The Shadow Without

Episode One

by Moky_9

Two figures stood face to face talking......

"The forces of good, evil, neutral brought about the death of Balance... and changed to what they originally were,....Death"

"They are needed" whispered Death.

"No, they are not. They are false psychology creations."

"They represent morals" whispered Death. "Morals that have nothing to do with the higher rules of the Lords Law, Order, Justice, Chaos and Lady Destiny."

The other figure was pacing around Death in mild anger as it is was speaking. "And those corrupt higher intelligences who meddled in Life, Death, Creation areas to summon them must be found and punished by the High Law".

"They are needed by many...." whispered Death.

"For what?, Death. To use those forces to cause harm to life, death, time, destinies, even....lives....."

"For comfort and help." whispered Death.

"Rubbish! They merely use those forces to aid themselves and cause harm to others"

"That is the way to learn"

"Learn by causing harm to others and benefiting themselves by playing around with those forces?!"

"Yes....." whispered Death.

"Learning comes from understanding and comprehending the situation, Death. People don't need to be attacked to learn. They have their senses to be able to help them".

"There are other ways to learn...." whispered Death.

"They use and hide behind those forces because they lack self-control"

"Part of learning process....." whispered Death.

"I disagree, Death"

"Those who created those forces were using them to cause harm to life, death, time, creation, destiny/fate, just to name a few areas they have caused harm to already, Death"

"Perhaps....."

It was at this point in the conversation that a wheezing and groaning noise filled the air and it was followed by a shimmering haze in the space next to the pair. The haze turned into a blue haze which solidified into a big blue box with the words "Police Box" printed on a panel above the doors. A mounted light on the roof ceased to flash. The pair walked over to the big blue box and waited. The door opened and out stepped the TimeLord known as the Doctor, complete with his question-mark umbrella and hat.

"Ah, Doctor....Greetings!"

As the Doctor and Ace exited the TARDIS, the Doctor acknowledged Death's presence and the Gallifreyan security officer that had been talking to Death. Ace was astonished to see Death, and she wondered why Death was there and where they were. The Doctor nodded briefly to Death with a smile and turned his attention to the security officer. The security officer saluted to the Doctor.

"Why did you summon me?" asked the Doctor roughly to the Gallifreyan security officer.

"Nice to see that you are doing well, too, Doctor" replied the officer sarcastically.

The Doctor replied with nothing but an angry frown.

"The reason you and your companion were summoned and the TARDIS programmed to bring you back here is because of the development on Earth that you are getting involved in. With the aid of my... colleague here, I have drawn a Shadow from both of you..."

"What's he on about Doctor?" asked Ace.

The Doctor looked around in growing consternation. he held his hands in front of his face. They were strangely translucent. Ace quickly looked at her own hands... They too were the same. She looked at the Doctor in alarm, and realised now that she could see, through his body, the dark figure of Death - silhouetted against the light.

"We're dead, aren't we Doctor. That's why... He's here isn't it?"

"How dare you!" The Doctor thundered at the two watching figures. "It's immesurably dangerous to meddle with our time-lines in this way."

"Your shadow forms will be returned to their places... But their are higher issues to be resolved first." hissed Death

"I can handle the situation perfectly"

"Maybe, Doctor, but perhaps we could discuss this matter in my chambers in more comfort?" said the officer, directing the Doctor, Ace and Death with a sweep of his hand in the direction intended.

"Very well" replied the Doctor darkly. "Lead on, Captain"

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Episode Two

by esherrouse

The four shadowy figures continued along the corridor until they reached two huge double doors which had an ensignia of Rassilon above it.

"Why all the Pomp and Circumstance?" inquired the Doctor in a sarcastic tone. "We are not exactly on the Prime Material Plane you know."

The Officer replied,"One might say that we have grown accustomed to the higher styles of life."

"More like the big mouth..." began Ace, but the Doctor raised his finger to her lips.

The door opened to reveal a plush office with a bowl of fruit floating in the middle of the room for all to have. "You see, Doctor, that little skirmish you are about to get yourself involved in is a very important battle in the history of the universe."

"I am perfectly aware of how significant this so-called skirmish is. I do not need you and Mister Grim here to keep me in line." replied the Doctor indignantly. Death began with a chilling tone, but one of calming effect,

"Doctor, this meeting is not about merely the Universal course of history as a result of this battle. It is about those who seek to be players in the game of life. I left that lot billions of years ago, but there are those who still seek to meddle."

"What does this have to do with me and Ace here?"

Death began,"I am merely the Defending counsel's Adivisor and strickly here on observation capacity."

The Officer replied,"You see Doctor, when Fenric was released there was a new balance taking form... a new equilibrium if you will. Fenric and all other beings of that camp seek to root out the stability of the universe as a whole. They seek to bring about it's end or it's submission for their own benefit."

"What is he on about Professor?" Ace began.

"They want me to assist them in bringing the Higher Powers of the Universe on trial before Gallifrey. This is preposterously insane!"

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Episode Three

by Moky_9

From an adjoining room, entered 1 TimeLord and 1 TimeLady.

The Captain of the Guards saluted the pair. "You of all people calling this trial of the Good, Evil, Neutral Guardians, insane, Doctor?" said the TimeLady.

"You, who in the past has worked for the White Guardian, is just as guilty as they are of meddling with the forces of life, death, time" said the TimeLord.

"Oh, spare me your speeches. If we are here on trial, what is the nature of our alleged crimes?"

"Why, Doctor. It is quite obvious" said the TimeLady.

"What are they on about, Professor?" asked Ace.

Just then, a squad of the Capitol guards entered the room and surrounded the small group and aimed their weapons at the Doctor and Ace.

"You are hereby under arrest, Doctor, and your companion, for the crimes of deliberate tampering with Time, Life, Death forces on a grand scale and aiding and abetting the Guardians in their crimes of intended destruction of Life, death, time on a grand scale" stated the Captain of the Guards.

"You what?!"said Ace loudly.

"Silence, child"said the TimeLord.

"Hush, Ace"said the Doctor to calm Ace.

"You both will be taken to the necessary rooms and given a councillor who will argue your case.

"Captain"

The Captain of the Guards saluted the pair."My Lady?"

"See that they are escorted to the necessary rooms"

"Yes, M'am"

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Episode Four

by Kilduskland

When the trial was eventually about to begin, the Doctor and Ace were brought back into the room. The Doctor leaned over to whisper to Ace. "Given they took us out of our own time-streams, youd think they could have taken us half an hour later instead of keeping us waiting about like this!" The Security Officer stepped forward and read from a scroll.

"This is a trial of the Good, Evil, and Neutral Guardians for meddling with the forces of life, death and time." The Doctor watched the Guardians with interest. "This trial also concerns the Doctor and his companion for collaboration in the crimes of deliberate tampering with time, life and death forces on a grand scale and aiding and abetting the Guardians in their crimes of intended destruction of life, death and time on a grand scale." The Doctor yawned.

"As you are so in need of sleep Doctor, perhaps we ought to start with you," the Timelady intoned, icily.

"Yes, lets get this little charade over with," the Doctor said briskly, getting to his feet and walking to the centre of the arena. "And it should be taken as said that I am dispensing with any need of a spokesperson. I will defend both myself and my companion."

Ace looked at the Doctors empty seat. Death was sitting in the next seat. He sensed her stare and looked round. Ace smiled. "Terry Prachett fan, are you?" she asked. She got no reply, and Death looked back at the Doctor.

"I would first of all ask you, my lady, why you brought the essense of both myself and Ace to this place, but saw fit not to bring the real Black and White Guardians?"

"Their representatives are here in their place," replied the Timelady, curtly.

"I beg to differ," responded the Doctor. "The real Guardians will know nothing of this. If I might explain to my young Earth friend." He paused for effect, and turned to Ace, speaking loud enough for the whole court to hear. "None of this is quite what it seems," the Doctor told her. "To use your vernacular, the Timelords are just a jumped up version of the United Nations. Imagine the UN getting the Gods of Heaven and Hell to come to New York and sit in a court-of-law to face their crimes for free-will and determinism? Its absolutely preposterous! So what you see before you is no more than a committee too full of its own importance trying to put through their judgement on current events through Gallifreys political system. The outcome will have no bearing on anyone or anything. Timelords generally talk a lot but dont actually do anything. This is a prime example of that."

"Doctor, do you mind?" asked the lady, indignantly. "You are a renegade, a runaway politician. What knowledge do you have of our current political clout?"

"I may be a mere shadow of my current self here, but I am not without any knowledge of whats going on! And your committee is a lifeless shadow without a hope of ever representing the real world! No wonder you got Death to put in a personal appearance! Hes quite at home here among all this dead weight! Youd get more life in a tin of baked beans!"

"Enough!" shouted the Timelady. "Doctor, you will kindly respect the authority of this court."

"Or what?" the Doctor retorted. "I am only a shadow, therefore my lifeline is going on, regardless. Whatever you do to a shadow of me is not going to damage my mortal existence! No, I have been in far too many courts, including those of your court superiors, to be remotely intimidated by you! I suggest you stop talking among yourselves and start examining the real universe. While you still can." He turned to Ace. "Come on, Ace. Were leaving."

Ace, seldom at a loss for words, felt like a little girl again, surrounded by all these grown-up officials daring her to move. But she was Ace nowadays, and the Doctor was with her. So she calmly got out of her chair and joined the Doctor by the Police Box. Still no-one moved as he opened the door and got in. Ace turned to Death before following and waved. "See you later!" she shouted.

The door closed and the Police Box vanished, taking both Ace and the Doctor back to their own place in space and time. The Timelady found herself now the full attention of the court. She coughed. "This court is adjourned!" was all she could say, before making a hasty exit.

The End.

