Volume 3, Chapter 31:
The search for Penny continued for the Ace-Ops as they were still unable to get a pinpoint location for her. Winter had deep breaths, trying to bring herself from all of this until a hand was placed on her shoulder which startled her until she saw it was Marrow Amin. She tried to calm herself again as Marrow signaled her for a private conversation in the back of the ship. She looked over to the others who were focused on finding Penny, so she nodded as the two headed to the back.
Marrow: Don't you think this is starting to get out of hand? This is beyond what we were preparing ourselves for.
Winter: I know you feel that way, but we have orders to follow. We must keep our emotions and self-thoughts in control or else it could put us at risk. No one is ever prepared for a war, Marrow.
Marrow: *pulls my UNIT badge* The Doctor gave this to the both of us for a reason. Whatever he's doing right now, he's doing it so we don't have to. He's not a soldier, not a warrior, nor a man that carries weapons with him. We've both have seen and heard the things he's gone through and the most important thing about him is he wants to save people like all of us. Your sister, her friends, the people of Mantle, why do you think they're trusting him so much in all of this, why the people down there aren't waiting for us but for him? Because he's someone who always brings hope to people and hope makes them strong.
Winter took his words deeply in her mind and thought about it. The things Weiss have told her, what her grandfather and mother said about him, what she heard from the Doctor herself. Marrow had a reason, they were out here searching for Penny, the soldiers fighting a war where there's no chance of surviving when they could have all been helping the citizens of both Mantle and Atlas escape. She was going to respond until her scroll rang as she pulled it out and saw the General calling her.
Winter: *answers it* Sir. *Eyes widened* W-What?! B-But...*nods* Yes, sir. Understood. We'll return to the Academy. *Ends the call*
Harriet: What's going on?
Winter: The General has asked to halt the search for Penny. Atlas is in massive danger and we need to return to help the soldiers against that Cyber Grimm. He...has also said that the bomb we were going to use to kill it...has been taken.
The Ace-Ops looked in complete shock hearing what has transpired as Harriet turns the ship around, heading back to Atlas. Winter looked back at Marrow with that same look of concern, they both knew who took the bomb and wondered what was going to happen from here. Winter remembered the Doctor's words about the hardest choices being the last ones to do and she couldn't even think of what the Doctor, a survivor of the largest, deadliest war to occur, and the last of his kind, having to be in that position of causing destruction just to save the people.
The battle continues in the warzone between Atlas Military and the Cyber Monstra that continues to release Grimm, Cybermen, and Cyber Grimm. Destruction and corpses laid around the site with more of Salem's side taking over while the numbers of Atlas soldiers continue to reduce at the hands of death.
The explosions of the battle happened to wake up Qrow which sends him in a jolt sitting up, trying to calm his breathing and looked around to still see Robyn with him and Arthur Watts and Jacques Schnee in their respective cells.
Robyn: Sounds bad out there.
Arthur Watts: When you have Salem's beautiful creations and a futuristic cyber species working together, it's the apocalypse for Atlas. If anything, this won't be like Beacon where Beacon did not fall completely because of the Doctor. And while it did annoy Salem, it did bring such interest and enjoyment for me.
Qrow: What exactly do you want with the Doctor?
Arthur Watts: *scoffs and chuckles* I admire him in many ways. He's the perfect opponent in our game of chess. He's smart but he is cleverly smart. He tends to act like an idiot but that's his way of figuring out and planning. You can only bring him to his low when it comes to two things: Threatening his friends or outsmarting him. He and I are on the same level, only difference he has codes and I don't.
Robyn: Obsessed too much?
Qrow: You're sounding like you want to be him but his opposite.
Arthur Watts: *chuckles* You have no idea.
The sound of rumbling cuts their conversation which startles the four. Qrow gets into defensive mode, trying to protect himself and Robyn. Gunshots were being heard from outside the prison room, as Atlas soldiers were in a midst of an ambush from the inside with flames and debris all around. They began to fire as the smoke clears out, only for the smoke to reveal Ashad the Lone Cyberman emerging and starting a massacre of Atlas soldiers by blasting and killing each one that's in front of him. He grabs one soldier and uses him as a human shield from more gunshots which causes the soldiers to stop and Ashad proceeds with killing every other soldier. He was now by the entrance of the prison room until he heard footsteps approaching and turned to his side to see Cinder Fall making her way as well.
Cinder: Such a brutal massacre you left here. Well done.
Cinder activated her maiden powers and created a massive fireball before throwing it right at the entrance, causing a massive explosion and collapse around the prison room.
Qrow: GET DOWN!
Qrow covered Robyn as the debris falls everywhere while Arthur Watts flinched like it was a small explosion. As the smoke cleared out, Cinder and Ashad made their way in with Ashad breaking the cell of Arthur Watts and releasing him.
Arthur Watts: *fixes myself* Ashad.
Cinder: You know, this may be the first time I've ever been happy to see you.
Arthur Watts: Cinder.
More soldiers were heard coming in and begin their firing, only for Ashad to stand in front of Cinder and Watts, shielding them while continuing to kill the soldiers. Cinder looked around then created another fireball and launching towards the outside wall of the room as an escape route.
Cinder: LET'S GO!
Ashad looked back before continuing to finish off any soldiers coming in while Cinder and Arthur Watts were the first to escape then Ashad made his way out with them as well. More soldiers came in but there was no sign of the trio nor Qrow and Robyn, only Jacques who was frozen completely by what just transpired.
Inside the Cyber Monstra, the Doctor was in the main lab of the Cybermen as he saw more Cybermen coming out of the pods which broke him and angered him at the same time seeing these innocent lives become heartless machines. There were two Cybermen behind him in case he did anything funny while the Cyber Controller finished inspecting the Doctor.
Cyber Controller: Astonishing. Two Hearts. DNA Regeneration Factor. You are filled with wonders, boy. And those wonders will serve us well.
The Doctor: First off, Time Lords DNA is something you don't want to mess with. Second, what makes you think I'll go down without a fight.
Cyber Controller: You are alone. You have no weapons. You are fragile, weak, emotional, imaginative, all that is against the perfection of the Cybermen.
The Doctor: That's where you're wrong. And you certainly are one to talk considering you and Ashad, like these people were humans once as well.
Cyber Controller: We were unaware of the full potential we needed to reach. We have surpassed it and we continue to grow as the ultimate race in this planet and soon the universe. The inferior species must and will evolve.
The Doctor: That's where you're wrong AGAIN?! When did you last have the pleasure of smelling a flower, watching a sunset, eating a well-prepared meal?
Cyber Controller: Those terms are irrelevant.
The Doctor: For some people, small, beautiful events are what life is all about! And you want to take that all away for your "ascension". *scoffs* Ridiculous. What's even more ridiculous is Salem not knowing you're planning to backstab her.
Cyber Controller: She believes she will win. She believes she is in control. But the truth is she's only the puppet and we are controlling the strings that hold her.
The Doctor: Now, how about that? *Secretly activates my Sonic* You are planning to turn on Salem for your own victory. Your own purpose.
Cyber Controller: Just like you, we will study her, we will experiment her, we will adapt to the evolution of the Cybermen. We will become immortal, powerful, intelligent, superior, we will become the ultimate CyberMasters.
The Doctor: And what? You're going to turn her into one as well.
Cyber Controller: Precisely. And you will join her as well, Time Lord.
The Doctor: Shut up. You couldn't even get my name right.
Cyber Controller: State your name.
The Doctor: I'm the Doctor.
Cyber Controller: False Name. A redundant title. Doctors need not exist. Cybermen never sicken.
Cyberman: We have detected unknown intruder not far. We have sent two soldiers to delete it.
Cyber Controller: Our conversation will have to be put in a halt, Doctor. Units open visual link.
A giant holographic screen displayed in front of the with both POVs of the two Cybermen approaching the unknown intruder while the Doctor watched, hoping it wasn't Yang or the others. A look of concern turned into a sigh of relief as the unknown intruder made its way towards the Cybermen and it happened to be his good friend and co-pilot, Dalek Khan.
Cybermen: You will identify yourself!
Dalek Khan: Dalek Khan. You are the inferior species known as Cybermen.
Cybermen: That is incorrect. We are the superior species of the universe. You have walked yourself into a trap.
Dalek Khan: This is NO trap. This is Pest Control! But you are in fact superior at one thing.
Cybermen: And what is that?
Dalek Khan: Better at dying.
Cybermen: We have over 3,000 Cybermen across this planet. How many Daleks are around?
Dalek Khan: One.
Cybermen: You would destroy the Cybermen on your own?
Dalek Khan: I could destroy the entire Cybermen fleet on my own. I've done it before, I just did it in Mantle, and I will do it again.
Cybermen: *readies our weapons* Hostile elements will be deleted. DELETE!
The two Cybermen soldiers fired but no effect at all to Dalek Khan who had his force shield activated. If Dalek Khan was human, he would have a smug look on his face as he aimed his mini gun towards them.
Dalek Khan: EXTERMINATE!
In a matter of seconds, multiple blasts came from Dalek Khan's weapon, killing both Cybermen which left the Doctor with his own smug look and not so pleasant response from the Cyber Controller.
Cyber Controller: Find that Dalek. And finish him! Don't let any Grimm or Salem find out as well.
Multiple Cybermen obeyed the Cyber Controller's request as they grabbed their weapons and headed out of the lab while the Doctor watched on, knowing they'll be finished in a matter of minutes but returned to confront the Cyber Controller.
The Doctor: Men...Women...Children...all DEAD! For your little experiment *knocks on a Cybermen chest* THESE WERE HUMANS! HUMANS THAT WERE HOPING THEY ESCAPE THIS HELL BUT YOU, ALL OF YOU...BROUGHT THEM TO HELL ITSELF. *Looks at the Cybermen* I'll set you all free...it'll hurt...but you'll be free from this suffering and torture.
Cyber Controller: Your emotions are high and they are making you weak. They will be the reason for your death!
The Doctor tried not to think about the article that confirms his death, instead he began to scheme a plan to destroy all of this, activate the bomb, and escape with his friends from this beast. Back in the torture room, Oscar was nowhere in sight as Hazel came to take him again while the trio of Yang, Jaune, and Ren tried to think of what to do and how to get to Oscar after hearing the conversation between him and Hazel.
Yang: Well, that was harrowing.
Jaune: We're not in the clear yet. We still have to search this whole thing and find Oscar before Salem and the others can open the relic.
Yang: How are we supposed to find Oscar? It's going to be like finding a needle in a...giant...whale. *grunts* Why did we think this was a good idea?
Ren: I...I might be able to help. I can sense spikes of people's emotions, I think. It...sorta happened during our argument in the snow.
Yang: Okay, that's new. Maybe one of them is Oscar.
Ren: I can sort of tell where they are, but not who. They're more of less in the same area though. Further in. I can lead.
Jaune: I'll help as well so you don't end up draining yourself completely.
Yang: *puts on my Sonic Sunglasses* These can give us temporary invisibility as well. We can pull it off and get to Oscar as long as we don't screw it up.
Ren and Jaune thought about it and nodded in agreement as the three stood side by side until Yang activates her Sunglasses, turning them invisible immediately, and heading out of the torture room while Ren led the way.
Meanwhile, in the room where the Relic of Knowledge is being kept, Hazel enters the room with an injured Oscar but wants to see if everything Oscar/Ozpin said was true. It was time to see it for himself.
Oscar: Why did you bring me here?
Hazel: I've been thinking about what you said. If it's a lie and I took that lie to Salem, the punishment would fall on my head before yours. If what you said is true and I used the password myself, well, I don't know what happens when this thing activates. So, let's see if you're bluffing.
Oscar: You want me to summon her?
Hazel: Either way, it'll tell me what I need to know.
Footsteps were approaching which worried the two until they turned around and saw Emerald, approaching them with her own concerned expression as well.
Emerald: What are you doing?
Hazel: *grunts and looks at Oscar* Let's find out.
Oscar: *nods and breathes* Jinn.
The summon of her name caused the Relic to release its blue mist until a figure appears within and stretches out to reveal Jinn which leaves Hazel and Emerald in complete shock and awe. Hazel took that in for a moment before closing his eyes, thinking about everything, what Oscar/Ozpin told him, what Salem has told him, what his little sister, Gretchen, would have told him. Jinn got close towards Oscar to which he replied with a chuckle and wave.
Jinn: Why, hello again, old man. Did you have a question for me?
Hazel: *steps forward* Actually, I think all my questions are answered now.
Oscar: *looks at him* What are you going to do?
Hazel: What Gretchen would have done. And that starts with getting you away from here. *Looks at Emerald* Both of you.
Oscar: I'm going to need something before I go.
Jinn: So just to be clear, none of you have a question for me?
Oscar: No, but we'll be bringing you with us.
Hazel: The moment we move that thing, this place goes on high alert. Better to get you out first.
Oscar: But...
Hazel: I'll come back for it. Not like she knows the password anyway. Do you happened to know how to find the Doctor?
Oscar: No, but I could try to find his police box. Once we're inside, it's completely seal safe and we are out of here in seconds.
Hazel trusted his Oscar and helped him lead the way while giving Emerald a serious glance of the escape plan as she nodded in defeat and the three made their way out, but they weren't alone in that room when a figure approaches the lamp after Jinn returned inside.
Outside in the battlefield between Atlas and the Cyber Monstra, multiple soldiers were now in position to head out onto the battlefield. Most of them were adults but some were still just teenagers as Marrow looked around with pain and sadness. Winter made her forward and ready to give the direct order for everyone. With the bomb now stolen, all she could hope was a miracle to stop all of this.
Winter: Listen up everyone. We're going to attack and defend with everything we got. The payload we planned to use against the creature has been stolen...If we can't hold this line, it will continue to spit out Grimm and we lose the city. Is that understood?
Soldiers: Yes, ma'am!
Vine: Another wave incoming. Keep them back.
Winter: MOVE SOLDIERS MOVE!
Some soldiers went out straight to the battlefield while others remained in the trenches but began their attacks as well. It was looking to be a losing battle with so much slaughter and lives being sacrificed for the General's order. This stung Marrow to the core of his heart as he looked around, he had enough.
Marrow: But...they're just kids.
Elm: *grunts* You can hash out your issues later. Right now, just kill Grimm. *Hops out and attacks*
Marrow: *looks down and sighs in defeat* No More...
Back in the Cyber lab, The Doctor walked around venting his anger and frustration towards the Cyber Controller when in reality, he was inspecting the room, looking for a plan that could stop all of this and get out of here. Too much time was wasted especially after seeing what was happening outside.
The Doctor: Let me guess, your inspiration happened to be the man who wanted to experiment Grimm with dust but ended up merging himself into a Grimm just like you ended up as a Cyberman, Dr. Pavel.
Cyber Controller: A true genius like me. There's so much in common between me and him.
The Doctor: Oh, I see a lot of similarities. Two mad scientists with the same purpose of creating the Grimm into their own hybrids. And both had the same downfall for trying to play God!
Cyber Controller: I did not have my downfall. It was unfortunate for what happened in the end for Dr. Pavel, he was close to completing his purpose but his emotions got the best of him. I sacrificed my body and extracted my emotions to evolve, to become perfect. Soon, Remnant will become cybernetic. We will bring peace to the world. Everlasting peace. And unity and uniformity.
The Doctor: And imagination? What about that? The one thing that led you here, imagination, you're killing it dead! The Cybermen won't advance. You'll just stop. You'll stay like this forever. A metal Earth with metal men and metal thoughts, lacking the one thing that makes this planet so alive. People. Ordinary, stupid, brilliant people.
Cyber Controller: You are proud of your emotions.
The Doctor: Oh Yes!
Cyber Controller: Then tell me Doctor, have you known grief, and rage, and pain?
The Doctor: I have. And you have no idea all that I have been through that has led me to known those emotions very well and personal.
Cyber Controller: I could set you free. Would you not want that? A life without pain?
The Doctor: I rather die! Than to have to deal with that.
Cyber Controller: Then I take that option. DELETE THE DOCTOR!
The Cybermen obeyed the orders and surrounded the Doctor, aiming their weapons right at him while the Doctor remained calm.
Cyber Controller: You have no means of stopping me. I have an army. A species of my own. You and your human race will fall!
The Doctor: Stop talking like you weren't human before. Ashad was human too; can't you see it by his half human face! You just don't get it, do you? An army's nothing. Because those ordinary people, they're the key. The most ordinary person could change the world.
At the very same time but somewhere else in the Cyber Monstra, Emerald and Hazel continue to carefully walk through the hallway. Everything seemed to be fine but there was no sign of Oscar with them.
Hazel: You sure he'll be okay on his own?
Emerald: I don't know, we just need to get- Wait!
Emerald grabbed Hazel and stepped aside as they saw Salem making her way towards them. Their hearts were beating faster than normal at her presence as she stood right in front of them.
Salem: Ah, Hazel. Have you gotten what we need yet?
Hazel: I...I, uh...
Salem was beginning to grow suspicious of the way Hazel and Emerald are acting. Back in the Cyber Lab, the Doctor had his hands up in surrender but secretly holding his Sonic Screwdriver as it was glowing blue, ready to engage.
The Doctor: Some ordinary man or woman, some idiot. All it takes is for him to look around, discover the codes, push random buttons until he finds the right one, create a conversation as a distraction, and BOOM!
Activating his Sonic, a bright flash strikes the room which puts every Cybermen in the Cyber Monstra and outside in the battle field alongside the Cyber Beasts and Cyber Grimm, crying out in pain. The Atlas soldiers including the Ace-Ops and Winter watched on, not knowing what's going with them except Marrow who had the idea of who was causing this.
Before Salem could say or do anything else by Emerald and Hazel's suspicious behaviors, the screams of the Cybermen were heard across the Cyber Monstra. The place began to shake as the Cyber Monstra was also roaring in pain.
Salem: WHAT'S HAPPENING?! THE LAMP! FIND THEM!
Salem ran at unnatural speed to the other way where she came from while Emerald and Hazel made a run for it as well. Outside of the Atlas Academy, Cinder, Arthur Watts, and Ashad made their escape until Ashad stopped for a moment, recognizing that something was wrong.
Cinder: What are you doing?! Let's Go!
Ashad: My soldiers! THEY ARE UNDER ATTACK!
The Cybermen continued to scream as some of their heads exploded to pieces and falling to the ground. The same was happening outside the Cyber Monstra with many Cyber Grimm and Cyber Beasts, blowing up to pieces as well.
Cyber Controller: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!
The Doctor: I gave them back their souls. They can see what you've done, Dr, Merlot, and it's killing them! *Looks over at one Cyberman weeping over its appearance* I'm so sorry...*looks at Dr. Merlot* This is where it ends. *waves* Bye!
The Doctor made a run for it and escaped the lab while Cyber Controller shouted in frustration to the point where his robotic scream released a bit of what was once his human scream as the lab continued to blow up and the Cybermen were falling.
Not far, Yang, Jaune, and Ren heard all the commotion happening while killing off a few Grimms in their way. They saw the Cybermen collapsing and their heads blowing up.
Jaune: What's going on?!
Yang: The Doctor. He's finished off the Cybermen! We have to find Oscar- *looks over* YOU!
The two boys heard Yang's voice become anger as they looked over and saw both Emerald and Hazel as they came to a complete stop while the three positioned themselves with their weapons. Hazel stepped forward with his arms up.
Hazel: No, wait, stop!
Hazel's image disappeared as it turned out to be a disguise for Oscar who was with Emerald the entire time. The three lowered their weapons with Yang hugging him tight, relieved to see him again but concerned for the beating he took.
Jaune: What's going on here?
Oscar: It's a long story.
Yang: You're gonna have to try and summarize it. Why should we trust her?
Ren: Because she's scared. Just like us.
Emerald: Orrrr maybe because I know how to get out of here.
The Doctor: DON'T STOP! RUN AND FOLLOW ME! *Runs past them*
The group all saw the Doctor but immediately listened and made a run for it behind them. Not far, they saw Dalek Khan also approaching them while finishing off a few Cybermen.
Dalek Khan: DOCTOR!
The Doctor: BACK TO THE TARDIS! I'M ABOUT TO ACTIVATE THE BOMB!
Using his Sonic, he gives one click and the countdown of the Atlas bomb starts with the timer at 3 minutes and counting down. The violent shaking of the Cyber Monstra also being impacted, made it a little harder for everyone to run forward. Outside, the soldiers were noticing the Cyber Monstra moving in pain and releasing its painful roars. Winter didn't know how to take this until Marrow approached her with a one-word message on his scroll that says "RUN"
Winter: *eyes widened* The bomb is inside...The Doctor has the bomb...RETREAT! SOLDIERS RETREAT! BACK INSIDE THE FACILITY NOW!
All soldiers followed Winter's orders and made their way back inside. The group were gaining on getting closer to the TARDIS until a loud scream was heard which stopped everyone with the Doctor stepping forward and holding his Sonic at front.
Jaune: What is that?
The Doctor and Emerald: It's her.
A purple energy wave spread through as it sent everyone flying to the ground. Emerald tried to make a run for it but a long arm grabbed her from behind and pulled her away to Salem herself who stopped them in their tracks.
Salem: You really have been honing that Semblance of yours.
Before Salem could do anything, an energy wave struck her in return and folding her in half, dropping Emerald to the ground and made her way back to the Doctor, who stood back up immediately and used his Sonic to attack Salem which she fixes herself.
The Doctor: The Cybermen are being destroyed including the hybrids you have made and there's a bomb that's about to go off in any minute. It's over, Salem.
Salem: No...*loses control* IT IS NOT OVER! I WILL KILL YOU ALL AND HAVE THE LAMP AGAIN!
The Doctor: Oscar, hold that lamp close!
Oscar: *stutters* I...I don't have it!
Salem: It's missing. Where is it?
Emerald: We didn't do anything with it.
Hazel: Your grace.
From behind Salem, Hazel approached her with Emerald quietly shaking her head "No", but Hazel glanced and nodded her in reassurance. The Doctor watched on until the timer of the bomb suddenly came to halt.
The Doctor: What?! No No No!
Salem: Ah, Hazel. I found our guests. Alongside a traitor and the Doctor, himself.
Hazel looked over at Oscar with a cold look as Oscar nodded in return while Salem awaited a response back from Hazel. She did not see on time multiple blasts piercing her body from all the gunshots by Yang, Jaune, and Dalek Khan followed by another energy wave by the Doctor that breaks Salem, leaving her distorted.
Hazel: No more Gretchens, boy. GO! NOW!
Piercing himself with multiple crystals, he jumped on Salem, who was recovering and held her tight as a glowing energy was shining through his body while Salem screamed to be let go.
Salem: So you've decided against vengeance for your sister, AFTER ALL THIS TIME!
Hazel: I'm doing what Gretchen would have done! *Looks at Emerald* Go...
Having one last crystal in his mouth, Hazel bites it, putting himself and Salem in flames, causing her to scream in rage. The group watched before making a run for it with Emerald, looking back at Hazel one more time before he was out of sight with tears falling from her eyes.
The Doctor: THIS WAY!
Running through a few more hallways, they all make it back to where the TARDIS is and the bomb. The others make their way back in while the Doctor looked at the timer that's jammed at exactly 34 seconds.
Yang: DOCTOR! HURRY!
The Doctor: ALMOST THERE! GOT IT!
Using his Sonic to adjust and fix the wires of the bomb, the bomb resets and continues the countdown. He turned around and made his way to the TARDIS until...
Cyber Controller: DELETE!
As if time froze and everything went slow, the blast of the Cyber Controller's weapon struck the Doctor from behind. The Doctor was hit as he flew and crashed on the ground right by the TARDIS, and falling unconscious. The others felt their hearts drop and their eyes widened in complete fear.
The Doctor was hit. Shot by the Cyber Controller and there was no response nor pulse from the Time Lord.
Yang: DOCTOR!
Jaune: NOOOO!
Dalek Khan: DOCTOR! *Looks at the Cyber Controller* EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!
Dalek Khan stepped forward while everyone else dragged the Doctor's body inside. His minigun, shaking from the disturbing sight of his friend being shot, blasted multiple hits towards the Cyber Controller and striking him down.
Yang: KHAN! LET'S GO!
The Dalek made its way back as the TARDIS made its leave as fast as possible with the bomb being in its final seconds before blowing up. The Cyber Controller in his final breath as well crawled towards the bomb and tried to shoot it but dies in the instant.
And the bomb goes off in a burning flash of light, going through all of the Cyber Monstra as it was the last thing both Hazel and Salem saw in the flames before they were engulfed as well.