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The cavern reeked of false elegance. A display of stolen treasures, intellect and elligence. Protected by powers only a few of their kind had ever tried to master, a show of power in it of itself. A place for someone who truly felt they were superior to the ocean around them.
“Ugh,” She thought, scrunching up her nose at it. A pang of loss and anger flashed through her hearts, she’d had enough of that for one night.
“I should have known it would come to this! Your ridiculous obsession with the surface! I knew you were a foolish child, but this is inexcusable!”
“You are so one to talk!”
“Hold your tongue, girl!”
“You wanna try to keep this hidden forever, go ahead, but it’s gonna come out! You know the surface is no more dangerous than we are!”
“Wretched, ungrateful child! I will keep you confined to the citadel for eternity! You have gone too far this time! Guards, restrain her! I want nothing of this blasphemous place left!”
“NO!”
Explosions. Countless objects and decades of research obliterated in a second. Gifts and Mementos shattered before her eyes. Her journal… now little more than sand.
Her hand clenched the trinket in her hand tighter. All that remained of the Lord Commander’s rage and ignorance. Her fingers traced the cool, shimmering surface. Her research had suggested human’s used such tools to create and build. No different than her people. If only there was a way to get through to-
“Oh,” a voice chuckled from the darkness, twisted and giddy with excitement. “This is a treat.”
She turned to look at him, seeing him emerge from the shadows, hands behind his back as he examined her with the dark, power filled eyes. His eight deep purple tentacles moved with something of a twisted elegance, but it wasn’t enough to ignore the tension in them, as though they were itching to move closer. He flashed her a wicked smile, one she bet sent many shivering and recoiling. She didn’t budge, meeting his gaze head on. An act that only made his smile grow.
“A delight,” He laughed, swimming towards her. “I’d almost call this an honor. To be visited by the legend herself. The Doctor! Infinite knowledge of the seven seas, prevented wars between the five kingdoms. Endless…” He moved around her, his eyes taking in every inch of her. “The power your body contains… You could have become the head of the universe and what do you do? The only merperson outside of… Lord Rassilon himself,” he didn't even try to hide the disgust in his voice. “To visit the world above.” He made an over exaggerated bow. “You humble me with your visit.”
She rolled her eyes but quickly placed them back on him. While her excitable demeanor might have suggested it from time to time, she wasn’t a fool. She knew the stories. She knew he was deadly.
“If I knew this was how you treated all your guests... Master, I’d have come by sooner. Might have brought sweets.” She held back on the impulse to roll her eyes. Out of all the titles she’d encountered over the years, “The Master” was the most egocentric, at least. But she knew his name wasn’t simply for show. Few names garnered such fear as “The Master.” His powers and intellect rivaled only hers and the Lord Commander.
She glanced around his cavern. “See you kept yourself busy…. When you’re not attempting another overthrow.”
“Would have been successful… were it not for an intervention.”
Technically speaking, this was the first time they’d met... in person. Their actions had crossed paths many times over the centuries.
“Our people should have a ruler who is actually intelligent.”
“I don’t like Rassilon anymore than the next guy, but what you would have-“
“Liberation.”
“The death of half the ocean!”
“All stopped by one little merman…” His eyes blazed, swimming close. He’d never admit it, but he was actually impressed when she didn’t move. Could it be… she was not afraid of him? Cautious, yes, but afraid? Oh… this was fascinating. “All this time. You know, I never expected to see you like this. All the different faces I’ve heard about…”
The Doctor refused to wince as a tentacle brushed her hair, curving its way to caress her cheek and chin, lifting her head and allowing him a better look.
“Going from the merman every mermaid swooned over at the very thought of meeting… to the prettiest pearl in the sea.”
Her hand brushed his tentacle away as though it were no more than a piece of seaweed.
“Never been one for false praise,” She said. “Would have joined the university if I wanted that.”
“And you and I both know it would have been an empty display. Something to show the false god as benevolent.”
She knew he was right. With the Doctor’s help, Rassilon had kept the kingdom safe and prosperous for centuries… a safe and prosperous cage. Where all lived in comfort and no one “sane” ever dared leave. Where knowledge was open to all… but only to a point. Where they were the greatest creatures in creation… and humans deserved no attention.
She’d kept her exploits a secret for so long. For all of her lives, no one knew of her trips to the surface, or if they did, no one cared. None of her people really thought much of her anyway. She was the loon, the nutter who found humanity “fascinating.” But suddenly, when she took this form, it was as though Rassilon wanted to know where she was at all times. It made no sense. Others had regenerated from mermen to mermaids with no attention and vice versa. So why her? It was no secret she was fascinated by humanity and the world above.
Her mind kept going back to the night of the storm. Watching her… the woman named Yazmin… “Yaz” she’d heard a friend say, save her crew when her ship went ablaze. How she’d been caught in the explosion… how she had saved her, stayed with her until she opened her eyes, forcing the Doctor to flee back into the Ocean. She’d come to the surface before, made so many friends before… but something about this… about Yaz, about the way Rassilon was acting. It made her fear she’d never be able to come back.
“Now,” he smiled. “Why would the Doctor humble me with a visit? A banished outcast. A war criminal… Unless… she had no other option.”
The guards had been easy enough to incapacitate. Quickly, painlessly. No harm. He’d been furious, using his own powers in a desperate attempt to catch her. But she’d swam like her life depended on it, hidden in a cavern. She heard him shouting.
“FIND HER! If you have to search the whole ocean, so be it! Bring her back to the citadel! Enough of this foolishness. I WILL FIND YOU, DOCTOR! YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE MY SIGHT AGAIN!”
“Five points to you,” She said, refusing to go into any more details. The Master nodded.
“Rassilon only treasures what he can possess. And he held on to everything his filthy hands could touch if he believed it would give him even more power…” His voice shifted, and when he spoke, she could feel the slightest hint of warmth, maybe even respect. “And we both know how good you are at running, Thete.”
Thete… it had been over 1500 years since someone had called her that. And even then… it had always been Theta Sigma from her teachers… the only person who called her that…. She regarded him carefully, looking into his eyes… there… behind the thirst for power, the maliciousness, the wicked glee… she saw the little merboy she spent days playing with after class. She moved towards him, slowly, careful if this was some sort of trick.
“Koschei?”
The twisted smile fell into something more genuine.
“I haven’t heard that name in decades.”
“How…” Instinctually, she reached for his hand. “What happened-“
He pulled his hand out of her reach. “You and I both have something Rassilon fears. A drive to discover, unlock secrets they’d keep from us. After the academy, I suppose we both ran… just in separate directions. You ran towards adventure… I ran towards knowledge.”
He waved his hand and tentacles morphed into the tail of a merman, one of deep, purple scales. The one she remembered Koschei having as a child. Only a moment later, they split again back into the eight tentacles of an octopus. Most merfolk would have recoiled in fear at such a sight, but the Doctor stared in awe. Fascinated. Captivated.
“You did it,” She breathed, her lips forming a small smile. “You found the secret of physical transfiguration.”
He allowed himself a moment of pure pride as she swam forward to get a closer look.
“Possibly my- well, one of my greatest discoveries.”
“How long did this take you?” She asked, the fear in her voice gone, replaced by the excitement of a child.
“One hundred years or so,” he said, examining his nails. “Ages ago, really, I can’t recall.”
“What you’ve done here,” She said, resting her hand on one of his tentacles without fear. “It could redefine all we’ve come to know…” Her voice trailed off, unable to keep up with the thoughts running through her mind.
“Oh, please, don’t stop,” The Master smiled. “I haven’t heard such praise in centuries. It feels good to be appreciated, doesn’t it?”
The words were innocent, but the tone cut deep.
“Rassilon taking credit for your hard work, letting known what he wants to be known and hiding what he deems “unfit.” Your actions make him a War Hero, with you as little more than a captive to his whim.”
The Doctor drew away from him, her guard up once more.
“None of that matters now.”
He smirked. “And the knowledge you’ve gained. The Secrets you’ve uncovered?”
Got her there. She gave the slightest nod.
“They’ll get out eventually. Everyone will know.. All the lies he’s told. Can’t keep it quiet forever.”
“Pretty hard to do now. Lab gone, only the knowledge contained in that pretty head of yours.” He gestured towards the object in her hand. “Is that all his obedient pets left untouched? Or all you could grab before you ran.”
The Doctor’s hearts began to pound, her hand tightening around it. Did he see what Rassilon did? Had he been watching her this whole time?
“And the…. unity of our people with humankind? What about that? How many of them have you shared that dream with in secret? The pretty assistant? The woman with two names? The couple named after a tiny pool of water? The girl who found you in your “impossible to reach hiding” places?”
The very thought made her stomach turn. Exactly how long had he been spying on her!? Since she started studying humanity? Since the day of her graduation? Since the day he left?
“The pretty girl with the name of a flower?” He grinned. “Oh, how badly you thought of coming to me after her-“
“SHUT UP-“ She darted towards him, suddenly blinded by a bright flash of light. She closed her eyes and turned her head away. She felt a finger press under her chin, drawing her back to look. The light softened and she opened her eyes, not daring to believe what she was seeing. The Master’s hand had conjured a form from light. That alone should have been impossible… but it was the image that kept her still.
“Got your attention now, haven't I?"
She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to, watching the feminine form run as though her life depended on it. Two legs… to actually be… She leaned forward, attempting to get a closer look, but with a wave of his hand, the form was gone, leaving only questions in its wake. But the most important one left her lips.
“Can you do this?”
The smile in his voice radiated through the room.
“For a price.”
This shattered the illusion. She yanked her head from his grasp and turned to leave.
“Guess we’re both wasting our time then. Haven’t got anything.” She began to swim away, only to be yanked back by something wrapped around her wrist.
“I’d never ask for something you couldn’t give,” The Master smiled. “Especially not from an old friend.” He wrapped an arm around her, further imprinting on her that he had no concept of personal space. “It’s more than easy. The potion takes an hour to prepare, at most.” He pulled her into the inner sanctum of the cave, drawing her to what seemed to be a cauldron made of bright red crystal. “Normally, it would only give you three days…. But for old times sake, I’ll give you a week.”
“A week?”
“A week among your humans,” he smiled, waving his hand again. White smoke rose from the cauldron, taking the form identical to her... except with legs. “To go wherever you want. See the world you have come to love so deeply…” He waved his hand again. Another figure appeared. The Doctor’s hearts skipped a beat.
“Find her again… Yaz, was it?”
“Yazmin,” The Doctor countered, the sense to protect her rising. “Only her friends can call her Yaz.”
“You're smitten,” the Master smiled. “But I can see why. Out of all your friends, I’d call her the finest catch.”
“You stay away from her!” The Doctor snarled.
“Watch your tongue,” The Master snapped back. “This is my domain, Doctor…” he smirked. “And you needn’t worry. My… tastes lie elsewhere.”
She started slightly as a tentacle brushed her arm but moved out of reach too quickly for her to strike.
“I will give you a week with her,” The Master Continued. “ But while my powers come with a time limit, it can be extended. Humans are a pathetic lot-”
The Doctor was about to counter, but a tentacle over her mouth silenced her.
“But their will is impressive. Their devotion rivals ours.” He waved his hand and the two figures embraced. “Within a week, if your dearest Yazmin has come to love you as truly as you love her, the change will be permanent. A display of true love from herself to you… and you shall remain with her until the end of her life.”
The Doctor’s eyes never left the figures. All this, all he was promising. It was a fairytale. Told to make merchildren believe in happy endings. She shook her head, pulling away as she shot him a furious look. “You make it sound so easy. It’s impossible. Love, real love, takes time.”
“I never said it had to be romantic love. There are many, many kinds of love Doctor, you would know that-”
“And they all take time-”
“How long did it take you to fall for her?” He countered.
“That doesn’t…” The words caught in her throat, refusing to admit, he was right. There was something else as well. His words were too careful. The realization hit her hearts and dread filled her chest.
“Till the end of her life.”
“Yes.”
“Then… with your potion... it won’t make me… fully human.”
To his very little credit, saw the sadness in his eyes, as though the same thought had crossed his mind. After living for so long… when she’d seen so many come and go, when her own kind had turned her back on her… when there was truly not more to see down here…
“There is nothing I can do about that.” Only a moment later, the kindness vanished. “But think of it. All of the surface to see and explore… and the brilliance of your mind with their technology… you might even find a way to visit the stars.”
He could see her mind racing at the very thought. He waved his hand, showing the two female figures walking among the stars.
“All you two could see together… all you could share with the world…”
She wanted to lose herself in the thought, wanted nothing more than to explore, see everything with her… but a cold thought pulled her back beneath the waves.
“And… if she doesn’t?”
She’d seen smiles like that before. When an eel knew it was about to feast.
“You’ll revert to your previous form… And you belong to me.”
It was a choice of prisons. A choice of madmen. The cold and false majesty of the citadel under Rassilon’s unrelenting gaze, no longer able to even explore outside the city…. Or a prison crafted by The Master. Someone she’d kept from coming into power. Someone… who’d want nothing more than to see her suffer.
She didn’t doubt either would use her to their benefit, that both would keep her like a prized pet, a wealth of knowledge to exploit… but one had once been a friend. One might allow her to continue to learn… though she’d have to share her knowledge with a monster.
Besides, a week in the human world. All she could see and explore and learn and discover. The adventures she could have. The beauty of the world above. A week in paradise.
A week… a week with Yaz.
It was a horrible gamble. But now she truly had nothing to lose. She looked back at him.
“Your price?” She asked fimly, watching his smile grow.
“Nothing you can’t or wouldn’t be willing to give.” He said. “And for you, I’ll keep it simple.” His finger lightly tapped her nose. “I have missed having company… someone to talk to… the sound of a friendly companion. A week on the surface…” He drew a finger under her chin, meeting her eye to eye. “For your…” he paused, trying to find the exact descriptor. “Intriguing voice.”
Now her eyes blazed with rage. That was his game. Rig the system against her. Unable to fully convey the truth about herself to Yaz. What would happen when Yaz undoubtedly started asking questions as all humans did? She’d be able to write out her answers but… what would happen when Yaz was on her deathbed… and she hadn’t aged a day? She’d never be able to tell her the full truth about herself.
“But...I’d still be with her,” her mind said. “Still be beside her…”
All of this was a horrible idea. A terrible risk.
But she’d been making those her whole life. She gripped the tool in her hand, hoping it, and the thought of the days to come would give her strength.
“You have a deal.”
The laugh that came from him could frighten the dead. He waved his hand and contracted appeared from thin water, outlining the details of their agreement. A tentacle shot out and wrapped itself around her wrist.
“What are-“ She couldn’t finish before another drew out a thin blade, using the tip to prick her palm. She watched her blood form out into the water as the tentacle released her, another carefully placing a bonefish quill in her other hand.
“Bit old fashioned,” She hissed at him. “And very creepy.”
“It’s joy in the simple things. Consider it a little retribution for your previous interference,” he smirked, tapping on the contract. “Your signature, Doctor. Here.”
The Doctor glared at him, but dipped the pen in the blood all the same. It was now or never. And they both knew she’d never turned back. A moment later, the Doctor stared at her signature upon the contract.
If it were possible, The Master’s smile grew even wider. The contract vanished before the Doctor’s eyes. He flicked his wrist towards the Doctor and another bright light flashed around her, except this time, she found herself completely paralyzed, able to do little more than blink.
“Just a little security,” he smiled, moving close. “Can’t have you sharing my secrets.”
“You really think, after all this-“
“Shhh,” he cooed, pressing a finger to her lips. His hand began to glow softly, tiny whips of smoke forming. “My payment, Doctor, if you’d please. Don’t worry, this won’t hurt… much.”
Before another word left her, the smoke dashed into her mouth. She winced as she could feel it slithering down her throat, searching for something.The Master’s eyes stayed on her face, happily drinking in the discomfort.
“Now where might one find… ah. There it is.”
The Master drew his hand back, beckoning slightly. She wanted to gag as the smoke began to withdraw, like thousands of tiny crab legs brushing her throat. Eventually, the smoke withdrew and the Doctor’s eyes went wide. Trapped within was a tiny ball of soft blue light. From it, she could hear whispers and words as familiar to her as her own name.
Her voice.
The Master drew out a tiny crystal vial, allowing the smoke to place the light within before locking it tightly. He carefully held it up to examine it.
“Does anyone know how precious their voice is?” he mused playfully. “Perhaps not till they’ve been silenced.”
She glared at him, expecting him to let her go, but his power held her there as he set about to work. She watched in a mix of fascination and horror. His skills and intellect certainly rivaled her own, but what he used in his creations. Substances she wouldn’t dream of touching, creatures so rare and deadly, only mad mermen would seek them. It made her stomach churn to watch. She closed her eyes and tried to escape into her mind, ignore the sounds, but it seemed to surround her. She wasn’t sure if it was his own powers entering her mind, keeping her aware or her hatred of his actions, but she couldn’t keep it up and had to look. She saw the bright orange smoke, the horrible streaks that made the water seem almost green. Eventually, he pulled a tiny, empty bottle from a nearby cabinet. With great care, he dipped it in the concoction and filled it to the top. Placing a tiny stopper in it, he turned to the Doctor, swimming over to her side. He held it up to her as one might display a pearl or piece of black coral before purchase. Careful not to damage it or the Doctor, he placed the tiny bottle in her left hand, closing her fingers around it for her.
“Take it to the surface and be quick about it. No doubt that fools guards are all over the place. When you drink it, your week will begin. I suggest you find your precious Yazmin quickly. Time is of the essence, love.” He moved close, eyes contemplating. Just when his lips were about to brush hers, he pulled back.
“No,” He smiled. “I’ll wait until you ask.” He smirked and waved his hand, freeing her from captivity. He couldn't hide the glee in his eyes as the Doctor pulled away. He could see all the words she wanted to throw at him at the edge of her lips, but with no way to deliver them, she simply gave him a furious look and swam off, pausing only at the entrance of the cave to make sure Rassilon’s soldiers weren’t around. When the coat was clear, she took off. He smirked, waiting until she was out of earshot.
“Oh, must have slipped my mind… she must prove her love to you… with a kiss,” he called into the open water, only to be met with silence. He shrugged, lifting the vial holding the Doctor’s voice.
“Must not have heard me… “ He smiled, tapping the glass. “Well, I’ll tell her when I see her again.”
XXXXXXXXX
The moon was full tonight, the stars shining so brightly, she could watch them for hours. On any other night, she would have. Found a warm rock to sit on and just gaze and take notes on them until the sun started to rise. But tonight, she ignored them completely. Making sure the beach was completely empty and that she hadn’t been followed, she pulled herself up onto shore, her hand still tightly clutching the bottle. It was only after she’d caught her breath that actually looked at it, watching the multi-color liquid swirl around inside.
“Time is of the essence, love, ” The Master’s voice rang in her ears. He was right. Once she drank this, nothing would ever be the same. And it could very well end with her trapped by a monster for eternity.
Or… it could end with a life on the surface. In a world where there was always more to see and discover. Where she could go anywhere, do anything, maybe even travel to the stars…
And…. If she felt the same way, Yaz would be with her as well.
She placed her tool down beside her and carefully unplugged the stopper. After taking one last glance at her tail, she lifted it to her lips and swallowed the contents.
As she finished the last drop, a horrible pain shot through her, as though her tail was being slashed by a human’s knife. She closed her eyes as the white hot pain, searing through her. Unable to tolerate it anymore, she opened her mouth to scream, but nothing left her. She fell back onto the sand, feeling herself be pulled into a deep, pained sleep. As her eyes fluttered closed, she caught sight of it. The last scales on tail slipping away…. the skin of her legs glowing softly in the moonlight.
Xxxxx
“Hey! Hey, wake up!
The voice drew her from her slumber. She’d been on the beach all night. She’d wasted time! She had to find-
“Are you okay? I wanna help you?”
She looked up, seeing Yaz’s beautiful eyes meeting hers.
END