The Doctor knew what he had to do. He had to keep the Master talking. He had to keep him occupied until he came up with a plan. That shouldn't be hard, the Master liked to gloat.
"So...," the Doctor started.
WHAM!
The Doctor's head was slammed violently to the TARDIS console. When he could see straight again he saw the Master levitating the Key to Time over to him. "Sorry, Doctor," the Master sighed. "We can chitchat in a moment. In the meantime there's someone I need to speak to."
And then he appeared. The Black Guardian. The entire room became heavier on his arrival. As if the evil he brought with him carried extra weight. "Well done, Master," he said smugly. "Vengeance is sweet, and needed. Now... Relinquish the Key to Time..."
The Master stared at the perfect cube in his hoof. "Why?"
The Black Guardian didn't even bat an eye. Merely stared at his partner in crime with the same smug smile of victory. He knew it, and the Doctor knew it too. This was the Master's plan. Once he had the Key to Time there was no way his ego would have him turn it over to the Black Guardian. This is where the Black Guardian's plan unraveled.
So why? Why was he so calm...
"Because...," the Black Guardian said calmly. "If you do not hand it over to me, I will have to take it after you both lie dead. You don't know how to use it, Master. I do. Have no delusions of being anything other then a pawn in my game. I'm warning you once, Master. You can enjoy the victory if you let it be mine."
"Was that a threat?" the Master laughed. "I'd have thought we were beyond threats, now that I have this. The game between you and the White Guardian is over. I've won. Enjoy what time the two of you have left. Use it to rest. Because after I'm done with him I'm coming for you. So the two of you had better start running."
"It wasn't a threat," the Black Guardian smiled. "I won't have to do anything. The Key to Time will eat you both alive. So if you insist, I will leave. Let you have your fun with the Doctor. When this entire plan has backfired on you, I'll step in once again."
The Master smiled. "I insist."
The Black Guardian chuckled and left the TARDIS.
"Now!" the master said, spinning around to face the TARDIS console. "First things first, getting back to our own universe so we can use this thing! Oh... Ah! It appears the Black Guardian has taken care of that for us. Grouchy as he is, I can't say he's a sore loser..."
"What are you going to do?" wheezed the Doctor from the floor.
The Master looked up. "That's a good question." The Master's horn glowed bright red and a searing pain ran through the Doctor's body.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaahhhh!!!!"
"What am I going to do?" asked the Master brightly. "What comes next?"
"NNNGHHHAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaahhh!"
"What to do with the planet...," the Master continued. "What to do with the Key to Time...."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgghhh!!"
"What to do with the screaming nuisance in my control room...," the Master laughed. "All good questions. And you'll be happy to know I have answers for most of them."
The Master picked up the Doctor by the throat and slammed his head into the console.
"As for the planet," he continued. "It simply has to go. It's got a hell of an infestation. These ponies... They're a bit like cockroaches. Disgusting. Everywhere. And damn near impossible to kill."
WHAM!
"As for the screaming nuisance...," the Master smiled. "That was you by the way. You're not screaming now, but that's only because you can barely breathe. Anyway... I've given a great deal of thought as to what to do with you..."
WHAM!
"Good news!" the Master smiled. "I'm not going to kill you! Oh, it was tempting. Believe me. But I've thought of a better course of action. Your going to come with me!"
WHAM
"You're going to watch me take this timeline and indeed all others for myself!"
WHAM!
"You're going to watch as I use the Key to Time to bend reality to my whim!"
WHAM!
"You're going to watch every single thing you have ever tried to protect CONVULSE. AND. DIE! The whole time knowing you were powerless to stop it. Maybe... Just maybe. After a while you'll start to enjoy it. After a while living with nothing but the sound of screaming and you're own heartbeat, you'll start to hear the drums. I'd like that Doctor..."
The Doctor caught sight of an angry green eye in the back of the TARDIS.
And that gave him cause to smile.
"Because until you become what I am, Doctor," the Master growled. "You shall be always and forever alone."
"No...," the Doctor wheezed. "No I won't."
And that's when it happened.
Spike ran out from the back of the TARDIS leaping over the console and slashed at the Master's face with his claws. He grabbed onto the Master's ears and blew searing flame right in his eyes. The Master grabbed Spike with his magic and tried to rip him off. He may have managed it if it weren't for Scootaloo buzzing out and tackling him broadside into the console. Before he knew it, Apple Bloom was on his back with his wing in her teeth. She was pulling as hard as she could.
This left ample time for Sweetie Belle to grab the Key to Time, and pass it to the Doctor.
The Master managed to come out on top in the struggle, and grabbed all four children by the throats, levitating them into the air. His eyes burning with rage. "Insignificant... Little...."
"Put. Them. Down."
The Doctor was on his feet now. And he was holding the Key to Time out in front of him. The Master stared at him slack jawed and bug eyed. He couldn't believe it. He immediately dropped Spike and the Crusaders.
"'Alone,'" the Doctor scoffed. "'Insignificant'. Please. These 'insignificant' little creatures just cost you an entire universe. You know something? You've taken the time to insult all of the people I like. All the people I call friends. I'm tired of it. They say the Key to Time can do anything. So I'm going to have you meet some people. See if they can make you understand..."
The Doctor closed his eyes, and the Key to Time began to glow.
And then someone entered the room. She wasn't equine like everypony else, but she looked human. She was young, had black hair that she wore bunched up. She wore a wool sweater with the sleeves rolled up, and white pants.
She walked in, and sat on the TARDIS console.
"Really," the girl sighed. "I think the hopes of him getting it are long gone...
"Grandfather," smiled Susan Foreman