Volume 4, Chapter 18:
Daily life in Vacuo was filled with people working, kids going to school and learn, meeting up with others, it may not be slow days but they were peaceful. This is what the Doctor wanted to see when he first came to Remnant but instead, he would have to see people with weapons, young and old, defending themselves from the monsters that infest this world. Lives were lost because of these monsters and people are always feeling unsafe.
The Doctor had enough. He wants No More of this. He needed this to end whether if it leads to his regeneration or not. He didn't want these people, his friends, his family to suffer anymore. Thoughts were interrupted as The Doctor heard heels approaching and turned around...
Only to be met with Raven Branwen right in front of him.
The Doctor: *sighs and looks back at the city* I'm sure you wouldn't want a Round 2 of me lashing out the truth at you.
Raven: Behind that face and good heart, there's a demon inside of you. It's no wonder everyone especially Grimm could be easily afraid of you.
The Doctor: Your point?
Raven: *sighs and stands next to him* You...were right...
The Doctor: Of course I'm right.
Raven: *mumbles* Little Egotistical...
The Doctor: Because when it comes to Yang especially, this isn't the first time I had to lash out the truth at someone. I am not here to hear your excuses. *Looks at her* I don't care what other personal reasons you had to leave and become...this. But to leave Yang...you got a lot of nerve to be here with me.
Raven: You think I wanted this?! To become the Spring Maiden?! NO! I had to do what was right-
The Doctor: Just...Just stop. Shut up. I am not going to stand here and listen to your load of bollocks. *Walks away*
Raven: *tears fall and clinches fist* I WAS SCARED FOR YANG! SHE DESERVE SO MUCH MORE THAN ME!
This caught the Doctor's attention and turned around to look at Raven whose chains finally broke and tears fell from her eyes. This is what he needed her to do and he succeeded in breaking it.
Raven: When...when her and I had that talk during the Vytal Festival at Haven Academy, I told her very well that I would never be fit to be a mother. Yang...was the greatest gift I got but I didn't rightfully deserve...*covers face* I wanted her away from this...away from me...yet she still found a way to this...
The Doctor did realize that she did care for Yang after all, it was simply she did not want Yang to become a huntress nor step in the dangers of this world. Raven left because she was a part of that danger...
Raven: When I became...the Spring Maiden...I had more reason to keep myself away from her. You have NO idea how gut wrenching; how painful it is to see a mother with her child and I wish that was ME! How it pains me that I can see her but only when IM A FUCKING BIRD! I CAN'T SEE HER IN PERSON! I CAN'T HUG HER! I CAN'T TELL HER THAT I LOVE HER! THAT SHE'S THE GREATEST GIFT TO ME!
The Doctor could only take a painful sigh and bring Raven in for a comforting hug while the Branwen sister broke down. It pained him that the two closest people to Yang excluding her own family cared for her deeply but pushed her away. With Blake, he was not able to help her fix it because of hiding her emotions. Here with Raven, she let those emotions out and that was important in helping her.
Raven: *sobs* When I...heard she fell...I saw my world die...Everything you said about me...was true...but I wasn't there because I didn't want to...
The Doctor: And now you know that they're still alive...*looks out to the city* Somewhere out there. And when they do return, they'll be here. As will you. I think...it's time to talk straight with her.
Raven: *eyes widened and pulls away* N-No?! I-I Can't!
The Doctor: Raven...you have run for far too long. If you're not like me or Team RWBY that we run for an actual reason, you will end up lost in the dark. You ran when you became the Summer Maiden, You ran when it came to Yang,...You...ran after I never heard back from you and Summer...
Raven: *closes eyes and looks down* So much happened in those 48 hours, Doctor...I know now that you are capable of many things and daring to look at Salem's eyes...Summer and I didn't know about that.
The Doctor: The plan was simple, meet you two at an undisclosed location, take you to the needed location by the TARDIS, and await your call for pickup. I was able to do a lot across the universe while waiting for you. Hours became days. Days became weeks. I went to look for the both of you but I either got that they did not know you or...that you both disappeared...I need you to tell me what exactly happened-
DONG!...DONG!...DONG!
Raven: What is that?...
The Doctor: *eyes widened* THE CLOISTER BELLS! THE TARDIS!
Before Raven could say anything, the Doctor was gone in seconds as he made his way out of Shade Academy, running through the crowd of people passing by. Some telling the young time lord to watch out and others looking on, wondering if something had happened.
A few minutes have passed as The Doctor made it back to UNIT HQ where the Cloister Bells were still ringing as the others were there, covering their ears, and wondering what was going on.
Winter: Doctor! What's happening?
The Doctor only made his way inside with Dalek Khan as the two work on deactivating the bells and the same time try to figure out what's gotten into her. As the Doctor goes through every system, the TARDIS pulls out a screen and the Doctor felt his hearts stop for a moment...
The Doctor: No...
Dalek Khan: Doctor, What is it? DOCTOR?
The Doctor: *looks at Dalek Khan then the screen* Ruby...
This instantly alerted Ruby's best friend as he moved over and saw what caused the Doctor to be left in the shock state. Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Jaune's heart rates were exceeding the normal rate which meant they were either running or dealt with something terrible...
But Ruby Rose...her heart rate dropped to a low stable rate...
The Doctor: What is happening down there...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
The mansion has crumbled and disappeared but the gang all stayed there. Motionless, silent, overwhelmed with different emotions, dealing with the loss of Ruby...
And to make matters worse, they finally came face to face with The Doctor's Greatest Enemy, The Master.
Blake: We fell for his trap...and now he's returning to Remnant...
Pyrrha: What about that girl? She-
Weiss: She's...most likely dead...if The Master took over her body, it wasn't possession but rather taking over...
Jaune: I don't understand! Alyx, the Pleasers, now Ruby! What does this place want? I don't understand...What did I do wrong?
Yang: What did you do wrong...What did you do wrong? *Punches Jaune* YOU PUSHED MY SISTER TO KILL HERSELF!
Blake and Weiss: YANG! *Pulls her back together*
Yang: *screams in pain* YOU DID THIS! YOU KILLED RUBY! *Falls on my knees and cries*
The two girls held Yang for strong comfort and let release the tears in her. They both also shed a few tears, believing their leader and best friend was gone. Whatever the Tree did to her, she was now gone...
Jaune could only look at them with a guilt and broken expression before looking down at the ground. He couldn't save Pyrrha, He had to sacrifice Penny, and now He was the sole reason Ruby fell...
Jaune: You are absolutely right...this is my fault...I lashed out at Ruby and I did this to her...I failed Ruby...I failed you guys...I failed everyone who depended on me...
Pyrrha: We can figure this out. There's got to be a way to get to the Tree.
Jacques: And that is where The Master
?: Hello there.
That voice sounded familiar to everyone as they looked all looked at where the voice came from and to the shock on all of them, a red star-shaped crystal Afteran appeared resembling the paper pleasers.
Red Crystal Gem: You appear upset. Would you be so kind as to tell me how I can help? Perhaps you are hungry?
Jaune: *confused* Huh? *Shakes my head* No, that's okay.
Red Crystal Gem: If I can get you anything else, please don't hesitate to ask! That's what I'm here for!
Jaune: What? What are you?
Red Crystal Gem: We are the Genial Gems, and we've arrived here to clean up this beautiful land and create something wonderful and pleasing.
The Red Crystal Gem made its leave while Jaune slowly got up and followed it followed by Pyrrha and Jacques while the girls remained behind momentarily.
Blake: If...If they came back...then-
Yang: Ruby...
Weiss: Only one way to find out, let's go!
The three got up and went on to catch up to the others. Once they made it to where the Gem was heading towards, they all watched in surprise and joy to see all the Paper Pleasers back but as Crystal Gems as they began to repair the town, changing everything from paper to crystals.
Blake: This is them, isn't it? They're back.
Weiss: It's just like they said. They really came back from the Tree, better.
Pyrrha: No flood or fire will ever hurt them again.
Jaune: I'm trying so hard to save them... I stopped them from becoming what they needed to be. I was being selfish because I...I wanted the rush of rescuing someone and I got that here.
Weiss: I think you're asking too much of yourself. We've been telling ourselves that failing means we're no good. But I can guarantee even the best Huntsmen in history...they've all lost. But they were still incredibly brave *smiles* and good.
Jaune tears fell as all the pain, stress, and trauma began to leave him while Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Pyrrha formed a group hug with Jaune as he returned the hug to them while Jacques and Juniper watched on.
Jaune: The Tree... Maybe I just needed to accept it. It's not a place you go.
As if the Tree heard his call, a large pile of leaves surrounded the group before a flash of light appeared and blew all the leaves away. As they opened their eyes, they all saw that they were no longer at the place of the Crystal Gems...
They finally made it to the Tree...the way Home...
Weiss: It's a place you know...
Yang: Ruby! We need to find Ruby!
They all nodded in agreement and carefully walked through the Tree in search of Ruby Rose. To their surprise once again, they passed by a few familiar figures that were now completely turned to wood as if they were part of the Tree now which worried Yang even more...
That's when Yang found her...
Yang: R-Ruby?! *Runs forward*
They all heard Yang and followed but once they got there, it was a gut-wrenching sight for them especially for Ruby's older sister as Ruby was found but she was now part of the Tree as well. An emotional and distraught Yang didn't know how else to react to her sister's state but began to immediately rip branches off Ruby to free her but they kept growing back.
Yang: *sobs* We have to get her out!
Blake: *puts my hand on her shoulder* Yang...
Yang: PLEASEEEE!
Jaune: I think I get it. This is how we got here, or...why the Tree brought us here. Acceptance.
Weiss: We've done everything we can. Now it's up to Ruby. Whatever happens next...*closes my eyes* we have to welcome that...
Yang: B-But what if she isn't Ruby anymore when she comes back out?...
Their moment was broken up when they heard something breaking free and looked over to see the wood sculpture of the Herbalist break apart. And here was the Herbalist reborn as he stretched himself out and his newly added wings before flying freely to the sky.
In that moment, the hitting realization hit the girls as they remembered the words of the Herbalist about the Doctor, inflicting even more pain to each of them...
Time Lords don't die...they regenerate...and the girls knew they couldn't be able to do anything about it because it was up for their Doctor to choose his fate...
It just hurt them even more that they may not have their Ruby Rose and their Doctor the same again...
Blake: Maybe...that's not for us to decide...
All they could do was wait and see what would break out from Ruby Rose...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Everything was dark yet for once in a long time, it had felt peaceful. She opened her eyes, only to be welcomed by green orbs flying all around and got up to find herself somewhere else. Somewhere new. Then her final moments hit her and she could only take a deep breath as Ruby Rose walked around this new place.
Blacksmith: I didn't expect you're here just yet.
Ruby looked forward and to her surprise, she spotted the Blacksmith once again.
Ruby: I wasn't expecting to be here. Are you the Tree?
Blacksmith: *chuckles* You could say that. But that is a simplistic understanding of the Tree, and what it does.
Ruby: What's going to happen to me?...Am I gonna die?
Blacksmith: The only thing that could happen to you here is what you want to happen. The choices of what you become and where you end up is yours to make. *looks at her* You don't know what you want, do you?
Ruby only looked down and shook her head, no spirit in her to continue...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
The Doctor could only stare at the screen and think of what to do next. Ruby's pulse is dropping by the minute and he has no way of reaching to her. Everything around him as clouded except for his Remnant family.
Dalek Khan: DOCTOR?
The Doctor: I'm thinking...I need to keep her going!
Dalek Khan: SAVE HER!
The Doctor: *sighs and closes my eyes* I can't...
Dalek Khan: EXPLAIN THIS MEANING?!
The Doctor: I can only do enough, Khan...I can't be there to save her...All I can do is push her to keep going! *Gets an idea* PSYCHIC LINK!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Ruby: What are these lights?
Blacksmith: The souls that are moving on to...whatever they become next.
Ruby: Do they choose?...What their next life will be like?...
Blacksmith: Such concern for souls you don't know or is it for yourself?
Ruby: I wanted to be the hero, like the stories that my mom read to me. I just wanted to do the right thing, but every step of the way, it's like...it's like there is no right thing! I tried so...hard. And I... *tears falls* I may have just done more harm than good. I don't understand...who I need to be...because who I am right now...she's not cutting it.
Blacksmith: What if you could be...anyone?
A gust of leaves went past Ruby as she covered herself for a moment before the leaves dropped and right in front of her was a collection of different weapons in cases.
Ruby: This is...*looks at the hammer* Who did this belong to?
Blacksmith: It's not about who did, but who could. Can you feel the woman who might hold it? The weight of who she is. She could be you. You could put any one of them on, and leave Ruby Rose behind.
Ruby: *breathes and holds myself* It's all...so...heavy...It's the only thing I can feel anymore...and it never, ever goes away. The feeling of not being...enough. *Looks down*
Blacksmith: And how would you measure "enough"?
Ruby looked up to the Blacksmith before looking over to a certain weapon on a display case which opened. The weapon of her mother, Summer Rose...
Ruby: Mom?...
Ruby slowly walked towards it as the case remained open, ready for the weapon to be grabbed. Ruby stopped for a moment but what was there to stop and think about anymore...
Maybe it was time to become who she needed to be...and leave Ruby Rose behind...forever...
She reached for the weapon...
The Doctor: RUBY! *echoes*
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
They could only wait...hope...even pray...
They all wanted Ruby back, their Ruby back...but they were not the ones to make her decide.
It was her decision...and they were scared...
Weiss: I hate this...I hate...that two people we care mostly are in this situation...and only they can decide what they want to do...
Blake: W-What do you mean-
Weiss: You know what I mean, Blake! WE ALL DO! It's not just Ruby that we might not see come out...this is going to happen to the Doctor as well...*looks down* We can't do anything...only he can...
Jaune: You're not actually-
Weiss: DARKNESS DIES WHEN THE DOCTOR FALLS! THERE...There is nothing we can do...nothing we can change...It's up to him...whether if he wants to...regenerate...or die...
Yang: Like Ruby...*sniffs and wipes my tears* It's up to her whether she...*closes my eyes*
Pyrrha: Guys...there's something ahead...
Pyrrha walked forward cautiously as the others thought about it before agreeing in unison to follow Pyrrha to what the light really is. And when they got there...
They made it...
A giant, glowing portal!
Blake: Is that?...
Jaune: Our way home!
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Everyone froze immediately hearing that slow clap and a figure appearing from the shadow near the portal. A chuckle came out of him as they could only stare back at him with fear...
The Master: Bravo! You made it!
Weiss: Y-You...
The Master: Oh I do love an overdramatic entrance and just seeing your pale faces warms me.
Blake: The Doctor told us about you!...We know very well who you are and the cruel monster you are as well...
The Master: OH! You flatter me, Faunus. The Doctor is my best enemy after all. There is simply no Doctor without his Master.
Yang: Can't forget The Rani...
The Master: The Rani as well! It's been...such a long time and I did not think she survived the Time War.
Weiss: We could say the same about you! How the hell did the Time War let a monster like you survive?
The Master: *scoffs* You humans just don't realize how special and needed I am. I was so tired of being a STUPID CAT! All it took was possessing a new body and Voila!
Jaune: And where's Neo?
The Master: Still inside...slowly dying. *smirks* And soon, this body shall be mine for good!
Pyrrha: You are SICK!
The Master: Why thank you! You know...Alyx said the same thing to me.
Jaune: *eyes widened* What...do you mean...Alyx?
The Master: That cowardly, wretched girl whose story you've been foolishly following all along. The same girl that I tricked and made her follow too...I would guide her and Lewis to the way to Remnant and in return, I join them as well. But Nope! It would seem after talking to the Tree, she had a sudden crisis of conscience!
Jaune: It was you! You manipulated her into poisoning me!
The Master: Rusty, Old, Losing your mind, you were merely holding her back. SHE decided she wanted to fix everything that she had broken in the Ever After! Including poor Jaune! So Lewis went, and in the very last moment...Alyx didn't...*chuckles* Oh that poor girl.
Blake: *angry* What did you do to her?
The Master: *cackles then picks up a branch* What anyone would do with a broken, useless thing. *SNAP!* A shame however, I did not realize she needed to be alive for me to take over her body.
Jaune: No, you...you didn't...YOU MONSTER!
The Master: Nothing else but praise and compliments for me. A shame I have to kill all of you. *Looks over* Well, Well, Well...A rose on its last pedal! I wonder what her fate shall be.
Yang: No, whatever happens to Ruby is up to her, not you or anyone else.
The Master: Does that only apply to her? If memory serves best, you don't want the Doctor to change.
Weiss: DON'T YOU DARE BRING HIM UP?!
The Master: *chuckles* You don't know The Doctor as much as I do. What you know is from the face he wears now. I have known him for much longer. That is why it is always a chess match between him and I whenever we meet. And you know what the tragedy is between Ruby Rose and the Doctor...*smirks* You can only save ONE of them!
Weiss: WATCH OUT!
The Master changes his hand into his cat claw, releasing a sharp gust towards everyone until Weiss stepped in front of them and took the hit, gashed at different spots through her body before collapsing to the ground.
Everyone: WEISS?!
The Master: Took one for the team! *looks back* What?...
The Master couldn't believe his eyes as Weiss slowly picked herself up and watched her body regenerate the wounds. He was confused yet shook, for Weiss was human but she could regenerate.
The Master: Impossible...YOU have Time Lord Regeneration?!
Weiss: *grunts* What's your point?...
The Master: The last piece...to completing my body...*growls* THE DOCTOR GAVE YOU ONE OF HIS REGENERATION?! *Relaxes and looks at Weiss* There seems to be a change of plans. I won't be leaving just yet. Not until I take WHAT BELONGS TO ME!
Everyone knew what The Master was aiming for and they surrounded Weiss as a shield. They all had their weapons ready and defending their friend, and hoped that if Ruby could still hear them, she would return as well...
Blake: We won't let you get to either of them.
Yang: You'll have to go through all of us first.
Jacques: It's time that you pay up for the damage you have done.
The Master: *cackles maniacally* I'll be the one to steal the regeneration AND finish off Ruby Rose FOR GOOD! AND NO PITY HUMANS WILL STOP ME!
Everyone was in stance, weapons readied, nervous to face off against the monster of the Ever After and of the Time Lords. The Master only continued to laugh before charging full speed ahead at everyone.
For the Ultimate battle has begun!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
In a different setting, at a different time...
Two young girls were now asleep as the night had fully taken over while hearing what was left a book read by the brightest star of them all:
Summer Rose...
Summer: A door opened for Alyx at the Tree. Before she goes back home, the girl had a great many questions to ponder. After all the lessons she learned, and the friends she'd made and lost. Who had she become? Would she still be the same Alyx when she went back home? The leaves of the tree rustled, and on the wind, Alyx heard one more question...
Summer Rose took in a moment and a deep breath as she could faintly hear something from afar. She looked out the window then looked back at the book to finish the story.
Summer: What...are you?
And in the far distance from the home of Ruby and Yang, deep in the woods, hiding in the shadows, waiting for Summer Rose...
The TARDIS