The Master Rises

The Doctor hadn't gone far when he was suddenly grabbed and gagged by the guards. He was forced down as he angrily looked at his captor, who turned out to be Koschei.

"I'm afraid you've worn out your welcome, Prince Theta Sigma," he said. "Seeing as how you're going to die, I think I can tell you my true name. I am the Master and I will rule Gallifrey. Make sure he's never found again.

The Doctor's eyes widened. Of course! Koschei was the Master's University nickname! He mentally slapped himself for being so thick, but he could do nothing as he was hit on the head and blacked out.

He woke up just as a heavy chain and thick metal ball dragged him to the bottom of the ocean. Even with his respitory bypass system, he knew if he could reach his sonic screwdriver and get Jack, he would die and even a new body wouldn't him get out of this mess.

By a miracle, he managed to get his sonic screwdriver and use it on the lamp just before he passed out from lack of oxygen.

XXX

Jack had been enjoying himself, relaxing and listening to music when the lamp opened and he found himself surrounded by water.

What on earth—? he thought.

He then saw the Doctor, chained and gagged and in need of air—fast.

Quickly, he grabbed the sonic screwdriver and unlocked the Doctor's chains before swimming as fast as he could to the surface and dragging the Time Lord on the shore.

Once there, the two coughed up water as the Doctor slowly sat up.

"Well, that was refreshing," said Jack, trying to catch his breath.

"I'll say," said the Doctor, coughing. "Thanks, Jack."

"No problem," said Jack. "So, who tried to kill you?"

"The Lord President's Advisor, Koschei—more commonly known as the Master," said the Doctor.

"The psychopath half-brother of yours?" said Jack. "What'd you do this time?"

"I'm not sure, but I do know he wants control of Gallifrey and that's probably why he wanted you and the TARDIS." The Doctor paled. "Oh, no, if he's in the palace, then Rose and her father are in danger."

"Not good," said Jack. "Think you can call the TARDIS?"

"Maybe," said the Doctor.

TARDIS, can you find us?

I think so. Wait a minute.

Within a few seconds, the TARDIS appeared and the two men went inside.

XXX

Inside her chambers, Rose was brushing her blond hair after placing the flower Theta had given her in a vase. She'd never felt so happy as she hummed "their" song.

"Rose?" said Pete.

"Oh, Dad, you wouldn't believe the time I just had. I'm so happy," said Rose, smiling.

"You should be, Rose," said Pete, in a flat tone. "I have chosen a husband for you."

"What?" said Rose.

"You will wed, Koschei," said Pete, as Koschei appeared.

"What!" said Rose.

"You're speechless, I see," said Koschei, taking her hand. "A fine quality in a wife."

Rose just yanked her hand away and slapped him. "I will never marry slime like you!" she snarled. "Dad, I chose Prince Theta."

Something was wrong with her father. Why were his eyes red instead of their soft grey? What had happened to him?"

"Prince Theta left," said Koschei.

"I guess you'd better double-check your facts again, Koschei," said a voice.

There, in the corner was Theta, alive and looking furious.

"Theta," said Rose.

"Why don't you tell the truth, Koschei? You tried to have me killed!" he snarled.

"You monster!" Rose said, slapping him again.

"This is simply ridiculous nonsense, Lord President," said Koschei, turning his attention to Pete. "He's obviously lying."

"Obviously…lying…" said Pete.

"Daddy, what's wrong with you?" Rose said, shaking him.

"I know what's wrong!" said Theta, grabbing the device from Koschei's hand and breaking it. Instantly, Pete woke up from his trance. Then Theta shoved the remains of the device under his nose. "Lord President, Koschei has been controlling you with this. And he's not who he says he is. He's a crazy power-mad lunatic by the name of the Master. Koschei was his University nickname."

"What!" said the Master and Pete at the same time.

Rose was only half-surprised. She'd never trusted her father's advisor, but knowing that he was the Master was still a bit shocking.

Pete immediately turned to the Master. "You traitor!" he said. "Guards, arrest the Master at once!"

"This is not done yet, Theta!" shouted the Master. He dropped a vial and caused a huge smoke screen. When the smoke cleared, the Master was nowhere in sight and Rose was in Theta's arms.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes," said Rose.

"Well, I'll be. Have you finally found someone, Rose?" said Pete.

Rose nodded, too happy to speak as Theta held her.

XXX

Back in the TARDIS, the Doctor sat by the controls as Jack sat in his lamp which was on the table. He felt torn. He was glad he had Rose, but he hated himself for lying to her and her father. Pete had even said he would love it if he one day became Lord President of Gallifrey. But did he want Prince Theta or the Doctor?

Hey, what's bothering you? asked the TARDIS.

"I don't know what to do, old girl," said the Doctor. "Rose and her father want me to be there, but if I hadn't found you and Jack, they probably wouldn't want me, they'd want Prince Theta."

You don't know that. What if they like you for just you, not whoever you're pretending to be or are?

He sighed. "What do you think I should do?"

Maybe you should just tell Rose the truth. Don't you think she deserves to know?

He sighed again. "You're right. I've been an idiot. I'm going to tell Rose the truth. Tell Jack where I've gone and make sure he knows I'll still give him his freedom no matter what. I'll just be a while."

I will. Good luck. I know Rose will understand.

XXX

But in his hurry, the Doctor left the TARDIS open and the TARDIS had shut herself off so she could rest. This left the Master to take his chance.

The Master had figured out "Theta's" identity after what he'd said about the University nickname. Only the Doctor had known about that and he'd seen the lamp in the Theta's robes.

Quickly, he gained control of the TARDIS by turning her into Paradox Machine and forced Jack to do as he asked before he would rage a war upon all of the universe.

XXX

The Doctor's hearts were heavy as he walked up the stairs that led to the Tower where the Lord President usually made announcements. He was announcing the Rose's choice of a suitor and she was watching him from behind.

"Rose?" said the Doctor.

"Theta!" she said, running down to meet him. She was dressed in beautiful blue and silver robes and looked stunning. "Where've you been? All of Gallifrey's turned out for Dad's announcement. Dad's waiting for you up there and—" Rose cut herself off when she saw the look on his face. "What's the matter?"

"There's something I need to tell you," he said. "It's important."

"What is it? Tell me," she said.

He sighed. "I…it's…"

"You can tell me anything, Theta," said Rose, gently.

Before he could speak, Pete came out and yanked him up just as the Doctor slipped Rose a holographic image player with the words, "Watch and listen."

The Doctor had just stepped outside when a huge storm raged and lifted the entire palace onto a mountain, the Doctor fell and hurt his ankle, and suddenly there was loud cackling as the Master stepped out. He was dressed in the robes meant for the Lord President of Gallifrey looked extremely pleased with himself.

"Koschei; you vile betrayer!" shouted Pete.

"That's Lord President Master to you!" said the Master.

"And what makes you think you're going get away with this, Master?" demanded the Doctor.

"Because, dear Theta, I've got the freak and your TARDIS is now a Paradox Machine," said the Master, bringing Jack within view. "Finders keepers, Theta."

Jack was in chains and he was covered with bruises.

"Doc, I'm so sorry," he said. "I couldn't stop."

"It's not your fault, Jack," said the Doctor. "Master, let him go!"

"Oh, I think not, Theta," said the Master.

"Master, I order you to stop!" said Pete.

"Ah, but there's a new order now! My order. Finally, you will bow to me!"

"We will never bow to you!" Rose yelled.

"Oh, I think you will. Jack, my second task is for you to give me the laser screwdriver and activate the Paradox Machine to let loose the Toclafane!"

The Doctor could only watch as Jack was forced to activate the device and give the Master the laser screwdriver. The sky cracked and thousands of Toclafane flew over and started attacking the people and then the Master used his screwdriver to hold Rose and Pete in place.

"Oh, Rose, dear, there's something I've been dying for you to meet," said the Master.

Ignoring the pain from his ankle, the Doctor ran over to the Master and tried to stop the Master from harming her, shouting, "Master, get your hands off of her!" But he too, was frozen in place before being tossed around like a puppet.

"Prince Theta, yes it is he
But not as you know him
Read my lips and come to grips with reality
Yes, meet a blast from your past
Whose lies were too good to last
Say hello to your precious Prince Theta!"

"Or should I say, my half-brother the Doctor?" said the Master.

The Doctor's robes changed to his usual brown suit and coat, shocking Rose.

"Theta?" she said.

"Rose," said the Doctor, not knowing what to say. "Rose, I tried to tell you, I'm just—"

The Master then cut him off as he shoved the Doctor inside a cramped vessel.


"So Theta turns out to be merely the Doctor
Just a con, need I go on?
Take it from me
His personality flaws
Give me adequate cause
To send him packing on a one-way trip
So his prospects take a terminal dip
His assets frozen, the venue chosen
Is the ends of the galaxy - whoopee!
So long, ex-Prince Theta!"

The last thing the Doctor heard before being sent off to who knew where, was Rose shouting, "DOCTOR!"

XXX

The Master quickly took control of Gallifrey. He destroyed the Council, eliminated any who stood in his way, forced Pete to be his Court Jester and Rose was just a slave. At the moment, she was tending to Jack's injuries as he was chained to a wall and she found herself liking the immortal man.

"Everything will be okay, Rosie, I know it," he said.

"I know," said Rose. "The Doctor will be back. I hope."

"Of course he'll be back. If I know that guy, he's probably on his way right now. He loves you and he won't let anything happen to you."

"Thanks," said Rose. She felt her pocket and realized the device the Doctor had given her was still there.

"What's that?" asked Jack.

"Something the Doctor gave me earlier," said Rose. She pressed the button and a small image of the Doctor appeared.

"This is message 4.4.09.," said the Doctor's image. "Rose, if you're watching this, it can only mean that something's prevented me from telling you this in person. I should've told you this from the beginning, and I don't know why I didn't. Rose, I am not a Prince and my name isn't Theta Sigma. Theta Sigma's just a nickname I got at the University. My real name is the Doctor. Everything I said about being a Prince was just a lie. I am so sorry, Rose.

"I didn't lie about everything, though. I was a traveler before I lost the TARDIS and I became a traveler again after getting it back. After I lost it, I was trapped on Gallifrey with nothing except my physic paper and my sonic screwdriver. Then I saw you in the marketplace and everything about you just stunned me and made you so perfect. I may have saved your life that day, but you know what? You saved mine in a way, you know.

When I was taken to the dudgeons, I saw the Master in disguise. I didn't recognize him, obviously. But he made me an offer I was in no position to refuse. If he helped me escape, I would get the things he wanted from the Cave of Wonders. Yeah, the Cave's real and it was so brilliant, Rose. I wish you could've seen it. Anyway, I found my TARDIS and then I accidentally touched something I shouldn't have. I was trapped in the Cave before the TARDIS got me and Jack out.

I assume Jack's told you what he is right now. But he's also an old friend of mine and I trust him with my remaining lives. Anyway, he wanted to help me and I wanted to help him gain his freedom and find someway back to you. You can imagine what happened. I didn't want to lie to you about what I was, but we didn't know of any other way to see you. Everything just happened so fast and before I knew it, I was more in love with you than ever.

I could never lie about my feelings for you. Do you want to know how I honestly see you? You're beautiful, you're clever, you're kind, you're brave, you're faithful, you're amazingly brilliant and you're so, so perfect. When we were holding onto each other's hands, I never wanted to let go. You made me feel more alive than I had in years, more complete. I wondered what on earth I had ever done to deserve you.

I've got to go now, Rose, but just know that I'll love you forever. Nothing will ever change that."

Rose felt tears streaming down her face as she hugged Jack, who whispered words of comfort in her ear.

She didn't care whether the Doctor was a Prince or anything. She just wanted him. The one who'd saved her life, the one who took her stargazing, who showed her countless worlds and beautiful sights and said he loved her.

He'll come, I know it, she thought.

XXX

The Doctor's vessel had finally landed and he was on an ice planet with nothing but his coat to keep him warm. The planet's temperatures were freezing—even for him. He walked along the planet, hoping desperately to find someway back to Gallifrey. He mentally cursed himself for being so stupid with the TARDIS security systems and now freeing Jack when he had the chance. Now everyone would pay the price for his misjudgment.

But he couldn't afford to despair because Rose and countless others were depending on him. If he couldn't help them, then all would be lost.

When he couldn't stand the pain of his ankle anymore, he fell before yanking out his sonic screwdriver and using it to mend his damaged ankle. It was then that he saw the destroyed remains of his vessel and realized he'd walked in a circle. But then an idea hit him and using his brilliant brain, quickly made adjustments and used the vessel to get back to Gallifrey.

He couldn't believe the sight that met his eyes. The once-beautiful planet he loved was now in ruin. Toclafane were making the people be slaves and there was nothing but sheer misery. Silently, he swore he'd repair the TARDIS and mend this mess.

When he snuck inside the palace, he saw Pete being forced to work as a Jester, Jack was chained to the wall as the Master took delight in killing him again and again and Rose was serving food as a slave. The Master yanked on her chains, pulling her close to him.

"It pains me to see reduced to this, Rose," he said. "A beautiful Gallfreyen flower such as yourself should be on the arm of the most powerful Time Lord in the universe. What do you say my dear? With you as my Queen…"

"Never!" Rose snarled, slapping him for the third time before he shoved her to the ground.

"I'll teach you some respect," said the Master, raising a hand, but then he lowered it as he calmed down.

If you hurt her, I'll kill you, Master, thought the Doctor, burning with anger. His eyes met Rose's and hers widened for a moment before brimming with relief.

"Distract him," the Doctor mouthed.

Rose nodded. "Oh, Master?" she said, getting up and putting a tiara on. "I never realized how incredibly handsome you are."

The Doctor didn't listen as Rose talked of Jafar's qualities and he tried to grab Jack's lamp. If he could get control of Jack, then Jack would be free or he could destroy the Paradox Machine and all of this madness could be stopped. He almost got caught when he knocked over a bowl, but Rose prevented the Master from seeing him by kissing him.

The Doctor resisted the urge to gag. The lamp was almost in his reach, but then…

"That was…" The Master started, but stopped and spun around. "You!" he then zapped the Doctor back into a pile of gold and jewels with the laser screwdriver. "How many times do I have to kill you, Doctor?"

Rose tried to wrestle the Master's screwdriver away, but only succeeded in getting thrown to the ground. The Doctor then tried the same thing.

"Get Jack's lamp!" he shouted.

"No! Ah, ah, ah, Rose. Your time is up!" The Master said, and he put her in a giant hourglass.

The Doctor tackled him before being thrown to the ground. He looked over and saw Rose in the hourglass. Sand started to pour on her head as she tried to escape her prison.

"Rose!" he shouted.

"Things are unraveling fast now, Doctor!" said the Master.

The Doctor stood up. "Master, Koschei, please. Let them go. We could fight across the galaxies, but not here and not with Rose, please! You're destroying everything. Not just Gallifrey, but the entire universe!"

"Why should I care what happens to it? I am ruler, Doctor!" said the Master. "Get the point? I'm just getting warmed up!"

Dozens of swords surrounded him and prevented the Doctor from getting Jack's lamp. He found a gap between swords and tried to reach the lamp, but the Master picked it up first. The Doctor then stood up and pulled a sword out of the floor as fire surrounded him.

"Fine then!" he shouted. "Are you afraid to fight me yourself, you cowardly snake?"

"A snake, am I?" said the Master. "Well, then, perhaps you should see how snakelike I can be!"

The Master jumped into a machine and let out a cry as he was changed in an enormous snake.

"No," the Doctor whispered.

But then the Master encircled the Doctor with his body. It put out the fire, but then he struck at the Doctor who dodged his blows until he got an opening and used it.

He then ran over to where Rose was being held and tried to get her out, but the Master stopped him. His sword slid across the floor as Rose called out his name. The Doctor got a running start and jumped on a ruby, sliding across the floor. He picked up the sword and turned the ruby around. The Master followed him, but he had some trouble with the turn and crashed through the wall.

The Doctor jumped off the ruby and stabbed the sword into the Master, causing him to yell in pain. The Doctor picked up a wooden club and ran towards Rose, where she was up to her chin in sand. Just then, the Master grabbed the Doctor and held him tight.

"You little fool. You thought you could defeat the most powerful being in the universe!" he said, coiling tighter still. "Without the freak and the TARDIS, Doctor, you're nothing!"

The Doctor, who'd been struggling, suddenly went completely still as he got an idea. "Well then, if I'm nothing, then what does that make you? Oh, powerful Time Lord who can't even conquer a planet without the help of Jack and my TARDIS!"

"What?!" said the Master.

"They made you what you are! Without them, you'd still just be a crazy Time Lord bowing down to the one you despise! Jack can live forever and do just about anything! What can you do? Face it, Master! You're still just second best!"

The Master looked furious. "You're right, they do exceed me in strength and power! But not for long. How do I change?" he demanded.

"The trans-dimensional portal will do what you want. Just use the code," said the Doctor.

"Very well," the Master hissed.

He entered the machine and changed. Instantly, he resumed his Time Lord form and dropped the Doctor, allowing him to break Rose free.

"Yes," said the Master. "The power. The absolute power!"

"Doctor!" Rose yelled.

"Trust me, I know what I'm doing!" said the Doctor.

"The universe is mine to command! To control!" said the Master.

"Oi, aren't you forgetting something, Master?" shouted the Doctor. "Jack was imprisoned in a lamp when he was put in that machine! And so will you! You wanted power, you got it! And everything that goes with it!"

A black lamp appeared as the Master shouted, "NO!" and was sucked inside.

But the battle wasn't over yet. The Doctor freed Jack, who changed the Paradox Machine back into the TARDIS and suddenly everything changed.

"What's happening?" Rose yelled.

"Time is reversing," said the Doctor.

When the change ended, they could hear the people of Gallifrey demanding to see Rose's suitor.

"We've reversed the paradox. It's exactly when the Master activated the Machine, just after he made his announcement. We're at the eye of the storm. No one will know what happened except for us," said the Doctor. "It's over and the Master's trapped in here."

"Has anyone ever told you what a genius you are, Doctor?" said Pete, smiling.

The Doctor grinned. "Jack, would you care to do the honors?" he said.

"Yes, indeed," said Jack. He took the lamp and tossed it as far as he could. "A few centuries in the Cave of Wonders should chill him out."

"Glad that's over," said Rose, who hadn't let go of the Doctor's arm. She looked at him. "Theta—Doctor, can we talk?"

"Yes, of course," said the Doctor.

The part he had dreaded had snuck up on him. He'd lied and now he had to face the consequences of his actions.