The Sarah Jane Adventures Series 6 Episodes 9 and 10: The Infinity Cage Parts 1 and 2

In 1974, A car passes through Asia on a hot Summer's day carrying an empty cage inside. Two men dig a hole before placing the cage deep into the Earth. Twenty years later, the two men return and dig the cage up once again.

Man 1: Ah, just as we thought.

Man 2: Prepare the hostage. It's time for the test to begin.

At Bannerman Road, Luke and Sky are drinking tea. Mr Smith is playing music.

Sky: So then, how long do you think you’ll be staying here for?

Luke: Oh probably quite a while. I love life at the university, but it does not compare to this. And anyway, the university is in ruins after what that so called alliance did.

Sky: Is Mrs Wormwood still out there then? Could she come back?

Luke: Yeah, she and the Androvax are being held captive by the Judoon. But I’m sure they’ll be able to hold them. They’ve learnt from the last time.

Sky: Mrs Wormwood didn’t seem particularly pleasant.

Luke: No, but hopefully she’s gone now. Hopefully she’s gone for good.

Sarah Jane: Ah-Luke, Sky-Good morning. Are you both alright?

Sky: Yes, just listening to the music that Mr Smith is playing for us.

Sarah Jane: Well you relax. It’s been two weeks since our last adventure and it doesn’t seem like any more aliens or humans need our help.

In 1994, the two scientists carry the man into the cage. They press a button

Subject: Please, what do you think you are doing? Are you out of your mind?

Man 1: Of course we are. That’s why we became scientists.

Subject: That thing is too dangerous to hold a human being. You can’t just use me as your guinee pig. Please don’t put me in there.

Man 2: I’m sorry, but you’re the perfect candidate. You’re a fit, healthy young man and we need you to see whether this works.

Man 1: It may sting a little. My colleague will press a button in ten seconds time as the first test which will transport you through time somewhere. Are you ready?

Subject: No, I am not ready. Have I not made that clear enough?

Man 1: We will transport you through time and space in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1-

The Man arrives in a desert. He looks around him. A figure stands in the distance.

Subject: Excuse me. Who are you? Can you please help me?

Figure: I don’t help people. If you have found your way here then you can find your way out. Now leave me and my lands be forever.

Subject: I can’t. I’ve been transported here as part of an experiment.

Figure: Don’t be so ridiculous. What kind of experiment?

Subject: I just need to get out. Maybe I should step back inside of the cage.

Figure: No, maybe I shall step through the cage. That would be for the best. It may give me a chance of returning home.

Subject: So this place isn’t your home? Where exactly am I?

Figure: This is Asia in 3BC, long before your time, I assume. I am from a far distance away from here. I am not even from this Earth. I am from a world known as Zanos, home to the glorious race known as the Zanosians. I have a family over there, and I wish to get back to them. I will do whatever I can to return home.

Subject: Well maybe there will be a way that those experimenting on me can help.

Figure: If I step inside that cage will it transport me to your own time?

Subject: I don’t really know. I’m not that sure. I need to get back home so-

The Man steps inside the cage and transports away while the subject stays in ancient Asia. The Man arrives at the Lab.

Man 1: Oh my-Who exactly are you?

Figure: My name as Xartor, part of the race known as the Zanosians from Zanos. I need a way to get back to my home, and I think you will be that way.

Man 2: We cannot transport people to other worlds.

Figure: Well, you better try. You have mastered time travel somehow, obviously.

Man 1: No, we haven’t. Deep beneath Asia, there is a source of a substance which can give people the ability to travel backwards and forwards in time. We can control time. It is a wonderful discovery. There’s nothing to travel between planets.

Figure: What is to say that there isn’t? You will try to help me.

Rani knocks on Sarah Jane’s door. Sarah Jane answers.

Sarah Jane: Oh morning Rani. What do you want?

Rani: I need to talk. It’s about everything that’s happened. Or even everything that’s not happened. Since we defeated Mrs Wormwood and Androvax, there’s been nothing. No adventures, no calls, no anything. The whole world knows about us and what we do, so why isn’t anybody coming to us for help?

Sarah Jane: The supernatural must have gone quiet.

Rani: Or something’s brewing. This doesn’t usually happen and it’s suspicious.

Rani hurries up the stairs. Mr Smith is still playing music.

Rani: Mr Smith, I actually need you for something worthwhile. Could you scan for alien life signals across Bannerman Road and around the area?

Mr Smith: There are no alien life signals other than K-9 and myself.

Rani: Oh yes, I forgot K-9 was back. Good morning, K-9.

K-9: Good morning, mistress. It has been a joy to be back here.

Luke: Isn’t it better that there’s no alien life signs? We get to spend some quality time together without creatures trying to kill us every five seconds.

Rani: It’s just suspicious, that’s all. There’s usually at least something.

Sky: Maybe we’ve brought down all the aliens. Maybe there’s nothing left to defeat.

Rani: I highly doubt that. Come on, everyone, don’t you think it’s a bit suspicious?

Sarah Jane: I think that you’re probably a bit bored and are just making things up to try and make things much more interesting. Now you’ve got exams to practise for and you could really use the time away from all of these alien things.

Rani: It’s just-Mum and Dad are putting the house up soon and it’s only a matter of months before we won’t have the chance to do any of this anymore. I don’t know how I’m going to cope without all of this. It’s just so wonderful.

Sarah Jane: I know, Rani, and we’ll miss you, but we can’t just fake an alien invasion, can we? Now get back home to your mum and dad.

Rani: I could hang out here. I know I’ve got exams that I need to prepare for but I also only have a little while left with all of you guys. I will miss you.

Sarah Jane: I know you will. And so will we.

Rani: If I’m going to stay here though-Can Mr Smith change the music?

Mr Smith: Changing the music and playing Rani’s playlist.

Rani: Ah, that’s more like it.

In 1994, the two men are digging down the hole once again. They discover more of the substance. They dig it up and carry it back. Xartor grabs the substance and places some all over his body. Nothing happens.

Man 1: That won’t work. You’ve got to use the cage. It was bathed in the substance for 20 years, and it’s the only way that this will work.

Xartor: But it travels through time and not through space.

Man 2: Maybe there’s a way we can adapt it. At the moment it only really moves through time, but there’s a possible way that we could move through space as well as time. Whether both can cross over or we can just do one at once, we can use it to get you back to where you belong. It may take a long time though.

Xartor: However long it takes. I just need to return to Zanos. How long exactly?

Man 1: Well, I’d say a few months, if not years. We may be able to speed up the process.

Xartor: Be as quick as you can. I need to return home.

In 1997, the men are still working. Xartor enters the laboratory

Xartor: Have you made any developments in the project since the last time I checked?

Man 1: You checked two hours ago, and you know how slow this process is. It’s been three years since we started to create this, and it could take at least another two.

Xartor: Maybe all of this isn’t worth it. Maybe I should just stay on Earth.

Man 1: We cannot just put three years of hard work to waste. We need to continue and complete this. It will only be a few years. I mean, you have much longer lifespans than us humans. Five years is nothing.

Xartor: Let’s hope it’ll be finished by the time we reach a new millennia.

Fireworks signal the coming of the new millennia. Xartor and the two men raise sparklers.

Xartor: Remember when you told me that the experiment would be done by the time we reached the year 2000? And yet here we are.

Man 1: It will only be a few more months. We promise.

Xartor: But you always say that, and yet it never ends. It always just continues and continues. It’s never ending. We need to complete this.

Man 2: We can’t, okay. It’s impossible.

Xartor: And yet three years ago when I told you it would be fine if I just carried on my normal life here in the present day you said that it was not worth wasting three years of hard work. How about I just travel back to my own time and live with the previous subject?

Man 1: Please stay with us. We can do this, eventually.

Xartor: It’s just that eventually will probably be at some point in the 23rd Century. Either you make it work or I leave. Why do you want me to stay so badly anyway?

Man 1: Because you’re brilliant, and we want you to return home and see your family again.

Xartor: My family probably think I’m dead by now anyway. They’ve forgotten me. I’m long gone. I may as well stay here, where I’ve been staying for many years, and you can just end your process. You may have been creating it for many years but I don’t care anymore. I’m going to start a new life.

Man 1: You’ll be back. I’m sure you’ll be back.

Xartor: Don’t count on it. I don’t want to be any part of this anymore.

Xartor hurries away. Christmas at the Chandra's house, 2011

Sarah Jane: Thankyou for having us all around for Christmas Dinner, Gita.

Gita: It’s my pleasure, Sarah. This is our final Christmas here at Bannerman Road so we best make it the greatest one possible. I mean, you, my Rani and the rest of the alien hunting gang are famous now after all.

Rani: Come on, Mum, I wouldn’t exactly call us famous.

Gita: You’ve been on the news and everything. I’m really proud of you. I couldn’t be more proud of you. You are the best daughter I could ever imagine.

Rani: But you’re bringing all this alien hunting fame life to a close?

Gita: It was your father who wanted us to leave in the first place, darling.

Haresh: Look, it’s Christmas day. We don’t want any arguments now, do we?

Gita: I must apologize. We’re probably looking rude in front of our guests.

Haresh: You are looking rude in front of our guests, not me.

Gita: Now you are looking rude in front of our guests, Haresh. Would you help me with the desert? We’ve got something delicious.

Clyde: I’ll help with that, Mrs Chandra.

Gita: Oh thank you for that. You’re lucky to have such a lovely boy, Carla.

Carla: I know I am. Though trust me-He’s not always a lovely boy. So then Sarah Jane-I saw all that on the news about those creatures hijacking your systems.

Sarah Jane: I know it’s awful. What’s even more awful is that everybody has to know about it because now nothing about what we do can be kept a secret from the rest of the world.

Carla: That’s just how it is now. Isn’t it how you wanted it to be?

Sarah Jane: No. Somebody leaked images of the attic alongside information and details about location. I think it must have been Shanda. You met Shanda?

Carla: Ah yes Shanda. What happened to Shanda in the end?

Sky: It’s not a very nice story actually. She was killed in a horrible way by a rare human enemy that we faced. I was the only one who saw it.

Luke: I’ve been back here for one month and you haven’t told me about Shanda.

Sarah Jane: She was an alien, about 12 or 13, but looked a lot older than that. She was lovely. I took her in to be adopted, just like the two of you, but then something happened one day where this horrible man tricked us into believing that Rani was about to die in the future. It was all a trick, you see, and he had to find a way to try and break the curse. He not only ended his life, but he ended Shanda’s too.

Luke: That’s awful. I’m sad that I never actually got to meet Shanda.

Sarah Jane: The weirdest thing was that this object could predict your future. I’ve still got it in the attic. But Shanda saw something from her future, a hooded man who stood in front of her, something that did not happen when she was alive.

Luke: Does that mean that Shanda is going to come back?

Sarah Jane: That’s what I’ve been thinking. If she saw that in the future, then it looks like there could still be something coming for her.

Sky: I thought it was just that Duncan was playing tricks with us. I thought that the visions we saw through the future key were faked by him.

Sarah Jane: No they weren’t. Gita, Haresh, we’re just going to get something from my house and then we’ll be straight back.

Haresh: It’s Christmas Day. Can’t you give the alien hunting a rest just this once?

Sarah Jane: I’d love to, but sometimes duty calls and there’s nothing I can do about that.

Sarah, Sky and Luke hurry across the road. Sky grabs the key from the attic. She witnesses Shanda standing in front of her.

Shanda: Sky-Sky-Can you hear me. I think I might just be able to maintain this for a while so I can get my message across to you. This is me from the future.

Sky: Shanda-But how is that possible-You are-

Shanda: Just be aware that I cannot hear you. If you say something I will not respond. It doesn’t work like that. I’m trying to send this message across to you so you can hear what I have to say. Is that clear? Merry Christmas by the way.

Sky: We don’t have time for all that. Just get on with-

Shanda: I gave you a few seconds so you had the time to speak, because I knew you wouldn’t listen to me when I said that I couldn’t hear you. My father is still out there. He is a creature known as Xartor and he left my mother before she gave birth to me. He will do anything that he wants to see me again. You are the key to bringing him to Bannerman Road in the present day so that I can be brought back to life. You need to tell Mr Smith to search for the Infinity Cage. It may take him a while but he’ll find it. Dig up the infinity cage and rescue my father. He’ll know what to do from there. Make sure you do this, and don’t mess it all up. Understand? No, don’t reply. Just do it. End of message.

Sky lets go of the key. She drops it onto the floor.

Sarah Jane: I told you that it still worked. Should we go back now? Sky?

Sky: Shanda left me a message. We need to get the Infinity Cage. We need to restore the infinity cage. We need to bring Shanda back to life.

Sarah Jane, Luke and Sky are now outside. Rani and Clyde exit the Chandras house.

Clyde: What are you doing now?

Sky: Shanda has told us that she needs us to bring her back to life. Mr Smith just told us that the cage holding her father is located 3.1 miles away from here.

Rani: Oh so we’re all going to drive up there?

Sarah Jane: No, me, Luke and Sky are going to drive up there.

Clyde: Look at that-We’re being excluded again.

Sarah Jane: It’s Christmas Day. Enjoy it with your families. We’ll be back as soon as we can.

Sarah, Luke and Sky drive off. Gita and Haresh enter

Haresh: Christmas at the Chandras isn’t THAT bad-

Sarah Jane, Sky and Clyde arrive at the scene of the cage. The cage is in front of them.

Luke: So then, what do we do? Do we just press the button that unleashes the cage and we wait until something comes out. Because there’s nothing inside.

Sky: Shanda told me we had to dig up the infinity cage, but its already dug up. Maybe Xartor isn’t inside the infinity cage, but under it.

Luke: Maybe we should give it a try. I want to get back to doing Christmassy things.

Luke presses the button unleashing the cage. Nothing happens.

Sky: Maybe we just have to wait a few minutes.

Sarah Jane: Or maybe Shanda’s father isn’t down there after all. You know what happened with the future key before. We were tricked. Perhaps we have been tricked again.

Sky: We’ve got to try. If it means bringing Shanda back then-

Sarah Jane: I suppose we best wait here. But Luke is right, it’s Christmas Day and the Chandras have been kind enough to invite us over for Dinner. Now we’ve just gone off and done all the things we usually do.

Luke: And we’ve left Clyde and Rani.

Sarah Jane: Yes, and you know how hard it can be to deal with Gita sometimes…

At the Chandras house

Carla: I wonder who this house will go to. Make sure it goes to someone who deserves it.

Gita: Oh we will. We’ll be thoroughly checking the buyer of the house, whoever it may be, making sure that there is nothing wrong with them.

Haresh: I’m sure we don’t have to go that far. We’ll just know who’s the right person.

Rani: You two are talking like you’re adopting a child.

Gita: This house is like a child to us, Rani. Well, more like a parent who has been keeping us safe and sheltered for the last few years.

Carla: Will you all keep in touch with Sarah Jane?

Haresh: All this alien hunting is the reason we’re moving out of here anyway.

Gita: Which, as I have made clear, is a decision that I don’t agree with. You can already tell who is the leader of this relationship.

Haresh: Well you had some say in it-

Gita: Please don’t drag me into it, Haresh.

Carla: On that note, I think it’s best that I’d be leaving. Clyde, are you coming too?

Clyde: I think I might stay here for a while. Sarah Jane, Luke and Sky are coming back any minute now so we’d best wait around for them.

Carla: You’re right. Maybe I’ll stay until they get back.

Rani: Don’t worry, they shouldn’t be too long.

Sarah Jane opens the infinity cage and steps inside. She disappears.

Sky: Where’s she gone? She just vanished-

Luke: I don’t know, but I think we should follow her in to see if she’s alright.

Luke and Sky enter. They scream as they travel through time before arriving at Bannerman Road. Sarah Jane is at the end of the street.

Luke: We’re back at Bannerman Road. How is that even possible?

Sarah Jane: That cage must be acting as some kind of teleport. It must have transported Shanda’s father into another place. If Shanda was telling the truth of course.

Sky: So what do we do now? Do we drive back towards the infinity cage?

Sarah Jane: I don’t see the point in doing that. If that was a teleport and Shanda was telling the truth, then her father should be somewhere around here.

At Clyde’s house, Clyde phones Luke.

Clyde: Look, Luke, I know it’s been a long time, and I know phoning you won’t make a difference because you’re gone now, wherever you are, but Rani’s moving out tomorrow, and it’s just such a shame that you won’t get to say goodbye. Wherever you, Sarah Jane and Sky are I don’t know, but I will continue to call you every day until I get a reply. So please-

Luke (On Phone): Clyde-What do you mean?

Clyde: Luke is that really you? I never thought I’d be so happy to hear your voice. Where are you? Where have you been? Why haven’t you been answering my calls?

Luke: I don’t know. I haven’t gotten any calls from you. I mean it’s Christmas Day. I’m right outside the Chandra's house right now.

Clyde: Wait what do you mean it’s Christmas Day? It’s April 22nd.

Luke: April 22nd? No, it’s Christmas Day. I know that it’s Christmas Day.

Clyde: The last time I saw you was Christmas Day. I’ve been keeping count. Today is April 22nd though. Don’t you know that?

Luke: You’re playing one of your tricks on me, aren't you?

Rani looks out of her window and runs out to hug Sky, and then Sarah Jane.

Rani: What did you think you were playing at? We’ve all been so worried.

Sarah Jane: What have you been worried about? We’ve only been gone for a few minutes but we’re back now.

Luke: Rani, what is the date today?

Rani: It’s April 22nd. I thought everyone kept track of the date.

Luke: Then we’re in trouble. When we went through the infinity cage, we didn’t only travel through space, but we travelled through time.

Inside of the Attic.

Sarah Jane: Mr Smith, I need you. More than ever.

Mr Smith opens up

Mr Smith: Sarah Jane, you are back. Where have you been?

Sarah Jane: We travelled through space and time. We went through the infinity cage, and ended up here, almost four months into our future. How is that possible? Humans haven’t even come close to developing time travel.

Mr Smith: The Infinity Cage is coated with a substance known as Jiro 8, which allows those who step inside it the ability to travel through space and time.

Sarah Jane: So this Jiro 8 is alien? From another world?

Mr Smith: Not exactly. It is located in Asia, although not many people are aware that it exists. It is a substance produced by the Semini.

Sky: The Semini? But aren’t they those things that attacked us?

Sarah Jane: Yes they were. We defeated the batch of them that wanted to kill us, but there are many more of them out there, beneath the Earth, inside of the soils of the planet, waiting until they can escape and get the chance to destroy us.

Rani: This Infinity Cage-Is it still where it was when Sarah Jane went through it?

Mr Smith: Incorrect. The current location of the Infinity Cage is unclear, but it has moved.

Luke: Maybe Xartor moved it. But how will we find out where?

Sarah Jane: We go back to the infinity cage. We’ve still got unfinished business there.

Rani: Can me and Clyde come? I forgot to mention that I’m moving tomorrow, so this is the last time I’ll ever be able to do anything like this again.

Sarah Jane: That’s something quite huge to forget, but of course you can come.

Sky: Just don’t tell Clyde. He always gets mad when we don’t involve him.

The Car arrives at the facility. Sarah, Luke, Rani and Sky step through the infinity cage. They scream as they arrive at Bannerman Road once again. They hear Christmas music coming from the Chandras. They enter and see themselves. They hide.

Gita: Did anyone just here the door open?

Haresh: No, I didn’t. I think you’re just hearing things, Gita.

Rani (Now): What are we meant to do now?

Sarah Jane (Now): Just don’t let your other self see you. Things could get really complicated and time might play out differently than how you have seen it.

Rani (Now): It might mean that I get to stay at Bannerman Road for longer.

Luke (Now): But it might also mean that you leave Bannerman Road earlier and you wouldn’t be with us now, and we would be in a slightly different position.

Rani (Now): That’s a good point. Why are we here anyway?

Rani (Past): I can hear voices. I don’t think it’s just you hearing things, mum.

Clyde: No, I hear voices as well. You haven’t left a television or a radio on have you?

Gita: No, I haven’t. Unless Sarah has come back and is playing a game of hide and seek on us without us even knowing.

Rani spots the future versions of them. She walks over to them.

Rani (Past): What-That doesn’t even make sense. It can’t be. You’re us-

Sarah Jane (Now): This could be really dangerous. Run!

Sarah and her friends hurry out of the door. They close it behind them. Rani runs out.

Rani (Past): Wait there-I just want to know what is going on.

Sarah Jane (Now): You’ll find out one day, but if you keep trying to interfere then you never will. Merry Christmas, by the way.

Luke: We need to ask Mr Smith if he can find Xartor. He must be here somewhere.

Sarah, Luke, Rani and Sky hurry into the attic. The other Rani follows them.

Rani (Past): Don’t think you can get away from me that easily. I want you to answer some of my questions. Tell me what is going on.

Sarah Jane: Mr Smith, I need you.

Mr Smith opens up

Mr Smith: Merry Christmas, Sarah Jane. How can I help you?

Sarah Jane: I’d like you to find someone for me. The man inside the infinity cage was a zanosian called Xartor. Can you locate him anywhere?

Mr Smith: The Infinity Cage has moved. It is no longer where it was.

Sarah Jane: Where is it? Where has it gone?

Rani (Past): Sorry, what is this infinity cage? Can somebody tell me what’s going on?

Rani (Now): I’m so sorry, but you’re cleverer than this. I’m cleverer than this. Just leave. It will do you no good to stay. It could make things messy, time wise anyway.

Mr Smith: The Infinity Cage is materialising inside of the attic.

The Infinity Cage materialises. Xartor exits.

Xartor: Ah, this is exactly where I needed to be. 13 Bannerman Road, is it not? I’ve heard whispers that my daughter is somewhere around here.

Sarah Jane: I’m so sorry, but she’s no longer with us. There may be a way to get her back.

Xartor: You killed her? You killed that poor girl before I got the chance to meet her.

Sarah Jane: Maybe you should have been closer to your daughter while you had the chance. Maybe you should have been a better father.

Xartor: We’ve never met and you think you have the right to give me parenting advice?

Rani (Now): There’s no need to argue. We’ve got to figure all of this out.

Xartor: I came to see my daughter so I could do what I came here to do. All that time ago, I met two scientists who captured me.

1974, a spacecraft crash lands. Xartor enters. Two men taser him and place him in a bodybag. They take him back to their facility. He wakes up.

Man 1: It’s okay. It’s all going to be fine. Just take deep breaths.

Xartor: What are you doing? You have no right to do this to me.

Man 2: We’ve got something that we need you to do. There’s this substance in Asia more powerful than anything you would be aware of on your world, or anything we would on ours. We have no idea where it originated, or why it is here, but it has unlimited power. We need you to be the test subject.

Xartor: Look, I’ve crash landed my ship. It’s what our race is famous for. I need you to help me get back home to my family.

Man 1: This substance may be able to let you do that.

Xartor: Then get a move on, will you?

Xartor (At Bannerman Road): While they searched for the substance, I played with their minds. I wiped their memory a few times. Created a human duplicate of myself that I used a subject. I confused them. I confused everyone. I would have even confused you.

Sarah Jane: What reason was there to play with their minds?

Xartor: It’s just so much fun that way. Plus, it made sure I could do what I originally wanted to do. Now I’m at Bannerman Road I will do it.

Sarah Jane: What are you going to do?

Xartor: You’ll see. I could only do it here because this is the only way I could stand a chance of winning. You have quite a reputation of beating your enemies, Mrs Smith.

Sarah Jane: Yes, and you will be no exception to that.

Xartor: Wait until you see what I have planned before I say that.

The two scientists enter from the Infinity Cage. The past Rani runs out the room.

Xartor: I told you I had been playing mind games with them for a long time. I’ve put them under my control now. They never helped me get back to my home, so now they deserve my wrath. They deserve blood.

Sarah Jane: Please leave them be. You don’t need to harm anyone.

Xartor: I don’t intend to harm them yet. First of all I want them to dispose of you. Scientists, throw Sarah and her friends through the Infinity Cage.

The Scientists grab Sarah Jane, Sky, Rani and Luke.

Sarah Jane: Tell me-What is it that you have planned?

Xartor: You may still have a plan to defeat me. I can’t have that I’m afraid.

The Scientists throw Sarah, Sky, Rani and Luke into the Cage. They arrive in limbo.

Luke: I feel like I’ve been here once before.

Sarah Jane: We’re in limbo. Xartor has taken us to limbo.

Rani: But the Infinity Cage has gone. How do we get out of here?

Sarah Jane: I don’t know. The portal must be on the other side. The past version of you Rani is still out there. If the other side of the infinity cage is open, then she may stand a chance.

On the other side of the cage

Xartor: Now I am free I have no need for the Infinity Cage. I shall take glory in knowing that I was the one who brought down Sarah Jane Smith.

Xartor lights a match and sets fire to the infinity cage.

Xartor: Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith. Goodbye forever!

Part 2

Rani hurried out the house. Clyde, Gita, Haresh and Carla exit.

Gita: Rani what are you doing? Come back inside.

Rani: I had to find out what was going on. That is my future self.

Clyde: This is already messing with my brain. Do they need my help with anything?

Rani: They do, yes. They’re trapped on the other side of something called the Infinity Cage, and we need to get them back.

Clyde: What makes you think that I’ll be able to help?

Rani: Well, I’m not sure if you can but we’ve got to try.

Clyde: Honestly. I can’t even catch a break on Christmas Day

Inside of the Attic

Man 1: So then, you have got rid of those who have the potential to stop us. What is your actual plan, Xartor?

Xartor: We have been working all this time to make modifications to the cage. But what we didn’t know until recently was exactly how this substance, Jiro 8, could play around with time. We know now that it can scatter something across every single point in history. We are going to release the Semini through the Infinity Cage into every single second of history, so everything is destroyed. There’s no chance of me getting home. There’s no reason for me to live. I only care about myself. Let’s let the whole universe die out with me.

Rani (Past): Stop right now! I’m not going to let you get away with this! K-9?

K-9: Yes, mistress.

Rani: Make sure that Xartor does not succeed with his plans.

K-9: Affirmative, mistress.

Xartor: Summon the Semini! Destroy the dog!

The Semini burst through the window. K-9 zaps them. K-9 zaps Xartor knocking him to the ground. K-9 continues to destroy the incoming Semini.

Clyde: Good dog! Now keep going while we figure out how to rescue Sarah Jane.

Xartor: There’s no way to rescue your friends. It’s too late for them now. If you want to survive and face a different fate than them then do not interfere.

Clyde: Oh I always interfere. It’s the sort of person I am. Definitely when my friends are in danger.

The two scientists grab Rani

Xartor: Now, I’ve put another of your little friends in danger.

Clyde: No, don’t do this. Please don’t do this. What do you want from me?

Xartor: I want the dog. He could be of great help to me. Put him under my control.

Clyde: I would never do that. I would never help you.

Xartor: Then your friend will suffer. Do you want her to die at my friends hands?

Clyde: Okay. K-9, this is Xartor, and you are under his control from now on, even if I say otherwise, okay. He is your Master. You answer to him.

K-9: Xartor is my new Master. You are no longer my master.

Xartor: Affirmative. Good dog. Knock Clyde and Rani unconscious please, K-9.

K-9 knocks Clyde and Rani out

Xartor: They were just a nuisance to me but they should come in handy later. Now then we shall go forward with the next stage of the plan.

On the other side of the Infinity Cage

Rani: We can’t just wait here forever until the other version of me comes to rescue us.

Sarah Jane: I’m afraid we’re going to have to, Rani. Sometimes patience is the key.

Rani: Xartor is plotting something out there, and that could mean that he plans to destroy the whole world. We’ve got to get onto the other side of the Infinity Cage, learn what he has planned and stop him.

Luke: I’m sure Clyde will figure out a way to get us out of here and stop Xartor.

Rani: Let’s think about what he could have planned. It must involve bringing Shanda back because I saw her through the Future Key-

Sky: I have a theory. Maybe Xartor brings Shanda back to life to place the message through the future key which can be used to get us here so Xartor can return.

Sarah Jane: That’s a good theory, you may just be right.

Luke: But how would he find a way to bring Shanda back to life?

Sarah Jane: There’s one person who has the ability to bring people back to life.

Xartor knocks on a door in Bannerman Road. Shirley answers.

Shirley: Oh no not another one of you. Look, I know I have the resurrection oils and everything but I don’t want to serve any more customers.

Xartor: I’m not giving you much choice, I’m afraid.

Shirley: How did you know to come here? What do you want with the oil?

Xartor: I want to bring my daughter back to life.

Clyde and Rani wake up. Semini burst into the room. Clyde grabs the nano blaster and zaps them all. K-9 knocks Clyde out once again.

Rani: Please K-9, don’t hurt us! Xartor is your enemy, not your Master.

K-9: I was told to obey my new master, so I shall. Xartor is my master now.

Rani: No, please. Look, Xartor is your enemy. Please trust us. Please, K-9.

K-9: You are my enemy and you are trying to deceive me. You shall be knocked out again.

K-9 knocks Rani out. The Semini stop flowing into the building. Clyde wakes up.

Clyde: I’m sorry, K-9. You’re a good dog, you really are, but I’m afraid you’re a hazard now and I need you to stop getting in our way of stopping Xartor. Mr Smith, I need you.

Mr Smith opens up. K-9 zaps his controls

Mr Smith: WhAt iS hAPpeNinG? I dOn’T KnoW wHAt is HaPPenInG.

Clyde: It’s okay, Mr Smith, I just need you to stay calm, and I need you to help us. Our enemy has taken control of K-9 and we need you to help out. We need you to find a way of getting Sarah Jane out of a prison she has been trapped in.

Mr Smith: SyStEMs ArE mAlfUnCTIoning. CoRE mEltdOWn iN T-4 mINUteS.

Clyde: No, you can’t do that. We’ve got enough to worry about as it is. Please.

Mr Smith: k-9’S bLASt tOOk A majOr tOLL on ME aND i cAn No lONger OperATE prOperLy. CoRE mEltdOWn wiLL TaKe PlaCE iN T-4 mINUteS.

Clyde: How do I stop it? Actually don’t answer that. I can’t take any more of you talking like that. Look what you've done, K-9?

K-9: My job here is done. The mission has now been completed.

Clyde: What do you mean the mission has been completed? What mission?

K-9: In 4 minutes, Semini will be unleashed into every single second of history, wiping out every lifeform, every being, everything. Mr Smith’s core meltdown will act as a big bang which will cause the end of the whole of time itself.

Clyde: No that can’t happen. How do you expect me to stop that?

K-9: You cannot. In 4 minutes, you will never have existed as the Semini would have killed all that would have made you possible. This is the end of the planet Earth.

Clyde: And they’ve done it. Somebody’s finally managed to win against us.

K-9: The Zanosians are all powerful beings who will always succeed.

Clyde: And how about Xartor? What will he do? Will he die here with the rest of us?

K-9: He is about to be reunited with his daughter. He claims that this will be the greatest moment in his life. He claims that will be the moment he wants to end it all.

Clyde: That’s quite selfish. Letting us die just because he thinks that this will be the perfect moment to say goodbye to everything. Does it always have to be on his terms?

In Shirley’s house.

Shirley: I know you don’t want to hear this, but this requires a sacrifice.

Xartor: What do you mean a sacrifice? I have to sacrifice myself?

Shirley: I thought that was pretty self-explanatory. You wanted to see your daughter again, but if you want her back here, then you won’t be able to see her again. You will have to lose your life to bring hers back.

Xartor: I had this all planned. I wanted our reunion to be the last memory I ever had. Now this all renders to be pointless. I must stop the plan.

Shirley: What plan? Oh, you’re one of those people with an evil plan, are you?

Xartor: Yes, and if I don’t get to see Shanda again then my evil plan will not succeed, because this was what I wanted. I wanted to see her. I wanted to meet her in the flesh. I never got the chance, you see. I never got the chance to meet her, and I need to.

Shirley: I’m so sorry. Maybe you should have brought another sacrifice.

Xartor: I didn’t think sacrifices needed to be involved. Unless I get back to 13 Bannerman Road within under 4 minutes and grab another sacrifice so this can all go ahead as I planned. I’ve got two of them back in the attic.

Shirley: Tell me what your evil plan is then.

Xartor: It’s a plan to wipe out all life in existence. And I plan to go ahead with it. In 4 minutes time all life in the history of the planet will cease to exist.

Shirley: I don’t really think I can let you do that. I want to hold onto my life.

Shirley points a gun at Xartor. He raises his hand.

Xartor: There’s no point in doing that. It won’t mean that you get to keep your life.

Shirley: How do you deactivate this countdown? How do you stop this?

Xartor: You have to go back to the home of Sarah Jane Smith, and I think that will take you too long. Anyway, it’s too late to deactivate the countdown now.

Shirley: There must be a way. Get back to 13 Bannerman Road and deactivate it.

Xartor: I actually want to see my daughter. We’ve only got a few minutes. Chop chop.

Shirley: If you move any closer I will blow your brains out and I’m not the sort of girl who would usually do that. So stay exactly where you are.

Xartor: You’ve forgotten something that it doesn’t seem like you’d usually forget. Something completely obvious that you haven’t realised yet. You must be dumber than I estimated.

Shirley: What? What makes me dumber than you estimated? As if I care if I’m dumber than you estimated anyway.

Xartor: I came in the room with two guards. Where are they now.

The Guards throw Shirley into the resurrection bath

Xartor: In order for them to work, the resurrection oils require a sacrifice, and nobody ever thought that you would be a good sacrifice for that. Maybe that’s because you’re a useless old crown that nobody likes, and nobody will care about when you’re gone. You know why that is? Because everybody else will be joining you.

Shanda is resurrected. Elsewhere in Bannerman Road

Clyde: Rani-Wake up! Please wake up! Wake up now!

Rani: Oh, Clyde, there you are? I need to see my mum and dad. I need to say goodbye.

Clyde: This is the worst Christmas Day ever.

Rani: I know it is, I know it is. Have you managed to talk K-9 down.

Clyde: He’s done what he came here to do. He’s sleeping at the moment.

Rani: You know what, Clyde, I’ve got something to say. I’ve enjoyed every second of this-Us together, adventuring, with Sarah Jane and Luke and Sky and Shanda and everyone else we’ve met along the way. Most of all, I’ve just enjoyed you. Your company. You really are the best friend I could ever wish for. I do care about you, Clyde. I love you.

Clyde: Oh-Nobody apart from my mother has ever told me that before.

Rani: I’ll miss you, more than anything, even though if I understand their plan correctly, I never would have existed as the Semini would have cancelled everyone out. But I’ll still miss you anyway, and I’ve loved every single day we’ve had together. Every single adventure. All the aliens we have faced-The Trickster, The Bane, Androvax, The Semini, The Shansheeth, the Blathereen. All of them. Every one we have faced. Every single one of them has been an amazing experience that I will never forget, even if in a couple of minutes time they never would have existed. This has been the greatest adventure I could ever have imagined, and I really don’t want to let it all go.

Clyde: I know you don’t, Rani. I know you don’t. And neither do I.

In Shirley’s house, Xartor helps Shanda out of the bath.

Shanda: Where am I? Who are you? What am I doing here?

Xartor: It’s okay, Shanda. Don’t worry. I’ve got you now. I know you won’t believe it but something happened to you and you died, but you’re back now.

Shanda: I died? Oh my god I remember now. It was Duncan. Is Sky alright?

Xartor: Yes, I’ve been looking after her don’t worry. You’re back now, Shanda.

Shanda: Who are you? You remind me of someone.

Xartor: I’m glad I do. I’m Xartor. I’m your father. I’m so sorry I never got the chance to see you, but I here I am, and we can spend the rest of the universe together now.

Shanda: But my mother told me that you were dead.

Xartor: I know. And I wish I was there for you. I wish I got the chance to look after you instead of Wentale. I have so many regrets, but I have changed now. I am here for you.

Shanda: Sarah Jane Smith-Where is she?

Xartor: Not here, but I need you to do something for me. There’s a certain way I manage to do this. You need to send a message directly to Sky Smith-Just talk to her-Telling her that she needs to find the Infinity Cage and release me so I can resurrect you, or something along those lines. Just talk. Oh and it’s Christmas Day. Mention that.

Shanda: Sky-Sky-Can you hear me. I think I might just be able to maintain this for a while so I can get my message across to you. This is me from the future.

Sky: Shanda-But how is that possible-You are-

Shanda: Just be aware that I cannot hear you. If you say something I will not respond. It doesn’t work like that. I’m trying to send this message across to you so you can hear what I have to say. Is that clear? Merry Christmas by the way.

Sky: We don’t have time for all that. Just get on with-

Shanda: I gave you a few seconds so you had the time to speak, because I knew you wouldn’t listen to me when I said that I couldn’t hear you. My father is still out there. He is a creature known as Xartor and he left my mother before she gave birth to me. He will do anything that he wants to see me again. You are the key to bringing him to Bannerman Road in the present day so that I can be brought back to life. You need to tell Mr Smith to search for the Infinity Cage. It may take him a while but he’ll find it. Dig up the infinity cage and rescue my father. He’ll know what to do from there. Make sure you do this, and don’t mess it all up. Understand? No, don’t reply. Just do it. End of message.

Xartor: Well done, Shanda. Now we can spend a few moments together before we all get some peace. Because this is me. I’ve done everything I wanted now. I can happily drift away, and in one minute, I will be able to.

Shanda: Why have you returned here?

Xartor: Because this is the end of everything you have ever known and will ever know. This is the last moment in reality for everyone currently standing on this planet. And I needed to see you. It was my one regret. My one huge regret. I never got to spend any time with you and now I just want to spend my final moments with you.

Shanda: Why didn’t you come earlier? Why didn’t you come while I was still alive?

Xartor: Because I didn’t know where to find you, okay. I didn’t know where to go. And anyway, I thought you’d be fine with your uncle Wentale.

Shanda: Wentale was the worst carer I could ever imagine. The Zanosians have dealt with him now though. He’s been sent off to do their dark biddings. Tell me-I was going to call your Dad then but you don’t deserve that name-Tell me why this is the end?

Xartor: The end of the planet. I’ve put a plan into place.

Shanda: Sarah Jane and her friends will be able to stop you. Everyone who has ever dealt a threat to this planet has been defeated by Sarah Jane Smith. Her name strikes terror into every being she has faced, if they survive. She will stop you.

Xartor: Except she can’t stop you because she has been disposed of.

Shanda: What do you mean? Where is she? Have you hurt her?

Xartor: I’m about to hurt everyone. In a matter of seconds, now, everyone will feel pain as time adjusts to its new surroundings. Now please, give me a hug. Give your father a hug. The last moments of reality. Let’s make them count.

Shanda: I would never hug you. I would rather these last seconds go to waste.

Xartor: So they will then. At least I got to see you before you went.

At Bannerman Road, Gita and Haresh burst in. Rani and Clyde stand up and they all crowd together and hug each other. A tear trickles down Rani’s cheek. In Shirley’s house, Shanda looks at Xartor and thinks for a moment. She moves over to him, and hugs him. Xartor smiles. There is a white flash. And then there is nothing. In 2012, a spacecraft lands where Bannerman Road would have been. Zanosians enter.

Zanosian: So this is it-The planet Earth that has been so frequently talked about. Maybe Wentale would have run off here. I don’t see where else he would have gone.

Zanosian 2: He wouldn’t be here, would he? How would he get here for one.

Zanosian: Well he’s not on Zanos. He must be here somewhere. He must be.

There are echoes of “Sarah Jane”. The Zanosians look around them.

Zanosian: Did you hear that?

Zanosian 2: I did hear that. Someone said Sarah Jane. Who or what is Sarah Jane?

Zanosian: What sort of a name is Sarah Jane?

A portal appears. Sarah Jane, Luke, Rani and Sky drop out of it.

Sarah Jane: People! Oh we are glad to see people. It’s been so long since we’ve seen people other than ourselves.

Luke: I counted approximately 65 days we were trapped in there.

Sarah Jane: That’s nothing really. We’ve still got so much more life left.

Sky: You are Zanosian, aren’t you? Where are we? Why is it all so barren? Wait a minute-This looks familiar to me. It can’t be. It’s-

Rani: Is this Bannerman Road? Is this what Xartor did?

Zanosian: This isn’t anything. It’s just wastelands, as it always has been.

Rani: But that can’t be possible. This is Bannerman Road.

Sarah Jane: But it’s not anymore. Hello, Zanosians. This is where we live, but there were people here, energy, life, buildings, everything. Something must have gone wrong.

Zanosian: We have heard of alternative universes where life did exist on this planet. People out there have vague recollections of that. It’s just now there’s nothing. And somehow there’s never been nothing. But one day there was something.

Sarah Jane: Xartor must have wiped out every living being there ever was, but we managed to escape, and now we’re the only ones left on this planet.

Zanosian: There is a way to access alternative timelines, on another world called Moros. It’s a thing known as the Dimension Bridge.

Sky: Wait-Do you mean we’re going into space?

Rani: Can we go into space now? Are we aloud to do that?

Sarah Jane: Sure. Then that’s settled-We’re going into space!

The Zanosians pilot their ship into space. Sarah Jane, Sky, Rani and Luke look out in wonder. They eventually arrive on Moros. One Zanosian points towards a portal.

Zanosian: Go through there. It will take us towards the Guardian.

Rani: The Guardian? Who is the Guardian?

Zanosian: You will find that out soon enough, if you step inside the portal.

They all step inside the portal. A figure greets them inside

Guardian: Hello, all. I see you have come to me for something. What is it that you want?

Sarah Jane: Our planet has been wiped to cinders by a man known as Xartor. It was not like that before we left. You see he trapped us in this cage, and we were unable to escape, so he destroyed every area of time. We need to use your powers and travel back to our universe and stop Xartor before he can do this.

Guardian: Of course I can help out. Earth is one of my main domains. If I were not on Earth then I could not commit my acts of evil.

Sarah Jane: Are you the gatekeeper of this realm then?

Guardian: Among many things, yes I am. I am also the darkest figure one could ever meet. The most evil figure one could ever imagine. Maybe one day that will change. Maybe one day I will change. I am unsure whether that is fact.

Sky: We best be going. We don’t have much time left.

Sarah Jane: Thankyou, Guardian. We are lucky to have met you.

Guardian: Thank those who have brought you here. If you wish to bring back the universe you know, then be aware that dark things are coming. I can see it now. Dark things for you, but even darker things for the rest of the cosmos.

Sarah Jane: What do you mean? What sort of thing?

Guardian: For the universe, the Dimension Bridge will collapse. Realities will unravel and again there will be nothing but the Masters of it all who have found a way of dominating us. For you, he is returning, and he will win. He and his associates are all around you but you are not aware. He is coming for you, Sarah Jane Smith.

Sarah Jane: Who is coming for me? Please be clearer.

Guardian: The future only reveals what needs to be told, not what you wish to be told. Now step through to achieve your destiny and rescue humanity.

Sarah Jane: Should we all go or should my friends stay with you?

Guardian: If this is successful, then your friends shall be returned to their correct times and places and none of this would ever have happened.

Sarah Jane: Stay safe, all of you. I promise I’ll do this.

Luke: Good luck, Mum,

Sarah Jane: Thankyou Luke, I really will need it. And thankyou, Zanosians. If you did not help us get here, then none of this would have been possible. What did you come to Earth for if it was just a barren wasteland?

Zanosian: A prisoner of ours called Wentale. We heard he may have been on Earth.

Sarah Jane: When this is all fixed, you’ll find him, I promise you.

Sarah Jane steps through the portal. She arrives at Bannerman Road on Christmas Day. She arrives in the attic where the Infinity Cage is materialising.

Sarah Jane (Now): I’m from the future and I know what you have planned. I have no intention of letting you win today.

Xartor: This is unexpected. Two Sarah Jane Smith’s in one room.

Sky: This is getting too complicated to understand now.

Xartor: Why have you come here, Sarah Jane Smith? Was I successful?

Sarah Jane (Now): Yes you were successful, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure that you don’t win again. Mr Smith, place a containment vortex around Xartor and his two men.

Mr Smith places a containment vortex. Xartor smashes through it.

Xartor: It seems like you didn’t know Shanda that well. Our race has superpowers, and we will use them to get out of prisons like the one you created.

Sarah Jane: Shanda told me Zanosians had to concentrate to harness their powers.

Xartor: Only the weaker members of our race. I am one of the strongest of us.

Sarah Jane: You certainly do have a high opinion of yourself. Black Guardian, I don’t know whether you can hear me but I need you to open up a portal. Mr Smith, I need you to throw those inside of the containment vortex into the portal that’s about to arrive.

A portal opens. Xartor and the men are thrown into the portal. Everything goes white again. On 22nd April 2012, Rani, Gita and Haresh are moving out.

Clyde: Do you really have to go?

Rani: It’s not like there’s anything that needs us. The aliens seem to have stopped coming since everything went out in the open.

Luke: I just dread to think who will live across the road from us.

Rani: I’ve met them, and I’m sure you’ll like them. They seem like the sort of people who could become alien hunters-If they aren’t already.

Clyde: This place is famous now. Bannerman Road-The house where aliens creep.

Gita: Could you please help us with some boxes? We’re struggling.

Haresh carries out a box. He drops it as it is heavy. Lots of china cups smash.

Gita: Haresh! Those were our best cups!

Haresh: We can buy more, Gita.

Gita: It’s not as easy as that. Honestly.

Rani: Come on, Mum, this moment shouldn’t be about china cups being broken, even though I know how important they are to you. This should be about saying goodbye to some of the people we love.

Haresh walks over to Clyde and shakes his hand.

Clyde: I don’t know what we’re going to do without you, sir. The new head teacher won’t be a patch on you.

Haresh: I know I’ve given you a hard time over the past few years, and I’m sorry about that. It’s a shame to say goodbye, Langer.

Clyde: Oh it really is, Sir. A real pity.

Sarah Jane and Gita hug each other

Gita: You may have brought aliens to this street, but you have been the best neighbour imaginable. Well maybe not the best, the strangest.

Sarah Jane: You know what, Gita, in many ways strange is better than best.

The delivery truck rolls up. Rani begins to well up.

Rani: This is harder than I thought it would be.

Sarah Jane: You can always contact us, and you’re always welcome to visit.

Rani: I’m not sure Dad would let me do that.

Haresh: Anything you want, sweetheart. Just try not to be involved with the aliens.

Rani: No, I think I’m done with that for now. Goodbye, everybody.

Haresh and Gita get inside of the car. Rani follows. Sarah and the gang wave them off as they leave the street.

Next Week: In the first part of the explosive season finale, Sarah Jane is warned that the end is nigh. She learns that one of her gang can not be trusted, and could bring her and her friends a whole lot of danger. Sarah Jane, Luke, Clyde and Sky must unite with some old friends to combat a familiar threat in their greatest fight yet.