Volume 4, Chapter 11:
In the middle of the forest with the night sky now in full display, the shattered moon shined bright on a small house that was beneath the thick forest. This wasn't a normal shack once again as the Doctor was now in front of it and inspected it for any signs of The Rani inside.
The lights were on but it was quiet...too quiet. The Doctor used his Sonic to detect any cameras and deactivate them immediately. Only three were detected from the outside but he now wondered if there was any inside. He observed the house and walked around it until he spotted something else in the corner of his eye.
The Doctor: Gotcha.
There was a small shack behind the house and figured that's where she was. He used his Sonic to bypass the security and sneak inside. It looked like any ordinary shack but there was one giveaway, a bump on the floor beneath the carpet. He lifted it and saw two wood floor pieces slightly higher than the rest. He picked them up and spotted an underground entrance, just like the shack in the ghost town.
The Doctor looked around to make sure it wasn't a trap. He knew The Rani was much smarter and more experienced than him, that was his disadvantage. Seeing that nothing happened, the climb down what looks to be a very long ladder but heard what sounded like crackling electricity noises.
The Doctor: I have a very bad feeling about this.
Computer Voice: Risk now at 10%. Fix the wiring cable to complete the device.
The Rani: Yes. Yes. I know. I'm the one with the brains here.
It was another experimental attempt for the Rani as this time she was gathering multiple dusts to fuel up a brand-new portal. She was more equipped and outlined it properly unlike the chaos that was caused by the Doctor and his friends.
The Rani: No Team RWBY. No Doctor in the way. Now I can finally transport myself to anywhere I want in the universe. *Looks at the dust* You aren't treated properly as the most dangerous weapon in Remnant. I'll make sure you will now.
Computer Voice: Risk now at 5%. Fix the wiring cable to complete the device. Reset and Test the Program.
The Rani: Shut up! I know what I'm doing.
The Doctor: Do you now?
The Rani's eyes widened and turned around to confront the Doctor. A smirk appeared on her face while the Doctor remained with a cold glare towards her.
The Rani: Doctor! How exciting to see you again! How's Lady Weiss by the way? *winks*
The Doctor knew The Rani was trying to mess with his mind and while it did strike a nerve, he remained calm and gave no answer to her. The Rani already knew what happened but she couldn't resist on having fun.
The Doctor: You're not gonna give up aren't you? I'm trying, I really am to let you see that this is not our universe. You are brilliant, much more than me but your ego is so big that you are ignoring the situation here.
The Rani: If there is one big similarity between you and my Doctor, you two have a thing for long speeches.
The Doctor: I'm trying to stop you from creating much more chaos and putting yourself in much more risk because you don't have anymore regenerations! You know what, you may not care about these people or this planet but have you considered about caring about yourself? *Scoffs and chuckles* Oh wait, you never did the moment you became a Time Lord. You became so brilliant yet so egotistical-
The Rani: Watch it! You don't know me!
The Doctor: Maybe not personally but I am willing to. Yes, you are The Rani as the history books of Time Lords display but you are truly Ushas of Miasimia Goria. We don't need to fight. We don't need to become enemies. I still offer you my hand, I can take you to finally see the stars.
The Rani: *looks at him and thinks* Why? After turning you down once, after making you lose her, and here you still are trying to get me to change. What makes you think that a young and naive Time Lord like you could convince me to change?
The Doctor: I need you to know we're not so different. We're the only Time Lords in this universe. There's no Gallifrey, no familiar species or planets, no Gallifrey tech, we are outcast in a brand-new universe. You go out there alone and you are going to die stupid. Stand with me and you will see clearer the beauty of this universe. It's just us now Rani, let's not waste it...
Computer Voice: Risk now at 0%. Device ready to activate.
The Rani did not reply nor moved as the Doctor waited and hoped that there's a small spark in her that listened to his reasoning. He took out his hand as the Rani looked at it then looked at him with a serious expression. Her expression changed to one of a smug expression.
The Rani: I choose to be how I already am.
The Rani turned around and activated the portal but got instantly jammed and sparks came out of the system. The Doctor had immediately pulled out his Sonic Screwdriver to completely jam it.
The Rani: NOOOOOOOOOO! *Glares at him* Youuuuu...IDIOT!
Pulling out her Sonic Dagger, The Rani made full charge towards the Doctor as he dodged the first strike from her then going for a leg sweep that sends her to the ground. The Doctor tried to grab her Sonic Dagger but she pulled him to the ground and got on top of him, trying to strangle him out.
The Rani: I haven't had a single moment of enjoyment because of YOU! I already know you're dying so I'll make sure this will be PERMENANT!
The Doctor: *grunts* You always think about your fascinating experiments...yet...all you do is KILL!
The Rani: Life is wasted on the living!
With one hand on his throat, she picked up her dagger and aimed it for his chest but the Doctor quickly put his fingers on her eyes, causing her to scream in pain and fall back. He got up immediately and heard more sparks coming from the system linking to the portal device.
Computer Voice: WARNING! System malfunctioned! Hazardous Collision!
The Doctor ran to the computers and used his Sonic to try and readjust the system to prevent another portal situation like the one that took Weiss. He continues doing so until he felt something sharp pierce through his shoulder causing him to drop everything and scream in pain.
The Rani: *grunts* I don't think so!
The Doctor held his shoulder in pain before a knee strike makes impact to his head and momentarily knocking him on the ground. Everything was numb and blurry at the moment as the Doctor tried to regain conscious. The Rani tried to fix the system but the damage was already done and the portal, fusing with supply of dust...
It wasn't the same situation as last time, for instead a portal...a black hole was formed...and it was growing rapidly...
The Rani: *eyes widened* No. No. No. No. No. NOOO!
The ground began to crack and so did everything around them as the black hole was slowly growing and becoming stronger. This triggered a massive earthquake around the island of Barcelona and just reaching over Menagerie as well. This also happened to be detected at UNIT.
Fiona: Ma'am! There's a massive earthquake and a breach being detected on a small isolated island near Menagerie!
Willow: Give me a check on the magnitude and how long it's been going?
Marrow: 4.1- Wait! 4.4- What the- 5.2! 5.5! It's getting stronger and growing by every second!
Whitley: The breach...it's looking like a black hole! There's a black hole coming underground from that island!
Alerts went all around UNIT as the ground shook violently as well, alerting everyone while Sora and Dalek Khan looked at the map screen, now knowing where the Doctor was at.
Marrow: 7.2! IT'S BEING FELT EVERYWHERE IN REMNANT!
Willow: WE ARE GOING TO CODE 001! SEND FOR HELP OVER MENAGERIE AND GO HELP THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE!
Soldiers, Huntsmen, and Huntresses all went out to help as the earthquake kept getting stronger. They all feared the worse that this black hole could suck Remnant inside out and kill everyone...
It was now only a matter of time and hope that the Doctor can stop this...
Sora: Cmon Doctor! What are you doing?...
Back in the underground lair of the Rani, everything was violently shaking as the Rani, panicking and scared, tried to do everything to stop this black hole from growing. The Doctor slowly got up, noticing the black hole and the violent earthquake and looked over to the Rani, believing she's the cause of it.
He ran to her as she turned around and the Doctor tackles her onto the computer system, both being struck by sparks and crashing on the ground. The Doctor got on top of the Rani and strangled her while slamming her head repeatedly on the ground...
He was losing it...
His eyes full of rage and his blood boiling to the point that a part of him wanted her dead...
The Doctor: THE RANI OR CINDER FALL! IT NEVER MATTERED! YOU ONLY CARED FOR YOURSELF AND BRINGING HARM WHEREVER YOU GO! YOU TOOK AWAY MY FRIENDS! YOU HAVE DESTROYED LIVES! YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A DISEASE TO THE UNIVERSE! A DISGRACE TO THE TIME LORDS! I GAVE YOU A CHANCE! THIS IS NOW YOUR REWARD!
The Rani struggled to try and break free as she felt herself losing conscious from the strangling and head on impact on the ground. She faintly looked up, not seeing the Doctor but a much darker, colder side of him...one that she never thought he would have at a young age...one that reminded her of her Doctor...
It brought memories of the Valeyard, the Time War, the War Doctor, the Oncoming Storm...
This was going to be the end of her and everything in this planet...and she only smiled which stopped the Doctor momentarily...
The Rani: *weakly* Yes...Go on...Finish me...Doctor...Conquer the universe...Mister President...Show a bad girl...how it's done...
This brought the Doctor back to reality as all that rage in him disappeared and slowly let his hands go from the Rani's neck as she fell unconscious. He looked at his hands and slowly remembered his conversation with the TARDIS...
She was right. He came for the Rani for his personal reasons and not what was right. He broke her promise to not lose himself and he did...then he wondered how Team RWBY would react to this...
The Doctor: What am I doing?...
He looked up to see the black hole as the earthquake hit even harder. It was now time for him to make this right as the Doctor slowly got up, fixed himself, and grab both his Sonic and the Rani's and went to work. Approaching the broken computer system, he looked through for any remaining wires intact that could reset the system and give the boost to shut down the black hole.
He found nothing but he wasn't going to give up that easy. He looked everywhere around the black hole as if time went slow for him. Two options came to his mind and both were very, VERY risky.
The Doctor: Think it through, Doctor. One Black Hole. Two Sonics? Or One TARDIS? Time is slowly going down. We Time Lords created Black Holes...how do they stop one? *Gets an idea* Bingo.
If he wanted to bring down this black hole, he needed to stabilize it first and FAST! He proceeded to adjust both Sonic devices, pointed them at each other, and activated it causing a large frequency that disrupts the black hole. It was enough at the moment for the earthquake to come to a complete stop.
Marrow: EARTHQUAKE JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED!
Willow: Check on the people outside while we wait from the other kingdoms! Be very aware if another one appears!
Sora watched with a sigh of relief as the earthquake came to an end but the breach was still on display on the map screen meaning the black hole has yet to be contained and that worried Sora like the others.
The Doctor continued to stabilize it but now came another problem, how to exactly close the black hole down especially with both his hands being busy. If he lets go of the Sonics, the black hole will grow stronger and a much catastrophic earthquake would break Remnant.
Until he heard the noise...
The wheezing, groaning, mechanical noise of his TARDIS, his partner in crime as she appeared right behind the Doctor, making her arrival, and opening the doors immediately. She opened up a small door beneath the control console, near her heart, and a massive gust of wind emerged as the black hole was being pulled from the portal device and onto the TARDIS. The Doctor noticed and jumped to the side as he watched in amazement of the TARDIS's work.
The Doctor: Empty pocket dimension. I forgot you lot had that access in you. You are a genius, girl!
The breach disappeared from the map screens of UNIT as some people cheered and others sighed in relief as it was finally over. The TARDIS had sucked in the black hole in its small, stabilized state to a empty pocket dimension where it will remain there until the TARDIS can dispense of it in time.
The Doctor: *sighs in relief and pats the TARDIS* Well done, girl. You weren't kidding that you'll always be there when I need it most. *Looks at the Rani* Now, what do we do with her?
The Doctor approached the unconscious Rani and could only look at her with a soft, sad expression before his scroll rings. He pulls it out to see a call from UNIT Headquarters.
The Doctor: *answers* This is the Doctor. And by the way, you do know that you can call me by the telephone on the TARDIS. It's a police box...with a telephone on it.
Willow: Doctor! Are you alright?
The Doctor: Ah, Willow! I'm always okay. I'm the king of okay!...Actually, scratch that. Black hole has been contained. What's the damage report over there?
Willow: The Maidens alongside a few Huntsmen, Huntresses, and UNIT Soldiers are helping the city. We've also deployed aid to other kingdoms including Menagerie.
Dalek Khan: The earthquake impact was at a high 10.3. There is warning of potential tsunami for Menagerie.
The Doctor: I'll work on that don't worry. The island Barcelona isn't far from Menagerie
Sora: THAT WAS YOU?!
The Doctor: The Rani found the island and I named it. And History will officially begin for Barcelona. Better have your notes ready, Ms. Historian.
Sora: The Rani? So, she was the reason behind all this.
The Doctor: *looks at her and thinks* It was her...
Willow: Come back to UNIT. We'll detain her and keep her under heavy surveillance.
The Doctor only looked at her with no response back to Willow then looked back at the TARDIS. He didn't want to do this but a small part in him was growing to do so...
Willow: Doctor?
The Doctor: She's gone...
Sora: Did she escape again?!
The Doctor: *sighs deeply* No...she fell...she fell into the black hole...
The people at UNIT including Shalka and Dalek Khan all shared looked at each other at the sudden confirmation of The Rani's fate. Some were relieved while others had a look of doubt because they believed she'll find a way back. But for now, they will take this as a victory. The only person that knew the truth was Sora but she had no intentions of revealing anything and will let time itself play its part.
Sora: She paid the price.
Willow: I see. What ego can do to someone and believe me I've seen it. We'll continue with the aid operation over here. Let us know on the status of Menagerie.
The Doctor: Yeah...
The Doctor hung up the call and put his scroll away before going down and picking up The Rani as he made his way back in to the TARDIS. She closed the doors and automatically made herself dematerialize into thin air.
He lied to them...he wasn't proud of it but he did it for a reason...
The Doctor: You're probably wondering why I lied to them and brought her here...I'm still trying to figure that out and I just went with my guts...For now, just follow my lead. I know where to take her.
The TARDIS followed as the Doctor placed the coordinates for its next destination once he's done checking on Menagerie. He knew the reason behind the decision to save the Rani and lie to the others; he just wasn't 100% sure about it.
He has a new home, he has friends, and he now has a family...
But there was still a part of him that felt alone...the loneliness of a Time Lord...
The Doctor: *sighs* I swear...we are the most complicated beings in the universe. Much more complicated the human race.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Over in Atlas where the medical facility that Penny Polendina has stayed in, recovering with the help of Doctor Simm, just rushed over to his office to check on him after the earthquake that was impacted all over Remnant.
Penny: *runs to the office* DOCTOR SIMM!
Doctor Simm: I'm alright, my dear! Are you okay?
Penny: I am. *gasps* The patients!
Doctor Simm: Stay right here Miss Polendina. This office is a safe zone and we don't know if there will be another earthquake or aftershock. I will do a quick run by on the patients.
Penny nodded as Doctor Simm left the office and she looked around the office. It did look like it wasn't heavily impacted by it but there were a lot of things that fell on the ground. The least she can do while he comes back is to pick up and clean up his office. She began to do those as she picked up items that were on the ground and gathering broken items to throw away.
About a good 20 minutes have passed as Doctor Simm made his return to the office and Penny just finished cleaning up. The last thing she did was pick up a few figurines she found on the ground but give a good look at them as he arrived.
Penny: How are the patients?
Doctor Simm: *sighs* Fortunately, they reacted like they were asleep and someone barged in the room...Oh wait.
Penny: *giggles* That's a relief.
Doctor Simm: Unfortunately, there were a few that reacted not so well. My guess is the trauma from when Atlas sadly fell...
Penny: Oh...I see...*looks down* I know what you said to me...but the guilt is still there...
Doctor Simm: It's alright, my dear. Guilt and Trauma is a thing that does not recover so quickly. Sometimes it could take months even years to recover from it. Just remember, you were not at fault and thank you for being our protector.
Penny: *nods* Thanks...W-Where are you going?
Doctor Simm: We are near the ice river; I need to inspect and make sure we are not at risk because of the earthquake. If the Ice River has shattered, there could be major flooding. Would you be kind to check on the patients if they need anything at all? They should be fine on medications but just to be sure.
Penny nodded as Doctor Simm covered himself up for the cold and made his way out. She sat back down and rested until a beeping noise came from the computer. She checked it out to see a patient needing some assistance.
But it wasn't any other patient...
It was the same patient that startled her the night before...
Penny looked out the window but Doctor Simm was nowhere in sight for her to call him back in. She thought about it as her hand trembled a bit but gained the confidence she needed to go confront it once again. As she left the room and closed the door, one of the figurines fell to the ground again...
But this figurine wasn't any kind...it looked very familiar...
The figurine looked very much like Tyrian Callows...
Penny carefully and slowly made her way to the same patient room, she notices all of them except for that same exact patient asleep. That patient continued to tap on its keyboard as Penny entered the room and carefully approached it.
Penny: H-Hello again...do you need something?
The patient stopped tapping the keyboard and looked up to where Penny was despite its face being covered. It gently moved its hand and slowly waved at her. A remarkable sight for Penny.
Penny: You're making progress in your recovery! That's huge news! Just wait until Doctor Simm-
Patient: No.
Penny: W-What do you mean by No? He needs to know! He's been helping you guys!
Patient: No. Liar. Liar. Liar. Liar.
Penny: Doctor Simm is a liar?
Patient: Don't. Trust. Don't. Trust. Danger. Danger. Escape. Escape.
Penny: *gulps* W-What are you trying to say? D-Doctor Simm isn't like that at all! And if he was, he would have killed me already!
Patient: Killer. Killer. Killer. Save. Yourself.
She had truly hoped it would be different this time with the patient but it's gotten more deeper and creepier for Penny to take in especially what it's trying to say about Doctor Simm.
Penny: P-Please remain calm. Have your taken your medications yet?
The patient did not answer nor moved but only continued to stare at Penny and noticed the defibrillator on Penny's chest. It pointed at it which she noticed before it began to type on the keyboard again.
Patient: Conversion. Conversion. Danger. Danger. Killer. Killer.
Penny: You are starting to freak me out. *gets an idea* W-What's your name? I could try and help...
The patient did not respond once again but continued to stare at Penny. She believed this was just a way for them to communicate and think it through. She wanted to change the subject but those thoughts of what the patient was trying to say continued to bothered her. Maybe she'll look into it but she needed to know more and see if Doctor Simm actually had any secrets. The patient slowly tapped onto its keyboard and began to type for her to hear its name.
Patient: My. Name.
Penny: Don't rush yourself nor push yourself. We have time and if Doctor Simm comes in, he'll believe I'm helping you out.
Patient: Doctor. Simm. Is. Not. Real.
Penny: *sighs* Look, I don't know what's going on. I shouldn't even be alive but here I am. He's been helping in taking care of me while he continues to communicate for help. I haven't seen anything different from him nor secrets that he has been keeping. So unless you have actual proof, I don't believe it.
Penny was slowly getting frustrated by all of this but her good heart and kindness keep her in control as she took a few deep breaths while waiting for what else the patient would tell her. What the patient typed next for her to hear shook her to her soul. Her eyes widened as she slowly moved back, trembling, conflicted, and horrified.
Patient: My. Name. Is. Mercury. Black.
A figurine that looked very identical to Tyrian Callows and now this aggressive, weakened, covered up patient ending up being Mercury Black. This place was slowly becoming a horror show, and for poor Penny Polendina, it was just getting started...