Chapter Fourteen
Raven and Nightwing took cover amongst a group of rock pilings surrounding the TARDIS. They pointed their weapons at the distant armies making their way toward them.
"Raven," Nightwing said. "Mind if I ask you something?"
"Go ahead." she replied.
"What secret have you kept from us all these years? You know, about what it was you were up to?"
She sighed. "I told Garfield the secret during our reunion. I hoped to let all of you in on it in eighteen months."
"What was it?"
"I've been rebuilding my home of Azarath."
He stared at her. "Noble cause." he said. "I think I understand why it was a secret for you; it was something very personal."
"Yes." she sobbed. "It was."
"Well, don't you worry. You'll get a chance to finish it!"
"I sure hope so." she said, determinately.
In the TARDIS, Starfire assisted the Doctor. They worked to gain remote control of her ship and program its engines to overload.
"We've almost got it." the Time Lord said aloud.
He worked the computer a bit more.
"Got it!"
In the park, facing Titans Tower, the gold, spindle shaped craft came to life. It was ready to follow commands.
"You better go and help your friends." the Doctor said to Starfire.
She nodded, rushing to grab a weapon. "Good luck, Doctor!" she told him before exiting.
Cyborg accompanied the Doctor at the console.
"Now what?" he asked.
"Now, we pray." he answered as he began manipulating controls.
Outside, the battle was beginning. The Titans took alternately took shots at the Cybermen and Daleks. They returned fire, as well as trying to hit the TARDIS.
In the battalion of Cybermen, one received a command.
"Split up our forces to combat the Dalek threat!"
Half of the group changed course to meet the Daleks. The rest made way for the TARDIS.
The Daleks, who had now all landed, also divided their forces evenly.
It did not take long for all three forces to exchange fire. Daleks battled Cybermen, Cybermen fought Daleks, and the three Titans took shots at both. The resulting din from the massive volley of weapons fire resulted in a distinct air of an all out battle.
Nightwing could not recall any experiences he had that were similar to what he saw now. 'This is truly war.' he thought to himself as he fired his weapons.
In the TARDIS, the Doctor worked feverishly.
"Looks like we're in business!" he said.
"The let's kick some ass!" Cyborg cheered.
The Doctor gave the command.
Outside, the fight continued, unimpeded. Then, both metal armies stopped, as if dazed.
"Intense magnetic disturbance has been detected!" a Dalek announced.
"Pay it no mind!" another said. "Exterminate all that stand in our way!"
The battle resumed.
"It's working!" the Doctor announced as he consulted his computer screen. "The field strength is already nearing its peak!"
"Good job!" Cyborg told him.
"Now for phase two."
With that, the Doctor then ordered Starfire's ship to hover a hundred yards in the air. The thing rose into the sky, the sunlight glinting off it.
The Dalek leader noticed it. "Identify that vessel!" it ordered.
"It is of unknown origin." a subordinate said. "No life readings detected. Power levels of the vessel are approaching critical."
The Dalek leader considered the situation. Then, it came into its mind! The increase in magnetic energy! The flight of the TARDIS, the arrival of this ship, about to detonate its reactors! The Doctor's plan was clear now!"
"Launch missiles at that vessel! Destroy it! Now!!!"
In the TARDIS, the Doctor smiled.
"Ready and waiting." he said.
"Give them hell, Doctor." Cyborg told him.
The Time Lord took a deep breath.
"Please just give me this one." he muttered.
Then, he pushed the button.
The Dalek ship fired a missile at Starfire's ship, in hopes of destroying it before it could detonate and unleash a powerful electromagnetic pulse.
But the missile was a good fraction of a second too late.
The explosion burned in the sky like a second sun before subsiding. And then, a series of lighting strikes occurred.
The armies of the Daleks and Cybermen stopped dead in their tracks. The Daleks then appeared to careen about widely.
"Alert! Alert! Hazardous magnetic influence! Can not control!"
The cries of the Daleks were heard everywhere. "I am loosing control! Can not control!"
Finally, one by one, they exploded.
The Cybermen faired no better. They dropped their weapons, clutching their chests or their heads, screaming in a bloodcurdling tone. They too exploded.
The Titans got up from their hiding spots to observe the action.
Before a word could be said, they observed a staggering site as the huge Dalek ship rose into the sky. It appeared to be about to leave, but then it plummeted back to Earth like a meteor. It was heading straight for the Cybermen's ship.
The Titan's quickly realized the danger and ran inside the TARDIS.
"Take cover!" Nightwing yelled as he shut the door.
Outside, the Dalek ship smashed into its enemy counterpart. Both were consumed in a fantastic fireball. The blast consumed the TARDIS, but the hardy time ship survived.
A few minutes later, the occupants of the TARDIS stepped outside.
There was no sign of the Dalek's vessel or the Cybermen's. It was as if they never existed. Only a large, smoldering crater gave evidence of their having been on Earth.
The Doctor stared at the wreckage and then smiled.
"Didn't I tell you lot that I'd come up with a plan?"