Disclaimer: I do not own WordGirl or Doctor Who. PBS and BBC own them respectively.
Fun fact: Susan's name in High Gallifreyan, according to some expanded universe works, is Arkytior...which is the Gallifreyan word for 'Rose'.
WordGirl and Doctor Who in...
THE CHOICE OF THE HERO!
Narrator: Listen for the words 'Fugitive' and 'Priority.'
When we last saw WordGirl and her team, they had just gotten Captain Huggyface out of Lexiconian court, and met WordGirl's Lexiconian parents, Arbiter Radjusticier and his wife, librarian Saldicticies! But then the happy reunion was cut short by the arrival of the Anti-Literate, the mysterious armored fugitive who had been terrorizing Planet Lexicon!
The Anti-Literate drifted downwards, where everyone had suddenly went after WordGirl told them to.
"Argh! What's it going to take to keep you out of my way, WordGirl? I give you a chance to stop defending these evil word-lovers, and still you choose to fight me! WordGirl, you've forced me to take drastic measures against you..."
"SIEZE HIM!" shouted a black-clothed guard, and several of his friends shot up after the villain...but the Anti-Literate was too quick for them, and he opened up the flap on his chest-armor, revealing the glowing Lexonite crystal! Everyone who leaped upwards was sent hurtling downwards, to be caught by aliens in floating platforms!
"Urg...Your nothing to hear! You a feukitiff with a few keat recks!" said the Grand Arbiter, weakly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, were you trying to say something? HAHAHA! It appears that words are failing you all...GOOD! If only the whole planet were like you..."
Captain Huggyface screeched at him, to which he responded: "No, I am not just a fugitive with a few 'cheap tricks'. I am the hero who will undo all the damage Lexicon and it's people have inflicted upon the universe."
"Just look at this place! You call this a place of justice, yet it is run by the real villains! You claim your priority is to eliminate evil, yet all you do here is spread it! Every single one of you, you're blindly making the problem worse!"
Everyone listened to the Anti-Literate's rant, in utter confusion. "This fugitive has nuts for brains!" whispered one square-headed alien to his friend.
"Yeah, but what can we do?"
"I heard that." said the Anti-Literate, frightening the squareheads off their floating platform. "And, in answer to your question, there's only one thing that can be done here..."
And before anyone could say anything more, the Anti-Literate turned towards the ground, his eyepiece glowed a bright red...and then it released a bright red beam of light, that caused whatever it touched to burst into flames! As the multitude present began screaming, the Anti-Literate swung the beam all over, barely missing all the people...but setting a good portion of the walls ablaze!
"Now there is nothing for you to do here...except pay for your crimes. Farewell."
Suddenly, just as the Anti-Literate began to float away a buzzing noise echoed throughout the massive tower...immediately followed by the 'click' of a door opening!
"Run, everyone!" shouted the Doctor, directing everyone to a ground-exit. "Get somewhere safe!"
Instead of trying to stop the masses from rushing to the exit, the Anti-Literate simply floated back down in shock: "Was that a...sonic screwdriver?"
"So what...if it is?" said WordGirl, the volume of her voice weakened by Lexonite. "He's sailing the lives you put in danjerr!"
"I know...I thought he had other priorities...Regardless, there's nowhere they can run from me. I'll give them what they deserve eventually."
"Sorry, but that's not goina happen!" exclaimed WordGirl, feebly; "Weether it's me, or somordy elle, you will be stopped!"
"Oh, but it's definitely going to be somebody else. Because I'm going to take care of your interference here and now..."
At this point, just as the Anti-Literate began to float towards WordGirl, Radjusticier and Saldicticies suddenly jumped on him and shouted: "We just got our doutorr back, you're not taking her away!"
"Um, hello? I'm here to take everything from everyone here. Why should you be given any special treatment?"
And with that, the Anti-Literate grabbed both Lexiconians in his massive claws...and then paused. "Hold on a second...you're...WordGirl's family...You know what? You will get special treatment after all. Just not the kind you were expecting"
Then, holding them effortlessly in his arms, The Anti-Literate floated away from WordGirl. Radjusticier and Saldicticies struggled weakly, but it was useless; they were practically inches away from the Lexonite on the Anti-Literate's chest, and it was too powerful for them.
"WordGirl, ever since you bested me at the City Research Tower, I have refused to underestimate you. But now, I'm curious...If I hide these two somewhere, and then continue on with my plan, which would you place in higher priority? Stopping me, or saving your parents?"
As WordGirl stared in shock, the Anti-Literate continued: "The choice is yours: Either try and stop me, and let them be lost forever in the darkness...or search for them, and let me win."
Then, the Anti-Literate turned around: "And as for you!... I thought I knew you, I thought you were better than this. And here you are, rushing to the defense of the Lexiconians...if you have any common sense left within you, you'll take Arkytior and leave this planet while you still can." As the Anti-Literate said that, everyone who hadn't already left turned to look at whoever he could be talking to...and all eyes fell on the Doctor.
And with that, the Anti-Literate didn't speak any more; he just cranked his jetpack up to maximum power, and shot off into the sky. No sooner did he leave, than white-garbed rescue workers flew in and extinguished the flames with their ice-breath, before attending to those too disoriented or hurt to move.
…...
…...
WordGirl, still dizzy from the Lexonite, found herself being tended to by Seycurea. She said to her: "Don't worry yourself too much; there's nothing anyone could have done."
"But...they were my parents! They should mean something to me...and I feel like I just let them go!"
"You'll get your strength back soon...and then we can search for them. Together."
"R..really?"
"Of course." said a nearby black-clothed policeman, who WordGirl quickly recognized as Kienforzar. "And as for me and Dyarrestir, we'll be going after the Anti-Literate...at least, as much as we will be able."
"What sort of police officers would we be if we didn't?" added the other officer, Dyarrestir: "The Anti-Literate's a fugitive – someone who's fleeing from arrest or some other type of persecution, usually as a result of being accused of a crime! It's our job to hunt them down!"
"And it's my job to rescue people in danger." said Seycurea. "And I won't rest until your parents are safe."
Captain Huggyface joined in as well, screeching something unintelligible, but encouraging.
"Aw, you guys are the best!"
Just then, the Doctor walked up to them, and said: "Well, you seem to have things all settled here. But as for me, I truly must be off. You remember my priorities."
"Yeah, keep on the move and keep Susan safe. It's OK, we'll have Astellakar to take us home after all. I'm sorry to have kept you for so long."
"Oh no, WordGirl. Don't be sorry – I was very happy with the time we spent together. I shall look forward to meeting you again in the future...or rather, the past, if what you've told me is correct." The Doctor then gave a heartfelt smile before walking away, and calling for Susan...
"Susan! We must be going...Susan? Where are you, my dear?"
*(one scene transition later)*
This was definitely not one of her brightest ideas.
She felt like screaming, but that was out of the question: clinging to the wing-case of the Anti-Literate, a scream would alert him to her presence.
Flying at high speed, she felt the wind whip against her face, trying to pull her off and deposit her on the ground below...but here again, she couldn't let that happen. WordGirl, her grandfather, and all of Lexicon were counting on her holding on, and not having a sudden fall force her to regenerate.
She couldn't afford to scream. She couldn't afford to let go. And she most definitely couldn't afford to lose the special item she had shoved on her finger in haste. Because if Susan did any of those, there would be terrible consequences. The Anti-Literate would continue his nigh-unstoppable crime spree, and do terrible things to the people of this peaceful planet Lexicon. And so she bit down, and held on for dear life...
"What're you doing here? It's too dangruss!" exclaimed Radjusticier, weakly.
And just like that, everything she had hoped for went out the window. The Anti-Literate turned his head, and noticed her.
He paused in his flight, and asked: "Who are you? And what do you think you can...wait..Arkytior?"
Susan gasped: "Oh, umm...you must have me confused with someone else. My name's Susan-"
"Whatever you call yourself now, I know your Gallifreyan name. Your true name. I know your grandfather as well...he calls himself 'The Doctor' now, doesn't he?"
Inside, Susan was panicking. And she could bet the Anti-Literate knew this as well as she did, for some reason. However, she held it in for just a little longer: "Y-y-do you know why he called himself that? Because he wanted to help people! He made that name as a promise to the universe! And I intend to help him with that promise!"
"By helping those who actively allow people to get hurt? You're off to a shaky start on that front, as is your grandfather. Both of you need to rethink your priorities..."
"But...but you're the fugitive who keeps talking about putting innocent people in danger!"
"They're NOT innocent! They are guilty of the worst crimes in the universe! And defending them is a crime in and of itself! And crimes must be punished..."
Then, suddenly, the Anti Literate spun around so Susan was in his grasp, along with WordGirl's parents! "Tell you what; I'll let you experience the price of defending evil, alongside these two; and then I'll return you to the Doctor, so you can set him straight too."
And with that, the Anti-Literate zipped off once again; and Susan, though she smiled inwardly at a plan that appeared to be working so far, outwardly she let out a scream.
*(one scene transition later)*
A scream which was heard by Seycurea, WordGirl, and a few others!
"Wait...that sounded like Susan!" exclaimed WordGirl, catching the attention of the Doctor.
"What? What sounded like Susan?"
"A scream, sir; I think she – whoever Susan is, might be in trouble!" exlcaimed Seycurea. "When was the last time you saw her, WordGirl?"
"In this very...courtroom..." the Doctor replied in place of WordGirl, suddenly realizing what this meant: "You don't mean..."
"The Anti-Literate has her." noted Dyarrestir solemnly. "That means we know as much about where she is as we know where that fugitive took Arbiter Radjusticier and his wife."
"..."
The Doctor stood there, paralyzed. "But..I was supposed to protect her...that was my highest priority... and I failed her at this crucial moment..."
"I guess the Anti-Literate doesn't want you interfering in his plans as well." commented Dyarrestir.
"But I wasn't a threat to him! I was going to leave, even if he hadn't threatened me! I needed to get Susan out of here before...before...bleh, it doesn't matter anymore. I cannot leave now. Not while she's in danger."
Suddenly, the Lexonite's influence finally fading from her mind completely, WordGirl exclaimed: "That's it!"
"What?"
"What if...that's what she wanted?"
You mean..
"Here you are," The Anti-Literate proclaimed. "The place where you will be spending the remainder of this planet's existence."
Radjusticier, Saldicticies, and Susan looked downward...and saw the entrance to a cave. Hidden behind a veritable gauntlet of buildings and trees (as was their captor), and from the looks of things only recently uncovered.
Susan struggled, but in vain: The Anti-Literate's claws held her too strongly. "When my grandfather finds out..."
"IF he finds out...he'll do nothing! I know he tries to separate himself from the Time Lords; he even made himself a fugitive from their laws! But there is one similarity the Doctor will never rid himself of: He. Doesn't. Get. Involved. So you'll stay here until you learn your lesson, Arkytior."
So, the Anti-Literate floated on down, carrying his helpless captives into the darkness...not bothering to notice something blue falling from Susan's hand...
Of course! I need to...
"How could she have wanted to put herself in danger?"
"The way the conversation's going," said Kienforzar, "It's because she knew you'd get her out of it."
"Susan must have known you could help find my parents, and didn't want you to leave!" explained WordGirl. "She still wants to stay and help!"
"But how?" asked the Doctor, "If that's what she wanted, why didn't she tell me? Why didn't she at least leave me something to follow her with?"
Um...perhaps that's why she took your ring?
"What do you mean, mister – oh!" Suddenly, the Doctor felt his finger, and noticed that his ring, the one with the Metebelis crystal, was missing!
"It's gone! But how do you-"
I'm not just a voice; Another priority of mine get the story going sometimes when we really need to speed things along. And frankly, we've had too much depressing stuff lately. Time for some happy things to talk about!
The Doctor paused, taking in what had just happened...and, with a sigh, he said: "Very well Susan. If you want me to play the hero one more time...then let's get down to it. But first, I must ask someone...Are there any archives, storage holds, or any other such places that contain Metebelis crystals on the planet?"
"I could help with that!" exclaimed Dyarrestir, "We police should know where things are supposed to be, so they can be returned if they're stolen! Should just take me a minute..."
Dyarrestir pulled out a machine from inside his belt, and pressed a few buttons... and then showed it to the Doctor, saying: "Here's where Metebelis Crystals are supposed to be."
"Right. Well, then we can exclude them from our search, assuming the Anti-Literate isn't on to us by now."
"If Susan's anything like you, He probably isn't." said WordGirl, leaving the Doctor unsure of whether or not he should be flattered.
"Err...Hmm...Well, let's...let's get on with it."
And with that, the Doctor took his cane...and snapped the top off! Before WordGirl could have a chance to be confused, or ask 'don't you need that?", he shook the long stick part, shook it...and out of a hole where the top was, popped out a familiar-looking metal tube-shaped device!
"...you keep your sonic screwdriver in your cane?"
"I don't like to rely on it, but...er, the inventor told me it was specifically designed to get me out of certain types of jams. Like today!"
"You see," the Doctor went on to explain, "my ring has a Metebelis Crystal embedded in it, and Metebelis Crystals have funny effects on the sonic screwdriver's signal! If I showed one of you Lexiconians what it sounds like..."
"...we can use that to locate Susan, and hopefully the Arbiter and his wife!" exclaimed Kienforzar. "How about you guys do that, while me and Dyarrestir track down the fugitive Anti-Literate?"
"That sounds perfect!" exclaimed WordGirl. "Huggy, D - Old Man, call it a hunch but we might see some Lexonite when we find them. Me and Seycurea will need your help."
Both, in their respective languages, said "You can count on me!"
Dyarrestir gave WordGirl an advanced-looking walkie talkie, intending to use it to signal her when they've found the Anti-Literate and she's finished her rescue mission. And with a plan thus concieved, the whole team left with a triumphant "WOOOORRRRD UP!"
YES! Finally, something happy is happening! Nothing could possibly – wait, no no no no NO! Phew! I almost said 'nothing could possibly go wrong,' and – ACK! I said it!
From a hiding spot on in a window of an abandoned building, the Anti-Literate watched white, black and red streaks zip across the sky of Lexicon. "Great...heh heh heh...Now that they're busy, I can finally put my plan into motion. I just need to collect one more piece and then-"
Suddenly a buzzing noise interrupted the Anti-Literate in the middle of his speech!
"Wait...No, it can't be! That's the Doctor's sonic screwdriver! But...he's supposed to...GAH! I've been a fool! I should have known; his non-interference was out of concern for Arkytior's safety! Threaten that...and he's joined the side of evil to save her."
"Well, so be it. If he wishes to forsake the protection of my respect for him, then he and I are enemies from here on out. And I shall do what enemies do...fight back."
*(one scene transition later)*
"I hear something, WordGirl! She must be near!" shouted Seycurea as she zipped down to ground level...so fast, the Doctor could barely hold on to the walls of his TARDIS, clutched in Seycurea's hands! Captain Huggyface, who had much more experience riding on a Lexiconian's back, had a much better time holding on when WordGirl did the same.
They found themselves in a remote alleyway, overgrown with moss and vines. A quick buzz of the sonic screwdriver (by a dizzy Doctor) showed them where the Doctor's ring was, confirming that Susan had gone that way.
"Right...we've found the ring. Trail ends here. New priority: Search for clues!" exclaimed the Doctor.
Just as WordGirl began to think: 'what if there aren't any?', Captain Huggyface leaned on a moss-covered wall...and fell over as something shifted! He screeched his findings to everyone else, who peeled away the moss to reveal an entrance!
"Well, that's not in the least suspicious!" the Doctor said, sarcastically. Without any further words, the group entered.
Eventually, the Doctor spoke up again: "Hang on: I know about these tunnels! Astellakar told me; they were the old refuges from Lexonite storms, when meteors would knock some pieces out of the Lexonite zone! They were abandoned when the Lexiconians got the idea to put energy-domes above the cities!...and then closed off when it turned out Fugitives liked to hide in them!"
"Obviously the Anti-Literate found an entrance, and has been using them." said WordGirl, "Would explain how he's been able to travel throughout the city virtually undetected."
"Hopefully he isn't using this one at the-" Suddenly Seycurea was interrupted as both her and WordGirl picked something up with their super-hearing: moans of someone in pain! They grabbed Huggy and the Doctor and zipped down the tunnel at super-speed...
...and stopped suddenly, as they neared a certain glowing substance. "Okay, you'll need to take it from here." they said to Huggy and the Doctor.
When they went on ahead, to Huggy's delight, they found Radjusticier and Saldicticies, curled up in the middle of the room in ropes, around a Lexonite crystal. He screeched down back through the tunnel, and WordGirl and Seycurea yelled approvingly: "Great work, Captain Huggyface! Can you untie them?" to which Huggy answered with a positive screech. As for the Doctor, he found Susan stuffed away in a corner, similarly bound. A few quick motions, and all the captives were freed.
"Ohh...Grandfather!" Exclaimed Susan, who leaped into her grandfather's arms. "I knew you'd come for us!"
"I came for you, Susan! I was so frightened!" cried the Doctor in a mix of happiness, relief and a little bit of anger.
"I'm sorry, Grandfather. I promise I won't do it again...but I couldn't sit by and do nothing, while the Anti-Literate's kidnapping of these people makes him untouchable! And now, thanks to your help, stopping that monster can be the Lexiconians' top...ooh, what's the word?"
"I think you mean 'priority,' Susan." said the Doctor. "It means 'a thing that is regarded as more important than another.' Rescuing you was more important to me than anything else, so that made it my top priority!"
"Thanks, Grandfather...I think I'm a little dazed from all the excitement." said Susan with a weak laugh.
*(one scene transition later)*
Leaving the Lexonite behind, all three captives were taken outside, and Seycurea began restoring their health with the technology on her belt. They claimed that 'seeing their daughter alive and well was all the medicine they needed,' but Seycurea insisted.
The Doctor walked up to WordGirl, a still-faint Susan clinging to him for support. "Well, I suppose there's nothing standing between you and the Anti-Literate now, hmm?"
"Nope! You can go now if you must!" said WordGirl, who then turned towards the communicator she got from the policemen: "Dyarrestir, Kienforzar, this is WordGirl! We've found the Anti-Literate's captives, how are you guys doing?"
"No good, the trail's gone cold." said the grim voice of Dyarrestir: "We don't know where the fugitive is, but we think we may know what he's doing."
"What?"
"Turns out the fires he started were distractions from his robberies. There were missing items at all the locations he's hit. And after presenting them to an engineer, they told us...The Anti-Literate has all he needs to build a tractor beam."
"Now what would he want with -" WordGirl began to say, but suddenly a loud voice cut through the air:
"ATTENTION ALL TIME LORDS! THIS IS THE ANTI-LITERATE! SEND THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR HIGH COUNCIL: THE FUGITIVE THETA SIGMA, THE ONE YOU CALL 'THE DOCTOR', IS ON LEXICON, INTERFERING WITH MY PLANS! HIS GRAND-DAUGHTER ARKYTIOR, IS HERE AS WELL, CALLING HERSELF 'SUSAN'! YOU KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES: SEND WORD FOR THEIR ARREST!"
*(one scene transition later)*
Elsewhere on Lexicon, two Time Lords on visit from Gallifrey heard the Anti-Literate's announcment. "Someone like that? Commanding us?" laughed one, "He doesn't honestly expect us to-"
"He does." said the other one, utterly serious in his expression; "And he's right: I know he's evil, but we cannot interfere in the affairs of Lexicon. The Doctor interfered, and for that, we have to report him to the High Council."
With grim resignation on his face, the Time Lord pulled a series of white tiles out of his robes, folded them into a cube...and tossed it into the air, where it teleported itself to Gallifreyan Panopticon. The information contained within landed right in the collective laps of the High Council of Time Lords.
*(one scene transition later)*
"Oh my..."
"Grandfather..."
Everyone stood in dumbfounded shock, until Seycurea finally broke the silence: "Susan...You're Arkytior aren't you? And you're..."
"The Doctor. Yes." admitted the Doctor, who prepared himself for Seycurea to blame him for lying...
...when she responded with: "Well you'd better get your TARDIS off-world then. They'll be coming for you...and you've done so much for us, it wouldn't be fair to see you punished."
"I agree with Seycurea," called Dyarrestir from the communicator. "Sure it'll be a legal nightmare justifying letting a fugitive escape, but we owe you that much."
"No, it won't work; somebody will probably have already sent a hypercube to the High Council. The Time Lords are already on their way, and they'll hijack my TARDIS or something if I try that."
"So...what now, Grandfather? What will happen to you? What do we do?"
"Susan...you've always wanted me to play the hero, but concern for your safety prevented me. Now...I have nothing to lose. We're seeing this through as long as we can." This brought a smile to Susan's face.
"Well, you won't have long to wait." said Kienforzar, "I've just figured out where the Anti-Literate was shouting from. It's the broadcasting tower, the tallest building in the city...far away from anything that might interfere with the operation of a tractor beam. I think he's making his move. If you want to stop him, we'll meet you there."
"Got it." said WordGirl, before hanging up...then turning to everyone and saying: "Well, this is it. Now or never. Our first priority – no, our only priority, is stopping the Anti-Literate's schemes and saving Planet Lexicon. Whoever's coming with me, make it known."
"I'm coming." said Susan.
"Where she goes, I go." said the Doctor.
Captain Huggyface screeched something to the effect of: "I will never leave your side."
"Go on," said Seycurea, "I'd join you if I could, but these two still need help."
"Be the superhero you said you were, daughter." said Radjusticier, and Saldicticies followed it up with: "Come back safe and victorious, Bejusticie."
WordGirl smiled, and then floated upwards, grabbing the Doctor's TARDIS as everyone except Seycurea and her parets boarded. The Doctor once again pulled his sonic screwdriver out of his cane, and said: "Well, let's not waste any more time! Word Up, as I believe you say."
Nothing more was said as they took off at top speed.
*(one scene transition later)*
The Anti-Literate put the last part in place, and the great machine whirred to life. With a laugh, he pressed a button, saying: "Just a test run.." as he did...
...and a bright green beam surged upward, ripping a hole in the dome above the city as it pulled the very energy itself towards the machine!
"HA HA HA! At last, the end of this wretched planet has come! Once I pull all the Lexonite asteroids out of orbit, the entire planet surface will be flattened! Lexicon will be uninhabitable for centuries, and the spread of languages will grind to a halt! EVIL WILL DISAPPEAR FROM THE UNIVERSE!"
"You won't get rid of evil by destroying Lexicon – Not that we'd ever let you!" shouted a familiar face, which had dropped a familiar-looking square object on the top of the building he stood on. And out of it...
"WordGirl. Doctor. Arkytior. Huggyface...You are all TOO LATE TO STOP ME!" shouted the Anti-Literate as he pressed the button once again, sending another green beam up into the sky.
Is this the end of Lexicon? Will the Anti-Literate's insane plan succeed, or will our heroes put a stop to it once and for all?
The stage is set for the final battle, and the only way to see the result is to tune in to epic conclusion for this Amazing, Colossal Adventure of WORDGIRL AND DOCTOR WHO!
Next Episode:
THE LAST STAND OF LANGUAGE
Out of a white void steps a well-dressed, white-haired old man...
Hello! I'm the Doctor! The original, you might say! And welcome to another edition of 'The Doctor's World!'
As you may have noticed, I have had at least a dozen faces throughout my adventures. Well, that happens because of a process called 'Regeneration.' The word Regenerate means 'formed or created again'.
If anyone's ever gone out lizard-hunting, sometimes they lose their tails when you grab them...only to grow them back within a few weeks! That's a form of regeneration!
For Time Lords, when we get too injured or weak, we regenerate, and heal ourselves completely...the only downside is that this changes our appearances, and in some cases personalities as well!
A series of faces appear: the Doctors.
Why, my own future regenerations have been quite varied over the centuries! I've been a giddy, stubborn old man (the First Doctor), and a kindly, athletic gentleman (The Third Doctor)! I've been a mature, intelligent and caring youngster (The Fifth Doctor), and an arrogant self-centered clown (The Sixth Doctor)! Why, I've even been a...
A picture of an old, bearded man in tattered clothes appears in the line of faces.
What the...how did that get in there? (rips the picture off the 'wall', and starts tearing it up) That's not the Doctor, that's –
Oh, ehh, *ahem*...you didn't see anything there...Back to the Show!
Who is John Hurt's 'Doctor'? We'll find out soon enough!
And hopefully now that i've gotten my writing momentum back, you'll see the end of the story at around that time!