Chapter 8
As one, the Atlantean Elders knelt before the huge figure, leaving the Doctor, Susan and Donna standing awkwardly. The Doctor let Plato out of his jar and watched the little blob flow into the figure.
The figure stepped forwards, shadows dancing across the cavern as it moved. The crystal-heart flickered, and it stopped for a moment, what could be a frown passing over its face.
It's in pain, Donna realised.
Power, said the echoing voice of the water person.
The Doctor stepped forward.
"Yes, yes, we know you're after power," he began exasperatedly, but was stopped by a glare from Jerom.
"Show some respect for Atlantis," the Elder hissed.
"Sorry, never been one for respectfulness myself. Rude and not ginger, that's me. Besides, surely I have a right to be at least a bit rude, considering two of your servants have been possessed, my friend's been drugged, my granddaughter's had her mind invaded and I've had a gate-crasher in my head. Did I miss anything? Oh, yeah, we've been frog-marched by a bunch of blobs to this under-sea cavern."
"I was drugged?" Donna was appalled.
"We were supposed to give you this to make you feel better," said Susan, holding up the medicine, "but I'd guess you don't need it now."
"Anyway…" said the Doctor loudly, drawing their attention back to him. "I'd like to know a little more about this "power" you're after."
Your Power.
"You mean, the time energy on which my TARDIS runs? And why would you want that particular kind? Why not solar? You don't get much sun here, of course… same goes for wind power… what about wave power? You've got the whole sea at your disposal, after all-"
Need your Power. Heart failure.
This repetition was getting frustrating. "Why does this "heart failure" mean you need time energy?" asked Susan.
"Because it's dying," said a voice behind them. They turned to look at Kaelah, who was staring at Atlantis with awestruck eyes. "I felt it when he possessed me. You need this power to keep Atlantis alive, don't you?"
I am Atlantis.
"You're Atlantis!" The Doctor clapped his hands together, putting two-and-two together as only he knew how. He began his excited whirling and jumping that Donna had come to expect. Again, Susan grabbed a hold of his jacket to keep him from tumbling over the edge of the cliff. He looked at her indignantly and she raised her eyebrows at him, letting him go. He continued his realisation moment, albeit in a slightly more dignified manner.
"You are what's keeping this whole civilisation alive! That crystal is the Heart of the Sea, the Heart of Atlantis- your heart! It's not just a figure of speech or some fancy title; it's the honest truth. Oh, I love it when people tell the truth! But you're dying… that's why the light crystals keep flickering."
Need… Power.
"You do, you do," agreed the Doctor, his head bobbing like a Churchill dog's.
"Then give it to him!" yelled Jerom angrily, getting stiffly to his feet. He glowered at the Doctor, and the other Elders did the same. "He says you have the power he needs, so surely it's a simple matter of giving it to him."
"It's not that simple," sighed the Doctor, reversing his Churchill impression.
"Why isn't it simple?" cried Sani, close to hysterics.
"He wants time energy, but alone it won't help. It'll simply weaken, and we probably won't be here to save him again," explained Susan gently, aware that the Atlanteans outnumbered them eight to three, if you counted their god or whatever it was, and could easily keep them in Atlantis if the idea occurred to them.
The Atlanteans looked stunned. They were facing the death of their entire civilisation, and their only hope wasn't all that hopeful.
"However, we can figure out a way to help, and the first thing to do is get the TARDIS, so, if you'll excuse me for a moment-"
Stop!
Atlantis reached out and grabbed the Doctor, lifting him from the ledge.
You will wait here. The women will get the source.
"Absolutely, I totally agree. Brilliant idea," gasped the Doctor, wriggling ineffectually against the surprisingly solid fingers. "We can all have cake while we wait. Or chips! Everyone loves chips! With a nice bit of battered fish… or perhaps not…"
Susan and Donna backed warily out of the cavern and had managed to get to the main corridor before they began to snort with suppressed giggles.
DW
The Atlanteans jumped at the sounds of alien engines wailing, then their jaws dropped and they cowered against the rough walls as a huge blue box appeared beside them. The Doctor yelled triumphantly, still held in Atlantis' fist.
Donna emerged shakily, followed by an indignant Susan.
"Well, I'm sorry if I'm out of practice. Being abandoned by your grandfather for over forty years doesn't exactly enable you to practice your time and space travelling skills!"
"And I thought the Doctor's driving was bad-"
"Oi!"
Give me Power, roared Atlantis.
"Say please." The Doctor immediately regretted his words- a regular occurrence, he noted- since Atlantis tightened his grip.
"Let him go!"
Need Power.
"We can't give you power unless you let him go!"
Give me Power!
Susan pulled out a slim tube from her sleeve and pointed it at Atlantis. The tip began to glow blue.
"Let. Him. Go," she said slowly and clearly.
Atlantis seemed to grumble, like waves on a beach, then set the Doctor down beside his beloved TARDIS.
"Okay, now I'm completely convinced that you're his granddaughter," said Donna.
The Doctor massaged his ribs. "Okay Dokey, let's get this show on the road!" he said in his best American drawl. Susan rolled her eyes.