Notice: K-9 is programmed to say "Master." This does not mean that the Master is in the vicinity, nor is he secretly the Doctor in disguise.
Chapter 10
The TARDIS rematerialized back in the Panopticon. The Doctor ran out, not wanting to waste any time.
"Doctor-" started Leela, but he zoomed right past her, ignoring her. He had only one thing on his mind.
He spotted President Spandrell and said, "Can I borrow your Sash and Rod?"
"But..." said Spandrell, highly confused. "These are the ancient relics of Rassilon. Only the Lord President can wear them."
"I know," said the Doctor, hurriedly. "But perhaps we can make an exception just this once? And it's not like I've never worn them before. It's very important, and we have no time to lose."
Spandrell sighed. "Very well." He removed the relics he was wearing to signify his stature and handed them to the Doctor. He put on the sash and ran to the center of the room, slotting the rod in the control structure he remembered from his battle against the Master centuries ago.
"Doctor," asked Romana. "What are you doing? Those are just ancient artifacts left over from the days of Rassilon; they bear no significance except for their symbolism."
"You'd be surprised," answered the Doctor. "Just watch."
The Black Guardian appeared again in the Panopticon. He had fury in his eyes. "Doctor, you cannot escape! No matter where you run!"
"Aha!" said the Doctor. "But you underestimate me." Just then, the circular stadium in the middle of the Panopticon tilted up and a hidden panel opened, revealing a blinding light. A long, black, hexagonal obelisk raised itself from underneath the floor.
"The Eye of Harmony!" gasped the Black Guardian.
"Correct," said the Doctor. He ran to the obelisk and twisted a red lever that was attached to it. The ground began to shake.
"Doctor," shouted Spandrell. "You'll destroy us all! You of all people know what this can do."
"Not if I can wield it properly," he said, pulling at another lever. The building's structure was beginning to collapse around them.
The Black Guardian yelled in agony, clutching his head. "Stop!"
"Don't like that, do you?" said the Doctor.
"What is it, Grandfather?" asked Susan. "What's happening?"
"The Eye of Harmony," said the Doctor. "The nucleus of a black hole, contained and balanced hidden at the foundation of the Panopticon by Rassilon's own engineering. It's power is so great that not even a Guardian is immune."
"But you'll kill us in the process," said Spandrell.
"But not only did Rassilon build the Eye's encasement, but he also designed a key to control its power," said the Doctor. "We all know it; it's real meaning hidden by time."
The Black Guardian was still writhing in pain. "You'll pay, Doctor. Whatever you do, you cannot defeat me!"
"Oh really now?" said the Doctor. "'I swear to protect the Ancient Law of Gallifrey with all my might and main and to the end of my days I will with justice and with honor temper my actions and my thoughts..."
The Black Guardian's body started to contort and wither as the Doctor spoke.
"...Towards peace and tranquility, order and calm, right and good."
The Black Guardian could not stand it any more. With one last scream, he vanished. With his foe gone, the Doctor stopped his speech. The building around him was in danger of crushing its occupants; the very core of Gallifrey was strained.
"Doctor," said Romana. "You need to stop the power flow now." He ran quickly around the Eye of Harmony and pulled back the levers to their rightful positions with a sudden thrust. The impact from cutting off the power sent everyone from their feet.
It took a few moments for everyone to regain their composure. A few bruises were in order, but no serious damage to anyone living. Until Romana noticed the Doctor lying motionless on the ground.
"Doctor," she screamed, running to his side. She checked his pulses. "His hearts are rapid, but still beating." His eyes flickered open, and Romana hugged him with joy.
"You took quite a beating in there," said Spandrell.
"You should have seen the other fellow," said the Doctor, smiling. He stood to his feet and removed the Sash. "If it weren't for this thing, I might not have made it. It might have gotten damaged again, though. Sorry about that."
"Quite all right, Doctor," said Spandrell, putting the Sash back on.
"Is he really gone, Doctor?" asked Romana.
"Well, for now, anyway. Like the White Guardian has explained before, he will exist as long as the other does."
Romana looked into the Doctor's eyes. She knew that no matter what danger they met in the future, she would always stand by his side. "You've ruined your robe."
"Huh?" asked the Doctor.
"Your robe," said Romana. "It's all tattered and muddy. I can't take you anywhere!"
"Well," said the Doctor. "So is yours. I told you they would get in the way if we wanted to make a quick getaway."
"Doctor..." started Romana. But the sentence went unfinished as she decided that she just had to accept him for who he was; after all, that's the man she fell in love with.
A/N: The Doctor's previous experience with the Eye of Harmony can be witnessed in "The Deadly Assassin." The beginning of his speech is from "Shada" (Even unfinished, it's still one of the best).