A/N: The muse wants to take a crack at a time travel fic.
She was standing in the middle of a lush garden. The smell was heavenly, every variety of flower imaginable in full bloom. A bubbling fountain catches her attention. She peers in wonder over the edge the water is golden. She determines its not a trick of the light either. She loses herself watching the golden liquid ripple and splash. This place is peaceful and beautiful she sighs contentedly to the air.
"Yes, this place is stunning, one could spend all of eternity here." The new comers voice has an undertone of playfulness.
"Professor Ozpin? What are you doing here?" She stops to examine the scene. Just past the gardens edges there appears to be nothing but white light. It swirls and laps at the edges of the little oasis as if it were water lapping at the edges of the shore. "What am I doing here? Where is here anyway?"
Professor Ozpin chuckles a bit. "You certainly are full of questions. I suppose that's to be expected. I'm not Professor … Ozpin, was it? I simply chose this form as it's someone you recognized as an authority figure. To answer your second question, I'm here to give you a choice. Why you are here may come as a bit of a shock Miss Nikos. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but, you've perished. This place is your own personal piece on Heaven."
Pyrrha stands for several minutes turning the information in her head. She wants to argue the facts, but bits and pieces of the battle at Beacon come back to her. "I died." She breathes out.
"Yes, you did, your death was not in vein if that's any consolation. I'm sorry to say, but witnessing your demise allowed the little silver eyed girl to awaken her power."
"Ruby." She breathes.
"Yes, Ruby Rose. The raw emotion she felt seeing you killed triggered the light in her eyes. The wyvern now sits frozen atop of Beacon tower. Had she not been there the beast would have gone on years long spree of terror. Thousands of people would have died."
"My death saved thousands?" She asks quietly.
"No, your death saved the whole of Remnant." He states simply.
"I'm sorry?" She asks, green eyes showing confusion.
Ozpin leans on his cane. "You were told the story of the seasons and you know it to be true. The story of the two brothers, and the lady in the tower? Those stories are just as real. The woman in the tower loved a man so dearly that she altered the course of human history to see him revived from death. Her name is Salem. She cannot be killed and she has become more grimm than human. In several years time your silver eyed friend will purify the fiend setting her at long last to rest."
Pyrrha takes a step forward concern on her face. "Ruby is going to have to kill someone? That's just.. wrong.. That girl definition of innocence and purity. You can't do that to her."
"Miss Nikos, I was quite clear with my word choice. Miss Rose will purify the grimm queen, not kill.. though I suppose in the long run its much the same thing."
Pyrrha focuses on her hands. "What about the rest of them. My team and Team RWBY. I didn't see anyone else around here. Did they survive the battle?"
Ozpin sighs. "Yes, they survived… none unscathed I'm sorry to say."
Her heart drops, she doesn't miss the sad tone. "May I see them?"
He meets her gaze. "Are you sure you want to?"
She thinks for several long minutes, the concern in Ozpins voice giving her pause. She finally decides and nods. "Yes, I want to see with my own eyes that they are okay."
"Very well." He breathes out. Holding up his hand a round window like structure appears the edges blurring in a kind of fog. "The time is immediately after your untimely demise." Weiss is shown dragging a half catatonic Jaune towards Ren and Nora, both appearing badly injured. A tear falls down Pyrrhas cheek. She gasps at the sight of Team RWBY. Blake bloody and bandaged around her midsection. Yang's missing arm, Ruby unconscious in her uncles arms.
"Please, that's enough." She chokes out between sobs.
"No, you need to see the rest, I know this is hard on you, but now that you've asked to see you need to see how the future unfolds for them. After all, I can only show you anything from the world of the living one time. It's a rule, you see." He explains. Pyrrha nods understanding. He shows her glimpses of their futures, she cries at Jaune training to her videos. Gasps when Ruby brutally cuts off Tyrians tail. She smiles fondly at Team Ranger fighting the geist. She is shown the battle of Haven and Jaune unlocking his semblance, the story of Ozma and Salem, among many other things. "They all manage to move forward, your friends are an extraordinary bunch."
"Why show me all of that?" She questions after another long silence.
"I told you, I came here because you need to make a choice. To do so you needed all the information so you could make an educated decision." There's an odd undertone of wistfulness in his voice.
"What kind of choice?" She asks.
"I have the power to send you back to your body, retaining all of the knowledge you now have. You would be free to do whatever you wish with that information. Though if I'm honest, I hope, should you decide to go, that you find a way to prevent your own death while somehow still finding a way for your friend Miss Rose to unleash her silver eyes."
"I'll do it." She states with no hesitation.
"Before you agree you must know, there is a catch." He states simply.
She sighs. "There always is."
He chuckles sadly. "Yes, there always is. Miss Nikos, The boy Jaune Arc, you love him."
She can tell there isn't any use denying it. "Yes, very much so."
He smiles sadly. "He is destined for another. I can't tell you who, its another of the rules, you see. If you agree to return to your body, you'll go there knowing your love can never be. Would you be okay with that?"
"Yes, it will hurt of course, but I'd rather be with them than anywhere else." The firm set of her jaw and honesty in her eyes causes Ozpin to smile.
"Very well, I believe you. Miss Nikos, any questions?"
"Yes, am I allowed to share this information with anyone or must it remain a secret?" She asks.
"That I will leave up to your discretion." He nods "Now Miss Nikos, I believe you remember your initiation ceremony?" She nods. "Good, make sure to remember your landing strategy." He smiles and snaps his fingers. Suddenly she is flying through the air. She is disoriented for only a moment as her soul and body adjust to being suddenly back together. She lands gracefully and smiles. This is the part where she spears Jaune from the sky. Her throw is as true as ever. Walking up to the blonde boy she smiles gently. "Hello again"
A/N: this is going to be a side project, so max will get weekly updates.