This week we have The Five Doctors a classic Who episode. Well, the first part of it! This is a long episode so it is split into two parts (hence the sharp ending), the next part will be up as soon as I finish it.

Enjoy!

The group didn't have to wait any time at all before the next video started, the screen turned black and the next title was displayed.

"The Five Doctors?" Amy remarked, "I thought one was bad enough."

The Doctor blinked, an idea starting to form about what this video may be about. She was more than a little surprised as she though the Tardis was sticking to her more recent adventures with the companions in the room, but apparently not. She couldn't help but glance at the Master who 9thankfully) did not notice her attention.

"Take it from me, dealing with three was enough trouble. I pity anyone who had to deal with five." Clara laughed, earning a pout (though she would forever deny it) from the Doctor.

"Come on Doc, which poor soul had to put up with five of you?" Jack grinned teasingly at the Doctor.

"Don't call me that Jack." The Doctor rolled her eyes, then hesitated under the weight of the rest of the room's eyes. For once none of them had any ideas, bar the Master who seemed to have clocked (she could practically feel him scowling at her without having to see it), so they were all very curious. "As for who, you'll have to see but it seems the Tardis wants you to see some of my earlier adventures."

"Wait, you don't mean?" Bill perked up; eyes alight as she caught on to what the Doctor was insinuating. The Doctor just nodded, confusing some members of the group but before anyone could query further, the video started.

The first Doctor declares one day he will come back but until then there must be no regrets, no tears and no anxieties. He says to go forward in their beliefs and prove his aren't mistaken

"Oh, Susan." The Doctor murmured to herself; despite the chaos she guessed was coming she was still excited to catch a glimpse of several old friends.

"Ah it's the really old Doctor." Ryan nodded at the sight of the first Doctor who they'd seen briefly during Eyebrow's regeneration.

"Technically, he's the youngest of my regenerations." The Doctor tried to argue to deaf ears. Everyone was far too focussed on the screen, all very curious about what they were about to see.

On an alien planet, a tall dark tower rises from a desolate landscape as a mummering of voices fill the torch-lit corridors. On another planet, Turlough settles down by a ruin to sketch a peaceful rural landscape

"Who is that?" Rose asked the Doctor, curious. They were all eager to get a glimpse of some of the Doctor's older companions, it was rare they ever talked about them properly but they'd sometime hear a stray comment or two that made them eager to hear more.

The Doctor's smile was bittersweet, eyes a bit misty as she was lost in memories. It was a familiar expression to the group, regardless of regeneration it still appeared when they asked about the Doctor's past. "That's Turlough, he travelled with my fifth regeneration for a good time."

The group nodded, sharing looks, all having a silent argument about who was going to ask the next question that they were all dying to know (which was likely a bad word choice regarding the topic). Donna sighed, expression softening in a way it rarely did before she gently asked the Doctor, "What happened to him?"

"Hmm?" The Doctor hummed; a bit lost in memories before blinking as she realised what had been asked. She smiled softly. "He went home eventually, became an astrophysicist even. He was happy the last time I saw him." It was a nicer fate than had befallen many of her other companions. The others shared looks around her but weren't given a chance to ask any more questions as the video continued.

In the Tardis, the fifth Doctor runs a cloth over his console as Teagan enters from further inside

"Is she another companion?" Yaz asked curiously.

The Doctor nodded, the bittersweet smile returning. "That's Tegan. She travelled with my fourth and fifth selves for a time. Last time I checked she had moved to Cambridge after spending several years campaigning for Aboriginal rights in Australia." That was only part of the story, but it was bets to not get into some of the details at the moment.

Teagan asks if he's finished and the Doctor says he is, saying it looks splendid doesn't it

As always when the group got a chance to see a new/old Tardis interior they took several moments to inspect it, comparing it to what they knew.

"Something happen to it?" Amy raised an eyebrow at the Doctor.

"Just needed a bit of an upgrade." The Doctor shrugged with a grin that told them even if there was a story there, they weren't going to get to hear it.

Teagan asks if the Tardis will run properly and the Doctor says it will once everything is run in

Rose just shook her head, "I swear your outfits get more and more ridiculous! I mean seriously, is that a vegetable on your coat?"

The Doctor pouted as the rest of the group laughed, "It's celery! And it was a perfectly acceptable accessory."

"No, it isn't Doctor." River immediately argued back, only making the Doctor pout more.

Teagan asks if he repaired anything and the Doctor explains the Tardis is more than a machine and needs coaxing like a person

"In other words, she does what she wants and only occasionally takes you to where you want to actually go." Martha grinned giving the Doctor a pointed look while the others snickered.

"She knows best usually." The Doctor smiled fondly, "Don't you dear?" In response a familiar vroom/vroop sounded across the room.

Teagan declares it is unreliable and the Doctor says she has little faith

"In your driving Doctor?" Clara raised an eyebrow, "No one should have any faith."

"Oi!"

The Doctor pulls the door lever but they don't open, Teagan asks if he blames her, as the Doctor gives the doors a thump to open

"Good to see things haven't changed." Donna snorted, it seemed regardless of age and time somethings really didn't change. The Tardis was one constant in the Doctor's life (as was trouble, but less said about that the better).

At the Eye of Orion, the Tardis is parked inside the ruins, and the Doctor goes through an archway to where Turlough is sketching, Turlough declares it marvellous and he feels calm and relaxed

"Where are you?" Yaz asked eagerly, taking in the sights on screen.

It was Jack that answered for the Doctor, "The Eye of Orion. Lovely vacation spot."

The Doctor nodded in agreement, "On of the most tranquil spots in the universe. Always a good visit. Remind me to take you at some point." She nodded at her three current companions.

The Doctor declares it is the high bombardment of positive ions as Teagan counter it is like Earth after a thunderstorm, and the Doctor declares it the same cause and reason

"Always have to over complicate everything to sounds smart Doctor." Amy shook her head exasperated, but fond. The Doctor made a vague noise of complaint but didn't get a proper chance to ague before the Tardis continued the video.

Teagan declares it beautiful as the Doctor explains the Eye of Orion, somehow, is the most tranquil place in the universe. Teagan asks if they can stay there and the Doctor says why not for a while as they need a rest

"I have a funny feeling you're not going to get that rest." River remarked, looking to the Doctor for confirmation. The Doctor's answering smile was cryptic.

Somewhere, a gloved hand turns a ball control by an illuminated pentagon with a model of the tower in the middle. An image of the Dark Tower appears, then we go to an enclosed garden where the first Doctor is taking a stroll. He sees a conical object coming at him from the sky and tries to run but gets swept up. The gloved hand picks up a model of him and places it in a segment of the pentagon. The fifth Doctor clutches his chest in sudden pain

"Well, that relaxing holiday lasted long." Rory muttered.

"What just happened? Are they both okay?" Bill asked glancing between the screen and the Doctor in the room.

The Doctor just sighed, hand to her chest as she felt phantom pains at the reminder of the mess. "It's best to just watch for explanations but no irreparable damage was done thankfully." Well apart from some more damage to her relationship with the Master. She was avoiding meeting his eyes; she couldn't decide if he was going to be more furious at her or smug that she had been wrong.

The group wasn't very comforted by her words, but knew they weren't going to get anymore answers at the moment.

Turlough asks if he is alright, and the Doctor declares it a twist of cosmic angst, as if he'd lost something

"That's one way of putting it." The Doctor muttered to herself just loud enough to draw concerned looks from Jack and River next to her.

At the Colonel's office at UNIT HQ, Colonel Charles Crichton in his army uniform pours a whiskey for Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart who is retired and in civilian clothes

The Doctor immediately brightened upon seeing the familiar old face, "Brigadier!"

"Kate's father?" Rory asked.

"Yes, and a dear friend for many years." The Doctor smiled fondly. She couldn't decide if this video was a gift or a curse, on one hand she got to see many old companions again, some of which were lost to her. On the other hand, it brought up memories of those she had lost and could never see again.

The Brigadier thanks him as Crichton toasts to civilian life. The Brigadier says he can't tell Crichton how much he was looking forward to the reunion, and Crichton said there was one man they tried to get a hold of – the one that used to be his scientific advisor, and the Brigadier says the Doctor

"That's when you worked for UNIT, right Doctor?" Clara asked. Alongside Amy and Rory, she'd had the most interactions with UNIT, and Kate specifically. They'd all heard much about the famed Brigadier from both Kate and the Doctor so they were eager to see more of him from back in the day.

The Doctor nodded, with a bittersweet smile. She'd been upset at the time about being stranded on Earth but it had led to many great adventures, allowed her to meet some good friends and been some of the best years of her life.

The Brigadier declares them wonderful, all of them. Crichton is confused by the plural

A few people snickered at the confusion on Crichton's face, the Doctor's regenerations were very hard to explain to those that didn't know or hadn't seen it.

The intercom beeps and Crichton answers, a sergeant apologises for interrupting but someone has arrived. Crichton isn't expecting anyone

"Which means either it is an unwelcome guest or the Doctor barging in uninvited a normal." Mickey sighed fondly, shaking his head.

"Let's hope it is the Doctor." Martha added on to her husband's comment.

The sergeant insists they want to see the Brigadier and Crichton asks how they knew he was there. A figure in a big fur coat heads for the office door as the sergeant says he's not allowed in; the second Doctor declares he's allowed everywhere

"No, you're not, but that's never stopped you before Doctor." Jack shook his head in fond exasperation.

His comment also served to confirm that was yet another of the Doctor's regenerations to those that were less familiar with what they all looked like. The room was starting to understand the title, so far, they'd seen three of the Doctor's regenerations in short succession. Unfortunately, with more Doctor's around there was also likely to be more trouble around the corner, that was just how things worked when the Doctor was involved.

The sergeant grabs at the Doctor's coat to stop him but he just does a turn resulting in him taking his coat off, he thanks the sergeant as he greets the Brigadier

There were several snickers at the Doctor's manoeuvre. It was fifty-fifty whether the Doctor knew the Sergeant wasn't actually helping to take his coat off or if he knew but was just taking advantage of it. You never knew with the Doctor.

The Brigadier asks if it is him, the Doctor says it is and he was able to steer the Tardis for once so here he is

"That is a miracle." River smirked.

"Which regeneration of yours is that?" Graham asked, it was already getting harder to keep track of all the Doctor's different faces in this video.

"My second one Graham." The Doctor answered patiently.

Crichton tells the sergeant it is alright; he hangs the Doctor's coat up and leaves

"I think he's happy to be away from that situation." Amy remarked.

The Doctor asks if he's too late for the Brigadier's speech as guest of honour. The Brigadier asks how he knows, and the Doctor says he saw it in the Times, Crichton declares it is impossible as the reporter is still there

"The joy of being a time traveller." Martha smiled, swiftly working out how the Doctor had found out about the Brigadier's speech. It also told the group that the Doctor still kept an eye out for them even if they weren't actively travelling with them at that moment, a reassuring thought.

The Doctor replies it was tomorrow's times and ask who Crichton is. The Brigadier introduces Colonel Crichton as his replacement. The Doctor declares his was pretty unpromising too

"Do we want to know what that means Doctor?" Rose raised an eyebrow at the Doctor in the room with them.

The Doctor sighed slightly, "Let's say this isn't the first occurrence of meeting myself and the past version of myself is rarely impressed with the next."

The group nodded, apart from Jack and River who shared a knowing glance.

The Brigadier declares the two of them will take a stroll around the ground, apologising to Crichton. The Doctor declares he's redecorated and he doesn't like it

"You never do." Clara rolled her eyes.

The Brigadier collects their coats and the Doctor says after him. Outside they help get their coats on as the sergeant enters the office asking Crichton if everything is okay. Crichton asks what is going on and who the strange little man is, the sergeant declares him the Doctor, Crichton asks who

"Now isn't that the question everyone wants an answer to." Rory said, giving the Doctor a soft smile to reassure her he didn't mean anything bad by his remark.

Thankfully the Doctor understood and replied in good spirits, "And no one will ever know."

Outside UNIT HQ, the Brigadier and the Doctor talk about the things they've seen – Yeti, Cybermen, Omega

The Doctors expression dipped at the mention of one of the Gallifreyan legends, as it hit far too close to home at the moment. Thankfully, the rest of the room was distracted by the mention of the Yeti based on the vague discussion she could hear in the background. She was purposely ignoring the eyes she could feel weighing down on her, she didn't have the patience to deal with whatever the Master wanted at the moment.

The Doctor adds the terrible Zodin, but the Brigadier doesn't know that one and the Doctor recalls he wasn't concerned with her as she happened in the future. He declares he has to say goodbye as he shouldn't actually be there as he is bending the laws of time a little

"A very quick visit, Doctor." Mickey said.

The Doctor smiled sadly, "Can only break some rules so far, as much as I wish otherwise." She couldn't decide what was harder; only getting to see her old friends a few times – watching them age and eventually die, or cut herself off completely and watch only from a distance.

BRIGADIER: You never did bother much about rules, as I remember. What's the matter?

"That's an understatement." Donna snorted.

A conical object is heading their way. The Brigadier asks what it is and the Doctor declares their past is catching up with them, or maybe the future, but run!

The group tensed as the peaceful meeting was interrupted, tensing up as the unfamiliar object heading towards the pair who had nowhere to go.

They run for the trees and the Brigadier declares he is too old for this kind of thing. The Doctor asks where it is gone and then declares they have to get back to the Tardis, run. The cone gets them both and the gloved hand places two figures in another section of the pentagon

"That's the second Doctor it's got. Something or someone is capturing your regenerations." Yaz thought out loud.

"The main question is why?" Clara nodded, joining in on Yaz's train of thought.

"And who?" Rose added.

At the Eye of Orion Teagan is worried for the Doctor as he declares it fading. When Turlough asks what is fading, the Doctor says chunks of his past are detaching like melting icebergs, he's in more pain

"And apparently future Doctor can feel his past selves getting captured." Bill said, "Why can you feel that?" She turned to the Doctor in the room with them questioningly.

The Doctor hesitated, visibly debating what to say before she answered, "It's best to just watch." Her answer was met with groans, annoyed with the answer despite knowing the Doctor was likely right.

Teagan says to do something. The Doctor tells her not to be so worried as he'll have it worked out soon and everything is alright. The Doctor puts his hands on Turlough and Teagan's shoulders and collapses

"That doesn't look alright to me Doctor." Martha gave the Doctor a pointed glare, daring her to deny it.

The Doctor shrugged, nonchalant. "Maybe it was a bit less alright than I implied." Martha just sighed at that, knowing she wasn't going to get anymore from the Doctor

The third Doctor is driving his car, Bessie, down a country road when he sees the cone coming for him

"Who let you have a car?!" Amy exclaimed in disbelief as the Third Doctor appeared on screen.

"The UNIT idiots." The Master scoffed before the Doctor could try to answer, making himself known for the first time in a while. The group gave him weary glances, he usually only spoke up for one of a few reasons – when it would annoy the Doctor, when it concerned their childhood, to insult someone, or when he was involved in a video. Seeing as this video had already shown four different Doctors and several of their old companions, it seemed very plausible that the Master was going to make his own appearance which was always ... eventful, to say the least.

He turns Bessie at a junction and floors the accelerator, he loses sight of the cone in his wing mirror eventually and he praises Bessie

"I don't think that's going to work unfortunately Doctor." Graham commented.

The Doctor shrugged, "It was worth a try." She wasn't exactly the kind to just accept that kind of thing without even trying to escape.

He gets swept up and taken away, the gloved hand putting his model in another segment

"Three Doctors down. Not looking good." Jack muttered, trying to make a joke but it fell flat as he glanced at the Doctor beside him in concern.

"Why stop there?" The Master pondered with a menacing grin. While the rest of the group seemed unnerved by the remark the Doctor just rolled her eyes and ignored him to his annoyance.

At the Eye of Orion, Teagan asks what is happening and what they can do. Turlough says he seems to be dealing with a psychic attack and the Doctor says he is being diminished as a man is the sum of his memories, a Time Lord even more so

"Bit dramatic Doctor." Mickey raised an eyebrow.

Martha elbowed him in the side before speaking up herself, "They're capturing your past. Which is affecting your present. Well, present at the time of this video." The Doctor nodded along to Martha's thought process but offered no further input.

Teagan asks what they can do to help, and the Doctor asks for them to get him to the Tardis

Several members of the group nodded, not quite sure how that would help the Doctor but knowing they would feel happier with the Doctor somewhere safe and with a chance to try to run.

They carry him back as he says he has to find his other selves

"Breaking the rules as always Doctor." River smiled at her wife, trying for a teasing grin but falling a bit short due to her concern.

In Uxbridge, Sarah Jane Smith comes out of her house, K9 trundling down the driveway

"Sarah Jane!" Rose grinned, perking up as she saw the familiar face (admittedly much younger). She couldn't deny her curiosity at seeing young Sarah Jane as she was when she travelled with the Doctor, she'd heard so much from both of them after all.

K9 warns her not to go out because he senses danger, a faint telepathic trace that is increasing in strength, so don't go out

"Who's a good dog K9?!" The Doctor exclaimed happily at the screen, no one had the heart to remind her K9 wasn't in the room with them.

Sarah Jane asks what kind of damage but K9 has no data available yet. Sarah Jane says she can't stay home and K9 needs to give her a reason, but K9 sees too many variables and readings are becoming more dangerous. Sarah Jane says she can't as the car is at her docks and she needs to get the bus, K9 says the danger is now extreme and the Doctor is involved

"The danger is more than extreme if the Doctor is involved." Donna snorted, earning a wounded noise from the Doctor herself.

Sarah Jane declares K9 is imagining things now

"Oh Sarah Jane." The Doctors expression fell as she watched her old friend disregard the danger simply because her name was mentioned.

She crosses the road as K9 shouts danger. We shift to the fourth Doctor and Romana (the first)

"That's officially five Doctors. The title doesn't lie." Clara remarked, arms crossed and eyes furrowed as she tried to work out what was happening.

"Five Doctors, that's five times the trouble." Bill grinned.

The Doctor is listing names and Romana asks who

"Who is that, Doctor?" Yaz asked upon seeing the unfamiliar face of a new companion.

The Doctor gave a sad smile as she answered, "That's Romana. She is ... was ... a time lord too. Her family wasn't happy when she chose to keep travelling with me for a time, but she left after a while, even served as president for a time."

There were several glances at the Master at the stark reminder of Gallifrey's destruction and all the Doctor had lost. For once the Master was the one avoiding the Doctor's eyes, unable to tell for sure if Romana had survived his slaughter or not. For all they knew Romana could have survived, as could have a few others if they hadn't been on world at the time. The Doctor could only hope.

Romana and the Doctor discuss Newton's laws and punting (from Shada). Romana declares she loves spring and the Doctor declares it is October, Romana argues he said they were going there for May week, the Doctor said they were and May week is in June

"Because that's not confusing at all." Amy snorted, shaking her head in exasperation at the Doctor. It seemed nothing changed despite how long the Doctor had been travelling sometimes, they still missed where and when they were originally aiming for most of the time.

Romana is confused and the Doctor agrees the Tardis was too. They get whisked away by the cone but the gloved hand punches in frustration as the controls as the image refuses to become a model

"It seems your fourth self continues to confuse and frustrate without even trying to." Jack chuckled, cheered up by the idea that whatever was happening, things weren't going to planned for the culprit behind it all.

"A gift all of the Doctor's regenerations share." River added with a teasing grin.

The fifth Doctor sets the Tardis in flight then falls backwards into Turlough's arms

The good spirits in the room immediately fell as the effect on the Fifth Doctor made itself clear. The Doctor in the room shuffled awkwardly, a wince on her face as she remembered the pain.

Sarah Jane gets to her bus stop and sees the cone coming but can't escape, her model is placed with the third Doctor's on the pentagon

"Why did it grab Sarah Jane too? All the other companions were only grabbed because they were with the Doctor at the time." Martha asked, eyes narrowed as she watched the screen.

"Maybe the thing grabbing them wanted a full collection." Ryan suggested, half-jokingly, "You know like collecting action figures or something."

The group considered that, occasionally glancing at the Doctor who kept her expression blank (refusing to give them any hints, and just enjoying watching them work through the problem without being in any imminent danger). "That's not too bad an idea." Rose shrugged, "It depends on what is grabbing them and why, I guess."

Teagan and Turlough check on the Doctor and find his body alright but he's fading away. Turlough asks why he set the Tardis moving as they were safe before that

"It makes them harder to grab at least." Clara argued against Turlough.

They notice the Doctor start to fade in and out

"That's not good." Nardole declared.

"Great observation there Nardole." The Doctor teased; she was about the only one not tense at the sight of her past-self flickering. Enjoying the advantage of knowing what happens.

Teagan calls for the Doctor as the time rotor stops moving. Teagan asks what is going on as Turlough declares they've landed

"The question is; where have you landed?" Rory said with a worried expression. The Doctor and Master's expressions hardened as they recognised the Death Zone on Gallifrey, neither would ever describe it as their favourite place after all.

Turlough checks the scanner and finds the desolate place with the Dark Tower in the distance. The gloved hand places three figure in the fifth section of the pentagon whilst the fourth flashes on and off. Turlough declares according to the instruments they're nowhere, in no time

"That's promising." Bill declared with sarcastic cheer.

Jack and River both sat up straighter, looking between the screen and the two Time Lords in the room, bewildered. "How is that possible?" River asked for the pair.

The Doctor and the Master shared a look, a silent conversation occurring without the need of their mental link before the Doctor turned back to the pair and opened her mouth to speak.

Jack beat her to it sighing in frustration, "Let me guess 'just watch?'" The Doctor shrugged with only a little regret. She was sure the video would explain better than she could, and it would save them hearing it twice, plus she really wasn't in the right mindset for this mess.

Teagan declares the Doctor must have forgotten to reconnect something but Turlough says the instruments are working perfectly but won't tell them anything as the Tardis is paralysed

"That's really not good." Someone muttered, the group's expressions all sharing the same concern.

Teagan asks how they got there and what should they do. Turlough says they should wait until the Doctor recovers; Teagan asks what is he doesn't

Several members of the group gulped at that, not sure what they would do if they were in Tegan and Turlough's situation and sincerely hoping they would never have to find out.

In a conference room, the Lord President of the High Council of Time Lords (Borusa) enters a room where a man (Castellan) and woman (Flavia) are already seated at a table

"Oh, just great. Of course, Gallifrey is involved." Clara scowled, the rest of the group all shifting uncomfortable at the sight of the Time Lords. It was never promising when they were involved and they were worried it may bring up some bad memories for the Doctor.

"That just means something serious is happening." Amy said with a grimace.

Borusa asks, and the Castellan declares he has arrived. Borusa is not pleased to involve a certain person

The Master snorted at his old teacher's declaration, sharing a short look with the Doctor. Both ignored the curious looks from the rest of the room.

Castellan declares the constitution states when in emergency session, the members of the inner council are unanimous, and Flavia declares they are

Rose turned to the Doctor with a smirk on her face that made the Doctor wary of the oncoming comment, "It seems bad fashion is a Gallifreyan thing."

"Oi!" The Doctor pretested. The rest of the group laughed, ignoring her spluttering protests. Knowing she would get nowhere with the group, the Doctor turned on the smirking Master. "You can't talk! You've made equally terrible fashion choices, remember the cape?"

Now it was the Master's turn to protest, expression contorted as he tried to decide between scowling at the Doctor and voicing his argument. He didn't get a choice to do either before the video continued.

Borusa declares the President of the Council may be overruled and thinks it a terrible clause, but allows him to enter

"Personally, that sounds like a good clause, keeps the President from having too much power." Rory declared, and stars know that Gallifrey needed that with their history of power-hungry Presidents.

Castellan respectively says Borusa's regeneration has not helped his stubbornness. Citadel guards open the doors and the Master enters, greeting the group and declaring it a great but unexpected honour, and asking what he can do for them

"I change my mind. I think the President might have had a point." Yaz muttered, sparing a glance to glare at the Master who offered a menacing smirk back.

Borusa declares the Master one of the most evil and corrupt beings the Time Lords have ever produced, his crimes are without number or end, but they are prepared to offer a full and free pardon

"They're desperate." River raised an eyebrow at that offer. Something had scared the Time Lords a lot for them to try and offer the Master a deal like that. No one missed the look that the Doctor and Master shared but none could interpret its meaning.

The Master asks why they think he wants their forgiveness, and Castellan says they can offer an alternative to his renegade existence. Borusa offers a completely new regeneration cycle. The Master asks what he must do, and is told, to the Master's shock, he needs to rescue the Doctor

"What?!" Several people mimicked the Master's shocked outburst, all glancing frantically between the screen and the pair of Time Lords in the room with them who were too busy having a silent staring conversation with each other. It was clear they were having an actual conversation based on their changing expressions.

"Doctor?" Rose asked, breaking the pair out of their silent argument. "Why do they want to rescue you? And why are they sending the Master to do it?" The Master made a noise of protest at that comment but didn't bother deigning them with an argument at the moment.

"And how do they even know you're in trouble?" Mickey added with a suspicious glare at the screen. He'd already be accusing them if they weren't sending the Master to save the Doctor.

The Doctor just glanced around the room, "All will be explained, I swear. Just watch." From the expressions around the room, they weren't happy about that answer but they didn't have much choice but to accept it as the Tardis had already resumed the video.

In a metallic corridor, outside thunder crashes and lighting hits. The first Doctor walks through the shadowed corridor until he finds Susan, they embrace

The Doctor's expression falls, memories of her granddaughter filling her thoughts. She was another person who she was unsure of the fate of; she'd lost track of Susan after the war and there was every chance that she'd been on Gallifrey during the Master's massacre, but she was still holding onto hope that Susan had survived (hopefully alongside some of her other friends such as Romana, she'd even take Braxiatel ... actually, she may reconsider that last one).

Susan is thankful to have found him and asks what is happening and how they got there. The first Doctor doesn't know. Susan shares that as soon as she found herself there, she started looking for him as she figured she'd find him there. The Doctor declares the most important question now is where are they and why

"That's two questions." Nardole pointed out, he was the only one who dared to interrupt the soft moment between granddaughter and grandfather.

"You know what I meant Nardole." The Doctor sighed, almost glad for the distraction from the old memories and wondering thoughts.

They spot the shadow of a Dalek on another wall and Susan whispers they must be on Skaro, the Doctor whispers back that they were brought there so maybe the Dalek was too

"Collecting Doctors, companions, and now enemies apparently." Graham remarked.

"Someone really wanted the full collection of Doctor action figures." Ryan joked.

The Dalek rounds the corner and Susan shouts to run. The Dalek tells them to halt or they will be exterminated then declares it is the Doctor and he must be destroyed, it fires its gun at them

"Wow, the Daleks hatred of you goes back far." Martha whistled, it was one thing to know they'd been enemies for a long time and another to see the Dalek consider the Doctor's first regeneration as an enemy.

The Doctor nodded, knowing Martha's train of thoughts. "The Daleks have been the enemy of the Time Lords and Gallifrey longer than the Master or I have been around."

"You're just talented at making them hate you especially." Jack chuckled.

Now the Doctor offered a sly smile, "What can I say? I'm good at making things a bit more difficult for them."

Back in the conference room, an image of a pentagonal area surrounded by mountains and with the Dark Tower in the middle is on a screen as Borusa declares it the Death Zone

"Wait, you're in a place called the Death Zone?" Donna almost choked, startled at the name, eyes wide as she turned to the Doctor who just shrugged, unable to deny it.

"That's promising." Bill snorted.

"My only thought is what kind of place does it have to be to earn that kind of name?" Clara asked, "I mean what place has an area called the 'Death Zone', only on Gallifrey." She shook her head.

The Master declares it the black secret at the heart of their paradise. Castellan explains the zone recently became reactivated and is draining the energy from the eye of harmony somehow, and Flavia adds it endangers all of Gallifrey to an extent

"Ah, so that's why they want the Master involved." River caught on quickly, earning querying looks from the rest of the group.

"And why's that River?" Rory asked his daughter.

"They're in danger but they don't want to send someone actually important. If they send the Master and he doesn't come back then there's no big loss. If he achieves his goal, great, if not, oh well. He's expendable." River tried to explain her thought process. She glanced at the Doctor for confirmation, but the Doctor waved her hand in a so-so manner. She wasn't so far off, but not quite on it.

Borusa declares they need to know what is happening there and Master asks if they had the bright idea to go and look. Borusa adds two of the High Council went in but nether returned

"Ah, that's ... not good." Yaz muttered.

The Master says they sent for the Doctor then, but Castellan explains they looked for the Doctor but he doesn't exist any longer, none of his regenerations

"That is even worse news." Rose said. Everyone tensed at that news from Castellan.

"How's that possible?" Jack asked, suddenly more serious and concerned about the Doctor's fate, glancing at her beside him. They'd all been joking about the Doctor being collected like an action figure, but this was looking far more menacing. Add on Gallifrey and the Master's presence alongside the news they'd just received painted a far more menacing picture.

No one answered Jack's question.

Borusa adds the Doctor has been taken out of time, an image of the fourth Doctor and Romana appears on screen. Castellan declares they think the attempt to lift him from his time stream was unsuccessful and so he must stay there until they can find and free his other selves

A few people let out sighs of relief as the Castellan continued. "Not all hope is lost." Bill sighed.

The Doctor made a perplexed look, "I am right here, you know that right?"

"We know Sweetie, it just doesn't always help much. Not with the way you are."

"I don't know what you mean." The Doctor feigned innocence.

MASTER: And if you cannot? The cosmos without the Doctor scarcely bares thinking about. What makes you think his other selves are in the Zone?

That comment from the Master immediately caught the Doctor's attention. His desperate attempts to avoid the Doctor's eye failed as she initiated the mind link so they could talk.

"I didn't know you thought so highly of me." The Doctor teased.

The Master's expression was stony, matching the few emotions that slipped across the mind link, "Yes you do Doctor."

His statement sobered the Doctor quickly. She let out a long sigh, "I'm sorry."

That earned a mental eyebrow raise from the Master, "What are you going to pretend to be sorry about this time, dear?"

"I'm not pretending." She ignored the mental snort and feelings of disbelief-annoyance-hurt that snuck through the mental link, "I'm really not. What happened in the Death Zone ... I wasn't fair to you. You came in to save me, maybe you had some ulterior motives as well, but you still came in with the intention to help and I disregarded you. I'm sorry."

The Master was silent, emotions locked down tightly. The Doctor was about to give up on receiving a response when there was a whispered, "Thank you." If anyone ever asked, both would deny it ever happened.

Borusa says their time traces converge in the zone, and the Master asks if they can get him in. Castellan shares that they have a power-boosted, open-ended transmat beam and the Master asks why him. Borusa explains they need someone determined, experienced, ruthless, cunning, and the Master adds disposable

"At least you know it." Mickey muttered.

The Master snorted, "I'm not ignorant to Gallifrey's views on myself."

Castellan argues he would be useless to them dead

Clara snorted, "Of course they only worry about how useful you are to them." These videos were only serving to further ruin her thoughts on Gallifrey and the Time Lords themselves. When they heard/saw things like this it helped them understand why the Doctor had run away from home and had kept running all these years.

Flavia and Borusa ask if he will go, the Master adds to rescue the Doctor before laughing

"That's a yes then." River said knowingly. The Master and Doctor had an odd relationship, one that no one would likely ever understand, but one thing was for sure – if the Doctor was in trouble the Master would rescue them (as long as it wasn't trouble caused by the Master themself).

In the Tardis, the fifth Doctor has completely disappeared, Teagan and Turlough tell him to hold on and he reappears

The group tensed up as they went back to the fifth regeneration of the Doctor who was fading in and out of existence. Knowing more about the danger the group was in just made them more serious. There were real consequences here (there often was in their adventures, but this was one of the adventures that had very serious consequences).

Teagan asks what is happening to him and the Doctor explains he is being sucked into a time vortex where part of him is already there trying to pull the rest so he needs to send a signa. When Teagan asks what signal, he adds a signal to find them so he can be whole

"We do prefer you whole Doctor." Amy remarked, brows furloughed in concern.

The Doctor grinned back, "I do too."

Down the metallic corridor, the first Doctor and Susan are tiring as the Dalek chasing them threatens to exterminate them

"You know when you say it like that it really makes me want to stop so I can be exterminated." Bill declared, voice dripping with sarcasm. She'd been lucky to not have as much interaction with the daleks as many of the others in the room had had.

Susan finds a dead end and the Doctor says that might be what they need, Susan argues no, begging him. The Doctor tells her to listen to him and when he says now, help him push the Dalek down the alley ad drop when he says drop

There were a few raised eyebrows at the first Doctor's outline of a plan, though they were glad that he at least had a plan for once.

They hide behind a jutting part of the wall as the Dalek appears. The Doctor shouts now and they push the Dalek into the dead end. The Dalek declares itself under attack and the Doctor shots to drop before it fires in the three-sided area causing a ricochet of its energy weapon. A ricochet hits the Dalek and blows it up, the explosion also rips a hole in the wall to the outside

"That's one way to kill a Dalek." Mickey muttered; he'd had plenty of experience with that.

"A very risky one." Martha countered.

"Those are the Doctor's favourite." Donna snorted.

The Doctor declares it is dangerous to fire energy weapons in an enclosed space. Susan points out the Dark Tower as they work out that they are on Gallifrey in the death zone. Susan asks why they were brought there and the Doctor declares that his instinct tells him the answer lies in the tower

"Great, go further into the place called the Death Zone." Amy sighed, though she wasn't sure what she had expected from the Doctor and it wasn't like she would have done anything else if it had been her there.

In another section of the Death Zone, the Brigadier and second Doctor are in a slate quarry. The Brigadier comments on the spot as the Doctor argues there is no point blaming him, the Brigadier argues otherwise as he always attracts trouble, asking where they are

"He does know you well." Clara remarked with a teasing grin.

The Doctor doesn't know but has a terrible suspicion, he points to a silvery figure in the mist asking what it is

"What are the chances of it being friendly?" Ryan asked.

Yaz snorted, "Knowing the Doctor, very low."

The Brigadier says something us moving, the Doctor tells him to get down. They crouch behind an old wall where a silver hand reaches through and grabs the Brigadier's arm, he calls out in pain and the Doctor tries to pull him away in vain

"That's definitely not someone friendly." Graham remarked with a wince. The sight of a cyberman really wasn't helping them stay calm. It seems there were several of the Doctor's enemies that had been collected alongside the Doctors and companions.

The Doctor finds a metal bar and hits the silver hand until it lets go, shouting to run

"Ah, the classic." Jack grinned at the familiar words. That was another thing that never changed no matter what face the Doctor wore.

In another section of the Death Zone, the third Doctor stops Bessie on a track along the side of a hill

"Wait, the car came with you?" Donna asked incredulous, then she shook her head with an exasperated sigh, "Of course it did."

He asks now what before hearing a scream as Sarah Jane falls off the edge of the road in the mist and rolls down the slope

"Oof, poor Sarah Jane." Rose winced at the sight of Sarah Jane's rough landing.

Sarah Jane asks why she didn't listen to K9; the Doctor tells her to hold on a moment and gets a coil of rope, tying it to Bessie, he throws down one end telling her to hold on, he loops it round a boulder as she ties it around her waist, then he reverses Bessie slowly pulling Sarah Jane up the slope

"At least the car has a good use." Martha shook her head.

"It's a good thing that the Doctor was so close to where Sarah Jane landed." Jack added, though his face wavered – there was a high chance that wasn't just luck.

Sarah Jane declares she never thought she'd be so pleased to see anyone, and the Doctor suggest moving away from the edge. Sarah Jane is shocked realising it is him, and when he says of course it is and greets her, she says no it's him him

"Oh!" Bill's eyes lit up with realisation, "Does she know the next one of your regenerations?"

The Doctor nodded with a bittersweet smile, "This Sarah Jane has already left as you saw earlier, and when we parted I was in my fourth regeneration."

"This will be interesting." Jack muttered with a wince; he felt a lot of sympathy for Sarah Jane in that moment. After 'dying' on the Game Station he'd eventually made his way back to Earth and tried to find the Doctor. He'd only managed to find past regeneration of the Doctor, until Pinstripes and Martha had stopped by to recharge the Tardis. At least Sarah Jane and this past regeneration of the Doctor knew each other.

Sarah Jane said he changed, the Doctor says teeth and curls and Sarah Jane agrees. The Doctor says maybe he did but hasn't yet

"So, you've met your next face already? I thought there was supposed to be rules against all that." Amy gave the Doctor a knowing look.

The Doctor shrugged with an unrepentant grin, "You know I've never been good with rules."

"Trust me Sweetie. No one doubts your ability to break the rules." River smiled fondly at her wife.

The Doctor snorted, "Like you can talk River."

"What can I say? Following the rules is just not as much fun."

Sarah Jane says she sees then says she doesn't but never mind. She thanks him of the rescue and asks for an explanation of why she's there to need rescuing

"You can tell she travelled with the Doctor for a long time." Clara grinned, "She's good at compartmentalising the Doctor's nonsense and focusing on the immediately important things." That earned snorts and chuckles from the rest of the group and a splutter of protest from the Doctor.

The Doctor says he isn't there by choice either, Sarah Jane asks what they are doing there then, and the Doctor says he'll try and explain so get in the car

"You love that car." River shook her head in find exasperation. She'd heard a few stories both from the Doctor and others at UNIT about that car, and the video was showing how right they'd been.

The Master snorted, "You have no idea."

The fifth Doctor stands up with assistance saying he has to go, then what is it he's got to do. Teagan reminds him he said something about a signal

"Who exactly are you going to signal?" Rose asked, it wasn't like there were many people the Doctor was friendly with that were capable of rescuing them from that situation.

"And how are you going to signal them?" Rory added on, it wasn't like they had an abundance of technology around to create something to signal, even by the Doctor's crazy signal.

Neither received an answer, the Doctor simply waved to the screen. They'd have to wait.

Turlough adds about being whole and the Doctor remembers a recall signal. Teagan asks who the signal is to and what it is for

"Tegan asking all the good questions." Yaz said, all of the group was desperate to hear the answers to the questions and someone on screen asking it was the only way they were going to find out.

The Doctor declares he must send the signal so they'll hear it and it will bring them. Teagan wants to know where the signal control is so they can help, he starts to tell them before collapsing

"Doctor!" Several people exclaimed at the sight of the fifth Doctor collapsing again. They'd thought he was getting better as he was up and talking but apparently not. The Doctor in the room with them offered a reassuring smile which did very little to actually reassure anyone.

In the Death Zone, the first Doctor and Susan are walking over scrubby moorland, the Doctor gets tired and says he has to rest

"Old bones." Bill grinned at the Doctor. She'd always teased Eyebrows for being old but his first regeneration was even older appearance wise.

The Doctor nodded, "Something I don't miss."

Susan agrees and says she'll go take a look; she walks on a little way before calling for the Doctor to come see – she's found the Tardis

"Of course, if they're collecting the Doctor's regenerations, companions and enemies, they'd want a TARDIS in their collection." Donna remarked.

"Question is, which Tardis is it?" Martha added on. The Doctor winked at her but offered no actual answers.

"Shouldn't it be the Fifth Doctor's Tardis as they were grabbed inside it?" Clara narrowed her eyes at the screen.

"We don't know that was the only Tardis taken." Yaz suggested but she didn't sound confident.

Susan asks what it is doing there and the Doctor suggests they go and find out

"Only way you're going to get answers." Bill declared.

"Unfortunately." Nardole sighed.

In the Tardis, Teagan declares the fifth Doctor is only just conscious and Turlough laments him not having send the signal. The first Doctor and Susan walk in, closing the door behind them

"Back up has arrived." Mickey announced upon seeing the First Doctor and Susan arrive.

"Though how helpful it will be is debatable." Amy argued, glancing at the Doctor. The Doctor was very prone to arguing with themselves when they ended up encountering their other regenerations.

Teagan asks who they are and the first Doctor replies what them young people are doing in his Tardis. Teagan corrects him to it being the Doctor's Tardis

"Which means it is also his Tardis." Rose said, "Your first Doctor seems to have a talent for walking into other Tardis'." Rose directed her last comment at the Doctor, referring to the last (and only) time they'd seen the Doctor's first regeneration, when Eyebrows had been regenerating.

The fifth Doctor opens his eyes and says he's here to the first. The first Doctor tells him to take is steady and let him help him up

"This is going to get confusing for everyone very quickly." Clara decided.

"I feel sorry for everyone else stuck with them." Donna snorted.

"Oi!" Everyone ignored the Doctor's protests.

The fifth Doctor says he tried to send a recall signal and the first tells him it doesn't matter before asking how they came to be there. The fifth doesn't know and the first tells him never mind again, Susan asks if it is really him

"At least Susan seems to have an idea what is going on. Though I imagine she'd be used to it, having grown up on Gallifrey." Martha said.

The first says he's afraid so, and asks what regeneration he's on. The fifth Doctor explains he's on his fourth and the first is shocked there are five of him now, before introducing Susan

"Why are you introducing Susan to yourself? Surely you would know who she is?" Rory aimed his question at the Doctor confused.

The Doctor sighed, "Regeneration can mess you up sometimes. And it was a long time ago, but I think my first-self thought there was a high chance Susan would have regenerated since then, so it was best to reintroduce her first regeneration, though I can't guarantee that was what I was thinking." She tried to explain, her expression saddening as she remembered Susan hadn't regenerated when she knew her and she may never have the chance.

No one asked any further questions, sensing the Doctor's change in mood.

The fifth says he knows, and the first asks who the others are. Turlough and Teagan introduce themselves before Teagan asks who he is

"They haven't worked it out yet." Ryan realised.

Yaz gave him a pointed look, "I mean when meeting a stranger would your first thought be, 'oh, they must be another regeneration of the Doctor,' really Ryan?"

"Fair point." Ryan shrugged, "But this isn't exactly a normal circumstance."

The first Doctor explains he is the Doctor, the original in fact. Teagan says he shouldn't be there at the same time as the other, should he

"No, but that's never stopped them before." River snorted.

The answer is a definite no, and the fifth adds it only happens in the gravest emergencies

Now the whole group snorted, they'd seen several instances of their being several Doctor regenerations together already, though admittedly they had been during major incidents.

Like now. The first Doctor tells Teagan to make herself useful as the fifth looks like he needs some refreshments and he and Susan do. Teagan isn't happy but the fifth rushes to ask her to humour him as he used to be a little tetchy but mellows with age, and Turlough will help

"I spent too much time in the 1960s." The Doctor rushed to defend herself, hands in the air in surrender as everyone turned annoyed looks at her. "He also did it partially to mess with people." She admitted. Some of the more annoyed looks relented with a last glare but others lingered for a moment. She'd probably hear more about this later, but they did remember a similar discussion when they first saw the Doctor's first regeneration.

Teagan and Turlough go into the interior, and the first Doctor asks the fifth (calling him young fellow) to tell him about it

"Two Doctors, double the brain power." Bill grinned.

"And double the trouble." Amy added on.

"Wouldn't expect anything else from the Doctor." River grinned fondly.

In the conference room, Flavia gives the Master the Seal of the High Council saying it might help convince the Doctor s of his good faith, the Master isn't convinced

"Or just make him think the Master had stolen it." Clara offered an alternative explanation.

The Doctor's wince and sheepish expression told the group that Clara had clocked onto exactly what had happened. Only the Doctor noticed the Master's scowl, from which she quickly glanced away and back to the screen.

Castellan says it is time to go and gives him a round device with a small button telling him when he has something to tell them, to activate it as it will pick up their signal and transmat them back

"What's the bet that they don't actually intend to do that?" Donna snorted; several people raised hands in the air. No one had any faith in the Time Lords.

The Master asks if anyone is going to wish him luck, and Borusa says for their sakes they wish him success. The Master steps back into the transmat cubicle, the Castellan operates it and the Master disappears. Castellan declares now they wait, and Borusa declares he'd prefer to wait alone. He puts his hand on a harp near a large painting on the wall of a Time Lord playing the harp

Bill narrowed her eyes at Borusa on screen, "I don't trust him."

In the Death Zone, the Master nudges a skeleton with his foot as he declares it one of his predecessors

There were several grimaces at the sight of the skeleton. Hopefully none of the Doctors or companions would end up like that one.

An energy bolt comes out of the sky and nearly hit him; he declares it not the most hospitable of environments

"That's putting it lightly." Amy snorted, with a grimace at the sight of the Death Zone.

Elsewhere in the Death zone, the Dark Tower is visible on the horizon. The second Doctor admits it is as he feared, telling the Brigadier they are on Gallifrey in the Death Zone. The Brigadier asks if he knows the place, and the second Doctor says he does to his shame, as in the days before Rassilon, their ancestors had great power that they misused. He says they created the Death Zone and placed an impenetrable force field around it, then kidnapping other beings and putting them within it

"But why?" Rose asked, turning on the two Time Lords in the room. The pair shared a long look, both purposefully ignoring the reminders of the Doctor's debatable status as a Gallifreyan in face of the crimes of their 'ancestors'.

"If I remember correctly, I do explain." The Doctor answered a bit cagily, glancing back at the Master before she focussed her attention on the screen.

"Eventually." Nardole added, earning an eye roll from the Doctor.

The Brigadier asks what for and the Doctor says he'll explain as they go. The Brigadier asks where they are going and the Doctor tells him to the tower, to Rassilon who is the greatest single figure in Time Lord history

A few people blinked at the name, they'd heard it a few times before, and the way the Doctor introduced him seemed to have some significance. Wasn't that the name of the Time Lord the Twelve Doctor had kicked off Gallifrey? But was it the same one was the question, or someone with the same name?

The Doctor couldn't help but frown, replaying the interactions she knew were about to come, wondering if there had been any hints towards her true heritage.

Brigadier asks if the tower is where he lives and the Doctor corrects him that it is his tomb

"So, you're tomb raiding?" Ryan asked. The Doctor just hummed; Ryan wasn't exactly wrong.

In the Tardis, Teagan and Turlough have rustled up some food which everyone is now devouring. The first Doctor declares the fifth is talking nonsense and they need to send the signal as planned and wait for the others, the fifth argues there is no time and they need to leave immediately as the temporal instability is already affecting him

"Oh god, it's worse when there are two of them." Amy complained.

"I don't know if it is smart to leave them to their own devices." Rory pointed out.

"Do you want to interrupt them?" Amy raised an eyebrow in question at her husband. Rory seemed to consider that for a second before shaking his head with a grimace. One Doctor when they were in this mood was bad enough, what two of them were capable of, bouncing off of each other? That wouldn't be any fun to interrupt.

The first Doctor argues without their other selves they'll be of little use out there, the fifth says they won't make it as there is evil at work. Teagan asks about the evil and the first says they are in the Death Zone of Gallifrey

"The Old Doctor raises a good point." Yaz said, "In a place called the 'Death Zone' you don't really expect nice things."

Turlough asks how they are sure. The fifth tells him it is the Tomb of Rassilon, and then asks if they can really afford to wait if someone is tapping his power

"Tapping his power?" Mickey asked, turning to the Doctor in the room with them, "What do you mean tapping into his power?" That really didn't sound good.

"Exactly what it suggests." The Doctor said solemnly. The rest of the room shared a look, that really wasn't promising. Apparently, they weren't getting nay breaks this video, every conceivable danger that could appear was making an appearance. Just great.

The first asks what he intends to do, and the fifth says he'll go to the tower. The first says there could be great danger

"Isn't there always." Martha sighed, though everyone could see the small fond smile creepy through.

The fifth asks for him help to set up the computer scanner so they can see what is out there at least

"That's more consideration than normal, Doctor." Jack teased, earning an eye roll from the Doctor.

In another area, the third Doctor and Sarah Jane are driving along in Bessie. The third explains it was the setting of the games that old Rassilon stopped in the end, sealing off the zone and forbidding the use of the Time Scoop until now

"The games?" Rose repeated the Third Doctor's words, turning to the Doctor in the room with them. From the little the Doctor's on screen had said so far, a bleak picture was being painted.

The Doctor grimaced, "It's basically exactly what you're thinking it was." She refused to say anymore on the matter.

Sarah Jane asks why don't they just tell them why they're there

"When is anything that straight forward?" Clara shook her head.

The Doctor stops Bessie as he explains they delight in deviousness; it amuses them chucking them in the deep end to watch them sink or swim. Sarah Jane asks why they've stopped, and the Doctor says so he can get his bearings, and then points out there it is – the Tomb of Rassilon, where they are going

"At least you're all going to meet in the same place." Graham said.

Yaz shook her head, "That many Doctors in one place? That's going to be chaos."

"What else do you expect with the Doctor?" Ryan added.

Sarah Jane asks if that's wise, as whatever is in the tower has enormous powers and what can they do against it. The Doctor says he'll do what he's always done - improvise

"They finally admit it." River teased, grinning at her wife fondly.

The Doctor just shrugged, grinning. "My great secret to success."

Further along the road, the Master spots them and waves shouting for the Doctor to wait, the Doctor slams on the brakes

"Appropriate reaction." Bill muttered. Though she could admit it was a bit of a comedic sight, the Doctor with Sarah Jane in a car on Gallifrey stopping for the Master. She was also interested to see the interaction between the earlier regenerations of the Master and the Doctor, they'd been enemies for so long but maybe it would reveal some secrets about their ... interesting relationship.

Sarah Jane asks who it is, the Doctor says he doesn't know, then it can't be. They back up to the Master as the Doctor says it is really him, and he should have known he's behind all of this

The Master tutted disapprovingly, "You know what they say about making assumptions, Dear."

The Doctor just scowled at him, "It's hardly a large jump to make with your history." The pair's stair off was only broken when the video continued.

Sarah Jane asks who it is again, and the Doctor calls him his best enemy but he likes to be known as the Master, saying he's changed, and asking if it's another regeneration

Yaz blinked at the interaction, glancing between the Doctor in the room, the Master and the screen. "You've been introducing each other like that for this long?"

The Doctor shrugged; her expression schooled carefully. The honest answer was it was the best way to describe their relationship, but she didn't think anyone would appreciate that answer.

The Master says not exactly. The Doctor asks if he should take it the Master is responsible for them being in the Death Zone, the Master counters for once he's innocent and he's here at the High Council's request to help the Doctor. The Doctor is in disbelief that the Master is sent by the Time Lords to help him, saying he's never heard such nonsense

The Master shot a glare at the Doctor who winced, not having to open the mental link between them to feel the annoyance-smugness from the Master.

The Master continues that he's telling the truth and he carries the Seal of the High Council, the Doctor declares it forged no doubt

Clara nodded to herself, easily having seen that coming earlier. None of the group could blame the Doctor for making that assumption, any of them would have done the same. If not made worst assumptions and been more aggressive.

The Master tells him to see for himself and offers the seal for the Doctor to examine, the Doctor corrects himself to stolen then, saying he'll return it at the first opportunity

"You think so highly of me, Doctor." The Master verbally poked the Doctor.

The Doctor rolled her eyes at him, "You have a representation for a reason, Master." Immediately she mentally winced, she tried hard to not say his name as he took far too much joy from it. The sly grin that appeared on her face told her he'd caught her mistake. She diverted her eyes back to the screen and mentally begged the Tardis to play the video, thankfully she heard her pleas.

The Master says if he'd listen, he's there to help. The Doctor declares him helping him rubbish and declares it a trap. The Master declares he knew it would be difficult but didn't realise the Doctor would be so stupid as to make it impossible, he moved to avoid an energy bolt hitting the ground. The Doctor declares he knew it was a trap

"Bad timing." Rose muttered. The group were all split on the matter of the Master. On one hand, the Master was potentially the only way out of the Death Zone at the moment. But on the other, the Doctor was right to not trust the Master and in any other situation, it would potentially save them from a trap. None could blame the Doctor for their actions, even as they wished he'd listened a bit more to escape.

The Master protests the thunderbolts are everywhere. Sarah Jane declares they can't leave him, the Doctor says to watch him, driving off as a bolt hits the road in front of them. The Master runs for life with explosions at his heels

The Doctor winced at her past actions, feeling remorse for her complete disregard of the Master. It had been the first time they'd seen him in a while and she hadn't even bothered to consider he may actually be there to help. Things were different now, but back then she really should have listened. When they were younger there was a much higher chance that he would actually be there to help, yet she hadn't bothered to listen – far too paranoid and self-righteous.

She avoided the Master's eyeline, knowing exactly what he would be doing, instead focusing on the screen. Now was not the time for that conversation.

In the Tardis, a diagram of the Dark Tower is drawn on a console monitor. The fifth Doctor outlines the entrances (three) – one above, below, and the main door. The first Doctor asks which he plans to use, and the fifth says the main door

"Won't they be expecting that?" Donna asked with a raised eyebrow.

The Doctor shrugged, "Maybe, but we didn't have that many options."

The first says he should wait and the fifth argues there may be very little time

"Isn't there always." Amy sighed. Constant countdowns and time limits chased them through time and space, which was a bit ironic for a time traveller.

In another area of the Death Zone, the third Doctor and Sarah Jane walk away from the smoking remains of Bessie as he tells Sarah Jane to see what he means, a trap

The Doctor pouted at the sight of her old car, poor Bessie. River and Jack both noticed her expression and immediately clocked what she was feeling, both fondly rolling their eyes at her.

In the conference room, a wavy image of the fourth Doctor is being worked on. Borusa asks if there is nothing they can do to retrieve him, a technician says nothing as with the present energy drain it is beyond their resources. Borusa tells him to use what spare energy they can to stabilise the portion of the vortex he is trapped in as it might give the remaining Doctors more time

"At least he's trying to help?" Bill said, although she sounded very usure. The Doctor and the Master shared a short knowing look.

The technician agrees and leaves as the Castellan enters. He asks if there is any news from the Master, and Borusa asks if he really thought there would be

"He raises a good point." Martha said, eyes narrowing at Borusa on screen, "It's almost like he knows you." Her last comment was very pointed, aimed at the Doctor more than the Master though.

The Doctor sighed, "He did know us well at one point. He was one of our teachers."

The group went silent for a second, taking in that new piece of information. Donna was the first to speak up, her tone more gentle than normal, "Your teacher?"

The Doctor nodded humming; a bit lost in thought as her eyes kept darting to the Master whose own expression was schooled. "One of the few I may say I liked. He certainly let us away with a few things that others wouldn't have. But that was a long time ago." She didn't add anymore, they'd see what happened with Borusa. Thankfully, no one asked any follow up questions, likely taking the time to process the new information and add it to the little they knew about the Doctor and Master's childhood.

In another section of the Death Zone, the second Doctor wonders if Rassilon himself could have brought them there

"Didn't you say he was dead?" Graham pointed out.

Before the Doctor could answer, Bill spoke up. "Technically they only said they were going to his tomb. Not that he was dead."

"Typically, people in tombs are dead." Mickey argued though he looked a bit unnerved by the idea Bill was suggesting. The Doctor didn't say anything which didn't help reassure anyone.

"When is anything with the Doctor typical?" Martha shrugged next to him.

The Brigadier tells him to wait a moment as he said Rassilon was dead and he said this was his tomb. The Doctor agrees but adds no one really knows how extensive his powers were

"So, he could have just resurrected himself?" Rose asked incredulous. The Doctor shrugged with an expression that revealed nothing.

The Brigadier asks if he could still be alive, and the Doctor adds he could be watching them at the very moment

"Well, that's a terrifying thought." Yaz muttered solemnly.

The Brigadier points out didn't he say Rassilon was supposed to be a good type

"Good for a Time Lord doesn't mean much." Clara scowled. The Doctor winced but couldn't bring herself to argue. The few Time Lords she would have named as 'good' weren't exactly traditional and the group wasn't likely to listen to any arguments in that moment.

The Doctor explains the official history says yes but there are many rumours and legends to the contrary. He adds some say his fellow Time Lords rebelled against his cruelty and locked him in the Tower in eternal sleep

"That's very contradictory to the other rumours." Rory blinked with a worried look at the screen. Things were sounding worse and worse by every second.

"Not reassuring." Jack said, "Personally I'm voting for the nice rumour to be right." His frown told the room he doubted he would be right though.

The Brigadier asks if now he's woken up and the Doctor agrees it would explain a great deal, saying they could be playing the Game of Rassilon at that very moment

"I don't like the sound of that." Bill declared.

"You shouldn't." The Doctor admitted. The frowns around the room only grew.

The Brigadier says his tone doesn't inspire much confidence as he assumes they aren't expected to win. The Doctor says to come on

"That's a no then." Amy muttered, frowning deeply.

In the Tardis, Turlough asks what he is going to do if he reaches the Tower. The fifth Doctor says he'll release the Tardis, as the computer scanner has located the force field generator, Susan says she'll go with him, the fifth just hums

"You don't look happy about that, Doctor." Mickey said gently.

The Doctor sighed, "It's the first time I have seen Susan in a long time. I didn't exactly want to drag her immediately into severe danger like this." No one had anything to say to that.

Teagan says she'd like to come too, the first says it would be safer it she was to remain with him in the Tardis. Teagan persists she'd like to go with him, the fifth says all right, and tells the first Doctor to bring the Tardis to the Tower as soon as he switches off the force field

"I'm hoping you have a plan, sweetie." River asked her wife. The Doctor just winked back, which didn't necessarily answer River's question.

The first agrees, and the fifth says they better get started as time is running out

"It always is." Rory sighed.

With the third Doctor and Sarah Jane, they're walking up a wooded slope as Sarah Jane says she thought they were going to the Tower, the third Doctor says they are. Sarah Jane asks why that way, and the Doctor explains there are mountains between them and the Tower

"That's a valid reason." Bill muttered.

The Doctor shook her head fondly, "Glad you approve Bill."

Sarah Jane asks if they can't find an easier way, and the third says it would take too long. They spot a Cyberman patrolling down below them

"Maybe avoid the Cybermen." Mickey decided. The last thing they needed was to be caught by Cybermen while they tried to get to the Tower.

The Doctor thinks the Master has used the Time Scoop to bring others there as well, he tells Sarah Jane to come on and they need to get out of there

"You're half right. As normal." The Master declared snappishly, still obviously annoyed about the Doctor's disregard of him earlier.

In the Tardis, Turlough asks if it will take the fifth Doctor long to reach the Tower. The first replies it depends on what will try to stop him, and it is called the Death Zone for a reason. He finds two more traces

"I'd imagine the people that named it the Death Zone had a reason for naming it that." Donna snorted.

"You never know." The Doctor shrugged with false cheer.

"What does that mean Doctor?" Donna shot back, only to get another cheerful shrug.

Turlough asks if they are Time Lords. The Doctor says it is two more of him, as the scanner is keyed to their brain patterns. He wonders what happened to the other if only two others made it

"Why did it stop at five?" Rose suddenly asked, turning to the Doctor in the room with them.

"What do you mean?" The Doctor replied, unsure of what Rose was getting at.

Rose waved her hands as if to emphasise her point, "Why did it stop at five Doctors. Why didn't it try to get anymore?"

The Doctor nodded in understanding, "Ah. I imagine it is to do with when in the time line the Time Scoop was activated and the knowledge of the operator."

"So, you don't know." Martha immediately read between the lines. That earned a few chuckles as the Doctor couldn't deny it.

At the base of the Dark Tower, the second Doctor is singing a nursery rhyme about the tower. The Brigadier asks if he's in pain, the second Doctor says age hasn't mellowed him, and explains he was recalling an old nursery rhyme about the tower

"Of course, you have nursery rhymes about it." Amy shook her head, not even surprised at this point.

"Oi! It's not like you lot can talk! Have you ever actually listened to your nursery rhymes? Babies in cradles falling out of trees, people dying of the plague. They're not exactly cheery on Earth either." The Doctor protested.

"Nursery rhymes are just universally creepy." Jack decided, breaking up the argument before it could even begin.

The Brigadier asks if it helps. The Doctor says considerably more than him, and the rhyme describes different ways to enter the Tower. The Brigadier states he's never heard anything so ridiculous, and the second Doctor proposes they test it nevertheless

"It's not like you have many other options." Clara pointed out. She was opening grinning at the bantering between the Brigadier and the Doctor, glad to see the famed relationship in person (well through a screen, but that's just technicalities).

They reach a burning beacon; the Doctor takes a pair of metal torches and lights it from the fire. The second Doctor leads them through into a cave entrance, dripping with water

"Creepy." Bill sang, eyes darting round the screen taking in the dark tunnel.

"You can say that again." Ryan muttered.

Elsewhere in the zone, the fifth Doctor says they'll be there soon. Susan is excited and Teagan wishes she was too. The Master approaches them

"And he's found another Doctor." Jack commentated with a quick glance at the Master in the room with them.

Teagan recognises the Master

The group grimaced at Tegan's immediate recognition of the Master; it wasn't a good sign if she knew straight away who he was. The Doctor winced, no one had any clue about Tegan's history with the Master and she was hoping it would stay that way for the moment – now really wasn't the time to recount that mess, and it would likely bring up some bad memories for others in the room.

The Doctor tells them to wait there, walking down the slope to the Master. The Master declares that it might be hard to believe but he means him no harm for once. The Doctor declares like Alice, he tries to believe three impossible things before breakfast, telling him to go on

"You're more willing to listen than your earlier counterpart." River raised an eyebrow surprised. From what she knew of the Doctor and Master's history she would have thought that the Doctor's later regenerations would be less trusting of the Master, not the other way round.

The Master's expression was stony, "Or so it seems." The rest of the group shared a look.

The Master explains he's been sent there by the High Council to help him. A cyberman walks round a rocky outcrop a little way and sees them, he walks back

"You've been spotted." Nardole announced.

"Thank you Nardole." The Doctor rolled her eyes. "Very helpful observation."

Susan asks Teagan if he's a friend of the Doctor's

"Susan didn't know him?" Martha asked surprised, turning to the Doctor for answers.

The Doctor frowned, glancing briefly at the Master who raised an eye expectantly before she turned back to answer Martha's question. "She'd known him a bit before we left Gallifrey, but he's regenerated several times since then so she wouldn't recognise him, and I hardly referred to him by his chosen title much, plus she was fairly young when we left so I'm not surprised she didn't realise who he was." She tried to explain to the group, avoiding the Master's eyes. She done her best to shelter Susan from the Master as he went more and more off the rail before they left Gallifrey so she wasn't surprised Susan didn't immediately connect the dots as to who he was.

Teagan says he is anything but and Susan counters they are talking like friends

"That's what worries us." Jack said solemnly, albeit quietly. The Doctor was too focused on the screen to hear him.

Teagan says that is what worries her. The Cyberman reports to its patrol leader saying it has found the ones from the Tardis; another says they will take the patrol and destroy them. The leader says to capture them alive as they must be interrogated first

"I don't know if that's better or not." Yaz mused. At least they wouldn't die immediately but being captured to be interrogated wasn't exactly a good thing either.

The leader continues they need the Time Lord to pilot the Tardis

"They're not completely stupid." Mickey blinked.

Martha grimaced, "That's worrying. The smart ones are the more dangerous ones."

The Cyberman gives his troop orders. Back on the other side of the outcrop, the Master asks the Doctor to be reasonable. The Doctor says he has been as he's listened. The Master reveals his Tissue Compression Eliminator (TCE)

The group winced upon seeing the weapon. Some recognised it as the same device from the Master's rampage in WW2 Paris, but even those that didn't were immediately on high alert at the sight of the Master with a weapon.

The Master declares he is armed and could easily kill him if he wants to

"Bit contradictory to the whole 'trying to save you' thing." Bill remarked, she was brave enough to shoot a pointed glare at the Master but the second he turned his own stare on her she looked away again.

The Doctor says it isn't his style to not humiliate him first. The Master continues he also has a recall device that will take him back to the conference room in the heart of the Capitol

"Very prepared." Martha muttered.

"One has to be Dr Jones." The Master smirked at her.

Martha glared back at him, "That's Dr Smith, not Jones."

The Doctor isn't convinced, saying he'd prefer more proof of his credentials. The Master argues one of the Doctor's others selves took it from him, and the Doctor asks if he is expected to believe the Master's tale

The glare Master sent her told her that, yes, she was supposed to believe him. She raised an eyebrow at him in a 'really?' manner.

Teagan warns them about the Cyberman, the Doctor tells them to go back. Susan argues they can't just leave him but Teagan argues they can't help him either and they should do as he says and warn the others, she runs off

"Back to the running." Rory muttered. His eyes never left the screen, eager to see them escape the danger at hand.

The Doctor says after him, and the Master runs with the Doctor's at his heels. The Cybermen shout to halt or they will be destroyed. An energy bolt lands ahead of the pair and the Master is knocked out by a flying fragment of rock

The Master scowled as he was knocked out on screen and abandoned by yet another version of the Doctor.

Off screen, the Castellan declares all available power to the transmat beam

The group perked up at that, the chance of escape getting tantalisingly close. They were tempted to ask the Doctor who was to be transmitted, but they knew they were unlikely to get any answers.

They are preparing to retrieved the Master as the fifth Doctor picks up the beeping recall device

The group grinned as they realised what had happened, the Doctor was smiling along and doing her best to ignore the Master's glare that she could feel digging into the side of her head.

The cybermen declare the Doctor will accompany them but the Doctor says he has to dash, pressing the button and vanishing

"The Time Lords are about to get a surprise." Amy smirked, happy to see one of the Doctors escape. With one on the outside of the Death Zone there was a higher chance that they'd be able to get everyone else out.

Teagan urges Susan on, Susan trips over a protruding piece of rock and shouts in pain

"Susan!" The Doctor immediately shot up, concerned about her granddaughter despite knowing it had all happened a long time ago and that Susan tuned out okay. She was glad the pair had gotten to safety while she distracted the Cybermen but she didn't enjoy watching them stumble along the rough terrain as they tried to make their way back to her first regeneration.

Teagan asks if she can walk and Susan says just about. In the conference room, the Inner Council are gathered when the transmat delivers the fifth Doctor, he declares it quite the reception committee

"Let's hope you can think of a plan quickly, Doctor." Clara said, she didn't trust the Inner Council as far as she could throw them. Now the Doctor was out of the Death Zone they theoretically had some time to create a plan, but who knows how the council would receive them. They may have sent the Master in to save the Doctor, but there was likely another reason behind it, a reason they would just have to watch carefully for.

Back in the Death Zone, the Master wakes as the cyberman declares he is not the Doctor, the leader declares to take him. The Master lies he's been looking for them

"No, you've not." Yaz called the Master out on his bluff. She was immediately tense at the sight of the Master trying to make deals with the Cybermen, the whole situation bringing up far too many bad memories. She didn't miss Bill's wince at the scene either.

The Master scoffed, "You may know that, but those idiots don't." His expression told Yaz that he thought she was equally as stupid as the Cybermen.

The leader says to kill him, the Master claims he's there as their friend. The leader asks who he is, and he declares himself the Master, their loyal servant

"Slumming it with the Cybermen." The Doctor could resist mocking him.

The Master scowled, "Some of us do what it takes to survive. It's your fault anyways, if you hadn't stolen my recall device, I wouldn't have to degrade myself like that."