Volume 4, Chapter 8:
Ruby: Can you imagine what that's like? To be completely and utterly failed...time and again...by someone who meant the world to you...
Penny: RUBY! *Sits up and gasps*
Penny tried to catch her breath and slow down as she panted and looked around. She was back in the base, back in her room, and she was still alive...
Penny: W-What...
Was it all just a fever dream?
She remembered very well though what happened. Sneaking out of the base, heading to Atlas, retrieving the medications, being attacked by the damaged Cyberman, and being affected by the radiation. She truly believed she was dead, she thinks she should be dead but somehow, she was alive and back in the base.
Penny: *sighs* Why am I still alive?...
Penny's thoughts broke when she heard the door opened, startling her but only to be Doctor Simm entering the room. Due to his very burned state, she's unable to tell if he's angry or not.
Doctor Simm: Penny Polendina...
Penny: *gulps* D-Doctor Simm! Please...I can explain!
Doctor Simm: No! I know everything now. *chuckles* You truly are one rebellious savior. *Chuckles more*
Penny: W-What?
Doctor Simm: I will admit, I was not very happy to know you snuck out knowing your condition and how Atlas is right now. But it did not stop you from once again being a hero to these patients and retrieving their medications. We have enough for 2 months.
Penny: I...I should have been dead...it was either by poisoning...or the Cyberman...
Doctor Simm: I just got there in the nick of time to save you from the Cyberman. As for the poisoning, I had a medication that would temporarily block the poison. You did well, my dear, but never do that again.
Penny: *rubs my arm and looks down* Why am I still alive?...
Doctor Simm: Whatever effects you were affected by the poisoning, ignore it. It was all just to mess with your mind especially the weak state you were in.
Penny: I should have been dead...I should have died on that bridge!
Doctor Simm: Miss Polendina, please-
Penny: MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD...*sobs* Because of me...*covers my face* And I have to live with that...
Doctor Simm: *sighs* Miss Polendina, don't say that you deserve to die because you do not. Do you really think your friends would want you to be like this? You are a very special girl to many people. You are a beacon of light in the fall of Atlas.
Penny: *sniffs and looks at him* I am?...
Doctor Simm: My dear, imagine how I would have felt if I was not able to retrieve the medication and my patients all died. You did them a huge favor, you saved them. Just like you and your friends were able to save the people of Atlas.
Penny: I could have done more...hadn't it been for the Cyberman attack or the poisoning getting to me, I could have found something for you as well or a way to reach out communications.
Doctor Simm: Unfortunately my dear, the state I am in is permanent and there is no going back. As for communications, well...it would have been useful but no need to worry. Little by little things will be better and it shall be Masterful.
This brought a small smile on Penny's face, knowing that she was able to still do some good after all. Doctor Simm was right that asking to die is not what Ruby and her friends would have wanted. All Penny could hope that wherever Ruby and the others are now, away from this dark world and in a better home, they were watching over her and giving her enough strength to continue.
Doctor Simm: Try to get some more rest, Miss Polendina. It's still very early morning here and the sun isn't up yet. I will come back to check up on you later and bring in some breakfast as well.
Penny: *nods and smiles* Thank you, Doctor Simm.
Doctor Simm nodded and left the room as Penny slowly laid back on her bed and looked out at the cloudy night sky. As the Doctor Simm walked further away from Penny's room, he was met with a patient that only stared at him despite its face being covered up entirely.
Doctor Simm: It won't take long. I need her to fully trust me, to fully feel home. Once she is, the pain will be cured, and the exodus will begin. She will be one of the first. *Chuckles and continues walking*
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
A large bonfire was in the center of the hut, surrounded by a group of Sylphs, led by the Elder Sylph and accompanying them was the Doctor, wanting some important answers especially of his regeneration.
Elder Sylph: Returning, returning, returning, the fire grows just as the light continues to shine through the darkness of the universe.
The Doctor: Your prophecies regarding my friends and the fate of the universe, did I miss out on a part?
Elder Sylph: Naive, Young, Immature, you were not ready to hear it. You needed to see it, feel it, to become who you are now and who you shall be.
The Doctor: Ah. *nods* Noted.
Elder Sylph: Our prophecies stated that One will return to the cage she wished to escape, One will slowly lose their pureness and fill with darkness, One will deal with a fate worse than death, and One will be beyond broken.
The Doctor: *thinks* Blake, Ruby, Weiss, and Yang. Those were their prophecies.
Elder Sylph: One has regained further strength, one has overcome her fears, one has broken free and become an angel, and one shall earn them all.
The Doctor: *thinks again and smiles* Yang, Blake, Weiss, and Ruby.
Elder Sylph: However, only one has yet to reach the potential we see in her. The one who loses their pureness and fill it with darkness.
The Doctor: Ruby? What's wrong with her? Is she okay? Is something going to happen?
Elder Sylph: Just like the other three, only she will be able to escape this on her own.
The Doctor: But she's not alone. Her sister and her friend are there with her as well. She doesn't have to do this alone.
Elder Sylph: Help can benefit her but it will only be little. She needs to crawl from the darkness if she wishes to recover once again. She the youngest of the four, one filled with pureness and positivity before recognizing how the real world is.
The Doctor now understood what the Elder meant and he was right, Ruby is the youngest of the four girls. He was grateful he got to know all four of them especially being part of his TARDIS team. He knows Ruby's a strong and brave leader, fighter but most importantly a kind and caring friend. He closed his eyes and looked down, remembering the recent events that were harming her physically and mentally. The worse part of all of this was she doesn't know that her message was heard and everyone is preparing to unite and fight...
She also didn't know that Penny is dead and he dreaded that moment...
Elder Sylph: We sense it. We see it. We hear it. The universe hears it. Your song, Doctor.
The Doctor: What song?
Elder Sylph: The song of your story.
The Doctor: *looks down* So...it's inevitable...my end is near...
Elder Sylph: The universe has your story written out. Your first chapter is at its end. That is why the universe will sing you to your sleep when it comes.
The Doctor: I'm not ready...
Elder Sylph: No one ever is, Doctor. We don't get to choose our time. Death is what gives life meaning, to known our days are numbered, your time is short. When the day comes, the universe will sing to you.
The Doctor looked at his hand once again and was starting to come to accept that there is nothing that could be done to change this. He was more worried now about the others reacting to his change than himself, but he wasn't going to focus on that much. He knew what he needed to do before his song ends and that is to help as much as he can to stop Salem and keep Remnant's future alive.
The Doctor: There is one more thing, Elder. When we last talked, you said the crack of the universe ascended from here in the future. I've recently knew more about it and now I come for answers.
Elder Sylph: The crack between universes ascends here. From the future to the past.
The Doctor: From the future to the past? *Eyes widened* Oooooooh! I may have just gotten enough to find my answer!
Elder Sylph: Dark times are approaching before the light settles in this universe, Doctor. You must be prepared or it will become the End of Time as we know it.
The Doctor: *stands up* The last time we talked, I was still a scared boy trying to do the work of someone else while trying to survive. That's not me anymore, I Am The Doctor. Straight and simple.
The Doctor bid goodbye to the Elder and the Sylphs before making his way back to the TARDIS but stopped at the doors when he heard a beautiful but sad song. He looked behind him to see a few Sylphs joining in hands together, singing to him.
He displayed a bittersweet smile to them and waved as he made his way back inside. He now understood through Sora, Dalek Khan, Willow, and now the Sylphs that there was no alternative for him to stay himself. He was going to regenerate and that time will come soon.
The Doctor: Not right now, though. *Pulls the lever* I still have work to complete. *Contacts UNIT*
Willow: Doctor?
The Doctor: Willow, is everyone up?
Willow: Yes? It just became 11am.
The Doctor: Do me a favor and gather me the maidens, the headmaster, Qrow, and Oscar. I need you there as well...alongside the Daleks and the Judoons.
Willow: Doctor?...What's going on? Is it time?
The Doctor: No...but it's time I come to accept that we are going to war and we need to plan this out now.
Willow: Copy that, I'll send out a full alert and have them meet here at the facility.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Everyone the Doctor asked to gather were now in the main room of UNIT headquarters as they awaited for the Doctor's arrival, wondering exactly what was going on and what they needed to do.
Sora: *mumbles* What are you doing, old man?
Nora: Do you think he's finally found Jaune and the girls?
Ren: Could be. I'm hoping that's what this is about.
Winter: Whether it's about them or about the war with Salem, he's going to need our help.
Marrow: For him to gather all of us though, something is definitely up.
The chatters came to a stop when the TARDIS made its arrival inside of UNIT followed by the trio of The Doctor, Dalek Khan, and Weiss Schnee. The Doctor remained in front and center while Weiss and Dalek Khan joined the others.
The Doctor: Willow? Are they ready?
Willow: *nods* Communications are coming in.
The lights of the room dimmed down a bit as two holographic displays appeared in front of everyone leading to gasps and worries. The first was the head of the Judoon's unit, Kon-Plo followed the panic on everyone's faces except for Willow and Dalek Khan when Dalek Ryuk appeared as well.
Winter: DALEK?!
Marrow: ANOTHER ONE?!
Weiss: They...survived?
Qrow: You brought the killers of humanity here?! WHAT IS THIS?!
The Doctor: SILENCE! *Looks at everyone and sighs* These are different Daleks. Yes, they survived the crash but only because I helped them survive. We made an agreement that they would be saved IF they tried to understand change. You lot trust Dalek Khan, they are learning to become the same. They will help us in this battle because if there is one thing the Cybermen and Grimm can't stop, it's the Daleks, the Judoons, and the human race altogether.
Winter: So you've come to the conclusion that we're going to war.
The Doctor: Yes...*scratches my head* Not the choice I wanted but the choice that was prepared for years even before most of you were born.
Ozpin: *steps forward* And right you are, Doctor. This is not something...that I wanted any of you to be apart of...but unfortunately as long as Salem lives on and continues her quest to turn Remnant dark...this war will never end...and I am truly sorry that I was not able to stop it...
The Doctor: This is a big universe. Centuries of hate, the clash of cultures, death on all sides. Nothing but pride and death. It's time to drop it. We got to live together. Live for the future generations yet to come and they don't have to wake up every day worried about the Grimm, worried about Salem. No! More!
Few cheers and fists in the air from the people in the room was enough to spark the fire in everyone to prepare themselves for this battle. The Doctor was not thrilled by the excitement by everyone but he knew it was more to knowing they were going to defend their home.
Weiss: *whispers to Sora* You recall any of this or they did ever tell you about it?
Sora: I've heard the stories. For Remnant, this is your last biggest battle yet. For the Doctor, it was unfortunately one of his many battles to come, but there was a saying that would send chills to those who were against the Doctor.
Weiss: Which was what?
Sora: Demons run when a Good Man goes to War.
Chills ran down Weiss's spine hearing that saying that would eventually be passed on across the universe. She worried about what her Doctor might go through in the future but as long as he remained himself and continued doing what he does best, then it will be the universe's fault for pissing him off.
Sora: Alright, Old Man, we're here, we have new allies from across the universe, where do we start?
Before the Doctor could begin the plan, loud sirens went out in the UNIT facility and a red alarm sign was displayed on screen which worried everyone.
Nora: What's going on?!
Qrow: Is it Salem?!
Willow: Working on it!
The Doctor: *looks at Dalek Ryuk and Judoon Kon-Plo* You two, I need a full scale of the Cybermen army and its hybrid creations with the Grimm. I also need you to figure out on setting up an advanced trigger that could be setup as a trap. They'll march to us in huge numbers, we need to catch them off with the element of surprise.
Dalek Ryuk: Understood!
Judoon Kon-Plo: We will look into that!
As both holographic displays of the Dalek and Judoon disappeared, a map of Remnant was now on display with a temporal breach detected not far from here.
Whitley: There seems to be some kind of breach! It's located Northwest from here, 37 minutes exact!
Fiona: It's looking to be some sort of rift opening! Like a-
The Doctor: Crack in the universe! THE RANI!
Willow: We're monitoring the activity, the energy of the rift is growing by every 40 seconds.
The Doctor: Keep an eye on that until we can stop it! Weiss, Khan, Sora, with me!
The three follow the Doctor back to the TARDIS as she makes her leave from UNIT base and heading to the coordinates given of where the Rani is up to her no good trouble.
Weiss: What's the situation?
The Doctor: Either she's trying to test out a new transporting device to go through different plantes or she's trying to return to our universe. But none of that matters because the damage she will leave on this universe is catastrophic.
Sora: If none of us could slow it down or better yet, stop it, it could mean the end of this universe.
Weiss: What about my powers? Can't I slow it down?
The Doctor: If you had all of the time vortex in you, you can. But you don't, your full power won't be enough to stop it.
Weiss: What's the plan then?
The Doctor: Stop the Rani and Stop that machine!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
The area was a deserted ghost town but it was beneath the town, underground, where the chaos was occurring as a strong portal was in full display as the Rani continued to work on a few more touches and calculating the precise moment to cross through.
The Rani: *smirks* Almost ready. Any moment now, he's coming as well.
In the center of the ghost town, the TARDIS makes her landing with the crew rushing out and looking for where the breach is. The Doctor, Weiss, and Sora all activated their Sonics to locate it until Dalek Khan was the first to detect it.
Dalek Khan: The breach is below us! There is a way below in that small shack.
The Doctor: GO! GO! GO!
The four ran to the small shack and spotted an entry through the floor as the Doctor opened it and spotted a staircase leading more down below as the four continued to make their run towards the Rani.
The Rani was now inches from the portal, finally feeling free from the long sleep state she was in. Cinder Fall could never pull something like this but she could. She was about to cross through until...
The Doctor: STOP IT RANI! STOP IT NOW!
The Rani: OH! Doctor! Just in time to see me cross through universes! How do you like my portal?
The Doctor: YOU ARE CAUSING A DESTRUCTIVE BREACH BETWEEN UNIVERSES! YOU'RE GONNA RIP IT APART!
The Rani: And you expect me to care?
Weiss: I'VE HAD IT WITH HER!
The Rani: A proper fight between you and me? I've been looking forward to this.
Weiss lunged down towards the Rani as the Time Lady pulled out her Sonic Dagger and a fight ensued between the two ladies. The Doctor tried looking for how to stop the portal after seeing many different controls sets and wires.
The Doctor: Sora! Help Weiss out, Khan and I will figure how to stop the portal!
Sora nodded as she head down as well and assisted Weiss against the Rani while the Doctor and Dalek Khan began to look for the shutdown system of the portal.
The Rani: Two against One? *Licks lips* I like those odds. And you might be?
Sora: Sora Azure! The Summer Maiden!
The Rani: *Gasps* Not just that. You have your parents looks! YOU'RE FROM THE FUTURE!
The Rani lunged forward and fought against Weiss and Sora as she had this fight in her control with her skills and agility which she will give Cinder Fall credit. Dodging hits, blocking a few with her Sonic Dagger, and having both ladies crash into one another, The Rani activates her Sonic to temporarily shut down both Sonic devices of Sora and Weiss.
What the Rani forgot to realize is that these two ladies also had powers with them as Weiss went Time Angel mode and Sora activated her Summer Maiden's powers which the Rani hated because now, she wished she had the Fall Maiden's powers.
The Rani: That's just not fair. *Stretches my neck* Well, to hell with it!
The three continue their fight as Dalek Khan proceeds to blast a few controls sets but it wasn't doing much to shut down the portal. The Doctor used his Sonic to fry the system but it was the same result as well. The Rani was very brilliant and clever, all of these controls sets were like setup factors but not the one that controls the portal.
The Doctor: Cmon! CMON! Where is it!
Looking everywhere, he noticed one cord that was slightly peeking out from the dirt ground. His eyes followed the cord and noticed it connected all around the portal then looked back at where the source of it was and his eyes widened in surprise and frustration that the cord was leading all the way back to the top.
The Doctor: Bollocks...*thinks then looks over*
The Rani had a much harder time with this fight as it was the brains against two powerful ladies. One with the power of a season and the other of time. She could only dodge and use Sora as a shield against Weiss's powers which causes the Ice Queen to retract her powers and giving the Rani a chance to strike, until she received a neck chop from behind which knocked her out momentarily.
Weiss: Doctor! What now?
The Doctor: This portal is a two-way shutdown. The cord connected down here is wrapped around the device while the main plug is upstairs where we entered. Sora, Khan, you two head back up, find the cord, and CUT IT! Weiss, you're with me here in cutting the cord down here and closing the portal!
Weiss: Alright!
Sora: Let's go Tin Man!
Sora and Dalek Khan proceeded to go back up while the Doctor and Weiss began to work on destroying the cord while carefully avoiding falling into the portal.
Weiss: We can't lose contact with The Rani; She'll get up at any moment!
The Doctor: Don't worry. I got my eye on her, we just need to make sure both sides are cut and the portal closes. Then, if possible, we can readjust it and create a portal to the Ever After and get our friends back!
Weiss: You think this same portal would do the trick?
The Doctor: Just need some readjusting and resetting the system. Maybe with the help of the Daleks we can create a shield to prevent chaotic temporal distortion.
Weiss: *smiles* Always the brilliant and clever man.
The Doctor: Well, I am brilliant. And you do trust me right? *winks*
Weiss: *smiles more* Always. *Eyes widened* WATCH OUT!
The Doctor turned around and was met with a dagger coming right at him until he moved to the side. Weiss was about to strike back until the dagger went right at her, impaling her on the abdomen as she fell on the ground while the Rani picked up her dagger and approached the Doctor.
The Rani: I know your precious lover will heal in any minute. You're clever, Doctor but you're still naive. I will not let you deactivate my portal.
The Doctor: *grunts and gets up* I'll give you credit for creating this cord as a two-way factor to shut it down.
The Rani: Only idiots will go for one way, imagine if they thought they won by shutting one side down but not the other. But I knew you would eventually find a way but now, it's time you die.
Out of nowhere, Weiss tackled the Rani to the ground, with the possession of the Sonic Dagger and tries to end The Rani here and now. With all the strength she had, The Rani sends the dagger flying but jams it onto the cord near the portal. A few sparks came out of it until the portal sent out a massive energy wave, sending the three flying and crashing as the portal begins to go out of control.
The Doctor: NO! NO! NO! WEISS HANG ON TO SOMETHING!
The portal was getting out of control as it began to suck everything in. The three of them held on to something to keep them from flying in as the portal was slowly getting smaller which meant that Sora and Dalek Khan found the other end of the cord but the damage was already happening. The Doctor looks up but watched in horror as The Rani right in front of Weiss.
The Rani: YOU THINK YOU WON AND STOPPED ME, DOCTOR? I DON'T THINK SO AND YOU CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE THING, STOP ME *smirks* OR SAVE HER!
The Rani stabs Weiss's hand causing her to scream in pain and let go of the pipe she was holding on to but the Doctor slid over on time to catch her. He looked back immediately for the Rani but she was now gone. He was pissed that he couldn't stop her but his focus was now on Weiss. The portal was growing smaller but it was becoming stronger and absorbing everything flying in its way.
The Doctor: HOLD ON WEISS!
Weiss had a strong grip on his hand as she held on but something was calling her from inside the portal. She looked back at it and felt something...or someone and it felt familiar...her eyes widened at who she was feeling the presence of...but she knew what had to be done...and she knew the Doctor wasn't going to like it...
Weiss: LET ME GO!
The Doctor: WHAT?! NO! ARE YOU MAD?!
Weiss: DOCTOR! YOU HAVE TO! IT'S THEM! I CAN FEEL THE GIRLS!
The Doctor: YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ACTUALLY THEM OR IF THAT PORTAL WILL TAKE YOU THERE! I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU GO!
Weiss: DOCTOR! IT'S OUR ONLY CHANCE-
The Doctor: I'M NOT LETTING GO OF YOU AGAIN?! I CAN'T!...
Her eyes softened at this sudden confession by the Doctor and she knew what he meant. To this day, the pain of everything that happened when the Weeping Angels took over Vale and she almost died, trying to save him and their friends, only for him to save her but let her go by erasing her memories...
She now knew and placed her other hand on the same one that was holding her. She gave him a comforting look and a small kiss on his hand but the Doctor shook his head in denial as tears were falling from his eyes.
Weiss: I'M GOING TO BE OKAY! I'M GOING TO BRING THEM HOME! YOU ASKED THE FIRST TIME WE TRAVELLED TOGETHER IF I TRUSTED YOU AND I SAID YES. NOW IT'S TIME I ASK YOU IF YOU TRUST ME...
The Doctor was in complete denial and didn't want to let her go. He didn't want that same nightmare to happen again but her words and her comforting look was giving him the change of mind which he didn't want...but if it meant that this was their one-way ticket to getting their friends back...
...He had to let her go...
The Doctor: Always...
Weiss: *smiles softly* I love you...
The Doctor: I...love you...
Despite the raw thoughts and emotions, the strength to hold her, the denial to let her go...
The Doctor let's go of Weiss...
They both stared at each other's eyes, one filled with pain and fear, the other filled with confidence and determination. Weiss gave the Doctor one last smile for him to see...
As she disappeared within the portal...and the chaotic portal finally shut down...
Weiss only saw a flash of light for a moment before landing in what appeared to be sand. She looked back and saw the portal close immediately...
And yet they both felt they were still in the same room...just a wall in between them...
The Doctor approached the machine of the portal, placed his hand on the wall, and laid his head. Weiss felt him as she did the same despite no wall being there, only the view of what appeared to be a beach. They both stood there, far away from each other yet so close with tears falling from both their eyes until they both separated ways.
Sora: Doctor! *Runs down* The Rani escaped! Did the por-
By the time Sora and Dalek Khan returned, they stood there in silence as the portal had been shut down, but only the Doctor was there.
Sora: Weiss?...
Dalek Khan: No...
Tears silently falling from his eyes, the Doctor turned around with a shattering, soulless expression as he looked back at Sora and Dalek Khan then proceeding to walk back to them and heading back to the TARDIS...
Weiss took a heavy breather and wiped the tears from her eyes before turning around with a determined expression on finding her friends as she looked up, over the cliff, a little far away and there stood the giant, colorful tree. Weiss finally made it to the Ever After.
Weiss: Girls, Jaune, I'm coming to bring you home.