Chapter 28:
It's been 2 days since they last saw their time lord friend and to them, he is still the Doctor. Blake and Yang have tried to move on from him while Ruby remained in touch with Dalek Khan. Weiss continued not to give up on him as these two days she tried to reach out to him but couldn't do it. Today was a brand-new day and a new start as WBY waits for Ruby to come back after being called in by Professor Ozpin and General Ironwood from the incident that happened during the Beacon Dance. Once she came back to the room, they all went to her as she explained what she encountered with the mysterious attacker which no one knew was Cinder Fall.
Weiss: That was a risky move.
Blake: No, I think you handled it well. Unless a certain time lord.
Ruby: I hope so. And can we...not bring him up in the heat of the situation...
Yang: I'm sure everything will be alright, Ruby. Oh, I know what will cheer you up!
Ruby: What's that?
Yang: I don't know yet. Dad sent it to us. I thought we could open it together!
Ruby: Ooooh! Something from home!
Her older sister carried a cylinder-shaped package which opens, and a black and white yet furry cylinder falls out onto the floor transforming into a corgi. Team RWBY leans in, staring at it as the corgi barks twice. Weiss and Blake react with great shock leading to Blake jumping fast to Ruby's bunk bed while Ruby and Yang react excitedly.
Ruby: Zwei!
Blake: He sent a dog?
Weiss: In the mail?
Yang: Oh, he does stuff like this all the time!
Blake: Your father or your dog?
Weiss: Are you telling me that this mangy... drooling... mutt is going to wiv wif us foweva? Oh, yes he is, yes he is! Oh, isn't he adorable!
Blake: Please keep it away from my belongings.
They continued playing with Zwei except for Blake who kept hiding at the top which helped them get cheered up to start off a good morning until the intercom spoke out with the voice of Professor Goodwitch.
Glynda: Would all first-year students please report to the amphitheater?
Weiss: Well, we can't exactly leave him here while we are over there.
Yang: I think it's fine as long as lock the door firmly. Look, there's a letter! *Grabs it* "Dear girls, I've got to leave the island for a few days, so I'm sending Zwei to you to take care of. Enclosed is all the food you should need. Love you both, Taiyang."
Out of nowhere from a single envelope came dozens of cans of dog food piling up around Zwei and a can opener came out last.
Yang: Well, that settles it! Come on girls, Zwei will be here when we get back!
Weiss: Oh, I'll miss you so much, we're going to be best friends, I can't wait to see you.
The girls leave while Blake bounced off Ruby's bed and onto the exit door. Ruby held the door and looked back at Zwei before giving her a devious idea in her head. Now at the amphitheater, students gathered as Ruby carried a large backpack which was obvious, yet no one noticed nor cared as she sat with her team and Team JNPR.
Glynda: Quiet! Quiet please. Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin. But first, we do have a major announcement that you all need to hear. There were supposed sights by a few students from here and those who came for the festival of missing student William Smith.
This announcement shook all four girls and they looked at each other with concern knowing it could have been Emerald and her team who reported the Doctor. Another thought was perhaps he was spotted near Glenn Mountain with the situations of Weeping Angels.
Glynda: Before you all begin your next training session, we'd like to say that if you do find him or spot him, notify us or the authorities so he can be brought to safety and in care until he can remember who he is. And now, Professor Ozpin will speak.
Yang: *whispers* This is bad news. Very bad!
Weiss: Obviously during everything that's going on! What we don't want and him as well is to be seen or brought in.
Ruby: Not to mention the TARDIS and Dalek Khan. They could be taken by the government.
Blake: And the Weeping Angels are still out there!
Ozpin: Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best.
Ozpin steps away as the students all begin to file out of the amphitheater and look through different hologram screens of what kind of training they want to do. Team RWBY approached one of them.
Ruby: This is actually good! All we must do is shadow a Huntsman working in the southeast!
Yang: Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip by night!
Weiss: Let's check "search and destroy"!
Ruby: Here we go! Quadrant 5 needs Grimm to be cleared out!
Blake: Well, it's in the southeast!
Yang: Sounds perfect! Wait! Look what it says. First years are not allowed to take this mission.
Weiss: Wonderful!
Blake: Any other ideas?
Ruby: We mail ourselves there!
Weiss: This isn't Looney Tunes Ruby...
Ozpin: Well, that's one option.
The girls were startled by the sudden approach from Professor Ozpin.
Ozpin: Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that you four will make your way there no matter which job you choose.
Ruby: Whatever makes you say that?
Ozpin: I'm still curious how you all found yourself at the docks last semester. I'm interested to know how you really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and rose petals in a dance club some time ago.
Weiss and Blake looked at Ruby with disappointment as Ruby rubs her head awkwardly, not knowing exactly how to respond to Professor Ozpin.
Ruby: Um... well...
Ozpin: I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for. So how about this: instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?
Ruby: We won't let you down. Thank you, professor.
Ozpin: Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have carried you far. But you must understand, the things that await you beyond the protection of the Kingdom will not care. Always stay close to your Huntsman and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission, and he can have you sent back to Beacon, if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory. Good luck.
Team RWBY: Yes Professor!
Ozpin: And one more thing. I've only heard one report of this but considering you were there, I thought I would ask you four. What do you know about a blue police box?
Another strike hits Team RWBY in their hearts as they all gulped not knowing whether to fake it or confess the truth about the Doctor and who he actually is.
Ozpin: I thought but I believe I'll get my answers from him shortly. *Walks away*
Blake: Him?
The girls turned around and looked up at the far top section of seats to see their time lord friend looking back at them. Their eyes widened wondering how long he had been here and why. They also noticed a change of looks to his usual outfit, with this time wearing all black formal suit with a black overcoat and a scarf. It hurt them specifically Weiss because he truly got rid of who he was and became something he is not. They were going to reach out to him but he began to walk away without saying anything or even waving at them.
Weiss: Doctor...
Team RWBY weren't the only ones who spotted him but Cinder's Team as well. As for the Time Lord Victrious himself, he knew he was being watched but chose to ignore it as he now saw them as a waste of time before heading to Ozpin's main office.
Emerald: He was here...Cinder? What's our plan?
However, Cinder was spaced out due to the hearing of the whispers in her head. They grew louder after seeing the time lord with the only clear whisper she could hear was "Let Me Out".
Emerald: Cinder!
Cinder: Huh? What?
Mercury: You blacked out after seeing the Doctor. You sure you okay?
Cinder: *scoffs* I'm fine. Let's get moving.
A little while later, Team RWBY were all set to leave Beacon and onto Huntress training with an actual Huntsman. However, this actual Hunstman was one they were not expecting...or hoping.
Oobleck: Why, hello girls! Who's ready to fight for their lives?
Weiss: Professor Oobleck?!
Oobleck: *talks fast* Yes, I'm afraid those bags won't be necessary, girls, seeing as you've opted to shadow a Huntsman on what is now essentially a reconnaissance mission. I can assure you, we will not be establishing a single base of operations; rather, we will be traversing several miles of hazardous wasteland and making camp in any defendable locations we may stumble upon. I packed all of our essentials myself, plotted our air course, and readied the airship. And...Ms. Schnee, it's Doctor Oobleck. I didn't earn the PhD for fun, thank you very much!
Weiss: *mumbles* Doctor you may be but not The Doctor. *Walks to Ruby* Did you tell Khan that we won't be around?
Ruby: *nods* He said that was fine. They were still at Mountain Glenn, but the Doctor decided to come and talk with Ozpin.
Blake: You think it's about what we discussed with him on the TARDIS?
Ruby: Most likely.
Oobleck: Come now, children; according to my schedule, we are already three minutes behind...schedule! *Speeds off*
Ruby: Well, alright, then! Looks like we're going to save the world with The Doctor- I mean Doctor Oooobleck- okay yeah when you say it out loud it sounds worse.
Nora: Save the world?
Team RWBY turns around to see Nora and the rest of Team JNPR approaching them.
Nora: You're going on world-saving missions without us? I'm hurt... sad! *Stomach rumbles* Maybe a little hungry? That last one's not your fault, though, Ren...
Jaune: Sounds exciting. Where ya going?
Ruby: Oh, just outside the kingdom...
Nora: Hey! So are we!
Pyrrha: Ren and Nora wanted to shadow the sheriff of a nearby village.
Ren: We set out tomorrow.
Neptune: Then you can party with us tonight! We're shadowing a crime specialist. All inner-city detectives stuff. We get junior badges.
Neptune and Sun approach the two groups as Jaune is awestruck by the mission they are pulling. Makes him want to make last minute switches.
Sun: We normally go to the city with you guys, which means stuff's always exploding and junk, so we thought this might be a better way to check out the kingdom when it's, you know... normal.
Ruby: Well-
Oobleck: Four minutes, ladies!
Ruby: Well, uh...Wish us luck!
The girls began to depart to the airship before they get called quickly by JNPR once again.
Jaune: You guys heard about what Ozpin said of William right?
Nora: AHEM! The Doctor.
Jaune: Right. Have you had any luck spotting him again?
Ruby: O-Oh! Well...not really.
Weiss: W-We didn't know he was still around here. Surprising.
Yang: But if we do spot him over by our mission, we'll give you the heads up. *Winks at Team RWB*
Pyrrha: Same here! Hopefully we get some answers soon. Good luck you four and be careful.
Team RWBY nods and waves goodbye to their friends as they get on the airship and depart from Beacon, onto their mission. Watching from the window of Ozpin's office was the Time Lord Victorious as Ozpin settles down with his cup of hot cocoa.
Ozpin: I must say, I didn't think I would be seeing you again Doctor.
Time Lord Victorious: That's not the name I go with anymore. Just call me William.
Ozpin: Alrighty then William. To what do I owe the pleasure of having you here.
Time Lord Victorious: In my time here on Remnant, specifically here in Vale, I have come across a few turmoils and they are both very serious concerning you and everyone here.
Ozpin: Well, I'll be glad to hear it out. If it is something bigger than expected, we might need to contact General Ironwood about it.
Time Lord Victorious: The first one is about a grave situation occurring at a location not that far from here and the second one is about a team here at Beacon that is trying to plot something that doesn't sound good. I am not human Ozpin, you are different but still human. I am a Time Lord...the last of my kind.
Ozpin: *sighs* I am very sorry to hear that, William.
Time Lord Victorious: And while I have become who I am now, it doesn't mean I'm not going to let danger flood this planet. A few weeks ago, Team RWBY reported to you about a Grimm spree happening at Mountain Glenn. What if I told you that I told them to say that to you?
Ozpin: *eyes widen* You told them to lie...William!
Time Lord Victorious: I know! I know! I did it because there was no one around who would believe or do something about it. It's more than just Grimms.
Ozpin: William, Listen-
Time Lord Victorious: There's a deadly alien species known as the Weeping Angels, and they have been staying at Mountain Glenn.
Ozpin: WILLIAM!
Time Lord Victorious: What is it? You don't believe me or are you angry that I told the girls to lie.
Ozpin: I had my suspicion about a few things they did...but not about Mountain Glenn.
This became concerning for the time lord as he felt his heart pace at why Ozpin reacted this way.
Time Lord Victorious: What do you mean?
Ozpin: Team RWBY...I thought...that handling the Grimm spree would be a perfect mission for them...that's why...
Time Lord Victorious: *eyes widen* No...
Ozpin: We sent them to Mountain Glenn...
Before Ozpin could say more, Time Lord Victorious ran off at fast speed back to the TARDIS not caring that everyone was seeing him pass by. Team JNPR saw him and were shocked, they needed to inform Team RWBY while Cinder watched as Emerald and Mercury were wanting to catch him.
Jaune: T-That was..
Nora: THE DOCTOR!
Emerald: Cinder! This is our chance to catch him and take his ship for us to use!
Cinder: NO!
Mercury: What? But you never back down on something like this.
And Mercury was right, she would always go for the charge and catch her targets but this time, the whispers got to her and left her in a state of fear.
Cinder: I know...but if he's running back to his ship and scared...it means there is something out there that we can't even comprehend...
Running through the crowd of students and stairs, he reaches the TARDIS and prepares for takeoff as Dalek Khan notices.
Dalek Khan: WHAT IS HAPPENING?! EXPLAIN!
Time Lord Victorious: ITS TEAM RWBY! THEY ARE AT MOUNTAIN GLENN! THEY ARE IN THE WEEPING ANGELS YARD NOW!
Dalek Khan: Oh no...I MUST CONTACT RUBY!
Back on the airship, Team RWBY looked out the windows and noticed they were passing by a familiar ghost town. It brought a shiver to them knowing why until each of their scrolls vibrated. Just as they were pulling it out, Oobleck speaks and what they hear next puts them in a state of panic and fear.
Oobleck: We are arriving at our location! Girls, I bring to you Mountain Glenn!
Ruby: W-What...
Oobleck: Mountain Glenn. The place where there has been many Grimms arriving recently and what better place to begin huntress training than here.
Weiss: No no no no no no no NO NO! WE CAN'T STAY HERE!
Oobleck: Why not Ms. Schnee.
Suddenly the airship made a rough landing as the powers go out which was confusing for the pilots and Oobleck but for Team RWBY, they knew the cause as Ruby slowly looked at her phone.
Ruby: "Girls, do not approach Mountain Glenn. That's where you're going."
Blake: It's too late!
Yang: G-Girls...*runs to them and shows a picture*
The three looked and they felt like they could not breathe for the moment. They were right about the cause of the airship's power going off. All four-shaking seeing the picture Yang took of a Weeping Angel nearby and looking at each other as Oobleck and the pilots walk out.
Weiss: DOCTOR NO!
Oobleck: What's the panic? Yes, it is a ghost town and filled with Grimms, some bigger and powerful than what you've faced but we should be alright!
Weiss: But that's not the reason!
Barking came out from Ruby's backpack and Zwei charged out at speed barking at something down the hill which panicked all four girls.
Ruby: ZWEI NO! ZWEI!
Oobleck: Was that a dog?!
Yang and Blake: RUBY!
Weiss: Listen to me Doctor, there is no Grimm infestation here. It's something else, something worse. They told you it was a Grimm infestation to keep away but-
They heard Zwei yelping and Ruby screaming, which caught the attention of everyone and ran to the screaming. Ruby was there holding Zwei tight in her arms as she couldn't blink, she was too scared to blink. The others got there at the same time the TARDIS arrived in the woods of Mountain Glenn as he and Dalek Khan came out looking for the others. The girls were terrified beyond anything while Oobleck remained confused yet concerned by the girls' reactions at what's in front of them.
Weiss: H-He only said one...HE ONLY SAID ONE!
In front of them wasn't just one Weeping Angel, it was many of them all around Mountain Glenn. The Weeping Angels have taken over and Team RWBY fell into their trap.
Oobleck: If you are referring to the angel statues, there used to be a cemetery nearby but I guess they switched them here.
Yang: N-No professor...
Blake: These are not ordinary statues...
Yang: Ruby...don't look away or blink and try to slowly crawl up. Blake and I will catch you.
Zwei kept yelping in fear as Ruby slowly climbed up while maintaining contact with the angel in front of her. She almost lost her grip, but Yang was able to catch her and pull her up with the help of Blake as now Weiss kept eye contact.
Weiss: We need to get back onto the ship and leave.
Oobleck: Relax children. They are just statues of angels.
Weiss: No Doctor! They are beings that can move at such fast pace if we don't look at them. One blink or looking away and you're dead. Not even Remnant's army could defeat these...
Pilot #1: You hearing this right? You kids and your imagination. *Walks to one*
Blake: DON'T! STOP!
The first mistake already came into motion as the pilot turned around to look at the girls before looking back at the angel which this time had a monstrous face and it startled him.
Pilot #1: Hey wait a second, it wasn't like this-
SNAP
Down on the floor lay one of the pilots with his head twisted 180. Oobleck and the remaining Pilot now knew what the girls were referring to. They are alive and only move if they are not watched. Slowly backing away, they were about to make a run for it but when they all turned around, they saw the Angels blocking the entrance of the airship which created more conflict.
Yang: UGH! NOW OR NEVER! *Screams and shoots at the Angels*
The others followed and decided to shoot any Angels around them. There was no effect whatsoever on the Angels and that was more bad news. Oobleck had an idea in mind and a risky one.
Oobleck: There's six of us! Form a circle and don't take your eyes off them! Once we reach the woods, we run!
Everyone agreed as they formed a circle with their backs and kept eye contact with the Angels as they began to walk towards the woods. Being watched was a minor safe way but no human could stare for so long. All Team RWBY hoped that the Doctor would find them and have a solution to end this. They managed to reach the woods and began to make a run for it as fast as they could.
Oobleck: Keep Running! And don't look back!
They kept running even if it felt like it was a long run just as long as they were away from the Angels. Eventually, they find a cave and enter through there to finally catch their breath while hiding.
Ruby: *pants* Is...everyone...okay...
Oobleck: SPLENDID!
Blake and Yang looked at their professor wondering if he has no sense of shame considering they are in a place filled with the lonely assassins of time. As they recovered, they noticed something was off and it was very bad.
Yang: Where's Weiss?...
She kept running and running, not realizing she was far from her team. After a little more running, she stopped to catch her breath and looked around.
Weiss: This isn't a good place to remain hidden. We need to find good cover and- *eyes widen* G-Girls...Ruby...Blake...Yang...
She slowly continued to walk while looking around to see that there were no signs of Angels nearby. She was already feeling scared, and her anxiety rose. She was all alone with no team, no Doctor, no way of defeating the Angels.
Weiss: P-Professor Oobleck...
She was startled by sudden noises from the bushes as she slowly took her Myrtenaster even though she knew it wouldn't do a single harm to the Angels. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she was now beyond scared and not wanting anything to happen. She turned completely pale when she felt something on her shoulder and did not want to look. She let out a silent cry as she knew this was it.
Weiss: I-I'm sorry...