"I'm sorry to say the council has already come to a decision on the trial." Rassilon sat at the seat of the house, calmly smiling at the Doctor and not sounding sorry at all. None of the rest of the council was present, which was even more infuriating, only Rassilon was present to argue with. "And I'm afraid the human female has been found guilty."
"That 'human female' is called Amy. What exactly is it she's been found guilty of?" The Doctor spat the words at the president, the hunch in his shoulders suggesting it was taking most, if not all of his effort to keep himself from flying at the man in rage.
"You let her go you big stupid spaceman!" Rory shouted from behind the Doctor, a vein bulging on his forehead. James was doing his best to keep a grip on him as Rassilon turned his attention to the ragtag group of strangers who stood behind the Doctor.
"Shut him up, will you? There's a good lad." The Doctor pointed to Rory without looking back and spoke very calmly.
"She's my wife!" Rory yelled again, his rage directed at both Rassilon and the Doctor now. James kept his grip on Rory and turned his back on Rassilon so he could get Rory to focus on him instead.
"Yes, she is." James did his best to keep his voice low. "The Doctor is going to figure this out. But right now isn't the best time to try to fight the Lord President of Gallifrey, yeah? These people are in the middle of a war, a terrible war, and right now, these people are capable of some really ugly things. Let's just take one challenge at a time, shall we?" Rory looked as though he wanted to shout until his voice gave out, but something in James' pleading eyes made him see the truth of it. His shoulders sagged and he nodded, feeling powerless in this strange place. "Atta boy, we'll have her back in no time." James grinned reassuringly and clapped him on the shoulder.
"My, I'm surprised the rest of your companions have avoided being arrested. They're a danger to themselves, if not the people of Gallifrey." Rassilon's face held that benevolent smirk that irritated the rest of them to no end.
"Lord President," The Doctor spoke the title carefully, using his most polite tone. "I believe what we have here is a misunderstanding. Amelia Pond, the human you put on trial; she was just visiting with me. If there's any injustice that has been committed against the Gallifreyan people, I would be happy to answer for that. I would be most humbled if the council would reconvene for a retrial, I'm sure at the time of the trial, not all of the information was available." He smiled winningly. "I'm sure you can see the sense in that.
"Most certainly." Rassilon agreed, and then feigned a deep sigh. "But I am afraid it would be pointless at this juncture."
"And why, exactly, is that, Lord President?" The Doctor clenched his teeth together and he found his tone was rapidly becoming less polite, he said president as though it were a curse.
"Well you see," Rassilon leaned forward in his chair now. "In this delicate time of war, punishment must be swift and derisive. I'm afraid it has already been dealt."
"I'm sure as the head of the council; you have some control over amending a mistake like that. As it would be a great mistake, indeed." The threat there was no longer veiled and the Doctor stood only a few feet away from where the President sat. Rose shivered at the tone; he was on the verge of being dangerous. It almost surprised her that she would recognize it in his new form, but this was the Doctor. The destroyer of worlds, the oncoming storm. She was afraid now, afraid of what they had done to Amy, and afraid of what the Doctor would do to them in return.
"Do you think you can threaten me? Here? Did you think you could bring lesser life forms to our home world, uninvited, and let them do as they pleased? You must have known there would be consequences. I know, from your history, you are used to getting away with such things, there are always black sheep in any society, those who have fallen to the darkness." Rassilon stood now, he was an impressive figure in his full council suit and with the stairs, he stood taller than the Doctor and the rest of them. "Did you think that human could threaten to commit genocide here and we would just forgive her trespass? I am Rassilon, creator of the time lords themselves, and you would dare threaten me over a single human life?" He laughed incredulously. "I did not think you so naive, Doctor."
"You would do well, Rassilon. To remember that you were not the only creator of the time lords." The Doctor said in a low voice. Something akin to fear flashed across the president's face and the imposing figure he had once been shrunk. "Now, what have you done with Amelia?"
"She must bear witness for her shame, to tamper with the genetic pool of the time lords is no small crime." He gained some confidence knowing he was protecting his people. "She will pay for eternity, encased in stone."
"What?" Rory's voice quavered. "What did he just say?" James held him steady, as it seemed all the strength melted out of him.
"Why Rassilon? You must know she poses no real threat. The looms have stood for millennia! What possible harm could a girl, a human girl, truly cause?" The Doctor didn't know whether it was just to punish himself, or if Rassilon really had some deeper purpose for it.
"The effects of human genetics on the loom have been catastrophic. Bringing impurities into our own people, bringing the weakness of emotions. Her one touch could affect thousands of generations of time lords. Surely you, of all people, would know that." Rassilon leveled the Doctor with a smug gaze.
"Should I?" The Doctor asked, genuinely curious.
"If you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend." Rassilon turned to exit the council chambers.
"No." The Doctor held up a single finger to halt him.
"No?" Rassilon grated his teeth, at the edge of his razor thin patience.
"No," He brought the finger to his lip, trying to remember exactly what he planned. "I request access to the prisoner. This man is her husband," He pulled a shell shocked Rory forward. "Surely he should be allowed to say goodbye."
Rassilon considered it for a moment, trying to think of a reason to deny them. Either he could think of none, or he didn't believe they were enough of a threat to bother with. "Very well. Afterward you will be confined to your chambers; the council will make a decision as to what to do with you, and the rest of your companions."
"I don't suppose you'll need us to be around for that, eh?" The Doctor asked with a bitter smile.
"No. I think not." Rassilon's grin was one without mirth. He took a transporter from his robe and spun the dial carefully. "This will take you to the holding cells. And back to your chambers. Nowhere else. Ready?" He threw the transporter to the Doctor who caught it with one hand and pressed the button at the same time. They all started to dissipate in the way they had seen Amy vanish earlier, slowly dissolving into nothingness. The Doctor held Rassilon's eyes as they left, the corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk.
"What is he doing?" Rose asked in a nervous whisper as she felt the grip she had on John fade completely, she looked down and both their hands were gone.
"It'll be alright." John promised her as the rest of their bodies vanished and they were swallowed into darkness.