The trees shook softly in the cool breeze, the leaves rustling against each other. The smells of the clean fresh air after a rainstorm and the recently cut grass were intoxicating. A light mist hovered above, giving the whole area a peaceful, calm atmosphere.

Theta was sitting in the grass, a sketch book in his lap. The pencil danced across the paper with delicate, precise movements, trying to capture the image of rolling hills and ancient ruins. The smudges of countless erasings hung over the sketch, where the failed attempt of the mist was destroyed.

Sighing, Theta looked back at the scene, pushing a lock of his long blonde hair out of his face. He had heard that the Eye of Orion, for all its simplicity, was nearly impossible to correctly capture in a drawing. His bright blue eyes scanned the horizon; it was gorgeous.

His eyes fell back to his sketch. It looked… not so gorgeous. In fact, it looked like crap. Groaning, Theta flipped to another page, determined to start again.

This was only his fourth field trip this semester, and so far, it was his favorite. The Eye of Orion was just the place to relax and let the pressures of the Academy melt away. The bombardment of positive ions triggered brain responses that allowed the individual to calm down. In many ways, it reminded Theta of certain areas of Earth. Which, Earth being his favorite planet, made him like it all the more.

He suddenly heard a twig snap, and looked up to see Koschei walking towards him.

"This place is kinda boring," Koschei said, flopping down beside Theta.

"You don't like it?"

"No, I do. It's nice. It's just… it's too grey. And green."

Theta smiled. "Not all planets have an orange sky and red grass."

Koschei nodded and suddenly snatched the sketchbook out of his friend's hands.

"Kos no! It's not good…"

Koschei found the page, and stared at it. His eyes darted from the actual landscape to the sketch.

" Whoa… this is excellent."

"Really?"

Koschei gave the sketch book back and smiled. "Well, better than anything I could do."

"You draw… ok… ish."

"In what universe?"

Theta laughed and returned to his drawing. Koschei leaned back onto the grass, closing his eyes.

There was silence for a moment, and Theta bit his lip. He had wanted to ask Koschei a question for awhile, and decided now was the time.

"Kos?"

"Yeah?" the older boy replied sleepily, his eyes still closed.

"We're… we're going to be friends forever… right?"

Koschei's eyes snapped open, and he sat up. "Why would you ever doubt that?"

Theta shrugged. "It's just… a fear I've had inside for awhile. That, one day, you and I will… grow apart." His voice was soft and timid. "And… I don't want that to happen. Kos, without you… my life is terrible. You make it fun and exciting. You protect me."

Kos smiled and ruffled Theta's hair. "Theta, as long as we're both breathing, I promise you… we'll be friends."

Theta grinned and his eyes lit up. "Hey Kos… can I draw you?"

"Um… sure. How should I pose?"

"Just sit there and try to look halfway intelligent," Theta joked, immediately starting the sketch. "And don't move."

Koschei took a deep breath and held his position. "You're my best friend Theta."

Theta looked up and winked. "I know. I'm my best friend too."

Koschei threw a pebble at him.

"Doctor," Ian said, "I had no idea you were in artist."

"Oh, it was a mere hobby dear boy," the white haired man replied, smiling. "Nothing when compared to the grape… I mean great… artists of the universe."

"But these are still excellent," Barbara chimed in, holding up a sketch.

The Doctor tapped his cane on the ground. "You two must be careful. All these compliments are sure to make my head swell." He chuckled and hobbled to another box.

"Hey, whose this Doctor?" Ian asked, holding up a piece of paper. The Doctor turned… and immediately his face fell.

It was a boy, with the physical appearance of a fourteen year old. He had a strong but boney face, with long black hair with slightly curled bangs. His eyes were intense, but kind, the eyes of a best friend.

The Doctor snatched it away from Ian and tore it in two. "It's no one dear boy… and old acquaintance… nothing more." His tone was low and gruff.

"But Doctor, who did you…"

"I would ask you to kindly stay out of my personal life!" the Doctor snapped, his blue eyes drilling into Ian's. Barbara took a surprised step back.

"Now," the Doctor said, calming down, "Ian, Barbara… please leave this room. We've spent enough time going through the more ridiculous bits of my past." With that, he gestured towards the door.

His two companions gave each other hesitant looks, before leaving. The Doctor, watched them for a moment before following, shutting the door with a slam. As he walked back to the console room, he tried to keep the flood of memories walled inside.

That boy, that man, was no longer his friend. He was a power hungry maniac who delighted in chaos and destruction. He was not Koschei. He was a demon who marched around in Koschei's body.

Koschei, the Doctor's best friend, was dead. As was the innocent, weak boy who the Doctor was.

The children of Galifrey were no more. And that was all there was to it.

The End