Volume 3, Chapter 1:
It was the city of Mantle around 27 years ago as an older Nicholas Schnee was reading through documents and handling his daily errands while listening to a radio in which they are talking about the upcoming Vytal Festival being held at Haven Academy. As he continues his work, the radio starts to go static and gets the attention of the older Schnee which he gets closer to and hears an odd yet familiar noise. That wheezing, groaning mechanical noise and it struck him quickly to know there was only one thing that sounded like that, the TARDIS.
Outside in the front entrance of the Schnee mansion, the TARDIS was slowly materializing as Nicholas Schnee marched out to the entrance with a good smile for after 13 years, he reunited with the Doctor once again. The doors open to reveal the Odd Gentleman of Remnant, the Idiot with the Blue Box, the boy from the stars, and the soul that brings Hope and Kindness. For he is the Doctor.
The Doctor: Nicholas Schnee! *smiles*
Nicholas: How very nice to see you again Doctor! It's been quite some time since we last met.
The two shake hands sharing a good laugh while Team RWBY walked out slowly hoping it wouldn't be awkward. Weiss watched the interaction between her boyfriend and her grandfather that left her smiling at the wholesome scenery of two people who made an impact in her life.
Nicholas: Ahhh! Good to see you brought your friends with you as well. *Shakes Ruby's hand* Ms. Jones?
Ruby: Yep! That's me! *Shakes his hand and smiles*
Nicholas: Miss Dunkelman correct? *Shakes Yang's hand*
Yang: Sup Mr. Schnee! *Shakes his hand*
Nicholas: Ms. Zech, good to see you as well. *Shakes Blake's hand*
Blake: Always a pleasure and honor to see you again sir! *Shakes his hand and smiles*
Nicholas: Likewise. And Ms. Eberle. How great it is to see you again. *smiles*
Weiss: *hugs him* I'm very happy to see you again as well.
Weiss instantly pulled away from embarrassment, but the others smiled as they knew she loved her grandfather, and this was a special moment for her. They all just hoped Nicholas didn't get any clues that they are related, especially in the future.
Nicholas: You four have grown slightly since I last saw you all. Doctor, I see you remain the same.
The Doctor: Well, I am a time lord, so it takes a long time for me to age physically. So, based on our phone call that there is trouble?
Nicholas: Indeed. Come with me inside and we will discuss!
The gang followed the older Schnee inside the mansion as they looked around the mansion for its beautiful look and Weiss admired how it felt alive and comfortable unlike the present time with her father. She noticed an older man that looked around his late 20s, early 30s and let out a small gasp at who it is.
Nicholas: Ah! Good afternoon Klein! I hope you rested well and ready to start the day once again.
Klein: As always sir!
Nicholas: Please, I told you to call me Nicholas young man. Now, would you mind bringing a cup of tea and five cups of coffee to my office.
Klein: Of course! *Walks away*
The Doctor: Klein...How about that.
Nicholas: Klein Sieben. Recently started working here a few months back, I assume you have already met him Doctor?
The Doctor: I have! A very good man with a noble heart.
Nicholas: Indeed. It pains me that for a young man, he already lives in trauma. He had to be a part of a civil war that occurred almost two years ago. He killed a soldier in battle, and it has haunted him since then.
Weiss: *covers mouth* Klein...
Ruby: So, how did you two meet then?
Nicholas: The young man was in the streets, desperate to look for a job to pay for therapy. When I met him, he was much more traumatized than today. I decided to take him and give him the job of a butler here. And I have paid fully for his therapy, the recovery is slow but he is getting there.
The Doctor: There's a reason why so many people admire you, Nicholas. Your kindness and heart to help out others.
Nicholas: It's my duty and my decision to care for each person here and out there in Mantle.
The gang entered Nicholas's office and noticed that not much had changed besides documents of the mystery all around Remnant. The Doctor grabbed one of Dr. Pavel with the headline "REAL OR ILLUSION? RECENT GRIMM CLAIMED TO HAVE DR. PAVEL'S FACE!"
The Doctor: Seemed some people got the idea that Dr. Pavel wasn't entirely gone after the explosion.
Nicholas: I was able to convince that it was a hoax as I confronted the Grimm but it did not have his face. The only way I could keep the city calm and not in fear of another hybrid Grimm existing. Now then Doctor, I assume you know very much about aliens and technology.
The Doctor: I'm all brains with a charm *winks at Weiss*
Nicholas passed a folder with multiple pictures across the table as everyone looked at the pictures with The Doctor and Blake both having a shocked expression at what the photos display. It was a bit blurry or too dark but they could still see what it was.
Blake: It can't be...
Nicholas: You know them Ms. Zech?
Blake: I've faced them...they appeared in my home and attacked. The first time, the Doctor was there.
Weiss: What are they?
The Doctor: They are called the Slitheen.
Blake: It was kept a secret under my father's terms, but the night Sun and I went to Menagerie, we were attacked by Fennec and Corsac. Two brothers who worked for the White Fang...but we did not notice they were killed, eaten alive, and their skins used as a disguise.
Nicholas: Sickening. What a sick act by those creatures.
The Doctor: Fennec was killed in the fight. Corsac however escaped.
Blake: That's not all Doctor. The night the White Fang attacked, he appeared again...with a new robotic claw. We were able to defeat him...barely but he got away in the fire.
The Doctor: From the looks of these pictures, none of them is Corsac but he could still have a part in this. How did you get these photos Nicholas?
Nicholas: *chuckles softly* My brave little hero, Willow.
Everyone: WHAT?!
Weiss: *eyes widened and mumbles* Mom...
Nicholas: You think a girl like Willow would be about following the family and all, but my little girl is all about mystery and adventure.
With everyone shocked that Willow has taken photos of the Slitheen, the Doctor now remembers when he visited her in the present time, and she mentioned the Slitheen. Now it made sense, everything that happens in her past has already happened but for them they're just experiencing it.
Weiss: W-Where is she Gra- I mean Nicholas.
Nicholas: She's still investigating what they are up to. These photos were taken at Haven Academy where the Vytal Festivals will occur. But there is more going on Doctor, with my authorization she was given full access to walk around the academy. That's where we found those.
The Doctor looked through the file to find something that shouldn't be possible for humans. He knows this formula and it's something only intelligent races from across the universe know about but humans? This is way beyond their knowledge. He noticed the formula at the top in each written paper and decided to put it to the test.
The Doctor: Yang. You love Chemistry class. Mind telling me what this formula on the top is?
Yang: *looks at the paper and eyes widened* That's combustion. Creating a hazardous fire! *Puts on my Sonic Sunglasses and looks at it* Doctor...I may not know anything else about this besides the top formula...but I'm seeing lots of math applied as well. Lots of calculation for what looks to be a massive explosion.
The Doctor: The Slitheen have prepared the formula to create a massive explosion that could potentially affect all of Remnant... and what other way then to do it where the world will watch...
Nicholas: That's not all Doctor, these were written all by students in Haven Academy.
The Doctor: But that's the problem, you guys- Humanity does not have the knowledge or capacity to develop this formula. Some of the intelligent species across the universe know about this formula...it's how the Daleks were able to use them in their bombs to destroy my home...But it doesn't make sense as to why the students are writing this.
Ruby: Inside work. Someone could be working from inside the Academy with the Slitheen.
Blake: Or worse...the Slitheen have already taken skins of people there and they're probably the ones teaching these students the formula.
Weiss: As the Doctor said, we don't have the capability to actually know this like everything else. Something else is missing to complete the answer.
The Doctor: Then we have to go right now to Mistral, meet up with Willow, and get to the bottom of this. The clock is ticking and who knows how much the Slitheen has advanced.
Nicholas: If you are going there Doctor, I ask of one favor for you.
The Doctor: Ask away Nicholas!
Nicholas: Protect Willow. I know she's a strong, smart, and clever girl but she can't do this alone. Not when...*sighs*
The Doctor: I am sorry Nicholas...I know what it's like...to lose a parent or both...but you have my word. She'll be safe with us.
Nicholas nodded and thanked the Doctor and Team RWBY as the exit out of the room and begin their walk back to the TARDIS. Back inside while Dalek Khan sets the coordinates for Haven Academy, Team RWBY were in silence not being able to say anything, especially Weiss.
Weiss: Mom was only 18 when Grandma died...in the original timeline, she stayed in her room and never came out until the day of her funeral. Then she went back in for another month and a half which worried Grandpa.
Yang: But now because it's a new timeline, you really don't know how she reacted this time.
The Doctor: Well, it's a good thing I have a plan that has you four going around the Vytal Festival and keeping a close eye on Willow.
Ruby: Let's hear it. After that, I want to show Khan the documents. See what he knows as well that we probably haven't heard yet.
The Doctor: How would you like to get a second chance of competing at the Vytal Festival?
A short trip to Mistral where Team RWBY feel the memories wave through their minds considering it wasn't that long ago since they were here at Haven Academy in a battle against Salem's followers and the Cybermen. Now they're back again, decades back, and the Slitheen are here to create extinction. The girls were wondering now if Haven Academy was just bad luck all around as the TARDIS made its landing on the backside of the Academy.
Weiss: Okay, can you repeat the plan again Doc- *blushes and blinks rapidly* Haaaaaaaa
The Doctor approached the team donning a brown formal pants, dark grey blazer with a white button-up shirt and dark blue bowtie, and pair of glasses to complete his teacher look which left Weiss fuming steam from her Doctor always finding ways to make her heartbeat like hammers while Team RBY snickered behind her.
The Doctor: Gotta play the part of teacher. With my identity badge, I can easily get in with access as a young teacher. You will be students coming from Vacuo. Considering your disguise names, your team will be known as Team J.E.D.Z or Jets for pronunciation.
Yang: Weird having to have a different name and different team name.
The Doctor: Well, rules are rules especially when travelling to the past to prevent any...damage. Now then, it's been a while since you all have been on here and done travelling so access to the wardrobe room is-
Ruby: First door on the left.
Weiss: Second right, under the stairs.
Blake: Past the bins.
Yang: Fifth door on the left! We still remember well Doc.
The Doctor: *chuckles and smiles* Not a day went by on my solo travels where i picture you four walking around the TARDIS and having fun.
Blake: Well good news for you then Doctor.
Ruby: We are staying, and we are going on much more fun and risky adventures!
Weiss: We are sticking together from now on. We're family after all! *Kisses his cheek*
The team all headed out to the wardrobe room as the Doctor kept that joyful smile of being with his family. Dalek friend, Three sisters and his girlfriend. He couldn't have asked for anything else. A few minutes later and the girls were geared up with new outfits that match them and the era they're in. Ruby and Yang went with steampunk like outfits which was their idea together while Blake donned a purple combat kimono with flowers and ocean decoration across it. Weiss donned a long white split dress with a bit of sparkles shining from it while also wearing navy blue blazer with wings decorations stitched on the jacket.
The Doctor: You all look great and ready to go. *smirks* But Miss Schnee, you bad girl you sure you wanna go out like that, especially your mother somewhere out there.
Weiss: Oh, this is just for display and to show out with style. *Whispers to his ear* I found more just for your eyes only.
The Doctor: *whispers* You really are a bad girl.
Yang: AHEM! As happy as we are that you two are dating, can we focus on the mission?
The Doctor: Right! *Blushes softly* One more thing left before heading out. Khan, I'll need your help over here!
The Doctor pulled out his Sonic Screwdriver and made scans to all four girls before passing the data to Dalek Khan as he pulls a full scan, transporting back to the Doctor and adds another click to the Sonic screwdriver which left the girls confused as they looked at each other to see no difference.
The Doctor: And now for the magician reveal...*pulls a mirror out*
The girls' eyes were widened at the sight in front of them with the mirror. Team RWBY was no longer there but Team JEDZ. The girls all took in different appearances but looking at each other they still saw themselves. The knowledge and technology of Gallifrey was truly something else.
The Doctor: Each of you has your Sonic devices and that will help you maintain your disguise. I've upgraded the Interactive Hologram with facial features that lets you change appearances. Only yourselves, Khan, Willow, and I can see you true self. So as long as you don't lose your Sonics, you should be good.
Ruby: I...LOVE IT!
Blake: I have stopped underestimating your stuff since the first day we entered the TARDIS.
Ruby: Oh! I almost forgot, Khan, Yang and I need you to run a scan on a few documents.
The sisters present the essays of formulas across the control panel for Dalek Khan to scan and process the information while the others wait for what terrible news they'll receive about what the Slitheen are up to.
Dalek Khan: This is known as the Eternal Bomb on Skaro. They were the combustion within the bombs we used to destroy the Dalek ship but it was a very small portion. A mere 3% of it. We've had others that contained 60%.
Weiss: Can't and don't want to imagine the destruction.
Dalek Khan: These humans should not know about this or have any possibility to solve it.
Yang: It's like they're trying to repeat the formula until-...they get the right answer for 100%.
Dalek Khan: Correct. No being has ever attempted at 100% and they are trying to be the first.
Blake: Which leaves us one question, how are they getting it? Teaching it isn't convincing.
Dalek Khan: I have a theory that is a 92.7% accurate. They are being given some kind of matter to have in their bodies which boosts their brains to handle the formula.
The Doctor: Now THAT...that's our answer right there which means we need to act fast! Khan, keep scanning the formula and see how far are the Slitheen to getting 100%. If you caught something else, alert us.
Dalek Khan: Understood. You five be careful!
The gang leave the TARDIS as the Doctor places the Out of Order sign at the doors to prevent anyone from entering. By the looks of it, it was morning time in Mistral which meant not long from now, the campus will be filled with young huntsmen and huntresses.
The Doctor: Explore the place. Chat with people. Then before 1st period, come to my office to sign you up for the Vytal Festival.
Team RWBY: Got it!
And with that, everyone went their own ways to begin the new day and the plan to stop the Slitheen. The Doctor headed inside into the Academy office while Team RWBY split up into their iconic duos to walk around campus.
Yang: You said you've faced them before? Any tips as to what we are facing?
Blake: They're big, ferocious, and bulky. Their skin has another thick layer on top that makes it difficult to slash it or shoot it at first tries. It's like trying to slash a wall. Their claws are very deadly...*breathes* We almost lost Sun after Fennec slashed him pretty badly. The Doctor was able to treat his wounds...
Yang: Blake...
Blake: *tears up* It happened again. All I could think the moment Sun was slashed...was seeing what happened to you at the hands of Adam...
Yang could only hold Blake's hand tightly to give her the comfort she needs. Blake was finally free from the nightmare of Adam himself but the nightmares of the damage he's done are still there and she knows that losing her arm was Blake's biggest scar in her mind. She slowly wiped her partner's tears before connecting foreheads together which was working.
Yang: Sun is still here. I am still here Blake. I know you've gone through so much that it has haunted your life-
Blake: And I ran. I kept running away from it instead of doing something about it. You had your reason to hate me...to have so much anger and bitterness towards me...The Doctor's scolding keeps ringing in my head and how right he was. I kept running when you needed me the most.
Yang: I was angry...bitter...rageful...*sighs* I thought just that despite all that happened, I would wake up every day with you on my side as I recovered. When Ruby left, my life felt more hollow. Hadn't it been for my dad, our professors, and the Doctor, I would not have the motivation to come back out. It took a while and I'm still recovering but the Yang who isolated herself from the world is no longer there. Sometimes it takes horrific experiences *looks at my arm* Or becoming broken to help you climb back up. Look at us now, we're back together and stronger than before. Back together as a team and back to travelling with the Doctor and knowing we have a future after all. I want US to have a future and I won't take no for an answer either.
Blake: *blushes and looks at Yang surprised* W-Wait?! A-Are you telling me-
Yang: I don't know yet. I'm still...trying to figure a lot of things out especially from the heart. But I do want you to be part of my future just like the others. And if you run away, I'm going to hunt you down.
This caused Blake to let out a few giggles which is what Yang wanted to see. She wants Blake to see that while dark times have come and go, there are brighter days coming for her, for herself, and both just like everyone. As for their future, Yang was still unsure what her heart is asking but there's one clear thing: Blake is much more than a friend to her and she wanted more.
Blake: *giggles more* It's a deal. *Kisses Yang's cheek* And thank you Yang.
Yang cheeks slowly rose to red from the sudden act by Blake as it takes a bit for her to get back up and follow her partner. An hour has passed, and Haven Academy was filled up with their students and other students for the annual Vytal Festival. Team RWBY had no luck in finding any clues regarding the Slitheen or their plans nor any sight of Willow which worried Weiss a bit. The four entered the main office full of teachers and were greeted by the Doctor who went by Professor William Smith.
Weiss: Any luck?
The Doctor: At the moment no. Tried looking across campus for any given clues or observations but no luck. Fortunately, I do have Physics class to substitute for in a few minutes. Going to try and see if perhaps any students know about the formula.
Blake: How many students do you possibly think know it?
The Doctor: I certainly like to think a good portion of those who attend here. I already registered your information in the Vytal Festival, a good way to keep the people entertained while we try to break this situation down.
Ruby: Okay then, what's the plan?
The Doctor: While I'm in class, try to go around campus to look for anything that connects with the formula or how the Slitheen are transferring it to the students' minds. Once school is done, that's when the festival begins so you won't have any time. If I get anything from the class, I'll let you know.
Class was officially now in session as the Doctor presented himself as the substitute for Physics class. His knowledge of this was over the top so he knew it be best to try to bring it to the students' level without going all out. He did, however, catch his eye momentarily that someone was watching them from the window of the door.
The Doctor: So, physics. Physics, eh? Physics. Physics. Physics! Physics. Physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics. I hope one of you is getting all this down. Okay let's see what you know. Two identical strips of nylon are charged with static electricity and hung from a string so they can swing freely. What would happen if they were brought near each other? *Notices a student's hand* Yes, er, what's your name?
Peter: Peter.
The Doctor: Peter! Off you go.
Peter: They'd repel each other because they have the same charge.
The Doctor: Oh Yes! Question two. I coil up a thin piece of microwire and place it in a glass of water. Then I turn on the electricity and measure to see if the water's temperature is affected. My question is this. How do I measure the electrical power going into the coil? *Sees Peter's hand* Someone else. No? Okay, Peter, go for it.
Peter: Measure the current and PDs in an ammeter and a voltmeter.
The Doctor: Two to Peter. Right then, Peter, tell me this. True or false. The greater the dampening of the system, the quicker it loses energy to its surroundings.
Peter: False.
The Doctor: What is non-coding DNA?
Peter: DNA that doesn't code for a protein.
The Doctor: Sixty-five thousand nine hundred and eighty-three times five?
Peter: Three hundred and twenty-nine thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
The Doctor: How do you travel faster than light?
Peter: By opening a quantum tunnel with an FTL factor of thirty-six point seven recurring.
He shouldn't know this. He's not at the capacity for a human brain to know this sort of knowledge and calculations. The Doctor found one student as he looked up the window door and noticed the figure with a disturbing grin as its sharp teeth were in display. He managed to find a student with the knowledge of the formula and a Slitheen in disguise.
Back outside, Team RWBY were taking a small break from investigating and before preparing for the Vytal Festival. They observed how different the Academy was back then, which had them wondering if Lionheart is still around during this timeline and if Ozpin already made his presence. The only one who wasn't thinking like the others was Ruby who kept staring at a group of students chatting and laughing. The three girls noticed as well but it was their youngest leader reaction that worried them as she had a reaction of shock.
Yang: Ruby? What is it?
Blake: Slitheen?
Ruby: *shakes head* No...I know those four...
The other three looked closely at the team as to why Ruby was very worried. It was when they turned around and made their walk that shocked them especially Yang as Ruby kept staring at them with mix of different emotions.
Ruby: That's...That's team STRQ...