"Follow me." the Doctor said. They ran down corridors, bending and twisting. "Ah ha! Result!" the Doctor said, opening large stone doors to a bright light coming from the ground. "You see those four levers surrounding it? Switch them off!" the Doctor said.
Nico and Will nod, each running to a lever and taking one in their hands.
"Alison, Cece, you too." the Doctor said. The levers were switched off, and the room went dark. "We need to get back to the console room. She's freezing from that huge burst of energy, and-" "If we can't return me to my shell, both my consciousness and physical form will die." the TARDIS said weakly.
Nico nods, his eyes searching the dark. He could see perfectly. "Will, light it up, yeah?" Will nods and lights his hand with sunlight, smiling a little bit.
"We need to go, now." the Doctor said, leading them back to the console room. Or trying to. The hallways were endless, with no sign of any doors to leave.
Will looks around. "It's like the TARDIS is playing tricks on us…"
"No, she's dying. And we have to save her." the Doctor said. The human version of the TARDIS leaned on the Doctor, barely able to stand.
"I mean the box." Will retorts.
"So did I." the Doctor muttered.
"Oh never mind." Nico says. He takes a breath and focuses, looking through the interior of the box. "I can't see anything. If Hazel where here, she could have found a path easily.
"Well, we don't appear to be making any progress, or finding our way back, so don't waste your breath on 'If Only's'." Cece snapped.
Will looks at Nico, "Breathe. I know you can do it. You've done it before."
"I have no idea what they're doing. Just leave them to it and hope it's productive." Alison stage whispered.
Nico nods, shooting a glance at Alison before taking a breath and outstretching his hand. "This way." He says after a few heartbeats.
"Let's follow him." Alison directed. "Lead the way, Nico."
Nico walks slowly, his eyes shut, his hand guiding him. He felt a faint tug and he turns into a corridor. They keep walking, and finally Nico halts. "We've made it."
"I see nothing." Cece said. There was no sign of any doors. "Wait, let me try something." Alison said. She felt along the wall, her hand eventually bumping into an invisible door handle. "Fantastic!" she said, opening up the door to the console room.
Will and Nico smile excitedly.
The TARDIS erupted in golden ribbons of flame, dancing around the console room. "You took her from her home, you tried to destroy her, but now she's free!" the Doctor shouted. The screen lit up, showing the lab going up in flames. Everyone had been evacuated but one. "Finish them off, girl! Show the Rani what happens when she messes with you!" he shouted, flicking switches. "The feedback will destroy the place, and the Rani with it." he explained. "Doctor, you can stop now." Alison said. "Let's leave."
Nico nods, Will taking his hand firmly.
"No, the Rani needs to pay for what she's done." the Doctor said. "Doctor, no! Since when did killing someone ever become an option?" Alison asked. "There is nothing that isn't an option! There is no line I won't cross!" the Doctor shouted.
Nico grabs his arm, "There is no point in revenge. It only turns into a cycle. I-" He takes a breath. "I should know."
"And what, let her kill more innocent people? How many more have to die because I showed mercy, huh?!" he snapped.
"Karma is a thing." Will replies with a lot of confidence. He gives a little smirk.
"Doctor, no." Alison said firmly. "What? What do you mean-" "I mean no. I don't care what she's done, we're going to at least offer to save her. If she doesn't take the offer, that's her problem."
Nico nods. Will shrugs. "If she doesn't accept I have something that will make sure she bugs no one." He replies, sighing a little.
"Fine." the Doctor said. He piloted the TARDIS, landing it in the middle of the collapsing building. "Give me your hand!" he shouted, reaching out to her. The Rani gave a tired but amused sigh. "No, Doctor. This time, not everybody lives." she said. "Oh, don't be stupid! I know you don't want to just let yourself die! Now grab my hand! I'll take you back to Gallifrey!" he shouted. Suddenly, a wall of flame shot between them, and the Rani was consumed. The TARDIS doors were blasted closed, and Cece piloted them away. "No, we need to go back!" Alison roared. "It's too late to save her, Alison. We need to get to safety!" Cece replied.
Will and Nico watch, not intervening. Will walks towards a chair and collapses in it.
Cece landed the TARDIS with ease. "We're back in my office. Now go get your android and get out of here." she said. "Wait, how did you know how to fly her? The TARDIS, I mean?" the Doctor asked. Cece whipped her head around and grinned. "Spoilers!" she said, walking off.
Nico and Will sigh quietly.
