Hell Bent (TV story): Difference between revisions

In the chamber of the High Council, the Cloister Bells are ringing without end, warning of great danger. [[Rassilon]] wonders if that means the Doctor has returned; [[the General]] confirms it, radioing a guard named [[Gastron]]. Gastron has arrived via lift to the [[Cloisters]], being advised not to approach them; he reports that [[Cloister Wraith|Cloister Wraiths]] are more active. Rassilon wonders why the Doctor hasn't arrived yet. [[Ohila]] with two guards, annoying Rassilon that the [[Sisterhood of Karn]] would arrive uninvited; she tells him that at the end of time, one should expect the presence of immortals. Having heard that the Doctor has returned, she came to see the resulting "fireworks".  

In the meantime, the Doctor is trying to enjoy a bowl of soup, with a small crowd of Gallifreyans watching him in awe. Gastron arrives in a military craft, asking that everyone back away; they don't comply, even when he warns that its for their safety. Gastron orders the Doctor drop his weapons and come peacefully.  Instead of going with Gastron, the Doctor walks up and drags his heel through the sand, drawing a line; he then resumes eating his meal, unconcerned. Watching from the Council room, Rassilon wonders what the Doctor is up to; Ohila retorts that he's just finishing his soup. The General decides that they should try talking to the Doctor; words are his weapons, but when did they stop being theirs? The General and some soldiers try, failing; so does the High Council. Rassilon wonders what the Doctor is doing. Ohila the goes on to explain he Doctor doesn't blame the Time Lords for the horrors of the Time War, just Rassilon.  

Finally, Rassilon himself arrives with his personal guard; the Doctor only responds with a simple "Get off my planet". Rassilon does not take kindly to the Doctor's words, demanding he come with them. However, the Doctor still refuses to comply, forcing Rassilon to order his execution; he threatens them into complying by raising his Gauntlet. To Rassilon's anger and surprise, they all miss; he demands an explanation from Gastron. He states that in the Time War, the first thing that was noticed about the "Doctor of War" was that he was unarmed, and that "For many it was also the last." Gastron throws his weapon and joins the Doctor. The rest of the firing squad follow suit.

Raising his Gauntlet, Rassilon demands to know how many regenerations were [[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|granted to the Doctor back on Trenzalore]]; he intends to keep killing the Doctor until he runs out of regenerations. However, to Rassilon's surprise, reinforcements arrive, backing up the Doctor. The General repeats the Doctor's order to leave the planet, throws down his gun and joins the Doctor. Rassilon is then banished, via shuttle, not TARDIS, as it would cause trouble if Rassilon had the whim to alter events. The General then explains that Gallifrey came back into the universe several billion years later, give or take a star system or two; thus anyone banished from the planet has little choice in where to go. The General asks if he's gone too far with Rassilon's exile, the Doctor grimly warns that he's barely started; the High Council is next.

Now once more the Lord President of Gallifrey, the Doctor demands to know why he was imprisoned within his own confession dial; its meant to purify a Time Lord's spirit so they can be uploaded into the Matrix without regrets, not to be used as a torture chamber. The General stars to explain, but is caught lying by the Doctor a few times; seeing he can't prevent him from knowing the whole truth, the General explains in detail. All Matrix predictions foresaw the birth of a hybrid from two warrior races that will stand in the ruins of Gallifrey as it breaks millions of hears to mend its own; the Doctor mockingly asks "what colour is is it?", pointing out "the problem with prophecies; they never tell you anything important." Ohila tells him he shouldn't be playing the part of the fool. The Doctor says he needs help; he turns down the General and Ohila, saying people with bad hats cramp his style. He needs to talk to an old friend...  

Clara's death by the raven is shown again; however, right before it kills her, time freezes. Clara sees a light and the Doctor motioning for her to come into the light. Clara complies, finding herself in a sterile right room with technicians and the General. Clara notices that something is wrong with her hearing, as the Doctor and General argue over telling her about what happened. The Doctor finally relents, and explains that Clara is frozen between two heat-beats; the ringing in her ears was her realizing that she can't hear her heartbeat anymore. Thus she doesn't have a pulse or need to breathe (though she still does so out of habit). The General goes on to explain that her death is an established part of the timeline; they will return her once they find out what they can from her about the Hybrid.  

However, the Doctor takes the General's gun, threatening "on pain of death, no-one take a Selfie". Clara is shocked by his actions, wondering what happened to him since she died. The Doctor asks for a neural block that is human compatible, before asking the General what regeneration he's on. After confirming he's in his eleventh incarnation, the General is wished good luck and shot. The Doctor takes the device and drops the gun, running off with Clara. Clara is shocked by what the Doctor has done, but he explains death on Gallifrey is basically man flu. Gastron arrives in the extractor room, reporting the regeneration; he asks the General is he's okay, finding that he's regenerated into a female. The General is glad to be back to normal, explaining to Gastron that her last incarnation was her only male body. Ohila arrives, explaining that the Doctor has run into the greatest danger on Gallifrey.  

The Doctor takes Clara to the [[Cloisters]], an area located below Gallifrey's capital; it is guarded by the [[Cloister Wraith|Wraith]]s, which only attack if they attempt to leave. Many enemies attempted to steal information from Gallifrey during the [[Cloister Wars]], and were imprisoned within the vines - Daleks, Cybermen and Weeping Angels are among these victims. There is a secret door they can use to escape, he used in during his childhood when he got lost; the wraiths use projections of enemies who attacked to attempt scaring them into retreating, to no avail. Clara asks what he's talking about, so the Doctor dumbs it down to "the [[Matrix|Time Lords have got a bit computer made of ghosts]], in a crypt, [[Cloister Wraith|guarded by more ghosts.]]" They find the secret hatch and begin working on getting it open. The Doctor begins telling her about the time he spent in the confession dial; they are observed  by the General and Ohila, who decide to go after them. Clara, meanwhile, is shocked that the Doctor knew the Time Lords were responsible for her death; he pretended to know about the Hybrid, so he could get back to Gallifrey and use their tech to bring her back to life.