Enlightenment

For other uses, see Enlightenment (disambiguation)

Enlightenment was a prize offered to a group of Eternals by the White Guardian and Black Guardian in a race. The Eternal Captains Wrack, Striker, and their rivals sought the prize in a race across the Sol system. It was claimed to bring anyone's heart's desire to life, and Wrack wanted to win so she would never be bored again.

In the end, a share of the prize was awarded to Vislor Turlough by the White Guardian for helping the Doctor bring Wrack's ship into harbor. Turlough believed it was a huge diamond that he said could buy a galaxy. When he refused the Black Guardian's offer of the diamond, the TARDIS, and anything else he desired if he would hand over the Doctor to him, it was revealed that Enlightenment was in fact the ability to choose between good and evil, concepts of which the Eternals had no knowledge. Turlough threw the diamond at the Black Guardian, and upon contact with Enlightenment he was consumed by flames due to the blinding light of the prize. (DW: Enlightenment)

When the Guardians appeared to award the winner, the Black Guardian physically held Enlightenment, and when Turlough was offered the prize, he pointed out that Enlightenment belonged to him, unless Turlough gave him the Doctor instead. Whereas the Key to Time could not belong to anyone, it may be that Enlightenment was the property of the Black Guardian.

In the 27th century, Enlightenment, in the form of the diamond, was offered to Bernice Summerfield by the two Eternals Hardy and Barron. (BFBS: The Heart's Desire)