Volume 4, Chapter 20:
It felt long yet quick. They entered the portal and everything faded to white. The next thing you know...
They were falling once again.
Team RWBY and Jaune have finally left the Ever After and fell into a different place. Ruby looked around with a smile as she was relieved to be back here while everyone else looked around in confusion.
Weiss: Where...are we?
Ruby: Just follow my lead.
Ruby walked forward like any leader would do which was something the others were hopeful to see considering she was always behind them ever since they first arrived.
Blake: This is our gateway to Remnant. Question is Where will we arrive?
Jaune: And When?
Yang: No problem if Doc is waiting for us when we get there! He's gonna be so relieved to see all of us.
Ruby stopped for a moment which caught on with the others and wondered if something happened again. They all acted on alert with Ruby and approached her.
Yang: Rubes? Are you okay?
Ruby: O-Oh! I'm fine, and I literally mean it. Just that...
Yang: What is it?
Ruby: When I was...here...after I fell...I saw some visions of the past...I saw Mom. Ours and Yours.
Yang: *gulps* W-Where is this going?
Ruby: If...there's one thing I learned here...never keep secrets from the people closest to you...I saw our mom and Raven...on the night mom never came back...they left with the Doctor...
Everyone's eyes widened at this shocking confession from Ruby. Yang only froze and dropped her arms while Weiss could only look down to the ground. Their Doctor, the one person they all trusted with their hearts, keeping a large secret that led to Summer Rose's death. Weiss remembered him knowing that Atlas needed to fall and now this...
Jaune: What...else could he be keeping from all of us?
Ruby: I guess we'll find out when we get back home. *Looks over* And there's our ticket to home.
The others looked ahead and saw a forge workshop. And in that place was the Blacksmith. They all approached her while Ruby bowed as a greeting. Jaune stepped forward being the one closer to the Blacksmith.
Blacksmith: Welcome to my workshop.
Blake: Um, Ruby, is this the Tree?
Ruby: Something like that.
Blacksmith: I've been waiting a long time for you.
Jaune: *sighs* Well, I made it.
Blacksmith: *smiles* I'm glad you did.
Jaune: Can you...answer a question for me? I need to know if it's true what the Master said that Lewis went back and...Alyx...
Blacksmith: Yes. *Stands up* Only Lewis returned home. The Girl Who Fell Through the World is the story as he wished it happened.
As the Blacksmith got up, Ruby and Weiss peeked their eye over and noticed two wooden figures...eerily resembling two dragons...
Which meant one important reveal...
Weiss: Are those?...
Ruby: The Brothers...
Blacksmith: Yes. *Picks up both figures* These Brothers were the Tree's earliest blossoms and the first to inhabit the Ever After. Remarkable beings, very ambitious. The Tree did not perceive what they would become. But that is the joy of creating. The not knowing.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Dalek Khan: DOCTOR!
The Doctor: *gasps and looks around* What? What happened?
Dalek Khan: Did you see Ruby? Is she okay?
The Doctor: One way to find out. *Pulls up the screen and smiles* They're all okay! Thank goodness...
Dalek Khan: How did you manage to save her?
The Doctor: Psychic Link baby! But, I didn't save her...I only pushed her so she can save herself. Find herself once again...but...
Dalek Khan: But what?
The Doctor: I believe...the welcome won't be as warming as I hoped...
The TARDIS let out a small alarm which caught both the Time Lord and Dalek's attention as the Doctor pulled up to the screen to see an detected unknown occurrence happening in the fallen kingdom of Atlas.
Dalek Khan: Atlas? That's impossible. Signal frequencies shouldn't be active at all.
The Doctor: Go ahead and alert Willow! Try to help them crack down this signal while I'll go investigate!
Dalek Khan: On your own?
The Doctor: You already know me. The Adventurer! *Pulls the lever*
As the Dalek Khan left, the TARDIS disappeared, heading from Vacuo to Atlas with the concern rising in the Doctor as to who is causing this interference and how...
It only took a few minutes until he made it to Atlas. He approached the doors and took a heavy breath before opening the doors and both hearts shattered at the sight of Atlas. The traumatizing and emotional memories climbed back to his mind leading to seeing his friends fall.
The Doctor: This war has to end now...
As he closed the doors, he used his Sonic Screwdriver to track the interference...Only for it to be behind the TARDIS which confused the Doctor at first until he looked behind her and spotted a facility. He carefully approached it and inspected it as it looked to be an emergency bunker.
The Doctor: Don't like this one bit.
The Doctor used his Sonic to open the doors to the facility and made his way inside to see it empty, quiet, and scattered around. He carefully walked around looking across the rooms that were around, only to find them empty as well.
While they were empty, the atmosphere of this place said otherwise...
As the Doctor continued walking further, he noticed an elevator, fully functional as well which grew his suspicion. The doors opened and the Doctor slowly walked in. He looked over to see a few floors and was going to do what any Madman would do and click all buttons but he noticed something off and concerning.
The very last button was cracked with small traces of blood...
He clicked on it carefully as the doors closed and the elevator took him down. Unbeknownst to the Doctor, he was being watched by a hidden surveillance on the roof. The watcher watched with such interest and chuckled softly as he waited for the Doctor to appear.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Blacksmith: Balance is an ecosystem, an organism, a living breathing thing. Thus, balance cannot be restored with force or calculations. True balance finds its own equilibrium. It only requires love and the patience to see things through to the end.
The gang have just watched how everything for them began. This was the home in which their Brother Gods were created. They saw the beauty and the horror. They saw the good they have created and conflicts they have brought against each other.
Weiss took this in heavily considering the Doctor took her to the creation of Remnant and now she has seen the creation of her Gods which led to the creation of her home world.
Yang: So how did they get to Remnant?
Blacksmith: The Ever After could no longer bear the Brothers' experiments. And so, the Tree built them a special doorway to a greater beyond where the Brothers could try creating worlds of their own. A doorway that would remain open for the Brothers' return, and any of their creations. And what truly remarkable things they accomplished. Whenever the Brothers' creations have come to the Ever After, the five of you have had a greater impact than you know. Just like Alyx and Lewis did before you. Just like others will after you.
Ruby looked on the table and picked up a little figure resembling Somewhat and thought back to the memories with them as bittersweet tears fell...
Blacksmith: One small kindness in one small moment would be such a marvelous transformation.
Blake: What about the Curious Cat? The one...that ended up being The Master...
Blacksmith: *picks up a figurine of the Cat* A punishment turned creation by the Brothers.
Yang: Nothing could cure a soul that's already driven by darkness. Even when given a second chance...makes it worse with what happened to Alyx...
Blacksmith: The Master...his chance has concluded. But for the Curious Cat, there is still a chance.
Ruby: And...what will happen to Neo?
Blacksmith: She will have the chance to return her broken heart and becomes something new. *Picks up Alyx's knife* Such is balance.
Jaune: That's Alyx's knife. Wait, how did you have this?
Blacksmith: When Alyx's life ended, she chose to leave a part of herself behind. A wish to fix what she had broken.
The Blacksmith handed over Alyx's knife to Jaune in which he grabbed it; Everything began to glow bright around him as he saw Alyx with a smile one last time. Gone was the broken old man and returning was the young man he once was. Jaune was finally back to his normal look with white streaks across his hair. He sighed happily to feel himself back.
Jaune: I...I can't believe it. It's been so... *eyes widened* This...is what I sounded like?
Weiss: *giggles* Now you know how aging while looking the same will feel like.
Jaune: One more thing...Pyrrha and Jacques...will they...
Blacksmith: They have found their purpose. There will not be a need of change if they wish to. And one day, they will return home. At the time they are needed, just like all of you.
The Blacksmith raised her hand as a portal opened behind Team RWBY and Jaune. They finally made it through but they were still uncertain if this was the way back home.
Ruby: *looks at the Blacksmith* Where will this take us?
Blacksmith: Not where, when you are needed most.
The gang all looked at each other with confidence and relief as they approached the portal. One by one, they all entered with Ruby being the last one as she looked back at the Blacksmith with a smile.
Ruby: Thank you.
The Blacksmith smiled and waved at Ruby Rose while she entered the portal. She exits, rejoining her friends, and looked around to see that they made it back...
They were finally Home!...
They made it to Vacuo as they saw multiple airships from the different kingdoms hanging above Vacuo while they all watched in amazement and hopeful...
Jaune: They really did hear your speech Ruby...
Ruby: *smiles softly* We did it...all of us!
Yang: Seems like a long trip from here to Vacuo.
Weiss: And here I thought the Doctor would be here in a flash. Oh, he's going to be so happy to see us all.
Absolute silence after Weiss spoke. She looked back to see Ruby and Yang not looking at her as if they ignored her recent comment also confusing Jaune and Blake.
Blake: Hey...is everything okay?
Yang: I guess...not all of us are exactly thrilled to see him again.
Weiss sighed understanding what this was all about. Ever since Ruby claimed to see that the Doctor took Summer and Raven to the place that led to Summer's passing, the sisters seemed to have had a sour side about the Doctor. Weiss knew it was wrong that he has kept this secret from them just like she felt when Atlas needed to fall. But she knew that behind a lie, there was a reason why and she knew the Doctor had a reason for this secret to be kept.
Her concern was more of what other secrets he has been keeping...
Jaune: GUYS! LOOK!
The girls all looked ahead to where Jaune pointed as an Atlas airship, now marked UNIT landed in front of them. Besides the sand getting to them, they looked ahead as the door to the airship opened. They heard multiple footsteps until a familiar orange headed girl was the first to walk out and gasped.
Nora: JAUNE!...TEAM RWBY!...YOU MADE IT BACK! *Hugs them altogether* YOU MADE IT! YOU MADE IT! YOU MADE IT!
Ren: Jaune! Team RWBY! YOU'RE BACK!
Jaune: Nora!...Ren...*tears up* I'm so happy to see you guys again!
The group returned the hug to Nora as more footsteps approached the group. Ruby and Yang looked up and their eyes widened in tears to see their Uncle Qrow, full of smile and relief to see his nieces alive and back home.
Qrow: Kiddos...
Ruby: *sniffs* Uncle Qrow...
The two sisters immediately went over their uncle for a strong family hug as Qrow looked above and thanked the Brothers for bringing his nieces back home and safe.
Weiss and Blake looked over at the sisters and watched with soft smiles with Weiss looking ahead and seeing her mom and siblings being the last ones out of the ship with Weiss running towards them with the four now in a family hug.
Weiss: We made it back...just like I promised...
Winter: Never do that again!...Welcome back home, little sister...
Weiss: *smiles then looks around* Is...the Doctor okay?...
Willow: He's...busy at the moment. Let's all get back on the ship and make our return to Vacuo.
Weiss: *looks at Team RBY and Jaune* You guys are gonna have your mind blown over UNIT headquarters.
Nora: Screw that! LET'S CELEBRATE!
Everyone made it back to the airship, all relief that their friends have finally returned home just as promised. Weiss could only hope the Doctor would be waiting for them back at headquarters. She needed to explain to him everything that happened...
Especially with the encounter against The Master...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Exiting the elevator, the Doctor approached a large, empty room. Little bit of light was around but that was about it. He carefully observed the place and looked around for any possible traps or ambush.
The Doctor: This is the exact pinpoint of where the signal was caught. Which means whoever you are wanting to play mind tricks for your own entertainment, give it up.
APPLAUSE AND WHISTLES
The sudden noise of a crowd applauding and whistling startled the Doctor as speakers across the room played out those noises followed by a light right behind him. He looked back slowly and saw a stage display with curtains and everything.
The Doctor: I must admit, this is a bit scary.
As if it wasn't creepy enough, the speakers changed from crowd noises to an old song from the 1930s. The Doctor did not move one bit knowing if he moved away or closer, something could come out.
(You Oughta Be In Pictures by Boswell Sisters)
You oughta be in pictures
You're wonderful to see
The stage opened with puppets of the TARDIS followed by The Doctor and Dalek Khan walking out of it, leading to the applause noise.
You oughta be in pictures
Oh what a hit you would be!
The scenery changed to Beacon Academy where puppets of Team RWBY and Team JNPR came out and approached the puppet Doctor while the Doctor watched on, creeped out and thinking back to the days of Beacon.
Your voice would thrill a nation
Your face would be adored
You'd make a great sensation
With wealth and fame your reward
The scenery changed again to that of space with hanging decorations of stars and planets. The scene led to Team RWBY and the Doctor inside the TARDIS and sliding around the universe.
And if you should kiss the way you kiss
When we're alone
It changed again when it was only the puppet of Weiss and the Doctor, followed by awes from the fake crowd as the two puppets had their hands glued together and portraying what looked to be a kiss.
This was starting to anger the Doctor as whoever was controlling these puppets and trying to describe his life.
You'd make ev'ry girl and man
A fan worshiping at your throne
You oughta shine as brightly
As Jupiter and Mars
The stage took a turn for the dark with gasps from the fake crowd as everything changed to multiple sceneries that disturbed the Doctor and brought back some unwelcoming memories:
The Fall of Beacon, The Crown Tyranny, The Daleks Invasion in Argus, and The Fall of Atlas followed with variations of puppets of Salem, Grimm, The Rani, Cybermen, Cyber Beasts, the Crown Family...
And to anger the Doctor even more, puppets of the fallen on the floor beneath the villain puppets involving:
Summer Rose, Pyrrha, Ozpin, James Ironwood, and Penny followed by a recreation of the ART OF DEATH where close friends that the Doctor met in Vacuo when confronting the Crown family were killed and hanged on tall structures...
You oughta be in pictures
My star of stars
The scenery changed again to a gut-wrenching memory of the Doctor...
The Fall from the Bridge...
Puppets of Team RWBY were cut from the wires and fell into the darkness while the puppet Doctor only watched which brought back nightmares for the young time lord until he noticed far off.
And very terrifying...
The Puppet Doctor watching a mini stage that had mini puppets retelling the play while next to the Puppet Doctor was the Puppet of the Rani and a hooded puppet behind them.
The Doctor: A TRAP?!
Before the Doctor could react, a laser like trap formed around the Doctor which trapped him as the fake crowd noise went silent and the music screeched. The Doctor tried using his Sonic to fry the system but nothing worked.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
The Doctor looked over and saw a figure approaching him from the dark with their hands clapping slowly as She came out to the light. The former known as Cinder Fall now the Time Lord, the Rani.
The Rani: Oh! Why Doctor, what a lovely surprise.
The Doctor: What are you doing? What is this?
The Rani: Well, we don't want you running off now don't we?
The Doctor: We?
He heard more footsteps walking towards them as the Doctor stood back while the hooded figure stopped right in front of the trap. The Doctor noticed the burnt flesh on the hooded figure's hand as they removed their hood for a very burnt and decayed person.
The Doctor: Oh my...
The Rani: Oh my indeed, Doctor. When I- No, Cinder! When Cinder pulled off that risky act of burning Atlas Communications with Him in there. I certainly did not think he would survive but here he is. Alive...and a bit crispy.
The Doctor: He? *Eyes widened* No...
Arthur Watts: Hello, Doctor. I thought despite my...current conditions, you would recognize me.
The Doctor: Someone like you could hardly survive an incident like that. Unless there's something I'm missing.
Arthur Watts: I admire so much about your quick thinking and knowledge, Doctor. Always on the case, your brain is like the world's fastest mechanic.
The Doctor: What do you want, Arthur? And exactly what do you want *looks at the Rani* With her.
Arthur Watts: You were much easier to lure down here than her. But I still found a way to reach to her...and come to an agreement. A partnership unlike anything before.
The Doctor: What?...*looks at her* Is that true?...After all this-
The Rani: *yawns* It was never going to work out. I was willing to but I got bored and I realized, why the hell am I listening to someone's orders about turning good? That simply doesn't fit me.
The Doctor: And yet working with Arthur does?
The Rani: A mutual agreement: We both hated Cinder AND Salem.
Arthur Watts: A pity really. You are much better in many ways than that wretched Cinder. Smarter, Clever, Cautious, Out in the Open, you and I would have been a fantastic team together. And eventually, we would have ratted out Salem as well.
The Rani: See? A mutual agreement and I get to do what I love. Experiments and Chaos. And that's where you come in. We need...your regenerations.
The Doctor: You two have really lost it.
The Rani: Says the man who gave one of his regenerations to save his little, witty, girlfriend.
Arthur Watts: Wasteful, am I right? You see Doctor, The Rani has told me about her condition. Her last incarnation that was entirely dragged by Cinder which means anytime now she can die?! ABSURD! Then you have me, look at me! I can't forever stay like this!
The Doctor: And now you want to split up my regenerations so each of you can live on longer while you leave me to die as a lab rat.
Arthur Watts: Right on! You get an A for catching up! See what I mean, you are a quick thinker!
The Rani: Oh! And before you gave that heroic plan of how you're going to escape and defeat us, we'll cut that part out. We'll extract your regenerations by force. Two very clever scientists performing a crucial lab experiment on an enemy holding us back.
Arthur Watts: If only Cinder let you out more. We would be Masters of Remnant.
The Doctor: *looks at him* How did you even survive? Even by surviving the fire, Atlas fell on top of Mantle. The kingdom crashed into ruins and the kingdom became flooded. No one can pull that off easily.
Arthur Watts: I am a mad scientist, a tech hacker, and I worked my ways with Salem. Are you really questioning how I work things around, Doctor?
The Doctor: *scoffs* Even with your gadgets and your ways across this kingdom, a human like you would still have a 34% of survival unless...it was intentional.
Arthur Watts: *growls* Meaning?...
The Doctor: Well, let's see how I do. You got here to Atlas with a belief that you would return to Salem. You killed a lot of people, took over the communications, did quite heavy damage around until your partner next to you left you to burn. You made a way to survive until you realized there wasn't going to be any help from Salem for you. And ever since then you've been hiding out, in a cautious and decaying disguise, because everybody knows your stupid long oval face.
Arthur Watts: LONG OVAL?!
The Rani: It's a little bit.
Arthur Watts: SHUT UP! Maybe with your regeneration cells, I'll finally heal myself! Better yet, a new face to continue my reign of terror. One that Salem nor your precious little friends cannot stop. See? This used to be just a hospital. Now it's mass production. The Cyber Foundries.
The Doctor: *eyes widened* So it was you...You were the one that slaughtered those Cybermen in Vacuo. Ripped them to shreds to create your own?!
The Rani eyes widened as well and slightly looked over at Arthur Watts who only smirked right at the Doctor. She remembered seeing those images with the Doctor. They assumed it was The Master's doing but instead it was Arthur Watts all along!
Unless...
Arthur Watts: Not just this facility, the whole fallen kingdom is a machine to turn people into Cybermen. MY OWN CYBERMEN ARMY! *chuckles* What do you think? Exciting, isn't it? Watching a new and improved Cybermen getting started. Not even that rusty tin man, Ashad would know how to properly create a Cybermen army like me!
The Doctor: You really have gone mad haven't you, Arthur Watts?
Arthur Watts: I...have always been mad! I have just found a way to keep myself calm and collective. I don't need Salem. I don't need the Brothers. I certainly do not need the Relics or the Maidens. I CAN DO THIS ON MY OWN! ME AND ME ONLY! I AM THE ONE REMNANT SHOULD FEAR! I AM THE ONE THAT EVERYONE WILL BOW TO!
The Rani slowly moved back, feeling very uncomfortable by Arthur Watts's deranged act. It reminded her very eerily of Him. Whether as herself or as Cinder Fall, she knew Arthur Watts was much more than a calculative mastermind. She just wasn't expecting him to be a psychopath.
That's when both minds of the Doctor and the Rani clicked and the horror were very clear in their eyes...
The Doctor & The Rani: You can't be...