Doctor Who Poetry

Two poems I wrote for the Doctor Who poetry thing this past weekend.

A Very Brief History of the British Empire

I wrote this essay in response to a question somebody asked on Tumblr.  The state of education these days...

Ultor Victorianus

And here's the other one, which might be considered a dark counterpart to the first: Abney Park's Victorian Vigilante, now called Ultor Victorianus.

Anglus in Eboraco Novo

I had to do two more translations for Speak Out Day next week. So this evening I went and did them both. Here's the first one: Anglus in Eboraco Novo, otherwise known as Englishman in New York:

Excursus Vigilis Expediti

Okay, I lied, I'm not going to stop posting Latin.  Nice thought, but it's not Christmas.  I was bored, so I decided to translate "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.  It's one of my favorite poems, because when I read it aloud, I get to do it in this cool booming voice, like cannon thundering.  It was also difficult to translate, because of the whole rhyming thing.  There's actually a few points where I just gave up and altered the rhyming scheme to make it fit.  Still, I think it came out well.

Mannus Brevis Meus: Amicitia Est Magiam

Here's the final Latin text!  I think I ought to take a break from all these Latin posts, I've done somewhere around three of them and you probably aren't here to see me rant at you in a foreign language.  Still, here's the cheesy speech from My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, and I would just like to point out, before I start, that I absolutely did not change the Elements of Harmony into the Elements of Stoicism.  The virtues were always Peace of Mind, Temperance, Wisdom, Justice, Courage, and Correct Feelings, and anybody that tells you otherwise is lying.  Eeyup.

Superans

Another of my three Latin translations, the final speech from Survival!  This one was a bit difficult to do; I had a bit of difficulty translating the very first word, because it wasn’t being used in a sense which had a direct comparison to any Latin words.  Plus, I wasn’t quite sure what to do about Ace’s name; I wound up calling her “Prima”.  I figured it stands to reason that she wouldn’t be calling herself an English nickname, and besides, Assa means “dry-nurse”, which I think you’ll agree doesn’t quite fit Dorothy Gale McShane too well.  But “Prima” means roughly the same as “Ace”; and it was either that or “Optuma”.  Which didn’t quite scan as well.  Anyway, hic est Latinam:

Viva Adhuc

Bethany is having a Speak Out day in a little over a month, so I’m going to be doing a song and two speeches, all personally translated into Latin, for it. Here’s the song, Viva Adhuc (to be sung to the tune of Still Alive. Because it is, in fact, Still Alive).

For the speeches, I’m thinking of doing the Doctor’s final speech from Survival, and that cheesy speech about friendship Twilight Sparkle gave in the second episode of My Little Pony. Why? Because habemus labores esse, et amicitia est magiam, that’s why.

Mom's Birthday Limerick

Happy birthday, Mom.

Please Take Me Away from Earth

I was chatting with an anon on my Tumblr, and wound up writing a song, sung by all six Masters.  Here it is in its entirety:

Love

I wrote a love poem for Valentine's Day.  It's a very, very beautiful poem.

The Deadly Disease, Part 4: Betrayal of the Master

The Master had only just arrived at the Colosseum when he saw Danica approaching. “Ah, Danica,” he called out to her. “I believe that I have found a clue. It seems that a previously unknown cult has risen, supporting some new god called Glycon. Although their leader has never spoken a word against the Emperors, the cultists are clamouring for revolution. One of the Emperors, Lucius Verus, planned to arrest them, but that very evening fell ill from the plague. What have you found out?”

"There’s been a new plague, no one knows how to combat it. Someone who is called Coconnas is claiming he can cure it, although… whether he can actually cure anyone is rather questionable." Danica recalled Femina’s words, "He’s apparently the High Priest of Glycon. It’s all rather strange, I have a sneaking suspicion of who Coconnas is, and I do believe I’m correct. A shopkeeper assured me that he can cure people, but I’m not so sure about that."

"I see." The Master considered this information. "We definitely must take a closer look at this cult. But first, my dear, it might be appropriate to take a leisurely tour of the underground of the Colosseum." He lowered his voice. "Don’t look now, but there’s a rather surly-looking gladiator watching us who arrived shortly after you did."

Danica nodded, “Alright, I suppose we should.” She walked next to the Master. “I cannot believe I didn’t notice him,” she stated in a quiet, low voice.

Still speaking quietly, he replied, “Given that this is his native land, I think he knows how to stand out less better than we can. I only noticed him because he was standing there, watching us for so long. Never underestimate the abilities of someone on their native turf. The question now is, how can we throw him off our trail?”

"I would say that we split up, but that may end badly for whoever he decides to trail. I’m not so sure. I’d also run, but then he’d know we are on to him… we could try to lose him in a very crowded area, but I’m not so sure." Danica continued speaking with the same low voice, pulling off her hair bow and putting it in her pocket.

The Master changed his direction, heading for the more crowded portions of the Colosseum. “If we had some privacy, I could easily take care of him with my compressor, but I don’t know where we could go for that.” The Master stroked his beard. “Perhaps we could trick him into following someone else?”

"Following someone else? That seems like a good idea, but how?"

"Hmm…" He paused for a few moments, thinking. "Look around for someone who looks similar to you. He may be familiar with the city, but he doesn’t know you. He’s started following us more closely. He’s unsure of himself. If we can capitalize on that…"

Danica began looking around and finally spotted a girl who she felt could pass as her. The girl was in a rather large group, and they were approaching them steadily. Danica looked at the Master, “I see one, now what?”

"Hand me your hair bow." The Master held out his hand. "I think it’s high time we introduced the fashion to Rome, don’t you?"

Danica couldn’t help but give a small smile. “I suppose so, sir.” She handed him the blue-green bow that she had put in her pocket.

"Thank you." He waited until the group was near them and spoke, "Greetings, my dear. I bear a gift for you from a secret admirer. This is a valuable ribbon from a far and distant land. You wear it in your hair like so…" He looked at the direction the group was headed, then looked back at the group. "Now, if you and your friends could just look me in the eyes and obey me. You will obey me. You will obey me. Now then, if you wouldn’t mind going in that direction, please." He gestured in the same direction he and Danica had been headed in. As the group left, he turned towards a nearby alcove. "We’d best go in this alcove here; best not draw attention to ourselves until our follower has gone."

Danica nodded and followed him. After about a five-second pause, she asked, “Erm, what was that?” The group of girls passed by, giggling about the ribbon.

The Master smiled, “I happen to pride myself on my hypnotic abilities, my dear, and I thought it more expedient to hypnotize them rather than taking the time to convince them to go past our follower… who I see has now gone after them, just as planned.” Leaving the alcove, he and Danica began to walk back to the exit. “Now then, I think we had best locate the Temple of Glycon. The temples are usually somewhere in this area of the city.”

"Hypnotism…? Ah, never mind, so, did you get any clues for the description of the temple?" Danica questioned.

He nodded. “Yes; look for statues and carvings of a snake with the head of a man. That, apparently, is Glycon. I can’t say I find the aesthetic appealing.”

"Snake with the head of a man? That’s… not a very good visual. Alright, I will try to locate one. Should we stay together or split up?"

"I think we should…" the Master trailed off, noticing a pertinent point. "Do you know, judging by the feeling of cold steel at my back, I think we might have a guide there."

The gladiator nodded. “Lord Coconnas wishes to speak with you. March! And no sneaky tricks this time.”

Danica frowned. “Dammit.” She exhaled and looked at the Master for help as they walked together.

"Don’t worry, my dear," he reassured her. "At least this way we shall find out where the temple is." Glaring at their guard as best he could, he snapped, "Would you stop poking me with your sword, sir! We’re coming quietly! He then turned back to Danica, whispering, "If you could find some way of getting rid of our guide once we’re there, however, that would be most appreciated."

"Are there any plants nearby?" Danica questioned the Master softly, forming a bit of a plan, "Although, it may cause a bit of a distraction… Ah, they won’t even know I did it," she continued in a low voice.

The Master murmured, “There do appear to be the odd trees and shrubs. I wouldn’t worry about causing a distraction; in all likelihood, that will just make escape easier. You’d best hurry; I can see what must be the Temple of Glycon from here.”

"Here goes nothing." Danica slowly closed both hands into fists, then looking around, spotted a rather small shrub which appeared to be close enough for her to reach out and touch. She did just that and touched some of the branches before continuing to walk. As they passed it, the shrub lifted one of branches Danica touched, and grabbed the gladiator by the arm, bringing him close to it.

The gladiator looked astonished. “What the -“

"Splendid!" the Master congratulated her. "Quickly, into this alley, before anybody sees us. Now then, we need to figure out how to get into the temple without being noticed." He took a few minutes to analyze the temple. "It looks like there’s only one entrance… Do you have any ideas?"

"Only one entrance… right, okay. We could see if any temple goers are coming in or out, and we could take their clothes. However, that’s used a lot. Then again, it’s one of the only things I can think of at the moment. Have you any ideas?"

The Master weighed the idea in his mind. “That would seem to be the best option,” he replied. “We should split up for the moment, and we’ll meet in front of the temple once we’re wearing appropriate clothing, shall we?”

"All right then." Danica went to a spot near the entrance, it was mildly hidden and next to a large bush should she need to defend herself. She observed the people in the streets, hoping to see anyone entering or leaving the temple.

The Master remained in the alley. “Now to wait; but dear me, I wish I’d brought a book.”

Meanwhile, in the Temple, their foe smirked. “My servants, the enemies of Glycon are coming,” he announced. “We must prepare for their entrance. Fortunately, I know precisely what they’re planning…” He chuckled quietly to himself.

A short time later, the Master emerged from the alley, wearing a toga with a purple stripe. Speaking to the fallen man behind him, he said, “Thank you, sir, for the loan of your clothing. I’ll just dispose of the rest of you…” His compressor flashed crimson as the body was reduced to a doll. “Now then, I hope Danica has had similar luck.”

Behind the tree, Danica peered down at the fallen woman, a bit of a nervous expression on her face. “I absolutely promise I will bring this back to you- if the plant didn’t turn you into fertilizer by then. Erm… now then…” She carefully stepped over what remained of the unfortunate victim and went by the temple to meet with the Master.

"Ah, there you are," he greeted her. "That stola looks splendid on you, my dear. Let’s go in; remember not to draw any attention to us. This Cocconas seems to be rather ruthless, and I doubt he would be pleased by our infiltration. Heh, I know I wouldn’t."

"Thank you. You don’t look half-bad yourself, sir," Danica stated and they entered the Temple of Glycon.

As soon as they were well within the temple, a man clad all in black turned towards them, then gestured for the various worshippers to reveal their swords. He smiled. “Greetings, my dear Danica. How pleasant to see you again. Don’t try to run; you’re surrounded and this time, there’s no plants for you to play with.” He gestured at two of his followers without looking at them. “Lock the girl in one of the storerooms. I’ll deal with her later. The Master gazed at his earlier self with amusement. “I wonder, would killing you be homicide or suicide?”

Danica frowned. “Not very happy to see you either, for your information.” She looked at the original Master and contemplated if he could escape, because if he could, then she had an idea.

The original was looking at his successor with consternation. “Coconnas, I presume?”

He smiled. “An affectation. I am known as the Master, and I am your future.”

The original Master frowned, disgusted. “My future? How preposterous. Why, you’re not even a Time Lord. You’re obviously an imposter of some sort.”

"I assure you, I am you." The older Master gestured towards an ornate door, at the back of the room. "Shall we discuss this in private? I wouldn’t want my worshippers to eavesdrop on us." He glared at the worshippers he had given orders to, who were looking confused by the conversation. "Take her to the storeroom, now, or I’ll curse you with an agonizing demise."

Taking advantage of the other Master’s lack of attention, the original muttered to Danica, “Try to find a way to escape while I see if I can’t trick him into revealing his plan.” He glared at his future self, speaking loudly, “I don’t believe you, but I’ll agree to a private conversation. You can start by telling me where a non-Gallifreyan found a TARDIS.”

Danica handed the original Master his TARDIS key just as the two cultists took her away, with a hint of a smile on her face.

In the Master’s private sanctuary, the two Masters sat down across from each other at a table. The younger, grey-haired Master glared at his older counterpart in black. “Well, then, your cultists are gone and we are alone; prove to me that you are indeed me, if you can.” He rolled his eyes contemptuously.

"Very well then," replied the other. "If you insist… Contact." He closed his eyes, and the original began to feel the contact of another mind. His own mind.

His curiosity aroused, the first Master accepted the contact. Repeating the word, he closed his own eyes, and entered his future self’s mind.

Within a few minutes, they separated. The original was the first to speak. “You really are me? My future self? What in Rassilon’s name have you done to ourself?”

The third Master smirked. “I have survived, that is all; and soon, I shall conquer this benighted world.”

The first raised an eyebrow. “How? I assume it has something to do with this plague I’ve heard so much about?”

The third nodded. “Look over here.” He gestured at a complex-looking box.

"A Weather Control Unit?" queried the first. Not bothering to wait for a reply, he continued, "But it’s been modified… I see that you’ve got a chemical of some sort hooked up to it. Where’s the signal being transmitted to?"

The older Master chuckled. “A weather satellite from the same time, modified to include replication facilities. I trust you can see where I’m going with this.”

"Indeed," nodded the original, "but -"

A loud commotion from elsewhere in the Temple interrupted him.

His successor looked furious. “What is that commotion?” he snarled, hurrying towards the door.

The Master called after himself, “You had better go check. I shall remain and ensure that nobody enters your…” he paused, considering, “our sanctuary. I see your plan is far too fragile at the moment. It could so easily be ruined.”

Meanwhile, in the corridors between the main temple and the storeroom in question, Danica looked at the two people with her, elbowed one and nearly ran over the other to escape. As she fled, the other worshippers noticed what had happened and began to chase her through the corridors. She ran towards what she assumed would be the exit, but to her dismay found it was merely an open window. It was far too small for her to fit through, but she reached her hand through and was able to grab a vine. Then she looked behind her and saw the third Master.

He laughed at her plight. “Give up, my dear,” he ordered in an almost caring tone. “This planet is doomed, your nemesis has escaped you, your companion has betrayed you, and you have failed. How sad. You should have just died in the Library. It would have saved me a great deal of trouble. Oh, well.” His voice turned harsh. “I’ll just have to end your little adventure right here and now. Goodbye.”

In the distance, Danica heard a TARDIS taking off, and the slight smell of smoke began to drift through the air.

"I don’t feel like it. It is preferable that you let me make my own choices," she stated, giving a light tug on the vine to feel what it led to. Seemingly satisfied with the result, she took a deep breath; and with her exhale, the branches of a fairly large tree crashed through the window as well as part of the wall. Danica, not expecting this, almost toppled backwards as a result but ended up on the tree’s branches and from there ended up on the ground.

The Master looked out of the window, removing his compressor from his pocket. He laughed, “I must admit, it would be amusing to let you continue like this.” He pointed it at her. “But I think…”

He suddenly turned, as behind him a TARDIS materialized, and out stepped an older gentleman in a Nehru jacket. He smiled at his black-clad counterpart. “I wonder, does it still count as treachery if I betray myself?” He asked, heading towards the window to stand next to himself. He looked down. “Hello again, Danica. Thank you for returning my key to me. I couldn’t have pulled this off without it.”

"No, thank you, Master." Danica paused for a moment, and turned to the third Master, "Ah, you see, now I’m going to have to heal everybody! That’s troublesome. Oh well. What has been done, has been done."

The Master in question smiled knowingly. “Ah, but how will you heal them when they’re dead, my dear? It was a simple matter to steal a Weather Control Unit from the late 21st century. In a matter of minutes, my plague shall cover the whole of Europe. If you’ll excuse me, I must get to my TARDIS before the rain starts.”

He rushed past his predecessor to his sanctuary.

Danica exhaled. “This is exactly what always happened before. Plague of Athens and all that. Suppose the least I could do is create an immunity to those still alive. Perhaps make something special.” She sighed and closed her palms.

The younger Master chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry, my dear; I’m afraid his Weather Control Unit has rather spontaneously combusted. And his TARDIS has gone missing; unless he gets lucky, it’ll be a hundred and forty-five years before he has a chance of seeing it again. I’ve asked the Emperor to see to making his stay here quite comfortable; I must look after myself, after all.”

She stopped and smiled, “Oh fantastic!” She had a bit of a bemused expression, as she asked, “His TARDIS has gone missing? Now how does one manage to do that?”

The Master removed his key from his pocket, waving it in the air. “If you’ll recall, my dear, you gave me my TARDIS key. Since his TARDIS is my TARDIS, the key fit the lock perfectly. I parked the TARDIS elsewhere in the city with the Chameleon Circuit activated, and erased my own memories of where I parked it. Quite cleverly done, if I say so myself.”

"My, my, that is quite clever. Although I must now wonder if Septima was ever here at all… Sadly, I’ve still got to pursue her. She poses a threat to the deities, you see."

The Master nodded. “I suppose she does pose a threat. I shall leave you to it, my dear; but take this space-time communicator.” He tossed the device in question down to her. “It is synced up with my TARDIS and will call me as I currently am. At least until I regenerate, of course, but hopefully that is still several centuries to come. I must be off; I have a Doomsday Weapon to investigate, and there are several planets it might be on. Good luck, my dear!”

"Thank you so much for all your help, sir. I do hope we cross paths again." Danica smiled and took the space-time communicator, then gave a wave to the Master and left his presence.

The End

The Deadly Disease, Part 3: The Fall of Rome

The Deadly Disease, Part 2: Library of the Dead

The Deadly Disease, Part 1: The Stage Is Set

This is a collaborative RP I did on Tumblr; I thought it would be interesting to write it up as a full-fledged story.  My collaborators were Septima the Plague and Medical Danica; my Tumblr is here.