Vol.2, Ch.14:
The Doctor: Do that for me, Team RWBY. Have a fantastic life. And thank you for everything.
The message finally came to an end as the Doctor took a deep breath and looked around the TARDIS for a moment. This was a threat to the universe in which it could cease to exist if all goes wrong. He'd never dealt with anything like this before and now it was time to put his entire hearts to it even if it meant that he wouldn't come back alive. He's one of the last of the time lords, perhaps the very last and he was scared knowing the time lords would be gone forever once it was his time. But he thought back to his friends in Remnant, Dalek Khan, Team RWBY, Weiss, it hurt him that he promised he will see them again but perhaps in another time, another life. The TARDIS felt what the Doctor was feeling and replied with low tone sounds.
The Doctor: I am scared. I'm going in here clueless. But I'm going to stand and fight, to stop this void and save the rest of the universe, to avenge the lives that were taken...*breathes* It's up to you what you wish to do girl. Find someone else to travel with...or come to peace. My people died in a war which no one won. I'll die making sure no other life in this universe will suffer. Until the next time my friend.
He looked at the TARDIS one last time before exiting and activating his sonic screwdriver to send the TARDIS off. He was on his own now and it was his final grounds. He hoped that if he succeeds, he'll still live on but seeing the situation and the odds against him, it could be the Doctor's final hours. Looking around this strange ship, he snuck his way in hoping to find the one responsible for this and destroy this void as well. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't even done right at all, but he hoped he did his duty as the Doctor while making it his own.
Unknown Voice: *chuckles* Let him come.
The mysterious figure played with a crystal orb watching the Doctor through the cameras as his little game of trapping mouse has begun. Back in Remnant, Qrow was leading Team RNJR through a secret passage, wondering where he was taking them.
Qrow: The City of Mistral...
Nora: Ugh! It's about time! Whose idea was it to walk again?
Ren: Well, we did face many obstacles. Broken airships, destroyed settlements...
Jaune: Oh, and, you know, all those people and monsters that tried to murder us.
Ruby: Pfft, we were fine. *Looks at Qrow* Only one of us almost died.
Jaune: So, how much farther to Haven Academy?
Qrow: Almost there. But I figured I'd take you kids on the scenic route.
As the group approached two giant wooden doors, Ruby stopped for a moment after hearing a faint noise and looked back. She saw nothing but she knew that faint noise was very familiar. It sounded almost like the TARDIS. She shook her head and followed the others as Qrow opened the doors to reveal the beautiful scenery of the city of Mistral and leaving the others in awe.
Ruby: Wow! This... is... awesome!
Qrow: It's certainly something.
Ruby: *gasp*Oh my gosh, look at all the weapons!
Qrow: Vendors here'll sell you just about anything... whether they should or not.
Jaune: They really made the most out of these mountains.
Qrow: Every inch. Stay away from the lower levels. The higher up you go, the nicer it gets.
Nora: And we are going up!
Not far from approaching Mistral was an Atlas Cargo airship, the same airship in which Weiss Schnee had snuck onto and escaped from her home in Atlas. She was playing with her sonic screwdriver for a bit, looking at the features before wanting to know how much of the flight is left.
Weiss: So, how much farther?
Pilot: We're in the home stretch now. No more stops from here to Mistral. Sorry for the long trip. Keeping us off the radar's been harder than I thought. Lots of air traffic around northern Anima.
Weiss: It's fine. I... just hope I haven't been a burden.
Pilot: *chuckles* You and your money are more than welcome on this ship, kid.
Their conversation was abruptly ended after a radio transmission was passing through the airship which caught the attention of both. The transmission came from a female Mistral pilot.
Pilot: What the...?
Weiss: Is everything okay?
Pilot: I don't know. We're still over Lake Matsu. Shouldn't be picking up broadcasts this far from Mistral. Someone must be close.
Mistral Pilot: Mayday, mayday! We are a small passenger flight, and our Huntress is down! We aren't equipped to deal with this!
Pilot: Shit...
Mistral Pilot: The Grimm hit us 400 klicks north of the southern shoreline! Get them off us! If anyone can hear this- AH!
The sudden end of the transmission left Weiss worried, there were people in need of help. She needed to go help out and rescue those people from whatever Grimm are attacking them. She noticed the pilot turning around, hoping it meant they were going to where the transmission was.
Weiss: We're going to help them, right?
Pilot: What? No. I'm trying to avoid them.
Weiss: But... they'll die.
Pilot: Look, if we picked up their transmission, I'm sure someone else did, too. Besides, this is a cargo ship. She's not much good in a fight. I just wanna finish this job and get home. Sorry, kid. My ship, my rules.
Feeling defeated and helpless, Weiss laid back on the back of the cargo airship and closed her eyes. She wished those people didn't meet their ends, she could've done something to kill the Grimm and save the remaining survivors. Her eyes glowed once again without her knowing but turned back to normal after hearing a very faint noise that was from afar. She looked outside at the window but saw nothing other than the lake. That noise, she knew very well, sounded like the TARDIS. Maybe it was her imagination, but she hoped she was wrong. Not far from them, the location of the transmission revealed Grimms disintegrated into ashes out of nowhere as survivors watched and could breathe in relief that the worst was over.
Ruby: We made it!
After a nice exploration of the city, Team RNJR and Qrow finally approached Haven Academy. They stopped at a courtyard as Ruby smiled and wiped a tear from her eye. Jaune placed his hand on her shoulder, and she sighs as she opens the door to the academy, and everyone entered but no one was in sight.
Ruby: Hello? HELLO?!
Nora: Maybe try louder?
Ren: There doesn't seem to be anyone here.
Jaune: Well, I guess school isn't really in session right now. Maybe that's it.
Qrow: No, this isn't right. Come on.
The group stayed close and followed Qrow until approaching another pair of wooden doors. Noticing that Qrow pulled out his weapon, the others did as well.
Qrow: Get ready. There could be trouble.
The group nodded and positioned themselves as Qrow takes a steady position and knocks both doors to reveal a screaming Professor Leonardo Lionheart which caused Ruby, Nora, and Jaune to scream back in panic as Ren and Qrow looked on confused. The screaming stopped as Professor Lionheart tried to catch his breath.
Ruby: Uh, Professor Lionheart?
Lionheart: Qrow! For crying out loud, you nearly scared me half to death!
Qrow: Me? Why weren't you waiting for us at the entrance?
Lionheart: Huh? *Looks at my pocket watch* Oh, right. Apologies. I guess time slipped away from me.
Qrow: You're joking.
Nora: Where is everybody?
Lionheart: Ah, you must be the students Qrow mentioned.
Ruby: Yes, sir. Ruby Rose.
Jaune: Jaune Arc.
Nora: Nora Valkyrie.
Ren: Lie Ren.
Lionheart: *chuckles* A pleasure to meet you all. Leonardo Lionheart, at your service. I'm afraid most of my staff is currently away until classes resume, but-
Qrow: What? Leo, you can't be serious. Who's guarding the Relic?
Lionheart: Qrow, the children.
Qrow: Already know. I filled them in. What do you mean your staff is away?
Lionheart: *eyes widened* You... filled them in?
Nora: So, is this not going at all like anyone thought it would?
That would seem the case for everyone right now, especially the Doctor as he continued sneaking through the ship while trying to find the pilot room that's controlling the void. He hasn't been seen nor has he seen anyone around the ship, which has him wondering if there is anyone around at all. He spoke too soon as he passed by two hooded figures with a silver mask that had human shaped faces on each side. These guys looked like bad news, so it was best to avoid confronting them as the Doctor continued to sneak around.
The Doctor: *whispers* Where is the control room?
Sneaking by the engines, the Doctor stopped and hid momentarily to see another of those masked figures approaching. He knew he would be caught if spotted whether at the spot or when he moves on. He only had one option in mind as the figure passed by and the time lord wasted no time in grabbing the figure, chopping his neck, and putting it to sleep quietly without making a noise.
The Doctor: These creatures are the same height as humans in Remnant.
And with that, a bright idea came from the time lord as he removed the coat from the figure, placing it around him properly, then proceeded to remove the mask, only to see a horrifying humanoid creature. Pale face creature with small eyes, no nose, and fearsome fanged jaws. Looking around, the Doctor hides the humanoid away in the engines then takes its masked appearance.
The Doctor: This should do for a limited time.
The time lord proceeded to walk through the engines and onto the main hallways where many more of these humanoids were all over the ship. Fortunately, none had suspected him yet, but he knew the faster he got to the control room, the better. As he continues to pass by, he hears the communications of these humanoids with their clicking noises and screeches, but he was able to understand them. Thank goodness the TARDIS took in the language and gave the Doctor the opportunity to understand them. One of them approached him.
Humanoid Figure: *clicking noises* "Have you checked the engines?"
The Doctor: "Engines are remained intact."
Humanoid Figure: "Understood! Continue checking other engines, we are soon approaching more planets."
If you were to ask the Doctor what his closest call would be, it would be this. Without any suspicions, he proceeded to move forward and continued looking for the control room. But time was not on his side now that he knows the void is soon to approach more planets soon. He needed to find what drives the void and FAST!
Lionheart: I have to say, Qrow, this all seems very reckless, even for you.
Qrow: No, reckless is leaving one of the Relics completely unguarded. It's not checking in with Oz for ages!
Lionheart: There was nothing to check in about before the fall of Beacon, but since that day, Mistral has been in chaos! Vale wasn't the only Kingdom to suffer that night. Everyone was watching. Every house in every Kingdom saw that poor girl ripped to pieces, saw monsters crawling over the city, Atlesian Knights attacking citizens...and then nothing. You could feel the dread in the air. With all that negativity, you can imagine what it was like when the Grimm came for us. Mistral's territory is the widest reaching in the world, you know, and that makes it infinitely harder to protect. We lost so many great Huntsmen, teachers from this very institution. And it's only gotten worse.
Ruby: What do you mean?
Nora: Hang on a sec! Yes, all of that happened...and it stayed with us. But did you not see the entire thing, what the Doctor did, what we did? It was horrible...but we prevented much worse things-
Lionheart: Frankly my dear, what this Doctor person did that night was only minimum. Where is he now? Why hasn't he eradicated all of Grimm? We may have dealt with the Grimm, but the Mistral council's still at odds with representatives from Atlas. First, it was the Dust embargo, now it's the closing of borders. I'm not sure what happened to James in Vale, but it seems to have only worsened some of his more unfortunate tendencies. And, on top of everything, we still don't know where the Spring Maiden is.
The group except Qrow and Ren all looked back at Lionheart with disappointed and angry expressions after what he said about Beacon and the Doctor. There's a difference between seeing it on tv and seeing it in person.
Qrow: All the more reason we need the Huntsmen and Huntresses here!
Ruby: Okay! Okay. Things are bad; they're bad. But we can figure this out. Why is the Spring Maiden so important?
Lionheart: *looks at Qrow* I thought you filled them in.
Qrow: Mostly filled in. Look, there's a lot to cover, okay? I quit teaching for a reason. *drinks*
Lionheart: The four Maidens each have the power to perform feats of magic, and they are the only ones capable of reaching the Relics.
Jaune: What?
Qrow: The Relics are each locked inside a chamber that can only be opened by a specific Maiden. Winter for the gift of Creation, Summer for Destruction, Fall for Choice and Spring for Knowledge. Spring is the problem.
Ren: What happened to her?
Lionheart: She was determined, at first, when she inherited her powers, but the weight of responsibility proved to be too much for the child. She... ran. Abandoned her training, everyone. That was over a decade ago. There's no telling where she could be now.
Qrow: I... know. At least... I have a pretty good idea.
Lionheart: *eyes widened* Are you serious? This is incredible news!
Qrow: It's not exactly good news. I did some digging around. Looks like, after Spring ran away, she was picked up by bandits, specifically the Branwen tribe.
Lionheart: Raven.
The room went quiet with only gasps from Nora and Ruby being heard. Ruby looked down without saying anything else. She never thought she would be involved with Raven. Qrow pulled up his scroll and activated a zoom in section of Remnant.
Qrow: That's about where they've set up their main camp. It's where they fall back to after raids and scouting missions. Raven's managed to gain a lot of followers since she returned to the tribe, and I'm sure when the Spring Maiden showed up, it only made things easier.
Lionheart: *sighs in relief* Well, Qrow, I've got to hand it to you. With these coordinates, we can mount a retrieval force and head out in a few weeks.
Qrow: A FEW WEEKS?! Leo, maybe you didn't hear me. My sister has the Spring Maiden, and I know where she is. We need to go, as soon as possible!
Lionheart: *grunts and glares at Qrow* And perhaps you didn't hear me. This Kingdom is in shambles. "As soon as possible" does not mean tomorrow. It means, as soon as I can convince the council that I need Huntsmen more than they do. Unfortunately, bandit tribes aren't very high on their list of priorities when the threat of war is just on the horizon.
Qrow: Then damn the council. We'll do it ourselves. You and I are trained Huntsmen and these kids aren't exactly pushovers.
Lionheart: Unfortunately, you and your sister are evenly matched. And I'm not the fighter I used to be. No offense, but these students and I can't take on an entire bandit tribe and a Maiden that's no doubt had years to hone her skills. We need to be positive we can apprehend Spring, because if we fail Raven and her tribe will scatter. And we'll be lost. We get one shot at this. And it needs to be perfect.
Qrow: *sighs* You know Oz wouldn't be happy with any of this if he were here.
Lionheart: Perhaps you're right. But he's not. I'm doing the very best I can.
Ruby: There has to be something we can do.
Jaune: What about Cinder? She came with Emerald and Mercury from Haven. Do you have anything on them?
Lionheart: We pulled their files after the Fall of Beacon. Nothing but lies and forgeries.
Jaune clinched his fist upon anger as the others looked down in defeat knowing the bandits that started all this had hidden their traces very well. If only they knew that there is one more lie behind these lies, the lie of Cinder Fall.
Qrow: Well, I can't say this has been a warm reunion, Leo.
Lionheart: I'm sorry. I know you've all traveled a long way. But I will do everything I can to help.
Qrow: Sure. We'll stay in the city for the time being. Local comms are still up. Keep in touch. *Walks away* Come on, kids.
After the kids bid goodbye to the professor of Haven, he waited until they were truly out of sight before releasing a sigh and already feeling stressed by all of this. It wasn't until a holographic message opens up with the voice of a man that could easily make anyone follow his command: Arthur Watts.
Watts: Oh, Leo. We have got to work on your improvisational skills.
Back outside in the academy hallway, the group walk out feeling awkward, tense, and stressed by the whole situation but no one else feels it more than Qrow. Nora makes a stop to speak out first in all this.
Nora: So, what do we do now?
Qrow: *sighs and rubs eyes* You four head back to the house. I need a drink.
Before Ruby could retaliate on Qrow's decision, he already made his leave as the others looked at each other in concern. Meanwhile in the skies of Mistral, Weiss was soon approaching landing soon as she looked outside, still feeling guilty about not helping out with the transmission crew, unbeknownst that she already did.
Weiss: Where are we?
Pilot: Nowhere good. Passing by some of Lake Matsu's floating islands. The gravity Dust that forms in these things is giving us a little turbulence. Nothing I can't handle, but the islands sometimes hide some nasty Grimm. I'm just betting on our friends in distress keeping them preoccupied.
Before Weiss could reply, another airship on fire and damaged was close to crashing directly towards them.
Weiss: Look out!
The pilot saw and instantly shifted gears pulling up as the burned airship just missed them. The ship crashes onto one of the floating islands but the two noticed it had a Mistral emblem. Something is coming as the pilot turns on the radio to hear multiple transmissions, ones the two wished they didn't hear until the pilot noticed something.
Pilot: You've got to be kidding me! Lancers, freaking Lancers! Alright buckle up- Huh? What are you doing?
The cargo opened with Weiss standing firm and ready as she activates her Myrtenaster. Focused, she inspects the Grimms that are approaching them.
Weiss: What we should've done in the first place! You're carrying Dust, right?
Pilot: Officially, no. Actually, yes.
Weiss: Now or Never.
Pilot: Crap. Better make it quick!
Using glyphs and dust, Weiss goes out in her attacks to kill a few Grimms as more approached. Skills, speed, and her semblance, Weiss is able to act fast and continue on to kill off the fleet of Grimm until she got knocked off balance as the ship rocks.
Weiss: Ah! What was that?!
Pilot: We're hooked!
Two Lancer Grimm attached their stingers on the ship and began to rock it around as the rest of the swarm gains on and gets closer to the ship. Weiss was trying to think of a new plan, but the Pilot already had one in mind.
Pilot: I got an idea! Hold on! Literally!
Going full speed ahead, the ship accelerates towards one of the floating islands then plunges down which sends the Lancers crashing on the island. The pilot laughs in excitement as Weiss hangs on while looking back outside.
Weiss: Can you find a pair of islands we can fit between?
Pilot: Kid, you are reading my mind!
Still cruising with speed and approaching small gaps between the islands, Weiss gets an opening to release fireballs to destroy one of the rock formations which crashes all down on the remaining Grimms and killing them. She was about to sigh in relief as she hears the pilot laughing in excitement until she hears a loud and bigger screech. Out of nowhere, a larger Lancer appears and Weiss knew what it was.
Weiss: It's a Queen Lancer!
Pilot: WHAT?!
The Queen attacks the ship causing heavy damage as the pilot tries to regain control. Weiss uses most of the remaining dust to create a large explosion on the Queen, only for it to come out unscathed. The Queen makes another hit on the ship as Weiss stumbles back.
Pilot: I can see the shoreline! Gods, we're not gonna make it!
Weiss: Pull up, now!
Taking a deep breath, Weiss positions herself and summons Arma Gigas but doesn't notice that instead of a white Arma Gigas, it was gold. The cargo ship pulls up into the air then going upside down as Arma gigas jumps out and slices Queen Lancer into two halves, finishing it all. Weiss falls back on the ground unconscious as the cargo ship begins to fall due to heavy damage before everything fades to black.
At a nearby pub, Qrow is all alone and drinking a few drinks to release all that bad feeling from him. His next round, he only picks up the glass but doesn't drink as he looks at his reflection. He hears footsteps approaching and turns around to see a young boy near Ruby's age, a little younger. His name was Oscar Pine
Oscar: Excuse me.
Qrow: You know, I don't think they allow kids in here, pipsqueak.
Oscar: Umm... I'm supposed to tell you... I'd like my cane back.
Qrow's eyes widened before simply nodding with a small smile. He stands up which startles Oscar, but Qrow throws the cane which the young boy catches as it extends out.
Qrow: Hmm. It's good to see you again, Oz.
Back on the void, the Doctor continues to look around while maintaining cover as the hooded humanoids. Time was running out as he detected that the void will approach another set of stars and planets soon. He looked around, up and about, but no luck which was frustrating him but something else caught his eye and looked up once again. He saw a figure standing above in a higher room and watching before walking back in.
The Doctor: Gotcha.
Before he could make his approach, the alarms rang off, which startled the Doctor as he heard screeches coming from the alarm transmission. Someone found out that there's a trespasser in disguise and he now believes it was the figure watching above. As the alarm rang, everything else went in silence as the Doctor turned around to see all the humanoids staring at him.
The Doctor: Oh you've got to be kidding me...
They all screeched and made chase of the time lord as he made a run for it. Taking off his disguise, the Doctor picked up speed and ran through a few hallways of the ship while the humanoids continued to chase him as more would appear in front of him and tried to tackle him, but he dodged and continued to run. He needed to find an escape and FAST! He saw through other entrances that they were all approaching him and there was no way out.
Back in Mistral, flames engulfed the crashed cargo ship as Weiss crawled out slowly and in pain. Her bruises and wounds were nowhere in sight, but her clothes were slightly damaged and dirty. She continued to crawl until two figures appeared in front of her and she looked up.
Weiss: Help... please.
Bandit One: What do you think?
Weiss looked over to see a older woman approaching and looked down at the Schnee huntress. Having the bandits grab Weiss's Myrtenaster and Sonic Screwdriver, the woman smirked as an idea came to mind while Weiss looked in fear before being knocked out cold by the woman.
Raven: I think... we just hit the jackpot.