Gordeau pressed the button on his scroll and the familiar flash of light occurred at the front of the theater.
Everyone tensed in anticipation at who could be coming. Everyone was hoping for someone different. Nobody expected the two who actually appeared.
The first was a man with short brown hair and teal-green eyes. He wore a sleeveless Atlesian Specialist uniform that consisted of a white coat with red and blue accents and a four-leaf clover pin. His belt had a rabbit's foot keychain hanging off it. He also wore white pants and covered his hands with brown fingerless gloves.
The second was a young woman with platinum blonde and brown hair shaved on the sides and violet eyes. She wore a very short-sleeved Atlesian Specialist uniform that consisted of a sleeveless white vest, a rolled-up blue shirt, a red tie and white shorts. There were also dark blue strips connecting from the sides of vest down to the silver greaves on her knees, exposing the inner part of the thighs and the back of her calves. She also wore blue fingerless gloves and silver shoes. The blond portions of her hair rested in a pattern that resembled a rabbit's ears.
"Clover? Harriet?" Winter wondered out loud as she stood up.
"Winter," the man, now named Clover, answered, "How's the man hunt?"
Qrow and Weiss, who both had a glass of water, did a spit take.
Winter sighed, "Why do you insist on asking me that every time?"
Clover shrugged, "I know I wasn't right for you, but I keep hoping you find someone."
Winter blushed in embarrassment. Ruby leaned over to Weiss, "It's that Clover?" Weiss nodded.
The girl, now named Harriet, rolled her eyes, "Real touching guys, but where exactly are we, and where's the rest of the team?"
"I believe I can help with that," Gordeau smiled.
After an explanation to the two Ace-Ops, which took less time than anticipated thanks to Ironwood explaining some of the messier details, the two new arrivals settled into some seats next to Raven. Gordeau sighed as he sat back down as well. These new arrivals proved what he already suspected. Something had changed, and he was going to have to look into it.
But for now, it was time to watch one of his favorite universes. Funny though, he didn't remember the new arrivals being in it before.
He shook his head, "Okay everyone, as I said before, this is a very special universe. I think you all can learn a lot from watching this, so sit back and relax."
Everyone settled in for what their host promised to be an enlightening experience.
Gears. That is what is shown. The only sound the slow ticking of a clock. A beaker is shown with the words 'The Case of Luxu' written on it. As we are shown more, two figures were in a room. One was seated, one was standing, but both were wearing long, floor length black robes. The hoods on the robes up to cover their faces.
Adam's eyes widened, "That's this robe." He looked down at his arms, and the gloves now covering his hands, "Am I one of those two?"
"No," Gordeau chuckled, "Your other self shows up later."
"It reminds me of Ozpin's office," Pyrrha noted as she watched the gears turn.
"I wonder what 'Case of Luxu' means," Ren wondered out loud.
The seated figure was reading a book. He knocked on the table a few times while he pondered what his book meant.
"That must be a good read," Blake observed, "If whoever that is is ignoring the other person."
"Like you usually do?" Yang smirked.
"All my books are good," Blake shrugged.
The seated figure looked at the standing one and spoke for the first time, "So that makes you the indisposable number seven."
Raven shrugged, "I was almost convinced that was Ozpin for a moment. Between the gears and the stand-off attitude."
"Feel free to speculate on his identity," Gordeau stated, "Being honest, even I don't know his true identity. The people in this universe simply call him 'The Master of Masters.'"
"Huh," the standing figure spoke in a feminine voice.
"Come on!" the Master of Masters scolded, "It's simple. You six plus me is seven." He continued reading his book not looking up.
It clicked in Gordeau's head as to why he hadn't noticed the new arrivals before. He had previously only known them as 'The Apprentices.'
Suddenly, the Master gasped and looked up, "Wait. Don't tell me I don't count!" He finally locked eyes with the other figure in the room.
"No… Uh, um…" The figure stuttered, not wanting to upset her master.
The Master stood up without saying a word, he held out his hand and with a flash of lightning, a blade was in his hand. This blade was black and silver all over. Its hilt was covered on both sides by guards. The hilt had a keychain attached to it, and it showed a blue eye surrounded by silver. The tip of the blade had teeth making it resemble a giant key. Near the teeth, a single blue eye was embedded in the blade.
"What is that?" Ruby asked in awe, "It looks like a weapon, but also a key."
"I dig the color scheme," Mercury noted.
"It is very you," Emerald agreed.
The Master walked over to the other figure and handed her the blade, "Here, take it."
A voice interrupted the scene, "In the Master's playful and mischievous way, he gave his apprentice Luxu a very important role."
"No," Ozpin went wide-eyed.
"I feel like we heard that voice before," Weiss thought out loud.
"Isn't that…" Qrow started.
"The God of Light," Ozpin explained, "I don't know what he's doing here, but it's him."
"At least we know her name now," Velvet noted.
"But it's not one of us," Clover thought, "Unless one of you is named Luxu?"
The silence in the room confirmed his theory.
Luxu took the blade and examined it. The God of Light continued, "What seemed like a simple task was the element that would connect all of the events to come."
"Boy, does that sound familiar," Raven rolled her eyes.
"I agree," Ozpin sighed, "Even though we know nothing about her, I do feel a connection to Luxu."
Raven scowled, "I was talking about the Master. Giving people tasks without really explaining things to them? It's very you, Oz."
Ozpin sighed, as he had no one in the room on his side.
Luxu and the Master faded away and a rolling landscape was shown. The God of Light continued, "Long, long ago, all the worlds were still one."
Roman went wide-eyed, "All the worlds were one? Does that mean all the universes we've seen were once one reality?"
"I don't think so," Blake thought, "If they were, our alternates wouldn't be in them would they? We would still be us and someone else would fill those roles."
"She's right," Gordeau nodded, "The concept of worlds works differently in this universe. It does not apply to multiple universes."
A great castle is shown overlooking a village. "One day, this would be called the age of fairy tales."
"I'm starting to agree with Raven," Pyrrha stated, "The Master seems more and more like Ozpin."
"But it doesn't sound like him," Nora countered.
"Must be one of our past lives," Oscar reasoned, "That would explain the voice and the methods."
Ozpin raised his eyebrow. He hadn't considered one of his past lives showing up. It would be interesting to see how they differed from what he remembered.
"It all began here in Daybreak Town. The Master of Masters had an eye that gazes into the future."
The castle is shown close up. We can see the Master standing on the balcony, overlooking the town. "He bestowed upon five of his six apprentices a copy of the Book of Prophecies, in which was written the events to come."
Cinder perked up, "What a useful tool that would be. Knowing everything that is to come, I'd be unstoppable."
Ozpin found himself full of questions today. How did she end up as Salem's pawn if all she cared about was herself? Salem didn't tolerate that.
A flash of light appeared and the Master was now standing on a hill. He was looking off in the distance, as if waiting for something.
A man approached the Master. The man was wearing white pants, and a white and blue tailcoat with no sleeves. He also had a mask and hood on hiding his head. The sign post in the corner read 'The Case of Clover.'
"Wow, I showed up fast," Clover shrugged.
"So, I'm guessing our team is the other five apprentices?" Harriet guessed.
"It would appear so, Operative Bree," Penny agreed.
Clover's front side is revealed and he is wearing a unicorn mask. The Master talked to him without even looking to see he was there, "So, did you look through the Book?"
"A unicorn?" Summer thought.
"Makes sense," Harriet shrugged, "What with your luck and all."
"Aren't unicorns considered lucky?" Ruby asked.
"Yep," Clover smirked, "My Semblance brings good fortune."
Qrow did another spit-take and looked at the man with wide eyes, "Mine brings misfortune."
Clover nodded his head, "Well, seems your luck is changing, huh?"
"Yes," Clover nodded, "But I'm still analyzing it."
"Wow," the Master commented, impressed at his apprentice's diligence, "No quick skim for you, huh?" He turned around so they could see each other better.
"I do enjoy being thorough," Clover nodded.
Clover looked down in embarrassment, "I just prefer to be thorough," his hands clench as he asks what he came for, "Master, is what it says in the last passage true?"
"Something tells me you're not happy about the last passage," Winter reasoned.
"I wonder what it says," Weiss thought.
"Oh, yeah that." The Master shrugged, "Bummer, huh?"
"Yes," Clover curtly replied.
"Doesn't look like they're going to tell us yet," Jaune groaned.
"Hey, it wouldn't be fun if they told you everything from the beginning, right?" Sun shrugged, "You'd never learn anything."
The Master turned around and started to walk away, but continued talking, "By the way, if one day I suddenly disappear, I'm countin' on you to keep the others calm. Okay?"
"He's naming you leader," Tai read between the lines, "You sure you're up to that?"
"I already lead the Ace-Ops," Clover nodded, "Leading them in this world shouldn't be a problem."
Gordeau mentally chuckled and sighed at the same time.
The Master sat down while Clover looked dumbfounded, "Huh? Dis…appear?"
"Vanish? Fade? Dim?" the Master listed off, "I don't know how to explain it. It's just hypothetical talk."
"Does… Does he even know what he's talking about?" Blake wondered.
"It does seem like he's not all there," Yang agreed.
Cinder began to think. Tyrian acts like this sometimes, though he is a little more violent. Maybe it's a version of him.
"Okay…" Clover said cautiously.
The Master sighed, "This world is full of light. It's a world comprised of many smaller worlds, all connected, stretching as far as the eye can see."
The Master picked a flower and continued, "One great light protects us all throughout this vast land. All worlds share one light, one fate."
"That's an interesting theory," Weiss noted.
"Scientifically, it makes sense," Neptune explained, "Light travels pretty much infinitely, the light touches everywhere, just not at the same time. And I'm not a nerd."
Sun shut his mouth before he said it.
"I take it you're talking about Kingdom Hearts." Clover reasoned.
"I don't think he's talking about science," Yang noted.
Kingdom Hearts? Adam thought to himself.
"Yep!" the Master confirmed, "You're right on the money. People believe that the light that is Kingdom Hearts will be here forever." He flicked the flower a few times.
"But if it were to disappear," he threatened moving his thumb under the flower, "the world would be enveloped in darkness." He popped the top of the flower off.
"Yeah, he's talking about the force of Light," Summer reasoned, "And it doesn't seem like he thinks they can win."
"Again, he's fighting a war he knows he can't win," Raven sighed, "I'm pretty sure this is some form of Ozpin."
"I understand," Clover started, "And that is why you granted us these Keyblades."
"Keyblade," Ruby wondered, "They look and sound awesome! I want one!"
"Ruby…" the rest of Team RWBY sighed.
"With these we can spread the teachings of light," Clover continued with purpose, "and we can protect Kingdom Hearts from darkness – "
"Maybe you're wrong," Clover agreed, "Maybe we can win that fight."
"I wouldn't bet on it," Raven smirked, "Even with a luck semblance. If he sees the future, then he knows the fight is pointless. The blades must serve another purpose."
"No," the Master interrupted, "They're not for protecting Kingdom Hearts." He stood up.
"See?" Raven said smugly.
"What's the point of weapons if you're not protecting people?" Ruby asked.
"I'm sure he has another reason for them," Qrow noted, but he glared at Ozpin at the same time.
"Huh?" Clover asked, his resolve shaken.
"The final passage reads," the Master quoted, "On that fated land, a great war shall transpire. Darkness will prevail and the Light expire."
Cinder smirked, "So we win. Isn't it just wonderful to know that all of your efforts are in vain? That you will always fail."
"That's not true," Pyrrha, strangely enough countered, "I had someone very recently tell me that destiny isn't set in stone. You can change it, just like you all can change this so it doesn't happen. You already have one new person fighting for you, so why can't everything change?"
As the thought sank into the heads of the room, Gordeau smiled. It would seem that another was ready to learn the truth.
Clover wasn't convinced, "Isn't it our duty as Keyblade wielders to prevent this war from taking place?"
"I agree with you there," Harriet nodded, "If we have this power, we should try and stop the war."
"But it would appear we have our orders," Clover admitted, "Better just follow them, even if I don't agree."
Qrow scoffed, "A soldier to the end, huh? You would blindly follow orders, even if it meant turning against everything you believed?"
"Yes," Winter answered, "We all would."
Raven had to agree with her brother on this one, "Then you're all just like the mindless robots you use for your army."
"I would not," Penny said, much to Winter's shock, "If my friends were in danger, I would help them rather than listen to my orders."
"Wow," Raven said, actually impressed, "The puppet has more of a conscience than you three do."
The three scowled and turned back to the screen.
"Nah, not possible," the Master scoffed.
"Wha…" Clover started to ask but was cut off.
"You really think you can change the future?" the Master asked.
"I mean, isn't that the point?" Ruby asked, "The future isn't set in stone."
"But in this universe it is," Neo reasoned, "That book seems to tell them everything that's going to happen."
"It's a book," Ruby reasoned, "It can't be right all the time."
"Then…" Clover was at a loss, "what do you want us to do?"
"We have to focus on what comes after," the Master stated assuredly. "There's no use thinking of ways to change events that we know are gonna happen."
"He's got a plan for after the world falls to darkness?" Emerald raised an eyebrow, "How do you plan a contingency for light expiring?"
"Hopefully, he'll tell us," Ozpin sighed.
The Master began to walk towards, and then past Clover.
"But," Clover started sadly, "What about all of those who are here now? And the ones who will be here when the darkness finally comes?"
"At least you care about the people," Jaune observed.
Clover smiled, but knew he would obey his orders first. He'd think about the people, sure, but his orders came first."
Clover turned to his Master, "Are we to abandon all of them?"
The Master scoffed, "C'mon, are you telling me that you think the world can be saved by just seven people?" He continued to walk away.
"Well, I did," Nora admitted, "Until someone said something about it. Now I realize it was kind of a dumb idea."
"We ended up as more than seven," Ren observed, "I think we can make a difference now."
The two smiled and hugged each other.
Clover tried to reason with his Master, "We have to at least try! With enough Keyblade wielders we could –"
The Master stopped and folded his arms, "Well, if you wanna give it a shot…" He turned around and looked at Clover as quizzically as he could while wearing his coat.
"Yes." Clover stated assuredly.
"All righty, good luck!" the Master waved and walked away.
"What? That's it?" Ilia said in shock, "No advice? No promise of help?"
"Again," Raven sighed, "Ozpin."
AN: Here we are! Now, before you crucify me. Kingdom Hearts 1 is coming. In fact, I'll be doing it right after Back Cover. I just felt that Back Cover should come first.
As for casting:
Master of Masters: Secret – As we don't truly know the Master's identity, it is very hard to cast him. When his identity is revealed, so will our version.
Luxu: Secret – Now, you may be wondering why Luxu's gender changed but not his name. Luxu is one of the RWBY characters, and you, the readers will know which one when we hit Kingdom Hearts 2. Luxu keeps the name more for the cast in the story to be surprised when it's revealed in Kingdom Hearts 3.
Chirithy: The God of Light – Honestly, it makes sense for the Chirithy in KH3. They all have the same voice though, so his voice is used here.
Ira: Clover Ebi – The only one I can really talk about. After volume 7, the Ace-Ops as the Foretellers seems so perfect. Between Gula's 'I wouldn't call us comrades' line, to the whole of it basically being a warning against following orders too closely. Clover being the leader makes him Ira, simple as that.
I know this chapter is kind of short, but I wanted to get it out to you. Also, because we only have one Volume of information to work with on Harriet and Clover (and sadly, that's all we'll get for him) they may seem slightly OOC, especially to future viewers. But I've made changes like that before, and the only person whose called me out on it was a guest way back in chapter 3.
This is the first time I'm breaking that new ground though. If you have suggestions or concerns about those two, please let me know.
On a less than happy note, I hope you all stay safe and healthy in the coming months!
