Vol.2, Ch.8:
Tyrian: *gasps* As I live and breathe, Qrow Branwen. A true Huntsman has entered the fray!
Qrow just made it just in the nick of time to save his niece as Ruby gets up and both looked at Tyrian then each other very awkwardly.
Ruby: I don't know, this guy's weird.
Qrow: *looks at Tyrian* Look, pal, I'm not sure who you are, but you need to leave my niece alone.
Tyrian: *cackles* Why, friend, my name is Tyrian. And I'm afraid that is not possible. My assignment from Her Grace was to retrieve this young girl. So, that is what I must do. One does not upset the Queen.
Ruby: Queen?
Qrow: Salem.
Ruby: Who?
Tyrian: Hmm, I think we've had enough talk now, don't you?
Qrow: You took the words right out of—
Tyrian charged right towards Qrow and began their fight. Qrow was able to block two strikes from Tyrian with his weapon before using it to slash him which surprised the maniac a bit. Tyrian wasted no time and went for a blow, but Qrow dodges it this time and goes for a hit that sends Tyrian flying back which was pissing him off. Ruby and JNR were about to enter the fight as well, but Qrow signaled them to stop.
Qrow: Don't come closer!
Ruby: *thinks then grunts* Fine! *Runs back*
In truth, she wasn't running back just to watch her uncle continue fighting this mad man. She was running towards top of a building to plan a snipe strike on Tyrian while the others remained focused on the fight. Tyrian dodges quickly a surprise slash from Qrow then goes for a horizontal strike. He goes with a slash, then uses his tail to strike the huntsman but is stopped once again by Qrow's weapon. Ruby was now at the top of the building and readied Crescent Rose but one problem: She couldn't get the aim due to both men moving fast which frustrated Ruby. She knew her uncle got this but for how long is her concern. It's three weapons against one and they couldn't interfere. She watched worried as Tyrian was beginning to get more advantage of Qrow who was still blocking every shot given but is struggling to hit back now. Tyrian pulled out his gauntlets known as The Queen's Servants and grew quicker with strikes.
Tyrian: Getting past your prime Branwen?! *Laughs and continues to strike*
Jaune: We need to help him! Tyrian could hurt him at any moment!
Ruby: *thinks* Wait...*pulls out my sonic screwdriver* Oh god I really hope this works.
She prayed that her sonic device would connect her mind and follow what she's asking for. Activating it, it deactivates Tyrian's weapons which confused him before getting a big jab from Qrow.
Nora: His weapons went down!
Ruby: It worked! Thank you Doctor!
Qrow lands a few more hits on Tyrian and kicks him all the way back to a wall which knocked the Faunus momentarily. Qrow picked up his weapon while a frustrated Tyrian recovers and jumps up to the rooftop of a building. Qrow reverts his weapon into a scythe and blasts himself to that same rooftop as both men continue their fight. With his weapons deactivated by unknown causes, Tyrian goes with his Scorpion Stinger and skills to fight back. They are evenly matched up once again until Qrow noticed a damaged part of the roof. He tricks Tyrian by kicking him and having him land on it and the Faunus feels the crack as he falls through the building but not before he uses his tail to drag Qrow down, too. As the two fall, the remaining roof collapses scaring everyone.
Ruby: UNCLE QROW NO!
Jaune: We gotta find him FAST!
Everyone rushed to the cloud of smoke but not too close in case Tyrian was on his feet again. Suddenly, they heard a loud crash and ran over to see Qrow coming out and burly making the landing with his Harbinger. However, his aura seems to go down rapidly. It was a short relief but Tyrian still being around concerned them. It wasn't until he appeared out of the smoke and was going to strike Ruby.
Jaune: RUBY!
Ruby turned around fast and dodged the strike from him with Crescent rose once again as now both his weapons were working again which led Ruby and Tyrian to clash.
Tyrian: Do you wish to be taken?
Ruby: No! But I won't stand by and watch someone get hurt!
Qrow: RUBY! *grunts* What did I say?! Get back!
Ruby: This is my fight, too!
Qrow: No, it's not that. It's—
That's when Ruby noticed, and it was too late. Tyrian held a firm grasp on her neck and pointed his ponytail stinger at her with his eyes purple which worried everyone as they did not know what to do.
Tyrian: One WRONG move and she's dead on the spot. None of us want that! So, drop your weapons and I will make my leave with her.
Ruby couldn't do anything knowing the stinger was right there and Qrow tried to give her a look to calm herself down. All thoughts were interrupted when something landed behind Tyrian as Ruby noticed her uncle and friends looking a bit startled.
SURRENDER!
She knew that voice. She never forgot it and she knew who it was. Tyrian, however, didn't as he turned around to look at a new enemy arriving. Ruby had a smile so relieving to see who it was: Her best weaponry friend, Dalek Khan.
Dalek Khan: YOU WILL RELEASE RUBY ROSE AND SURRENDER!
Tyrian: *grunts* What the hell are you Tank?
Dalek Khan: I AM A DALEK! I AM DALEK KHAN! AND I AM RUBY'S FRIEND!
Tyrian: Then go on and shoot me! *laughs* I'll kill her here on spot as well.
Dalek Khan: I. AM. ONLY A DISTRACTION!
Tyrian eyes widened as Qrow appeared from behind and kicked him away, releasing Ruby as well. She got up as Ruby and Qrow stood side by side. Eventually, Jaune, Nora, Ren, and Dalek Khan all joined, and it was 6 on 1 for Tyrian. It didn't matter to him because his only goal now was to kill Little Red. Preparing his weapons and stingers, he made the charge and still gave a fair fight to everyone while using his stinger to push back the Dalek with force.
Tyrian: How gratifying to kill 5 people all at once! *laughs*
Ruby: We all need to take a turn hitting him. Khan, when there's an opening, take his weapons down!
Dalek Khan: UNDERSTOOD!
And so the plan went into motion as each person got the chance to hit a strike on Tyrian which was weakening him. Qrow and Ruby leading the most hits as Tyrian was losing his composure and was failing to get a strike. Ruby and Qrow land one large blow onto Tyrian which sends him flying.
Ruby: NOW KHAN!
Dalek Khan aimed his blaster and fired small shots at Tyrian's weapons, but the damage was enough to leave it broken as Tyrian land within the smoke. Everyone were catching their breaths. Ruby looked over at her Dalek friend and hugged him.
Ruby: I missed you so much Khan! I thought I wasn't going to see you again.
Dalek Khan: The Doctor left me here to keep an eye on you.
Qrow: Well, that makes the two of us watching over the kids.
Dalek Khan: It is not over! We must find the enemy and stun him to stay down. Ruby, you stay here.
Ruby nodded as JNR and Dalek Khan were the first to enter the smoke while Qrow maintained a good distance between the others and Ruby. But it all came fast before anyone could react and Qrow let out a furious and painful scream. He was hit in the abdomen by Tyrian's stinger. Ruby remained in shock but reacted fast enough to use her Crescent Rose and cut Tyrian's stinger completely which led to the maniac scream in pain as well with purple fluid leaking.
Tyrian: YOU BITCH!
The others got in front of Ruby and Qrow while Dalek Khan began to fire at Tyrian. His agility and speed were a close advantage to escape the near hits as Tyrian got away but with fear of returning to Salem empty handed and defeated.
Tyrian: She'll forgive you Tyrian.
Ruby: *runs to Qrow* Uncle Qrow! Are you okay?
Qrow: I'll be fine. He just grazed me.
Ruby: Khan! Scan him!
Dalek Khan: Full Damage Scanning!
Nora: Who was that guy?
Ren: How did you get here?
Jaune: Why are people after Ruby?
Ruby: Uncle Qrow? What's going on?
Dalek Khan: Scan complete. The Stinger injected poison into his abdomen, but the increase is slow.
Ruby: Uncle Qrow, we need to get you to a medical place fast!
Qrow: *grunts and chuckles* Don't worry about me. Now tell me, What's your favorite fairy tale?
It felt all blacked out for such a long time but soon the light was approaching. Opening her eyes, Blake blocked her view of the light in the room as she slowly rose up. She looked around to see the damage that was left at the hands of the Slitheen and noticed Sun on the couch all bandaged up with the Doctor next to him reading a book.
Blake: Doctor?
The Doctor: *looks up* Ah, you're awake. Rise and shine.
Blake: H-How's Sun? W-Where are my parents?
The Doctor: Your mother is taking care of your father. Thankfully, he did not suffer anything crucial than just Remnant's largest migraine. Your mother makes some of the best tea I have ever drank. Blimey!
Blake: What about Sun?
The Doctor: It was a little difficult with you passing out, but we were able to treat his wounds. I went into the TARDIS and grabbed a special kind of liquid that freezes the bleeding temporarily and Kali helped me bandage him up.
Blake: *looks around* It's a mess. People are gonna think something massive happened and they were asleep.
The Doctor: That's not the part you should be concerned about. Corsac got away. When we got back to where he was left, he was gone. All he left was his ripped arm.
Blake: *sighs and looks down* And Fennec.
The Doctor: Dead. I dropped his body into the bottom of the ocean so no one else would know. Not to mention, there would be people who want to experiment on it, and I won't let that happen.
Blake looked around trying to breathe calmly. But it all happened so fast and couldn't process it. Ilia being the spy of the White Fang, then two Slitheen disguised as the White Fang brothers, and now all of this.
The Doctor: We could have at least prevented Corsac from escaping if you didn't waste your time going after Ilia.
Blake: *looks at him angrily* She was in danger, and I did not want to leave her behind.
The Doctor: Was she? Or was she just simply hiding and waiting for the moment to escape.
Blake: She gave me her word and I trusted her!
The Doctor: Her escaping and going back to Adam Taurus is one problem. Running to "rescue" her while I almost got killed is another problem. You do realize things could have been different, right? We could have stopped Fennec from knocking your father out and wounding Sun. And guess why that didn't happen? You ran when we needed you most.
That struck a nerve in Blake as she angrily marched right in front of the Doctor and he wasn't intimidated one bit because she knows very well, he is right, but she doesn't want to admit it.
Blake: You think I wanted any of this to happen? I joined the White Fang because I was promised there would be a change for the better. I went to Beacon to clear my head and start over somewhere different. I came back here because I needed to reset myself completely. I ran to save Ilia because she is my friend! Wouldn't you do the same Doctor? You don't understand a single thing that I've dealt with.
The Doctor: Hmm. You are right about that. But I do know very well the pieces you shattered and left on the ground. You ran away from the White Fang when you could have possibly found a way to stop it. Maybe not the entire clan but Adam at least. You know how Yang is doing? She's broken. BROKEN. MENTALLY! BLAKE! You have no idea the damage you left upon her. And then you come here not to reset but to hide once AGAIN! And then trouble came, and you decide to run away to rescue someone who is your friend but is also working for the enemy. And whose fault was that, huh? I didn't ask for any of this to happen. No, you took it upon yourself to ignore me, to do what you thought was best. To run away twice and I saw you do it both times. You knew I needed you and you ignored it. THIS is the mess you made and rather picking it up, you leave it on the ground. All I can say is that we are lucky that both Sun and Yang are doing alright and NOT DEAD.
Blake stayed very quiet and looked back down as the Doctor moved away to look outside. Hearing what he told her about Yang tortured Blake, it was no longer about losing her arm but rather that she ran away.
The Doctor: Don't you even start with me Blake because you have not been in the position, I am in. I know the history of Faunus and believe me it's sickening. At least your people are alive, at least your people are still running for generations to come. What about me? I ran away too. But I did it not because I was a coward but to survive. To adapt. To learn from what happened to me and make sure it wouldn't happen to anyone else. But you? You kept on running and running, not looking back at the damage you did. She cared for you very much Blake, more than you could possibly think. Do you have any idea how broke she felt when she released all that anger of you? She doesn't think her life will be normal again and she doesn't have the strength to do anything anymore.
Blake's mind was clouded as the Doctor continued talking and her instincts were kicking in. Everything else was blurry except for her hands and whatever she approached. She walked as the mumbling of the Doctor was still ongoing until she reached what she needed: Gambol Shroud. She walked once again and stopped right in front of the Doctor. Her instinct let her raise her gun to him while he was still talking and pulled the trigger.
Yang: Blake?
The instinct was gone, and Blake regained consciousness after hearing her voice in her head. Her eyes widened when she noticed her weapon in her hands and who was in front of her. She dropped immediately and covered her mouth in shame and horror.
The Doctor: Even if you shot at me. My Sonic Screwdriver had it deactivated. So your weapon would be jammed *Waves it*
Blake: *eyes widened* I...I didn't...I don't know what happened...
The Doctor: You didn't want to admit the mistakes you made and not fix them. Instead, you clouded your mind and let your instinct do what would be best. And to my surprise, you wanted to shut me up in your own way.
Blake didn't say anything nor looked at her time lord friend. Was he even her friend anymore after what she did? He only approached her with a disappointed look.
The Doctor: You'll be stuck in here, in this darkness...until you can face your fears and fix your mistakes. Goodbye Blake.
And with that, the Doctor walked out of the room and made his leave. Blake hadn't moved at all except for tears falling onto the ground as she heard the TARDIS leave. She slowly rose up as Sun was waking up and noticed her.
Sun: Blake?
She looked over at him with broken eyes which worried him but the pain from the slash was still hurting him. He reached out his hand to her.
Sun: What happened Blake? Where is everyone else?
Blake: This... is why, Sun. This is why I left them all behind.
Sun: What are you... wait, where am I?
Blake: I am done seeing my friends hurt because of me.
Sun: Blake...
Blake: Shut up! Do you think I like being alone? Every day... every day I think about them! Ruby, Weiss, Yang... they were my friends! I loved them like I never thought I could love anybody. And I hope they hate me for leaving.
Sun: You don't mean that.
Blake: Yes, I do!
She let out a forceful reply which startled him, but Blake would let the tears fall as she fell on her knees holding her head in anguish, pain, heartbreak, fear, and so much more.
Blake: *sobs* Everyone thinks they can help me, but they can't. You saw everything last night and you don't know all of it! Ilia got away because of me! You and my father almost died because of me! THE DOCTOR ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF ME! *cries* Yang...almost died because of me. No. No more. They're better off without me. I made my choices and I'll deal with the consequences because they belong to me.
Sun: You think you're being selfless, but you're not. Yeah, that Alien Hulk copycat got me pretty good. But I'd do it all again if it meant protecting you or anyone else, I care about. And I can promise Yang would say the same.
Blake: The Doctor went to see her...he told me what she was dealing with-
Sun: *sits up* You can make your own choices, sure. But you don't get to make ours. When your friends fight for you, it's because we want to. So, stop pushing us out! It hurts more than anything the bad guys could ever do to us. But, if it makes you feel any better, the next time I go up against a Slickteen, it won't be for you - it'll be to get even.
This helped Blake a bit and she hadn't felt this much relaxation in such a long time. She got up wiping her tears and gave Sun a light punch to which he winced.
Blake: My hero. *giggles* And it's called Slitheen.
Sun: Look at you being all professional. As if you were hanging out with the Doctor.
Blake: Actually...we did. With this police box time machine, we were able to go back in time and go out there in space. You have no idea just how big our world is and not just here in Remnant. Huh?
Sun: W-What? Something on my face?
Blake: What? No! *Stands up and walks towards photos frames*
What caught Blake's attention was the black gift box that was left on the table, all perfectly wrapped up. She picked it up and inspected it before slowly opening it and sighed softly. It was a Sonic Screwdriver, her own which was designed all black but with wide area dispersal petals and the resonator cage purple. Silver on the Central sonic cluster and Primary sonic emitter glows yellow when she activates it.
Sun: What is that Blake?
Blake: It's a gift...from the Doctor. He made me one of his future devices...I'm sorry Doctor...
The moment was interrupted when the door fell to reveal Kali who landed flat on the ground while Ghira watched in embarrassment while still having his head bandaged up.
Kali: Oh! Oh dear, would you look at that, he's awake! Thank goodness!
Ghira: Kali, please...
Blake: Mom! DAD! *Hugs him tight* I'm so glad you're okay!
Ghira: I'm fine sweetie. No man or alien could keep me down for good! Speaking of aliens, where's your friend? The Doctor.
Blake: Oh! Uh...he had to go. With Corsac still on the loose, he went to make sure he wasn't still around here.
Kali: What a shame. We hoped he would stay and continue helping us out. But just imagining he has a lot on his plate must be so much for him. I didn't know he was the last of his kind.
Blake: It's scary believe me...and it pains me as well. Besides this, what are you two doing over here?
Kali: Well, we wanted to check up and see how the two of you were doing. And your father wishes to speak to both of you as well.
Blake and Sun looked at each other worried as Ghira approached them and placed a Scroll on the table which displayed files labeled as W. F. with six subfiles inside which titled: Assignment, E.L., P.R., E.W., S. F., Untitled.
Ghira: Before the attack of the Slitheen, The Doctor almost unlocked every secret within Ilia's scroll. Your mother with her big brain, managed to finish unlocking it. I'm afraid you were right to be suspicious.
Blake: What do you mean?
Ghira: Adam Taurus is planning to overthrow the leader of the White Fang, and stage a full-scale attack on Haven Academy. It would be the Fall of Beacon all over again.
Blake looked at the scroll and knew this was bad news but to know it was only the beginning made it much worse. She looked at the plans but then looked at her Sonic Screwdriver and thought of what the Doctor told her.
The Doctor: You ran away from the White Fang when you could have possibly found a way to stop it. Maybe not the entire clan but Adam at least.
Sun: Not if we destroy the White Fang once and for all.
Blake: No. *looks at him with a confident look* We're not going to destroy the White Fang. We're going to take it back.
Back in the TARDIS, the Doctor continued looking for any traces of Corsac Slitheen around Menagerie but not a single trace of him appeared which confused the time lord as if he just disappeared into thin air. He was going to keep a close eye on Menagerie, even if things didn't go well with Blake. He looked over to see one more gif box left and saw his hand shaking. That last gif box would be for Weiss Schnee. The TARDIS made noises as if she was asking the Doctor a question.
The Doctor: How am I supposed to drop this off to her when she doesn't remember me and I'm too scared to see her...it's like I mentioned to the girls before, the Weiss I knew and loved is gone...
The TARDIS made more noises in return then displayed images of him and Weiss together. He had a bittersweet smile looking at all of this and it pained him as well. Taking a deep breath, he placed the coordinates onto Atlas.
The Doctor: Well I suppose...one quick visit wouldn't hurt. *Pulls the lever*
And so, the TARDIS made its departure for the next destination while the Doctor held on to Weiss's gift box tight in his hand. In the Land of Darkness, Cinder was surrounded by four beowolves as they circled her in. She got into deep focus and slashed all four with her maiden power, but it took a heavy drain on her. As she tried to catch her breath, an ape like Grimm known as the Beringel lunged to her for a final blow but she used her powers once again to kill it as she falls to the ground.
Salem: Enough.
Weak! A disgrace for you to have my body!
Cinder clenched her teeth at the voice in her head as Salem approached her with a disappointed look seeing how Cinder had struggled.
Salem: I thought you were the girl who wanted power. Did you lie to me?
HA! This power is nothing but a little boost. You want power? I can show you...
Cinder: No...*looks down*
Salem: Then stop holding back. If you wish to master your new powers, you must-
Their conversation came to a halt which angered Salem but noticed a fragile Tyrian rushing to her and falling on his knees as Cinder watched in a bit of fear.
You humans are so weak! No matter with any specialty.
Tyrian: I'm sorry... *bows* She'll forgive me. Pleeeease.
Salem: Tyrian! Your task - were you successful?
Tyrian: *shakes* N-No...
Cinder was left shocked as Salem took that response by surprise before walking away past Tyrian without saying anything and this worried the poisonous Faunus.
Tyrian: *turns around and looks at Salem* But-but hope is not lost! My tail, my stinger... I-I poisoned him, Qrow! He will not be a nuisance to you any longer, no... no longer! I've done that... have I done well? Have I pleased you?
Salem: *stops* The last eye is blinded... you disappoint me. *Walks away*
This broke Tyrian as he looked to the ground screaming and wailing while Cinder was slowly backing away. She noticed a Beowulf approaching Tyrian as he continued his breakdown. It would become worse as Tyrian kicks the creature away and jumps on it. Using the blades of his broken weapons, he began to slash and kill the Grimm nonstop as tears falls and the screaming continues. Cinder began to have flashes for the first time and could only hear the screams of men, women, and children while Daleks were shouting EXTERMINATE and killing people. She held her head as more flashes of the Last Great Time War continued to hit her.
LET ME GO CINDER! RELEASE ME FROM THIS TORTURE!