixed the Doctor with a glance of mock disapproval.
"Now really Doctor is that any way to address the Emperor who saved your life this evening?"
"Yes. An Emperor that may I remind you would not be alive if I hadn't liberated him from you in the first place."
"You can stop that right now. Doctor, Master I am ordering you to behave yourselves! I will not allow either of you to fight each other in my empire. Do I make myself clear?"
The two timelords looked at each other in impressed disbelief.
"Crystal." The Doctor replied.
"So the puppy has bark and bite.." Remarked the Master.
"I have a surprise for you...both of you." Informed Emperor Vespax before discreetly guiding the threesome out of the party and arranging for them to slip away into the night.
A/N: Next chapter will be from Clara's point of view as she receives a very rude awakening.