Vol.2, Ch.16:
The entrance to the main control room didn't even look like one at all. It looked very much more like a throne room which supported the Doctor's idea that whoever is behind this is trying to play God. He didn't like it one bit at all as he continues to walk to the main room. As he arrives, he notices a very old humanoid on a throne, which doesn't look like the rest on this ship but still maintains an alien-like stout appearance. Scaly skin, sunken shadow eyes, and crystals around his head that resembled a crown. In between this humanoid and the Doctor was a chess board.
The Doctor: Of course you've made yourself a throne. You've no shame.
Elder Humanoid: Only pride. You should know that by now.
The Doctor: I spend my life walking into new places and weighing things up fast. Who's who? Who has the power? Who's in danger? How fast danger is coming. So, I'll start with the first, who are you?
Krall: I am Krall. The last of the time lords.
He certainly did not look like a time lord nor did the Doctor believed he was one. Connecting the dots made him realize what the Oxthordol King said when he encountered another time lord, there was a race in this universe known as time lords and they were very much different. However, he knew about Gallifrey so it still concerns him that he's referring to Cinder Fall. The Doctor sat across from him as their game of chess began.
Krall: And what about you boy?
The Doctor: I'm the Doctor. Not any ordinary one like you've heard.
Krall: Very much. Quite a player you are, hiding in disguise, finding ways to escape, and making your move on chess against me. Yet, I can't figure out what exactly you are.
The Doctor: I'm a time lord. The very last of my kind and vastly different from you.
Krall: Do not make a mockery out of my race. We would never look fragile like you.
The Doctor: What makes you think that I'm the same time lord as you.
Krall thought about it very well and was followed by a chuckle and smirk from him. He figured it out and was much more interested in this Doctor as he made his next move and removed the first chess piece.
Krall: You are not from this universe. *Chuckles more* What a fascinating discovery.
The Doctor: Don't be amused. Sometimes a new discovery...isn't always a good thing. I may not look big or strong, I don't have any powers whatsoever, all I have is this *points to my head*
Krall: Heh. The brain is in fact the most powerful weapon in the universe, it is how we learn, adapt, control, and evolve. Two time lords from two different universes with near intelligence. I could be speaking to my own reflection.
The Doctor: Not even close. We've made some different major choices.
Krall: Not quite. We've just developed different methods for the same goal. Changing the universe. Only your skills die with your body. Mine will survive long after I'm gone. And life is all about leaving something behind. Isn't it?
The Doctor stayed quiet and thought about that very well. What would he leave behind when he dies? He's made that impact in Remnant but not the entire universe itself. The weight keeps adding on and it bothered him because all he is in the universe is another passerby. He quietly releases his emotions by removing two chess pieces from Krall which he found impressive. But his work on the Doctor wasn't finished yet.
Krall: The thing that no one wants to admit is that most people want things to happen to them. We tell each other lies about the fight for free will and independence, but we don't really want that. We want to be told how to live, and then die when we are not looking. People want oblivion, and a few of us are born to build it for them. So, here I am, their invisible god. Making the correction this universe needs, a reset.
The Doctor: You know that history isn't kind to those who play God.
Krall: Neither are those who are so called saviors. It's a difficult moral high ground you occupy.
The Doctor: No, I'm just doing what is simple yet impactful, spreading hope around this universe.
Krall and The Doctor were halfway done with their game of chess, and both tied up with 8 pieces remaining. Their intelligence is very alike, their knowledge of this universe, Krall being the superior, their ability to life itself, the Doctor knows far more.
The Doctor: How do you do it then? A serpent like black hole being controlled by an alien ship sounds very interesting yet chaotic.
Krall: The void is not a natural one born out in the depths of space. It was created here, modified to destroy every living cell into nothingness. Once that is complete, life begins again but in my own image.
The Doctor: Okay, that's clever. How are you powering it?
Krall: *chuckles* Wouldn't you like to know.
Krall was egotistical, that was a weak point as the Doctor caught with the corner of his eye, Krall's hand on a crystal orb. During the entire game and conversation, he noticed his hand never moving away from the orb. If the void was created, the orb must be the container. He needed to find a way to get that orb and destroy the void. He removes two chess pieces from Krall as well.
The Doctor: You've already been stopped. I'm just trying to reason with you.
Krall: How could I have lost with so many of life reduced to ashes?
The Doctor: Why? The thing about life is the beauty that exists in it, the people, the environment, simply existing, and yet you erased them for your own fun. What would your race think of your imagery?
Krall: My people were weak, naive, Cowards! We were living for thousands of years and all we did was watch the universe pass time! Yet, when our race was dying, I offered a solution. They called me a mad man and so, I destroyed my people and my home with this. Wouldn't you do the same Doctor, if your people turned down a way to save yourselves.
The Doctor: *glares at him* My people died in a war. A war that lasted hundreds of years, nearby planets were affected, the universe was left with a scar, they fought so others could save themselves, escape, start again...but no one made it out. No one won the war.
Krall was now much more fascinated by learning of the Doctor's species and much more special that he's the very last of his kind. Krall had some things in mind while removing a chess piece, leaving them both at one piece on each side. It now came down to who truly was the smarter time lord and what the fate of the universe will be. Back in Remnant, Haven specifically, Team RNJR kept inspecting Oscar in trying to figure out how in the name of sanity is this young man Professor Ozpin.
Nora: Did he age backwards?
Jaune: He's possessed!
Ren: Or reincarnated!
Ruby: Oh! Isn't it weird?
Oscar: It is very weird, yes.
Qrow: Okay, okay. *Drinks a glass of water* Let's all just take a second and remember that this is very overwhelming for everyone.
Oscar: Thanks. *Looks at Ruby then looks away* Ah, sorry! It's just I've never really met Huntsmen and Huntresses before.
Ruby: *giggles* Well, uh... we've never met a person with two souls! We've only met someone with two hearts. So, first times all around for everyone.
Qrow: AHEM! Not to break up the whole 'getting-to-know-you' game, but we need to have a talk. Mind showing us your little parlor trick, kid?
Oscar: *sighs* Yeah, okay. Just so you know, I'll still be here.
Oscar closes his eyes and takes a deep breath as everyone else watched quietly and observed. A green and white aura suddenly appeared for a moment as Oscar opened his eyes which were glowing, and they were shocked to the core of hearing that familiar voice they had not heard for a long time.
Ozpin: It is so very good to see you again, students.
Jaune: Wait, what just happened?
Ren: Professor... Ozpin?
Ozpin: Correct. And though I may be the one speaking, Oscar is still present mentally. He's merely handed over the control, so to speak. (Oscar: Just don't make us do anything embarassing...) I'm afraid this all must be very perplexing.
Nora: And alarming, and bizarre, and just really kind of hard to believe overall!
Ozpin: *chuckles* It's good to see you children still have your sense of humor. *frowns* I know you've all been through tremendous hardship already. I'm sorry.
Ruby: I mean, it's not your fault...
Ozpin: It's all my fault. I told you once that I made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet, and I wasn't exaggerating. I'm... cursed. For thousands of years, I've walked the surface of Remnant, living, dying, and reincarnating in the body of a like-minded soul. The Professor Ozpin you all met was not my first form, and clearly wasn't my last. It's... an extraordinarily strenuous process on everyone involved.
Jaune: So who... what... are you?
Ozpin: I am the combination of countless men who've spent their lives trying to protect the people of Remnant. *Drinks a cup of tea* With every rebirth, my soul is eventually merged with another and I am changed, but my memories stay with me. This curse was bestowed upon me by the Gods, because I failed to stop Salem in the past. But we must stop her now.
Ruby: And how do we do that?
Ozpin: We start... by ensuring the safety of the Relic of Knowledge.
Nora: This is perfect! We were stuck at a dead end, but now, we can just take little cute boy Ozpin to Lionheart and have him set things straight!
Ozpin: Please don't call me that.
Qrow: We're not sure that's the best idea.
Ren: But I thought the Headmasters all took their orders from you.
Ozpin: That was the intention. Four lieutenants I can trust, especially during times of reincarnation. But Qrow told me about your meeting with Leonardo. He isn't just behaving irrationally, he's disobeying specific instructions I had left him. Something's wrong. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I don't want to rule out any possibilities, either. No one outside of this room knows that I've paired with Oscar, and I think it may be best to keep it that way.
Qrow: Play things close to the chest until we get a better hand.
Ozpin: Precisely. Now, we have two steps ahead of us. *Looks at the group* The first is enlisting the aid of more Huntsmen.
Ren: But the Mistral council-
Qrow: Doesn't own every Huntsman in the Kingdom, and I've been here enough times to know where we can find some more.
Ozpin: So long as they're trustworthy.
Qrow: You can trust them to put up a good fight. I'll throw together a list tonight.
Nora: Good luck with that.
Ozpin: Miss Rose, have you heard anything or have been in contact with the Doctor?
Ruby: *sighs* I have. Last time I talked to him was about a few days back, he left Remnant for an ongoing situation out there. *Points up* He has made an impact after Beacon fell, almost everyone knows about him and he's been handling the Grimm. There isn't much I can tell you since I only talked with him twice.
Ozpin: So I've heard. The boy with two hearts, I can't help but feel bad that for such a young man, he has dealt with so much and is still doing a lot of the universe's work.
Ruby: I've been with him, I have seen things, and I have learned many things about him that has me feeling the same...but it's his determination and him creating his own story rather than following one that keeps him going. He comes to protect us, to give us hope, to ensure that the future will exist for us, and if he is not around, he leaves that impact of people to stand their ground and fight back. A Good Man and our Idiot with the Blue Box.
Ozpin: Then I would say we can move on to step two.
Nora: What's step two?
Ozpin: *activates Long Memory*Getting you four into fighting shape.
Ruby: But, uh, we already know how to fight.
Ozpin: *points to Ruby* You can only fight so long as you have Crescent Rose, but you're still lacking in hand-to-hand combat.
Ruby: Well, uh, yeah.
Ozpin: *points to Jaune* Mr. Arc, I'm glad to hear you've improved, but sorry to say, you've yet to unlock your Semblance. All of you still have a-ways to go before you're ready to pose any real threat against Salem and her forces. And though Oscar can give me temporary control, he'll need to strengthen his body and his Aura. (Oscar: Wait, What?) He'll inherit my muscle memory in time, but practice will expedite the process.
Ruby: But if Qrow's out looking for Huntsmen, then who's going to teach us?
Ozpin would propel himself in the air with his cane, spinning into a barrel roll before landing on the seat of the armchair, twirling his cane leaving Team RNJR with various expressions.
Ozpin: Well, I believe I was the Headmaster of Beacon Academy. We have approximately one month before classes resume at Haven. If Salem were to plan an attack, it would make sense that it would occur prior to students' return. It's not much time, but it's better than nothing. Just don't expect me to go easy on you.
(THE NEXT DAY)
Across the forests of Mistral, Yang is riding on her motorcycle with Shay. While she knew he was not someone to trust the slightest, he did help her give a clue to where she needed to be.
Yang: How much further, pal?
Shay: This should just about do it. You wait here. I'll go up ahead and make sure the coast is clear.
Yang shuts off her motorcycle as Shay runs to the bushes. She looks around for a bit before adjusting her motorcycle properly but hears a familiar faint noise that she heard recently, the TARDIS. The noise disappeared when she hears a gun click from behind. She sighed in annoyance as she stood up but did not look at Shay as he returned with his group of bandits, all with weapons.
Shay: I can't believe you were dumb enough to let me lead you here.
Yang: You and 5 more of your goons. One with a sword and the others with guns, correct?
Shay: Huh? How the hell do you even know that?
Yang: *takes off my sonic sunglasses* All it took were my sunglasses.
Shay: No matter then! This is it. Well, unless you count the whole rest of the camp back that way. *Points to the back*
Yang: *points* That way? Good to know. Thanks.
Shay: Now to pay me back for this tooth, we're going to take your bike. And you're going to take your lumps.
Another sigh came from Yang as she positioned herself and activated Ember Celica. She welcomed the bandits as they tried to strike her down only to be knocked off easily one by one, only leaving her and Shay who tried to shoot her but is struck down and his weapon away from him.
Shay: *coughs* Who are you? It doesn't even matter. When Raven finds out what you did, you're dead!
Yang: Possibly. But I doubt it. I am her daughter, after all.
Shay: *eyes widened* I'm dead.
Meanwhile back at Menagerie, a crowd of people surrounded the Belladonna's home as Ghira looks at a piece of paper in his hands before being stopped by both Kali and Blake who tried to calm him down.
Kali: Are you ready?
Ghira: Yes. It won't be easy for the people to hear, but the truth often isn't. I know they'll do the right thing.
Sun: You got this sir!
Sun pats Ghira on the back as the others looked back at him but it was time. Stepping out, Ghira is met with a large crowd of people that contained guards, citizens, and the press itself. The crowd went to silence once Ghira held out his hand to speak.
Ghira: Thank you all for assembling here. I wanted to take time to address some of the rumors that have been circulating around our island. I believe that it is important for the people of this territory to understand the truth. For starters, the rumors of what occurred in our house is not false; We were attacked by creatures of the unknown, disguised as the Albain brothers who we found out on that same night, were killed and their skins used as disguises. However, a man that has been circulating around all of Remnant was in fact here. He helped us in defeating these creatures and saving one of my daughter's friends from a brutal demise. His name is the Doctor.
A sudden outburst came from the crowd for Ghira's first statement of the unexpected visit by the time lord. The information was a lot to take in but just hearing the name of the man who appeared in Beacon to make a stand and eradicate any remaining Grimm was the center piece. Blake looked down thinking about him as Kali patted her daughter's shoulder.
Ghira: His traces are nowhere to be found but if he is listening, Doctor, I thank you for helping my family. On to the next subject, no matter how you feel about the human race, I think we can all agree that the event now known as the Fall of Beacon was a tragedy. A tragedy that will set both man and Faunus-kind back. While the main aggressor is still unknown, we do have official confirmation that Adam Taurus... the leader of a powerful splinter group working inside the White Fang, was partially responsible for these attacks. His actions not only tarnished the reputation of an organization originally created to bring peace and equality to all, but to our entire race. With each day that this man remains unpunished, it becomes increasingly difficult to condemn those that look down upon us.
The crowd murmured at the name of Adam Taurus and the mention of the White Fang before Ghira brought his hand out again to speak and silencing the crowd.
Ghira: Recently, a spy from the same splinter group set their sights on this very home. My own daughter, Blake, and her friend alongside the Doctor did their very best to apprehend this individual. While they were unsuccessful after being physically assaulted and seriously injured, they were successful in obtaining the assailant's Scroll. *Pulls out the scroll* With this, we have been able to ascertain that Adam Taurus has plans to overthrow the current leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan, and take over the reins himself. His radical plans do not stop there, the documents on this scroll proclaim his next target to be Haven Academy and its attached CCT Tower. Their plan is to strike on the last full moon before the beginning of the Fall semester, roughly two months from today. I have sent my swiftest messenger to the government of Mistral, but I believe we have a greater responsibility. My relationship with the White Fang has been... an interesting one. Years ago, I led the organization to help try and create a world where I, and every Faunus who wished, could walk alongside the human race. And while I believe we made great strides toward this goal, it was made clear to me that the people both in and out of the White Fang wanted faster results. So I stepped down, and Sienna Khan was appointed as my successor. It's true that I do not fully condone many of her methods. What I do condone is what Sienna fights for: the idea that the Faunus and humans are, and should be, equal. Adam Taurus does not seem to have that goal in mind. What he has done benefits no one but himself. I think it's time that the Faunus showed the world that we are equals! Time that we snuff out this splinter group, and restore the White Fang to what it once was!
The crowd erupted in cheers and confidence as he was right. It was time to make a stand and bring back what they formed to its original roots. No more terrorists, no more vendetta, no more harm, No! More!
Ghira: To do this, I think the answer is clear, we must go to Haven and protect it at all costs! Before we proceed any further, I'd like to invite my daughter to come and share her story. Not only as a former member of the White Fang but also as a survivor of the Fall of Beacon.
Blake took a deep breath and walked to where her father was standing at as he have her a reassuring look to follow her heart and let out what she wants to say. She returned a small smile before preparing to speak up until...
Ilia: TRAITORS!
Gasps came from around her and heavy glares from people as out of nowhere, Ilia makes her appearance from being cloaked and wearing her white fang mask which pissed off Sun very much.
Sun: Ilia...
Ilia: Cowards... After everything the humans have done to us, everything they've put us through, you're asking us to help them?!
Ghira: I know we haven't been treated fairly...
Ilia: Where was their help when the Dust companies treated our people like slaves?! Where was their help when Kingdoms hunted Faunus just for being who they are?! Where was my help when my parents were killed in a Dust mine?! WHERE?!
Ghira: Young lady, progress takes patience and cooperation!
Ilia: The Belladonnas are the worse kind of Faunus! They want us to work with the same people that are trying to hold us down! If you truly, truly want to help your people, now is the time to support Adam, not the Belladonnas! He will bring about the future that you deserve. And if you are unwilling to fight, know that the White Fang will do it for you!
Sun: SHUT UP!
Saber Rodentia: After her!
Right from behind, Sun leaps into action to tackle Ilia but she uses her weapons to hit him back and makes a run for it. Sun recovers quickly and follows her as well with the assist of a few Menagerie guards. The Belladonna's all watched on. Unforeseen Outcomes and Complications were arising in Remnant but as always, there is a bigger fish and, in this universe, a much bigger threat was still approaching. The Doctor and Krall would finish their little duel in chess as the Doctor was forming a plan in retrieving that orb and finishing this. Krall had other plans.
Krall: You are curious. You have seen the worlds, too. I can hear them tick inside you. But you are still locked in your trauma while trying to create history for someone that isn't you. Still slavishly protecting Time. Willing to die rather than change a word of the future.
The Doctor: That's because no more. You have done much more than destroy planets and eating up stars, you are destroying life itself simply for your own fun and fantasy. Horrific. Stupid. Cowardly. Thinking this could bring your Dark Times to an end when in reality, you are creating it to us.
Krall: Here we are, still engaged in the Founding Conflict. There is no greater battle than this, the battle between Time and Space. And Time shall not lose. Time shall never surrender to Space. No planetary mass, however sophisticated, can imprison the force of Time. This void, this construction, is not just a fallacy, not just futile hubris, it is heresy.
Both stood up not finishing their game as now this was going how they expected it. Krall was having fun but needed to cut this time lord soon and continue his journey. The Doctor had enough and no one else in this universe was going to suffer any longer.
The Doctor: You have so much in common with the Daleks. The race that wiped my people, my home. You would do anything to survive, to be the only race to exist in this universe, make it into your own image, and not even care about the lives you slaughter. You both wish to have a universe where there is no future. But the way I see it, even a ghastly future is better than no future at all. *Glares at Krall* You robbed those lives of their deaths, made them nothing more than a message in a bottle. You violated something more important than Time. You bent the rules of life and death. So I am putting things straight. Here, now, this is where your story ends.
The Doctor pulled out his Sonic Screwdriver to retrieve the Orb but is horrifed at the current sight. His arm reduced to ashes while Krall chuckles as he uses his powers to stop the time lord. Krall approaches the Doctor as he kicks him to his knees.
Krall: Did you truly think I would have a weapon with me? Disintegration, a beautiful yet grim power for a being. You are a clever, smart, and ready like me Doctor, but you are holding back, not following yourself, pretending to be something you are not and that makes you weak. Let's see where i should aim next.
Krall uses his powers once again to disintegrate most of the Doctor's chest as he screams in sheer pain with being on the verge of death. Krall reverses it, returning the Doctor back to normal and his arm as well but Krall noticed something before going for the final blow. He noticed a small glow on one of the Doctor's wounds.
Krall: Ahhhh, Regeneration. You are a time lord that can regenerate. You really are a being of surprise Doctor. I was going to finish you off for good...but now I have a different idea in mind.
The Doctor's eyes widened in fear and shock as he heard what Krall was thinking. Before he can even move, Krall places him in a temporary paralysis as he's unable to speak, move, or react. All he could do was move his eyes. The Doctor was helpless, defeated, and on the verge of death. There was no one there for him, there was no way of escaping this, no way of saving the universe or his friends...he lost, and he will die with that burden.
Krall: You are a fascinating being Doctor, perhaps it's time for my own version of a regeneration.
Krall laughs as he descends into ashes before all that is being heard from that room are the screams of the Doctor. Painful, screeching screams that would deny the belief that no one can hear you scream. The screaming stopped and the Doctor was gone.