A/N: new chappie! enjoy!

Chapter 14: Fourteen Villagers

"Will," the Doctor called to him as he, Robin and John led the Doctor and Olivia through the woods, the Doctor gripping Olivia's hand, tightly. "When you say you hear marching, what does it sound like?"

"Heavy…and loud," Will replied, moving a tree branch out of the way and let the Doctor pull Olivia past him as he added, "But I've only heard the marching once."

"And the humming?" Olivia wondered as Will stepped up next to her.

"Much more," he nodded. "I'll tell you when I hear it."

"Might be too late by then," the Doctor replied in a low tone.

"Well, aren't you in a cheery mood?" John shot back, making Olivia bite her lower lip to hold back her giggle, but looked ahead when Robin suddenly stopped.

"Everyone quiet," he ordered, making everyone freeze, their gazes darting around the brush. John raised his staff and Will drew his dagger as the Doctor pulled Olivia closer to him.

"What is it?" she whispered, but Robin shushed her before they heard the bushes around them rustle. They all remained still as they heard an indistinct voice come from the bushes ahead, and Robin drew an arrow, setting it in his bow to be ready to shoot it.

"Nobody panic…but I think we have company," the Doctor whispered before a bush moved and Robin took aim at it.

"Show yourself!" he boomed before a woman with long red hair in leathers and a sword on her hip revealed herself, making his eyes widen as he lowered his bow and arrow. "Marian, what the blazes are you doing here?!"

"Looking for you," she replied before glancing to the couple. "Who are they?"

"Hello!" the Doctor grinned, stepping up to her to take her hand and kiss it chastely with a bow, introducing, "Maid Marian! I'm the Doctor, this is Olivia. Hello."

"Maid Marian!" Olivia squeaked, jumping up and down next to the Doctor.

"Maid Marian," he nodded with a grin of his own.

"Sorry, could you stop saying my name, now?" Marian hoped as Robin approached her.

"Why are you looking for me?" he asked, drawing her attention to him.

"Your monster is being seen in the villages now," she explained. "It's taking people from there as well. Fourteen villagers so far."

"There's…more than one, actually," the Doctor reported.

"Marian, you shouldn't have come here," Robin warned, approaching her and taking her hand. "If the sheriff finds you—"

"I don't care about the sheriff, Robin!" she snapped. "There are people disappearing, and if someone doesn't do something soon, you will be blamed."

"I'm blamed for everything else already," Robin smirked, cheekily.

"Sorry," the Doctor called, stepping closer to them with Olivia in tow. "Hate to interrupt, but did you say people have seen them?"

"Only one of them," Marian nodded, looking to them.

"Which village?" he asked. "Could you show me? I'd like to speak with them."

Marian frowned as she looked to Robin and he nodded, "They're investigating this mystery. It's alright, Marian."

"Very well," she nodded. "Follow me."

Olivia hopped next to the Doctor to keep herself from squealing at the people they were meeting as Marian led the group through the woods toward the village.

"I keep waiting for Friar Tuck to stumble out from somewhere, drunk as a skunk," she giggled.

"Maybe he's in the village," the Doctor smiled before glancing around at the group then leaned next to her ear to whisper, "Maybe he can pardon us our sins last night?"

"Doctor!" she half gasped half giggled, shoving on his shoulder, blushing as he chuckled. "It's not a sin if you're married."

"If it doesn't feel like a sin then we're not doing it right," he whispered.

"You're terrible, Mr. Sigma," she smirked.

"Only with you, Mrs. Sigma," he smirked back, pulling her closer and kissing her cheek before Robin and John parted some brush.

Olivia gasped at the sight of the partially destroyed village, roofs of the houses that remained standing were on fire, being put out by villagers running around with buckets of water.

"Why did it attack the village?" she breathed as they headed for the village.

"Won't know until we know what it is," the Doctor murmured as they stepped farther into the village, passing houses and women and children crying.

"I only see women and children," Olivia noted. "Where've the men gone?"

"They went after it."

All eyes turned to one of the buildings they'd stopped next to and watched a fat man in friar's robes stumbling out of the door with a bottle in his hand, making Olivia smack her hand into the Doctor's chest as he approached, and he gasped as she did, his breath being taken away, slightly.

"Friar Tuck," Robin called, smirking at the holy man's drunkenness as he approached to help him toward the group. "Tell me you indulged after this attack and not during?"

"Of course," Tuck hiccupped, dropping his empty bottle before beckoning them to follow him, adding, "But you need to see this."

"Well, apparently not primitive," the Doctor murmured as they all followed Tuck and Olivia frowned up at him. "Hardly advanced, but this was an organized attack."

Olivia swallowed before asking, "Organized…as in…?"

"I'm not sure yet, Liv," he whispered, knowing what she was thinking.

"Here," Tuck called, pointing to something in the grass. Will knelt next to it to examine it as the Doctor stepped up to do the same.

"It's a burn," John retorted. "Nearly everything here is burnt."

"But look at it," Will insisted as Olivia pushed through to follow the Doctor and have a look. "There's a pattern."

"A distinct pattern," the Doctor nodded.

"I've seen that somewhere before," Olivia murmured in thought.

"They said the thing that made it looked nothing like a man," Marian explained.

"But Will said he saw something that did look like a man," Olivia recalled.

"So, we're dealing with two different creatures," the Doctor summarized. "One humanoid, one definitely not humanoid…that can fly."

"Fly?" Robin frowned at him.

"Like a bird?" Will frowned as well, still kneeling near the burn.

"This was no bird," Tuck reported.

"Whatever made this was not of this Earth," the Doctor nodded as he stood tall.

"I've seen this somewhere before, I know it," Olivia growled at herself.

"Do you know what did this or not?" John questioned, impatiently.

"No," the Doctor replied as Olivia glanced around. "Well, not yet. Working on it."

"It looks like we've walked into a warzone," Olivia breathed.

"That's it!" the Doctor shouted with a grin, making everyone jump and stare at him. "It's a warzone! Whatever these things are, they're not helping each other. They're fighting each other! That's why they're sneaking around, taking in their surroundings, creating stratagems."

"But why kidnap people?" Olivia asked.

"Prisoners of war?" Robin guessed.

"Don't know," the Doctor admitted. "Working on it. Might help if I had witness."

"At your service, Doctor," Truck hiccupped before kneeling in a patch of dirt to drag his finger over it. "It's too strange to describe. You'll get a better idea if I draw it."

The group huddled around him as he drew the thing and Olivia grabbed onto the Doctor's arm as they both stared huge eyes at the drawing.

"What the devil is that?" John frowned in confusion.

"I've seen that!" Will announced, excitedly, looking to Olivia. "That's the strange one I told you about, Olivia. Olivia?"

"No," she breathed, shaking her head in disbelief as the Doctor looked to her, reaching toward her to keep a hold of her arm. "Not again…please!"

"What is it?" Robin demanded as the Doctor kept his attention on Olivia.

"You've seen this before, haven't you?" Marian guessed, all eyes on Olivia's reaction as she continued shaking her head, tears coming to her eyes.

"Too many times," the Doctor confessed, pulling Olivia closer to him, meeting her gaze with his and she burst into sobs, letting him wrap his arms around her so she could sob into his chest.

"Well, what the bloody hell is it?" John snapped as the Doctor tried hushing Olivia's sobs before looking to the group in regret.

"A Dalek," he reported. "It's called a Dalek."

"A what?" Will frowned as he and Tuck stood and stepped closer around them.

"I've fought them many times before," the Doctor explained. "They're evil and would not hesitate to kill every single person in this village. Why it left so many alive, or took fourteen of the villagers, I can't fathom right now. Honestly, I don't think it was the Dalek that took them, but I will find out their plan and I swear I will destroy every single one of them."

They all watched him for a moment, and Robin noticed something in his eyes that told him there was far more to the Doctor's past with the Daleks.

"Why is she crying?" Robin questioned of Olivia as the Doctor still held her.

"She's terrified of them," he replied, without hesitation, kissing her head and gently stroking her hair to calm her. "I have to get her back to my ship. Can you lead us through the forest back to the place you found us? My ship isn't far from that spot."

Robin nodded before turning to the group to explain the plan to get back to the camp. The Doctor hugged Olivia tightly before pulling one hand up to gently grip her chin and bring her gaze up to his.

"Wait for me in the TARDIS while I sort this out," he told her as she chewed on her lower lip before nodding, pitifully. "I'll be back in that box in two shakes, yeah?"

She nodded again with a sniffle as he brushed a thumb over her cheek to wipe away the tears that rolled down onto it.

"I'm sorry I'm so useless when it comes to Daleks," she shuddered, lowering her face to wipe the rest of her tears away.

"Not your fault, darling," he murmured. "You've been traumatized by these monsters far too many times."

"But you've encountered them far more times than I have, and you're still fearless," she sniffled and he pressed a hand gently under her jaw to lift her chin again to meet her gaze.

"Liv, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret of mine," he whispered, making her frown in wonder but she remained silent. "There are three things in the entire universe that I am terrified of. The first, is losing you, the second, is losing Amelia, and the third…is Daleks. I may not show it, but as much as I hate them, I'm also afraid of them. The ruthlessness and absolute hatred they have for all things frightens me, along with the damage they can do with that hatred. You are not alone in your fears, my love."

Olivia's tears welled up again before she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly as he hugged her as well, noticing Robin approach them again.

"If you still want to see the darker parts of the forest, John and I will take you there while Will and Marian escort Olivia to your ship," he told them.

"No, I have to get her the ship," the Doctor refused, still holding onto her. "But thank you. We'll drop her off before we go…hunting, so to speak."

Robin nodded as Olivia finally released the Doctor and rested her head on his chest, curling up in his arms as he still held her. Robin waved at the group to follow him, explaining the change in plans on the way.

"I can take you back home if you'd like," he whispered. "Quick trip, and you'll be safe with Amelia, Joyce and Aaron while I get this sorted."

"No," she shuddered, shaking her head. "If you take me back, you might not get back here at the right time. I'll just…stay in the TARDIS."

"Well, you sound thrilled about that," he retorted, wrapping an arm around her waist to lead her after the group heading back into the woods.

"You know I don't like just sitting around waiting, but I'm not gonna argue with you about Daleks."

The Doctor gave a small sigh as he pulled her close to press a kiss to her head while they still walked, and she decided to change the subject.

"Why are they here?" she wondered. "And why would it leave people alive? Or kidnap people? Daleks shoot to kill."

"Warzone, Liv, remember?" he replied, following her subject change. "The Dalek is only part of the story. The other half, and the reason they're here is still out there."

"People disappearing," she murmured, more to herself in thought than to him. "Marching…man as tall as a tree…"

"Are you on it for me, Liv?" he smiled, making her look up at him and smile back with a nod.

"I'm on it, Doctor," she assured him as she stopped with the group, making them both look ahead in wonder.

"Ooh! What's this?" the Doctor grinned, still holding onto Olivia. "A dark part of the forest? That looks ominous. Brilliant."

"This is the shortest route to get back to your ship from here, Doctor," Robin explained. "It's also where most of the sightings have been made."

"Again…brilliant," the Doctor muttered, as Olivia bit the corner of her lip, nervously and he chirped, "Right! New plan. Girls, stay here. Boys, lead the way."

"You're just gonna leave us here by ourselves?!" Olivia snapped as he lowered his arm from her waist.

"No!" he objected. "Of course not! Will, stay with them, if you please?"

He began sauntering ahead with Robin and John but was stopped by Olivia.

"We need to stay together, Doctor," she called, making him turn around and face her. "If that Tin Can is still out there, it'll pick us off one by one if we separate."

"She has a point," John admitted, making the Doctor sigh in inevitable defeat. "With something like this, strength is usually in numbers."

"Not really helping, John," the Doctor whispered.

"I'll not have Marian follow us in there," Robin objected.

"I can take care of myself," Marian retorted, crossing her arms in front of her.

"This is no mere man, Marian," Robin replied. "This is something very different."

"I am aware, and I am coming with you," Marian argued, making Robin sigh and look to the Doctor for help, but the Time Lord only shrugged.

"Much as I hate it, we won't win, mate," the Doctor admitted before turning to Olivia and holding his hand out toward her. She hurried toward him and took it in a tight grip before they all turned toward the darkened forest. "Onward we go."

They went forward, cautiously, all eyes darting around the darkening surroundings, Olivia's hand tightening around the Doctor's with each step they took.

"Stay together, now," the Doctor whispered. "No wandering off, and stay as quiet as possible."

Their silence was his confirmation that they would obey, but when some leaves rustled, Will whirled around, whipping out his dagger and ready to attack as Olivia looked toward him with wide eyes.

"Can't start jumping at every little thing, Will," Olivia warned, reaching out and pulling at his arm, urging, "Come on."

The brush rustled again, making him turn to it again when it sounded louder.

"Stop, stop, stop. Everyone, stop," the Doctor ordered in a hushed tone, making everyone freeze to notice the ground trembling under their feet. He strained his hearing before he frowned, then breathed in realization, "No…it can't be."

"That's the marching I heard," Will reported.

"Not good," the Doctor chirped, as the marching came closer. "Run!"

The Doctor kept a hold on Olivia's hand as Olivia grabbed Will's free hand and dragged him after her, Robin grabbing Marian's arm as they all ran through the forest. The Doctor led the way with John bringing up the rear to protect them all. They continued running, until Marian shouted when she tripped and fell, making Robin and John stop to haul her back to her feet, but they all looked back to see trees and brush parting, revealing a tall, metal man.

"What is that thing?!" Marian shuddered.

Robin pulled an arrow, drew back his bow and shot at the thing, but the arrow only ricocheted off the metal, not even leaving a scratch.

"Cyberman!" the Doctor shouted, leaning over to grab Robin's shoulder and pull on him to follow. "Run!"

They all turned and ran without another word, dodging trees as the Cyberman marched after them, but when they reached a clearing, the dense foliage rustled ahead of them, making them stop dead in their tracks.

"Can it get any worse?!" Will snapped, twirling his dagger in his hand as Robin readied another arrow.

Olivia screamed a Dalek rolled out of the bushes and she backed into the Doctor who grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him and Will.

"You had to say it, didn't you?!" John snapped at Will.

"What do we do?!" Marian cried out, drawing her sword.

"Can we fight them?!" Robin questioned the Doctor as the group backed away from the Dalek and the sound of marching still came from behind them.

"Can't fight!" the Doctor confessed. "Just run!"

"You will be exterminated!" the Dalek shouted.

"Delete, delete," the Cyberman chanted from behind.

The Doctor turned to lead them toward a darker part of the woods where they could hide in a cluster of trees. They all ducked behind the thick brush to watch as the Cyberman and Dalek came upon each other, starting their fight. Olivia trembled and the Doctor pulled her closer, still watching the battle, as did the other four.

"What are they?" Will whispered in awe.

"Two of the worst races to meet in a dark forest when they're fighting each other," the Doctor replied before lifting his hands to grip Olivia's head and force her gaze to his. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, still shaking and panting before she complained, "This…This is the worst…date we've ever been on."

He couldn't help but smirk before scolding, "I told you to stay at the perimeter."

"Is there any way to defeat these things?" Robin hoped, drawing the Doctor's attention back to the battle but he still held onto Olivia.

"They're both shielded by armor," he explained. "Your arrows will be like mosquito bites when they hit them."

"What about swords?" Marian suggested. "Daggers?"

"You get close enough to use them, you're dead," Olivia reported, keeping her back turned to the fight as she sat on the ground. One look at that Dalek and she'd be useless. As it was the sound of its voice was making her tremble. "And that…Dalek has a secondary shield outside its armor for extra protection."

"Well what the blazes do we do, then?!" John snarled.

The Doctor didn't respond as he watched the fight closely. Something about this was all wrong. They were doing plenty of damage to the trees and bushes around them, but hardly any damage to each other. Each shot they fired at the other would miss, completely.

"Their targeting systems are gone," he breathed in realization. "That's why they keep hitting everything else. The technology here is primitive. They can't fix themselves here!"

"One mystery solved," Olivia muttered. "That doesn't explain why they're here."

"I have a better question," John piped up again. "How do we get out of here?!"

"We can get around them," Robin assured the group, crouching as he moved. "Follow me. Stay close."

They all followed him away from the battle as the Doctor wrapped his arm around Olivia to keep her close, but after a few yards, he stopped.

"Everyone stop," he whispered, making the group freeze and look to him in wonder as he only stared into space, listening intently.

"What now?" John whispered back.

"They're not fighting anymore," the Doctor reported. "I can't hear them."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Will wondered.

"No, because they would fight to the death," the Doctor reported. "So either one of them is dead…"

"Or something's attracted their attention to stop them…and they're heading after it," Olivia finished, trembling.

"Are you saying they're hunting us?" Robin frowned.

"One of them might be," the Doctor nodded.

"That is not reassuring," Will retorted as they all stared around the dark woods.

Marian let out a scream when she was suddenly pulled back by an invisible force into the woods.

"Marian!" Robin shouted and was about to run in that direction when the Doctor stepped toward him and pulled him back, Will and John at the ready to fight, their gazes darting around the darkness. Robin looked to the Doctor incredulously, snarling, "It's got Marian!"

"Will!" John shouted, and they all turned to see that Will had disappeared as well with a shout into the darkness.

"Doctor!" Olivia screamed as she was pulled back as well, making the Doctor stare on in terror.

"Olivia!" he shouted back, fighting the urge to run after her as well.

"Where have they gone?!" John demanded.

"We need to get out of here, now!" the Doctor ordered.

"But they've taken—!"

"We'll be no good to them dead!" the Doctor snarled at Robin. "We have to run!"

"You will not move!"

The three men whirled around to face the Dalek rolling toward them, and the Doctor shot his hands up in as John lifted his stick and Robin aimed an arrow at it.

"Identify! Identify! Identify!"

"I am Robin of the Hood," Robin growled, still aiming his arrow at the Dalek. "You will release the Maid Marian if you know what's good for you."

"The Dalek isn't the one that took them, Robin, trust me," the Doctor reported.

"We have trusted you, and now Marian's been kidnapped!" Robin snapped.

"She's alive," the Doctor assured him. "But we have to get out of here if we want to save them."

"You will identify!" the Dalek demanded.

"Your targeting system is kaput, yes?!" the Doctor snapped at the Dalek, drawing its eyestalk to him as he stepped forward, lowering his hands and glaring at the thing that haunted Olivia's nightmares, rage building in him that she wasn't by his side. "Which means you couldn't hit us if you tried."

He stared the thing down as it tried aiming at him and shot but missed him completely and hit the tree above the men instead. Robin and John ducked as the Doctor only stood still, glaring at it, his rage overpowering every other emotion he could have possibly had at that moment. He reached into his jacket pocket and aimed his Sonic Screwdriver at the Dalek, but didn't use it just yet as Robin and John stared at him in wide-eyed wonder.

"And since your targeting systems are down, my estimation would be that your shields are as well," the Doctor smirked, confidently. "Which means…I can do this."

He pressed the button and the Sonic hummed, the purple light glowing at the end of the silver wand before the Dalek sparked and settled, lowering its gun and eyestalk as the Doctor lowered his Sonic, glaring at the thing.

"Is it dead?" John wondered.

"Powered down," the Doctor replied before marching toward it. "It can still communicate. I need something from its databanks before we head back to the camp."

"And what about Marian, Will and Olivia?" Robin questioned as he and John watched him.

"We'll get them back," he assured him, using the Sonic on the Dalek head before meeting his gaze with a determined glare. "And I promise, they'll be safe."

A/N: so, Daleks and Cybermen. what do you think will happen? reviews?