Kira and Aroura's reunion was a heartwarming sight, one that brought a smile even to The Doctor's face despite how he was really feeling "Aroura what are you wearing?!" Kira said gesturing to Arouras slave outfit "Well after we evacuated our home planet to get away from the Cybermen my pod ended up landing on Raxon's planet mansion which is literally what it sounds like and when he found me he offered me a choice be killed or become his slave," Aroura replied with a shiver "So I picked slavery over death and I have been wearing this ever since." Kira was close to tears again Aroura was tearing up too "Kira what happened to your arm?" Aroura asked, noticing the cybernetic limb. Kira was close to breaking down not just from learning about what her sister had gone through but also remembering what The Cybermen had done to her "I'm okay," Kira said, her voice shaky. "I lost it when the Cybermen tried to convert me, but I rebelled against the emotional inhibitor at the cost of most of my memories." Aroura just hugged her tightly "It doesn't matter Kira, you're still my sister and I love you." The Doctor watched the two sisters with a soft smile, their bond was something he hadn't seen in a very long time, something he had almost forgotten what it was like to have.

Title Sequence

TOM HIDDLESTON

HALSEY

BREANNA YDE

AND

JADE PETTYJOHN

DOCTOR WHO

THE CELESTIAL BATTLE OF NUREMBERG

The Doctor stepped over to the two girls "Hey you two do you both want to come with me and Porsha on an adventure?" He asked with a smile on his face. Both sisters looked at each other and then nodded in unison "Yes!" They both said excitedly. The Doctor turned back to the TARDIS console "Where to now?" He mused aloud. Suki spoke up "How about Nuremberg in 1561? I've heard there was something strange that happened in the sky, a sight that no one has ever seen before." The Doctor's eyes lit up "I've read about it but never got the chance to see it. It's like a UFO sighting but from the 16th century!" He exclaimed. Kira and Aroura were excited by the idea of seeing something so unusual and agreed to join the Doctor and Porsha on this adventure.

The TARDIS took off once more, the time rotor spinning as it hurtled through time and space. When it landed, they found themselves in a quaint town square, the cobblestone streets still damp from the early morning dew. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the distant sound of the wind. The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the town. The Doctor stepped out, his eyes scanning the sky, his sonic screwdriver at the ready. "This is it Nuremberg, 1561," He announced. Aroura looked up and suddenly saw the sky come alive with strange objects, her eyes wide with amazement. Suddenly the air was filled with the sound of laser fire and the screams of terrified townsfolk. "Look up!" Porsha shouted pointing at the sky.

The Doctor's face grew serious as he saw the chaos unfolding above them. "Quickly, we must find shelter!" He ordered and they all rushed into a nearby tavern. The patrons stared at the newcomers, their eyes filled with fear as they recounted tales of the "heavenly battle" happening outside. The Doctor and Porsha exchanged a knowing glance; they had stumbled upon the very phenomenon they had come to investigate. The Doctor leaned against the bar, deep in thought. "This isn't just a sighting, this is a full-on extraterrestrial battle!" He exclaimed. The tavern owner, a burly badger, slammed a pint of ale down in front of him "What do you know about it?" He bellowed. "More than you can possibly imagine," The Doctor replied with a smile, taking a sip of the ale. "I say it's a sign from god!" An old owl shouted from the corner of the tavern, his eyes wide with fear. The Doctor sighed, he had seen this before, the panic and confusion that came with first contact.

They watched from the tavern window as the battle raged on. The sky was filled with strange shapes: crosses, spheres, and crescents, all moving in a seemingly erratic pattern. The Doctor's sonic screwdriver beeped as he scanned the sky, the readings confirming his suspicions: the objects were definitely not of this world. "These are not natural phenomena," He said to no one in particular, "They're ships!" The townsfolk outside were running in all directions, some trying to flee while others stared in awe. The Doctor felt a strange kinship with the terrified citizens of Nuremberg. He had seen this so many times before, the moment when the veil of ignorance was ripped away, revealing the vastness of the cosmos. "Doctor what's going on" Kira asked, her eyes glued to the window. "What we are seeing Kira is an all-out war between two alien species and we are right in the middle of it," He replied gravely. One of the spherical craft flew down low and passed and inch from their heads before it crashed into a nearby field. "We need to find out who these aliens are and why they are fighting here," Porsha said with determination in her voice.

The group ran and found the craft smouldering in the field, surrounded by curious townsfolk. The Doctor stepped forward, his sonic screwdriver at the ready, as the smoke cleared. The ship was unlike anything he had seen before—a design with alien technology and very familiar to The Doctor. "Stay back," The Doctor ordered as the craft opened revealing an alien that The Doctor knew very well a Sontaran, a clone warrior race that had been known thrive on warfare. The Sontaran looked around, dazed and disoriented before spotting them. It raised its weapon, but The Doctor was quicker, his sonic screwdriver emitting a high-pitched sound that caused the Sontaran's weapon to malfunction. "Now take of your helmet so I can see your face come on look into your enemies eyes," The Doctor said, his voice firm but not unkind. "I Shall face my enemy with honour," the Sontaran responded, and with that, it removed its helmet revealing the creature beneath "He looks like a potato" Kira said innocently Aroura covered her sisters mouth with her hand "Shh!" she whispered.

The Doctor ignored Kira's comment and turned to face the Sontaran "So tell me solider what's your name and why are you here?" He asked calmly. The Sontaran looked at him with contempt, but also something else, something The Doctor had never seen in a Sontaran before, fear. "I am Commander Nornug Jotsegh of the 501st Sontaran Battle Group Nornug Jotsegh the Mighty!" He announced proudly. "And if you're the Commander that means you're under the orders of a General so who is this mighty general you serve?" The Doctor asked. The Sontaran hesitated for a moment before speaking "I am under the command of General Joskug Vrakk the Fearless." Porsha spoke up "And who are you fighting with?" She asked. "We at war with the Mighty Khakzeol race!" The Doctor was stunned to here a Sontaran call another race that wasn't Sontaran "Mighty" It was something they never did.

"So why are your fighting against these Khakzeols?" The Doctor pressed, his curiosity piqued by the Sontaran's unusual choice of words. Nornug Jotsegh's eyes narrowed, his expression a mix of anger and fear. "They are invaders!" He spat out, "They threaten the very fabric of our existence! They must be stopped at all costs!" The Doctor's eyes searched the alien's, looking for any hint of deceit or manipulation, but all he saw was the raw emotion of a soldier fighting for what he believed in. "Oh, Nornug you're just fighting a pointless war," he said with a sigh. "Every war is pointless if you do not understand the reasons behind it," Porsha interjected, her voice filled with the wisdom of her own experiences. "I AM A SOLDIER!" The Sontaran bellowed, "I FIGHT FOR THE GLORY OF THE SONTARAN EMPIRE!"

The Doctor knew that there was more to this story than met the eye. "I take it you know who I am," He said to Nornug Jotsegh, "But your people aren't usually the ones fighting for peace." The Sontaran grunted in acknowledgment, his posture slightly less hostile. "The Khakzeols," He began, "They seek to harness the power of the Great Eclipse, a cosmic event that occurs every millennium. With it, they aim to reshape the universe to their will." The Doctor's eyebrows shot up, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "And the battle we saw in the sky?" Porsha inquired. "A skirmish," Nornug replied, "A warning to the Khakzeol scouts that we are not to be underestimated." The Doctor was stunned "And you Doctor I am honoured to meet you, The Last of the Time Lords," Nornug added with a hint of respect. "Well, this is a first," The Doctor murmured, not quite sure how to respond to the respect from a creature that had been his enemy so many times before. "I have heard many stories about your actions in The Last Great Time War the finest war in history and we weren't allowed to be part of it!" Nornug said with a hint of bitterness. The Doctor sighed, the weight of his past wars never truly leaving him.

"Nornug, I need to speak to this General Joskug Vrakk," The Doctor said with urgency, "If what you say is true about the Khakzeols and this eclipse we need to put aside our differences and work together." The Sontaran looked at him thankful for the first time "You would do that? Work with a Sontaran?" He asked incredulously. "When the fate of the universe is at stake, I will work with anyone," The Doctor replied firmly. Nornug nodded and tapped a few buttons on his wrist communicator, a few moments later a holographic projection of General Vrakk appeared in front of them. The Doctor stepped forward and introduced himself, explaining their situation and the impending celestial event. The General listened intently before speaking in a deep booming voice "The Doctor, I have heard of you. Your legend precedes you. We are indeed at war with the Khakzeols, but we do not wish for the universe to destroyed." The Doctor raised an eyebrow "And what makes you not want to destroy it?" He questioned. "Without a universe there would be no war," General Vrakk replied simply.

The Doctor could see that this was a warrior that had thought about the possibility of there being no more war. It was something he had never encountered before in a Sontaran. "We must stop them," Vrakk said, his eyes steely with determination. "But how can we trust you?" Aroura asked, her voice shaking. "We are not your enemy," the General assured her, "We seek the same goal, to continue existing." The Doctor still didn't trust the Sontarans entirely, but the gravity of the situation called for desperate measures. "Very well," he said, "We will work together, but under one condition: no killing of innocents." Vrakk grunted his assent, and the alliance was forged. However, as the alliance was formed, they saw the ground go dark from a shadow cast over Nuremberg. The group looked up to see a colossal black arrow shaped craft blocking the early morning sun. The Doctor's heart sank. "That's not good," He murmured. Nornug looked worried "Thats the Khakzeol's mothership." He whispered.

The Doctor's mind raced as the ship descended, casting a long shadow over the town. The townsfolk cowered in fear, but the Doctor and his companions stood tall, ready to face whatever was about to unfold. The ship was massive it covered the whole town and was shaped like an arrowhead, its dark metallic surface gleaming ominously in the early morning light. As it hovered there, the Doctor noticed that it was covered in what looked like ancient runes, each one pulsing with an eerie blue light. It was clear that this was no mere natural occurrence, but the work of an advanced alien race, one capable of interstellar travel and warfare. "Right Nornug I'm going to have a talk with these Khakzeol's," He declared. Nornug nodded and relayed their intentions to General Vrakk. "But you must promise to keep my friends here safe," The Doctor insisted, his eyes never leaving the Sontaran's. Nornug gave a firm nod, and the Doctor turned to Porsha, Suki, Kira, and Aroura. "You four stay here, keep everyone calm, and watch out for any trouble." The Doctor used his sonic screwdriver to teleport himself onto the mothership, materializing in a vast chamber filled with the same eerie blue light that adorned the ship's exterior. The room was filled with what appeared to be a control centre, with screens and panels flashing with alien symbols. The Doctor moved quickly, scanning the room for any sign of the Khakzeol leader. Suddenly an energy shield appeared around The Doctor, and a figure emerged from the shadows. "Who are you and how did you get aboard our ship?" A deep, resonant voice boomed. "Hello there, I take it you're the leader of the Khakzeol?" The Doctor said trying to sound as calm as possible.

The creature that faced him was like nothing he had ever seen before, a hulking mass of shadow and light, with a crown of stars adorning its head. It was the Khakzeol High Commander, and his presence was overwhelming. "I am the Doctor," He announced, holding his sonic screwdriver aloft, "And I am here to negotiate peace, or at least to understand your intentions." The High Commander sneered "Peace? With Sontarans? We shall never deal with those honourless creatures!" The Doctor took a step closer, his voice firm but even "I am not a Sontaran, I am a Timelord, and I have seen wars that make your little squabble look like a schoolyard spat. Tell me what you seek." The High Commander paused before speaking "We wish to harness the power of the Great Eclipse to cleanse the universe of lesser races, to create a new order, one that is pure and strong." The Khakzeol leader pressed a button, and a holographic face appeared it was one of the Doctors past faces "We have studied your kind for eons, Doctor. You are not the only Doctor we have encountered, and we have learned much from your past." The Doctor felt a cold chill run down his spine, his past selves had encountered the Khakzeol before and had not been successful in stopping them. The Doctor faces floated past him 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, War, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and finally the current Doctor The 24th "25 regenerations yet you only count yourself as the 24th Doctor why? What happened to the War Doctor?" The Doctor took a deep breath "That's something I have gotten past, and so should you, now tell me why you want to do this?"

The High Commander leaned forward, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity "The Great Eclipse is a cosmic event that occurs once every millennium, and it holds the power to reshape reality itself. With it, we can purge the universe of weakness and create a new order. Your kind, the Timelords we're once the most civilized and advanced race in the universe. But look at you now, the last of them well the last of two The Master lives on which you know," He sneered. The Doctor felt a flash of anger but kept his cool "Yes me and The Master are the last of The Timelords, but we are nothing like you. We do not seek to destroy, we seek to understand and help."

The High Commander chuckled darkly "You speak of understanding, yet you know nothing of power. You cling to your sonic screwdriver as if it's a crutch, a child's toy compared to the might of the Great Eclipse. But we shall show you the true power of the Khakzeol!" With a wave of his hand, the holographic display changed to show a simulation of the eclipse occurring, with hundreds of their ships appearing from the shadow of the moon. The Doctor watched in horror as the simulation showed the eclipse's power being harnessed to obliterate planets, tearing them apart molecule by molecule. "What's more Doctor," the Commander continued, "You have no way of stopping us. Your kind is weak, divided, and scattered. You are the last of a dying race." The Doctor could feel anger rising within him, but he pushed it down. "I may be the last of my kind, but I am not weak, and I will not stand by and watch you destroy innocent lives!" "The High Commander just smirked "I doubt it, but if you wish to try, you are welcome to. But beware, we have eyes everywhere, and we know of your alliance with the Sontarans."

The Doctor knew he had to act fast. He had to find a way to convince the High Commander that there was another path, one that didn't lead to destruction. He took a moment to compose himself, his mind racing with thoughts of his past, his people, and the countless lives he had saved. "What do you truly want?" He asked, his voice calm and steady. "To be feared? To be revered? To be remembered?" The High Commander's expression grew thoughtful, "We wish to be the ones who shaped the future," he said. "But fear and destruction are not the way to do it. Look at what you have become," The Doctor gestured to the holographic display, "A race of beings so consumed by power that you've lost sight of what it means to live. There's more to existence than just fighting and conquering." "And?" The High Commander prompted, his tone mocking. "And another thing has you noticed that this ship is moving?" The Doctor replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "WHAT?!" The Commander bellowed, his confidence shaken. "Oh, dear and it appears that someone has hacked the navigation systems," The Doctor said innocently, as the ship lurched, and the High Commander was thrown off balance. "And it seems that this ship is heading straight for the Great Eclipse," The Doctor added, a glint in his eyes.

The High Commander snarled and lunged at The Doctor, but the Time Lord was quicker. He dodged the attack and sprinted towards the control centre, his sonic screwdriver at the ready. The Doctor's nimble fingers danced over the unfamiliar technology, his mind racing to find a way to override the ship's course. Meanwhile, down on the streets of Nuremberg, Porsha, Suki, Kira, and Aroura watched as the mothership hovered above them, the tension palpable. The townsfolk looked to them for guidance, for hope in the face of the unknown. The Doctor's companions knew that their friend was up there, trying to save them all, and they had to keep their fears at bay. They huddled together, each drawing strength from the others, as they watched the skies, waiting for the moment of truth. Suddenly the mothership started to turn its pointed tip pointing at a point in the sky, where the eclipse was about to begin. "Come on Doctor," Porsha whispered, her heart racing.

Back on the mothership The Doctor and the High Commander were locked in a fierce struggle for control of the ship's systems. The Doctor's sonic screwdriver flashed and beeped as he worked to reroute the ship's trajectory, sweat beading on his furrowed brow. The Sontarans and the Doctor had managed to board the ship through a secret hatch, and together they had made their way to the control room. Meanwhile, the eclipse grew closer, its shadow looming ever larger over the horizon. The Doctor knew that if the ship didn't change course in time, it would be engulfed by the eclipse's power and the Khakzeol would die and so would he.

The Doctor only had 5 minutes till the ship jumped into the eclipse. He had to be quick. His hands moved like a maestro conducting an orchestra of technology, the sonic screwdriver's light bobbing and weaving through the air as he worked his way through the ship's defences. The High Commander roared in fury, his form shifting and pulsing with the power of the eclipse. "You cannot win, Timelord!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the chamber. "We are the purifiers of the cosmos!" The Doctor didn't flinch, his eyes never leaving the control panel. "You're just another power mad alien with a ship," he retorted, "and a very nasty one at that." The Doctor suddenly seemed to show compassion "But let me help you I can save you, all of you," He offered, "But you must trust me." The Commander paused for a moment considering before saying "Never I would rather die than except help from a Timelord especially you Doctor."

On the streets of Nuremberg, the townsfolk whispered among themselves, pointing to the sky where the unexplained celestial phenomenon grew more intense. The sight of the black triangular object, the spear, and the multitude of spheres had them frozen in a mix of fear and awe. The Doctor's companions watched anxiously, their eyes glued to the skies suddenly the mothership jumped to hyper speed and disappeared, leaving only the eerie silence and the lingering shadow of the eclipse behind. "What was that?" Kira whispered, her eyes wide with amazement. Suki tightened her grip on Porsha's paw, her heart pounding in her chest. They knew the Doctor had done something, wait "THE DOCTOR HE WAS STILL ON BOARD!" Porsha exclaimed, her voice filled with panic.

However, The Doctor had managed to teleport off the ship moments before it vanished into the eclipse. He materialized back in the TARDIS, his companions gasping in relief as he stumbled through the door, his hair ruffled and his clothes smoking slightly. "Doctor!" Porsha exclaimed, rushing to his side. "Are you alright?" The Doctor took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with determination "I'm fine, it's over now. I hacked their navigation systems, they're on a one-way trip to the edge of the Great Eclipse. Far, far away from here," he said, with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. Back on the Khakzeol mother ship, the High Commander watched in horror as the Great Eclipse consumed his fleet, his own arrogance leading to his downfall. "I curse you DOCTOOORRRRR I CURSE YOOOOU," he roared, his form dissolving into the very fabric of space-time.

The Sontarans were impressed by the Doctor's ingenuity and bravery, and a begrudging respect grew between them. With the immediate threat averted, the Doctor and his companions returned to the TARDIS, leaving the stunned Nuremberg townsfolk to ponder the unbelievable events they had just witnessed. The Doctor's regeneration had given him a newfound sense of purpose, and as he stepped back into the console room, the ship hummed with life around him. "So Nornug what are you going to do now?" He asked the Sontaran, who had accompanied them back. "I will report our victory to the Sontaran High Command," Nornug responded, his voice gruff but tinged with admiration. "And what of your people?" Porsha inquired, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you going to attack us" Kira asked in a small, scared voice. "No, we will not," Nornug replied, "Your Doctor has shown us that there is honour in peace, and we shall leave earth alone we will continue bringing honour to the Sontaran empire, but we shall from now on show respect for your planet Earth."

The TARDIS team watched as the last of the Sontaran ships disappeared into the distance, leaving the skies above Nuremberg clear of the alien battle. The townsfolk slowly began to emerge from their hiding places, their eyes filled with wonder and fear at what they had just witnessed. The Doctor looked down at the crowd, a mix of animals he knew they needed an explanation. He stepped out of the TARDIS, Porsha and Suki by his side, and raised his hands for silence. "You all have witnessed something extraordinary today," he began, his voice carrying through the early morning air, "But fear not, for it was a battle between the forces that are far beyond your comprehension. But you deserve to know, what you witnessed to day was a battle between beings from other planets, I myself am one of these beings from another planet however my planet has been lost that is why as long as I live and as long as my two hearts beat I will protect this planet and all of its inhabitants." The crowd at first didn't understand but then one of the townsfolk cheered and then all did, celebrating the fact that this man whoever or whatever he was had saved them.

Back in the TARDIS The Doctor had changed his outfit since the one he had been wearing was torn and covered in soot from the battle. He had put on a new Tuxedo with a bow tie, looking as if he had just stepped out of a fancy dress party. "So, Doctor what was the Great Eclipse really about?" Suki asked, her curiosity piqued by the recent events. "It's a cosmic phenomenon," the Doctor began, his eyes alight with enthusiasm "One that happens every few millennia in the universe. It's a time of rebirth, of great change and power. Many civilizations across the galaxies have myths and legends surrounding it, and some even believe it grants them power. The Khakzeol's wanted to harness that power to wipe out lower species from the universe. But what they didn't understand was that the power of the eclipse is not meant to be used as a weapon."

As the group sat in the TARDIS the console suddenly flashed an alarm, the Doctor rushed over "What is it?" Suki asked, "It seems we're landing at some place called Skinwalker Ranch," The Doctor replied, his expression serious. "Skinwalker Ranch? Isn't that a hotspot for UFOs and other paranormal activities?" Aroura said, her eyes wide with excitement. "Indeed, it is," the Doctor nodded, "And it appears we're needed there." The TARDIS groaned and shuddered as it made its descent, the group holding onto the console for balance "Here we go." The Doctor said with a grin.

End of Episode 45

CAST

The Doctor: TOM HIDDLESTON

Porsha Crystal: HALSEY

Kira: BREANNA YDE

Aroura: JADE PETTYJOHN

Suki Lane: CHELSEA PERETTI

Commander Nornug Jotsegh: DAN STARKEY

General Joskug Vrakk: CHRISTOPHER RYAN

The Khakzeol High Commander: ERIC BANA