Volume 3, Chapter 5:
The Doctor: Back to the present! *Looks at everyone* How are you girls feeling?
Blake: I'm just relieved that Corsac is gone for good. Once we arrive in Atlas, I'm contacting my parents to let them know.
Weiss: Grateful I got to see mom again when she was young. She may not know exactly that I'm her daughter but just being with her and spending some time was special.
The Doctor: Of course it is. *Looks at Ruby and Yang* I can say the same for you two.
Yang: *crosses arms* I doubt that Raven has changed even if we tampered a bit with the past to interact with them. But, at least I got to hear comforting words from her which means a lot to me.
Ruby: *smiles softly* I'm really grateful that I got to spend some time with mom even if she did not know who we really are. Yang got to spend time with her when we were little and I was just a toddler. Even if it was for a day, it definitely made me think I got to spend more time with her.
The Doctor: You all have been through a lot and sometimes the smallest and unexpected encounters can bring something nice out of it.
The Doctor shared a smile with Team RWBY as he was right about how unexpected encounters can bring something nice out of it. But sometimes, it can bring something scary as well as that headline from the future of the Doctor's death stayed in his head. He needed to know how much time he has left and needed to prepare despite not wanting to. All of this clouded his mind which Weiss noticed.
Weiss: Doctor?
The Doctor: Sorry?
Weiss: You okay? You blacked out for the moment.
The Doctor: Yeah, I'm fine. And, we're here!
The TARDIS made its stop as Team RWBY exited out of the police box to see they are back on the ship and their friends are still there. Only difference they noticed was that it's fully nighttime.
Qrow: You sure took your sweet time. *chuckles*
Ruby: Hehehe, we got into a bit of a stretch where we went.
Yang: It does look like we were gone a little longer. Did we miss anything?
Jaune: Not really. Just getting enough rest before arriving to Atlas.
The Doctor: *looks over and walks to the front* That might be more complicated than we thought.
Everyone was confused by what the Doctor was referring to until they all looked at front and noticed the entire military air fleet surrounding Atlas which brought huge concern from everyone. For the Doctor, it was the dark memories of the days before the Time War.
Atlas Air Traffic Female: Manta 5-1. Welcome home. Please continue your approach to Atlas docking bay Omega-12. A security team will meet you there. Over.
Ruby: I don't understand. What's happening here?
Qrow: I don't know.
Jaune: But we are here. We got the lamp to Atlas, so I guess we land and get some answers.
Weiss: I'm not so sure. I've never seen our forces deployed so aggressively before. If we land in a stolen ship, there's no way the security team will let us anywhere near Ironwood. They might even take me back to my father. *Gets an idea* Winter! Put some distance between us and the fleet. *Pulls out my scroll*
Maria: You don't have to tell me twice.
Maria steers the ship heading down to Mantle as Weiss tries to reach out to her sister but no luck. As she tries again, the others looked around Mantle to see it as a mess compared to when Nicholas Schnee was around. A giant holographic screen was displayed at a nearby building to show a tired and distraught James Ironwood.
Ironwood: ...cannot express our appreciation enough. Many describe these as uncertain times, and while that may be the case for the rest of the world, I can tell you what is certain. The Kingdom of Atlas will remain strong, and it will remain safe. That is my promise.
Yang: General Ironwood. He looks…
Ruby: Tired.
Qrow: James, what have you been doing?
The Doctor: This is just Deja vu for me. *Rubs my face*
Weiss: This isn't right. None of this is right.
Atlas Air Traffic Female: Manta 5-1, we've noticed a detour in your route. You are to make your way to docking bay Omega 12 immediately. Do you copy? Over.
Maria: We're kind of running out of time here, kids.
Yang: We need to ditch the ship.
Qrow: Agreed. Get lost in Mantle and buy ourselves some time.
The Doctor: We can get in my TARDIS and I'll take you down without being seen or detected at all.
Weiss: I'm telling you, my sister can take us to Ironwood.
Blake: Uh, Weiss?
Weiss walks to what Blake was looking at and she looks out the window to see a holographic screen of Winter which shocked Weiss.
Winter: A reminder. Failure to cooperate with Atlas military personnel is a punishable offense. If your sector is under lockdown…
Weiss: Winter?...
Qrow: No offense, Weiss. I'm not sure that's a good idea anymore.
Weiss: There's obviously something very wrong. If we can just talk to her, then we-
The Doctor: *holds her hand* We'll figure it out eventually. But we need to go.
Qrow: Look, I'm not even sure we should be talking to Ironwood until we know exactly what's going on with Mantle.
Everyone except Maria entered the Doctor's TARDIS and dematerialized as it arrived on the streets of Mantle in a matter of seconds. Fortunately, no one saw it as they arrived at an empty corner of the street.
The Doctor: Alright everyone, you all head out, find Maria, and go where you need to be. I'll catch up with you later, I need to investigate something.
Ruby: Is everything alright Doctor?
The Doctor: Yes, just need to pull up some information I uncovered. Khan will go with you guys in case things get...messy.
Yang: If anything goes out of control, we'll let you know Doc.
Everyone exited out of the TARDIS while the Doctor stayed behind and pulled up the headline on the screen panel. It hurt him and scared him, but he needed to know about the war that was going to come in Remnant. He needed to know if he died trying to end it.
The rest of the crew met up with Maria and followed her to a building as they enter to see an old man with a robotic chair. An old friend of Maria. His name was Pietro.
Maria: Ah, it's good to see you again, old friend.
Pietro: Ah, yes, yes. Have we met?
Ren: Well, this is off to a fantastic start.
Maria: Cybernetic optical implants. *Taps my implants* You adjust them. Every ten years or so?
Pietro: *chuckles* Ah! Maria! Yes, with the cybernetic optical implants! I adjust them every ten years or so. Has it been that long already?
Maria: Ah, I know. I age like a fine wine. Would've been here sooner if I hadn't run into these jokers. At the time, I thought they might need my guidance while fighting a little old Sphinx.
Pietro: Oh, did they?
Maria: No, no. They had much more complicated issues.
Qrow: *approaches him* And this is?
Maria: So impatient. I didn't think I'd need to introduce one of Atlas' finest minds.
Yang: Working in a place like this?
Maria: He likes to keep a low profile. Something I've come to realize none of you know anything about. But that Doctor of yours does.
Pietro: You can call me Pietro.
Maria: Finest heart, too. This pharmacy is just where he volunteers when he's not building the future of Atlas alongside Ironwood, up in the clouds.
Pietro: Oh, it's stuffy up there. Down here, I get to help the locals and have a little fun. I'm currently working on shoes that make you dance. Wanna try 'em on?
Nora: YES!
Yang: Before we get to that, we were wondering if you could help us. We came to Atlas hoping to talk to General Ironwood, but um…
Blake: What exactly has been happening here?
Pietro: Well, the Fall of Beacon took a toll on all of us. Then the alien invasion that happened earlier in Argus. James was no different. I couldn't tell you exactly what it was he saw there, but it changed him. He's…
Qrow: He's scared.
Pietro: Paranoid would be the more appropriate term. You have to understand, it wasn't just the Grimm. Someone completely dismantled Atlas security code, made it their play-thing, and made us look like traitors to some and buffoons to everyone else. Whoever managed to do that is either a genius or one of our own. I fear the answer may be both, and so does the general.
Weiss: How does the council feel about all of this? Or Winter Schnee? Do you know anything about her?
Pietro: Well, the council's so scared, they'll agree to whatever he wants. Though, some representatives from Mantle… Wait, you're… You're Weiss Schnee! You four are Team RWBY!
Ruby: *eyes widened*You know us?!
Pietro: Oh, my girl, I do. I most certainly do. And I feel like such a dunce for not recognizing you sooner. My daughter's told me so much about you.
Ruby: Your… daughter?
Suddenly, the alarms rang startling everyone and noticed on the windows of people running away and screaming. Dalek Khan moved forward to make a full scan of the area and detected Grimm approaching.
Dalek Khan: Multiple Grimm detected. We should get to work.
Everyone headed outside and prepared their weapons while Weiss activated her Time Angel powers as golden illusions of wings appeared on her back and her eyes glowing gold.
Nora: Talk about power up!
Ruby: Well, we didn't come this far to fail now!
From afar, robot soliders were ripped apart and thrown around as pair of Sabyr Grimm appeared and spotted the huntsmen and huntresses and made a full charge towards them. The heroes made their charge as well and began the fight. If it hadn't been for more of these creatures coming in, this battle would be over in a matter of seconds with the skills and heavy weaponry by everyone. Dalek Khan averted collision with the Sabyrs and continued to exterminate while Weiss using time speed sped past Sabyrs and slashed them before they could react.
Ruby using her speed and semblance kept taking turns on using her Crescent Rose as Scythe mode and Shotgun mode killing the Grimms. Qrow right beside her, follows the same technique as well as the Uncle and Niece combo proved to be a deadly one. Blake and Yang were going for a Swing, Slice, and Shoot triple maneuver which they have been working on since the Beacon days. And Team JNOR displayed their first new team attack combo together which took a handful of Grimms down.
Everyone regrouped and stood by one another as more Sabyrs appeared and surrounded the group. Before a second clash would happen, a green laser fires from the sky and eliminates the remaining Sabyrs. Everyone looked up as the teenagers all in shock at the sight of the figure in the sky slowly descending. Pietro and Maria joined the others as Ruby felt the emotions and her heart beating fast at who it was that saved them. Someone she held close to her heart and someone she never thought she see again.
Ruby: Penny!
As if the Brothers created a miracle, everyone remained surprised to see Penny Polendina alive and well. Spotting a new yet familiar look, they were all happy to see her again as Pietro reached out to his robotic daughter.
Pietro: Darling, why don't you say hello to your friends?
Penny looked over and gasped in happiness to see all her friends but most importantly Ruby who in return smiles back at her. Penny positions herself which confuses Ruby until she realizes what she's going to do.
Penny: Sal…
Ruby: Uh...
Penny: U...
Ruby: *gulps* Oh...
Penny: Tations!
Penny made full speed ahead passing by everyone at an instant and heading towards Ruby as little red screamed and braced herself until she was heavily tackled by Penny out of excitement. After the long embrace, Penny pops back up while Ruby took a heavy breather before getting up.
Penny: It is such a pleasure to see you all again!
Ruby: *tears up* Penny, I… I-I thought you…
Pietro: Died? I guess, in a manner of speaking, she did. But we were able to recover her core from Amity Arena once it had made its way back to Atlas. It took me some time, but…
Penny: I'm as good as new! Better, even! And now I'm the official protector of the city!
Pietro: That's my girl. We're not going to let a little ripping to shreds stop us, are we? *chuckles*
Penny: No sir! *Knocks my head and giggles*
Weiss: This is…
Blake: Strangely wholesome.
Yang: Sounds like Penny to me.
Penny: *grabs Ruby by the shoulders* We have so many things to catch up about. I cannot wait! *Hears the alarms again* Let's talk more later! *Stands back and levitates* I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures and tell you how I have been, and I am just very excited about the whole experience! *flies off into the night sky*
Nora: I can't tell if I completely understand what's going on or have, like, a million questions.
Pietro: And thankfully, I have about a thousand answers. But let's get out of this weather first.
Maria: *follows him* I have absolutely no idea who that child was. Is she important somehow?
Jaune: That was unexpected.
Ren: Never a dull moment.
Qrow: But I wouldn't say unwelcome. I was honestly expecting things to go a lot rougher.
As everyone placed their weapons away and began to walk back into the building, Ren stopped for a moment and sensed something off. The others noticed and before they could react, several bola wraps came out of nowhere restraining the heroes. As they fall to the ground, the Relic of Knowledge drops in front of Dalek Khan as he picks it up and blasts the bola wrap aiming at him.
Ruby: KHAN! GO!
Dalek Khan: EMERGENCY TEMPORAL SHIFT!
The Dalek transports away with the Relic of Knowledge as everyone remained restrained as a group of soldiers approached them with the main one standing in front of Qrow and Ruby.
Clover: Good work, team. However, we need to track that machine carrying the relic ASAP.
Oscar: Hey! What's going on?!
Qrow: Hey, pal! I'm a licensed Huntsman! Just helped save everyone?
The leader of the group, Clover, inspected the group as his teammates confiscated the weapons. Pietro approached him not happy with the sudden action his team just took.
Clover: Hm. Let's get them loaded into the next transport.
Ruby: Please! We were just trying to help!
Pietro: What is the meaning of this? What are the Ace-Ops even doing down here in Mantle?
Ruby: Ace-Ops?
Clover: Doctor, good to see you. Well, we heard a report of an unauthorized ship making an unauthorized landing, followed by an unauthorized use of weapons by unlicensed Huntsmen.
Pietro: If we could just talk this out-
Clover: They'll be able to talk this out once they get to Atlas. Let's move out!
The Ace-Ops made their leave as the robotic soldiers dragged the heroes onto an airship and departed from Mantle. Dalek Khan made his return to the TARDIS as the Doctor watched everything unravel through the screen panels.
The Doctor: Good idea to transport from there.
Dalek Khan: What should we do now Doctor?
The Doctor: Let's get ahead of them my friend.
The Doctor pulls the lever as the TARDIS disappear into thin air and heads to the same location where the others are being transported to: Atlas Academy. The gang all looked around in amazement and shock that they were being transported to where they needed to be and to finally talk with Ironwood. They all exit the ship as they look at the entrance of the Academy, not knowing how this was going to turn out. The guards all shove them inside and enter the elevator as they proceed to head up.
Ruby: I guess we will be seeing the General. For better or worse.
Ren: So, what do we do?
Ruby: I don't know yet. But we should be careful with what we say.
Blake: *whispers*We'll follow your lead, Ruby.
As they exited out of the elevator and continued to walk, they approached the hallway when they were stopped by James Ironwood, Winter Schnee, and Penny passing by having a conversation until Penny was the first to notice her friends' arrival.
Penny: Yay, you're here!
James and Winter looked back and were shocked to see the gang all here, especially Winter, seeing her younger sister here and in handcuffs?!
Weiss: Winter...
Nora: Anyone wanna give us a hand with these? *Waves my hands*
Winter: AHEM! You have ten seconds to take those off before I start hurting you.
Guards: Huh? OH! Sorry! Please, let us help you! Forgive us!
Soon, everyone was released from those hard cuffs and got to relax their hands at last. They went on to follow Ironwood into the main office as he welcomed them in and was relieved to see them all once again.
Ironwood: It is so good to see all of you.
Yang: Our reception didn't really convey that.
Ironwood: *sighs* I sincerely regret how you were treated by my team. When a rogue airship entered our airspace, it raised some… red flags. We assumed the ship was stolen or hijacked especially after what happened in Argus.
Ruby: Stolen? *Laughs nervously* Okay yeah, it was stolen.
Winter: You stole an Atlas airship?! What were you thinking!? You might've been shot down! How unbelievably irresponsib-
Weiss: *hugs Winter tight*I'm sorry I worried you. But we did what we had to do.
Winter: I…I suppose I understand. *Sighs and hugs back then looks at Qrow* But I cannot believe that you allowed this to happen, Qrow.
Qrow: You try stopping these kids when they have their mind set on something. Speaking of which, we have some important information for you that's… confidential.
Penny: Oh, is it about the Relics?
Winter: Or perhaps the Winter Maiden?
Qrow: *eyes widened* You told them?
Ironwood: Hm.
Before Ironwood could begin his explanation, a gust of wind was felt across the room which raised suspicion from the three as they looked around and the wind was picking up which caused an alert but the gang all knew what this was.
Winter: Penny! Scan the area!
Penny: I'm trying! But there's something that's entering the room and at the same time not there as well.
Winter: Call in the Ace-Ops and any troops-
Team RWBY: NO! DON'T!
Winter: Excuse Me?
Weiss: Winter, relax, it's not a threat. Rather, it's a friend of ours.
The wheezing mechanical noise was heard as everyone except Atlas top officials in the room smiled at the noise then soon looked over to where the noise was coming from and there it was materializing in Ironwood's office. Here came the TARDIS.
Penny: What is that?
Winter: A...police box of some sort...
Weiss: It's not an ordinary police box.
Ruby: That...is the TARDIS.
Before any more questions or comments were spoken, the doors opened to reveal the Doctor peeking out and spotting everyone in the room to the surprise of Winter, James, and Penny.
The Doctor: Just in time?
Yang: Eh, a couple of minutes ago would have been nice Doc.
Winter: WILLIAM?!
The Doctor: Oh! Hello Winter!
Winter had not seen him since the early days of Beacon where he was still recovering his memories so everything to her right now is all new and nothing like she's seen before. The others tried to find how to explain it to her, but the Doctor simply walked out of the TARDIS and slowly walked to the main table, ready to make himself known once again.
The Doctor: I'm the Doctor. I lived for over 500 years and not all of them have been good. I've seen a lot of terrible things. And I think it's time we did something about that. *Hands the Relic to James* Starting with this.
Ironwood: *takes it and bows* Thank you, Doctor. It's been a long time since we last saw each other. You were leading the students to battle.
The Doctor: No. They are not soldiers who battle all the time. They are good people doing what is right. I led them to getting the people to safety and evacuated.
Winter: This still makes no sense to me at all.
The Doctor: Well-
Ruby: He's an alien from a race known as the Time Lords!
Weiss: He's from another universe and his home planet is known as Gallifrey. But an incident led him to crashing to our universe and here in Remnant.
Blake: He travels with this police box which is actually a spaceship called the TARDIS.
Yang: Which stands for Time and Relative Dimensions in Space. He can travel anywhere across space and time.
Team JNOR: Wow!...
The Doctor: *chuckles* Don't you love it when your family knows you so well. But yes, I am an alien time traveler but simply trying to be a good man passing through.
Penny: Can I see inside your spaceship? Pretty please!
Winter: Penny!
The Doctor: Of course! You two can come as well. *Opens the doors* Voila!
Penny was the first to see it and she was jaw dropped by the unexplained right in front of her. She couldn't understand how it was bigger on the inside but she loved every bit of it. James and Winter followed and took a peek inside which left them surprised as well by this sudden revelation.
Penny: I can't make a full scan at this! How is it bigger on the inside?
The Doctor: Dimensionally transcendental. You'll figure it out eventually.
Winter: This...is...remarkable...imagine what we could do with technology like this!
The Doctor: It's not a weapon, Winter! It's a time travelling ship! Is that all you think about?
Winter: Watch it when you speak to a higher figure!
The Doctor: Did you forget who's the oldest here? If there is one thing I despise most, it's people who claim to have higher power over everything.
There was definitely tension between The Doctor and Winter as the others all looked over at Weiss who was feeling awkward and uncomfortable seeing her boyfriend and her sister not getting along. The moment stopped when someone else came from the TARDIS which put Ironwood and Winter into panic.
Dalek Khan: The TARDIS is more of a bunker that can transport.
Winter: ITS A DALEK!
The Doctor: Can you calm down before anyone gets hurt? This isn't the same Dalek from the ones that attack Argus. This is a changed Dalek for a long time, and he's been my copilot, companion, and good friend. This is Dalek Khan.
Dalek Khan: A pleasure to meet you three. I understand what happened in Argus can give a terrified reaction, but I am not like them anymore. I am changed, better.
Blake: It's true. Khan's plan is the reason we defeated the Daleks.
Penny: Salutations Khan! My name is Penny and I'm Ruby's best friend! Thank you for protecting her and helping her.
Dalek Khan: *looks at Penny* I am Ruby's best friend!
Now all eyes were on Ruby as she chuckled awkwardly at the little confrontation between her two best friends in which neither of them is human at all. Ironwood with the Relic of Knowledge walked back to his table to press a button that has the curtains slowly going down.
Ironwood: Ozpin gone, I needed my own team of people I could trust. So yes, I told them. The Ace-Ops too. Which is why I'm so glad you're here… with this. Until now, I believed it was impossible to truly turn the tide against Salem. Oz has pushed her back, has kept victory out of her claws, but she will keep returning stronger and stronger… unless we destroy her.
Ruby: But… what about the Atlas Relic?
Ironwood: You mean the Staff of Creation?
Penny: It's safe inside the Vault!
Qrow: And the Winter Maiden?
Winter: She is secure and in stable condition.
Yang: Stable condition? What does that-
Qrow: She's, uh, not exactly a spring chicken.
Ironwood: I know how this all looks. Recalling my military? The embargo? I probably don't seem the most trustworthy right now.
Blake: Then why continue it?
Nora: The people of Mantle are hurting!
Ironwood: I needed to ensure Salem couldn't infiltrate Atlas. And I wanted my military here, protecting my people.
Yang: But it's not protecting them! It's making everyone hate you.
Ironwood: It's a price I'm willing to pay. And that is because I have a plan. *Displays holographic image* Ozpin believed the best way to fight Salem was to do so in secret. Whether that was the right choice or not isn't for me to say. But we find ourselves in a position of needing, well, a new approach.
Jaune: That's… Amity Colosseum.
Oscar: Where the Vytal Festival is held?
Ironwood: Indeed. When Beacon fell and everyone on Remnant lost contact with one another, I knew our current system was outdated. Amity was built to bring the nations together, and it will serve that purpose once again.
In front of them was a holographic display of the Amity Collosseum rebuilt and with a satellite at the top as everyone noticed. The Doctor placed his glasses on to inspect looking for alternatives.
Penny: Isn't it great? We're not going to just replace Beacon Tower. Building a new tower on top of Amity Colosseum will re-establish global communications!
Winter: By launching the tower high into the atmosphere, our scientists believe we can create a sort of… satellite out of reach of the Grimm and capable of maintaining global communications even if we were to lose another tower.
Ruby: That IS great.
Qrow: James... you don't need the entire military for this.
Ironwood: I will for the next part, where I finally tell the people about Salem.
Qrow: Huh, so that's why you withdrew your troops, to handle the panic that would break out in Atlas.
Ironwood: Yes, panic is inevitable, and panic brings Grimm. But I believe we are ready. Once Atlas has come to grips with the fight ahead, I'll use Amity Tower to spread the message to all of Remnant.
Weiss: But everything will fall apart. Grimm will be everywhere!
Winter: You're right, but Atlas is willing and prepared to assist.
Ironwood: Trying to hide the truth from the world will eventually kill us all.
The rest of the conversation was blocked from his mind as the Doctor was not liking this one bit. The purpose is the same as everyone, defeating Salem. But the strategy and planning is not it especially because this is what the High Council did before the Time War and just when it was starting. Ironwood was displaying the same acts as the man who used his power for his own and didn't matter that lives would be put at risk. His name was Rassilon.
Choosing to ignore the rest of the conversation, The Doctor and Dalek Khan made their leave as a loud slam from the TARDIS doors got everyone's attention as the police box soon disappeared into thin air. Team RWBY looked at each other with concern wondering what was going on inside the Doctor's mind.
If only they knew...