Volume 4, Chapter 5:
After drones recorded live footage of the conversation between the Doctor and the Rani, many of the notable huntsmen and huntresses including the Maidens watched from UNIT HQ. They all saw and felt the complete difference between The Rani and Cinder Fall which meant bad news due to The Rani's calm and intelligent personality. As they waited for the Doctor and Weiss to return, they were in conversation about the Rani.
Winter: Cinder or not, we still need to keep her on the high alert because the way she spoke, the way she acted, she's much calmer and less sadistic than Cinder, this is more troubling.
Nora: She doesn't have the Maiden's power anymore and she has no assistance from Salem.
Emerald: I don't even think she needs that. She would have liked the Fall Maiden powers but she would use it very differently compared to Cinder. And Salem, just no. She would rather kill herself than teaming with Salem, I've seen it when there would be inner battle of possession between Cinder and The Rani.
Sora: If I may, I have some information about The Rani that could perhaps be useful.
Qrow: I'd say go ahead but then wouldn't we need the Doctor for this?
Willow: Based on what we've seen, the Doctor already knows about her.
Winter: I never seen the Doctor feel so intimidated until Cinder got resurrected at the bridge. He told us with a cold and startling voice to get back to the TARDIS immediately.
Marrow: Let's not forget, he's already dealing with bigger trouble with The Master who has not been found and has been very quiet since then.
Whitley: That is what should worry about us. These are Time Lords we are talking about. Superior, advanced intelligence, intimidating, even dangerous despite that the Doctor is on our side thankfully.
Willow: I've seen it. I've seen the Doctor always be that happy, hopeful, good man but when things take a turn, when people or aliens tend to cross the Doctor's limit, he is the ultimate force you do not want to come face to face. There's a reason why so many fear him and we would be but he has a strong and good soul in him.
Sora: I've learned a lot about the Doctor. He can go to the lowest of lows and to the darkest pit of hell to punish others. There will come a point where even he loses himself, a dark point in the Doctor's life but he'll eventually have to deal with a familiar face to get him out of the darkness. He will keep on going, he keeps on running. He continues to bring so much good, hope, kindness to the world and the universe because that's who he is, that's who he chooses to be. I've learned so much about him during my time growing up and just hearing about the tale of the Doctor and his crazy adventures just gives that feeling of excitement.
Whitley: You seem to know him like you've been with him.
Sora: Spoilers. After all, isn't that what historians do?
Winter: And that's where we need to get back on topic, what do you know about the Rani?
Sora: Right, The Rani. Her true, actual name is Ushas of Miasimia Goria-
Marrow: Wait, so the Doctor's name isn't actually the Doctor?
Sora: Time Lords names are very hard to decrypt and understand it. If you're lucky and I mean very lucky, you get a chance to actually to know their name.
Nora: And how do you know her actual-
Sora: The Rani was considered one of the most intelligent scientists from Gallifrey. A very brilliant but cold neurochemist who eventually saw everything around her as research, experiments. She also extremely arrogant, narcissistic, ruthless, powerful and intensely cruel.
Ren: That explains why she is planning on experimenting Remnant. She wants to know more about how everything here like our Auras, Semblance, Dust, and other things works.
Sora: Much like the Doctor...and the Master, the Rani also survived the Last Great Time War of Gallifrey between the Time Lords and the Daleks. As she mentioned, she created a portal from Gallifrey as an escape and ended up here in Remnant. She also mentioned that she used a fob watch which like the TARDIS is a chameleon device to disguise a time lord or TARDIS.
Nora: Wait, the TARDIS isn't just an actual police box?
Sora: Sadly no, it's an interdimensional travelling ship that could take any disguise. The Doctor just chose it to look like a police box unless the chameleon device also broke.
The Doctor: Both actually.
Everyone got startled hearing the Doctor's voice as they all looked back to the entrance and spotted him alongside Weiss Schnee as the two made their ways to the others with Sora's remarkable knowledge raising more suspicion from the Doctor.
The Doctor: Quite some very detailed information you got there, Sora. Anything else we should know about?
Sora: Plenty, but I do think we have other concerning matters to deal with.
Winter: She's right, Doctor. We saw the entire thing between you and the Rani, we need to be on high alert.
The Doctor: And right you are, Winter. The Rani is very fast, smart, and clever which means unlike Salem who is still digging across the ruins of Vale for the Relic of Choice, The Rani could already be processing forward with her own plan. I tried to give her a chance to change, especially in a universe she is unfamiliar with.
Emerald: *sighs* Believe me Doc, there's just some people who just outright refuse to change.
The Doctor: I won't give up on her just yet. I know we have much going on but we need to do the best we can to handle these situations and maintain the people out there safe and calm. They know about this; Panic and chaos will ensure.
Winter: He's right about that. We'll continue to have huntsmen and huntresses patrolling.
Willow: UNIT will handle with everything happening outside of Vacuo and detecting any possible threats.
Weiss: We have Salem, The Master, and now, The Rani. *sighs* We aren't going to be sleeping for a while. Let's not forget that Tyrian and Mercury are also out there.
Emerald: About that...
Weiss: What is it, Emerald?
Emerald: They were supposed to arrive on a hijacked Manta ship from Atlas to Vacuo. Somehow, they never made it...and their ship disappeared completely from the radar.
The Doctor: *thinks* Something is definitely off that we aren't seeing. We are being distracted by too many things going on and we still- *looks over at Sora* Need to find Ruby and the others...
Willow: Then back to work everyone! We are in pressing time and we gotta keep up to our best strength!
The Doctor: Sora! A word with you, privately?
The Doctor and Weiss walked back to the TARDIS while Sora took a deep breath and followed them until a hand grabbed hers and looked back to see Willow with a concerned look.
Willow: They're going to find out.
Sora: *sighs* I know.
Willow: Either tone it down with your knowledge...or tell them the truth.
Sora nodded with a small smile to Willow before walking toward the TARDIS and made her way inside, experiencing the first interior design of the beautiful TARDIS. She looked around in amazement before looking forward at the Doctor and Weiss who both had a cold look.
Sora: Everyone says, "It's Bigger on the Inside!" but my oh my Doctor, this design of the TARDIS is stunning!
The Doctor: Who are you?
Sora: As I mentioned before, Sora Azure, Historian and the Summer Maiden.
The Doctor: No. There's more to that. Who truly is Sora Azure? Because if there's one thing the TARDIS can do is scan the history of Remnant and specific people and Sora Azure does not exist!
Sora: Mmm, should have fixed that up.
Weiss: You know so much about the Doctor, the Rani, even the TARDIS. We just one simple thing from you, where's our friends? Ruby Rose, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, and Jaune Arc!
Sora tried to find the right answer to explain everything to them but was struggling as the Doctor and Weiss waited for them until the Doctor noticed something shining from her bag. He moved forward and went for the bag which Sora tried to move away but was too late...
As the Doctor finds a Sonic Screwdriver from Sora's bag.
Her own Sonic Screwdriver...
The Doctor: Where the hell did you get this?
Sora: *stutters* I- uh- um- I- I-
The Doctor: I have only made 4 extra Sonic devices and that was for Team RWBY! Where did you get this? How did you get this? WHO gave you this?
Weiss: Doctor, calm down!
The Doctor: I can't! Sora is someone who knows more about us and personal information as well, she has her own Sonic as well, did the Master or the Rani give you this?!
Sora: N-NO! I swear-
Weiss: You're scaring her!
The Doctor: Scaring her?! Weiss, she could be a spy and we let her enter the TARDIS! Being scared is the only way to speak out *looks at Sora* NOW WHO ARE YOU?!
Weiss: DOCTOR, STOP! You're crossing the line with her and you're acting immature!
The Doctor: SHE'S NOT TELLING THE TRUTH, WEISS!
Weiss: YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A FATHER SCOLDING HER DAUGHTER WHILE WE ARGUE!
Both the Doctor's and Weiss's eyes widened in realization as the room fell silent, the tension grew, but the anger disappeared completely as they both looked over at Sora who sighed in defeat and had a guilty look on her face with a small chuckle.
The Doctor: Y-You're not...No...
Sora: *sighs* I wish it didn't come to this so soon. I didn't think this version of you would be a bit hot headed. The wisest and the most hot headed.
Weiss: Sora...who are you?
Sora: Doctor, Weiss, one day I'm going to be someone that you trust completely, but I can't wait for you to find that out. So I'm going to prove it to you. And I'm sorry. I'm really very sorry.
The Doctor and Weiss were going to question what she meant until they were left frozen and stunned by Sora's shocking reveal. She displayed something that only the two of them will see and they were left speechless. The others and the readers won't know but these two just did. She fixed her hair then placed her hoodie back on while the two had no word or thought at the moment after seeing this...
Sora: Are we good?
No response from the two as they continue to try and process everything that just happened. Sora took the opportunity to grab her Sonic Screwdriver back from the Doctor.
Sora: Doctor. Weiss. Are we good?
The Doctor: *slowly nods* Yeah...we're good...
Weiss: Why?...There are consequences to this sort of time shift. You're from the future, making changes of the past, and standing here in the present.
Sora: Believe me, I know this is a lot to take in to take in but there will come a time where all of this will make sense. *smiles softly* He wasn't kidding at all when the day had to come that I needed to reveal myself to you.
Weiss: Who?
Sora: Spoilers. Just know this, we are very happy to have you in our lives, especially him. *Pulls out a book from my bag* If you want answers to the whereabouts of Ruby and the others, this is your key to it.
The Doctor: *grabs it* The Girl Who Fell Through the World.
Weiss: *gets an idea* The Ever After...Doctor! They're in the Ever After!
The Doctor: Of course! A pocket dimension inside of Remnant! Why didn't we think of that?!
Sora: Because you still have much to learn, Doctor. Through the different faces you will end up having, you become more smarter, clever, more mature just as they look back at this first face of yours in return because you are the kindest and wisest.
The Doctor took in Sora's comments about himself and his future incarnations. To know that she is someone from the future and was sent by someone he and Weiss knows brought down a bit of his fear of regenerating. Weiss however, did not like hearing the "different faces" as it worries her more that time itself has something planned for the Doctor but she hoped once her friends are back, they can prevent it altogether.
Weiss: *looks at Sora* I never thought I'd see the day...all I can really say is about time.
Sora: Everyone said the same thing. I'll be honest with you; Grandma Willow knew from the moment she met me. I was expecting her to react the same way you two did when you met me...but somehow, she whispered to my ear and said my actual name.
Weiss: *eyes widened* Hold up! This is too much to take in a second! My mom knows too and Sora isn't your actual name?!
The Doctor: That explains even more as to why Sora doesn't exist in the history book. Your surprising reveal already gives us an idea what your last name is.
Weiss: But another question comes to mind, why are you here and how did you become the Summer Maiden?
Sora: *smiles* No matter which part of the timeline, you always are good with questions. Unfortunately, I can't answer the former but I can answer the latter.
The Doctor: That'll have to wait because I got good news and bad news.
Weiss: What is it?
The Doctor: The TARDIS was able to detect the Ever After which means we now know where our friends are at.
Sora: And the bad news?
The Doctor: The TARDIS can't seem to fully pinpoint the Ever After because it has temporal distortion. Even if we go full risk or try to break the laws of time, the result would be catastrophic before we even have a chance of entering the Ever After.
Weiss: Okay, what do we do now then?
The Doctor: *thinks and snaps my fingers* We are going to need the most intellect minds to come with a theory and rate of success. Who better than the finest minds here in UNIT! OH NOW I AM SO GOOD!
The Doctor filled with excitement goes to his lovely fiancé and gives her a sweet kiss before running out of the TARDIS. Sora giggled at the exciting sight while Weiss tried to recover from that surprise kiss.
Sora: If there is one thing I can really tell you about the future, your love for each other is the strongest, unbreakable thing in the universe.
Weiss: *blushes softly* Is that so?
Sora: *nods* It's a Timeless Love story between you two. No matter what face he takes, no matter the things that come in life, he always thinks of you. Even so many of our friends and family say you and him rarely ever argue.
Weiss: *smiles softly* That...actually warms my heart. You...said someone who told you about us was very happy to have the Doctor and I in his life. Do you actually mean...
Sora: *sighs softly and nods* Yes. I thought maybe someone like you would take it easier than the Doctor, that's why I didn't say anything to him. He still has a lot to come in his future but you have it easier than him.
Weiss: Well yeah, he's the Doctor. What else do you expect than a madman running across the universe with a blue box compared to a huntress of Remnant?
Sora: *chuckles* A Timeless Child. Features and traits from both the Time Lord and Time Angel. He has so much of you and the Doctor while also becoming his own person. Trust me, when that time comes; You and the Doctor are going to be in for a special adventure of a lifetime.
Weiss: I think I'd like to take things slow. I've already had enough information to swallow ever since the Doctor first arrived to Remnant. *giggles* I think we should follow him and see if anyone is going to understand his rambling.
The two ladies share a good laugh and walked out of the TARDIS to follow the Doctor and helping getting closer to bringing their friends back home. So much has already happened today especially knowing who Sora Azure truly is but how long will that secret remain...
...Especially when the others return from the Ever After...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
And while everyone continues on the important tasks of protecting Remnant, darkness continues to slowly swallow Remnant. A now infested Vale, filled with Grimm and Cybermen continue to rip through the city once known as Beacon in search for the Relic of Choice. It had been little more than a week and there was still no sign of it which angered Salem by each day but she refused to give up.
Salem: How can a Relic that is easy to find...NOT IN THE BEACON VAULT?!
Ashad: Ozpin must've prepared a backup location around here because he believed that when Beacon fell, he needed to transport the relic somewhere else, somewhere we wouldn't look.
Salem: Hmm, you are perhaps right on that case, Ashad. We are looking in the wrong place, continue to scramble all of Vale and tear this kingdom apart!
The Rani: Salem! As I live and breathe.
The Cyberman and Queen of Darkness recognized that voice and instantly turned around to both their disbelief. In front of them was Cinder Fall, fully healed with no Grimm eye or arm. Or so they thought.
Salem: Cinder...you're alive...
The Rani: *shakes head* Tsk. Tsk. Think again, sweetheart. Cinder has been dead for weeks now.
Salem: *glares at her* You...
The Rani: That's right. *bows* The Rani.
Salem: So, you finally got what you desired. The return of your body.
The Rani: *smirks* I could say the same for you, Cinder dying was a relief for the both of us. You never liked her. You never cared for her. She was weak and foolish, always making it about herself and that gave you the chance to manipulate and play doll time with her. "My Master. Without you, I am nothing." Bleugh! Cry me a river.
Salem: She had potential to become more...but you are right. She was nothing more than an experimental doll. Her mind was beyond repair, her heart filled with darkness, it was enough to bring her to my hands and play with her.
The Rani: Well, I've got some bad news for you. I am no longer Cinder. I am no longer in your control. I am much smarter than her, than you, than anyone in this wasted planet, even the Doctor.
Salem: What exactly do you seek from me? Why come here?
The Rani: Just to see your little reaction. And to spill some tea that your so-called partner hasn't shared with you. *Looks at Ashad*
Salem slowly looked back, laying her eyes on the Lone Cyberman while Ashad only remained staring at the Rani.
Salem: What does she know, Ashad?
The Rani: Cinder didn't just die by a Dalek blast if that's what you're wondering. She also died by a Cyberman blast. Stood right in between them and that's when Ashad took the opportunity to steal the relics. AND that Cyber Controller he trusted had other plans that you did not know about.
Ashad: She speak nothing but LIES!
The Rani: I was there you idiot. Even for a Cyberman, your brains aren't at your highest, especially in your rusty state.
The Rani pulls out her Sonic Dagger and plays out the audio that was heard inside of the Monstra in the Cybermen lab during the discussion between the Doctor and the Cyber Controller.
The Doctor: 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 Rani: Annnnnnnd cut! Now you know the truth Salem.
Salem only stared at Ashad with sharp knives in her eyes while Ashad dared not to look but only continued to looks at the Rani, wanting to kill her once again to keep her dead.
The Rani: You know, I bet that must be annoying for the both of you. Your battle fleet of Grimm and Cybermen being destroyed by one man on his own. The entire people of Remnant, easy for you to handle. But one Doctor? Now you're both very scared.
Some Grimms nearby stopped in fear as Salem noticed her beautiful creatures' reaction to hearing the Doctor's name. She has never seen them react like this until now. She noticed in the corner of her eye that a Grimm was preying on the Rani and lunged at her, only for the Grimm to go through and crash on the ground.
The Rani: Whoops! Did I not tell you this was a simple projection? I'm sorry, I thought you would be clever enough to see that. You see, I'm over here at my own place, working on my own plan while you're here scraping through trash. I wasn't going to waste my time to go Allllll the way to you for a simple talk. But I will say this to you specifically, Salem; You really think you're the most dangerous, smartest, ruthless threat for this pathetic insect planet? Think again, love.
The holographic image of the Rani disappears as the area remained in silence while Salem clutched her fist and looked right at Ashad who stood there with a neutral expression.
Salem: You have one minute to tell me if what she said is true.
Ashad remained silent while staring at the Queen of Darkness, he clutched his fist as well and growled as Salem had herself ready to tear this machine apart until he spoke out.
Ashad: Cybermen cannot lie just as they cannot have emotions. Once their human emotions are removed, the ability to lie is impossible. I...did not know of Dr. Merlot's secret plan. We made an agreement that we would work with you and split this planet for both of us. It was...a fatal mistake trusting him and making him into one of our own. Just like your so called, apprentice.
Salem narrowed her eyes at Ashad, deciding whether to believe him or kill him. She turned around and moved forward as Ashad watched her command the other Grimms to continue their objective.
Salem: I underestimated you, Ashad. Perhaps using the Staff of Creation for your use is proof that our partnership remains intact and nothing goes in our way, even if those with us planned to betray us. We shall continue completing our tasks.
Salem continued to walk forward while Ashad gritted his teeth in anger at the revelation that Dr. Merlot told the Doctor. His plan to take down Salem now needed to planned again with extra caution. He spotted a few of his kind and signaled them to continue the search.
For the Lone Cyberman, he was finished using the living to create his army of Cybermen...
And was now creating his army...
...From the dead...