Dusk. The box solidified on the plains, a cool wind whisking around it's battered shell.
The elderly pilot emerged, long white hair swept back, Edwardian garb hanging gracefully from his frail bones; he poked his cane in the sand beneath him, his brow furrowed. Having gone by many names in many times and places, these days he went by the monicker of Doctor Who (although he was wont to become crotchety unless referred to as the "The Doctor.")
The Doctor tutted, and 'hmm'ed, and turned to his companions, who had appeared behind him; Susan, the young girl with the shining eyes; Barbara, the attractive be-cardiganned history teacher, and Ian, the courageous science master, thrown into worlds impossibly far removed from their lives in Coal Hill, Shoreditch, London, 1963.
"Well?" said Ian, looking around warily.
"Yes, it seems like we are indeed in China, early thirteenth... yes! hmm!" Suddenly, the delighted beam faded from the Doctor's thin lips. "Queer-quiet, Chesterfield, can't you hear that scent?"
"You mean that sound may mean deadly danger, bouncing towards us?" Ian said informatively.
"Grandfather!" Susan screamed, and clutched Barbara in terror.
Ian's eyes goggled at the shape scampering fiercely towards them. "Quickly Barbara, give me your cardigan!"
Casting Susan aside, Barbara obediently, slowly, removed the woolly garment and gently handed it to Ian, her eyes never leaving his.
"I've got an idea." Ian hissed heroically. "Doctor, Susan, Barbara, get behind the TARDIS!"
The Doctor prodded Ian with his stick. "Young man, I demand-"
"Doctor!"
Disgruntled, the Doctor shuffled to join the girls.
Holding the cardigan ahead of him, Ian steeled himself as the shape moved closer, closer, twittering, bounding relentlessly. Two seconds; one second...
About to pounce, Ian cast Barbara's cardy over the creature, and it toppled to the ground.
The trio emerged from behind the TARDIS.
"What is it, Doctor?" Barbara hissed, as she watched the shape maul her finest fashion statement.
"I don't know, young, er, woman, but there may be more."
Ian stepped forward, and pulled the cardigan away. Revealed, in the light at last, was a beautiful girl in full oriental court dress.
"Who are you?" Barbara demanded.
"Ping'cho! Ping'cho!" the girl yelped, looking around.
"There may be more..." The science teacher frowned. "We've got to catch them all."
