The Doctor investigates Clara's past, finding nothing unusual but discovering that her mother died when she was young. When he returns to Clara, she requests that she be taken to see "something awesome". The Doctor takes her to the Rings of Akhaten, a ring system orbiting a large planet where the local religion believes life began. The society's currency is items of sentimental value. Clara runs into a young girl named Merry Gejelh, who is about to be sacrificed in the Festival of Offerings, which is to appease the Old God. The Doctor and Clara save Merry and discover that the Old God is really a parasite of memories and sentiment that lives inside the large planet. Clara offers it her treasured leaf that caused her parents to meet, and as she points out that there are infinite possibilities to every choice, she defeats the parasite.
EXT. STREET, DAY It's a windy fall day. A MAN is strolling down the road, trying to read a map as the wind blows it around in his hands. The DOCTOR peers over his coming book - "The Beano Summer Special, 1981" - and watches the MAN. The MAN walks along the sidewalk, looking around to get his bearings. A leaf blows loose from a tree and covers his face, causing him to stagger into the road in front of an oncoming car. He pulls the leaf from his face and turns around to see the car and he freezes. A WOMAN pulls him out of the way of the car. WOMAN: Oh, my stars. Are you all right? MAN: Yeah. I'm fine. The MAN smiles at the WOMAN who nervously pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. The DOCTOR watches from the bus stop across the street. EXT. STREET, NIGHT The MAN and WOMAN huddle together under an umbrella as thunder rumbles. They run up the stairs to her house. MAN: So I've got something for you. WOMAN: What? The MAN pulls the leaf from his pocket and holds it up. WOMAN: You kept it? MAN: Of course I kept it. WOMAN: Why? MAN: Because this exact leaf had to grow in that exact way in that exact place so that precise wind could tear it from that precise branch and make it fly into this exact face at that exact moment. And if just one of those tiny little things had never happened, I'd never have met you. Which makes this the most important leaf in human history. They kiss. Across the street in the rain, the DOCTOR watches before walking away. INT. NURSERY, DAY The WOMAN looks in on the MAN who is sitting in a chair, holding their sleeping baby girl. INT. PARLOR, DAY The MAN and WOMAN play with their young daughter. INT. BEDROOM, DAY The WOMAN is showing her daughter her favorite book - "101 Places to See" - as they sit on the bed. INT. HALL, DAY The WOMAN swings little CLARA and she kicks a small plastic ball. EXT. PARK, DAY The DOCTOR is hit in the head with a ball as he walks by the family and falls to the ground. WOMAN: Oh, my stars! (runs over) Are you all right? The DOCTOR gets up quickly, hands held in front of him as if to fight off all-comers, martial arts-style. He lowers his hands when he sees the family. The MAN walks over with CLARA. DOCTOR: Fine! Marvellous. Refulgent. Possibly a touch embarrassed. That's not dangerous, is it? WOMAN: What's not? DOCTOR: Embarrassment. WOMAN: Not usually. Not to my knowledge. DOCTOR: Good. Hey, phew! MAN: Mate, I'm so sorry. She wants to be Bryan Robson. DOCTOR: No worries, my fault. No harm done. (bends over) Hello, there. WOMAN: Clara. DOCTOR: Ah. Hello there, Clara. EXT. CEMETARY, DAY Teen CLARA is holding the "101 Places to See" with her name and years written in it. We see that the book belonged to her mother first, Ellie Ravenwood. She closes the book and stands next to her boyfriend(?) at her mother's graveside. "Ellie Oswald - Beloved Wife and Mother - Born 11th September 1960 - Died 5th March 2005". Leaning against a tree some distance from the grave, the DOCTOR watches before turning and walking away. INT. TARDIS The DOCTOR leans on the console looking at the monitor bearing a picture of Victorian CLARA. DOCTOR: She's just a girl. How can she be? The picture on the monitor changes to that of OSWIN and her credentials for the "Alaska". DOCTOR: She can't be. The monitor changes to show CLARA in a graduation gown, throwing her cap into the air. DOCTOR: She is. She can't be. (pushes the monitor away and turns around) She's not possible. [SCENE_BREAK] Matt Smith Jenna-Louise Coleman "The Rings of Akhaten" By Neil Cross PRODUCER Denise Paul DIRECTOR Farren Blackburn [SCENE_BREAK] INT. MAITLAND HOUSE, FRONT HALL, DAY CLARA sits on the stairs, holding the book, "101 Places to See", close to her chest. Her finger nervously taps the spine. She hears the TARDIS and smiles. The bell rings and she runs for the door. INT. TARDIS The DOCTOR stands by the console smiling and CLARA walks around, full of excitement. CLARA: So we're moving through actual time? (goes to the DOCTOR) So what's it made of? Time? If you can just rotor through it, it must be made of stuff, like jam's made of strawberries. So what's it made of? DOCTOR: Well. Not strawberries. No. No, no, no. That would be unacceptable. The DOCTOR walks around one side of the console and CLARA rushes around the other side. CLARA: And we can go anywhere? DOCTOR: Within reason. Well, I say reason... CLARA: So, we could go backwards in time? DOCTOR: And space. Yes. CLARA: And forwards in time. DOCTOR: And space. Totally. So, where do you want to go, eh? (hurries to the other side of console meeting CLARA) What do you want to see? CLARA: I don't know. You know when someone asks you your favourite book and you forget every book you've read? DOCTOR: No. Totally not. CLARA: Well. That's a thing. That happens. DOCTOR: And? Back to the question. CLARA: OK. So... So... So... (hurries over to the door) So, I'd like to see... I would like to see... What I would like to see is... (turns to face the DOCTOR) something awesome. The DOCTOR puts his hands in the air, snaps his fingers and puts the TARDIS in motion. EXT. SPACE The DOCTOR opens the TARDIS door and ushers CLARA outside. She has her eyes closed. DOCTOR: Can you feel the light on your eyelids? (closes TARDIS door) CLARA: Mm-hm. DOCTOR: That's the light of an alien sun. (positions her) Forward a couple of steps. OK. Are you ready? CLARA: Yes. No. Yes. CLARA slowly opens her eyes. DOCTOR: Welcome to the Rings of Akhaten. They are standing on a large chunk of rock - possible asteroid - that is part of a set of rings circling a large sun. One asteroid is larger and looks to have been settled with what looks like a city. CLARA: It's... DOCTOR: It is. It so completely is. But wait! There's more. CLARA: More what? DOCTOR: Wait, wait, wait. (checks watch) In about five, four, three, two... The asteroids pass and on one is a large pyramid the shines as the light from the sun hits it. CLARA: (awed) What is it? DOCTOR: The Pyramid of the Rings of Akhaten. It's a holy site for the Sun-singers of Akhet. CLARA: The who of what? DOCTOR: Seven worlds orbiting the same star. All of them sharing a belief that life in the universe originated here. On that planet. CLARA: All life? DOCTOR: In the universe. CLARA: Did it? DOCTOR: Well, it's what they believe. It's a nice story. CLARA: Can we see it? Up close? The DOCTOR smiles and holds out his hand. CLARA puts her hand in his and he pulls her towards the TARDIS. EXT. MARKETPLACE, DAY The TARDIS materializes hidden behind some stalls off the main avenue. The DOCTOR hurries out with CLARA'S hand still in his. He is smiling with glee and she stops short when she sees all the alien races. She walks a little ahead of the DOCTOR, eyes darting around in wonder. The DOCTOR is waylaid by vendors. CLARA goes back to the DOCTOR. CLARA: Where are they from? DOCTOR: Oh, you know, the local system mostly. CLARA: What do I call them? DOCTOR: Well, let's see. (points) There go some Panbabylonians. A Lugal-Irra-Kush. Some Lucanians. A Hooloovoo. Ah! Qom VoTivig. (shares greeting with alien) That chap's a Terraberserker of the Kodion Belt. You don't see many of them around anymore. Oh! That's an Ultramancer. You know, I forget how much I like it here, we should come here more often. CLARA: You've been here before? DOCTOR: Yes, I came here a long time ago with my granddaughter. (heads off) CLARA: Hang on. CLARA runs after the DOCTOR and bumps into a tall alien. She stares at it before continuing on. The alien merely shakes its head. CLARA finds the DOCTOR at a booth where he is beaming over glowing blue spheres in a bowl. DOCTOR: Exotic fruit of some description. (scans with sonic) Non-toxic. Non-hallucinogenic. High in free radicals. And low in other stuff, I shouldn't wonder. CLARA takes a bite and shakes her head. DOCTOR: No? CLARA: So, why's everyone here? DOCTOR: (puts an arm around CLARA and walks with her) For the Festival of Offerings. Takes place every thousand years or so, when the rings align. It's quite a big thing, locally. Like Pancake Tuesday. The DOCTOR goes ahead again and CLARA turns around to come face-to-face with an alien that seems to have a dog-like face. CLARA: Whoa! It barks and snarls at CLARA. CLARA: (leans back) Erm, Doctor? The DOCTOR arrives and yaps at the alien. CLARA: What's happening? Why's it angry? DOCTOR: This isn't an it. It's a she. Dor'een, meet Clara. Clara, meet Dor'een. CLARA: Doreen? DOCTOR: Loose translation. She sounds a bit grumpy but she's a total love, actually, aren't you? (tickles DOR'EEN under the chin) Yes, you are. She's just asking if we fancy renting a moped. DOR'EEN backs out of the way to show the moped in question. CLARA barks and DOR'EEN barks in return. CLARA: So, how much does it cost? DOCTOR: Not money. Something valuable. Sentimental value. A photograph, love letter, something like that. That's what's used for currency here. Psychometry. Objects psychically imprinted with their history. The more treasured they are, the more value they hold. CLARA: That's horrible. DOCTOR: Better than using bits of paper. CLARA: Then you pay. DOCTOR: With what? CLARA: You're a thousand years old. You must have something you care about. CLARA looks around. The DOCTOR reaches into his pocket, pulls out the sonic, shakes his head and puts it away before leaving. CLARA laughs, turns around and finds herself alone. DOCTOR: Doctor? (goes looking for him) Doctor? CLARA continues to look for the DOCTOR when a young girl almost runs into her. She is scared. CLARA: Are you okay? The girl runs past CLARA. Two men dressed similarly to the girl come around the corner. MAN: Have you seen her? CLARA: Who? MAN: The Queen of Years. CLARA: Who? The two men continue their search for the girl. CLARA looks around and goes to find the girl herself. INT. WAREHOUSE, DAY CLARA enters the dark, cluttered warehouse cautiously. CLARA: Hello? CLARA takes a few steps toward the center. There is a crashing thud and she spins around with a gasp. She continues on a few steps and gasps when the GIRL steps out from behind some boxes. CLARA: Hey! Are you OK? Are you lost? Terrified, the GIRL runs and CLARA looks for her. The GIRL is hiding behind some boxes and tries to run as CLARA passes her hiding place. She bumps into some furniture and lets out a scream as CLARA turns around. They look at each other, breathing heavily. CLARA smiles and starts to laugh and the GIRL joins in. CLARA: Are you all right? The GIRL nods. CLARA: What are you doing? GIRL: Hiding. CLARA: Oh. Why? GIRL: You don't know me? CLARA: (crosses arms) Sorry, actually not. GIRL: So, why did you follow me? CLARA: To help. You looked lost. (takes a step closer) GIRL: I don't believe you. CLARA: (looks behind her and then whispers) I've got no idea who you might be. I've never been here before, I've never even been anywhere like here before. I just saw a little girl who looked like she needed help. GIRL: Really? CLARA: Really, really. GIRL: Can you help me? CLARA: That's why I'm still here. GIRL: Because I need to hide. The GIRL looks over her shoulder towards the entrance. In a clear area, the air swirls black and three eerie figures materialize. They are dressed in matching black leather with masks over their faces. CREATURE: (breathy) Merry, where are you? CLARA: I know the perfect box. (holds out her hand) CREATURE: Merry, where are you? Merry. Merry. Merry. The creatures move slowly yet menacingly after MERRY and CLARA. EXT. MARKETPLACE, DAY CLARA and MERRY make it outside the warehouse and hide until the way is clear to the TARDIS. CLARA sees someone coming and hides MERRY behind her and whistles until the alien passes. They continue on to the TARDIS. MERRY: What's this? CLARA: A space-shippy thing. Timey, spacey. MERRY: It's teeny. CLARA: You wait! (pulls on door but it won't open) Oh, come on. MERRY: What's wrong? CLARA: (steps back) I don't know. I don't think it likes me. (knocks on door and pulls handles) Come on. Let me in. MERRY sneaks around to the back of the TARDIS without CLARA seeing. CLARA: (sees MERRY is gone) Hey! (looks around side of TARDIS) Hey, little girl! MERRY: (peers around from the back) My name's Merry. MERRY ducks back behind the TARDIS and CLARA follows. She sits down beside the girl, resting her back against the TARDIS. CLARA: So what's happening? Is someone trying to hurt you? MERRY: No. I'm just scared. CLARA: Of what? MERRY: Getting it wrong. CLARA: OK. Can you pretend like I'm totally a space alien and explain? MERRY: I'm Merry Gejelh. CLARA: Really not local. Sorry. MERRY: The Queen of Years? They chose me when I was a baby, the day the last Queen of Years died. CLARA: OK. MERRY: I'm the vessel of our history. I know every chronicle. Every poem. Every legend. Every song. CLARA: Every single one? Blimey. I hated history. MERRY: And now I have to sing a song in front of everyone. A special song. I have to sing it to a aod. And I'm really scared. CLARA: Everyone's scared when they're little. I used to be terrified of getting lost. Used to have nightmares about it. And then I got lost. Blackpool beach, Bank Holiday Monday. About ten billion people. I was about six. My worst nightmare come true. MERRY: What happened? CLARA: The world ended. My heart broke. And then my mum found me. We had fish and chips and she drove me home and she tucked me up and she told me a story. ELLIE: (V.O.) It doesn't matter where you are... [SCENE_BREAK] FLASHBACK INT. BEDROOM, DAY CLARA is tucked up in bed, the book in her arms. ELLIE sits on the side of the bed. ELLIE: ...in the jungle or the desert or on the moon. However lost you may feel, you'll never really be lost. Not really. Because I'll always be here. And I'll always come and find you. Every single time. [SCENE_BREAK] EXT. MARKETPLACE, DAY ELLIE: (V.O.) Every single time. MERRY: And you were never scared again? CLARA: Oh, I was scared lots of times. But never of being lost. So, this special song. What are you scared of, exactly? MERRY: Getting it wrong. Making Grandfather angry. CLARA: And do you think you'll get it wrong? Because I don't. I don't think you'll get it wrong. I think you, Merry Gejelh, will get it very, very right. MERRY smiles and hugs CLARA. They leave the safety of the TARDIS and head back into the marketplace, CLARA holding MERRY'S hand. The two men looking for MERRY see her and walk towards them. MERRY looks at CLARA who smiles encouragingly. MERRY meets the two men. They place a flower necklace over her and she leaves with them. The DOCTOR arrives eating one of the blue fruits. DOCTOR: What have you been doing? CLARA: Exploring. The DOCTOR shrugs and walks away. CLARA: Where are we going now? (follows) INT. TEMPLE, DAY A PRIEST sings as he kneels in front of the dais. He is dressed in robes similar to MERRY. PRIEST: (sings) Sleep, my precious, sleep A second PRIEST comes to relieve the first and seamlessly takes over the song. PRIEST 2: (sings) Lay down My warrior Now, my king. On the dais we see an alien creature dressed in robes sitting on a throne. It is enclosed in glass. This is AKHATEN. INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT The amphitheatre faces the temple. Two priests escort MERRY to a small pedestal in the center along the ledge. As they walk back the way they came, the DOCTOR and CLARA rush through. He skids to a stop. DOCTOR: Shh! Shh! (climb past others to their seats) Sorry, Sorry, excuse me. Sorry. Excuse me. (sits) CLARA: Sorry. Sorry. (sits) Are we even supposed to be here? DOCTOR: Shh. CLARA: But are we? DOCTOR: Shh! (to alien on other side of CLARA) Sorry. The alien growls. On the pedestal, MERRY looks nervously over to the temple. She turns her head and sees CLARA. She turns back, takes a deep breath and begins to sing. MERRY: (sings) Akhaten... EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The door to the temple slides upwards to open. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The PRIEST continues to kneel and sing. MERRY'S voice overlaps. PRIEST: (sings) Lay down, my king (stands and removes hood) Sleep now eternal (walks towards door) Sleep, my precious king... EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT PRIEST: (sings) Lay down INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT MERRY: Oh, god of Akhaaaten... DOCTOR: They're singing to the AKHATEN in the Temple. They call it the Old God. Sometimes Grandfather. MERRY: (sings) Oh, god of Akhaaaten... CLARA: What are they singing? DOCTOR: The Long Song. A lullaby without end. To feed the old god. Keep him asleep. It's been going for millions of years. Chorister handing over to Chorister. Generation after generation after generation. MERRY: (sings) Akhaten... CLARA looks around as the members of the audience hold out their hands, each containing something valuable to them. MERRY and the PRIEST continue singing. CLARA: What are they doing? DOCTOR: Those are offerings. Gifts of value. Mementoes to feed the Old God. CLARA laughs as the offerings are accepted, disappearing into small bits of golden light. MERRY: (sings) Oh, god of... Oh, god of... Oh god of Akhaaaten... EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT PRIEST: (sings) Sleep, my precious king INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT The audience joins in the song. The DOCTOR tries to join in. DOCTOR: (sings) Lay... CHORUS: (sings) Lay down... MERRY: (sings) Akhaaaten... Oh, god of... Oh, god of... Oh, god of... Oh, god of Akhaten. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The PRIEST finishes and there a low rumbling comes from inside the temple. His look of elation changes to fear. INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT MERRY realizes something is wrong and turns around to face the gathering. They all know something isn't right. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The PRIEST starts to sing in the hopes of putting AKHATEN back to sleep. PRIEST: (sings) Old god, protect us. (kneels and replaces hood) Old god, protect... INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT As everyone looks around, MERRY is wrapped in a force field and lifted from the pedestal. CLARA: OK. What's happening? Is this supposed to happen? MERRY: (flails) Help! CLARA: Is somebody going to do something? Excuse me? Is somebody going to help her? As MERRY is pulled towards the temple, the DOCTOR runs off and CLARA chases after him. EXT. MARKETPLACE, DAY The DOCTOR hurries through the stalls. CLARA follows. CLARA: Why are we walking away? We can't just walk away. This is my fault! I talked her into doing this! DOCTOR: (stops and walks back to CLARA) Listen. There's one thing you need to know about travelling with me... well, one thing apart from the blue box and the two hearts. We don't walk away. (continues on) EXT. SPACE MERRY flails and cries and she is pulled closer to the pyramid. EXT. MARKETPLACE, DAY The DOCTOR arrives at DOR'EEN's stall. He yaps and she barks and growls in response. The DOCTOR pats himself down before going to CLARA. DOCTOR: I need something precious. CLARA: Well, you must have something, all the places you've seen. DOCTOR: This. (pulls sonic from pocket) I don't want to give it away. It comes in handy. CLARA: You're 1,000 years old. And that's it, your spanner? DOCTOR: Screwdriver. CLARA looks down at her right hand and nervously touches a ring on one of her fingers. CLARA: (looks at DOCTOR) It's my Mum's. The DOCTOR says nothing, knowing it's her decision. CLARA takes off the ring and hands it to DOR'EEN. DOR'EEN senses the importance of the ring and accepts it as payment for the moped. The DOCTOR kisses his hand, taps CLARA on the head and goes to the moped. EXT. SPACE The DOCTOR rides the moped towards MERRY. CLARA reaches for MERRY as they get closer. CLARA: Merry! CLARA and MERRY'S hands come close to touching. Their hands graze before MERRY is pulled downwards and into the temple with a scream. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The moped approaches the temple rather quickly. CLARA: Brakes! Brakes! They scream as they come to a stop. CLARA'S arms grip around the DOCTOR'S neck as she has her eyes closed. DOCTOR: OK, time to let go. CLARA: I can't. DOCTOR: Clara, you have to. CLARA: Why? DOCTOR: Because it really hurts. CLARA: Sorry. (lets go) The DOCTOR gets off the moped and goes to the door, using the sonic screwdriver on it. He checks the readings. DOCTOR: Oh, that's interesting. A frequency modulated acoustic lock. The key changes ten million, zillion, squillion times a second. CLARA: Can you open it? DOCTOR: Technically, no. In reality, also no. But still...let's give it a stab. The DOCTOR makes a run for the door. CLARA squeals as she covers her eyes. All the DOCTOR gets for his troubles is a sore shoulder. He uses the sonic again. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT MERRY sits up on the floor. The PRIEST is still singing. MERRY looks over her shoulder at him. PRIEST: (sings) Don't ever wake from slumber. Old god, never wake from slumber... EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The DOCTOR pounds on the door. CLARA: How can they just stand there and watch? DOCTOR: Because this is sacred ground. (uses sonic) CLARA: And she's a child. DOCTOR: And he's a god. (backs away from door to CLARA) Well, he is to them, anyway. [SCENE_BREAK] EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT MERRY walks forward cautiously to look at the AKHATEN on the throne. PRIEST: (sings) Do not wake from slumber Old god, do not wake from slumber Rest your weary, holy head and cast our lives asunder Do not wake from slumber... MERRY: (looks back at PRIEST) I don't know what to do next. (looks to AKHATEN) What happens? The AKHATEN's eyes glow red and MERRY screams. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA and the DOCTOR rush the door. The DOCTOR uses the sonic again. CLARA: Merry! Merry, hold on! We'll be there soon! Doctor? DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Oh! Hello! CLARA: Hello what? DOCTOR: The sonic's locked on to the acoustic tumblers. CLARA: Meaning? DOCTOR: Meaning, I get to do this. The DOCTOR aims the sonic at the base of the door and it slowly rises. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT MERRY turns around as the door opens. The DOCTOR stands underneath, keeping it open with the sonic. DOCTOR: Hello there. I'm the Doctor. And you've met Clara. She was supposed to be having a nice day out. (turns off sonic) Still, it's early yet. (door starts to close and uses sonic again) Are you coming, then? Did I mention that the door is immensely heavy? MERRY: Leave. You'll wake him! DOCTOR: Really quite extraordinarily heavy. Clara? (the DOCTOR is forced down on one knee) CLARA: Uh-huh? CLARA scoots past the DOCTOR and into the temple. She makes her way by the singing PRIEST to MERRY. CLARA: Merry, we need to leave. MERRY: No. Go away! CLARA: Not without you. MERRY: You said I wouldn't get it wrong and then I got it wrong! And now this has happened. Look what's happened! CLARA: You didn't get it wrong. The DOCTOR groans under the strain of keeping the door open. MERRY: How do you know? You don't know anything! You have to go! Go now! Or he'll eat us all. CLARA: Well, he's ugly. But, you know, to be honest... (steps on the dais and looks at the mummy before turning to MERRY) I don't think he looks big enough. MERRY: Not our meat. Our souls. CLARA reaches a hand out to MERRY. MERRY puts her hands to her head and releases a telekinetic force, pinning CLARA to the case. MERRY: He doesn't want you, he wants me. If you don't leave, he'll eat you all up too. DOCTOR: Yes and you don't want that, do you? You want us to walk out of this really quite astonishingly heavy door and never come back. MERRY: Yes. DOCTOR: I see. Right. Clara's right. Absolutely never going to happen. Oooh-ooh-ooh. The DOCTOR turns off the sonic and rolls on the floor into the temple. He reaches back to grab the sonic where it fell on the floor before the door closes. He stands. CLARA: Did you just lock us in? DOCTOR: Yep. CLARA: With the soul-eating monster. DOCTOR: Yep. CLARA: And is there actually a way to get out? DOCTOR: (walks forward) What? Before it eats our souls? CLARA: Ideally, yes. DOCTOR: Possibly. Probably. There usually seems to be. (looks at the PRIEST) CLARA: Doctor, why is he still singing? PRIEST: (sings) ..rest your weary, holy head... DOCTOR: (kneels in front of PRIEST) He's trying to sing the Old God back to sleep. It's not going to happen. He's waking up, mate. He coming, ready or not. You want to run. PRIEST: (sings) ..holy head and... (breathes heavily) DOCTOR: That's it, then? Song's over? PRIEST: The song is over. (stands) My name is Chorister Rezh Baphix, and the Long Song ended with me. The PRIEST pushes up his sleeve to show a bracelet. He presses a button and he dissipates into the air. DOCTOR: That's it, then! Song's over! The DOCTOR turns around and uses the sonic on AKHATEN. AKHATEN roars and leans forward on the throne. DOCTOR: Ha-ha! (rushes up to cage and presses against the glass) Look at that. MERRY: (stands in the middle of the room) You've woken him! AKHATEN is up from his throne and pounding against the glass behind CLARA who still can't move. CLARA: It's awake? What's it doing? DOCTOR: (walks around cage) Oh, you know, having a nice stretch. No, we didn't wake him. (points at MERRY) And you didn't wake him, either. He's waking because it's his time to wake. And feed. On you, apparently. On your stories. CLARA: She didn't say stories, she said souls. DOCTOR: Same thing. The soul's made of stories, not atoms. Everything that ever happened to us. People we love. People we lost. People we found again, against all the odds. He threatens to wake, they offer him a pure soul. The soul of the Queen of Years. As the DOCTOR talks, AKHATEN presses his face up to the glass by the DOCTOR, raging against his imprisonment and his inability to reach them. CLARA: (whispers) Stop it. You're scaring her. DOCTOR: Good. She should be scared! She's sacrificing herself. She should know what that means. (walks over to MERRY) Do you know what it means, Merry? MERRY: A god chose me. DOCTOR: It's not a god! It'll feed on your soul, but that doesn't make it a god. It is a vampire (points at AKHATEN) and you don't need to give yourself to it. Hey, do you mind if I tell you a story? (leans over) One you might not have heard? All the elements in your body were forged many, many millions of years ago, in the heart of a far away star that exploded and died. (kneels) That explosion scattered those elements across the desolations of deep space. After so, so many millions of years, these elements came together to form new stars and new planets. And on and on it went. The elements came together and burst apart, (stands) forming shoes and ships and sealing-wax and cabbages and kings. (stands behind MERRY and puts his hands on her shoulders) Until eventually, they came together to make you. You're unique in the universe. There is only one Merry Gejelh. And there will never be another. (walks forward with MERRY) Getting rid of that existence isn't a sacrifice. It is a waste. MERRY: So, if I don't, then everyone else... DOCTOR: Will be fine. As MERRY looks over at AKHATEN, the creature pounds on the glass with both hands. MERRY: How? DOCTOR: There's always a way. MERRY: You promise? DOCTOR: (moves his hands over his chest) Cross my hearts. The DOCTOR holds out his hand for MERRY. She takes it and grips it tight. She then turns and faces CLARA, releasing the field holding her in place. AKHATEN slams the glass behind CLARA and it cracks. She hurries down to the DOCTOR and MERRY. CLARA: Having a nice stretch?! The three of them head for the door but stop when they sense a change in the air. The ground begins to shake. CLARA: Something's coming. What's coming? MERRY: (scared) The Vigil. DOCTOR: And what's the Vigil? MERRY: If the Queen of Years is unwilling to be feasted upon... DOCTOR: Yes? MERRY: ..it's their job to feed her to Grandfather. Appearing in front of the dais are the same creatures that searched for MERRY in the warehouse. The DOCTOR takes out the sonic. MERRY: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! The Vigil advances on them. CLARA: Don't you dare. DOCTOR: Yeah, stay back. I'm armed. With a screwdriver. One of the Vigil bellows and the force of it knocks the sonic screwdriver from the DOCTOR'S hands and over to the floor by the wall. It bellows again and the DOCTOR is flipped over in the air, landing on his back. A second one sends CLARA back against the wall. MERRY tries to hide as the Vigil continues to advance. AKHATEN roars in his prison. MERRY is brought forward by the Vigil. CLARA and the DOCTOR slowly come to. Terrified, MERRY walks up the steps to stand in front of the cage. DOCTOR: Clara. Sonic. CLARA scrambles over to the sonic, picks it up and tosses it to the DOCTOR. The DOCTOR turns and aims it at the Vigil. The Vigil hold up their hands to create a force field. While they are blocking the energy from the sonic, MERRY runs over to CLARA. The DOCTOR advances on the Vigil, groaning. CLARA: (to MERRY) You know all the stories. You must know if there's another way out. MERRY: There's the tale. A secret song. "The Thief of the Temple and the Nimmer's Door". CLARA: And the secret songs open the secret door? How does it go? Can you sing it? MERRY: (sings) Ah-ah-ah-ah-aah-ah-ah. A side door slides open. The DOCTOR forces the Vigil to take a few steps back. DOCTOR: Go! CLARA and MERRY run for the open door. The DOCTOR pushes the Vigil back further and he makes his way closer to the door. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA and MERRY hurry outside to the moped. CLARA hears AKHATEN roar and runs back to the door to look inside. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The field created by the sonic dissipates as the DOCTOR turns off the sonic. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA: Doctor! The DOCTOR joins them outside. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT AKHATEN roars. The Vigil walk towards the door. VIGIL: (breathy) Where are you? Where are you? EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The DOCTOR uses the sonic on the door. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT AKHATEN roars and slams his fist against the glass, breaking it. He roars in exaltation. He is bathed in light. EXT. SPACE A beam of light shoots from the top of the pyramid to the sun. VIGIL: (V.O.) Where are you? Where are you? EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA has her arms about MERRY. The DOCTOR uses the sonic on the Vigil. The creatures disappear. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT AKHATEN is slumped on the throne. EXT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA: Where did they go? DOCTOR: Grandfather's awake. They're of no function any more. CLARA: Well, you could sound happier about it. There is a distant explosion. DOCTOR: Actually, I think I may have made a tactical boo-boo. More of a semantics mix-up, really. CLARA: What boo-boo? DOCTOR: I thought the Old God was Grandfather but he wasn't. It was just the Grandfather's alarm clock. CLARA: Sorry, a bit lost. Who's the Old God? Is there an Old God? DOCTOR: Unfortunately, yes. They look up to the sun in the sky as it burns brighter, almost expanding. CLARA: Oh, my stars. What do we do? DOCTOR: Against that? I don't know. Do you know? I don't know. Any ideas? MERRY: But you promised! You promised! DOCTOR: I did. I did promise. (paces) MERRY: He'll eat us all. He'll spread across the system, consuming the Seven Worlds. And when there's no more to eat, he'll embark on a new odyssey among the stars. The gases on the sun whirl and burn, seeming to expand further. CLARA: I say leg it. DOCTOR: (looks at CLARA) Leg it where, exactly? CLARA: (looks at DOCTOR) Don't know. Lake District? DOCTOR: Oh, the Lake District's lovely. Let's definitely go there. We can eat scones. They do great scones in 19...27. (looks up at the sun) CLARA: (looks at sun) You're going to fight it, aren't you? DOCTOR: Regrettably, yes. I think I may be about to do that. CLARA: It's really big. DOCTOR: I've seen bigger. CLARA: (looks at DOCTOR) Really? DOCTOR: Are you joking? It's massive. CLARA: I'm staying with you. DOCTOR: No, you're not. CLARA: Yes, I am. I can... assist. DOCTOR: No, you can't. CLARA: What about that stuff you said? "We don't walk away." DOCTOR: No. We don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run. We run and run as fast as we can and we don't stop running until we're out from under the shadow. Now, off you pop. Take the moped. (straightens tie) I'll walk. (heads for door) INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The DOCTOR enters the temple and looks across to the sun that now appears to have a face. DOCTOR: (to himself) Any ideas? No, didn't think so. Righty-ho, then. INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT CLARA lands the moped and helps MERRY off. Holding hands, they look towards the temple and the sun. Everyone in the amphitheatre knows there is something momentous happening. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT DOCTOR: (whispers) Lordy. INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT MERRY: Isn't he frightened? CLARA: I think he is. I think he's very frightened. MERRY: I want to help. CLARA: So do I. MERRY steps onto the pedestal. She looks back at CLARA before facing the temple then starts to sing. MERRY: (sings) Rest now My warrior... INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The DOCTOR smiles when he hears the singing. DOCTOR: OK, then. That's what I'll do. I'll tell you a story. INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT MERRY: (sings) Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh Oh-oh, oh-oh... Way-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay Wake up... The crowd joins in. CHORUS: (sings) Wake up... MERRY: (sings) And let the cloak of life cling to your bones... CLARA looks around and smiles. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The DOCTOR points towards the other planet with the amphitheatre. DOCTOR: Can you hear them? All these people who've lived in terror of you and your judgment? All these people whose ancestors devoted themselves. Sacrificed themselves. To you. Can you hear them singing? INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT MERRY: (sings) Way-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay Wake up... INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT We hear MERRY and the others singing as the DOCTOR talks with the Old God. DOCTOR: You like to think you're a god. But you're not a god. You're just a parasite eaten out with jealousy and envy and longing for the lives of others. You feed on them. On the memory of love and loss and birth and death and joy and sorrow. So... come on, then. Take mine. Take my memories. But I hope you've got a big appetite. Because I've lived a long life and I've seen a few things. The Old God shoots tendrils of light at the DOCTOR, sucking away his life and memories. INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT MERRY: (sings) Wake up And let the cloak Of life cling to your bones... DOCTOR: (V.O.) I walked away from the Last Great Time War. I marked the passing of the Time Lords. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT DOCTOR: I saw the birth of the universe and I watched as time ran out, moment by moment, until nothing remained. No time. No space. Just me. I've walked in universes where the laws of physics were devised by the mind of a madman. I've watched universes freeze and creations burn. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. I've lost things you'll never understand. And I know things. Secrets that must never be told. Knowledge that must never be spoken. Knowledge that will make parasite gods blaze. (spreads arms out) So come on then! Take it! Take it all, baby! Have it! You have it all! The sun grows darker. The DOCTOR hangs his head. INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT MERRY: (sings) Wake up Wake u-u-u-up. MERRY finishes singing and smiles. Everyone looks towards the sky and watches, waiting. There is a large explosion and the sun expands, growing brighter. CLARA thinks of the DOCTOR, there, alone. [SCENE_BREAK] FLASHBACK INT. BEDROOM, DAY ELLIE: And I'll always come and find you. Every single time. EXT. MARKETPLACE, DAY DOCTOR: We don't walk away. [SCENE_BREAK] INT. AMPHITHEATRE, NIGHT CLARA rushes away. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT The DOCTOR falls to his knees. EXT. SPACE CLARA races the moped back to the temple. INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA runs into the temple carrying her book. The DOCTOR looks up at her. Taking courage from him, CLARA hugs the book and faces the Old God. CLARA: Still hungry? (opens book) Well, I brought something for you. This. (holds the leaf in her palm) The most important leaf in human history. [SCENE_BREAK] FLASHBACK EXT. STREET, DAY The MAN walks along the sidewalk, looking around to get his bearings. A leaf blows loose from a tree and covers his face. [SCENE_BREAK] INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA: The most important leaf in human history. It's full of stories, full of history. [SCENE_BREAK] FLASHBACK EXT. PARK, DAY CLARA swings on her parents' arms as they lift her. [SCENE_BREAK] INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA: And full of a future that never got lived. Days that should have been that never were. [SCENE_BREAK] FLASHBACK EXT. CEMETARY, DAY We see ELLIE'S gravestone. CLARA: (V.O.) Passed on to me. CLARA turns and sees the DOCTOR as he walks away. [SCENE_BREAK] INT. TEMPLE, NIGHT CLARA: (holds up leaf) This leaf isn't just the past, it's a whole future that never happened. There are billions and millions of unlived days for every day we live. An infinity. All the days that never came. And these are all my mum's. The Old God sends tendrils to the leaf and begins absorbing it. DOCTOR: (stands) Well, come on then. Eat up. Are you full? I expect so because there's quite a difference, isn't there, between what was and what should have been? There's an awful lot of one, but there's an infinity of the other. And infinity's too much. Even for your appetite. The leaf is gone. CLARA and the DOCTOR look at each other. The sun implodes, leaving them in darkness. EXT. MAITLAND HOUSE, DAY The TARDIS materializes in the front drive. INT. TARDIS The DOCTOR is at the console. CLARA heads for the door. DOCTOR: Home again, home again, jiggity-jig! CLARA: (opens door) It looks different. DOCTOR: Nope. Same house. Same city. Same planet. Same day, actually. Not bad. (swings a pretend golf club) Hole in one! CLARA closes the door and takes a few steps inside. CLARA: You were there. At Mum's grave. You were watching. What were you doing there? DOCTOR: (fidgets with controls) I don't know. I was just... making sure. CLARA: Of what? DOCTOR: (walks to CLARA) You remind me of someone. CLARA: Who? DOCTOR: Someone who died. CLARA: Well, whoever she was, I'm not her, OK? If you want me to travel with you, that's fine. But as me. Not a bargain basement stand-in for someone else. I not going to compete with a ghost. DOCTOR: (shakes head) No. (reaches into pocket and pulls out her ring) They wanted you to have it. CLARA: Who did? DOCTOR: Everyone. All the people you saved. CLARA takes the ring, kisses it and slips it onto her finger. DOCTOR: You. No-one else. Clara. CLARA smiles before opening the door and stepping outside. The DOCTOR watches from the doorway before closing the door.
The Rings of Akhaten