The cavern was larger than it had ever seemed, the ceiling being at least fifty feet tall. The impossible words were scattered all over the walls, each one constantly changing and pulsing with its own faint light. There was so much light coming from the words, that it wasn't dark in the cavern at all, but illuminated with a, for lack of better word, magical glow.

The creature was off in one corner blending in with the wall behind it. It was a pale grey, but Alice could tell it was once incredibly beautiful, only reaching this worn state because of its great age. It picked its head up when they approached and let out a yawn. It looked at them with an amused glint in its eyes.

Took you long enough to get here, even by human standards. It said, but still laughed.

"Sorry," Alice said, addressing it out loud for once. It felt a bit odd doing so. "Can you speak, or is it all telepathic?" she asked, hoping she wasn't being rude.

Telepathic, the dragon replied, don't worry though, you should all be able to hear me.

The Doctor turned to Ida, and she nodded to say that she could indeed hear the creature.

"What kind of creature are you exactly?" the Doctor asked

The dragon regarded him with an amused look and said to Alice, I can see why you were worried about him little one, he seems to have a tendency to be a bit rude.

"I meant no rudeness!" the Doctor said

I know, the dragon told him, in fact it seems almost familiar. The same rude tone, and his mind is familiar… it looked at him closely. He stared right back.

"Shyfire!" the Doctor asked after a moment, breaking into a grin.

I'm still quite unsure why you decided to name me that, Shyfire said, but it is nice to see you again old friend.

Alice stared at both of them. "You know each other!" she asked

They both said "yes" and burst out laughing.

And I'm not sure why I didn't recognize him sooner. Doctor, Time Lord, a girl worrying about him, I must be getting old. You have changed though. It directed this last bit at the Doctor.

"I have regenerated quite a few times since the last time we met. Though you shouldn't talk much, since when were you grey!"

I've been this color for at least a hundred years now

Ida hadn't said anything until now, but finally brought up the courage and asked "so, I'm still confused, what exactly are you?"

A dragon of course! Shyfire laughed

"But I thought-"

Alice stopped her there "yeah, I'm nearly positive that's what we all thought." She turned back to the Doctor and Shyfire, who had started up their conversation again.

So how's life been for you?

"Good! What about you?"

Tiring, very tiring

"I hear you there"

So Doctor, what incarnation are you on now?

"Last one"

Already? You seem to be dying faster than I can blink! I would have believed you if you told me you were still on your tenth!

"It's not my fault!"

Of course it isn't

"I swear! It isn't!"

Shyfire refused to believe him.

"Um, if you don't mind, we're still here" Alice said, stopping the lovely reunion "and I thought you had an issue I needed to help you solve."

"What issue?" the Doctor asked her, but she waved him off.

Oh don't worry about it, I'm fine. I honestly came up with that on the spot, I don't need any help.

Alice frowned.

Sorry, but it is slightly amusing to watch humans go through all that trouble just to solve a problem that doesn't need solving, and then when they find that out! she laughed, but then looked at Alice, but you aren't human are you little one.

She shook her head "Hylian and proud of it" she said, grinning.

"Well, that's the mystery of Poosh solved then," Ida said.

"Yeah, now what?" Alice asked the Doctor

He looked at the dragon who stared right back at him with a bit of sadness in her eyes.

"Goodbye?" he asked

Hate to see you go so soon, but I think it is.

"I'm sure Alice won't mind if we stay awhile" the Doctor said

No, I'm sure she won't, but I don't want to keep you from the adventures you have ahead of you. At the rate you seem to be dying, you may not have all that long.

The Doctor gave the dragon a look "I may have longer than you think"

Whether you do or not is not my problem, I know I have places I need to be going. Shyfire stood up, stretched a second and let out a loud groan. Oh me and my stiff joints, I'm really getting old.

"Still not as old as me" the Doctor joked

I'm definitely getting there, Shyfire replied, grinning.

"Bye old friend" he said

Goodbye Doctor

"Bye Shyfire" Alice said

Goodbye little one…

They stood by the TARDIS outside of the cave a while later, after saying their goodbyes to the crew. Alice looked at the Doctor. He had ditched the jacket.

"She's gone" he said after a moment

Alice nodded, even though she didn't need telling. She had felt the dragon's presence leave her mind herself. "Think we'll ever see her again?"

The Doctor shrugged "no idea" he replied

There was a rush of wind and they looked back in the direction of where the base was. Or had been. A large city now stood in its place. They both stared at it in shock.

"Where'd that come from?" Alice asked

"I don't know" the Doctor replied

"Well, whatever happened here, it sure was magical" she said

The Doctor looked at her. "I don't believe in magic" he said

"How can you be friends with a dragon and not believe in magic?" Alice asked

He shrugged in response. "You want to go?" he asked, nodding at the city

Alice shook her head "Nah, I think I've had enough of Poosh for now"

"Good point." The Doctor went back inside the TARDIS, and Alice followed.

They were gone quickly.

glad that's over. bet no one saw that twist coming did they? Honestly, neither did I.