Where is Hannah Montana
Part 4
The Music of Celestros
The Planet Celestros. Home of one of the 699 natural wonders of the Universe, the crystal spires of Celestial Music.
The spires were considered a mystery as they seemed to be connected to wind caverns as well as to the planet's core. Once every ten years eruptions from the core combined with the winds of the cavern creating beautiful melodies that were adored by millions across the galaxy.
Considered a natural wonder due to the growth of the crystals, the spires were undisturbed as they evolved and grew from the thousands of years that they were birthed. Thousands of years in which generation upon generation of civilized beings came to attend the festival of music in honor of the music the spires orchestrated.
It had been said that many tried to dispute the music that came from the spires. That they were wind emanations from the growing crystals and nothing more. But when the music was heard, scientists quickly abandoned those quests and enjoyed the music like the rest of the audiences had.
The spires truly were a thing of beauty, but they were not to last forever.
Celestros was one of the fronts of the Time War. Millions of people ran trying to find safety from the invading Dalek forces. They hoped to use Celestros as a launch site against the planet of the Time Lords, Gallifrey. Millions ran for cover where none remained. People pleaded for mercy from a creature that showed none. In the echoes of the air some could hear the cries of death as a mother held her child begging for them to be spared, yet only one reaction came forth. A typical one from a Dalek.
"EXTERMINATE!!!"
Like many others the mother and child were cut down by a Dalek blaster. Both dead when they hit the ground.
Eventually the Time Lords launched a rescue operation and the Daleks were driven off Celestros. But the spires were destroyed in the battle. Never would their music be heard again. Generations would never hear the songs provided. All that remained of the spires were crystal shafts scattered on the ground.
What once was a place of beauty had turned into a place of mourning. A reminder of the tragedy of death and destruction. It would be that way for years.
Until Hannah Montana came to Celestros.
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The TARDIS flew through the time vortex giving its occupants a rough ride, as usual.
"WHOA!!!" Miley Stewart shouted as she held onto the console for dear life. Sometimes travel through the time vortex was a breeze while other times it was a bumpy ride. This was one of those times where it was DEFINITELY a bumpy ride.
Lily however was enjoying the bucking the TARDIS was part of. It was like being on a roller coaster and at a skate park all at one time. "This is so cool!" Lily shouted.
"Says you!" Miley said. "I've had easier rides on that mechanical bull Uncle Earl picked up at Swappers Day."
The Doctor was busy working the controls of the TARDIS as he navigated through the turbulence. He worked with a piston type device which seemed to give the TARDIS more speed and power to get through the vortex. "Ohh this is a doozy."
"What?" Miley asked. "What is a doozy?"
"This vortex is really unstable. We're going to have to set down until it passes. Hold on girls!" The Doctor flipped some switches and the TARDIS then went a different direction and set down at a new destination. Inside the time ship MIley, Lily and the Doctor breathed sighs of relief and even some laughter.
"Oh man!" Lily said between laughs. "That was fun."
"Says you." Miley said. "I hope you don't ask if we can go again."
"I don't think so." The Doctor said. "We just have to stay here until the vortex stablizes. Shouldn't take too long."
"How long is not too long?" Miley asked knowing the Doctor had a different way of seeing time as she did. "Don't worry Miley. It's not like you're going to be stuck here until your sixty. Wherever here is."
"You mean you don't know where we are?" Lily asked.
"Well we did come out of the vortex pretty rough. We could have been deposited anywhere. Also I had no idea there was an unstable time pocket here. That warrants investigation." The Doctor got up to head to the TARDIS door as Miley and Lily followed. They needed the Doctor to get back to their home.
When they stepped out they found themselves in some sort of city square. The architecture had a certain elegance to it that made the girls VERY aware that they were nowhere on Earth.
"Hmmmm. Celestros." The Doctor said. "Lost art period by the looks of it. Great. Just in time for the festival."
"Festival?" Miley asked confused.
"Yes. On Celestros, once every novayahren, measure of a year to the Celestrians, artists and scholars come to the site of the remains of the Crystal Spires of Celestial Music to tell stories, sing songs, show off sculpture and paintings, all items that could well be forgotten on many planets. They come here to have one last chance of rememberance, all in honor of its natural wonder."
"Natural wonder?" Lily asked.
"Celestial music?" added Miley who was clearly intrigued. The Doctor continued his story.
"Celestros was home of the crystal spires. Crystal shafts connected to the core of the planet. Wind came through the shafts by way of underground caverns and through the shafts sending out harmonious melodies."
"Whoa! Crystals that play music?" Miley asked intrigued.
"They did, until they were destroyed in a war." The Doctor said the sentence in a sad tone, as if he knew the war in which the spires were lost. "They will eventually grow back, but for generations people of Celestros will be without the music of the crystal spires. Hense the festivals to remember the music that was lost, as well as all other art.
"Can we go to this festival Doctor?" Miley asked. "Please?" Lily also joined in. "Please, please, please, please, please?"
"Oh okay." The Doctor said as he led the girls toward Festival Square. "I swear Susan was nowhere near as much trouble."
Miley and Lily followed the Doctor, but both asked themselves 'Who's Susan?'
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Inside a remote laboratory on a neighboring moon a scientist was working feverishly on a major project. A project he hoped would bring prosperity back to his people. As well as a national treasure.
Xandor, professor of temporal physics, remembered hearing the stories of the Crystal Spires and the music they played. In his mind he imagined how the music must have sounded from the grand structures they were back in the day. Harmonious melodies that resonated from the winds that vibrated from the crystals. Melodies that could soothe the most troubled of souls.
And Xandor felt his soul was very troubled.
In his mind he remembered times of his life when he was surrounded by the most petty of people. People that only cared about themselves instead of the good of the universe. That knocked down individuals to please their own egos. Many a time Xandor felt himself on the receiving end of such stings. This called for him to research stories of the past. Histories of his world and many others.
It was there that he came across the stories of the Crystal Spires of Celestial Music, and the music they played. Xandor immediately fell in love with that story.
For many years he longed to hear at least one tune from the spires before he passed on from his mortal coil. It disappointed him that he would never get the chance.
Or so he thought.
From the Dalek invasion centuries ago some trinkets were left behind. One of which was a set of plans to an alien device. One that could pluck people and treasures from their personal timelines and bring them to their reality that the operator was part of.
This device was called a Timescoop. A forbidden device once used by the species known as the Time Lords of Gallifrey.
Xandor did not know how the Daleks came into possession of such a device, nor did he care to know. In the device he saw a means to an end. A way to accomplish his dream of resurrecting the spires. To hear the music that was lost.
Now he was ready. He had deciphered the plans in order to build a version of his own. Now he had a prototype ready for use, and he was about to test it at the point in time where the spires were destroyed.
"Excellent." The Celestrian Scientist Xandor said. "Soon we will not have to wait hundreds of years for the spires to return. We shall have the spires now."
So eager to accomplish his plan was Xandor that he failed to take into account the need for testing, or timeline navigation. This eagerness would cost him, and the lives of many others.
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On the main planet however Miley, Lily and the Doctor were taking part in everything the Celestrian Celebration had to offer. Miley caught sight of a dance troupe performing a mysterious dance she had never seen before, done by a species of alien that she had never seen before. As she watched she found herself caught up in the dance and the story it tried to tell through the dancers.
For a moment Miley wondered what all they could do at a Hannah Montana concert. When the number was over Miley went and introduced herself and struck a rapport with one of the dancers.
"I am glad you liked our dance human." The dancer said.
"Uhhh yeah." Miley said. "I do wonder though what all were you trying to accomplish there?"
"The dance is a story." the dancer said. "It tells of the starsinger that came from a lost world whose music is said to bring life to the most desolate of places."
"That sounds kind of cool." Miley said. The dancer nodded as she looked out sadly. "It is sad that others do not think so."
"What makes you say that?" Miley asked. The dancer explained. "The festival is losing its attendance. People do not come as they once have. And even those that do find they have heard much of what we say and do somewhere else before."
"Lack of originality?"
"Lack of something." The dancer said. "It is just heartbreaking."
"I'm sorry." Miley said. "I know what it's like trying to think of something totally unique, and avoiding trying to keep something from sounding copied."
"Now it just seems like everyone copies off of someone else." The dancer said. "I appreciate the conversation…."
"Miley. Miley Stewart."
"I am Lillandra, Dancer of the Fifth Circle of my world." Miley and Lillandra shook hands and then Miley went to find Lily.
Lily was looking at a puppet show put on by a race of colonists that told the story of an exodus from a dying world. A story where members of a civilization banded together to celebrate peace with a long hated enemy, only for that peace to be a lie and their civilization destroyed by a sneak attack. That civilization took to the stars to find a lost colony pursued by their hated enemy, and the being that betrayed them.
Lily was drawn into the story, but what was amazing was that she was able to understand everything being told. Miley thought the same as she thought of Lillandra and how the dance was being described. Miley sat with Lily and the Doctor who was by Lily's side.
"Whoa Miley this is so cool." Lily said.
"Yeah, but why is everyone speaking English?" Miley asked.
"Oh that's the TARDIS." The Doctor explained. "It translates alien languages. It enters your brain and translates the words into something it understands. In your cases that's English."
"You mean it gets inside my head?" Lily asked.
"In a good way." The Doctor explained. "And trust me I know what you're thinking. 'That machine got inside my head without permission..' Well let me tell you, it won't violate any of your most important innermost thoughts. That's considered a grand violation of any TARDIS."
"You talk as if the TARDIS is alive." Miley said.
"Oh but it is. In a sense. Well I better check to see if the vortex is stabilized yet. Enjoy the festival." The Doctor went off on his own when a vendor came forth and offered Miley and Lily a flier.
"Come to the spire ruins for a day of remembrance." The vendor said. Miley and Lily took the flier and decided to give it a looksee. "Thank you young humans. You won't be disappointed." The vendor then left as Lily added "If I hear someone call me 'human' again I'll…."
"Well that's what we are right? Human?" Miley said. Lily nodded and then turned with Miley as they decided to do more celebrating at the festival.
The girls listened to the different dances and songs of so many worlds. There were even some vendors selling different types of snacks that were said to be the envy of many worlds. Miley and Lily tried more than a few of them, and hoped the exercise they were doing would shed unwanted pounds.
After the first few hours of festivities Miley and Lily lay on the ground eating something that looked like cotton candy. Staring up at the night sky, looking under alien stars.
"Wow!" Lily said looking up at what looked like a purple sky adorned with clouds. "Now this sky is a sight."
"Yeah." Miley said looking up as well, letting the reality of her situation sink in. Here she was on another planet, in a different time zone, with an alien as her guide. At least her best friend was with her.
Still Miley couldn't deny the thrill of the adventure she was having. She thought this beat any of the road trips she took as Hannah Montana. And to be on Celestros, it seemed like a whole new world opened up for her.
"This is the life. Hold on tight." Miley started to sing.
"And this is the dream. It's all I need." Lily sang following up. Both girls then sang together.
"You never know where you'll find it. And I'm gonna take my time, yeah. I'm still getting it right."
"This is the life." A voice sang from behind. Miley and Lily tuned and saw that it was the Doctor. "Hmmmm. Nice song. Heard it a few times."
Miley then asked "You've heard of Hannah Montana?" wondering how much the Time Lord knew of her.
"Hannah Montana? Hmmmmm. There was some mention of her. Pop music singer. 21st Century. During pop music boom. No, not much." Miley looked at the Doctor wide eyed.
"You mean you've never heard of Hannah Montana?" Miley soon found herself scared wondering if she would leave behind any kind of legacy for the future.
"Well it's not that I've heard of her, it's just….pop music studies of other planets was considered an academy elective. And it wasn't an elective that had a strong following." The Doctor explained. Miley then asked "What school did you go to?"
"Prydonian Academy." The Doctor explained. "It was the academy of the chapter I was part of."
"Chapter?" Lily asked. "What were you born from? A book?"
"No." the Doctor explained. "My people were born from genetic looms. DNA codes spun together to create a new person." Lily looked at the Doctor like "Whoa." But Miley picked up on another word the Doctor used. "Were?"
"What?" the Doctor asked.
"You said 'were'. That your people 'were' born from genetic looms."
"Ah well. That's another story I suppose. We still have a ways to wait before the vortex stabilizes again. I suppose I'd better see some more festivities for myself." The Doctor then got back up and Miley and Lily looked at the Doctor leaving.
"Doctor, wait." Miley asked. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No." the Doctor said. "It's just that…the topic of my home planet is something I'd rather not discuss right now."
"Why not?" Miley asked. "What's wrong with your home planet?"
"Nothing's wrong with it. It's just…can't we focus on the here and now?"
"But Doctor." Miley asked. The Doctor then turned and gave Miley a look that froze her in place. "Look Miley. This is who I am. I'm the Doctor. I went to school at Prydonian Academy. I know about time and space. I don't know about pop music. That's who I am so there." The Doctor then turned and stormed off.
"Way to go Miley" Lily said. "Never argue with the designated driver."
Miley sat back down on the ground wondering if she hadn't made a mistake asking about the Doctor's background. He was the only way for her and Lily to get home.
But could she blame herself for being curious?
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From his outpost on the Celestrian moon Xandor aimed the Timescoop at the destination he sought. Setting the special co-ordinates for the site of the spires he then set the co-ordinates for the point in time he sought as well. The era where the spires were last known to be.
He set the countdown for two hours. The people at the celebration would get a wonderful surprise as a great treasure was returned.
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After an hour Miley and Lily caught up to the Doctor and Miley apologized if she thought that she was getting too close to something. "No, the Doctor said. "Nothing that hadn't happened long ago. Well, shall we go to see what other trouble we can get into?" Both girls agreed and decided to take the invitation of the vendor that gave them the flier to the Crystal Spires of Celestial Music."
"Sounds good to me." The Doctor said. "I know the way. Let's go." Miley and Lily followed the Doctor's lead.
The Doctor, Miley and Lily came to the sight of the Crystal Spires From a distance Miley saw that the spires must have been a tremendous sight to behold once upon a time. Lily also had that same look. The Doctor looked on as if saddened by the sight he saw. Another beauty of the universe taken away.
An attendant came forth and asked if the three travelers had a ticket of any kind. The Doctor pulled out a billfold that looked to Miley and Lily that it was a blank piece of paper. But the Doctor said it was a pass. "Yes this is my invitation. The Doctor plus two. These two girls are my plus twos."
The attendant looked at the paper and nodded. "Take your seat." The three made their way to their seat location as Miley then decided to ask another question, hoping the Doctor would not take her head off. "Doctor what is that? It looked like it was blank paper."
"Ah." The Doctor said fingering the billfold. "Psychic paper. It makes the person reading it believe what they see. He thought I had a pass so he treated us like we did."
"Whoa!" Lily said. "That could beat the pants off any fake id."
"Don't think I haven't used it for that purpose." The Doctor said smiling. They soon made their way to the site and found spots on the ground to sit. "Wait. We have to sit on the ground?" Lily asked.
"Yeah." The Doctor said. "Principle is the same as hearing campfire stories. Everyone tells their story, does their sonnet, dance, whatever. They tell of something that is lost or forgotten, just as the spires were. The purpose of these entertainments is to generate remembrance. If not for the event, then for the story itself."
"Like remembering Hannah Montana?" Miley asked. Lily shot Miley a look as the name 'Hannah Montana' seemed to pass over the Doctor's mind. He was more focused on the entertainments to come. Sighing Miley turned back to the stage as Lily watched as well.
Miley and Lily sat and watched as the first storyteller took to the stage. He told the story of a mighty alliance on the rise led by what was perceived to be a kind and understanding leader. But then the empire was attacked and the leader betrayed them to the invading army. The purpose of that story was to remember what the fledging empire meant before it had its dreams stolen from them by less honorable men.
Next up was a dance performed by members of a troupe that explored by a lost civilization from Vorath 4. It was said to be a dance of life and of joy. Miley smiled taken in by the movement and wondered if that was perhaps a dance that she herself could do if she ever came back to Earth.
The next up were a race of blue skinned aliens that reminded Miley and Lily of the band called Blue Man group, especially their instruments. They played something called the Celestial Harmony. Which was said to be a song sung by gods of a previous universe before they ascended to a higher plane. Miley found herself liking the song and noticed crowd reaction. It seemed like there was only a few interested in the performances. Performances all three time travelers were enjoying.
"Doctor what's wrong?" Lily asked. "The crowd doesn't seem to be into the show."
"Tragedy of life I suppose." The Doctor said. "You see, people here take time to hear these stories. And they want to take them to heart. But eventually they have to get back to their real lives, and soon these stories become little more than an afterthought."
Miley then looked at the shattered ruins of the spires. They looked like crystal shards scattered everywhere. Some even rolled away from the main site. "Doctor. How long will it take for the crystals to grow back?"
"Still a long time." The Doctor said. "A good two millennia going by your time. Two millenia where they will not hear the music that came from the crystals."
"2000 years?" Miley asked. Lily also found herself to be stunned by the answer.
"Pretty much so yeah." The Doctor said. Miley sighed as she thought of how long a time that would have been before turning her attention back to the show.
Lily also turned her attention back to the show when she noticed something on the floor. It looked like a crystal of some kind. Lily even wondered if it was part of one of the shards.
Lily picked up the small crystal. It looked like a small tube, almost flute like. She wondered if perhaps she could play the makeshift flute when something struck the site of the spires from out of the sky.
Energy enveloped the site as something started to appear. Rocks taking form and shape stretching high into the sky. When the energy shut down everyone was in awe of what was before them.
The crystal spires stood again. The majestic towers glistening in the alien sunlight shining over everyone in attendance, glistening with reflected light on them. From the openings up above came the music that lay long dormant from the wind tunnels. Breezes crossing one another generating the harmonies that were long dormant.
Almost everyone was in awe of the beautiful spires, and the music that followed. Even Miley and Lily were captivated.
The Doctor however was not captivated. He looked on in abject horror.
"No. This is wrong." The Doctor said.
"What are you talking about Doctor?" Miley asked. "The spires are back. But where did they come from?"
"The past. Some fool plucked them out of the past before they were supposed to be destroyed."
"And the problem with that is?" Lily asked.
"Time was damaged in the process. Someone will definitely come to sterilize the wound." The wide eyed look in the Doctor's eyes reflected the horror he knew would come. Soon Miley and Lily would feel the same horror.
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From his observation dome Xandor looked at the sight of the resurrected spires. He smiled as he heard their music from the intercom. He had accomplished his dream. The spires were back.
"Everything is right. Everything is fine." Xandor said with a contentment he hadn't felt in years. He could imagine how everyone was listening to the music below and falling in love with it. Just as he had fallen in love with the dream of bringing them back.
He decided he had to go and listen for himself. He made ready to head down via transmit beam when he heard something that made him stop in his tracks. Screams.
Turning back he saw the viewer and groups of monsters started to appear. They attacked everyone in their path seemingly eating them and leaving no traces behind. Never had Xandor seen such a horror.
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What was once a time of joy turned into a time of fear as people ran from the monsters that appeared in their sky. Monsters that looked like a cross between giant bugs and the grim reaper. Miley and Lily looked up horrified at what they saw not wanting to know what these creatures were.
The Doctor looked up at the wraith like monsters that came from the site of the spires. They attacked everyone they came in contact with. The Doctor knew what they purpose was here.
Time was wounded. They were here to sterilize it.
"Quickly we have to get back to the TARDIS!!" the Doctor said. Miley and Lily decided not to question the request. Especially since they just saw one of the creatures attack a dancer pleading for her life. As they ran the Doctor pleaded to himself "Please be there! Please be there!"
They came to the Police Box which was the TARDIS and the Doctor took out the key. Opening the lock he smiled as he saw the interior was still there, unlike the last time he saw the wraiths and the interior of the TARDIS was gone. Not wanting to think anymore of the past the Doctor shoved Miley and Lily inside and shut the door, just as one of the creatures was about to strike.
Inside the TARDIS a bell was sounding. It was like a gonging sound. "What's that sound?" Miley asked wondering what it meant.
The Doctor quickly explained. "That's the TARDIS Cloister Bell. It's a sign that the TARDIS is in great danger."
"What are you saying?" Lily asked. "We're safe in here right? You once said the hordes of Ghengis Khan couldn't get through that door."
"Those aren't the hordes of Ghenghis Khan." The Doctor said. "Those are Time Wraiths."
"Time Wraiths?" Miley and Lily asked in unison.
"Time wraiths." The Doctor said as if confirming. "Thanks to whoever decided to do his little chronal resurrection time has been damaged. These creatures are here to 'sterilize the wound'."
"Sterilize the wound?" Miley asked not liking where this was leading.
"And everyone in it." The Doctor said. "Including us."
Miley and Lily tried to process the information the Doctor gave when Miley saw that dancer get eaten by the Time Wraith. She had a feeling that was how the Time Wraiths sterilized the wound, and didn't want to be sterilized herself. "What do we do now?" Miley asked.
"Find our little saboteur and shut them down." the Doctor said as he was triangulating where the beam came from that restored the crystal spires. "They have to be using the unstable vortex to accomplish this. Got it."
The Doctor went to the console and flipped some switches. "Lily hold that lever. This is going to be tricky." Lily held down the lever the Doctor wanted and the TARDIS lifted off into the sky heading to where the source of the problem was.
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The TARDIS arrived in the laboratory of Xandor, and all three exited the time machine. "Oh man I don't know what's worse." Miley said. "The Time Vortex or traveling through space in that thing."
"Walk it off Miley." The Doctor said. Miley just looked at the Doctor and rolled her eyes before she asked "So where is this mad genius?"
"Hello Doctor." A voice said at the end of the hallway. The Doctor turned and saw an old Celestrian. "How do you know who I am?" the Doctor asked.
"Most everyone knows of the stories of the Doctor, and the deeds you have accomplished throughout the universe." Xandor said."My name is Xandor. Professor of Chronal physics at the Celestrian University. I had hoped that you would come." Xandor offered his hand out to the Doctor but the Doctor did not take it. He looked dead in Xandor's eye continuing the conversation.
"Why? So I could stop you?" the Doctor asked. Xandor responded with "No. To marvel at all I had accomplished. I have restored that which was needlessly destroyed."
"Do you know what this resurrection will cost the universe?" the Doctor asked. "Time is just not something that you can tamper with. The risks are too great. They are happening on your planet now."
"Not if I used a device from your own people." Xandor stepped away and unveiled the device. Miley and Lily looked on in awe. The Doctor looked on in horror knowing exactly what this device was.
"Can't be." The Doctor said. "This technology was destroyed. Lost."
"No Doctor." Xandor said. "It's real. It's here. A legacy from your own people. A creation of theirs."
"A timescoop?" The Doctor asked. "Do you truly think this insane plan will work?"
"And what do you think will happen if it doesn't?" Xandor asked. "Chaos is erupting all over the cosmos. Everything that is good is being stamped out in favor of chaos. Beacons of light, love and hope are being desecrated in favor of monuments to sin and vice. Proud people are turning to debauchery when they once embraced honor. Civilizations destroyed due to the agenda of a few."
"That's always been the way Xandor." The Doctor said. "The light getting stamped out in favor of the darkness. Yet there is always those that seek to stop it."
"What do you think I'm trying to do?" Xandor asked pleadingly. "Yes there has been darkness, but not to the level the universe is experiencing. People need hope. They need joy. They need light to illuminate their lives. Can you say that you would not do the same?"
"You are not practiced in the ways of time!" the Doctor stated. "You don't know the directions and pathways time can take. You are playing with forces you can't hope to understand."
"But you do. You know the risks. Better than anyone." Xandor said. "Help me with this. And maybe I can help you with your own resurrection." Miley and Lily looked on at the Doctor and saw a scowl cross his face. They wondered what was behind it when Xandor pressed forward.
"I know Doctor. How lonely you must be. How you would love to have your own home back. Your family back. Can you not say that your own people would not want it this way? Think Doctor. You could restore what was lost. Your own people. The Time Lords. Reborn."
The Doctor seemed frozen when Miley touched the Doctor's coat. "Doctor. I don't pretend to know what's going on. But what I do know is this. Because of this guy there are monsters eating people down on that planet. A planet where people were celebrating. He says he's bringing back something good. He's not. He's destroying something good."
Lily then spoke. "I heard the music of the spires. Yes it's beautiful, but to bring it back now would be at the expense of those that were at the celebration. People are dying now, all because some guy wanted a monument back. Did anyone else ask if they wanted it back? No. He just decided he knew better than everyone, and he was going to bring it back on his own."
Miley then looked at the Doctor dead in the eye. "There's nothing I wouldn't do to have my mother back, but I know I can't have that. Just as this guy can't have his spires back. I miss mom, and I'm sure you're missing your family. But this guy is wrecking everything to have the spires back."
The Doctor then nodded hearing Miley and Lily's words. He then turned to Xandor and said "No."
"No?" Xandor asked confused.
"I know what you are going through." The Doctor said. "There were times when I'd want to shake hands with the devil to get back all I'd lost. And once I almost did. But the universe has to move forward. Everything has its time. Everything dies. It's not fair. But in that unfairness comes the fairness that none of us are exempt from that truth. The unfair thing is when that time comes. For some it's so soon, and for others it is so late."
"You can't have the spires back. They must go back to the past where they belong." The Doctor made his way to the Timescoop control to shut the device down. Xandor heard the words and shook his head "No! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
Xandor then lunged at Miley, whom he blamed for turning the Doctor from him. The Doctor moved from the console pushing Miley out of the way as he held out his leg tripping Xandor sending him down into a shaft nearby. Quickly the Doctor, Miley and Lily went to the main console where the Doctor flipped some switches trying to get the scoop to shut down.
"Lily. When I say so I want you to pull down on that lever. Don't let up until I say when. Miley help her." Both girls nodded as they held the lever ready to follow what the Doctor was going to do. "All right NOW!!!"
The girls held the lever down as the Doctor input a set of commands. At the spires site the time vortex seemed to pull the spires back in, as well as the Time Wraiths. All the Wraiths tried to fight back but the power of the vortex was too strong.
Miley and Lily held the lever down with all their strength. The Doctor even added some of his by pressing down on the lever with one hand and working his calculations with the other. For the final touch he pulled out a device that emanated a noise that caused the device to operate better.
The Doctor smiled as the device, which he explained was a sonic screwdriver, had the desired effect. He watched as all the Wraiths were sucked back into the vortex and then the vortex was sealed.
"All right let up." The Doctor said. As he, Miley and Lily let go of the lever. The Vortex was sealed with the Wraiths on the other end.
Nothing remained.
The Doctor then input another series of commands and then told the girls to head back to the TARDIS. Once they were all in the time machine dematerialized leaving Xandor's base.
The base soon crumpled in on itself like paper being crushed. It then exploded in a flash of light sealing off another critical point in the time stream.
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Back on Celestros the Doctor, Miley and Lily looked on as people came out of hiding and saw to one another. Everyone seemed to be taking care of each other and tending to one another. This made the three travelers happy.
"Xandor was wrong." The Doctor said. "The good of the universe is still out there. You just have to know where to find it is all." Miley and Lily all agreed to that.
Miley, Lily and the Doctor then looked at the spot where the spires once stood. All three sad that the miracle of their return did not happen.
"It's so sad." Miley said. "So many generations will never be able to hear the songs the spires created."
"Someday a generation will." The Doctor said. "And they shall marvel at the wonder such music creates. Until then the Celestrian festivals will continue. Honoring all that was lost and forgotten. Ensuring that their memories will flourish if only for one more moment in time."
"Still." Lily said. "I wish we could do something for them to remember this visit here." Then Lily reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out the crystal piece she had picked up from the celebration before. Lily then had an idea as she blew into the crystal like it was a flute.
She played a melody that Miley knew, that was shared between her and her father, but taught to Lily as a gesture of friendship. The melody drew attention of the crowd that listened not knowing what to make of the song, or the crude instrument used to play it on. An instrument that seemed to come from the ruins of a destroyed wonder.
And as Lily played the melody Miley sang the song.
I didn't want to listen to what you were saying
I thought that I knew all I need to know
I didn't realize that somewhere inside me
I knew you were right but I couldn't say so
I can take care of myself
You taught me that
I learned from you that I do not crumble
I learned that strength is something you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believing
There is no question that's a lesson I learned from you.
Miley then made ready to sing the part that her father usually sang, but then much to her surprise the Doctor stepped in and sang the melody. Miley looked on and wondered how the Doctor knew that song, and yet not know who Hannah Montana was.
We always don't agree on what is the best way
To get to the place that we're going from here
But I can really trust you and give you the distance
To make your decision without any fear
I'm grateful for all of the times
You opened my eyes.
Miley tabled the question as she continued to sing, just as Lily continued to play the makeshift flute.
I learned from you that I do not crumble
I learned that strength is something you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believing
There is no question that's a lesson I learned from you.
You taught me to stand on my own and I thank you for that
It saved me, it made me
And now that I'm looking back I can say
I learned from you that I do not crumble
I learned that strength is something you choose
All of the reasons to keep on believing
There is no question that's a lesson I learned from you.
The crowd, which was once in fear, listened to the song and applauded. They were happy to hear the melody of the Crystal Spires again, even though not in the way that was intended.
"Nice job there Lily." The Doctor said fingering the instrument Lily used. "I had something like this once."
"What happened to it?" Lily asked. "The instrument?" The Doctor just shrugged and said "It's around somewhere. An old recorder."
A recorder? I haven't had one of those since kindergarten. Lily thought. "Doctor?" Miley asked. "Were the spires the wonder Xandor said they were?"
"And then some." The Doctor said. "I can sympathize with Xandor's wish to recreate the spires, but the cost of his recreation efforts would have doomed the universe. So much would have been destroyed so one thing could be restored."
As the Doctor continued to speak the embers of another idea entered Lily's mind. She just needed some conformation to see if it could come to pass. Lily then asked "Doctor what year is it? Earthwise I mean."
"Oh I'd say. Late 43rd Century. Why?"
"And the Celestrian celebration is about things that are forgotten right?" The Doctor nodded at Miley's question wondering where she was going with this. Lily however brought the question to the foreground.
"Miley, do you think maybe Hannah Montana could do a performance here on Celestros?" Miley thought about the idea and smiled at the thought "Yeah I'm sure Hannah could turn up here."
"Hannah Montana?" the Doctor asked. "What would Hannah Montana be doing on Celestros?"
Miley's smile grew wider as she asked "Doctor, do you want to know a secret?"
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Back in the TARDIS the Doctor was amazed by what he had heard, or at least seemed to be.
"Oh wow! I can't believe it! Hannah Montana in my TARDIS. This is something." Miley and Lily rolled their eyes at the Doctor's dramatics wondering if he was generous in his praise or just hamming it up. Before they could ask the Doctor turned and had an idea.
"Well if Hannah Montana is going to appear on Celestros then she'll need a spankin wardrobe." Miley and Lily looked at the Doctor curiously. "Spankin?"
"Too last year?" the Doctor asked. "And people wonder why I don't get into pop culture. Anyway. There's a wardrobe down there, first left, second right, third on the left, go straight ahead, under the stairs, past the bins, fifth door on the left. Hurry up."
Miley and Lily raced to the Doctor's wardrobe closet to find something that could work as Hannahwear.
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Inside the TARDIS wardrobe Miley and Lily were looking through an assortment of clothes hoping to find something that could be used as makeshift Hannah wear. Miley found she had more of a selection than she initially bargained for
"Oh yeah." Miley said. "This is much bigger than my closet." Miley said as she finally found something she liked. Not that there wasn't other things she didn't like, but this first outfit screamed out to her 'Wear me'. At least in Miley's mind.
Miley looked at every crease and curve in the outfit. It was a brown jacket with buckles on the front and shoulderpads. With it was a tie dye t-shirt adorned by blue jeans and a pair of western boots. Miley also found some jewelry to accessorize, one of which was a necklace of Telosian diamonds, and Miley had a complete Hannah ensemble for her first performance on an alien world.
When she tried it on, and it fit, Miley was happy. She then turned to Lily who was able to open up the cabinet full of wigs and found a blonde one Miley could use as Hannah. She also found something else, and couldn't believe it. "Miley what do you think of this?"
Miley smiled as she said "We'll ask the Doctor later. Right now we need to get a band together, and I know just who to get."
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After the disturbance subsided life at the celebration was returning to normal. People were resuming attending specific functions looking forward to the performance at the main stage.
The Celestrian celebration had a main stage where their best performers could perform their greatest works. Thanks to the song Miley, Lily and the Doctor played they had the honor of taking the main stage to show their best act.
That act was about to debut as the Doctor handled the introductions.
"Ladies, gentlebeings, and species from all around the cosmos." The Doctor said. "I bring to you one of the most popular singers from the planet Earth. Making her cross time interstellar debut-HANNAH MONTANA!!!"
From the stage came the dancers from the memorial celebration followed by music from the blue skinned aliens. They played the music Miley provided for them and from the top of the stage Hannah Montana stood ready to perform like she had many times before. Only this time Hannah was performing for the first time on an alien world.
The song was called 'Nobody's Perfect.'
Everybody makes mistakes
Everybody has those days
Everybody makes mistakes
Everybody has those days
Everybody knows what…what I'm talkin' 'bout
Everybody gets that way
Sometimes I'm in a jam
And I've gotts make a plan
It might be crazy
I do it anyway
No way to know for sure
I figure out a cure
I'm patchin' up the holes
But then it overflows
If I'm not doin' too well
Why be so hard on myself
Nobody's perfect…I gotta work it
Again and again till I get it right
Nobody's perfect…ya live and ya learn it
And if I mess it up sometimes, hey
Nobody's perfect
Sometimes I work a scheme
But then it flips on me
Doesn't turn out how I planned
Get stuck in quick sand
But no problem can't be solved
Once I get involved
I try to be delicate
Then crash right into it
But my intentions are good
Sometimes just misunderstood
Nobody's perfect…I gotta work it
Again and again till I get it right
Nobody's perfect…ya live and ya learn it
And if I mess it up sometimes, oh
Nobody's perfect…I gotta work it
I know in time I'll find a way
Nobody's perfect
Sometimes I fix things up
And they fall apart again
Nobody's perfect
I might mix things up
But I always get it right in the end
You know I do
Next time you feel like it's one of those days
When you just can't seem to win
If things don't turn out the way you planned
Figure something else out, don't stay down, try again
Everybody makes mistakes
Everybody has those days
Everybody knows what…what I'm talking' 'bout
Everybody gets that way
Nobody's perfect…I gotta work it
Again and again till I get it right
Nobody's perfect…ya live and you learn it
And if I mess it up sometimes, oh
Nobody's perfect…I gotta work it
I know in time I'll find a way
Nobody's perfect…ya live and ya learn it
Cause everybody makes mistakes, hey
Nobody's perfect…nobody's perfect…no, no
Nobody's perfect
The crowd erupted in applause as they cheered for Hannah Montana. It was as if a long forgotten memory was reawakened and they praised that it had returned. The curtain then closed and the Doctor and Lily, in her Lola garb (a purple wig and silver dress), congratulated her.
"Miley that was beautiful." The Doctor said. Miley smiled herself as she then held up the Hannah Montana CD she found in the Doctor's wardrobe. "You've heard of me haven't you Doctor?"
"Oh all right." The Doctor said waving his hands in the air. "Yes I have heard of you. I mean 900 years of phone box travel and you do pick up a few things."
"Wait. 900 years?" Miley asked.
"That's my age. Well give or take a century or two." The Doctor said.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Lily asked.
"Because" the Doctor said as he tried his best to explain. "There are parts of your future I can't reveal. Such information could lead to changes in your present and your life may go a certain way it wasn't meant to take. I could change your entire destiny by revealing even the littlest tidbit.
"I do know this though. There will come a time girls when you and I will part ways. I don't know when that will be, or how it will happen, but I know it will. And when it does I want to make sure your lives are as normal as they can be."
"Doctor after traveling with you I doubt anything could be normal." Lily said.
"You sure about that?" the Doctor asked as he went into the TARDIS and Miley and Lily followed.
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Miley and Lily stepped out of the TARDIS to find themselves facing a city square on Earth where people were walking about going about their business. The Doctor standing behind them in the doorway taking in the scenery.
"You think it will last forever you know." The Doctor said. "But it doesn't. Soon all of it's gone. Trees, the Earth, memories, even the sky. Still we do all we can to preserve what we had lost." The Doctor walked over to a nearby riverbank and looked over as he said his next few words. Words that surprised Miley and Lily.
"My planet's gone. Destroyed like the crystal spires. So much culture and history. Wiped out, before their time."
Miley looked at the Doctor curiously. "What happened?" she couldn't help but ask. The Doctor answered in a somber tone.
"There was a war and we lost. Nothing left but rocks and dust."
Miley didn't know what to say to that. "I'm sorry." Was all she could say.
"So am I." Lily said. "Are you all right?"
The Doctor just turned and smiled. "I'm a Time Lord. The last of the Time Lords. Some days are just better than others."
Lily then asked "Do you ever you know….feel lonely?"
"Not always." The Doctor said. "I meet a few souls that ease the loneliness a little." Miley smiled as she knew what the Doctor meant. "Souls like us?"
"To name a few." The Doctor said. Lily then looked around and asked "Doctor where are we?"
"London. Picadilly Circus. I'd say mid 1990's. Mall's not far away."
"You hungry?" Lily asked. Miley said "Starved. You Doctor?"
"Famished." The Doctor replied. Soon the three travelers went to the mall to get something to eat. Although after a few minutes Miley wondered just how they were going to pay for their meal.
The Doctor took out his sonic screwdriver and flashed a smile. "The all purpose tool."
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Great Britain 2007
Robbie Ray Stewart had to admit the green hills of England were a beautiful sight. He wouldn't compare them to his home state of Tennessee, but they were close in his mind. For a moment he allowed the sight to distract him before getting back to the business at hand.
Namely finding the person that was supposed to get in contact with this alien that had his daughter and her best friend with him. "How far away are we?" Robbie Ray asked the woman who was driving.
"Not far. We're almost there." The woman named Sarah Jane Smith said. Soon enough they came to an old house that looked like it could hold quite a few guests if anyone decided to throw a party. But that the owner would be too dignified to do.
"We're here." Sarah said as she put the car in park and got out. Robbie Ray followed and soon they both went up to the door where Sarah knocked.
Robbie Ray and Sarah waited as the door opened. "Hello Doris. Is Alistair in?"
"Right this way." Doris said as he led the two to a sitting room where an old man sat. He looked like he had put on some weight, but he kept a proud bearing. Surrounding him were photos and mementoes that made Robbie Ray think that the man before him was a soldier.
"Ahh Miss Smith. A wonder to see you again." The man said. Sarah smiled and said "And you Alistair."
The man whose name Robbie Ray made out to be 'Alistair' looked up at Robbie Ray and studied him. "And who might this young man be?"
"My name is Robbie Ray Stewart. I'm told you know of the alien that has my daughter, and that you might be able to get in contact with him." Robbie Ray said flat out. Alistair nodded admiring the directness Robbie Ray took. When he was younger Alistair had much of that directness himself.
"I know of him. And I wouldn't be so hostile if I were you. That 'alien' as you put him saved our planet more times than you can count." Alistair said.
"I think I have a right to be hostile as my daughter is with him, and my son has been taken by this 'Torchwood' group that wants him too. Both of my kids are in danger because of this man you call a friend." Alistair wasn't fazed by Robbie Ray's directness. In some ways he was happy to hear it. "And all you want to know is if I can contact him or not?" Alistair asked. Robbie Ray nodded.
"I did have a device that I could use if I needed to contact him. But it hasn't worked in ages. A transdimensional telegraph he called it." Robbie Ray then asked "You did? What happened to it?"
"It stopped working." Alistair said. "I never got around to having it fixed. Not that I knew of anyplace where I could take it."
"So there's no way?" Robbie Ray asked. Alistair said "I wouldn't say that." As he pulled out a cell phone with one number listed on it. The number was that of the Doctor. "He's an expert at jiggery pokery. And if there was a great emergency where I was called back into service again and needed help he was just a phone call away. Just don't ask about the bill."
Robbie Ray took the phone and looked at Sarah. He then turned to Alistair and asked "What is your name? Alistair smiled as he answered Robbie Ray's question.
"My name is Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. Retired Brigadier General of the British Army and former Commander of U.N.I.T. Short for United Nations Intelligence Taskforce. Now what is this about Torchwood?"
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Torchwood
Inside Torchwood Tower Batterson was talking to his aide wondering how progress was being made on their 'guest' Jackson Rod Stewart. The aide replied "Billie is making strides, but our guest is being difficult."
"Difficult?" Batterson asked.
"To be honest sir I can't tell if he is strong willed or thick headed. He seems to want markers so he can draw a face on his chest and talk through his belly button. As well as a few other mundane requests. His education will take a while." The aide replied. Batterson nodded.
"Regardless we proceed with the plan. What news do you have of our latest recruitment?"
"She has been spotted. She is in a town called Pickford, and has been said to have been in contact with time travelers from the year 2121. We'll be ready for pick up within the hour." The aide set a file on Batterson's desk. He smiled as he read the name of the new 'recruit' he wanted to bring into Torchwood.
'Teslow, Keely'.
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Back on Celestros the celebration was winding down. Everyone made ready to leave and head back to their own lives. Their own worlds.
For a brief moment people heard the music of the spires. And thanks to the Doctor and Hannah Montana they came away with another set of music as well. Music they would never forget.
But that was not the only thing to come from the experience.
In the shadows was a being. Once it was human, now he was a mutated shell of his former self. Driven by a madness as well as a genius that he passed onto his creations. Creations that caused great death and strife in the cosmos.
Those creatures were called Daleks. And this being was their creator. The Kaled scientist known as Davros.
Davros did not know how he had survived the Time War. All he knew was that he had survived. And from his survival will come a new beginning.
A new race of Daleks. A new race that will venture out into the universe and destroy all that crosses their path.
And more importantly the new race of Daleks will exterminate the Doctor.
Davros smiled at the thought of that particular moment.
Author's note: Well finally here's another part of the story 'Where is Hannah Montana'. Sorry it took so long. I had a previous version all prepared, but the data got corrupted and I had to start all over again (I hate when that happens). Well at any rate this story speaks of Hannah's first concert away from Earth, and away from her own time. Relax, I won't have her doing concerts only. There will be other stuff for Miley and Lily to do.
Also I am starting the process of bringing other Disney characters into this story. I already mentioned Keely, and next story will involve her 'recruitment' into Torchwood. And don't be surprised if Phil Diffy shows up at some point either. Also a few others may appear. As mentioned I want to bring in Zack and Cody, and I have an idea involving Raven Baxter too.
At any rate review and enjoy.