Volume 3, Chapter 30:
He made the message clear and now they were most likely after him unless Ashad already put out the alert to the other Cybermen that the Doctor was here, inside the Cyber Monstra. He carefully looked around the giant section of the room that was all technology. He peeked from his hiding spot and saw more Cybermen come out from the pods and grabbing their weapons before exiting out. He was disgusted and saddened that these were people, people with life, a future, imagination, emotions, and now all of that was gone. The Doctor continued to study the area until he heard stomping nearby and heard a different cyber voice that wasn't an ordinary Cybermen nor Ashad.
Cyber Controller: Search the perimeters. Find the Doctor and bring him to me!
More Cybermen marched out of the room as the Cyber Controller, formerly known as Dr. James Merlot got the alert from Ashad and now wanted to have the Doctor here, not to kill, not to take him to Salem, but to experiment on him.
Cyber Controller: Cybermen with Time Lord traits and abilities will make us more superior and unstoppable. Not even Salem will stop us when we turn against her.
This caught the Doctor's attention and began to plot an idea, a risky one, but he loves a risky idea especially this one. He pulled out his scroll to check the camera feed from the TARDIS to see her and the bomb still there. He noticed two identities appearing for open communications which happened to be Dalek Khan and Yang Xiao Long. They were here as well which meant Jaune and Ren were with her. A determined grin appeared on the Doctor's face as his idea builds up more and realized he can kill two birds with one stone. He sent a message to Yang and Dalek Khan before it was time to do his thing.
The Doctor: Showtime. *Stands up* OI! YOU STEEL LOT! *smirks* Looking for me!
All the Cybermen stopped doing what they were doing including the Cyber Controller as they raised their weapons right at the time lord.
Cybermen: You are the enemy of the Cybermen known as the Doctor! You will be taken to Salem or-
Cyber Controller: Stand down my warriors. Salem does not need to know just yet; I have my own plans first with him.
The Cybermen obeyed and pushed the Doctor further as they marched back to the main lab room with the Cyber Controller but it was all according to his own plan. Not far from where he is, Yang, Ren, and Jaune were still hiding in the torture room as Oscar was back in there with Hazel. Yang felt her scroll vibrate and opened it quietly to see the message sent by the Doctor.
The Doctor: Rescue Oscar, Run back to the TARDIS!
Hazel: That stunt you pulled. She'd have killed you if you didn't just pop up somewhere else. Still, you can make things easier on yourself if you start telling the truth.
Ozpin: You've never wondered why she recruited you? You, specifically, to help her find the Relics.
Hazel: We share a vision. She's gonna create a new world order, no Kingdoms...and no Huntsmen Academies.
Ozpin: *chuckles* New world order. No. When Salem gets all four Relics, there will be no world left at all. Don't you get it? She's been alive longer than you can comprehend. All she craves now is release. Death.
Hazel: *scoffs and punches him again* Stop lying! Salem can't be killed. But that...shocking secret by the Doctor was something I didn't think I would hear... When she came for me, I killed her over and over again. The longest she was gone was only a few hours, before she put herself back together. When I couldn't lift my arms anymore, she showed me that, through her, I could have the vengeance I needed.
Ozpin: Oh, Hazel, don't you see? That is why she came for you. Because she could make you believe that this is what you needed.
Hazel: This is what you deserve!
Ozpin: Yes! but Oscar? The people of Atlas, Remnant? You haven't done what you've done for justice. You've done it for yourself. Because she pushed you to think it would help you. Well, has it? "So long as this world turns, you shall walk its face". That was the curse cast upon her. But if Salem can divide Humanity beyond repair, and bring all four Relics together, she believes that maybe her curse will be broken. The Gods will rule against us and destroy Remnant, once and for all.
Hazel: Nice story. But if Gretchen's death taught me one thing, it was never to trust you.
Ozpin: (Oscar: Please, Let me.) But, Oscar- (Oscar: You want him to trust us? Then trust me.)
Ozpin gave in as the colors of the eyes switched once again and Hazel noticed that Ozpin has retreated and instead, he was now confronting Oscar.
Oscar: Her name is Jinn. You want her to come out of the Lamp? Just say her name. She can still answer one more question. However, she won't be able to for the next 200 years since the Doctor travelled to the future to use her again.
Hazel: *eyes widened and lifts him* After all that, you're just going to give Salem the password?
Oscar: No, I'm giving you the password, and hoping you'll find the truth for yourself.
Hazel continued to look at the boy but his glare softened and slowly released Oscar to the ground while having mixed thoughts and emotions within him. The trio heard everything and now needed to think of the right moment to rescue him. They weren't the only ones as outside the room, Emerald heard it all from eavesdropping and was worried to everything she heard before walking off.
Being in the dark with so much pain and emotions wasn't the best feelings at all, especially for Nora Valkyrie. Last thing she remembered was taking the hit of breaking the force shields before falling unconscious. She opened her eyes slowly and grunted in pain as she looked over slowly to see her arms bandaged up. Then she looked over to see Klein treating her.
Klein: No need to worry, miss. You and your friend are going to be just fine.
Nora was about to question what he meant until the doors opened and in came Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Whitley carrying a leaking and damaged Penny which hurt Nora but wasn't able to react much from her own state as well. The four placed Penny on a second bed next to Nora while they looked at each other covered in green fluids.
Blake: She lost consciousness. And she's...leaking.
Ruby: Can you help her?
Klein: Hmm. *Scans Penny* Even based on what you've told me, I hardly know what she is. But her basic anatomy seems similar enough. I can at least stitch up that wound.
And as if things couldn't get much worse, another loud explosion was heard from outside, startling everyone until the lights went out completely, making the situation much difficult than before.
Whitley: Oh, that's just rich.
Weiss: Mom and the UNIT crew.
Ruby: *feels my scroll and picks it up* May?
May: Everyone okay back there? Just saw another bombing run light up the kingdom.
Ruby: *looks outside the window* Looks like part of the city lost power. We're okay though.
May: Sorry I couldn't stick around, but time's running out for everyone in the crater. Fortunately, we are getting bit more help in the evacuation. Still plenty to get through though.
Ruby: No, we're sorry. *sighs* Once we know what's wrong with Penny, we'll...we'll do something.
May: Don't beat yourself up, kid. At this point I don't know how much is left to be done. We'll keep in touch. Over and out. *Hangs up*
Ruby: *sighs in frustration* It's all just...too much. Salem, The Grimm, The Cybermen, Ironwood, The Doctor, the Crater, Nora, Penny...How do we fix all of it?
Klein: *looks at her* One step at a time, my dear. You can't worry about fixing everything. Simply focus on what's in front of you. If you'd like some place to start, I'd be able to work faster if you could bring the power back on.
Ruby: Well, how would we-
Willow: We have a generator near the edge of the estate.
Weiss: Mom! Are you and the others okay?
Willow: Yes dear, we're okay. I had them evacuate and leave through the same underground when you left for Haven. It's just us now but we were able to do enough before the power went out. *Looks at Klein* Oh, Hello Klein.
Klein: So good to see you as well Madam Schnee.
Weiss: SDC executives have their own auxiliary power supplies in case of a city-wide blackout. It's extremely unfair, but perhaps now isn't such a bad time for company perks.
Whitley: We don't just have perks.
Weiss: Hm?
Whitley: We have the company. The people you mentioned in the crater, they need a way out, right? There are rows and rows of cargo ships just sitting in the hangars because of the embargo.
Weiss: And our own automated drones, like the ones at Snow Shoe Shipping.
Willow: Other kingdoms are willing to do the same as well. Only problem is Salem will send the Grimm and the Cybermen to attack the ships. But your idea seems to help out effectively, Whitley.
Whitley: We can order as many as we need to pilot our ships down to the crater and get the remaining people to safety, while the Grimm are occupied with the general's forces.
Blake: We can?
Whitley: I can. I just need father's computer.
Ruby: Then we definitely need to get the power back on. We can use our Sonics as well to boost it quicker.
Willow: Weiss, Whitley, you go to your father's office and get the computer to proceed the plan. Ruby, Blake, you two head out to the power shed and activate the backup generator as fast as you can.
Weiss: What about Nora and Penny? We can't leave them on their own with Klein.
The four teens heard a powering up device and were eyes widened to see Willow carrying an advanced alien blaster alongside a sword around her waist. Weiss and Whitley did not hold back admitting their mother looking like a badass.
Willow: I'll be here with him to help and guard in case anything happens. Remember, I'm the daughter of the toughest man in Atlas. Now Go!
The four proceeded to run out and split into two teams, Ladybug and Schnee siblings. Heading outside with caution, Ruby and Blake head to the power shed and spot the backup generator as Ruby pulled down the lever which activates the generator while displaying a text on screen saying, STARTUP SEQUENCE - POWER BACKUP while the two adjust their Sonic Screwdrivers to carefully speed up the process. Ruby was trembling from all of this which Blake noticed and placed her hand on Ruby's shoulder.
Blake: Don't worry. It'll work.
Ruby: *looks down* I really hope so. Nothing else has.
Blake: I know you don't always know what to do, but that's never stopped you from doing something. I was like that as a girl, but time and...a lot of other things, took their toll on me. Then I wasn't sure if that kind of girl could actually survive in the world...until I met you. It was a little strange at first because you were younger, but I've always looked up to you, Ruby. And I still do.
Ruby: *smiles softly and wipes my tear* Thanks Blake.
Blake returned the smile as the two readied their Sonics and activated it at the same time, affecting the generator and boosting up the sequence until it reached full capacity and the lights came back on, to the relief of the girls. Blake looked over at Ruby with a smile until she spotted something in the shadow of the window that made her cat ears drop and the smile.
Ruby: What? What is it?
Not knowing what made Blake look so terrified, Ruby did not realize a giant silhouette behind her until noises of glass crashing and Ruby being dragged outside without a moment to think or react. It was The Hound that made its arrival to the Schnee Manor. The scream of Ruby and the glass shattering got everyone's attention from inside as Willow kept her weapon ready while Weiss tried to reach out to them via her scroll.
Weiss: Ruby! Blake!
Blake: Weiss! There's a Grimm that-LOOK OUT!
Weiss: Not good. *Looks over at Whitley* Can you handle this?
Whitley: Assuming you can handle That.
Weiss: *scoffs and runs off* We still need to work on your attitude. *calls Mom* Mom!
Willow: Weiss, what's happening?
Weiss: There's a Grimm here and others might be nearby. Keep everyone together and call if there's trouble.
Willow: Please be careful, Weiss.
Back outside, Ruby was launched towards the gate as the Hound charged towards her but she moves away with her Semblance while Blake just misses a run over by the creature.
Ruby: What is this thing?!
Blake: It's just a Grimm. Just focus.
Blake fired first to which the Hound dodges it and strikes Blake down while it pins Ruby on the ground before she could use Silver Eyes. The creature growled at her before it spoke, horrifying Ruby.
The Hound: Take the girl.
Blake: *eyes widened* RUBY!
The Hound had burst out its wings from the back and began to take off, carrying Ruby until one of its wings got slashed and sending the creature crashing down while Ruby is caught by Weiss who lands safely with her wings.
Weiss: You okay?
Ruby: Not really. This Grimm is completely new...and different.
Weiss: No matter. We'll take it down.
Weiss charged forward for a speed attack as everything around her slowed down and prepare to strike the creature until the Hound grabbed Blake and used her as a shield, causing Weiss to lose focus and fall back to which the creature growls and launches Blake onto Weiss with both girls falling on the ground as the Hound sent out a loud, bone-chilling roar.
Willow: *looks out the window* If Weiss is out there helping the girls; Whitley must be on his own! *Looks at Klein and throws my blaster at him* I know it's something you never wanted to hold again but right now; we need to be ready for anything.
Klein: *looks at the weapon then nods slowly* Find Master Whitley and come back.
Willow: I will. Keep them safe and fire if it comes by!
Willow made her way out of the room to find Whitley, leaving Klein on his own with the two patients until Penny stood up quietly and looked over at Klein, only problem was her eyes were red. Klein turned around and noticed but before he could react, Penny threw him to the side and marched towards him until her eyes were flickering between red and green, giving Penny an inner battle between herself and accidentally activating her Maiden powers as a whirlwind storm appears in the room.
Penny: No, not again!
Klein: *stands up* You're okay. Please!
Penny: I don't want to do it. PLEASE STOP!
As things were getting more out of control, a hand reached out and grabbed Penny's hand which just happened to slow the whirlwind down for a moment as Penny looked down to see Nora reaching to her.
Nora: Hey...No one's going to make you do anything you don't want to do.
Penny: B-B-But...*glitches* there is a part of me...It's making me...
Nora: It's just a part of you. Don't forget about the rest.
And in that moment, the glitch loses the battle as Penny took full control and collapsed to her knees with the whirlwind coming to a complete stop. Nora squeezed Penny's hand lightly while Penny for the moment shut down. Back outside, the trio of Ruby, Weiss, and Blake continued to fight the Grimm until Centinels Grimm and a Cyber Beast emerged.
Ruby: WEISS! Cyber Beast!
Weiss was tackled and mauled by the Cyber Beast as she tried to strike it back. She screams in pain as the Cyber Beast continues to maul her which the other two noticed.
Ruby and Blake: WEISS!
Blake: WATCH OUT! *Slashes a Centinel*
The Hound lunges towards both Ruby and Blake, launching them to the ground but stopped when it saw a flash of green light coming from one of the rooms of the Schnee Mansion. It snarled at the Sentinel and Cyber Beast before making its way inside. Weiss continued to struggle in escaping the Cyber Beast as she was already torn up and bleeding until her eyes glowed brighter and a massive energy burst from her, sending the Cyber Beast flying and crashing into pieces. Ruby and Blake ran towards her and helped her up as the regeneration completes its healing with Weiss now being back to normal.
Weiss: *grunts* I'm okay...that Grimm is smarter unlike the other Grimm. It sent the Cyber Beast towards me so I couldn't attack using my powers. Where did it even go?
Ruby: That Grimm. It's not here for me, it's here for Penny!
Blake: Weiss, Go! Ruby and I will handle the remaining Grimm.
Weiss nodded before activating her wings and flying inside the mansion while Ruby and Blake continued their fight with the Grimm. As Weiss made it back inside, it was all silence with no sign of the Hound. She looked around momentarily before pulling up her scroll to contact Klein.
Weiss: Klein, it's inside. Stay quiet. I'm on my way.
Klein: Do hurry. Whitley and Willow have yet to return.
Weiss: What? Where'd Mom go?! *Eyes widened* Shit-
She heard a growl from above and slowly looked up to see the Hound but before she could use her powers or Myrtenaster, the Hound dropped on her as they crashed on the ground. The Hound placed its hands on Weiss's head as she screamed in defiance before the Hound went on to snap her neck, killing Weiss at the moment. It roared once again before making its way up to find Penny.
Making a run towards Jacques room, Willow heard the Hound roaring as it was getting closer with its massive footsteps getting closer. Once she spotted Jacques room, she summoned an Ice Glyph of a Boarbatsuk and an Ice Warrior to hold the Hound back while she gets Whitley out of there. Whitley on the other hand, was about done with the computer work.
Willow: Whitley! We need to go!
Whitley: Almost there, Mom!
The Hound: I KNOW!... you're here.
Willow peeked outside as the Hound destroyed the Boarbatsuk summon but still fighting the Ice Warrior summon until it reached for the head and snapped it off. At that same time, the computer displayed an important text saying, "CREDENTIALS VERIFIED, ORDERS RECEIVED"
Whitley: GOT IT!
Willow: *tackles Whitley and hides* Shhhh.
They both immediately went quiet as the Hound broke into the room and began to look for the two. Willow knew the blaster would kill it but it was back with Klein for his protection and her summons could only do enough. She watched from a reflection of a broken glass as the Hound was still sniffing around for them and got an idea to escape. She waited as it got closer with Whitley panting from anxiety that it was going to kill them until a notification from the computer rang which caught the Hound attention. That was Willow's moment as she used her sword to summon multiple sharp icicles towards the Hound's neck causing it to roar in pain while Willow and Whitley made a run for it.
The Hound noticed and lunged out of the room, giving chase towards them until a bright flash sped by, striking the creature as it turned around and saw a very pissed off Weiss Schnee, once again healed after it snapped her neck.
Willow: Weiss!
Weiss: Now you've pissed me off!
Creating an orb of gold energy, Weiss looked straight at the Hound who made charge towards them but Weiss released the orb which struck the Hound and sent it flying and crashing through the wall. She took a deep breath as she looked back to see her mother and little brother okay.
Weiss: *pants* I...didn't forget...you...
The three were relieved until more rumbling noises came from the site where the Hound crashed and it came out once again, crawling and shifting around to fix itself. It brought out its wing and stood on two legs, horrifying the three as it flew towards them. Weiss was about to strike back until a loud crashing noise came from the window with a door flying towards the Hound and crashing on the creature, leaving the mother and two children to wonder what sent that door flying at the Hound.
Two armored arms hung on to what was left of the window as the shadow of the figure got bigger and made its way in. The Hound got back up and looked at its new attacker, growling back at it while Weiss and Whitley looked in shock, and Willow covered her mouth in surprise as to who made the save. The warrior that saved and protected her when she was little, the warrior that prepared and trained her to become strong, the warrior she called an old friend, the Ice Warrior.
Willow: Shalka!
Shalka: *looks over at Willow and bows* Majesty. Go! I'll handle this creature!
Willow was about to argue back until the Hound had its eyes set on the Ice Warrior. Weiss and Whitley pulled her back and made a run for it while Shalka and the Hound stared right at each other, ready to attack.
Shalka: Leave her majesty and the children ALONE!
The Hound roared at Shalka while the Ice Warrior only hissed at it back before both behemoths collided against each other. The Ice Warrior went for a swing but the Hound dodged it and tried to slam Shalka down with both arms but Shalka grabbed them both with all his strength as they felt the floor slowly collapsing because of their weight and force. Shalka proceeded to spin out and send the Hound crashing against another wall. The Ice Warrior grabbed the Hound before lunging it towards the windows and running it through glass and concrete, damaging the Hound even more. The Ice Warrior didn't give the Hound a second to recover before tackling it to the next wall.
The Schnee family continued to run to the other side of the mansion as all they could hear more crashing noises of the monster and warrior fighting. As they were on their way back to Weiss's bedroom, a painful scream was heard which stopped and worried the three until they heard footsteps marching towards them to reveal Penny with red eyes.
Weiss: Penny?
No response which worried Weiss even more.
Whitley: What are you doing?
Penny: I must open the Vault, and then self-terminate.
Her voice sounded monotonous and that was an instant giveaway that something was going on inside of Penny. At the same time, a loud roar was heard as the three looked to the other side and saw the Ice Warrior flying and crashing towards the first floor. Ruby and Blake made their way back inside and saw the chaos until the Hound appeared and spotted Penny to which she spotted the Grimm and both charged at each other.
The Hound: Take. The. Girl.
Ruby: PENNY!
The Hound and Penny locked arms until a third arm appeared from the Hound and slamming Penny towards the concrete ground back and forth until she was unconscious.
Klein: Madam!
Willow turned her head towards Klein as he threw the blaster towards her which she caught it as she loaded it up. The Hound was had its claw on Penny's throat ready to finish her off until a massive uppercut from Shalka hit the Hound, breaking its jaw as it hung out loose, followed by a massive time energy blast from Weiss, which sends the creature flying back and dropping Penny, then a massive blast from Willow's weapon which wounded the Hound as it spewed out black liquid that drops on the ground like acid and the crew's eyes did not lie when they saw what happened to be ribs inside the Hound. As the Hound tried to recover, Ruby stepped in front as her silver eyes glowed.
Ruby: That's...ENOUGH.
The silver eyes covered the entire arm until a crashing noise was heard before everything was in clear sight again. Ruby, Weiss, and Blake went to check on Penny and help her out while Shalka slowly made its way up to Willow who was filled with many emotions from everything that happened but alas, was happy to see her old friend after decades.
Shalka: *bows* Majesty.
Willow: *smiles* Oh, my old friend. How truly happy I am to still see you around.
Shalka: You have grown. Stronger, smarter, and fearless, I have taught you well.
The moment was interrupted when a mix of growling and groaning came from outside until the arm of the Hound appeared as the creature tried to make its way back. But the horrifying sight of the creature itself and seeing it still alive wasn't enough to horrify everyone until they heard the voice and saw what was inside...
The head of a Silver-Eyed male Faunus...
The Hound: Take...the girl. Take the girl. Take the girl. Take the GIRL!
They were all left traumatized by the disturbing sight in front of them, a person merged with Grimm. As if becoming a Cybermen wasn't the most horrifying thing to see, this tops it as the Hound makes its way back inside, repairing itself, and slowly marching towards the girls as Ruby, Weiss, and Blake stood in front of Penny with their weapons ready. Whitely looked over to see a giant suit of armor near where the Hound is currently at and signaled both his mother and the Ice Warrior.
The Hound: TAKE THE GIRL!
His voice became more distorted as his head disappeared once again in the mouth of its Grimm form. Above it, Shalka, Willow, and Whitely began to push the giant armor for it to fall on the Hound at the right moment. Weiss had her hands glowing and ready for any attack.
The Hound: TAKE! THE! GIRL!
The Hound let out a feral roar and lunged it way towards the girls only for the giant armor to fall on the creature, killing it at last. The Hound had been killed and for the better, the suffering soul inside of it was now free...the battle was over...The dust from the crash and debris finally cleared out as all that showed onto of the rubble was the Hound's arm.
Tu, Sivo-Eisa Varia (You, Silver-Eyed Warrior)
Sarehma tayka me (Salem took me)
Everyone tried to grasp what just happened while also recovering from the chaos they went through with Ruby collapsing on her knees from exhaustion, trauma, and sadness. The Hound's arm disintegrates, only leaving the skeletal remain of the Faunus's arm.
Donu frayst vo me, donu cri... (Don't fret for me, don't you cry)
Weiss: What...was that?...
U-tu sivo-eisa me (Your silver eyes for me)
Ruby: It was...a person...