Ace took another mouthful of the delicious pie. The heavenly taste was superb. "Mmmm, Professor this pie is just to die for."
"Talk with your mouth closed Ace," the Doctor admonished his young companion gently. He took another sip of the coffee. "This is a mighty fine cup of coffee Ace." It wasn't as good as tea, obviously, but it was by far the best coffee he had drunk since his UNIT days.
"Why are we here Professor? This town is one step away from being the Beverley Hillbillies."
"It's quite charming actually Ace, it's very refreshing to get away from it all for a few days. Relax and unwind without all the urgent pace of the inner city."
"If you say so. This place is deader than Ice World. At least there I met you, Mel and Glitz."
"Yes Ace but consider the merits of the simpler lifestyle before knocking the drawbacks hmmm?" The Doctor finished his coffee. "Come on Ace we have things to do."
Hurrying, Ace pushed the last of the cherry pie into her mouth. "Hmm cmmng." She managed to say as she chewed.
***
They made their way slowly but surely through the nearby woods until they came upon a particular clearing of trees.
The Doctor produced a grey plastic box with several brightly coloured buttons on it. "Close your eyes Ace, this could be a little tricky."
***
When Ace opened her eyes she found herself standing inside a red draped room. She looked down to see that the floor was covered in a series of black and white diagonal zigzag tiles. "This is weird Professor."
"This, Ace, is the Black Lodge. It's a place where the evil and sadistic can inhabit. In many respects it's a place to hide."
"Who would want to hide in this naff dump Professor?" When the Doctor didn't answer Ace prompted him again. "Professor, who would want to hide in here?"
"He would." The Doctor pointed with his umbrella at the seated figure of the Master.
"Why Doctor, we must stop meeting like this." Carefully the Master placed his teacup on its saucer, which was located on a small nearby table. "We need to talk Doctor, there is something approaching. I can sense it."
"What kind of evil then git face?"
"Ah the irredeemable Ace. How are you my dear?"
"Get lost creep. Just tell the Doctor what you know and leave us alone, okay?"
"Very well, oh please do sit down these seat are very comfortable."
Ace went to sit down but the Doctor pulled her back up.
"No Ace, we prefer to stand don't we?"
"Yes Doctor." She managed to slouch while still standing up.
"Well then it all began when I visited Ezetaron Beta."
Ace tuned out as the Master waffled on and on about how great and heroic he had been. He just loves to hear the sound of his own voice she decided after careful consideration. Then she was being dragged away by the Doctor.
"Did you listen to anything the Master just told you?" he asked angrily.
"Erm, I sort of tuned out Professor. Sorry and all that but I just can't stand him waffling on."
"Good, this way Ace."
Suddenly they were back in the clearing, the leaves were slightly scorched in a circle pattern.
"So what was all that about anyway? I mean just what was going on?"
"Later Ace, I'll tell you over a nice cup of coffee. Trust me you'll need it."
***
Half an hour later Ace was still shaking as she finished her fifth cup. "Fenric is still loose?" She did not dare to believe, she hoped the Master was lying. "But why is he coming after me?"
"You're the last of his pawns Ace. He needs you to exist."
The seriousness of the situation finally seeped in to Ace's mind. "He's going to try and possess me?"
"I'm afraid so Ace, we must be prepared. Ace?" The Doctor looked up at Ace, then he noticed her eyes. They were a greeny red. "Oh no."
"We play the game again ... Professor."
"I've had enough of games, this is far too serious." The Doctor's voice was colder than the surface of Pluto.
"The game is all that is left. The ritual of freedom is within my grasp, then I think I shall enjoy myself."
"Ace's life or the life of everyone on Earth?"
"Quite." Fenric smiled broadly. "The choice is yours, Time Lord."
"Not here, there are too many innocents who could be caught in the crossfire." He stood up and made for the door.
"You think? Everyone in this place is tainted by the power of the Black Lodge. It seeps into their souls, it's a delicious irony don't you think?" Fenric took a bite of cherry pie.
"Perhaps but they're still worth saving from you."
"As you wish, let this end once and for all. I am eager for blood to be spilled."
***
They made their way carefully back to the clearing in the trees.
"Why this place Time Lord?" Fenric asked, curious.
"I don't want you to accuse me of tricking you. Here you have the power of the Black Lodge to back you up. You could say I'm in your home ground."
"Very well then." Fenric paused for a second to regain her composure. "What manner of game is it this time?"
"No games." The Doctor smiled. "Just a straight forward fight to the death."
"Time Lord you disappoint me, very well then I shall agree to this."
Slowly the Doctor backed towards the burned circle in the leaves. "What's the matter Fenric? Not sure of yourself all of a sudden?"
Fenric charged at the Doctor. "Now you die, Time Lord!" She wrapped her fingers around his neck and began to crush it.
The Doctor yelled in pain then the world tilted sideways and bright light burst all around him.
***
"Professor, what's going on? How did I get here from the diner?"
"It's a long story Ace, you were possessed by Fenric."
Ace gasped. "Fenric? But he was destroyed."
"Well he should be now. I opened the doorway to the White Lodge, all that concentrated Goodness should have banished Fenric back to whatever higher dimension it used to skulk in. It's a shame we didn't have time to visit really I hear they do a cup of tea that will kill you."
"Am I safe now Professor?"
"Oh Ace you're always safe with me, I promise." Unseen to Ace the Doctor crossed his fingers behind his back.
"So why did the bearded git warn you?"
"I would imagine he doesn't want to let anyone other than himself have the pleasure of killing me."
"So you trusted him?"
"I trusted his nature, in many ways we're not that different."
"Come on Professor, cherry pie ahoy!" Ace dragged her friend in her wake as she headed back towards the diner.
