Volume 4, Chapter 3:
Sora Azure: Hello, Old Man.
The Doctor: What?
Weiss: Excuse you?!
Winter: Weiss!
The Doctor: So you're the Summer Maiden that's been protecting the people of Vacuo. Pleasure to meet you, Sora.
Theodore: You might be surprised that she wasn't actually a huntress when she became the Summer Maiden.
Weiss: She wasn't? *Looks at Sora* You weren't?
Sora: *shakes my head* Nope. I was actually a historian, I never planned to become a huntress like my parents. But fate had other plans.
The Doctor: A Historian? Mmm...okay.
Sora: Got a problem with Historians, old man?
The Doctor: No. No, No. I like historians unless they tried too hard to think they're like me, knowing everything accurately to the point.
Sora: Ahhh. *Takes my hand out* Professor Sora Azure, Historian. *winks*
The Doctor: Pleasure to meet you. *Shakes her hand* Now, back to business. Salem, if anything she'll try to rip through all of Vale just to find that crown before giving up and making her way to Vacuo.
Winter: How long do you think that'll be?
The Doctor: Well, considering she'll want to find it herself and she sends her pets to sniff it; I'd give it a little more than a month. Vale is a large kingdom after all.
Nora: We still can't forget about the Cybermen. They're working with Salem and they could speed up the process.
The Doctor: Perhaps but not right now. The Cybermen took a heavy toll in the Cyber Monstra being destroyed and trying to prevent us from succeeding on the interdimensional bridge. Ashad is a smart and calculated Cyberman and unlike the Cyber Controller, he doesn't let it get to his head. He cares more about having his army than looking for other relics at the moment. It gives us time to find the others...wherever they are...
Winter: And to prepare us to fight Salem. Ruby's message was heard around Remnant and like the Doctor said, across the universe.
The Doctor: *sighs in defeat* That's why you brought me here.
Winter: *sighs* I'm sorry, Doctor. We know...what you went through and we know that you have been trying to keep us all safe so more lives aren't lost but-
Qrow: We're going to war and we're going to have soldiers alongside us to fight.
There was no response from the Doctor as he turned around and took a deep breath, rubbing his face in frustration before looking out at a window, seeing all the people right now having a peaceful time than what is to come. A tear fell from him as the others watched on silently knowing this is the least he wanted...
Weiss: *reaches out to him* Doctor...
The Doctor: I'm sick of losing people...I came to this planet as an accident but I stayed because I wanted to and I saw this world as my home. I saved so many lives...and there are times I could have saved more...
Nora: We saw your trauma. We saw your exact point of view of the Time War and believe me, it's something that deeply hurt us as well.
Winter: Your words to Ironwood about how the War goes and how you have been through a much terrible war, it doesn't goes past us, it has stayed with us and you have done so much already than you think.
The Doctor: *shakes head* No...I have done as much as I could but I could do so much more. I could have saved so much more and those who were close to us...Summer Rose, Pyrrha, Penny...and I could have helped those who could have changed but refused...Ironwood, The Crown...even Salem...*looks down* No matter how many times I try...no matter how many ways I try to prevent it...War is inevitable once it's begun...and lives will still be lost...
The room remained silent. They couldn't imagine what this young man has been through, they couldn't imagine the pain that someone as young as the Doctor has already inside of him, everything that he has seen and went through, no ordinary human could hang on with such trauma and pain but the Doctor can but it takes such an emotional toll on him. A cough was heard that caught everyone's attention as a young huntsman stepped forward awkwardly which caught the Doctor's attention.
Huntsman: I am a Huntsman, not by force but by choice. I trained myself to become stronger and prepared to fight the Grimm to protect our people, our kingdom so the future can live on. Doctor, believe or not, you have become the ultimate beacon for Remnant. You one day crashed to our world and suddenly, things began to change slowly for the better. That day...the day Grimm took over Beacon, the world saw your speech to the students who were scared because they never went through something like that and they weren't prepared...just like us who watched it happened. But you...you made a difference; you gave them the confidence they needed, the strength they lost, you gave it back to them. You said it wasn't about winning but doing what was right and do you know what happened? So many lives were saved on that day and will live on, future generations will exist on because of what you did on that day and what you have been doing, alone and with your friends.
The Doctor: And yet...I could have done more...I could have been faster...smarter...more prepared...and now here we are, in the midst of another war coming. I did so much...only for more lives to be lost...
Huntsman: It's a pain...a wound to the heart when you were able to save almost everyone.
Winter: But, it's like one of my soldiers told you...the day the Weeping Angels attacked us in the mountains, you could save one but lose everyone or you could lose one and save everyone.
Huntsman: Doctor, you didn't just bring a spark to Beacon on that day, you brought it to all of Remnant. You were when the Crown reigned Vacuo, when Beacon fell, when the Daleks invaded Argus, when the kingdom of Atlas fell, and you are here when we will defend Remnant on our last stand against Salem. So many people are now out there, protecting others and protecting their homes from the Grimm because of you. Those soldiers you see out there, they aren't doing it because have to, they could have declined and keep on with their daily lives, instead they chose to become huntsmen, huntress, even soldiers because it was their choice. You gave us hope every time when it all seemed lost.
The Doctor: But if you go out there to fight, you put your life at a 50/50! You can return to your family...or die...
Huntsman: And that is the deal we sign when we become huntsmen. I have a family, my parents and four younger siblings, I'm going to this war not because I'm forced to like General Ironwood did, but because I have a family to protect and if I die eventually, at least I die knowing my family and my family future generations will live on. You have done so much for us, Doctor. Now it's the time we take that hope you have given us and pass it around to others and to the future.
The Doctor: I've done all of this so no more lives could be taken. And if I died, I couldn't die immediately!
Qrow: Hang on a sec, what do you mean you can't die immediately?
The Doctor: I-
Sora: He's a Time Lord. When a Time Lord dies, they regenerate. Like the saying that a cat has 9 lives. Time Lords like the Doctor have 12 regenerations.
Both the Doctor and Weiss looked at Sora with a mix of shock, confusion, and suspicion. How would she know what regeneration is if they just met her today and the Doctor never spoke out about how regeneration works except for Team RWBY.
The Doctor: How do you know that?
Sora: *smiles* I've done my research. Spoilers.
That was the problem for the Doctor and Weiss, how would Sora "research" how Time Lords can regenerate. They both felt an off presence about her and now it was growing.
Winter: Doctor?
The Doctor: Ah, yes! Sorry.
Winter: I know you don't want a War. I know you don't want to lose this world and us. But this isn't your war, Doctor. Stop carrying that on your back and believing this war has to be done on your own. This has been our war for such a long time even before any of us have been born. We are close to ending it especially now that we know Salem's defeat is going to happen.
Nora: Stop pushing yourself Doctor...you aren't alone...
The Doctor remained quiet having so many thoughts in mind but most importantly what this meeting was about. He took a deep sigh and was going to reply until Winter's scroll went off as she picked it up.
Winter: A message from my mother. She needs you back at UNIT HQ, it's urgent.
The Doctor: *nods* We'll talk afterwards. Weiss, Off we go again!
The two head off as everyone else in the room continue their talks about preparing for the war against Salem with Sora watched on with a heavy sign as she played with her own Sonic Screwdriver inside her cape. Perhaps she gave away a little too much but it didn't matter much to her, she knows they'll find out eventually...
Few minutes later, the Doctor and Weiss return to UNIT as they head to the HQ room where they arrived as the large screen in front of them displayed Gallifrey symbols detected in a cave at an unknown location.
Willow: Doctor? Recognize these?
The Doctor: Gallifreyan writing. Someone wanted to get our attention.
Willow: What does it say then?
The Doctor: *reads and eyes widened* Oh no...
Weiss: What is it?!
The Doctor activates his Sonic Screwdriver as it translates to a familiar saying he heard not that long ago. The others read it in confusion as to what it meant as the Gallifreyan writing was displayed in English and says: The Bitch is Back!
Weiss: Doctor?...
The Doctor: The Rani...
All the computer screens began to glitch with the same message appearing in each of them while the giant screen glitched and displayed a live footage of formerly Cinder Fall now known as The Rani to the shock and disbelief of everyone.
The Rani: Today, I shall be talking to you out of *pops out of the screen in 3D* the square window!
The Rani's face projected out of the screen like she was coming through which jumpscared everyone except the Doctor as he tried to pinpoint the exact location of the Rani.
Willow: What the hell was that? How did she do that?
The Doctor: Psychic Projection.
Weiss: *rolls eyes* Great. Just great.
The Rani: Okay, cutting to the chase. Not dead, back, big surprise, never mind. I'm in a lovely little cool area in one of your, oh, I don't know, hot kingdom. There's a light breeze coming from the east, a nice lake not far, this coffee is a buzz-monster in my brain, and I'm going to need to speak to the Doctor in person!
The Doctor: What for?
The Rani: To catch up, speak what I'm going to do and what you're going to do. Typical Doctor-Rani gig. Shall we say 30 minutes?
The Doctor: 30 seconds and I'm there.
All the screens return to normal as everyone wonders what the hell just happened.
Marrow: T-That's Cinder Fall but she looks-
The Doctor: Cinder Fall has been dead ever since we evacuated to Vacuo. Who you saw was the real Cinder who happens to be a time lord like me called The Rani. I'll explain more later, Weiss, let's go.
The two enter the TARDIS as the Doctor pulls the lever and the police box dematerializes from UNIT and appears on a deserted location in Vacuo exactly 30 seconds like the Doctor said. In front of the TARDIS was an umbrella and small table and sitting there was The Rani.
She made it very clear she was no longer Cinder Fall with her left arm and left eye healed completely. She also took on more comfortable, stylish clothes that also match her style of a red and black vintage kimono top, red skirt, black obi wrapped around her waist, and dark leggings with golden flowers patterns decorated on it.
The Rani: 30 seconds just as promised. *looks up in the air* Looks like we're gonna be on the news as well.
The Doctor looked up in the air and saw multiple drones surrounding them as they recorded live footage that was being watched back at UNIT HQ. Inside the TARDIS, both Weiss and Dalek Khan watched as well, ready for any possible attacks.
The Rani: Don't just stand there. Take a seat, the coffee is on the house.
The Doctor: How do I know this isn't a trap or that coffee has poison in it?
The Rani: Pleeease. Who do you think I am? The Master? If this were to be a trap, I would make it look less obvious. If this coffee had poison, I wouldn't be answering this question.
The Doctor: *sighs and sits down* So, out with Cinder Fall and back as The Rani.
The Rani: Cinder had her time, took advantage of it as well, went beyond what she could control and led her to a screaming death. Fortunately, she had the fob watch or else we wouldn't be having this discussion.
The Doctor: I'm not one to kill. You know that.
The Rani: I do...unless I cross the line of course. Well, that was how My Doctor would be. You aren't my Doctor.
The Doctor: I'm surprised you're figuring this out just now. Welcome to Remnant, Rani.
The Rani: *scoffs and chuckles* But I must say, it is creepy just how well you act, think, and sound like him. What number are you in regeneration?
The Doctor: *twitches my hand a bit* First.
The Rani: Oh? This is actually your true body then. You haven't regenerated and you've made yourself known across the universe. Call me impressed.
The Doctor: How did you survive the Time War to end up here in Remnant?
The Rani: I was tired of that ridiculous war. Rassilon put us through beyond hell...I had enough and wanted to escape. I created a device to transport me to anywhere and away from Gallifrey. Unfortunately, as I was about to make my escape, I was hit by a Dalek's blast, skimmed to be specific, fell through the portal and landed here. However, because I was hit, I regenerated one last time.
The Doctor: You're 12th and final regeneration. Enter Cinder Fall.
The Rani: And I had a reason. When I woke up, I noticed I regenerated however I was in a 15-year-old body. A Time Lady of 1,510 years old regenerating into a scrawny teenager. I knew I would not last long with this body and so, I decided to put myself in temporary hibernation until the time was right and my body was in much better shape and older.
The Doctor: Yet, the disguise known as Cinder Fall gained common sense and made a life of her own.
The Rani: Tsk. I despise her and I am very glad she's dead.
The Doctor: Where have you been?
The Rani: Exploring. Thinking. Preparing.
The Doctor: For what? Take over Remnant? There's already someone doing that.
The Rani: Taking over Remnant? That's The Master's doing, Boring! Destroying Remnant? That's Salem's doing, Boring! Evolving Remnant to pure metal? That's all Cybermen's doing, Booooooring! I wanna do more. I want to do my own plan for this planet. Creatures that aren't from this planet always think they're one step ahead. That's where they are wrong, ALWAYS think two steps ahead. One step ahead is merely a distraction.
Everyone continued to watch on as it felt like a historic moment. Two Time Lords in Remnant, one known as a symbol of hope and kindness, the other stained by the image she was before.
Winter: The way Cin- I mean The Rani speaks and acts is completely different from Cinder.
Emerald: Carefree but collective. She's smart and that's what makes her more dangerous than Cinder especially if we don't know much.
One thing came to The Rani's mind before she planned to continue what her motives are for this planet. All that cleverness and messing around disappeared which the Doctor noticed.
The Rani: There is one thing...I would like to know. *breathes* Gallifrey. What has become of our home after the Time War?
The Doctor: You still called it home even after being banished?
The Rani: You've done your research, very impressive. Just because I was banished and wasn't very pleased being in Gallifrey didn't mean I wish for it to burn like it did. There are people I wanted to see burn but not Gallifrey. So tell me Doctor, what happened to Gallifrey? I know we are in a different universe but I must know.
The Doctor though this through very carefully, he could tell her that Gallifrey lives on but he worries she would try to do something to find a way back and create a ripple between both universes. Or he could tell her that it burned at the hands of the Original Doctor and prepare himself for whatever unexpected plan she has.
The Doctor: *sighs* Gone.
The Rani: *eyes widened and slams my hands on the table* How can Gallifrey be gone?! HOW?!
The Doctor: It burned. Alongside the Time Lords and the Daleks...or so I thought.
The Rani: I've noticed. You did the impossible, not even The Master could achieve this. Partnering with a Dalek. Two almighty species working together. As for Gallifrey...Tsk, I didn't think that idiot would actually do it...I thought he was bluffing.
The Doctor: About what?
The Rani: We were losing this war, you know that. We were dying as the Daleks kept coming and coming. The Doctor...My Doctor threatened both the Daleks and Time Lords with a peaceful message that he was going to end this war with using The Moment.
The Doctor: He saved me first before he went on to finish it. It's just you and me now, Rani. We're the last of the Time Lords.
The Rani: No...No we are not...
The Doctor: I know...The Master...
The Rani: Heh, who would have thought. The Doctor, The Rani, and The Master all stuck in a different universe with no way back. For now at least.
The Doctor: It doesn't have to go this way, Rani. We're in a brand-new universe filled with more life, new planets, new stars, I know you're a scientist and you have a love for this sort of stuff. *Stands up* Why not start over? We have enough threats to handle: The Master, Salem, the Cybermen! You bringing more trouble makes the matter all worse and believe me, you don't want to test me.
The Rani: *stands up and sways his hand away* Oh, but I do. You see, Doctor, I look to this world with such fascination and potential to experiment, discover new things, and have fun with these little pests. Where's the fun if I'm not allow to do that?
The Doctor: What about Emerald and Neopolitan? Are they pests to you as well?
The Rani chose not to make eye contact with the Doctor after that outburst question from him. She remained silent while clenching her fist as she thought about them but the memory of Cinder dropping Neo into the pitch black of the fall has stayed in the Rani's eyes.
The Doctor: Your silence is enough for me to know your answer. You are conflicted. Cinder stayed long enough for you to feel, to connect, to care.
The Rani: Emerald...she's a hard fighter but inside of her...I can see a scared girl who wants to survive. But she only cared for Cinder and all that bitch did was spit on her face all this time. Emerald...she's better off without me and I say that for both our sakes.
The Doctor: And what about Neo?
The Rani: Tsk...I...I wish I had control of my body for that very moment and bring her back up from falling. And we both let Little Red Riding Hood fall. *smirks*
The Doctor: *glares at her* They're alive. Lost somewhere, somewhen...but they are still alive.
The Rani: *looks at him* Which means Neo is alive. *thinks* Well, I certainly do think we've had enough time to catch up but now playtime is over.
The Doctor: Rani...I'm giving you this one chance to think it through, to make it right, to make the choice of survivng especially because you can't regenerate if you are hurt or die. You are dead for good if you do so!
The Rani: Oh, Doctor! If there is one thing that separates you from My Doctor, it's that he knows I can't die that easily. This has been fun but now it's time we part ways for now. And a little warning, *pulls out my dagger* I won't let you stop me the next time we meet. Until next time, Doctor. *Smirks and bows* Bye, Bye!
Activating her Sonic Dagger, The Rani makes her leave before the Doctor could say or do something about it but now, he knows there's going to be much more trouble now with the Rani adding herself to the situation. Weiss stepped out of the TARDIS as the Doctor tried to think and relax himself a bit.
Weiss: Doctor, you need to slow down for a bit and breathe.
The Doctor: I can't! Not right now especially. I gave her a chance and she simply brushed it away! I won't stop...and if she thinks she can outsmart me, honey, she has no idea who she is messing with. I'll find her, eventually.
Sora: Soooo, I assume it's back to the drawing board with a new challenger approaching?
The Doctor and Weiss: Sora!
Sora: Communications via the UNIT Drones. Pretty cool if I do say so myself.
The Doctor: What do you want now, Sora?
Sora: Head back to UNIT HQ. There's some things I need to talk to you especially of Ruby and the others.
This drew immediate attention at the same time the suspicions of Sora Azure were growing on the Doctor and Weiss. They made their way back to the TARDIS and left within a matter of seconds. A few miles away, binoculars are seen watching the TARDIS disappear in seconds as The Rani watched on from her temporary shelter which happened to be a cave. She looked down at her hand, remembering the Doctor immediately offering it to her.
The Rani: *scoffs* What an idiot. If you think I plan to turn " GooOOood!" Think again, Doctor! *hums* The Rani is back and ready to continue the chaos.
The Rani made her way back in with a smirk on her face, a smirk that Cinder Fall would display when things are going her way and it was for the Rani. For inside her temporary place, she already begun on crafting a new device, one that would open portals. She did not care about the consequences or what trouble would come, this was her game now.
Unbeknownst to everyone including the Rani herself, this portal would be the way to the Ruby and the others...
The gateway...to the Ever After...
Everything was beginning to build up, some events will close, others will open, secrets will be revealed, conflict will arise. Time was beginning to start its countdown.
But there was still one thing that bothered the Rani, she sensed it inside the Doctor and it made her wonder what was going through that mad mind of the young Time Lord.
The Rani: I do wonder, Doctor...*looks back* Why are you refusing to regenerate?