Volume 4, Chapter 1:

Dark clouds and smoke covered the area. There was nothing around but flames and debris. For this used to be the Land of Darkness, the home of the Grimm, the kingdom of Salem but now it was no more. As the smoke begins to clear out, a figure laid on the ground, covered in smoke and ashes, faint shouting is heard from afar while the figure was unconscious. He may have just ended a war that was bound to affect the entire planet of Remnant.

The stars were now appearing in this area that was once clouded by dark energy. The shouting was becoming louder and clear as if they were getting closer to the figure.

His hand began to glow in golden energy followed by his chest then his face...

He was regenerating...

The figure that laid on the ground, presumably dead after destroying the Land of Darkness, was regenerating...

For this was the Doctor...

And his time is ending...

Team RWBY: DOCTOR!

(3 MONTHS BEFORE)

It has been 3 weeks since the collapse of the kingdom of Atlas in which both Atlas and Mantle have fallen, now only a fallen kingdom underwater. The people of both cities were evacuated with the help of Team RWBY, Team JNOR, and the Doctor with the aid of Penny Polendina, Winter Schnee, and Emerald Sustrai as the citizens were transported to Vacuo.

However, trouble struck terribly when Cinder Fall made her attack alongside Neopolitan and the Cybermen. This resulted in Ruby, Blake, Yang, and Jaune with Neopolitan falling into the dark void while Penny "died" and gave her Winter Maiden powers to Winter Schnee. Eventually, Cinder Fall would also meet her death, only to be resurrected as the Time Lord she was originally known as The Rani. But the damage was already done with Ashad retrieving both Relics and handing them to Salem moments before Atlas fell.

And while all did seem lost, hope still stayed by their sides. Ruby's message was sent around Remnant and the universe which meant when the time comes, it'll be the universe against Salem, Ruby and the others who fell are still alive but were somewhere lost in time and space, Vacuo now had three Maidens which happened to be Winter, Nora, and the mysterious Summer Maiden. 3 weeks have gone by and while it was a rough start at first, the refugees of Atlas and Mantle have made their stay comfortable. You would think Vacuo would be a place that wouldn't welcome people from outside the kingdom or a struggling city to survive with limited supply, terrible weather conditions, and over population.

That hasn't been the case, not since the Doctor did one of his solo travels back in time and changed how Vacuo is today. While the weather conditions can't be changed, Vacuo is considered to be the top kingdom with unlimited supplies across the continent, expanded the city to become bigger and more comfortable to live by, and the people would welcome those outside of Vacuo. Sometimes, small change can bring the biggest of changes.

The Doctor did however have to deal with trouble in order for Vacuo to change to how it is today. He had come face to face with a monarchy group known as The Crown. They did not care that he was an alien or smarter than most of them. They continued their ways of regime and abuse but they paid the ultimate price when they saw the furious side of the Doctor no one dares to come across. Myth and stories exist to this day as to what happened to The Crown and only the truth is in the Doctor's eyes.

Speaking of the Time Lord himself, the TARDIS appears from the bright sunny skies which happens to be detected by the new and improved UNIT facility that was prepared during these 3 weeks, filled with its best technology of Remnant and alien tech thanks to the help of Shalka, Dalek Khan, and Judoon Kon-Plo. It became the one place for scientists, computer experts, and fighters to join and slowly becoming the biggest military unit of Remnant. Inside the main room of the facility stepped in Willow Schnee, the daughter of Nicholas Schnee who created UNIT after first meeting the Doctor and understanding that there is life beyond Remnant.

Willow: Gold protocols, everyone! Positions! Helipad doors to open!

There were a few notable faces amongst the main room which happened to be Whitley Schnee, Fiona Thyme, and Marrow Amin. They all waited as the TARDIS made its landing and slipped its way inside. All smiles from the people of UNIT seeing that Majestic Police Box which is an instant sign of Hope.

Shalka: Doctor on the bridge.

As the doors to the TARDIS opened, out came the Good Man to the people of Remnant and the Oncoming Storm to the Grimm and any other baddie who dares try to stop him, the Doctor.

The Doctor: *coughs* So sorry about that, we were going beyond our travel speed and she couldn't slow down on time.

Willow: That's why we designated those doors, especially for TARDIS incidents like these.

Willow and the Doctor shared a hug while a certain someone to both their lives watched a smile from the TARDIS as she stepped out as well. For it was the Ice Queen Huntress and the Time Angel, Weiss Schnee and with a new look as well. Considering they're in an continent where the heat is a strong factor unlike Atlas which was the cold weather, most people of Atlas and Mantle had to adjust to the new temperature and many needing a change of outfits as well.

Weiss Schnee did beyond that with making a big change to herself in following Blake's route of cutting her hair. She thought it was time to let go of the past especially of her father's dirt and start processing through the person she is now. She cut her hair to shoulder-length wavy hair and donning a new outfit as well of a Blue trimmed white blouse with long sleeved coat tails for her arms and the back alongside a white skirt, and white thigh high boots with blue trimming around them.

Willow: And there's my precious daughter. *Hugs Weiss*

Weiss: *smiles and hugs back* Happy to see you too, mom.

Whitley: What? No brotherly love for me? *chuckles*

Weiss: Shut up. *Punches his shoulder playfully* You're not one for hugs.

Willow: Have you had any luck?

The Doctor: No. We've searched all across planets and travelled back in the past and carefully into the future but there's no sign of any of them even though *displays their life scans* They're still out there.

Whitley: Have you considered the idea of different dimension or universe?

The Doctor: We did and usually that's the second worst case scenario because crossing universes can be very problematic and potentially catastrophic. That's how all of these creatures crossed the universe and a few landing in Remnant.

Willow: Whitley also suggested an idea that they could be here in Remnant but somewhere unknown.

Whitley: Doctor, you said they are lost somewhere in the fabric of time and space. What if they are somehow still here in Remnant but they're travelling at a speed of light. Like they're here but they're lost in time.

The Doctor: That's some clever thinking right there Whitley.

Weiss: Wow. Even I'm impressed, how did you even know this?

Whitley: I read a lot of grandfather's notes and audios about his time in UNIT and what the Doctor would usually ramble on about. No offense.

The Doctor: None taken. Only problem with your theory Whitley is that a human could not stand something like that, it would kill them at an instant unless they're in a space that particles exist around as well.

Weiss: Only thing that matters most right now while we figure this out is that they're all alive and their pulses have been normal for the most part.

The Doctor: Marrow, Whitley, any chance you could work on the calculations for those theories with the scientists below?

Marrow: I was thinking the same as well. It's impossible to experiment.

Whitley: But if we can figure the probabilities, we can see which could be closer to being the real scenario.

The Doctor: Excellent. Try to work it out, take your time, and once you get something, we'll talk.

Whitley and Marrow nodded in agreement with the Doctor before making their leave from the main room. Immediately after the fall of Atlas, Marrow decided to leave the Ace-Ops for his own good which resulted in distancing himself from Elm, Harriet, and Vine but has been a tech expert for UNIT and he hasn't regretted it one bit. Whitley immediately took it once the offer was given by his mother and has been one of the quickest tech experts.

Weiss: He's quickly left behind what father influenced him and is now becoming his own person with that potential he has.

Willow: Very much so. He's quick and calculated, he never gets tired of doing work on the computer especially things like this.

The Doctor: And look at you, Willow Schnee. Heading up UNIT, expanding the way they work, good ol' Nicholas is definitely proud of how strong, smart, and confident his little hero is.

Willow: As I said before, back then father wanted it to be a secret organization hidden from the public. Considering just how different the world is today and with so many unknown extraterrestrials around, it's for the best that the right move is to make UNIT bigger while still maintaining the secret organization gig.

Weiss: Soooo, most of Remnant just see UNIT as a special op military system.

Willow: You could say that. That's how your grandfather kept it as well.

The Doctor: And I've noticed you quickly put UNIT on board with a brand-new facility. How long has it been since you last saw us?

Willow: After your first return to Vacuo, about a week and a half.

The Doctor: All that traveling across time and space especially at a faster speed has made us gone longer out there than here.

Weiss: You last saw us for a week and a half. It's been about 5 months since we last saw you. Where are the others anyway?

Willow: Your friends are patrolling different parts of Vacuo from any possible Grimm attacks. Your sister and Nora are in a meeting with the Summer Maiden and Fall Maiden-

The Doctor: Raven's here?

Willow: *breathes and looks at him* Yes, she first came after you two left for your last search.

Weiss: Doctor! Doctor! *Steps in front of him* I know what you're thinking and right now I don't think it's the best time to confront Raven.

The Doctor: She chose to attack you, her own daughter, and the others in Haven just to almost have Cinder succeed.

Weiss: I know but-

The Doctor: Did she even care when you told her about what happened to Yang and the others?

Willow: We told her and Qrow. Qrow was relieved to know his nieces are okay, just hoping that the day comes they'll be back home. But Raven...she just walked away without saying anything.

The Doctor: *rubs my face in frustration* Eventually I'm going to talk to her. Why is she even here again?

Shalka: The kingdom known as Vale has been destroyed.

The Doctor: *eyes widened* What?...

Willow: Obviously, Vale especially Beacon was a ghost town after what happened. So much happened after you two left again. We got reports of needing evacuations for the Kingdom of Vale.

Shalka: The evacuation was a success but not without interference from the black beasts and the Cybermen.

Willow: Salem arrived in Vale and brought the kingdom as well. Vale is gone now...

More frustrations grew from the Doctor knowing that while they were slowly advancing on getting the people here and still trying to find his friends, Salem has already advanced faster and brought Vale down permanently.

Weiss: Each school academy in the kingdoms has a Relic. Haven had the Relic of Knowledge, Atlas had the Staff of Creation, which means...

Willow: About that. One of your professors went down to retrieve the Relic only to find there was nothing there. Salem attacked Vale to retrieve the Relic but she didn't find it. No one knows where it is.

The Doctor: I do...

Willow and Weiss looked at the Doctor with concern by the sound of his response. He knew where it was and never told anyone, but perhaps it was for the best until he pointed to the TARDIS.

Weiss: The TARDIS?

The Doctor: When I confronted The Crown, they claimed the crown itself in which the king wore would see the future and grant them the choice of the future they must accept. They were happy when it displayed their wish of immortality and they took it. Only they paid the price because of what I did to them and believe me, it's best not to ask what I did.

Ozpin: You changed the history of where the Relic of Choice was stored.

The three turned around and noticed Oscar making his way inside the facility, well Ozpin at the moment.

The Doctor: Ozpin.

Ozpin: How nice to see you again, Doctor. So, all this time you had the Relic of Choice with you. It would make sense now why Salem couldn't detect it and believed it was in Vale.

The Doctor: I didn't know it was a Relic. All I know is that the The Crown used the Relic of Choice once against me and it was a mistake that stayed with them. I have since then kept it stored in the TARDIS, away from the wrong hands and those who will be corrupted by it.

Ozpin: And you are absolutely right to keep it away. The Relic of Choice has the ability to show its wearer visions of a future choice they will have to make. The visions shown are random, and the user will only see that singular choice whilst wearing it. And with Salem now possessing the Relic of Knowledge and the Staff of Creation, she now needs the Relic of Choice and the Relic of Destruction which is here in Vacuo.

The Doctor: If anything, she'll take her sweet time still trying to find the crown before throwing a tantrum.

Weiss: But that would mean she'll be coming to Vacuo next. And we don't know how much time we have especially if we haven't found our friends yet.

The Doctor: Don't worry. It's still going to be some time before she does which means we have enough time to bring the others home and prepare.

The Doctor gave them a calm and confident expression to his answer but inside, he knew when Salem arrives to Vacuo, it would be on that same day he dies. As of now, he's done well holding in the regeneration but there have been instances where it started to take a toll on his body and slowly weakening him.

The Doctor: Change of subjects, *looks at Willow* Have you had any luck tracking down The Rani?

Willow: *shakes head* Unfortunately not. It seems like once she restored herself, she also rid of everything that had her identity as Cinder Fall. Gone in an instant. We hoped that using criminal records, sightings, and activities from her scroll, we could find something but she deleted everything.

The Doctor: It's been too quiet. Her and the Master, why would they remain in the darkness and not do anything, it's not like them.

Weiss: Cinder- I mean, the Rani, she's most likely adjusting herself after being locked away as a subconscious for so many years. But I'm with you on The Master, he's been really quiet and it's concerning.

Ozpin: Who exactly are they, Doctor?

The Doctor: *sighs* The Master and The Rani are like me, Time Lords of Gallifrey.

Shalka: The chances of other time lords besides yourself surviving the Time War were very low. To hear that your two greatest foes survived and have also transported here is truly a shocking revelation.

The Doctor: Believe me, Shalka, I'm as shocked as you are knowing they are also here in Remnant.

Willow: I know the Time War was terrible but I didn't know other aliens knew about it.

Shalka: The war was universally, majesty. Either we heard and watched it happen or we were exterminated by the Daleks for knowing about it.

Weiss: We all saw in Emerald's illusion of the Time War; It seems like the nightmares aren't just over yet.

The Doctor: And they won't be for a while. Now, why exactly are you here Ozpin? Or Oscar? Whoever is in control.

Ozpin: Ah, yes. Forgive me for intruding without an explanation. You two are needed in the headmaster room at Shade Academy. All four maidens are there alongside Theodore and Qrow. They have requested for your presence.

The Doctor: Fantastic. Been meaning to talk to a certain Spring Maiden for a while now.

And with that, the three head off from UNIT base to Shade Academy. The walk in Vacuo was peaceful and the way people have been adjusting here and helping others was good news to the Doctor and Weiss. However, the moment they were spotted, people would greet them and thank them for saving them.

Atlas Citizen: The Savior of Remnant! The Rebel Schnee! Thank you for saving us!

The Doctor: If this was in the days of Beacon, you would be dazzling for the attention.

Weiss: *giggles and bumps his shoulder* Shut up.

As they continue to walk by and greeted by more people, Weiss notices a wall that bothered her deeply. It had graffiti writing on it with the words, WINTER SCHNEE IS A TRAITOR! IRONWOOD LIVES ON IN WINTER! TRAITOR TO ATLAS!

The Doctor: Ignore those. Eyes straight ahead my dear.

Weiss: It just...feels so wrong...Winter doesn't deserve any of this. She admitted her mistakes, regretted following the General until the damage was done...Mom's carrying out UNIT and people are okay with that. I've been getting praised for something we did altogether with our friends. But Winter...

The Doctor: Sometimes, things take a little longer to change Weiss. All we could do right now is protect these people and continue what we do best, being the protectors of Remnant.

Weiss: *eyes widened and stops* Doctor...

The Doctor felt Weiss's voice break when she spotted something at another nearby wall. He stopped as well as his expression softened with bittersweetness as the two walked over to what Weiss spotted.

It was a mural of Ruby Rose with the words around her saying, Remember Her Message. The Doctor placed his hand on the mural of Ruby and closed his eyes for a moment while he heard silent sobs and sniffs as he looked over to see an emotionally distraught Weiss. Ruby, Blake, Yang, they were her first friends, her best friends, her sisters, her family. They both had the chances to save them when they all fell but were held back to every chance and they could only watch in fear and heartbreak.

Weiss: *sniffs* I just want to bring them home...

The Doctor: *sighs softly and hugs her* We will. We'll find them and we'll bring them home. I promise. I miss them too...

A few minutes later after embracing Weiss and calming her down, the two continued their walk to Shade Academy, making their arrival as more people greeted them with praise and appreciation. They approached the Headmaster's office of Theodore and inside was Theodore himself and Qrow followed by the four maidens: The mysterious Summer Maiden, Winter the Winter Maiden, Nora the Fall Maiden, and Raven the Spring Maiden. The Doctor looked at everyone before setting his eyes on Raven.

Nora: Uh oh!

Winter: Qrow!

Weiss: Doctor!

The Doctor: *marches to Raven* Where the HELL have you been?

Qrow: *steps in front of Raven* Doctor, Wait!

The Doctor: When it revolved around YOU, that matters. But when it's your own daughter or the fate of your home planet, you hide in the shadows! WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!

When a person is angry, it grows frustration among the room and try to hold the person back from making the situation worse. But when it's not a human but a Time Lord that marches forward, fuming with anger at someone, it can be terrifying and you best act fast to calm him down. It had to take Weiss, Winter, and Nora to keep the Doctor back and calm him as Raven trembled at the fury of the time lord.

Qrow: Look, Doc, we all have own certain issues with Raven but right now isn't the time.

It took a couple of seconds for the Doctor to calm himself but the fiery glares at Raven did not change. Definitely wasn't the best way to start this meeting.

Theodore: Ahem, well, quite an intense way to start this meeting. I don't believe we've had the pleasure yet, Doctor. *Takes out my hand* Theodore Williams, I'm the headmaster of Shade Academy.

The Doctor: *shakes his hand* Pleasure to meet you, Theodore. Just call me The Doctor and this is my lovely wife, Weiss Schnee.

Theodore: Yes, I've heard a a lot about her from the Winter Maiden and the head of UNIT.

Weiss: O-Oh! Thanks, hehe.

Qrow: Doc, have you had any luck finding the girls? Is their stasis still good?

Nora: What about Jaune?

The Doctor: They're all still okay. We've been monitoring and their heart rates seem to be fine. We had no luck yet in finding them but Whitley and Marrow are running some calculations as we speak on possible theories of where they could be.

Winter: It's better than nothing.

Qrow: Just knowing that they're still out there and at the moment, not in danger is enough to keep me optimistic and calm.

The Doctor: Ozpin or Oscar, I swear two souls in one body is just confusing. Anyway, you requested us to be here.

Theodore: Yes, in discussion about the current situation with Salem and what is to come. I'm assuming Willow has already reported to you about Salem taking over Vale?

The Doctor: She did.

Theodore: Reports are indicating that she still there, searching for the Relic of Choice. Oz claims that he left it in the Vault of Beacon but it seems like it's not there.

The Doctor: Well, that's because I have it and it's inside my TARDIS. So basically, it's untraceable.

Nora: The Doctor and his bag of magic.

Winter: So it means that for the time being, she'll still search around Vale. The bigger concern is would she come to Vacuo afterwards or plan something out first before she does so.

The Doctor: Considering I have what she's looking for, she'll most likely head back to her land and begin to plan on taking over Vacuo and finding the last two Relics.

Theodore: Our military alongside UNIT, Mistral, and even fighters of Menagerie are all preparing for when that day comes. She'll come to Vacuo and we'll be ready.

Raven: Let's not forget the Cybermen. From what the Fall Maiden said a while back, there are factories across the undergrounds of Remnant where more of those things are emerging.

The Doctor: I forgot you were here I'm sorry.

Weiss: Doctor!

The Doctor: Ruby's message was enough to be heard all across Remnant. As some of you know, I've adjusted the message to be heard across the universe as well. What does that mean? It's not just all of Remnant coming together for when Salem attacks but I have a few allies who will help us out as well.

Qrow: That's some pretty great news to hear. And you all called me crazy for being too optimistic.

Weiss: Let's not forget, we have the four maidens here with us. With Cinder now gone and the Fall Maiden in the right hands, our chances are close to even against Salem.

Winter: Have you had any luck finding her?

The Doctor: *shakes my head* No. The Rani is still out there, hiding because she knows that everyone will recognize her as Cinder Fall. Even if she deleted every record of Cinder, her looks are her biggest red flag to being caught easily. It won't be long however til she decides it's time her and I get to properly face off.

Weiss: Doctor, you need to slow down a bit. I know there's so much going on but you need to take this one at a time and not carry it all.

The Doctor: Salem, The Rani, The Master, Cybermen, Remnant, Our friends missing, there is no stopping right now, especially for me...Believe me, I know it looks like time is on my side but it's not. Time is testing me...preparing me...

Weiss: For what?...

Summer Maiden: I think he needs a cooler under this nice, warm weather.

Everyone turned around to where the voice came from which happened to be a cloaked figure behind Theodore. She stepped forward and made her way to the Doctor.

Theodore: Ah yes, Doctor, I believe there hasn't been a time to have you and her properly introduce each other. Doctor, I would like for you to meet the Summer Maiden...

The Summer Maiden stopped right in front of the Doctor as he tried to get a good look at her with the hood covering most of her face. However, something strange was giving off from her as the Doctor tried to figure it out but didn't have any clue. The Summer Maiden took off her hood from the cloaked robe to reveal a young woman in her early 20s or mid 20s with lilac eyes, long, thick, golden hair with purple highlights halfway to the end of her hair as she had it wrapped in a ponytail.

Theodore: ...Sora Azure.

Sora: *smiles* Hello, Old Man.