Merlin
Doctor Who
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Resurrection, Past Tense
Part 2
"Have a wonderful death Slayer!" Silarax snarled as the Vampires and Cybermen converged on the group. Morgana's hands still glowed, and she laughed with genuine glee. Buffy looked at her friends, and then the Doctor.
"Okay, plan b?" she asked, as the Vampires and Cybermen closed in.
"Plan B is good, do we have a plan B?" asked Xander, punching out, then wincing as his fist hit the metal face of a Cyberman.
"Willow, some mojo would be nice about now!" yelled Buffy, kicking a Vampire away, even as a Cyberman grabbed for her.
"Solstace!" Willow shouted, a burst of magical energy pushing forwards like a tidal wave, scattering the Vampires and Cybermen across the room. They began to recover almost immediately, turning towards the group again.
"I'm thinking descration is the better part of valour at the moment" said the Doctor.
"What's that?" asked Buffy, glancing at him.
"In human terms, RUN!" he yelled, jumping back through the TARDIS doors.
"I like that plan" said Xander, pushing Giles roughly inside, he himself flowing a moment later. Buffy and Willow going last, slamming the door. The Doctor was at the controls, and as soon as the doors were shut, the column in the centre began to move up and down.
"Well, don't let them escape! Stop them!" yelled Silarax, glaring from Morgana, to the Cybermen.
The Cyberman nearest the TARDIS punched out as the TARDIS began to fade, then staggered backwards, his arm missing from the elbow down.
Inside the TARDIS Giles and Buffy jumped backwards as the severed metal arm of a Cyberman clattered to the floor. They stared at it, the fingers twitching as lubricants leaked from white tubing.
"Never a good idea to punch a spacecraft when its dematerialising" said the Doctor, pointing his Sonic screwdriver at it. The fingers stopped moving and the arm fell inert.
"Is it dead?" asked Xander kicking slightly with his trainer.
"Who knows? Dangerous things Cybermen, even bits of Cybermen" The Doctor replied as he picked it up and placed it on the little fold down seat.
"Well that was absolutely brilliant" sneered Silarax, looking from Morgana to the Cyberleader.
"Cyber technology will prevail" the Cyberleader said flatly.
"Yes, and it obviously prevailed with him… her… it" Silarax said gesturing at the one armed Cyberman.
"We will track them by homing in on the technology in the arm" The Cyberleader said.
"This is a delay, nothing more" agreed Morgana, looking over at Silarax.
"You promised me the Slayer!" Silarax said with a snarl, his horned head twisting as he grimaced at her. Morgana turned her cold, hard stare on him.
"And you will have them, I promise you that" she said.
"Base compromised, new location required" Stated the Cyberleader suddenly. "We will go to our operations centre" it stated, before moving towards the door. Morgana nodded and walked with it, the Cyberleader turning back a moment later to look at Silarax.
"Move" it ordered.
"Okay, okay" he mumbled, as he moved after them.
"Okay, anyone mind telling me how we nearly got completely whipped back there?" said buffy, looking around.
"Morgana, we weren't expecting the Amulet to do what it apparently has done" said Giles.
"Which was what exactly? Bring back the wicked witch of really old fashion sense?" Buffy replied. Xander and Willow moved to stand by the console, the Doctor puttering away at the controls behind them.
"Buffy, Morgana is more powerful than most of the evil's you've faced, she cannot be beaten by fists alone" Giles explained.
"We can't let her have the run of the city Giles" Buffy shot back.
"Actually I have an Idea" said the Doctor looking over at them.
"Which is?" asked Willow, standing next to Xander by the TARDIS console.
"Well, it looks like we're going to need some help, and if there's one thing Morgana could possibly fear…."
"It would be King Arthur" said Xander suddenly, catching on.
"You are not serious" said Buffy. "I mean for one thing, it's about a thousand years past his sell by date" Buffy said. The Doctor grinned.
"Did I mention Time Machine?" he told her. Buffy blinked at him.
"You're serious?" she stated.
"Never been more so in my life, unless its people's lives at stake, or dealing with Daleks" he replied. The group looked at each other, then back at him, nodding.
"Yay Camelot, ye oldie wenches await" said Xander with a smile. Giles rolled his eyes.
"I have the feeling this will be an utter disaster" he muttered as the Doctor hit the controls, then slammed his palm on a button.
"Xander! Leaver please!" he called out.
"Aye aye sir!" Xander replied with a grin.
"Hey, how comes he gets to move the leaver?" asked Willow. The Doctor winked at her.
"Male ego thing, makes him feel important" he replied with a grin.
"I resent that, or possibly thank you" Xander said with a frown.
"What's a Dalek?" asked Buffy.
"TARDIS has entered Time Stream" reported a Cyberman, looking at the Cyberleader.
"Destination?" he asked.
"Feed back report shows time settings as 1125 years ago"
"Camelot" the Cyberleader replied. "Take six units and peruse, do not destroy, operation is observance until they leave, then begin upgrading of that time frame" it ordered.
"We obey" it said, moving off. Another Cyberman approached and faced him.
"What of the agreement with the witch and demon?" it asked.
"Agreements made with biological life forms hold no value. They will be upgraded when they have helped us destroy the Doctor" the Cyberleader replied.
"A lie?"
"A Deception" it replied. "They are only necessary until we have achieved our goals then they will be upgraded"
The TARDIS materialised in the middle of a clearing, the sun beat down and the Doctor stepped out, taking a deep breath.
"Ahh, smell that, no pollution, no cars or busses, just nature at its finest" he said turning around as the others stepped out. They looked around, then at the Doctor.
"Is this some mistake?" asked Willow, looking around. The Doctor smiled and pointed behind the TARDIS. The group turned to see the white towers that made up the castle, towering above the trees.
"Buffy, Giles, Willow, Xander. Welcome to Camelot" said the Doctor, leading them into the city.
"So any idea where we find King Arthur?" asked Xander, as they entered the gates and into the busy market place. The others stopped and looked at him.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"Xander, he's a King, Kings usually live in the Castle" stated Willow. He frowned, then nodded.
"I like that logic" he said, as the Doctor led them forwards. Becoming aware that people were now staring at them.
"I don't like those looks" said Buffy, looking around.
"Nonsense, it's just our clothing" the Doctor said. But even as they passed by, he could see more and more people were beginning to follow them.
"Just a thought, but if it's the clothes, maybe we should have dressed in ye oldie fashion sense" said Xander, looking around.
"I'm sure the Doctor knows what he's doing, he's not steered us wrong yet" Said Giles.
"Thank you, its nice to see someone appreciates me around here" the Doctor said, throwing Giles a smile. Which was when six heavily armed knights moved in front of them.
"Surely its magic" muttered the obvious leader of the group, beside him, a physically imposing figure nodded in agreement.
"Ahhh, knights, finally some people who can help us" Said the Doctor stepping forwards. "Gentlemen,-" he was cut off as all of them drew their swords and pointed them at him.
"Silence warlock" the leader said, "Or I'll take your head now" he added.
"Woah, back up there tin man, we only just got here, and now you want to kill him?" said Buffy stepping forwards.
"Tin man?"
"Okay, Mr. Knight, whatever, its obvious you don't like strangers here, but if you'll let us see the king, then we can be on our merry way and I promise you'll never have to look at us again" Buffy said.
"King? You want to see the king?" asked one of the other knights, a black man with intense eyes.
"Yeah, you know he who rules from yonder castle?" said Xander trying to be helpful.
"So which King do you want to see? Arthur, or that one?" asked the Leader, pointing at Giles.
"I'm sorry, but is there some kind of problem?" asked Giles, stepping back slightly.
"Why are you here?" asked another knight, in a tone that wasn't completely without mercy.
"It doesn't matter Thomas" said the leader. The knight called Thomas looked over at him.
"It could be important Leon" Thomas replied.
"Good lord, that's Sir Leon, one of the knights of the round table" Giles whispered to Buffy. Buffy nodded but held her hand up. Leon looked over at them, then lowered his sword.
"Thank you, I'm not a big fan of swords myself" said the Doctor.
"I wouldn't thank me yet" Leon said, gesturing to the other knights. "come on, Percival, Elyan, At the back of them, Thomas and Gwaine, either side" Leon ordered, the knights fell into step around the group, before leading them away.
"So any idea why they're so not happy to see you?" Buffy said looking at Giles.
"None I'm afraid, but I'm certain we can sort out this mess before anyone gets hurt" Giles told her.
"Yeah, I'm getting close to thinking I'll have to open some cans up sooner or later" Buffy agreed, but Giles shook his head.
"You must remember Buffy, we are the outsiders here, and there may be a reason strangers are viewed with such suspicion" he reminded her.
"Yeah, well the next time we go to Camelot, let's make it the one with the roller coasters" she replied, as they were led into the courtyard of the castle. A young dark skinned woman, was walking past with a pail of water, that she dropped, upon seeing Giles.
"Gwen? You okay?" asked The large man.
"Sorry, Percival, I'm fine, just… how?" she shook her head and pointed at the group.
"That's what we want to know" said Leon. "Thomas, keep them here, the rest of you go back on patrol, Leon said as he went up the steps. The other knights turned and walked away, leaving Gwen and Thomas alone with the prisoners. As soon as the knights left, Thomas let out a frustrated sigh.
"Are you all completely stupid?" he asked, beside him the woman called Gwen nodded in agreement.
"I got an ungraded in science once, does that count?" asked Xander. Thomas shot him a look.
"I'm sorry, but we're new to this land, so if we've broken some law, then we're really sorry" said Willow stepping forwards. Thomas shook his head.
"Magic is banned here, and walking in with Arthur's dead father is going to get you killed without even a trial" Gwen said.
"Guinevere, Thomas, what's going on?" asked a young man, stepping out, followed by Leon, A serving boy and an old man, suddenly the young man who'd called out caught sight of Giles.
"What sorcery is this?" Demanded the young man, running across to the Doctor and the others.
"Uther?" muttered the old man, looking at Giles. Beside him, the young serving boy stared at them.
"Uther?" asked Giles. "King Uther?" he added.
"They say they are from another land sire" said Thomas, looking over at him with a bow.
"A land where sorcery is obviously alive and well"
"Wait, You're King Arthur?" said The blonde girl suddenly. He looked over at her, then turned away.
"Oh you so didn't just do that" said Buffy stepping forwards, to find the Doctor placing a restraining hand on her shoulder.
"So, who Merlin?" asked Willow looking at the old man. Her eyebows, and those of the others shot up as the serving boy stepped forwards
"That's me, errr hello?" he said with a little wave. Beside him Arthur sighed.
"Stop pratting about Merlin" Said Arthur looking at him.
"I'm not pratting about, they asked, I answered" the boy protested. Arthur shook his head and turned to the group.
"Take the one that looks like my father away" said Arthur, Thomas stepped forwards and gripped Giles's shoulder.
"Now there's no need for physical violence" said the Doctor with what he hoped was a placating smile. Arthur just glared at him, and turned away.
"The rest of you had better have a damned good explanation for this" Arthur said as he walked back into the castle.
2011…
A rumble sounded off in the distance in this dark, dank smelly labyrinth of tunnels beneath the city. Morgana looked around, and Silarax chuckled.
"And what is so funny?" she demanded, whirling on him.
"You, jumping at every little noise, its really quite sweet in its own way" he said, his tone implying it was anything but. Morgana turned away from him, looking around the room.
The new base was much roomier than the one she had appeared in, but also, it was terrifying in its own way, the machinery around her, blinking lights, steam being produced every so often, and the piston sound as the Cybermen walked around.
"This is unnatural" Morgana stated to Silarax, who stood beside her. He nodded his horned head.
"Indeed, but its efficient" he added. They both turned and watched as the Cyberleader entered the room they were in.
"We have analysed the DNA construction of the unit known as Buffy Summers. Conclusion, no significant abnormalities detected. DNA decay concludes however that she has been killed. Explain" he said stepping towards Silarax.
"Its called magic you metal headed twit" Silarax stated.
"Magic is a fallacy, its existence is not proven, we therefore conclude you are lying to us and withholding information, you will explain or be deleted" the Cyberleader said.
"How do you explain magic?" demanded Silarax. "Either you can do it or you cannot" he said, then Morgana stepped forwards.
"Perhaps another demonstration will put you at ease" she said, then she opened her hand, her eyes glowing briefly before a mini tornado appeared on the palm of her hand. Slowly it floated into the air and began to move around the room, whipping up rubbish as it did so.
"satisfied?" she asked, looking over at the Cyberleader. It remained silent, then turned and walked out of the room. Silarax looked at Morgana and she began to laugh.
"What so funny?" he demanded.
"This of it, an advanced species of… who did that funny man with the magic box say? Oh… Robots, and they cannot comprehend the simplest form of Magic, even you must admit, its absurd" she told him. Silarax looked back at where the Cyberleader had exited the room, then began to chuckle.
"So, you're from where exactly?" asked Arthur as he regarded Buffy, the Doctor, Willow and Xander, who stood in front of him.
"well, its not so much a case of where, its more of… when" said the Doctor.
"What?" asked Arthur shaking his head.
"Well its kind of complicated but-"
"Look its really not, we're from the year 2011, so that's like a thousand years from now, we went to a museum, got beat up by vampires, which are now dusted, then got attacked by Cybermen and the horny demon got hold of an amulet, which he then ran off with, so we followed, to find he and the Cybermen were with a woman, and they were all playing happy families, which means our world, pretty much a bust" Buffy said. The Doctor blinked, then sighed.
"That's about the size of it" he said. Arthur looked at them, then blinked.
"throw them in the dungeon" he said, a moment later guards stepped forwards, grabbing each of them, and pulling them away.
"Does it help to know the woman in our time is Morgana!" shouted Xander.
"STOP!" yelled Arthur. The guards did so, looking at Arthur. "Let them go" he said softly.
"Thank you" said Buffy, glaring at the man who had gripped her wrist.
"Next time you explain something, please don't leave out the important part" Xander chided them.
"So, you expect me to believe that not only are you from the future, but that Morgana is there now as well?" he asked. "The same Morgana who now seeks to kill me and take the throne for her own?" he asked.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but please, you must believe us" said Willow. Arthur looked over at the old man.
"Gaius?" he asked.
"It is indeed a strange tail sire, but magic is a powerful thing indeed, who's to say what is and is not possible in the end" he said. Slowly Arthur blew out a breath.
"Suppose for one moment I do believe these insane stories, if you're from as far in the future as you say, then what could you possibly need me for?"
"And Merlin too" said Xander. "Can't forget him"
"Merlin? Why on earth would you need him? No offense Merlin"
"None taken sire" Merlin replied, chewing his tongue.
"Because…." Said Xander.
"Where King Arthur goes, Merlin is always there" said the Doctor cutting in. "Its in the legends at any rate" he added.
"Wow, they remember me in a thousand years?" he asked with a smile.
"you'd be surprised what turns up" said Willow.
"So come Arthur, what do you say? You're like the ultimate good guy around here, how's about lending a hand?" asked Buffy. Arthur sighed, then stood up.
"Take them to the dungeons" he said.
"What? I thought we were all best friends now!" yelled Xander as he and the rest were dragged away.
The grass in the field began to sway, then part as a wind suddenly whipped up, before a low droning filled the air, before a sleek metal object came to rest on the field. It stood immobile for several minutes, before the door opened, and the Cybermen stepped out.
"Destination reached, begin scouting area for base construction" said the lead Cyberman.
"Scans of the area show a collection of tunnels under us. Direction and mileage indicates they run under the citadel" reported another Cyberman.
"Scout the tunnels and find an appropriate location for base construction"
"I obey" it said, walking off.
Night had fallen across the kingdom, and Merlin had slipped out of the citadel, calling the Dragon as soon as he reached the clearing. He waited as it flew into view and landed before him.
"And how may I aid you this time young Warlock?" it asked, looking down at him.
"There are people in the castle, strangers, but they claim to be from the future, and that Morgana is there"
"Indeed? I believe young Warlock, this situation is best faced with one of Gaius's treatments don't you?" it said.
"Its strange though, they talk in strange ways, and the Doctor says-"
"The Doctor? Did you say the Doctor?" asked the Dragon suddenly, becoming very interested.
"Yes, he arrived with them, do you know him?"
"Know him? No, know of him however. His name is whispered through the ages, he is a great warrior to some, and a feared enemy to others, legend says his is older than time itself, and other's believe he is time itself" the Dragon said.
"So he's telling the truth?" Merlin asked.
"That all depends young Warlock"
"Depends on what?"
"On if he is truly the Doctor, if he is however, then his words bare listening to" it stated.
"But if he's such a great warrior, then why come here for help?" asked Merlin. The Dragon blinked, then leant its massive head forwards.
"If they are indeed in need of help young Warlock, it is help you and Arthur must provide, for the very future is at stake" the Great Dragon told Merlin. Merlin stepped back and ran a hand through his hair as the great dragon took to the air, before it flew off. Merlin watched it go, then turned away, only to be grabbed by a metal fist and hauled into the air.
"You will be upgraded" intoned the Cyberman.
"Get off" Merlin said struggling, kicking out, and succeeding in only hurting his toe when he kicked it.
"Your struggles are futile, you cannot defeat the Cybermen" it said, Merlin's eyes went wide and he gripped the things arm.
"Electoroucia" he whispered, his eyes glowed briefly and a moment later an electrical bolt shot up into the Cyberman, it dropped Merlin who watched in horror as it suddenly went very still before its head exploded. Merlin glanced around, then stood, running back towards town.
"Contact with unit 4 has been terminated" reported the Cyberscout, turning towards the mission leader.
"Impossible, weapons of this time frame will not harm Cybermen" it replied.
"However contact has been terminated" it replied.
"Send units two and five to scout last location before termination and report" it instructed.
"I obey" it replied turning away.
Merlin ran into the dungeons, skidding to a halt by the cell that contained Buffy and the others.
"Come to laugh at us some more?" asked Buffy, glaring at him.
"These, Cyber things… they big and metal with really strange helmets, and don't sound very intrested when they tell you you're going to be upgraded?" he asked, panting. The Doctor stood up.
"Yes… why?" he asked.
"I just had to kill one, they're here, in Camelot"
"What? How?" asked Giles, looking at the Doctor.
"I don't know, we…. Oh stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" he said, whirling around on the others. "The arm, it must have had a locater beacon in it" he explained.
"So they knew we were coming here" stated Buffy. "Where is it now?" she asked, looking at Merlin.
"Ermmm, well I sort of blew its head up" he said.
"Wow" Xander said. "that's more than we've managed" he added, until everyone in the cell looked at him. "so far, but I'm sure by the end of this we'll all be lowing Cybermen's heads off" he added with a nod. Then frowned. "That really, really didn't sound the way I meant it to"
"Xander, shut up" said Giles before looking back at Merlin.
"We need to get out of here and quickly" said Buffy.
"I think I might be able to help" said Merlin.
"You have the key?" asked the Doctor. Merlin nodded.
"No, I'm going to show Arthur the body. He might be dense at the best of times, well, most of the time actually, but he's not blind" Merlin told them.
"I'd hurry if I were you, and take protection, any other Cybermen are likely to notice they've lost contact and send out an investigation party" the Doctor said. Merlin nodded, before running off, the others watching.
Arthur awoke with a start as Merlin came bursting into his chambers. He sat up in bed and glared at him.
"Merlin, what the hell are you doing?" he demanded.
"Getting your clothes"
"Why?"
"There's something you need to see" Merlin said. Arthur laid back and turned over.
"Go away Merlin, before I have you dragged kicking a screaming to the stocks"
"Arthur, you really, really need to see this" Merlin said. Slowly Arthur turned over, and looked at his manservant.
"I will kill you if this is a wild goose chase" he promised. Merlin grinned at him.
"You always says that, in some way or another"
"Yes, but those times you haven't woken me in the dead of night" Arthur told him as he stood up.
"There is that, come on, the other knights are waiting" he said.
"You woke the other knights?" Arthur asked.
"Yes"
"then if this is a wild goose chase your going to be killed seven times" Arthur told him, before his shirt landed over his head.
The eight of them, Arthur, Merlin, Leon, Gwaine, Elyan, Percival and Thomas rode out to the clearing, and slowly dismounted, approaching the remains of the Cyberman lying on the grass.
"What is that?" asked Leon, looking at it in disgust.
"How did you find it?" asked Arthur, ignoring Leon, instead looking at Merlin.
"Okay, I had a little too much rum at the tavern and went the wrong way when I left there" Merlin replied sheepishly.
"You don't seem drunk" said Percival, looking at him.
"Finding whatever that is scared the alcohol out of me, I think" Merlin said. Arthur rolled his eyes then frown as a strange sound filled the night air, a weird thumping noise and a moment later Two Cybermen began to walk into view.
"Hide" whispered Arthur, as his group ran between the trees. The Cybermen it seemed had not seen them, as they stopped over the body.
"Unit 4 has been located, current status inactive" one of the metal men said, its mouth glowing in the darkness.
"Primary scan shows overload of electrical current in cybersuit" the second stated.
"Cybersuit?" whispered Merlin, near Arthur. Arthur looked at him, as did Leon. "Cybermen?" Merlin guessed. Arthur frowned and looked back at the clearing.
"Commence retrieval of remains for reintegration" said the first one. The second one bent down, and then stopped.
"Adjust visual receptors to inferred" it said suddenly. The first one did and looked down.
"Foot prints, towards the city" it stated.
"Pursue and destroy?" asked the second one.
"Negative, we will reintegrate the remains there will be nothing here for any investigation unit to find, the Upgrade of Camelot will take place as planned" said the first. The second remained silent, then began to dismantle the body, the first joining in a few seconds later. Once they were done, they took the remains and moved away. Arthur and the others waiting until they were out of sight.
"What are those things?" demanded Arthur, as he paced in front of the group.
"Cybermen" replied the Doctor, calmly. "You remember, the robot men I told you about?" he said.
"And how did they get here?" he asked.
"That, is our fault, it seems they followed us back here" he said.
"So are you ready to believe us now?" asked Buffy. Slowly Arthur stopped pacing.
"How do we stop them?" he asked. Buffy smiled and pushed the Doctor forwards.
"He's the expert, ask him" she said. The Doctor glanced back at her, then at Arthur.
"Cybermen are many things, but their one great weakness is their lack of imagination. One on one they would pose a significant risk, but if we can trick them…" the doctor replied.
"What did you have in mind?" asked Arthur.
"Well, for a start I need two volunteers, Xander, Merlin thanks" he said. Merlin and Xander looked at each other, then at the Doctor.
"And the rest of us?" asked Giles, causing Arthur to glance at him.
"The rest of you prepare the city for assault" said the Doctor. "And I'll need two sets of armour" he added.
An hour later Buffy, Willow, Arthur and Giles watched as the doors to the audience chamber opened and Merlin and Xander walked in donned in armour. Xander gave a small twirl.
"well?" he asked.
"kind of strangely sexy" admitted Buffy.
"thank you my lady" Xander gave a bow.
"So, now what?" asked Arthur. The doctor smiled.
"Arthur, meet Arthur" the Doctor said pointing at Xander.
"This… is never going to work" Arthur muttered.
"Oh ye of little faith, my plans always work, and when they don't we have a Plan B" the Doctor said scowling.
"Wasn't Plan B running last time?" asked Giles, raising his eyebrow.
"Yes, and running is always a good plan B" the doctor said.
"So who is he meant to be?" asked Arthur pointing at Merlin.
"Your trusted bodyguard" The Doctor said.
"This is really, not going to work" Arthur muttered.
They rode out, the three of them, to the clearing. The doctor held up his sonic screwdriver and waved it around, then checked it, looking satisfied.
"Cybermen about forty meters away, three by my calculations" he said.
"How are we meant to kill three of them?" asked Merlin, looking around, seeing nothing.
"We don't, now, the real reason you're here Dragon Lord" the doctor said. Merlin looked at him.
"What?" asked Merlin.
"Oh don't worry, we meet in about forty years, but I won't look like me, I'll be all, teeth and scarves and jelly babies" the Doctor told him. Merlin looked absolutely confused, but did as he was asked. It took a while, but then the Dragon flew into site.
"Oh my god…." Muttered Xander, terrified.
"I trust you have a good reason for summoning me in the presence of others" said the Dragon looking at Merlin.
"Yeah, well I don't know, ask the Doctor" he said, gesturing to the man on his right. The Dragon's eyes lit up and it looked at him.
"How little you are, to have such tails about your deeds" it said.
"Hello Kilgharrah" said the Doctor.
"Bless you" said Xander looking at him. Merlin and the Doctor turned to look at him.
"That's his name, not a sneeze" The Doctor explained.
"And you are?" said the Dragon looking at Xander.
"Wishing I was back in 2011 at the moment" Xander replied, with a forced grin.
"His name is Xander" said the Doctor, "and he's not important at the moment", now we need you help" he whispered.
"I am listening" replied the great dragon.
The three Cybermen slowly moved towards the gathering of people and the big lizard, increasing the gain on their hearing.
"We need to know how powerful it is" said Xander. The Dragon tilted its head.
"That Arthur, is not something I could even begin to guess at. The Amulet of Le Fay could conceivably contain the greatest source of power ever collected in one object. That you have managed to retrieve it before Morgana could use it is a blessing" the Dragon said. The three Cybermen stopped, then moved forwards quickly.
"You will surrender the amulet of Le Fay to us or be deleted" the one in the centre said from behind them.
"What did I say? Predictable" muttered the Doctor, as a moment later he, Merlin and Xander dived out of the way. The three Cybermen looking up at the dragon.
"You're in the wrong time I believe" it said, before it belched fire over them. Within a few moments nothing but three puddles of melted slag remained on the grass.
"I trust my work is done?" asked the Dragon. The Doctor nodded at him.
"Thank you old friend" the Doctor said.
"Old friend? You must have me confused with another"
"No, remember back to the person who found you" he said. The Dragon frowned, then its eyes went wide and it laughed as it took flight.
"found him?" asked Merlin. The Doctor looked at him and shrugged.
"come on, let's get to the TARDIS and start phase two of the plan" he said.
They entered the TARDIS, the Doctor and Xander going to the console, as Merlin looked around wide eyed. The Doctor gestured for him to enter, then closed the door, before setting the console controls and setting the TARDIS off.
"Xander, get me the arm" he said. Xander moved to the seat and picked up the arm, handing it to the Doctor. He turned it over, running the sonic over it a few times until a seam in the fold by the glove hissed open, showing a blinking light.
"Ah ha! Insidious, and a little gory" the Doctor said, ripping the blinking light free. Its glow fading as it was ripped free of the wiring and small amount of tissue it had been embedded in.
"But… its bigger" said Merlin suddenly. The Doctor looked over at him as did Xander.
"Okay, you have conversations with big friendly Dragons, but this freaks you?" he asked. Slowly Merlin nodded, before the doctor threw a pool of Cyberman gunk over him. Merlin stood there, it dripping over his face.
"You'll thank me soon" said the Doctor as Xander laughed.
In the Cybership, the Cyberman turned to the expedition leader
"The TARDIS has departed" said the Cyberman.
"Good. Begin the upgrading of Camelot" it ordered.
"No additional Cyber units remain" it reminded him.
"Irrelevant the Doctor has left this time stream, the inhabitants of this time do not possess the technology to destroy us" it said.
"What of the unit destroyed last night?"
"I have analysed the remains, a flaw in the energy conversion collector caused it to malfunction. We proceed with the upgrade of Camelot" it stated standing up.
In the audience chamber, the group had been joined by Gaius, Gwen, Rory and the knights, all waiting patiently. Suddenly the knights drew their swords, as did Arthur as a whooshing noise filled the room and a blue box began to appear.
"Thank god" muttered Buffy as the TARDIS began to materialise. As soon as it solidified the doors opened and the Doctor stepped out with Xander, the doors closing.
"Where's Merlin?" asked Arthur. As a moment later the door opened and a gunk covered Merlin stepped out, Arthur bursting out laughing.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Three Cybermen actually, quite fun" said the Doctor. He held up his hand at Arthurs concerned expression.
"they're dead, courtesy of Merlin, quite a lovely sight actually"
"Merlin killed them?" asked Leon, his eyes as wide as Arthur's.
"How?" asked Gaius, looking at him.
"Well they took me and Xander out quite quickly, then decided to try to take him at the same time, all electrified hands. Then he ducked and they electrified each other, unfortunately for Merlin he was in the middle when they blew up" the Doctor explained.
"Not bad, not bad at all" said Arthur with a grin. "So how many do we have left?" asked Arthur.
"Well there were the three we killed, the one last night. Cybermen Time ships are designed for six units. So we have at the most, two left" the Doctor said.
"Then lets kick ass" said Buffy.
"Can I get cleaned up first?" asked Merlin. Before anyone could reply, there was a huge pounding on the door, and it splintered a moment later, before the last two Cybermen entered the room, stopping short on seeing the TARDIS.
"Surprise" said the Doctor stepping around it with a very pissed looking group of people. Buffy was in motion almost immediately, sweeping around and tripping the closest Cyberman, the second one coming under assault from Arthur himself, along with Leon, Percival and Gwaine, Thomas and Xander going to Buffy's aid. The Cyberman on the floor grabbed Buffy's leg hauling her to the ground, and she rolled with it, out of the way as two swords plunged into its metal body. The Cyberman began to spasm then its chest exploded open, while the second one was impaled by several swords. Before it too exploded, covering Arthur and Leon with Cyberman fluids. Behind them Merlin laughed until Arthur turned to glare at him. Slowly he shut up.
"So now are we all friends?" asked Willow, causing everyone to look at her. Slowly Arthur held out his hand to help Buffy up, then looked at the Doctor.
"And Morgana is in your time allied with this things?" asked Arthur. Buffy nodded and Athur looked away for a second.
"If we help, you can get us back right?" he asked.
"Absolutely" the Doctor replied. Arthur looked over at Leon.
"Take care of my kingdom" he said.
"Sire, you can't be serious" Leon said.
"deadly serious" Arthur replied. Leon bowed, but did not look happy.
"Thomas, Percival, you two are with me" he said. The two men bowed, and he turned to Merlin.
"And you I suppose" he added, before turning to the Doctor and holding out his hand
"Lets save your kingdom" he said. The Doctor took his hand and shook it, Arthur went to Gwen and embraced her, whispering something to her, as Thomas also said goodbye to Rory and Merlin hugged Gaius. Leon turned to Percival and Thomas.
"Keep him alive" he told them.
"you have our word" said Percival, as the Doctor opened the TARDIS door and they stepped in.
"Next stop, London 2011!" he shouted as the doors closed behind them. A moment later a low rumble filled the room and the light on top of the blue box began to flash, before it vanished.
The Cybership, now devoid of occupants blinked to life.
"Emergency procedure activated" a Cyberman voice intoned.
"All Cyber unit contact lost. Cybermats activate" it continued, as outside the vessel, small hatches opened and the little silver Cybermen pets dropped from them, scurrying away into the bushes…
The Upgrading of Camelot was only just about to begin.
To be continued….
"Arthur is here?" demanded Morgana whirling around to the Cyberleader.
If the inside of the TARDIS was strange, this new kingdom was even stranger. Arthur, Merlin and the two knights looked around at the alien landscape, at the big red wagons and smaller ones that went past, without horses.
"I could get used to this" said Morgana as she sat in the Car with three Vampires, chasing the taxi down the street, weaving in and out of traffic.
Buffy watched in horror as the taxi containing Xander, The Doctor, Arthur and Merlin went up into the air before flipping over the upturned bus, to land the other side of it with a crash, before it blossomed into a fireball.
"Arthur!" yelled Percival, even as buffy watched her hopes burn
"You can use magic?" asked Merlin looking at Willow.
"So Merlin, how do you like it here?" sneered Morgana, as she stepped around him and Xander.
"You have served your purpose, you are no longer required, Cybermen are victorious" stated the Cyberleader as around London the buildings began to war, becoming towering metal monstrosities as Morgana looked on, eyes wide.
"No, this isn't possible, this can't be possible" said the Doctor, as he, Buffy Willow, Arthur, Giles, Percival and Thomas watched from the TARDIS doorway as the city changed around them.