Welcome to my newest crossover; The Sands of Time!

Summary: The Doctor and Donna arrive in Ancient Egypt, where they immediately land themselves in an ancient battle between Thief and Pharaoh. Though sworn not to interfere, what can he do? Time is running out...

Chapter One: Captured!

The grating sound of the TARDIS engines resounded through the control room. The Doctor dashed around the console, pulling levers and pushing buttons.

Donna sat on one of the few chairs in the enormous room, watching him dash around. She daren't get up, because she guaranteed that as soon as she did the TARDIS would give that one massive shake that would send her crashing to the floor.

"So where are we going, then?"

The Doctor paused in his manic dance. "Somewhere hot and sandy. Somewhere as yet undiscovered by your generation… Even though you lot found the ones either side of it, you never discovered this one…"

Donna raised an eyebrow. "You missed 'wet'. You promised me a beach, Spaceman."

"Well, two out of three ain't bad." The Doctor pulled a lever and the TARDIS ground to a shuddering halt.

He peeked into the scanner. "Ah, yes. Donna… Welcome to Ancient Egypt!"

Donnas jaw dropped. Literally. "Egypt!"

"Yup!" The Doctor ran to the doors, and then stopped. "Ladies first…"

The redhead walked to the door, and opened it. She stepped outside, her leather jacket almost shining in the sun.

Then she stepped back in. "Doctor, I think we need a change of outfit."

The Doctor looked incredulously at her. "Donna… We never need to. People just take what we wear as… well… a new fashion, I guess. No-one's ever complained."

Donna grabbed him by the arm and marched him back into the TARDIS. "Where's your wardrobe?"

The Doctor gave in and, with a sigh, directed Donna to the enormous wardrobe room.

Ten minutes later, the TARDIS doors opened again. This time, Donna was dressed in a simple low-cut white linen dress, with a gold scarab-shaped pendant around her neck.

The Doctor wore a white tunic edged with blue, tied at the waist. A small cotton pouch hung off the rope he used as a belt, in which was the distinctive shape of his sonic screwdriver and psychic paper were visible as bulges.

"You never leave those behind, do you?"

The Doctor grinned. "I wouldn't be me if I did, hmm?"

"Touché."

The Doctor licked a finger and held it in the air. "Uhm… 3010BC… The reign of the Nameless Pharaoh. The Nameless Pharaoh, huh, Donna? Maybe we can find his name! Donna? Donna!"

He looked around himself. The back alley that the TARDIS was in contained a total absence of Donna.

I wish she wouldn't just run off… The Doctor left the alley after locking his time machine. "Donna!"

Donna hadn't gone far. What seemed to be the main street of the city was bustling with people; it looked to be market day, and Donna was in full shopping mode.

What she didn't notice were those people who saw her swerved around her, the passers-by gave her odd looks and the man whose stall she was scrutinising was clutching at an ankh he wore as a pendant.

"Donna…" The Doctor sauntered up to her, and took a glance at the stall. The man was selling rolls of linen, dyed different colours. "What did I tell you about wandering off?"

"Oh, come on, Doctor. Ooh, look! Sandals!"

Donna was set to rush off again, but the Doctor grabbed her arm. "Donna, look around you. What do you see?"

Donna rolled her eyes. "I see… Uh… People, buildings, market stalls, the usual stuff?"

"No, Donna. Look at the people. They seem to be scared of you, for some reason."

Donna sighed. "Doctor, you're too paranoid. Come on! Chill out!" Donna tugged him to a stall that sold golden jewellery. She picked up an ankh pendant, and held it up against her fair skin. "What do you think?"

The sound of a galloping horse thundered up the street, and the horse itself came into view, scattering people left and right. The Doctor stepped out of the way before the horse could run him down.

"Stop! Thief! Stop him!" A man ran up the street behind the horse yelling after it. "The man stole my horse and my money! Somebody, help me!"

The Doctor sighed. He whipped out his sonic and pointed it at the retreating back of the horse. He pressed the button for a few seconds, and the horse suddenly squealed and reared, throwing its rider.

Donna began to head up the street towards the man. The Doctor shook his head. "Donna, I wouldn't do that if I were you…"

Four white-clad men emerged from a side alley. The Doctor noticed their expressions… and their spears. "Donna!"

Meanwhile, the man had pulled himself up. His red robe flapped around his ankles and his white headdress had slipped sideway, revealing white hair that almost shone in the sun.

He turned, and noticed Donna. His lavender eyes widened slightly and he grinned.

The Doctor began to run to Donna. "Donna! Get away!"

The guards gave a shout as the white-haired man noticed them. They began to run, too.

And, unfortunately, they were faster than the Doctor.

"Donna!"

The white-haired man lunged, grabbing Donna by the shoulders and pulling her back. His grip transferred to her neck, and in his other hand appeared a knife.

Donna cried out. "Doctor!"

The guards, by now, had surrounded the man. They levelled their spears at him, and one of them feinted forward.

The man tightened his grip on Donna. "Play this right, and you don't get hurt," he whispered in her ear. To the guards, he shouted "Stay back or I kill the girl!"

The guards backed away slightly, and then one stepped forward. He ran his eyes over Donna, and they lingered on her hair.

Then he smirked.

"What do we care about a Daughter of Set? Kill her, then, it would be doing us all a favour."

The thief grimaced, and looked at Donna.

He swore, loudly, before shoving her away and dropping the knife. "Fine. You have me."

The Doctor ran to Donna as she fell to her knees. "Donna? Are you alright?"

The thief scowled down at them. "She won't be for much longer."

Indeed, the guards were closing in on them. The Doctor helped Donna up and sauntered away, Donna at his side.

One of the guards jabbed his spear at her. "You, get back with the thief. We're taking you to the palace."

Now, Donna had a lot to say about this.

"Daughter of Set! Why the hell do you think I'm the kid of some evil god? Why are you arresting me? I've done nothing wrong!"

The guard grabbed her and started to tow her away. The Doctor frowned and ran to stand in front of him. "Let her go."

"I can't do that. She must be taken to the palace for trial."

"What? She's done nothing wrong!"

"It is the Pharaohs orders, sir. Those with hair like copper have strong Ka, and must be subjected to the Millennium Trial."

"The Millennium Trial?"

"Yes, sir. Would you mind moving?"

"No. What's the Millennium Trial?"

Another of the guards grabbed the Doctor. "Well, if he's so keen to see it, we should take him, hmm?"

One of the two guards escorting the thief chuckled. "They both look like they have strong Ka."

The Doctor protested as the guard yanked him forward. "Alright, thank you, I can walk by myself!"

The thief shook his head. "Why you would volunteer for the Trial is beyond me. Don't expect me to bail you out."

And the three were marched along the streets.

Headed for the palace and this mysterious 'Millennium Trial'.

TKB: Oh, great. Why do you have to get me captured so early in the story... Anyway, Litzana instructed me to ask you to review. *Please*.