Vol.2, Ch.12:
Guard #1: STOP HIM!
The Doctor: You really need a better fit to catch up! WHOA! *Dodges one* Maybe not.
The chase of cat and mouse went on as the Doctor continued to run through the mansions as the guards continued to catch him. It became a game of tag once the guards secured all entrances. Next plan he had in mind: Find a place for the TARDIS to materialize. With a little help from Willow and Klein without getting caught, they held a few guards down for the Doctor to speed on ahead. He finds a room and gets in fast, closing it, and locking it as he hears all the guards passing by.
The Doctor: Phew. How was this the most difficult chase but ran the least.
As he turned around to wait for the TARDIS, his eyes shrunk in horror to see someone on the ground out and cold. It was Weiss Schnee as she lay there motionless, and the Doctor approached her.
The Doctor: Weiss! *Picks her up* H-Hey...come on...wake up! Cmon Weiss!
No response and it was scaring him. He looked around and he saw the giftbox on the ground with the necklace and sonic screwdriver scattered as well. He knew what happened and he was blaming himself. The encounter, their kiss, the energy pulse, and the giftbox, she remembered it all. Weiss got her memories back and he may have just killed her. He checked her pulse, nothing. He checked her heartbeat, nothing.
The Doctor: N-No...NO! *Holds her close and tears fall* I'm so sorry Weiss...I'm sorry...I did this...
He heard the TARDIS materializing in her room, but he didn't look up. He kept holding her, staring into space all broken and empty. He lost what made him the happiest in the universe, he lost his universe...or so he thought.
Weiss: GASP
The Doctor: W-Weiss?...
Weiss: *breathes heavily and looks at him* Doctor...Doctor! *Smiles softly*
The Doctor: You...You know me?...
Weiss: I remember...
She remembers everything. Their moments together, the travels all across time and space, and the best part: She was okay! The Doctor brings her in for a tight hug which she returns as tears fall from her eyes.
Weiss: What is even happening? *groans* Ugh, my head...still hurts like hell even with my memories back.
The Doctor: Well...
Loud knocks were heard from Weiss's door which means the guards have found him. Using his Sonic, he jams the locks of the door to prevent an easy break in as guards are struggling to do so while the duo stands up fast.
Jacques: HOW ARE YOU HAVING A HARD TIME BREAKING A SIMPLE DOOR?!
Weiss: Doctor, what's going on?
The Doctor: Let's just say I'm Jacquess Schnee most wanted at the moment.
Weiss: Y-You saw...what happened?
The Doctor: Not saw. Just heard everything and I got tired of it. But look there's not much time to chat. *Holds her hand* Let's get out of here! The TARDIS is right here!
Weiss: Y-You mean...
The Doctor: Yes! All of time and all of space is sitting out there. A big blue box. You and me once again! Away from this prison he has you in, and to find the others as well. Just like the old days!
Weiss couldn't agree more. She looked at the TARDIS which brought warmth to her heart seeing the time machine there and well. She thought of the adventures, the fun, the risks, and she couldn't want anything more right now than to escape from here. To see her father throwing a tantrum and her mother happy as she leaves with the Doctor. To be with him now that they've connected and shared their feelings with a kiss. It was almost everything she wanted, almost. She wanted it but she had to rid of that "almost" first.
Weiss: *looks down* I...can't...just yet.
The Doctor's face dropped while Weiss avoided looking at his hurt expression. She wants to go with him, she really does; But she needed to do things here in Remnant as well first.
Weiss: There are things I need to do here first. It's been a year since I last saw my friends, what is going on out there in the world. I have to fix things up and help out just like you would. But...it won't be long. *looks at him* I want to be with you, travel with the TARDIS, and go on all those amazing adventures. I'll go with you Doctor, but you just need to wait for me a little longer. I promise I'll come find you before you find me.
She was expecting to see a hurt or disappointed Doctor for her answer but instead he had a hopeful and calm expression that soon gave out a small smile. A smile that said many things, how he wished she come with him now but as well, happy for what she wants to do.
Weiss: Besides, I'm just going to slow you down and you don't have much time before they enter. You need to go! I promise you Doctor, we are going to be together very soon.
The Doctor: *smiles* I know. I'll be waiting and don't do anything stupid til we meet up.
Weiss: No promises. Now that I have my memories back, I can finally tell you that *breathes* I...*smiles* I love you, my Doctor!
The Doctor: *blushes lightly but smiles* Heh. I love you too Weiss Schnee.
Weiss gave out a big blush, finally hearing those words come out from the Doctor. That feeling they have been longing for and waiting for so long to release. And now, it brought nothing else but joy, warmth, and happiness to the both of them. The door was being broken through which meant time was running out.
Weiss: Go! Run you clever idiot and be The Doctor!
The Doctor opened the doors to the TARDIS fast and entered as Weiss was able to get a quick peek of it. Before pulling the lever to dematerialize, the Doctor runs out again, grabs Weiss by the waist surprising her, and giving her another kiss on the lips to which she returned happily. It wasn't long like their kiss earlier but it let out much more emotions from the hearts now that her memories and feelings have returned. Pulling away, they both give each other a look of reassurance before the Doctor jumps back in and closing the doors at the same time Weiss's door breaks down and all the guards followed by Jacques, Whitley, Klein, and Willow all entered.
Jacques: A police box?
Willow: Not your typical police box.
The Doctor watched through the screens as everyone, but Weiss, Willow, and Klein had a look of confusion of the TARDIS. He looks at Weiss with a smile before pulling the lever setting for departure. The TARDIS began to dematerialize in front of everyone and shocking them, but Weiss watched with a confident smile. Soon, the Doctor and the TARDIS disappeared into thin air and everyone left. Jacques left humiliated and confused, Whitley left in amazement of what he saw, and the only people remaining in Weiss's room was her and her mother.
Willow: Weiss...I'm sure you're very confused of what you just saw but-
Weiss: That was my Doctor with his TARDIS travelling across the speed of time and space. *Looks at her* I'm finally okay now mom. I finally remember everything.
Willow's eyes widened before pulling her daughter for a tight hug. Weiss felt overwhelmed with happy emotions and hugged her mother back. No more secrets. No more cover ups. Seeing the Doctor once again, confessing their love for each other, and getting her memories back gave a bit of spark to this terrible night. If only she knew there was more to come. Back in the TARDIS, The Doctor was following the coordinates of the ship of the Cyberman ship but the screen kept changing things.
The Doctor: Oi! What's going on girl? We gotta pinpoint their arrival and stop them before they cause more damage...or worse.
The TARDIS did not reply back and the Doctor knew something was wrong.
The Doctor: What's bothering you? The Cyberman here in Remnant? Weiss getting her memories back? Or just exhausted from all the travelling?
Once again, the TARDIS did not reply at all which was a No from her. The Doctor continued to think and made a realization that perhaps it's something he doesn't know about.
The Doctor: Is it something you detected?
The TARDIS finally replied with a low moan like noise and changed the screen from the tracking of the Cyberman ship to a outline of the entire universe. As time of the outline progressed, planets and stars began to disappear, which concerned the Doctor.
The Doctor: Wait. Wait. Why are they disappearing at rapid time. That's not normal. What is causing them to disappear in a span of days?
Two problems were now arising, the Cybermen and the universe going dark. He was going to investigate the ladder but needed someone to stop the Cyberman and he knew who to approach as he set his coordinates for the next stop. The sun was shining, and the birds were tweeting as three teens and one adult stood asleep for the moment. Not that far from them, Ruby Rose was walking around with Dalek Khan as they catch up but also talked about potential threats that could still come from outside Remnant.
Dalek Khan: HALT! *Looks around*
Ruby: What is it Khan? Grimm? Alien?
They didn't need to find their answer as the answer found them first with the TARDIS materializing in front of them. Ruby was excited again to see the Doctor as he came out but with a serious look that knew there was big trouble.
The Doctor: Both of you. Inside. Quick.
Ruby looked at Dalek Khan with a troubling look as both heads inside while the Doctor pulled up two different projections on the screens.
The Doctor: We got trouble. Here and universally.
Ruby: It's always one or the other but both? How bad are we talking about Doctor?
The Doctor: I was able to get access from security footage at the port of Beacon where soldiers were still around in helping the damage get fixed. However, they encountered something...very dangerous.
He played the footage for Ruby and Khan to watch as it all seems normal until the shift changes when soldiers begin to position themselves and start firing at something offscreen. Ruby felt her body freeze when she saw the soldiers being killed by the Cybermen and hijacking one of their ships alongside what look like their leader and a face she did not expect to see again.
Ruby: Dr. Merlot...
The Doctor: You know him as well?
Ruby: Y-Yeah. It was before you returned to Beacon after leaving with your TARDIS. Professor Ozpin sent us out on training when we encountered him and he is a big threat. He's like Dr. Pavel, likes to work on evolving the Grimm and making them his own. But what are those robots with him?
Dalek Khan: They are called the Cybermen.
Ruby: Right! I remember you mentioning it to us last year.
The Doctor: Killer human machines that will convert any human on this planet into one of their own. Grind their bodies, remove their brains, and strip of their emotions to make them soulless soldiers of the dead. Them being here in Remnant is already dangerous news...and they are heading to Haven as well.
Ruby moved back a bit in fear of this sudden news to her. These machines entered her planet and were on the same course to where she and the others are going. A sudden realization hit her as she remembered when they crashed on the plant life planet.
Ruby: Doctor! That time we crashed onto the planet where we met Vine Weiss. We were very close to the crack and when we had Khan scan it, he detected nothing. Just what if. What if those Cybermen were coming through when we were near the crack and once we were away from it, they already landed here.
The Doctor: You may be right Ruby. We were averting bigger impact that we did not see nor decide to scan the crack. *sighs* Just great.
Ruby: Doctor? Is there something else? About the universe?
The Doctor moved away the screen of the Cybermen footage and pulled up the next screen which displayed an outline of the universe. Ruby was left amazed and slightly terrified of how big the universe is. Something caught both the huntress and Dalek's attention which was the planets and stars disappearing from the date dating back a few weeks to today.
Ruby: Doctor?
Dalek Khan: What is happening to the universe? EXPLAIN!
The Doctor: I don't know yet. All I know is the TARDIS discovered it first. Yes, planets and stars can die but not at this rate. This is beyond natural cause and there is something out there that's ending life as we know it.
Ruby felt the chill crawl up her skin and her heartbeat faster than normal. She hasn't felt this feeling since the Fall of Beacon. The Doctor looked at her and held her hand to calm her down.
The Doctor: Nothing will happen to this world. I am going to stop what's destroying the universe and prevent it from ever reaching here. No matter how long it takes me...or if I don't come back.
Ruby: *eyes widened* WHAT?! NO!
Dalek Khan: YOU WILL NOT!
The Doctor: It's only if none of my plans work to stop it.
Ruby: NO! You are not going to die! You're the very last of your kind, the most incredible person any of us knew, what about us? What about Weiss?
The Doctor: She...she remembers me. I want to drop off her gift and things got a little heated and troubling to where she regained her memories back. But something kept her from dying which is what scared me.
Ruby's eyes changed expressions through all of this and right now it was relief and joy that her teammate and friend remembered the Doctor and their adventures, and she wasn't going to die. But they changed back to concern about the universal threat.
The Doctor: I need you and Dalek Khan to stop the Cybermen ship. I know it's a lot for you because I won't be there and your friends don't know much about them like you do-
Ruby: We'll do it. Dalek Khan can be our lead and I can help in striking them down. Right Khan?
Dalek Khan: Cybermen weapon is ineffective to my armor. However, my armor is slightly rusted so it won't 100% cover me. However, I can hover around them and go for the strike. You can go for the ship's engine.
The Doctor: *smiles* Weapons duo alright.
Ruby: BUT! We want you alive Doctor. We want you here with us. You got a family here that loves you, you have a special someone who is waiting for you to come back, and if you don't, then we are both coming for you and a knuckle sandwich.
The Doctor: Oh, I'm counting on that. So you'll be able to crack down the Cybermen situation?
Ruby: We got you as long as you find out what's causing the universe to disappear, fix it, and come back.
The Doctor nodded and gave out a small smile to which Ruby returns it with a strong hug. He hugs her back as well as she tightens the hug without looking at him.
Ruby: Please come back, okay? Maybe...if there is a chance for all of us to reunite...we'll be together once again. That wibbly wobbly family.
The Doctor: Is that how you all see me as? Family?
Ruby: Well duh! Besides Weiss who we know is your girlfriend, Yang and I always saw you as our big brother that we never had.
It's been such a long time since he felt this feeling of having a family after losing his in the Time War. It made him smile to know he had a new family here and it motivated him even more to stop this threat. As Ruby and Dalek Khan departed the TARDIS, the Doctor sealed the doors, and the TARDIS would once again disappear into thin air and onto space.
Ruby: Cybermen? Care to lecture me about them?
Dalek Khan: It is a lot of information to process but I will give you the main information.
Before Dalek Khan could explain, the duo heard Team JNR shouting out for Ruby which worried the huntress as they both ran back to their destination and to her horror, Uncle Qrow was on the ground, coughing with purple fluid coming out from his abdomen.
Qrow: Well... That's unfortunate.
Qrow would fall unconscious causing everyone to panic as Dalek Khan began to scan his body and the process of the poison left at the mark of Tyrian.
Dalek Khan: The poison is just beginning its effect. He has a 98% of survival if we move NOW!
Jaune: Poison? As in-
Ruby: Tyrian. Khan, what's the nearest medical place for us?
Dalek Khan: Scanning. 3 hours.
Ruby: We need to act fast and NOW! Just hold on, Uncle Qrow.
Qrow: Tai. She's not... coming... *Grunts and coughs* Tai.
The four create a makeshift stretcher as they placed Qrow who remains coughing and the fluid coming out worse. They are grateful Dalek Khan is there to scan Qrow and update on the situation as all of them marched towards the next location in hopes of finding a doctor or hospital. After an hour of walking through the forests, the team approach different sections with signs to each of them. Higanbana. Kuchinashi and Mistral to the right and Kuroyuri to the left but the name was scratched out.
Ruby: How much farther?
Nora: We've gotta be close.
Ren: Without the map, there's no way of knowing. But I feel like we're close to something.
Dalek Khan: Survival Rate dropped to 83%. The poison remains slow but is becoming more severe by the minute.
Jaune: He's getting worse.
Nora: Hey, hey! Mistral! We're on the right path! Oh...
Ruby: Does it say how close?!
Ren: No. And it looks like the path takes us up the mountains.
Jaune: Guys, I don't know if all of us can make that climb.
Ruby: Okay. Well, what about this place? Kuro... Kuroyuri? Can we get help there?
Dalek Khan: Scanning for possible life in that town.
Ren: That village was destroyed years ago.
Jaune: But if it takes us around the mountains, it's the best bet we've got.
Ren: *clenches fist* It will take too long!
Ruby: The town would have had a doctor, right? Maybe we could scavenge for medicine!
Jaune: Right!
Ren: We're not going to find anything! We just have to press on!
Dalek Khan: He is unfortunately correct. No sign of life in that town.
Jaune: Okay! Hang on a sec. Ren, why are you acting—
Nora: We can split up!
Ruby: Huh?
Nora: Ren and I can cut through the mountains while you, Ruby, and Khan take Qrow around through the village.
Jaune: No, we're supposed to stick together! We keep each other safe!
Nora: We don't have time for safe! If we make it to Mistral, we'll bring back help! If we don't, at least we'll have a better view of the land! Up there, we can see if there's somewhere else we can go!
Dalek Khan: She has a point. His survival rate is dropping as we waste time. It is at 76%. WE MUST MOVE!
Complications and tensions were arising as Ruby was trying to do anything to save her uncle, but she saw that there were problems with JNR as Jaune didn't reply back nor looked at Ren and Nora. He lost Pyrrha, he did not want to lose them either. He couldn't but he looked at them to see a confident look from each other that led to him making the difficult decision.
Jaune: OK. *Hugs Ren and Nora* Just take care of each other.
Nora: *hugs back* We always have.
Ruby watched on as she looked at her uncle and hoped this would work. One way or another, they were going to save Qrow. She heard something from the far distance and looked up to see what she couldn't believe: The Cybermen ship. She ran to Khan as JNR continued their moment.
Ruby: Khan-
Dalek Khan: It is them.
Ruby: What are we going to do? I know the Doctor left us to handle it but...my uncle.
The Dalek looked at Ruby then looked at her uncle followed by the ship. He looked up at Jaune and scanned him to detect his aura growing rapidly. Khan was connecting the dots in getting his next move.
Dalek Khan: You will stay behind and find aid for your uncle. I will chase the ship.
Ruby: WHAT?! NO! W-We just reunited, and I can't lose you again!
Dalek Khan: There is no other choice. Your uncle needs to be cured immediately. We shall meet again at Haven. I PROMISE!
Ruby fought back the fear of losing Dalek Khan after a few days of being together once again. She hugs the Dalek as he lowers his eyestalk to return the hug.
Ruby: We can't lose the Doctor and we can't lose you.
Dalek Khan: You won't.
Ruby's eyes flashed as she saw something impossible before it all disappeared and looked at her Dalek friend. Now she understood why he wasn't worried and why she shouldn't either.
Ruby: *nods* Go. I'll keep you posted with my uncle, and you let me know if you are able to take the ship down or if anything else happens.
Dalek Khan: Understood.
Ruby moved back a bit as Dalek Khan began to levitate and proceeded to fly off and follow the Cybermen ship. Jaune just noticed Dalek Khan leaving which shocked him.
Jaune: Wait! Where is he going? We needed him to keep track of your uncle's health! He was also our Calgary!
Ruby: There's an ongoing situation that you won't understand Jaune. He went to handle it and promised to meet us at Haven. We need to act now and find help for Uncle Qrow. Ren and Nora will also do their best to get through all of this. If anything, I say they'll be fine.
Jaune: *closes eyes* You don't know that.
She wasn't hurt by his words, but she understood where he was at. He never recovered from Pyrrha's death like all of them, but he has taken it the worst. The doubt grew in him and all she could do was try to prove that everything would be fixed. She looked up at the sky thinking of the Doctor and wherever he was going to stop the universal threat. All she hoped was that he could stop this.
From Remnant to Elentear as the people of all species continue their daily lives. However, the alarms rang once again causing panic from people all around as officials tried to calm the crowd down and detect if a solar flare was occurring. But it was much worse because in matter of seconds, the sun of Elentear disappeared into nothing and it was dark skies on this planet. Some continued to run and seek shelter, but others remained very confused as to where their beloved sun had gone. The ground began to shake as dark and deformed clouds shaped like serpents surrounded the planet and began to disintegrate everything. The ground, the shelters, the nature of the planet, and every single life on the planet all being erased into ashes as the storm finishes up Elentear completely and there was nothing left of it. The storm continues on, eating up everything it's in path as someone from inside the storm watches on with a sinister chuckle. Trouble was approaching for the Doctor and the universe.