The Master landed the TARDIS near the citadel. It was forbidden to land directly in it and so they were going to have to walk the last few feet up to the doors. The Doctor couldn't help but be nervous. He knew that he could easily be mistaken for this universes Doctor and it was only the word of the Master that would stop him from being locked in the cells without trial. Well a trial for him, the Doctor had all ready been found guilty of his crimes committed in this universe. He could be locked up with no further questions until the Time Lord council saw fit to release him once more.
He kept his head held high as they walked side by side. He could hear the whispers of the others around them though. He could also see them pointing at him as he passed with the Master.
"You're a monster," A woman screamed at him. He turned his eyes to look at her, as she was held back from attacking him. He could see the hatred on her face.
"I would never be welcomed here," The Doctor told the Master as he looked forward again. His dream of being able to live among people like him vanishing.
"They will welcome you. You just have to give them time," The Master reassured him. "They do not know the good you have done for the universe. You just have to convince them that you are not the same person." The Master reached out and squeezed his arm gently, reassuring him. As they walked up the stairs, the doors opened and a group of seven arm guards stepped out to meet them. The Doctor took a deep breath. It was time for the Master to prove that he really was on the Doctor's side.
"Doctor. You are under arrest by the order of Omega and the Time Lord council. You are to be escorted to the cells where you will await trial for your crimes committed against the Time Lords and the people of the universe." An official read as the guards stepped forward. He didn't recognize him but he was sure that he should have. He paused as the Master put a hand on his shoulder stepping past him.
"Loie, I ask for the Council of the Time Lords to gather and listen to this Time Lord known as the Doctor. Though he may look and share a name with the outlaw, he is not the same. He has agreed to sit upon the Sacakurdi in order to prove his innocence," The Master declared. The Doctor breathed out a sigh of relief as the Master demanded that he was listened to.
"You are aware outlaw, that if found guilty your mind will be held captive within the Sacakurdi while your body rots within the cells," Loie questioned him in disbelief.
"I am," The Doctor answered, his voice low. He cleared his throat.
"Very well. A Council meeting will be called. Until that time I ask that you accompany our guards down to the cells," Loie informed him. He started to step forward to follow the orders that were given as though he had an option. The Master stepped in front of him though.
"The Doctor will remain with me until the Council can be summoned. He has done no wrong to this universe and will not be treated like the outlaw until he can prove his innocence," The Master demanded.
"You forget your place Master," Loie snapped.
"Perhaps Loie it is you that forget yours. We are not here to condemn an innocent man while the outlaw remains free to wreck havoc on the universe. The Doctor has come here of his own free will to clear his name and offer his help, yet you will throw him in the cells. I have witnessed the good in him as he helped on the Boeshane Peninsula after the outlaw destroyed the place. He took an innocent child aboard his TARDIS and is tending to her wounds. This is not the actions of a man hell bent on ruling the universe," The Master informed Loie. There were murmurs around them and the Doctor realized that they were attracting a crowd.
"Very well then. He is to remain within the citadel until the Council can be gathered and by your side. If he is seen away from you, he will immediately be apprehended and thrown into the cells. Is that understood?" Loie asked.
"Yes," The Doctor answered sounding braver. The guards parted, standing on either side of the doors creating a path way up into the building. Hoping that he looked braver then he felt he walked side by side with the Master through the doors. They went to a small room to await the Council, but they thankfully didn't have to wait long. Word had spread quickly of a man who looked like the outlaw but claimed not to be. They were summoned through a door to the side and the Doctor looked out into the packed room. In front of him were seven Time Lords wearing the traditional orange robes of their people.
"Would the Doctor please step forward," Omega stated. The Doctor stepped away from the Master to stand in front of the seven. "It has come to the councils attention that you claim not to be the outlaw and wish to sit upon the Sacakurdi to prove your innocence."
"That is correct," The Doctor answered.
"We have decided to grant your request. If you will have a seat, we shall begin," Omega told him. He kept his breathing steady as he walked over to the chair that was against the wall by the bench. He sat down upon it and it took most of his will power not to fight against the men who strapped him down. A circular crown was placed upon his head. He felt a cold substance on the crook of his elbow before a needle pierced his skin. Within moments it felt as though his mind was being torn apart as his life was laid bare for the council. The memories of his long life moved to quickly for him to be able to focus on one of them. Secrets that he had kept were revealed to the machine and then disappeared into oblivion again. He screamed though he wasn't sure if any noises actually passed through his lips.
"Wake up," The Master cooed softly. He groaned lifting his head. A cup of water was pressed to his lips and he greedily drank. His head felt as strange but he still had his mind in tact. He was unstrapped from the chair. Leaning on the Master slightly for support, they moved to stand in front of the seven again.
"Your innocence has been proven Doctor. We would like to know more about these doors that you have discovered. We will discuss them in a private hearing later. First though, are you any closer to stopping the Outlaw?" Omega questioned. He had thought the walls between the universes had been closed forever after the Time War. To have a door that went between them was dangerous and he needed to make sure it was closed before others slipped in as well. Right now was not the time to focus on these doors though. There was still the Outlaw to stop.