Witch

Monstra...

As the Atlesian Military prepares to fight the scores of Grimm emerging from Monstra's body, Yang Xiao Long, Jaune Arc, and Lie Ren sprint down a corridor within the gigantic Grimm. They stop to catch their breath.

"Well, that was harrowing." Yang said.

"We're not in the clear yet. We still have to search this whole thing and find Oscar before the Ace Ops blow us to pieces." Jaune said.

"How are we supposed to find Oscar? It's going to be like finding a needle in a...giant...whale. Why did we think this was a good idea?" Yang asked.

Ren looks thoughtfully down the corridor, "I...I might be able to help. I can sense spikes of people's emotions, I think. It happened on Winter's ship. If I focus my Aura, I can keep it up."

"Okay, that's new. Maybe one of them is Oscar."

Ren touches his temples with his fingertips, focusing.

"I can sort of tell where they are, but not who. They're more of less in the same area though. Further in. I can lead." Ren said.

Ren makes to move down the corridor, but Jaune stops him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, you don't have to drain yourself. I can help too." Jaune said.

"Yeah, good thinking. Thanks." Ren said.

"Well, lead the way." Jaune said, awkwardly pointing finger guns at Ren while Yang rolls her eyes.

Captain Jack Harkness teleported in with a flash of blue light with his vortex manipulator, "Need some help? I am immortal after all."

Elsewhere in Monstra, Oscar lies on his side on the ground.

"She brushed off her bumps and bruises, for nothing hurt worse than the loneliness in her chest." Oscar said.

"I recognize that. The Girl Who Fell Through The World?" Ozpin asked, in Oscar's head.

Oscar chuckles, turning to lie on his back, "I shouldn't be surprised you're so familiar with fairy tales. Jared's also familiar with fairy tales when we're that in his world."

"I've lived through my share of them. How are you holding up?"

"I thought the idea of falling through Remnant into a new world was exciting. I never understood why she was so sad when she finally made it back home. But now it makes more sense." Oscar said, stretching out toward the light emanating from beyond a membrane on the ceiling, and studied his gloved hand.

"She wasn't the same girl anymore." Ozpin said, in Oscar's head.

"Yeah."

"I think this plan to divide might have run its course. It's time we start thinking about a way out. Not having our cane certainly limits the options, so…"

With effort, Oscar curls into a fetal position.

"No, I don't like what happens when we use magic. Every time we use it, I can feel us merging faster. I'm not ready for that." Oscar said.

"I don't blame you. Honestly, I think you're doing just fine on your own." Ozpin said, in Oscar's head.

The door opens and Hazel Rainart enters. Oscar pushes himself into a supine position just before Hazel grabs him by the collar and hauls him up.

Outside of Monstra…

Atlesian soldiers are lined up on either side of a trench. Winter Schnee is walking between the rows, addressing her troops. Amongst the soldiers is Team FNKI.

"Listen up everyone. We're keeping this LZ clear for the payload we're going to put aboard that thing. If we can't hold this line, it will continue to spit out Grimm and we lose the city. Is that understood?" Winter asked,

"Yes, ma'am." The soldiers said.

Neon Katt turns to her teammate Flynt Coal, trying to stay upbeat.

"You wouldn't happen to know a tune for this, huh?" Neon asked.

"I don't know that anybody does." Flynt said.

Vine Zeki leaps clear over the trench, using his Semblance to move faster, "Another wave incoming. Keep them back."

With one last determined look at each other, Neon and Flynt climb the sides of the trench and join the fray alongside their fellow soldiers.

"Move, move, move!" A soldier said, angrily.

Marrow Amin remains in the trench, watching them mobilize, "But...they're just kids."

Elm Ederne touches down in the trench to admonish her teammate, her hammer at the ready, "You can hash out your issues later. Right now, just kill Grimm."

Elm climbs back out of the trench and scrambles across the battlefield.

Monstra...

Meanwhile, Hazel enters the room where the lamp is being kept, and crudely drops Oscar along the path.

"Why did you bring me here?" Oscar asked.

Hazel takes a moment to examine the lamp on its pedestal before he responds. As he speaks, he circles the relic, eyeing it suspiciously.

"I've been thinking about what you said. If it's a lie and I took that lie to Salem, the punishment would fall on my head before yours. If what you said is true and I used the password myself, well, I don't know what happens when this thing activates." Hazel said, turning back to look down at Oscar. "So let's see if you're bluffing."

"You want me to summon her?" Oscar asked.

"Either way, it'll tell me what I need to know." Hazel said.

Emerald Sustrai appears, looking between Hazel and Oscar with a concerned expression.

"What are you doing?" Emerald asked.

Hazel grunts noncommittally, joining her behind Oscar.

"Let's find out." Hazel said.

Oscar slowly gets up, holding his side. He takes a deep breath.

"Jinn." Oscar said.

Cyan mist unfurls from the lamp. A nearby bubble of Grimm Liquid bursts and its droplets freeze in place. Hazel holds a protective arm out in front of Emerald, who takes a step back. Both look on in awe. Jinn materializes and stretches, settling into a relaxed position.

"Why, hello again, old man. Did you have a question for me?" Jinn asked.

Oscar chuckles, waving hello to Jinn. He turns to look at Hazel.

"Actually, I think all my questions are answered now." Hazel said.

Jinn looks on bemusedly.

"What are you going to do?" Oscar asked.

Hazel momentarily closes his eyes, likely in remembrance of his sister, "What Gretchen would have done. And that starts with getting you away from here. Both of you."

Hazel turns to Emerald, who can only blink in concern.

Oscar approaches Hazel, "I'm going to need something before I go."

"So just to be clear, none of you have a question for me?" Jinn asked.

"No, but we'll be bringing you with us." Oscar said.

Hazel and Emerald trade uneasy looks.

"The moment we move that thing, this place goes on high alert. Better to get you out first." Hazel said.

"But…" Oscar said.

"I'll come back for it. Not like she knows the password anyway."

Hazel and Emerald turn to leave. With one last backward glance at Jinn, Oscar wordlessly follows them. Jinn returns to the lamp in a puff of cyan smoke. In the darkness next to the door, a pair of differently-colored eyes can be seen watching the trio leave. A featureless red figure steps out into the light, shimmers, and turns into Neopolitan. She slowly approaches the lamp.

Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Jack are moving down a corridor. Jaune is using his Semblance to amplify Ren's. Before long, Jaune's Aura shimmers, and he splutters, short of breath.

"Sorry." Jaune said, trying to put his hand on a wall for support, but it glides off the mucus-covered surface, and he shakes the goop from his hand, disgusted.

"It's not your fault. I'm masking and tracking at the same time." Ren said.

"Do you guys need a minute?" Yang asked.

"I'm immortal. I'm less breakable than you guys." Jack said, smirking.

"You were blown up." Yang said, looking at Jack.

"Do we have time for this?" Ren asked.

"We don't know how much longer we have. Why don't you give masking a break? Give me and Jack directions and we can scout ahead." Jaune said, looking at Ren.

"Thanks. We should be heading straight for a while."

Jaune and Jack take off down the corridor, raising arms in farewell. The other two watch them go.

"Well, at least you guys being friends again takes the sting out of impending doom." Yang said.

"It's okay to be afraid, you know. You don't always have to hide it with a joke." Ren said.

"Glad I'm not the only one who's scared."

"Of course I'm scared." Ren said, turning back to look in Jaune and Jack's direction. "Them on the other hand...there's no fear at all. I can see it, they believe we're going to get this done."

Ren turns back to face Yang, who chuckles.

"Then I do too." Yang said.

Suddenly, Jaune and Jack come sprinting at full force toward them.

"Guys! Run!" Jack said, looking between Ren and Yang. "Go! Go!"

Jaune and Jack hurry them into an alcove and crouches by its entrance, and the Arc expands his shield and draws his sword.

"Mask us, Ren!" Jaune said.

The quartet turns monochrome as Ren uses his Semblance. A Seer hovers into the nearby corridor. Ren's Aura shimmers, and he struggles to keep his Semblance active. The Seer floats past them, but stops in its tracks after Ren's Aura breaks and his Semblance deactivates.

Emerald and (what appears to be) Hazel are moving down a hallway within Monstra.

"You sure he'll be okay on his own?" Hazel asked.

"I don't know, we just need to get...wait." Emerald said.

Emerald holds a hand out in front of Hazel, who comes to an awkward stop. Salem is coming down the corridor toward them. Emerald quickly grabs Hazel's arm, pulling him out of Salem's way. They stand to the side with their heads bowed in deference.

"Ah, Hazel. Have you gotten what we need yet?" Salem asked.

Hazel turns to look at her, his eyes wide. He glances down at Emerald.

"I...I, uh…" Hazel said.

Salem's eyes narrow suspiciously. Suddenly, a loud screech echoes through the corridors, and she turns away.

"The Seers...seems we have guests." Salem said, while her eyes widen, and her calm demeanor drops. "The Lamp! Find them!"

Salem speeds unnaturally fast down the hallway.

Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Jack have just finished destroying the small troop of Grimm that the Seer had called after them.

"Not that different from the enemies I've fought in my universe." Jack said, smiling.

"Fair point. Yours is full of enemies more deadly than Grimm. What now?" Ren asked.

"Let's do what we do best, charge blindly into danger." Yang said.

"Would've gone with 'keep moving forward,' but sure. Ren?" Jaune asked.

"Forward, no matter what." Ren said.

"Doesn't matter what route we go with. I can be your personal body shield." Jack said, winking at Yang.

The four move onward down the hallway.

Outside Monstra…

Atlesian Paladins make short work of a pair of Megoliaths while Vine and Elm clean up the smaller Grimm. Neon and Flynt get into formation, warding off a Griffon. Marrow is also doing his part.

"Stay!" Marrow said, using his Semblance to immobilize an airborne Winged Beringel, which is taken down by Harriet Bree shortly after.

After touching down, Harriet contacts Winter over military comms.

"How much longer for the payload?" Harriet asked.

"It's approaching the LZ now." Winter said, over comms.

Overhead, an Atlesian Airship flies in Monstra's direction, flanked by several Mantas. Marrow casts a worried glance at Monstra.

"Come on, Juan." Marrow said.

Monstra…

Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Jack round a corner, coming face-to-face with Emerald and her companion.

"You." Yang said.

Emerald has her weapons leveled at the trio, but 'Hazel' steps forward, holding his hands out.

"No, wait, stop!" Hazel said, while his image shimmers and fades, revealing Oscar in the hallucination's place.

Yang and Ren lower their weapons with relieved smiles, but Jaune drops his sword and shield, running forward to embrace Oscar.

"Oscar!" Jaune said, happily.

Oscar winces in pain, but chuckles weakly and returns the embrace.

Jack looked between Ren and Yang, "So, this is the Oscar our fanboy was mumbling about when me and him were dealing with the 456."

"Yup…" Yang said, crossing her arms.

"He is." Ren said.

"I knew I sensed some weak minds nearby." Emerald said.

The group's reunion is cut short, and they all stare at Emerald.

"What's going on here?" Jaune asked.

"It's a long story." Oscar said.

Yang steps forward warily, "You're gonna have to try and summarize it. Why should we trust you?"

"Because she's scared. Just like us." Ren said.

Emerald raises her eyebrows in surprise.

"Does it have to do with Cinder and Salem?" Jack asked, looking at Emerald. "Jared filled me in on those details. He's as scared about the future as much as you guys."

Yang and Jaune's expressions soften.

"Maybe it does. Or maybe it doesn't. Or maybe because I know how to get out of here." Emerald said, moving forward down the corridor past them, only sparing a glance in their direction. "Anybody coming?"

Outside Monstra...

Winter steps aboard the landed bomb carrier, receiving a Scroll from a nearby soldier. She then turns to address the ranks of troops behind her. Marrow is at the front of the crowd.

"This is it, everyone. We're going to clear a path to that monster. We get the payload aboard, set the timer, and then we're out." Winter said.

The soldiers salute her and disperse. Marrow runs onboard as Winter turns to inspect the explosive.

"They might still be alive in there." Marrow said.

"I gave them their window. We can't wait any longer." Winter said.

"Would you say the same thing if it was your sister inside? Are you gonna tell her what you did to her friends?"

As Marrow speaks, Winter's expression becomes more and more pained. Finally, she turns around, her demeanor not quite as composed as before.

"Yes, Marrow, because that's my duty. Now you do yours." Winter said, placing a sympathetic hand on Marrow's shoulder before he morosely turns and leaves.

Monstra…

Meanwhile, Yang, Jaune, Ren, Oscar, Jack, and Emerald head for one of Monstra's open-air landing bays. The outskirts of Atlas are visible in the distance.

"We're almost out!" Oscar said, happily.

A terrific rumble shakes the ground, forcing them to stop.

"What is that?" Jaune asked.

Emerald stares blankly straight ahead, the horror evident in her expression, "It's her."

A massive screech sends the six of them covering their ears.

Then everyone except Emerald is knocked off their feet by a blast of purple and black magic. Salem stands at a freshly carved hole in the wall, her eyes sweeping over Oscar, then travelling to Emerald.

"You leave her alone." Jack said, pointing his gun at Salem.

Emerald turns to run, but Salem extends her arms, grabbing her and pulling her close.

"You really have been honing that Semblance of yours." Salem said.

Ren and Jack fires at Salem, who retaliates with another blast of magic. Jaune steps forward with his shield, but both he, Jack, and Ren are blown off their feet and into the wall behind them. Jaune's Aura shimmers weakly.

"Why is she as immortal as me?" Jack asked. "This isn't fair one bit."

Yang presses on, jabbing at Salem's front and planting her explosives there. She quickly gets out of range and detonates them.

Salem's upper body bends backwards from the force, and the flesh on her mangled chest opens up like a ghastly flower. Her free hand splays and spit outs an adhesive substance in Yang's direction. Yang blocks it with her gauntlets, but Salem pulls, reining the girl in as her own body regenerates. She finally closes her hand on one of Yang's gauntlets.

"Let them go!" Oscar said.

Salem turns to face him, and takes a green beam of magic to the chest. She doubles over in pain, then grimaces and hurls Yang and Jack at Oscar. They tumble bodily on the ground. Her sigils appear on the ground, spawning Grimm arms that immobilize Yang, Jaune, Ren, Jack, Oscar. She uses one last sigil to immobilize Emerald upright. A roiling ball of magic appears in her hand as she interrogates Emerald.

"What did you do with the Lamp?" Salem asked.

"Nothing." Emerald said, appearing resolute at first, but turns away when Salem moves the ball of magic toward her face.

"It's missing. Where is it?" Salem asked.

"I didn't do anything with it." Emerald said, squeezing her eyes shut as Salem turns to look at Oscar.

"Where is it?"

The Grimm arms binding Oscar force him into an upright position, his hands bound. Salem slowly approaches him.

"Look how you've diminished. How you've lessened yourself, and for what? These children, this ruined world?" Salem asked.

Overcome by rage, Salem suddenly grabs Oscar's head from both sides, holding her thumbnails threateningly close to his eyes.

"Why....do...you...keep...coming...back?!" Salem exclaimed.

"Why do you?!" Yang exclaimed.

Salem's gaze shift to Yang, who is still pinned to the ground. As Yang speaks, she ignores the Grimm arms tightening around her.

"All of this endless death, because something bad happened to you once upon a time?!" Yang exclaimed.

Salem moves away from Oscar, slowly moving toward Yang.

"Nobody gets a fairy-tale ending! Everything I've lost, every person I've lost, is because of you!" Yang said, angrily.

"And who is it I've taken from you, girl?" Salem asked, scornfully.

Yang glares angrily at her captor, "Summer Rose. My mom."

Salem chuckles, bending forward to look at Yang with a bemused expression.

"...her, again." Salem said.

"Your grace." Hazel said, entering the scene, passing in front of a still bound Emerald.

"Ah, Hazel. I found our guests." Salem said, gesturing at the subdued teens as some more Grimm arms shoot up to cover Yang's mouth.

"No!" Yang said.

Salem conjures another ball of magic in her palm, turning to look at Emerald, "This one was helping them."

Emerald looks at Hazel, pleading with her eyes, but his expression is indecipherable. The Grimm arms holding Oscar retract, unceremoniously dropping him to the ground.

"Take the boy back to his chamber. I have work to do with this one." Salem said, caressing a now tearful Emerald's cheek with the back of her hand, the churning magic inches from her face.

"Yes, of course." Hazel said, moving behind Salem to get to Oscar, Emerald's wide, panicked eyes track him.

Hazel looks at Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Jack as he passes by, then finally grabs Oscar by the collar and lifts him up to eye-level.

"Oh." Jack said, his eyes widening. "I see what you're doing."

Hazel regards him for a moment, grimacing, before pulling him close to whisper in his ear, "No more Gretchens, boy."

Hazel drops Oscar, who lifts his right hand to find his cane.

"Right." Jack said, freeing himself from the shackles Salem had him in. "I'll help you guys in a bit."

Hazel and Jack head back toward Salem and Emerald.

"I really don't know!" Emerald said, terrified.

Salem pulls her hand back to use her magic on Emerald, but is sent flying by an energy blast from Jack's gun.

"Captain Jack Harkness and who are you?" Jack asked, holding his gun.

Salem cushions her fall with a swirling column of air, and Hazel and Jack move forward to do battle.

"Hazel Rainart." Hazel said, looking at Jack.

The Grimm arms and sigils binding the others disappear.

"Nice to meet you, Hazel Rainart." Jack said.

Hazel discards his vest, and produces a large Dust crystal, "Go! Now!"

Hazel embeds crystal after crystal of various types into his shoulders: ice, fire, lightning, earth, wind.

"I can stick around and help you. I'm the man who can never die." Jack said, squeezing his gun.

Each sends tracks of glowing energy out under Hazel's skin, and his eyes start to glow from the power he is channeling.

"Right. You can be my body shield." Hazel said, looking at the immortal Time Agent.

"Hazel." Emerald said.

Hazel turns to look at Emerald. Her eyes are glimmering, and she gives him a subtle shake of the head.

Hazel gives Emerald a determined and reassuring smile, denying her wordless plea, "Go."

"We got you back!" Jack said, looking at Emerald.

Hazel and Jack turn back to face Salem, who has levitated higher into the air.

"So you've decided against vengeance for your sister, after all this time." Salem said.

Hazel sets his fists ablaze, settling into a boxer's stance.

"I'm doing what Gretchen would have done!" Hazel said.

Salem gathers her magic, sending it at Jack in short bursts.

"I've dealt with worse." Jack said, walking up to Salem.

Hazel uses lightning dust to augment his speed, weaving and dodging between them, then sends a barrage of fireballs at his former master.

"Now who are you?" Salem asked, looking at Jack.

Salem easily dodges the fireballs, and sends a spread of beams at Jack and Hazel.

"The name's Captain Jack Harkness. And I know your entire backstory. Jared told me." Jack said, sadly.

They miss Hazel, who detonates a wind crystal at his feet. The resulting burst of air launches him toward Salem.

"What has he told you?" Salem asked. "And why have our paths never crossed until now?"

Hazel then combines ice and lightning crystals between his palms, creating an oversized ball of rock, fire, and lightning, which he then hurls at Salem.

"I come from a universe where Remnant doesn't exist." Jack said, smirking. "And all of you were fairy tales to me."

Salem is knocked to the ground, and Hazel bashes her stomach upon landing, slamming his fists into her face and head.

"Yet here you are." Salem said, while the ground is quickly covered in dark, glistening blood. "I need to know more about your world, Captain Jack Harkness."

Even as Salem is beaten to pieces, Salem's hand crooks upright to make a gesture; her sigil appears on the ground, and Grimm arms lunge out to immobilize Hazel and Jack's limbs, lifting them into the air.

"I won't tell you anything." Jack said, looking at Salem.

"I already told Jared that Silence will fall." Salem said, telepathically.

Emerald can only watch, dismayed.

"I know that story. And Jared will make sure he gets to Trenzalore with the Doctor." Jack said, telepathically.

Emerald notices Yang, Jaune, and Ren making an escape behind her, and gives Hazel and Jack one last glance before taking off as well.

"Come on everyone, out!" Jaune said, as Emerald races past him, and she, Yang, and Ren safely make it outside. "Wait, Oscar?!"

Oscar solemnly turns to face Jaune, holding up his cane, "She'll just come after us."

Oscar turns back to face the battle, extending his cane.

Still holding Hazel and Jack immobile, Salem regenerates her mangled face, her jaw cracking and popping back into place. Hazel readies a crystal hidden in his palm, and uses it to block Salem's burst of magic with a hard-light shield. Salem uses her Grimm arms to fling Hazel and Jack into a distant wall as Oscar watches. She grabs the back of Hazel's head and slams it into the ground repeatedly, the disappointment evident on her face.

"I'm fine." Jack said, looking between Oscar and Hazel. "This won't take long at all."

The clockwork detail on Oscar's cane starts to glow, and a sudden breeze ruffles his collar and hair. Salem turns to look at him, then glides across the floor toward him at an alarming speed.

However, Hazel and Jack stop Salem, with Hazel closing his arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground. Jack holds Salem's leg's steady as long as possible to make sure she doesn't escape that easily.

"We almost got this." Jack said, looking at Hazel.

A sigil appears at Hazel and Jack's feet, causing Grimm arms to wrap around both of their ankles and their throat.

"You said you're also immortal, huh?" Hazel asked, looking at Jack.

"Yeah. I can make it out of this alive. Don't know about you." Jack said, frowning. "Do it."

In one last act of defiance, Hazel parts his lips to reveal a fire-dust crystal, which he then crushes between his teeth. All three, consisting of Hazel, Salem, and Jack are engulfed in flames. Salem starts screaming in pain and rage.

The Grimm arms around Hazel and Jack's necks tighten, and Hazel painstakingly cranes his neck to lock eyes with Oscar.

"Do it." Hazel said.

Oscar readies his now glowing cane as Hazel and Jack gasp, both of their eyes becoming unfocused.

"Hurry!" Jack said, worried.

Oscar depresses the lever on his weapon, causing its length to shimmer gold. A sphere of crackling green magic forms around him, and the immediate area is filled with bright yellow light.