Volume 3, Chapter 7:
The following chapter of A Gentleman in Remnant is inspired by the mind and characters made by WWE Legend, Windham Rotunda aka Bray Wyatt. May he Rest in Peace.
Team RWBY alongside the others have already spent a week in their new huntress lives in Atlas. Though the excitement was far up the roof as it wasn't as exciting as they expected but nonstop work. Unless you are Jaune Arc who happens to help kids cross the roads while being ogled by the kids' mothers. The only person who has remained excited for this new chapter is Ruby Rose and because she has all of her friends together with the return of Penny. But for right now, they were all stuck in the lecture hall learning another objective by Clover as the others were all falling asleep.
Until a sudden play by an electric guitar disrupted the lecture and woke the others abruptly. The guitar noise came from the other side of the room as an irritated Harriet coughs out loudly to get the attention of a certain time lord. The Doctor peeks through the door with his guitar which caused Team RWBY to laugh as the Doctor puts away his guitar and walked into the room.
The Doctor: Apparently music isn't loved here. No wonder Atlas and Mantle are filled with dull.
Clover: Doctor, with all due respect your actions did interrupt everyone during lecture session. Perhaps, if you have something you like to share, go for it.
The Doctor thought about it as team RWBY looked at each other concerned while the Ace Ops held their laughter in at the foolishness of the Doctor. Little did they know he was prepared as he placed his finger on his lips to shush everyone.
The Doctor: Shhhhhhhhhh. Listen. Question. Why do we talk out loud when we know we're alone? Conjecture. Because we know we're not.
It was a repeat of the one Beacon memory that stayed in Team RWBY's time about the Doctor's lecture of time and space itself. Now here he was lecturing again and that meant everyone else in the room weren't prepared for this.
The Doctor: Evolution perfects survival skills. There are perfect hunters.
There is perfect defense. Question. Why is there no such thing as perfect hiding? Answer. How would you know? Logically, if evolution were to perfect a creature whose primary skill were to hide from view, how could you know it existed?
To say that this lecture of the Doctor wasn't anything too important would be an understatement for the Ace-Ops as they were in focus of the Doctor's lesson of the day. Team RWBY paid attention as well until Ruby spotted something behind the Doctor which confused her then worried her as it started to flicker on its own.
The Doctor: It could be with us every second and we would never know. How would you detect it, even sense it, except in those moments when, for no clear reason you choose to speak aloud? What would such a creature want? What would it do?
The others noticed the flickering glow in which they all slowly stood up and moved back as Team RWBY continued to get the Doctor's attention, but he was too focused on his piece of lecture.
Weiss: Doctor...
The Doctor: Well? What would you do?
Team RWBY: DOCTOR!
The shouting of his name brought him back to Remnant as he noticed everyone in the back and a few with their weapons out which meant something was off. The Doctor turned around to be met with a flickering lantern that poured smoke out of it as well. Then he heard the chalk fall on the ground but he wasn't holding it as he looked up to the screen and the words "LISTEN" was written with a drawing of a fly buzzard.
The Doctor: Point proven. We're the only ones in this room and yet your reaction definitely explains that this wasn't here before. *Scans it* And yet it's a normal lantern.
Marrow: I told you guys that the story was real! All of you called me crazy when I first saw the lantern but you-
The Doctor: First time? *Walks to Marrow* Spill the details Marrow.
Marrow: W-Well! There's a story that would go around...about what this place used to be before Atlas Academy and after Alsius. During the final years of the Great War, this place was used as a shelter for people who lost homes, lost loved ones, and for the care of the injured. Everything sounds normal as it should be...but the story picks up when there were rumors about a group of unknown people being spotted in the night. When daylight would come, they would inspect the entire area only to find nothing. This all began when a boy who lost his parents during the war would walk at night with a lantern and call out for his "friends" to a funhouse he had. Few made fun of him, a few would isolate from him, but most were scared. They said that those who would hurt the boy or make fun of him would disappear into thin air with no traces to find. *Eyes widened* THE LANTERN!
All eyes turned around to where the lantern was formally at but now it vanished. The lights flickered a bit and what sounded like running came across the walls of the room which startled everyone as the Doctor made the leap to get close to the wall and listen. As he waited to hear more noise, he looked over to behind a large cabinet and noticed something.
Weiss: What was that Doctor?
The Doctor: Not sure but we'll find out. *Pushes the cabinet down* Aha! What do we got here?
No one dared to get closer except for the time lord himself as behind the large, old cabinet was a large crack on the wall. The Doctor scanned it with his Sonic, and it detected warm signatures as if something crawled out to get the lantern. A smile crept on the Doctor's face which Team RWBY would admit they did not like because it's the type of adventure he is willing to explore.
The Doctor: I'm going to need all of you to stay quiet. Just for this very moment.
Everyone looked at each other and nodded in agreement as everything went silent in the room. The Doctor took the opportunity and knocked on the crack of the wall. No response on the first try. He knocked again. No response on the second try. He knocked again for the third time. But all that was heard was silence. Just as the Doctor was thinking of alternatives, the other side of the wall knocked back startling everyone.
The Doctor: There we go.
The Doctor knocked again, and the other side knocked back once again. The young time lord did it again, but no knocks came back in return which made this confusing and scary. As he got closer to the crack, a hand popped out, sending the Doctor on his back and scaring everyone as Weiss and Marrow helped the Doctor and the mysterious hand was gone.
Elm: W-What the hell was that?!
The Doctor: Overstayed guests.
Harriet: We need to alert the Academy and contact the General!
The Doctor: That won't do Harriet.
Harriet: WHY? FOR ONCE TELL ME WHY?
The Doctor: For starters, James and Winter are not around for the whole day. Second, if we told him he'll think you gone bonkers *turns around and looks at her* Then again, you already are.
Harriet: YOU LITTLE-
The Doctor: Third, if we don't figure it out right now, they'll continue to be here for a long time.
Suddenly, a loud thud was heard from another room and the TARDIS was dematerializing as the Doctor sped out of the room and Team RWBY followed. The Doctor enters one of the vacant rooms to see the TARDIS disappearing in front of him.
The Doctor: No! No! KHAN! *Takes out my scroll* Khan! What's going on?!
Dalek Khan: The TARDIS is out of control! I cannot stop the autopilot! *Static noises*
The Doctor: Khan? KHAN! *Sighs in frustration*
Ruby: W-What happened? Where did the TARDIS and Khan go?
The Doctor: I don't know! She's never acted like this before.
Harriet: She?
Blake: Yes, She! Just because it's a time travelling machine, it's also a living being as well!
Marrow: That's...incredible...
Weiss: So you're saying the TARDIS got freaked out and ran away?
The Doctor: *realization* Ooooooooh. *Walks back to the lecture room and looks at the crack* The TARDIS can detect anything and identify...yet this she couldn't. And if she can't recognize something, that means it's beyond her control which scares her. We are dealing with something much more supernatural.
Weiss: Which means unless she can identify it...
Yang: Or we stop whatever is behind there...
Ruby: We are without her and Khan. *Grabs my scroll and messages him* Hopefully he can pinpoint their location.
Harriet: Heh. Not so bold and mighty without your police box.
Marrow: It isn't about the police box Harriet. That's like his partner in crime. The Doctor himself is something else. I've read about him from witnesses, articles about when Beacon fell, when the Daleks invaded Argus, if there is one thing we people and even Salem cannot do, is to underestimate him.
Vine: Marrow is right Harriet. We can't judge someone who looks like us but isn't. He knows very much more than any of us and he is the only one who could figure this out.
Clover: So what do we do then Doctor? Calling for reinforcements is out of the question as you requested.
The Doctor: I am going to stay here and observe. They'll know that they got my full attention and that'll attract them to come out. Marrow and Ruby, you two will lead the teams for two different investigations.
Clover: *chuckles* Looks like you're in charge for today Marrow. Make us proud.
Marrow: M-Me?! Are you sure Doctor?
The Doctor: I am not one to respect or like soldiers, but you are not one. You are a true huntsman to the heart like Team RWBY. And besides, no one else in your team knows more about the story than you. I am putting all my trust in you to get as much information as possible. And that is where team RWBY comes in because once we have full information of who covered these areas for Atlas Academy, I need you four to find anyone who was part of the job and see if they know anything as well.
Weiss: Are you sure it's safe to be by yourself here with whatever is in there?
The Doctor: They won't approach me like that yet. They'll sense I'm something different and it'll delay their arrival. But we don't have much time, so you all know the plan, Captain Amin and Captain Rose, good luck.
Marrow and Ruby nodded in agreement as they both led their teams to do their part in the plan while the Doctor grabbed a chair and sat right in front of the crack on the wall knowing very well he is being watched by whatever is inside of there. What stir behind it continues to stare the time lord and sensed this was no human as it retreated in the darkness.
Marrow: *passes information to Team RWBY's scrolls* This is the company that reconstructed Atlas Academy. Whether the crew team or the owner at the time is still around or not, there is definitely going to be some kind of secret file kept. We'll look more into the history of this place and the little boy then meet up with the Doctor again.
Ruby: Thanks Marrow. Catch you in a bit! *Jumps off the airship*
Yang: Any word from Khan?
Ruby: Message hasn't been delivered so it means he's still out there somewhere and hasn't landed.
Blake: It's crazy to think that the TARDIS ran away scared. And the Doctor bold enough to stay behind and watch the crack.
Weiss: We've seen him do unbelievable things Blake. This is far from unbelievable but...whatever is behind that crack is big bad news.
Yang: Gotta give credit to Marrow. He came prepared no kidding.
Weiss: He's the only one I truly see the Doctor open up to. The rest of the Ace Ops, he doesn't even want to look at them. Not even my sister or the General.
Blake: Weiss...we only know what the Doctor went through from what he told us. Only he can feel what he went through...and if he sees the General, Winter, and Ace Ops as bad memories of the Time War, I'd say we should be careful too.
Weiss: But Winter isn't like that! No one is! They are all just following protocol especially to protect Atlas and the rest of Remnant from Salem.
Yang: Weird how you didn't mention any of this in front of him.
Weiss: *sighs* I get that all of this must be trauma for him but he also needs to understand that this isn't Gallifrey. The military aren't time lords nor James is Rassilon.
Blake: But this IS his home now. And if sees it that way, then of course that trauma gets to him because he doesn't want to lose Remnant or us. Weiss, did something happen between you two?
Weiss: No? I don't know really. Ever since we returned from our trip to Haven, he's been acting all weird. He's hiding something and I can sort of tell. I just...don't want the same repeat of Beacon when we travelled to Plantatia and he kept that secret of the prophecy fate had for us that let him push us away...
Yang: I mean...what those Sylphs said were true...
Blake: But it wasn't the Doctor who caused it. Plus...he's already dealing with enough problems. The Master being here in Remnant is perhaps the biggest problem for him.
Ruby: Guys, we're here.
In front of Team RWBY was a construction business company called ATLAS BOOMIN CONSTRUCTION as the four girls entered and were greeted by the receptionist in the front office.
Receptionist: Good afternoon girls, how may I assist you?
Ruby: Hello! We were hoping you could help us out on meeting with the construction crew that helped build Atlas Academy?
Blake: We're new here and we were hoping to get some info of the academy.
Receptionist: Ooooooh. I'm sorry girls, I believe that the crew has hung up their boots for quite some time now.
Weiss: Figures. *Crosses arms*
Yang: Is there any way we could have any information to reach out to any of them?
Receptionist: Hmmm. Let me see if I can find any since most of the crew have retired and moved to further areas and a few...sadly passed away. *Looks through the computer* Here we go. *Prints out a paper* This is the only crew member who still lives in Atlas.
Ruby: Thank you so much! Cmon girls!
The four head out and onto their own adventure of locating the only crew member who worked on Atlas Academy that still lives around here. They realized he might be hesitant at first but could give them the details of any encounters with the unknown. A bit of travel however after discovering he lives in the ruined city of Mantle.
Once they landed, they continued their journey until they reached their destination, which happened to be an old apartment complex. It was painful for the girls to see how the people down here were struggling compared to up in Atlas or anywhere else. It wasn't how when Nicholas was around and protecting the city. Finding his apartment number, Ruby knocks on the door of Steven Moffat.
Steven: Yes, who is it?
Ruby: G-Good afternoon Mr. Moffat. My name is Ruby Rose, and I was here hoping to ask some questions regarding Atlas Academy.
Steven: For what purpose? No one is really interested in the construction of Atlas Academy unless...
Silence filled the space as the four girls looked at each other with confusion until crashing noises were heard from inside as the door opened to reveal a middle-aged man.
Steven: You are here for the crack on the wall?
Team RWBY: Yes!
As the four entered and made themselves welcome, they were surprised at how well Mr. Moffat's apartment was. Did not look like anything from the outside view but never underestimate a construction worker as he offered them drinks.
Blake: We thought it would be a bit...nonsense if we just told you directly why we were here.
Steven: Nonsense. Good to know there's people who know about the tale.
Weiss: What about you? When we tried to get information about the construction crew, we were told that most of them had retired far or passed away and you were the only one here.
Steven: Why yes. To live a simple life but most of us never forget when we had to cover up that safe facility for Atlas Academy.
Ruby: What did you find?
Steven: Not just find...but saw as well...
*FLASHBACK*
Waris Hussein: Alright workers listen up! It took us about a year and a half but here we are, finally about to finish the future of Atlas, Atlas Academy! It wouldn't have been possible without any of you. Thank you, all of you! Once we finish up here, we shall celebrate!
The workers all cheered after finally looking like the light was coming for Atlas and all of Remnant. The Great War was over and now Remnant was beginning to slowly recover. The future was bright for everyone despite a few setbacks and Grimm still around. A young Steven Moffat was ready to finish this job and finally relax with a peaceful break.
Waris: All that's left is finish up the remaining rooms. Let's moving folks!
And with that, everyone went out to finish out the remaining rooms. What used to be emergency shelters which dark memories, trauma, damage was now soon to be replaced by a better and hopeful future. Steven arrived in one of the remaining rooms alongside his friends Russel T Davies and Chris Chibnall.
Steven: Last room fellas. All that's left is to add another layer to the wall then paint it up.
Russell: I do wonder what exactly some of these rooms were used for.
Chris: Mostly to keep the people in during the war and right shortly after. I do know there was some weird and spooky stuff happening as well.
Steven: You've been hanging out with the others too much lad.
Chris: Some sound bollocks and rubbish. A few sounded pretty sad and scary. Then a few sounded supernatural.
Russell: Perhaps that's why they want us to redo this place up. *chuckles*
The three began their work as hours passed and almost the entire room was all new and recently painted. It was break time for the construction crew as Russell and Chris headed out with Steven following behind them but stopped when he heard scratching noises across the walls.
Russell: Steven, are you coming?
Steven: We might have a problem boys and we didn't notice it. Rats.
Chris: Rats? You've got to be kidding me.
Steven: Sounds like it. I heard noises coming from the walls.
The scratching like noises were heard which caught the attention of all three men as they tried to get an idea where the rats were heading to next. They planned on trapping them and kicking them out. It got tricky when more noises came from the wall meaning there was more than one crawling around. As they continued, Steven stopped once again when he saw a crack on the wall which left him in a disappointing sigh.
Steven: These rats sure know how to make a mess of things. Fortunately we can still get it fixed.
Pulling out bits of his lunch food, Steven placed his hand near the crack and whistled in hoping for the rats to come out as Russell and Chris had buckets and boxes ready to trap the creatures. As they waited, they heard the crawling noises getting closer and closer until they stopped abruptly, confusing the three men. Suddenly, the scratching noises were then replaced by knocking noises and whimpering.
Chris: What the bloody hell?!
Russell: Is that a child?! A child must be trapped in there!
Steven: How can a child be trapped and unnoticed? Get Waris and the others to come help- GAH?!
A sudden dark hand with sharp claws grabbed Steven by the throat scaring all three men as Russell and Chris called out for help while Steven struggled to move away. A few coworkers including Waris came to see the situation and before they could help, Steven was pulled into the crack on the wall, no longer seen.
On the other side, Steven gets up immediately to find himself in a dark and foggy room with the crack behind him as he can hear the voices of his coworkers trying to reach out to him.
Steven: GUYS! HELP! I'M BEHIND THE WALL! IT'S SOME KIND OF ROOM! GET ME OUT OF HERE!
He could hear more chattering before the coworkers rushed out, which meant they were going to find ways to get Steven out. Giggles and running were heard behind Steven as he looked around his surroundings. It looked like one of the shelter rooms but it was all dusty, damaged, in ruins, and very foggy. He knew the risk of making a move and walking further to an unknown area so he stayed there but the noises were getting louder and closer, which scared him most.
Steven: This is not funny at all! Show yourself!
The noises all stopped and everything went silent to where Steven can hear his own heartbeat. Then a single keynote from a piano started to play which scared him as he looked around again for any signs of something coming but the fog was getting thicker as the same keynote was still playing and echoing. His thoughts erupted when he remembered having 3 flares in his pockets in case of emergencies or power outages.
Pulling one out, he heard noises approaching as he turned it on immediately and threw it to the noise which revealed a shadowy figure moving into the dark scaring Steven even more.
Steven: WHO'S THERE?! SHOW YOURSELF!
No response came as nothing appeared while the flare continued to brighten the room a bit until it died down completely. The single keynote piano continued to play as Steven lit up another flare and threw it across the room only to get nothing back in response this time. A few minutes and the flare died down once again leaving him with only one more flare left. He thought about whether to use it or hold it as self-defense. Pulling it out and lighting it up, Steven walked a little further with the flare right in front of him as he got a better look of the room.
His eyes widened as it looked less like a room but a withered funhouse with creepy kid like drawings, worn out dolls and figures, and masks all around. He got distracted by noticing a necklace with a rare ruby jewel in the center until he found one drawing hanging on the wall. He took a closer look and saw something disturbing: A young kid holding hands with his "Best Friends" as the name shows on top and there was a woman in white dress with her face hidden, a man with a raptor head and sharp claws, a large man with a bunny mask and a giant mallet, a white hooded man with his hands together, a grimm like man with a terriyfing monster face, and last but not least, a man with a dark mask, top hat, and claws with his name written on top, "Uncle Howdy".
Uncle Howdy: There you are!
Steven turned around the moment he heard the voice and his flare went out at that same moment, startling him even more. The worse part...he lost his trace back to the wall. He carefully ran through trying to get back where he was until he heard a creaking door open which froze him completely. And from that same door, a small but bright light appeared as multiple footsteps were heard scaring Steven even more.
The light continued to move as the footsteps got closer as from the door, they came. The friends Steven saw on the drawing as he felt his blood freeze. They continued to walk towards him with Uncle Howdy carrying the lantern while the piano keynote began to shift around. In Steven's eyes, the drawings did not display well on how terrifying the creatures looked like in real life. They looked monstrous, unhuman, and deadly. As they were mere inches from approaching him, a loud thud was heard from the walls which caused the creatures to stop.
Russell: STEVEN! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!
Steven recognized the voice that belonged to his friend Russell, as the crew tried to drill through the wall to get him out. Steven around to still see the "Friends" staring right at him and without a second thought, he made a run for it.
Uncle Howdy: 10
He heard the countdown and ran even more that it was perhaps the fastest Steven ever ran.
Uncle Howdy: 9
He approached the wall and banged on it as the others coworkers heard it which meant they were getting closer but for Steven, time was running out.
Uncle Howdy: 8
Steven: GET ME OUT OF HERE!
Uncle Howdy: 7...6...
Waris: I hear him! Keep drilling through!
Uncle Howdy: 5...4...
Steven: HURRY!
Uncle Howdy: 3...2...
Russell: I SEE HIM! GO GO GO!
Uncle Howdy: 1...
Putting his hand down, Uncle Howdy signals one of his creatures to chase after Steven. The creature with yellow dreads and a white monstrous face chased him as he was close to grabbing Steven as he is getting pulled up.
Chris: WE GOT HIM!
Steven pants as he tries to catch his breath from being rescued by his coworkers-
Steven: GAAAAAAAUUUUUUGHHHHHH!
The coworkers were stunned but acted quickly as Steven got pulled back into the funhouse by the creature which caused a mix of fear and confusion from the others. Russell pulled out his flares and lid them up as he threw one at the creature and saw its face which terrified him.
Russell: What the...
Waris: HELP HIM OUT! THROW MORE FLARES IN THERE!
Following their boss orders, a few continued to pull Steven while others threw their flares in which was bothering the creature until Uncle Howdy snapped his fingers which had it release Steven as he was pulled back to safety while others looked from a safe distance at the horrifying creature and the others.
Waris: Bloody hell...
Uncle Howdy grabbed his lantern and blew on it as the lights went out across the academy, scaring every coworker until the lights came back and everyone saw the wall back intact with the crack on it.
Chris: Steven, talk to us!
Steven could only stare at the crack on the wall and relive those horrifying moments when he was down there. His heart, beating like never before as the others helped him out.
Waris: Get that wall covered up at ALL cost! This will stay hidden and kept a secret between all of us.
Mixed thoughts from the workers but eventually understood as they got to work immediately while Steven continued to get checked out despite remaining in the same shock state.
A day that will forever be scarred into his life.
*FLASHBACK ENDS*
Team RWBY all looked horrified at a shaken and older Steven Moffat before Ruby approached him to calm him down. The four knew this was bad news and needed to alert the Doctor immediately.
Ruby: What...What happened afterwards?...
Steven: After that was covered up, we finished what we needed to do...but not without warning one of the investors about the situation that occurred. He only laughed at us and told us we were no longer required...
Yang: The Doctor knew well that if the Ace-Ops tried to report this, it would be the same response.
Steven: I warn you kids. You best leave that place! Those people won't do anything about it and consider you mental! But you four have a future, you should not have to deal with those creatures in the funhouse!
This worried the four girls even more and as Steven continued to talk, Weiss's scroll vibrated, and she pulled it out to receive a phone call from the Doctor which made her heartbeat faster.
Weiss: *answers* Doctor!
The Doctor: Marrow and his team are coming to pick you up and bring you back immediately.
Weiss: What's wrong?
The Doctor: The wall has opened...