'This was a bad idea,' thought Pearl as she tried to block out the noise coming from outside. The Doctor had apologized many times but it didn't help the fact that they were stuck in the very center of the city towards the ending area of the parade going on. Apparently, most of the city had been blocked off for the day for whatever reason. The policeman had told them it was took keep crime from happening while the events were going on. They managed to fine refuge from the partying in the down town library, which was where they currently were.

"Are you sure you don't want to see any of the parade," the Doctor said from his spot at the window, "the floats are quite magnificent." Above the blue heads of the civilians on the streets, the Doctor could see several floats that could put Carnival floats to shame.

"I'm fine, I assure you," she responded with annoyance. She was currently burying her noise in a particularly old tome on the planet's history. One thing she was amazed about was the the translation circuit the TARDIS had. Being able to read anything without previous knowledge of the language it was written in was a dream come true for her, although the fact that it meant the Doctor's time machine could get inside her head was a bit unsettling. The Doctor fell silent again and went back to watching the parade.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Meanwhile...)

Several strange creatures watched from a space ship above, their view was centered directly on the parade below. They had long, curving bodies and crescent shaped faces. "All the people are gathered on the parade route, and still unaware. Should we continue to the next phase?" one said to the other.

The one standing infront of the control deck stayed silent for a moment. "Not quite yet," it said, "but very soon. We just have to wait a few more moments."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"That's strange..." the Doctor said. This caught Pearl's attention.

"What's strange? Is something wrong?" she asked, looking up from her book for the first time.

"The king on his float over there," the Doctor said, pointing to the float, "he's not smiling."

"So?" Pearl said, raising an eyebrow.

"I know the king, king Ukaboc," he continued, " and he's always been a jolly fellow. He loves a good party...but right now, he just looks bored." Pearl walked up to the window to see what he was talking about. Indeed the large blue man on top of the float did not look happy as he lazily waved to the cheering crowd

"Maybe he's having a bad day?" she suggested, though she had a feeling she was wrong.

"No something's wrong," the Doctor said, in a quiet, and much more serious tone. Suddenly, the floats stopped and the image of the king began to shimmer. The crowd became quiet with confusion, as the floats turned into what appeared to be some kind of tanks. The people operating them, including the king himself, turned into aliens with long bodies and crescent shaped faces. "Uh oh," the Doctor said.

Gasps filled the crowd but were silenced as the crescent creature, formally disguised as the king, spoke. "People of Charivillos!" it called out, "We have you and your city surrounded! Come quietly with us or be annihilated!" As the creature finished, the sky began to shimmer and a giant space craft appeared. The crowds of blue people began to scream and panic as the crescent creatures pulled out weapons.

The Doctor suddenly grabbed Pearl's hand. "Run," he whispered, before tugging her along out the back of the library. Outside they were quickly stopped by three of the crescent creatures holding some kind of guns. Pearl quickly summoned her wepon as the creatures cocked their guns. She was about to attack when the Doctor whispered to her. "Put away your weapon," he said.

She turned to him to look at him like he was insane. "What?!" she whispered back.

"I have a plan, just trust me and put your weapon away," he said.

Pearl looked at him for several seconds before letting her spear dissipate. "Alright now what's your plan?" she whispered to him.

"This," he said raising his hands. "We surrender!" he shouted. With that, Pearl's hand connected to her face with a loud smack.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

to be continued...

Sorry this took so long. Still I hope you guys enjoy it. I'll try to get the next one up soon. Let me know what you think!