A/N: Hello everyone! No, I didn't drop this story. We're in the final arc and there aren't many chapters left in it. It would be very sad to come this far and not finish it. The reason this chapter took so long is because it is a crossover with my other continuing story Harry Potter: Prince of Dragons. The section of the chapter where the two stories coincide appears in both stories. In this story it's told from Tails' POV. In the other story it's told from Harry's POV. I wanted to be able to publish both chapters at the same time so you could compare the two if you want.

If you would like to see what this scene looked life from Harry's point of view you can find it in chapter 9 of Harry Potter: Prince of Dragons "Flying In Eternity." You don't have to read the whole thing of that fic. to understand it, but I'll love you if you do!

So, I don't own 1) Doctor Who, 2) Sonic The Hedgehog, 3) Harry Potter, or 4) Dungeons and Dragons. They all belong to their respective creators. The only things that are mine are the story itself and any original characters I might come up with. Please read and review; I always appreciate feedback. Constructive criticism is welcome, however no flames please.

Happy Holidays everyone!

96 – RETURN TO GALLIFREY

"Doctor?" asked an astounded Tails, "is it really you?"

"As far as I know" said the Doctor with a grin.

"What are you doing here?"

"What?" asked the Doctor, ""Can't I just pop in and say hello to an old friend?" Tails' eyebrows shot up as he realized that the 9th Doctor had said almost the exact same thing when he had first arrived on Mobius. Maybe it was a quirk that carried over to all of the Doctor's bodies?

"No really" said the Doctor, "I had a strong urge to come back and see you. I'm not sure where it came from but I saw no reason not to follow it."

This is why the 9th Doctor wanted to me stay here, Tails thought to himself, he knew this was going to happen because it had already happened to him.

"Well I'm glad to see you" said Tails, "Is Sarah Jane with you?"

"No" said the Doctor, "I took her back to Earth after I brought you back here. I haven't had anyone traveling with me recently."

"Oh" said Tails, "that's too bad."

"Really?" said the Doctor, "why?"

"You just seem like someone who needs to have people around him" said Tails.

"You're absolutely right" said the Doctor, "having people around makes life more interesting, if only because we can tell each other how brilliant we all are and what we can do with our brilliance. And speaking of brilliance what have you been up to since I last saw you?"

"That" said Tails pointing to the deroboticizer. The Doctor looked at the machine and his eyes lit up with excitement.

"You finished the deroboticizer?" he asked as he began to examine it.

"Final tests were today" said Tails, "it works."

"Well of course it works" said the Doctor, "you built it, didn't you? I would be very surprised if it didn't work."

"Thank you" said Tails.

"It's a fine piece of machinery" said the Doctor as he finished his examination of it, "I imagine everyone is celebrating your success."

"They are" said Tails, "out in the garden as of a few minutes ago. I should really be joining them – "

"Oh you can do that later" said the Doctor, "why don't you come with me for a short spin in the TARDIS? I know she's pleased to see you again."

"What, now?" asked Tails feeling a sense of deja vu.

"Certainly" said the Doctor, "why not?"

"Well, the party – " began Tails.

"I'll have you back just a few seconds after we left" said the Doctor, "no one will even know you were away." Tails definitely recognized the scene he was in now. Apparently there were certain things that the Doctor seemed to say in the same way no matter what regeneration he was in. He was thinking of how to reply when he suddenly had an idea.

"Can we go to Gallifrey?" Tails asked.

"Gallifrey?" asked the Doctor, a little confused by the request.

"Yes please" said Tails.

"With all of time and space to choose from why do you want to go there?"

"I want to see my friends" said Tails, "talking to them via long distance communicator is okay but it's nowhere near as good as seeing them. Please Doctor?" Tails looked up at the Doctor with wide puppy-dog eyes and the Doctor immediately gave in.

"All right" said the Doctor, "Gallifrey it is. Well don't dawdle. We have somewhere to be." He led Tails into the TARDIS. The console room looked just like it did when Tails had first seen it but, Tails reminded himself, of course it would since he was now back in that part of the TARDIS' time stream when the console room had still looked this way, all bright white with roundels on the walls. Even the hat stand that Tails remembered was there.

"Hello Tails" said the TARDIS, "nice to have you back."

"Thank you" said Tails to the TARDIS, "I'm glad to be back."

The Doctor was leaning over the console looking at a readout of some sort while Tails said hello to the TARDIS. Now he straightened up.

"It appears we're going to be making an extra stop" the Doctor said, "the Time Lords have asked me to pick up some passengers before we go to Gallifrey. Tails, if you would help me operate the console this is going to take some delicate driving."

Tails flew up and took a spot by the console while the Doctor sent the TARDIS into the vortex.

"What planet are we stopping at?" asked Tails.

"It's not exactly a planet" said the Doctor, "it's more like a plane of existence."

"An alternate reality?" asked Tails, "are we going to see Susan again?"

"No" said the Doctor, "it's more like a higher dimension that exists alongside the regular universe. It's possible to reach it but it will take some delicate workings of the controls to get there safely."

"Is this like Inari's realm?" asked Tails, "or Destiny's Garden?"

"Exactly like" said the Doctor, pleased that Tails seemed to understand.

"So where are we going?"

"We're going to make a stop on Mt. Celestia" said the Doctor with a big grin.

"Never heard of it" said Tails.

"Not surprising" said the Doctor, "now hold on. When I give the word move your controls exactly as I say – now."

The TARDIS spun through the vortex as both the Doctor and Tails worked the console. Despite the apparent riskiness of the trip the ride was smooth the whole way and when Tails heard and felt the TARDIS materializing he said as much to the Doctor.

"Yes" said the Doctor, "it's funny that way sometimes. The most complex trips are often the smoothest while the simplest of hops can cause us to go bouncing around the room – hm, that last phrase would make a good song title, that would. Well, here we are. Let's not keep our passengers waiting."

"Who are we picking up?"

"You'll see" said the Doctor as he hit the switch to open the doors, "I don't want to spoil the surprise. Trust me, you'll be impressed."

"I'm sure" muttered Tails now a little worried by what he was about to see but he followed the Doctor out of the TARDIS anyway.

Tails stopped dead when he exited the TARDIS. He and the Doctor were facing by far the two biggest dragons that he had ever seen in his life. They were so big that they made Dulcy look like an small lizard by comparison. One was platinum in color and the other was silver. Between them was a third dragon who was about one-third as big as the other two and was a mixture of platinum and silver. The most astounding thing about the scene was that the Doctor wasn't even batting an eyelash as he greeted the Dragons.

"King Bahamut" he said bowing to the platinum dragon, "Queen Daranni" to the silver dragon.

"Greetings Doctor" said King Bahamut, "I see you regenerated since you were last here."

"Yes, well I got tired of all the dandy stuff" said the Doctor, "is that Harry between you? My you've grown a lot since I last saw you."

"Thank you" said the dragon now identified as Harry.

"Oh" said the Doctor as he motioned for Tails to come forward, "allow me to introduce you to my current companion. This is Miles Prower from the planet Mobius. But you can call him 'Tails.' Tails, these are King Bahamut of Mt. Celestia, his mate Queen Daranni, and their son Prince Harry James Potter."

"How do you do?" said Tails, bowing to the dragons.

"Quite well, thank you" said Bahamut, "so you are from Mobius? We know of that planet."

"You do?" asked Tails in surprise.

"Certainly" said Daranni, "we know of all the worlds on which dragons live."

"You're a lot bigger than the dragons on Mobius" said Tails.

"Dragons come in all sizes" said Bahamut in an offhand manner.

"I suppose they do" said Tails, "after traveling with the Doctor I probably shouldn't be surprised by that."

"You have the look of a kitsune" said Daranni, "though I don't sense you having the same spirit powers of one."

"Inari said I'm not a Japanese kitsune" said Tails, "I just look like one but she says that's enough for my situation."

"You've met Inari?" said Bahamut, "interesting."

"Tails has met quite a few of the Powers" said the Doctor, "Inari Okami, Destiny and Death of the Endless, Joshua the son of Joseph and Mariam, and now you."

"Wow" said the smaller dragon in the middle, Harry James Potter if Tails remembered correctly, "you get around."

"Everyone who travels with me does" said the Doctor, "now the Time Lords asked me to come here and bring some passengers to Gallifrey. I'm assuming that would be you?"

"Yes" said Bahamut, "it's time for Harry's Initiation."

"Ah" said the Doctor and his face became very solemn, "I see. Well we'd better get going then. How many passengers will there be?"

"The three of us" said Bahamut, "and several of our guards. You won't have to bring us back."

"Right" said the Doctor, "Well then, shall we all get ready?"

"Um Doctor" said Tails turning to the Doctor, "how are they going fit through the TARDIS doors?"

"If they can fit in the TARDIS itself they can fit through the doors" said the Doctor.

"Oh I know they'll fit inside the TARDIS" said Tails, "no question of that, but – "

"Take a look" said the Doctor pointing back to the dragons – only the dragons were gone. In their places were three humans, two adults and a child. Tails' jaw dropped.

"How – ?" he began before having a logical thought, "you're shape shifters" he finished.

"Among other things" said the man. He was tall with black messy hair and blue eyes. The woman was a bit shorter than him and had red hair and green eyes. The boy looked to be around Tails' own age and looked exactly like the man but he had the woman's eyes.

"In these forms we have human names" said the man, "you may call me James Potter, the woman is my wife Lily, and the boy is our son Harry."

"He doesn't have a separate name when he's human?" asked Tails.

"No, just the one" said James, "Doctor, shall we go?"

"Of course" said the Doctor gesturing to the TARDIS, "all aboard for Gallifrey."

James, Lily, and Harry all entered the TARDIS. They were followed by several other people who were obviously their guards. Tails had never seen people like them before. They were roughly humanoid but instead of skin they were covered in scales. They all looked very strong, like warriors.

"I see we'll be hosting some of the Dragonborn" said the Doctor.

"Who are they?" asked Tails.

"They're a race of people who mix humanoid and draconic traits" said the Doctor, "I can't really discuss it now. If you want to know more there is information about them in the TARDIS library and you can also learn about them on Gallifrey. Come along now."

The Doctor re-entered the TARDIS. Tails followed him. The console room was more crowded than Tails had ever seen it what with all of their guests being present. The Doctor gestured for Tails to help him at the console. Tails spun himself into the air and flew to one of the console panels all the while ignoring the gasps and indrawn breaths of the new passengers.

"You can fly?" asked Harry, "that's awesome. How do you do that?"

"Don't really know" said Tails in an absent manner, "I just do."

The Doctor and Tails sent the TARDIS into the vortex en route to Gallifrey.

"We'll be there in a little while" said the Doctor to his guests, "if you would like some refreshment on the way the kitchen is available. Otherwise feel free to wander around – but don't go too far. It won't be that long."

"I'd like to see more of this place" said Harry.

"Tails, why don't you show Harry around" said the Doctor, "the two of you are close in age. You should get along quite well."

"Is that all right?" asked Tails turning towards Harry's parents.

"Go ahead" said James, "if I remember things correctly the TARDIS is sentient and it will look after you."

"That's right" said the Doctor, "she gets quite protective of her passengers. Go and enjoy yourselves."

"Okay" said Tails. He looked at Harry who nodded to him. Tails led Harry out of the console room and deeper into the TARDIS. Two of the Dragonborn followed them staying close enough to keep watch but far enough to give them some room to talk.

"How big is the TARDIS?" asked Harry as they walked down the corridor.

"I don't know" said Tails, "I've explored it and I've found many different rooms of all types but I've never explored the whole thing. Sometimes I think it has no end."

"Wow" said Harry.

"So are you a dragon who can become human?" asked Tails as they kept walking, "or a human who can turn into a dragon?"

"Both actually" said Harry, "it's a long story. The Doctor said you've met some of the Powers?"

"Yes" said Tails, "your parents give off the same feeling of power that the other ones did. In fact you even have some of that feeling yourself although not as large."

"I'm just a kid" said Harry, "maybe when I'm older."

"You'll be a Power too?" asked Tails.

"Maybe" said Harry, "Both of my parents are gods although I was originally born human and mortal. My parents both incarnated themselves as mortal humans for a while. During that time they had me. Long story short, 15 months after I was born their mortal bodies were murdered by a terrorist. That sent them back to Mt. Celestia and their true forms. My father quickly had me brought there from Earth so I could still be raised with them. He released my true dragon self and turned me into what I am now."

"So you're a god too?" said Tails.

"A very young one" said Harry with a smile, "I don't have an aspect yet and won't for a very long time. A lot will happen before I come into my full power."

"Is that why you're going to Gallifrey?" asked Tails, "your father said it was time for your Initiation."

"Yes" said Harry as a faraway looked entered his eyes, "I'm going there to look into the Untempered Schism. All dragon gods do this once when they're growing up. It's a major event in our lives – I'm sorry, are you all right?"

Tails had stopped abruptly when Harry had mentioned the Untempered Schism.

"The Untempered Schism?" demanded Tails, "you're going to look into that?"

"Yes" said Harry, "you know about it?"

"The last time I was on Gallifrey I looked into it myself" said Tails.

"Really? What was it like?" asked Harry with interest, "nobody will tell me that. My parents just say that the experience is unique to everyone who looks in it."

"That's what my friends at the Time Lord Academy told me when I asked them about it" said Tails, "they wouldn't tell me what it was like for them, just that I had to experience it for myself. And they were right. It was like nothing I've ever experienced before or since."

"Then I can't wait" said Harry, "it sounds awesome."

"That's definitely one word for it" said Tails as he remembered when he looked into the Untempered Schism.

"So what's your story?" asked Harry, "have you been traveling with the Doctor for long?"

"Yes and no" said Tails, "he just picked me up from Mobius before we came to get you. I've been on extended trips with him in the past though. I also spent time at the Time Lord Academy on Gallifrey. Is that why you're going to look into the Untempered Schism? So you can enter the Academy afterwards?"

"No" said Harry, "I will be leaving for school in a few days but I won't be going to the Time Lord Academy."

They talked for a while longer before the TARDIS nudged them to return to the console room. They arrived there just as they heard the VWORP sounds of the ship materializing.

"We have arrived" said the Doctor who activated the view screen as he spoke, "and it looks like there's a reception committee." And there was. When he looked at the screen Tails saw several people standing outside the TARDIS. He recognized both Chancellor Borusa and Castellan Spandrell. Flanking them were other members of the High Council along with members of Chancellory Guard.

"Thank you for bringing us here Doctor" said James, "it's always a pleasure."

"Of course" said the Doctor shaking James' hand and kissing the back of Lily's hand, "I hope things go well for Harry's Initiation."

"I'm sure they will" said Lily before turning to her son, "come Harry."

"Yes mum" said Harry before shaking Tails' hand, "it was nice to meet you Tails."

"You too" said Tails, "and good luck with the Untempered Schism." Harry smiled and turned to go with his parents, their guards following behind them. Tails made to follow too but the Doctor motioned for him to wait.

"Let them go first" said the Doctor, "their business is official and neither of us is part of it anymore. Once they're gone I'll take you to the Academy."

"Oh" said Tails, "will I see them again?"

"I don't think so" said the Doctor, "Bahamut and his people don't need to use a TARDIS to travel in space or between different planes of existence. When they're done here they'll be returning to Mt. Celestia under their own power."

"But then why didn't they come to Gallifrey on their own?" asked Tails.

"Because that would have been very rude!" said the Doctor, "the Time Lords know quite well that Bahamut and his family can come and go to wherever they want whenever they want whether others like it or not – but that doesn't mean that they should do that. Think about how you would feel if a stranger broke into your house uninvited and you'll understand. At the very least it's only good manners to for them to let the Time Lords know that they're coming."

"So that's why you had to pick them up?" asked Tails.

"Keeping up appearances" said the Doctor, "exactly."

"Then won't someone have to take them home?"

"No" said the Doctor, "they can leave whenever and however they want without any problems. It's only how they arrive that is a matter of etiquette."

"I hate politics" Tails muttered as he did his best to make sense of this convoluted thinking."

"Well they're all gone" said the Doctor pointing to the view screen. Only Castellan Spandrell was still there.

"It looks like Spandrell wants to have to word" said the Doctor, "so we'd best not keep him waiting. Come along Tails."

Castellan Spandrell looked just the same as when Tails had last seen him but he was obviously surprised when the young fox stepped out of the TARDIS after the Doctor.

"Hello Tails" said Spandrell, "this is a surprise. I didn't know you would be with the Doctor."

"Hello Castellan" said Tails, "the Doctor picked me up just before you all asked him to go to Mt. Celestia."

"I see" said Spandrell, "Welcome back to Gallifrey."

"Thanks" said Tails, "I just wanted to visit my friends."

"Of course, well I won't detain you then" was the reply, "I just wanted ask the Doctor if there were any problems."

"None whatsoever" said the Doctor, "I always enjoy visiting Bahamut and his family. I was happy to bring them here for Harry's Initiation."

"I'm glad" said Spandrell, "well Tails have a good time while you're here. Doctor why don't you take him over to the Academy? I'm sure his friends will be glad to see him."

"Thank you" said Tails, "I don't suppose my room is still available?"

"No it isn't" said Spandrell, "but you can use one of the guest rooms in the Prydonian house."

"Good" said the Doctor.

(To Be Continued)

A/N: And that's that. The Doctor sure gets around, doesn't he? And Tails is now back on Gallifrey. We'll see what happens there in the next chapter so please be sure to come back for it!

Until next time...