Lost Our Minds |5| The Ascension

Chapter Three: Asylum Of The Daleks

"And then old King H said—" The Doctor cut himself off as he made to bite into his jammy dodger, seeing a cloaked figure looking at him from across the room. A bit of it dropped off into his tea as he stared, but he didn't seem to notice.

"Kas?" McKenzie raised her eyebrows. "Blimey, if you're going to dream we're having a tea date, at least commit to it."

He blinked, turning back to her. "Sorry, what?"

She smiled innocently, winking. "Nothing!"

He blinked again, and she was replaced by the ominous hooded figure. After a moment's surprised hesitance, he started to eat his jammy dodger again. "I don't think I invited you to sit."

"There is a woman who wants to meet you," the figure said, its voice impassive and undistinguished.

"That's nice, but I'm married," he countered. "Speaking of which, what have you done with my wife?"

"She was never here."

He wrinkled his nose. "As hypnotism goes, I have to say I'm not convinced."

"Your help is required."

"I don't discuss business in public," he replied, sitting back in his chair.

The figure raised a gloved hand and the other people in the tea room disappeared. "I know."

The Doctor narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"A messenger."

"Whose messenger?"

"Darla von Karlsen."

He made a face. "Never heard of her." He got to his feet, only to realise he was no longer in the tea room. "Where's the tea room?" He pouted; there had still been a few biscuits left.

"You were never in the tea room."

This time, the Doctor understood. "Oh, of course. Psychic projection. Someone's sending me a dream message." He shrugged. "Well, I hope I fell asleep somewhere nice."

The figure gestured to the darkened room. "Do you recognise where you are?"

The Doctor stiffened as he heard children's laughter. "Can't remember," he lied. "How do you hang up on this thing?"

"You can't."

He narrowed his eyes. "Oh, yeah? And what if I just wake up?" He closed his eyes tight, and when he opened them, he was sat on a deckchair on a beach.

"No, Doctor," the figure stated, still by his side. "The beach isn't real, either. You are still dreaming." Another change of scenery and they were in a nebula. The figure waved its hand, etching coordinates into the vacuum. "Spacetime coordinates. You will meet Darla von Karlsen here. Her daughter is in danger, and only you can save her." It noticed the Doctor's pained expression. "You recognise the planet?"

"Yes."

"Say it."

The Time Lord's face had darkened. "No."