Chapter 2

The Doctor flew through how he should respond. He was paraded as these people's god, but he knew that one wrong answer could cause him and Alex to be killed. The Doctor thought fast and answered, "That's good. I have another test."

"Of course," Jareth replied.

"How did I come and reveal myself to you?"

"Your first appearance to our people was generations ago. You led our people from our tribal state and raised us up to build this massive city. Since then we've had a stranglehold across the country. Whenever there is an uprising, you come and smash the opposition. That is why your here again, isn't it? The Woodlanders are rising up against us. Will you help us?"

The Doctor's blood ran cold when he replied, "Yes."

"Great," Jareth said, "We'll get your timeship and bring it to your room."

The Doctor quickly replied, "No no no, it's okay."

"As you wish, Master."
The Doctor cringed as Jareth called him that. It didn't feel right on any level, but he had to continue. He brought up the issue about Harper. He said, "Did you grab another young woman? She's dressed like a tornado hit her. Her hair's a brownish-red color."
Jareth asked, "Is she also your queen?"

"Yeah, let's go with that," the Doctor replied.

Jareth answered, "No, we didn't see anyone but you and this queen. The Woodlanders must have taken her."

"The Woodlanders. I'd like to know more about these rebels," the Doctor replied.

"Of course, but first follow me into your temple so I can show you your quarters," Jareth replied. He walked off and led the Doctor and Alex into the temple. As they walked, Jareth started to tell of the Woodlanders. He said, "The Woodlanders are the descendants of the Runaways."

"Runaways?" asked the Doctor.

"People who disbelieved you and your word," Jareth replied, "Before we could execute them at this place as examples, the Runaways left with their belongings into the surrounding woods. Several generations later, you now have the Woodlanders. Whenever we find a Woodlander or dissenter, we kill them and throw their bodies outside the boundaries. You saw them as we came in."

"I did," said the Doctor.

"Those bodies serve as warnings to the Woodlanders that we are in charge, but lately, those rebels have become bolder," Jareth said.

"What's made them become bolder?" asked the Doctor, trying his best to keep playing the Master.

"Because they believe the Great Demon will come and liberate them. They believe the Demon will crush the Citizens. We Citizens know that you, Lord Master, will crush the Great Demon who you named the Doctor. We have been searching for the Doctor's Hellship since you last left, but since you are here, we can find the Hellship and the Great Demon. We destroy them, we destroy the Woodlander rebels."

The Doctor was taking in everything as Jareth let it spill. Jareth stopped outside a massive door. He signaled for two other Citizens to open the doors. Jareth told the Doctor, "This is you room."

"Thank you," the Doctor said.

Jareth nodded and left. Alex walked in first, followed by the Doctor. The Doctor shut the door. Alex hopped on the massive bed in the room as the Doctor locked the door. As soon as it was locked, he spazzed out, "What the hell? What the HELL? WHAT THE HELL?"

Alex watched as the Doctor looked like he was shaking things off of him and jumping around. She didn't know what the big deal was. The locals just thought that the Doctor was someone called the Master. It could be that bad, could it? Alex laid her head down on the pillow. She was a queen on this world. The second alien planet she had been to made her a queen. She loved that. She could hear the Doctor pacing back and forth throughout the room. She didn't know what his problem was so she sat up in the bed and asked him, "Doctor, what's wrong with you?"

The Doctor stopped and just stared at her.

Alex waited for a few seconds before saying, "Doctor, everything alright?"

The Doctor shook his head, "No, nothing is alright. The Master has an entire city on his side and at his beck and call. Alone, the Master is dangerous, but with a potential army, thinking he's a god nonetheless, makes him exponentially more dangerous. Plus, they think I'm him. What's going to happen when they find out that I'm not the Master, but rather the thing they call the Great Demon. I'm the Great Demon. The Great Demon's the Doctor. Jareth sounded ready enough to kill the Great Demon right there in the hallway. The crap's going to hit the fan when they find out that I'm not the Master, but the Doctor."

Alex didn't understand why the Doctor was freaking out. Sure, him being a demon to these people was bad, but he could escape if he had to. He was an expert at that. So she asked, "What's the big deal? They think you're the Master. Who is that guy anyway?"

"Didn't I explain him to you once before?" asked the Doctor, "Doesn't matter. How can I explain it to you? Ah, yes! Alex, just imagine that Harper was a time wielder or as you call it, wizard. Just imagine she was a wizard and your equal. You two are practically sisters and inseparable."
"Yeah so?" asked Alex.

"Just imagine that Harper slowly started to lose her mind and wanted to take over and rule everyone she met. She started turning from you friend to your enemy until you and her were worst enemies. Unlike any other enemy you have, she knows your weakness and past. She knows what no other being knows about you. It would be like fighting yourself, but she would want you dead," the Doctor explained.

"Wait a minute," Alex said, "So this Master and you were once best friends?"

"We were like brothers in our youths, but we drifted apart and now we are the worst of enemies."

"That makes the Master a Time Lord then," Alex said.

"Yeah, so?" asked the Doctor.

"You told me that you were the last one."

"I can't rule out the Master," the Doctor replied, "He survived once before. Knowing him, he'll show up again."

"So you think he'll show up here when we are?" asked Alex.

"I wouldn't put it past that bastard," the Doctor said, "He's got that uncanny ability to make my life hang in the balance, and he can end it along with your life, Alex. He won't think twice about killing you."

"Why not?" asked Alex.

"You aren't a Time Lord. To him, you are just an inferior lifeform, and he's never cared about them."

"That's a little harsh," Alex said.

The Doctor walked over to her and sat next to her on the bed. He told her, "At least Harper's safe."

"How do you know?" asked Alex.

"She's with the Woodlanders," the Doctor said, "I'm certain they saw us come out of my TARDIS. If what Jareth said is right about them, she'll be safe. As for us, we're in the lions' den."