For a moment, I am lost. Entirely lost, which is an impressive level of lost, even for me. Now, why would I think that? Who am I? I spin and catch a glimpse of my trenchcoat. Yes of course, I'm the Doctor, whoever that is.
Even with a bit of concentrating I am lost. My location is strange, fluid, shifting. My mind feels much the same. Certain things seem right but I can't grab hold of thoughts. My memories are shattered. My identity is distant.
I move, more floating than walking and bump into another man. This man is tall, with an impressive coat and scarf. He's all teeth and curls. He is me, I feel sure of that. He is me in my fourth incarnation. That was some time ago. How long ago I'm not sure. Which incarnation am I? Eighth sounds right but so does Tenth and Eleventh. Other people, possibly also me, briefly flash through my brain and are quickly gone again, with their companions. This doesn't help.
The other me explains that my first three incarnations are trapped in the Matrix. This is what is eroding my memory. If I can free them, I shall remember everything. He can't do it by himself. I need to go with him. We float along to the interface area.
Instinctively I can work the controls. On a panel the heads of my first three incarnations display: the elderly figure I was near the end of my first incarnation, my Beatle haired friendly second incarnation, the proud mature vision of my third incarnation. See, I'm told, this proves that they are trapped. I must free them!
The screen continues, refreshing to show my next three incarnations: the wide-eyed fourth, the innocent fair haired fifth, the strange sixth with his blue-gray greatcoat with matching hat. Wait a moment, if they are trapped as my first three incarnations, then who is...
I turn and see the man I thought was me posing dramatically, arms outstretched, scarf billowing, radiating power like a Jack Kirby drawing. He announces himself as the Lord Emperor of Gallifrey, High...
I slip past him, into the Matrix to free my other selves. The Matrix is a small room. I am somehow told how to manipulate the thread and paper found within in order to resolve the situation.
When I emerge, my memories swirl within me. The opponent, he who wore my former form and was no doubt the Master, is gone. I bounce down, from bed to bed, the thoughts of my second incarnation ascendant within me. Oh dear, that is quite a distance down. I do hope nothing happens. Oh my, that's quite a cliffhanger, isn't it...
And then I woke up.
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