I don't own RWBY. Rooster Teeth does. If I did own RWBY, Pyrrha would be alive and Jaune wouldn't be pining after Weiss.
The walk to the elevator was nerve-wracking. Pyrrha normally didn't feel this way when teachers asked to talk with her. It was a common occurrence back at Sanctum. Whether it was for an autograph or to ask her to help out during combat classes, Pyrrha was always called upon by authority figures. It was only understandable that her current feelings confounded her in such a way that she was genuinely concerned. She sighed as she reached the elevator.
"You have to calm down," Pyrrha told herself, slapping her cheeks in reassurance. Perhaps it was their opposing Domains that made her nervous, her being the Ruler of Darkness and all.
"Hmph, you've chosen the Champion as your guardian?" Qrow asked, standing in front of Ozpin's desk.
The grey-haired man sipped his coffee before setting it back down.
"Maidens choose themselves Qrow. I'm sure you've known that based on past experiences and your most recent one," Ozpin said.
Qrow's face darkened. That was not something he was expecting to find out when walking into his house in Patch. Something he never expected to find out at all. "Ignoring that, how sure are you that she's the one?"
"I've known since the day she walked in. In truth, I've always had an eye out for her. She's strong, selfless, and kind. All the traits I'm looking for if we're to go through with this," Ozpin said, folding his hands together. "We have one shot at making things right and if all goes well, Amber will not have died in vain."
"She shouldn't have been in that state at all if I had gotten there faster," Qrow said, clenching his fist in self-loathing. Amber was one of Qrow's biggest regrets. The very fact that the girl was in a vegetative state and on life support haunted him for days on end.
"Do not blame yourself, Qrow. Amber's condition is not on you. It's on me for not keeping a better eye on her and making sure she was safe," Ozpin said.
Qrow looked at the ancient man before him. The man had aged considerably in these past years. "Don't blame yourself, Oz. We still have the other three and we have your guardian who should be arriving right… now."
The bell dinged, signaling that the elevator had arrived. Ozpin sat straight and looked at the door. This was a gambit. He knew this for a fact. However, it was a gambit he had not told Glynda, Ironwood, or Qrow. Pyrrha Nikos was not here for the intended purpose as his colleagues thought. She was here for something else. Confirmation.
The door opened. Pyrrha walked into the office with a slightly nervous expression. Her green eyes roamed around an office she had been in multiple times as if it were an alien environment. Her heart stopped for a moment when it landed on Qrow. Raven's image overlapped with his for a brief second, causing her to hyperventilate. She balled her fists and let out a breath, calming down.
"Miss Nikos, please have a seat." Ozpin gestured to the chair in front of his desk.
Pyrrha nodded and silently walked forward. Qrow stepped out of the way and walked over to a pillar. He leaned against it and eyed the back of the champion.
"So this is the girl who was on that team that beat Rae-Rae up so badly…," he muttered. A small chuckle escaped his lips. The girl was shaking. If Raven was beat this badly by them, then the woman was surely losing her touch. So much for her survival of the fittest rule.
"Well Miss Nikos, despite that little hiccup in the roster, it is of no surprise that your team was able to advance to the finals," Ozpin said.
Pyrrha bit her cheek. She looked him in the eye and opened her mouth. "About that Professor, what happened? You sent us a message saying that we couldn't participate this year due to our numbers."
"It was a glitch. An error. But there's no point stressing about it now, if that's what happened, then it is what it is," Ozpin said.
"I see…," Pyrrha trailed off. The way that issue was dismissed so casually rubbed her the wrong way but she chose to go along with Ozpin's answer. "Still, I wouldn't have made it if it weren't for my team. That fight was hairy in more ways than one and if Alice hadn't saved me, Venus's mist would have incapacitated me."
"Indeed. Her semblance is terrifying to behold. Your father is expected to be here during the finals. I hope this does not dampen your performance," Ozpin said.
Pyrrha's eyes glowed for a split second in anger before she composed herself. "That man is no longer my father."
"I see." Ozpin's eyes glinted. Chyrses was never meant to be a father. The man's arrogance was brighter than the sun itself.
"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, why did you call me here?" Pyrrha asked.
Ozpin stared at his counterpart for a few seconds before putting his hands down. "What is your favorite fairy tale?" he asked. It was a question that was completely out of left field but it served to grab her attention.
"I'm sorry?" Pyrrha asked.
"Fairy tales. Stories from your childhood. Surely, you must remember some of them," Ozpin said.
"Well… there's the Tale of Two Brothers, The Girl in the Tower, the Shallow Sea, the Seven Stars of Remnant," Pyrrha said.
Ozpin's face shifted a little when he heard the last one. The Seven Stars of Remnant. That was a story he was sure had died in the days of yore. "How about the Story of the Seasons?" Ozpin asked.
"Eh? Oh, of course, I know that one," Pyrrha said. She decided to humor his request. Not that she knew his true intentions but this had to be going somewhere. "A callous old man who refused to leave his home was visited by four traveling sisters. The first sister understood his reclusive nature and bade him to use his time and solitude to reflect upon his nature.
"The second sister brought him food and crops and revitalized his garden. The third sister warmed the man's heart, encouraging him to step outside and embrace the world around him. And the fourth and final sister bade him to look at all that he has and be thankful.
"In return for their kindness, the man grants the maidens incredible powers so that they may continue to help others all over the world. The maidens graciously accepted and promised the old man to continue sharing their gifts from now and until the end of days," Pyrrha said. "Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The Four Maidens. My mother loved telling me that story."
"Ozma… you fool…" the translucent specter spoke. Pyrrha ignored the voice.
"I'm sure that Chloe loves that story but would you believe me if I said that story has been around since I was a boy?" Ozpin asked.
"You're not that old, Professor," Pyrrha joked. She cringed inwardly at her own joke, however.
"Would you believe me if I told you it was true?" Ozpin asked.
Pyrrha froze. So here it was. The question she had been waiting for. She pondered how to answer this question. Of course, the way she wanted to answer was yes. However, Pyrrha wondered if she should do this delicately instead of outright stating that she knew.
Ozpin watched her eyes shift through many different emotions. It was as he thought. Ozpin folded his hands and coughed. "So you know."
Pyrrha looked her Professor- no, her counterpart in the eye. Had she been that easy to read?
"How long have you known?" Ozpin asked. He folded his hands and eyed her. A glint of golden light flashed across his irises for the briefest of seconds. The light almost made Pyrrha jump due to how similar it looked to Alice's.
"A few weeks at most. How long have you known that I knew?" Pyrrha asked.
"Hold on, hold on. She knew?" Qrow walked towards the two. He had been silently eavesdropping on this conversation but the bombshells that the two dropped were greater than he anticipated.
"Ever since she told me. But I had my suspicions ever since you awoke from your coma. Tell me, did she tell you who I am?" Ozpin asked, ignoring Qrow.
Pyrrha already knew who he was referring to. There was only one person he could be referring to. "She did. You are…"
"No, not here. This isn't a safe place. Follow me," Ozpin said, getting up. However, this moment of privacy was interrupted by the sound of the elevator.
"Sorry we're late," Ironwood said, stepping out.
Pyrrha glanced at the General and Professor Goodwitch. "Do they know?" she asked.
"The part about the Maidens yes but…," Ozpin trailed off, catching Qrow's questioning gaze. "I'm sure you three have lots of questions but we have to do this in a place where we won't be watched."
"Ozpin? What's going on?" Glynda asked, hearing his statement.
"What's going on is that this girl knew," Qrow said.
"She what?" Ironwood asked.
"Enough. No more talking. Come," Ozpin said, walking past the four.
"To where exactly?" Pyrrha asked.
"To the Vault. Under the school."
The ride down to the Vault of the School was uncomfortable. The three other adults in the elevator were shooting her suspicious glances. It was to be understood. Whatever it is they knew, it was obvious to her that the rest of the world was blissfully unaware. Her knowledge might make her come off as some sort of interloper for whatever they were fighting. Ozpin seemed to be the only one who showed her any trust but it was to be expected. She was a Ruler like he was. It was natural to him that he thought she was aware.
"Tell me, does she talk to you?" Ozpin asked.
"Lady Israfil?" Pyrrha asked.
The name did not go unnoticed by the others. However, more questions arose. Why was the girl bringing up the Goddess of Life?
"No, not her. Lailah," Ozpin said.
"Lailah?" Pyrrha asked. She sensed the other presence inside of her shift. Is that… your name? I've been referring to you as the other me this whole time, she said.
The presence said nothing and Pyrrha felt her vanish from her mind. The elevator dinged as the group stepped out into the massive chamber and hallway.
"Lailah is the original," Ozpin said, walking out. Pyrrha followed closely behind him.
"Just like how you're the original one and the woman in front of the school?" Pyrrha asked.
"She's the second. No, wait, I believe the third? It's been so long I've lost track," he answered.
"Hold on, this is all going too fast. Original. Second. Ozpin, what is going on?" Ironwood asked.
Ozpin stopped and turned around. He sighed. "The reason I called Miss Nikos was not for the reason you all expected. It might have been a while back but now that is no longer the case," Ozpin said.
"So why did we bring her all the way down here?" Qrow asked.
"Because she might be our only chance at surviving all of this," Ozpin said. "So Miss Nikos, your answer?"
"Yes, I think. If you're referring to the shade that appears or the voice that speaks to me, then yes," Pyrrha said.
"So you haven't crossed over yet. Understandable, you've only recently received and been made aware of your status," Ozpin said.
"Her status as what?" Glynda asked.
"What I'm about to tell you is to be kept an utmost secret. It is a secret that has been mutually kept by me and her. Before the Maidens and before Remnant became what it is now, there were the Rulers. There existed Seven Rulers. Seven Rulers for the Seven Gods of Remnant.
"Each Ruler was blessed with divine preternatural power far surpassing what the Maidens were ever capable of. And beyond their natural ability, they possessed influence over the Domain of their God. The Ruler of Fire served the God of Fire. The Ruler of Water served the God of Water. Wind served the God of Wind. Earth served the God of Earth. Life served the God of Life. And Light and Darkness served the Gods of Light and Darkness respectively.
"However, a long time ago, these Rulers all disappeared due to a Great Cataclysm. All of them except one," Ozpin said.
"You," Ironwood said, deducing
"Yes. All but me. The Ruler of Light," Ozpin said.
"But why not tell us this? Why wait for so long?" Glynda asked.
Qrow remained silent throughout this revelation. Apart from the Nikos girl knowing and now Ozpin apparently having a connection to a God, this was all too much for a single sitting and he wasn't drunk enough.
Ironwood crossed his arms and stared at the two. This secret was something that not even Glynda and Qrow knew. How long had Ozpin kept this from them? These other Rulers. Were they a threat to them?
"The truth to be told is that… this is a secret I never intended to let out as long as I was reborn. I had hoped that our current plan would be enough but several factors convinced me that would not be so," Ozpin said.
Pyrrha remained silent, choosing not to comment on the reincarnation comment. The others in the room seemed to understand what Ozpin was saying on that part.
"Factors?" Ironwood asked. He decided to give Ozpin the benefit of the doubt for now. However, he would not let this go. The situation at hand was far more important than Ozpin's secrecy. Once this was over, he was going to get answers. Even if Ironwood had to force them out, Ozpin would talk.
"Yes, factors. That's all I will say for now on the matter. For now, let us focus on the task at hand. The role Miss Nikos will play in this and the role of the Fall Maiden," Ozpin said.
"So which Ruler is she?" Qrow asked. "You mentioned Seven."
"Which one is she?" Ozpin asked. "Why don't you take a gander, Qrow? If I am Light, and I call her my counterpart, then her domain is…"
"Darkness." Glynda reached for her riding crop.
"Yes. Miss Nikos is the Ruler of Darkness and as such, befitting of her connection to the God of Darkness, she has the potential to control the Grimm. Miss Nikos's control would be far greater than anything she is capable of," Ozpin said.
The three stiffened and locked their gazes on Pyrrha. The one Ozpin had chosen had the capability to do the same thing as their very enemy. The gears turned inside their heads as they contemplated their next choice. The three were torn between trusting Ozpin or eliminating Pyrrha before she became a threat. In James's head, Pyrrha had the potential to become a far bigger threat than even her. As Ozpin had stated, the girl drew her power from the Dark God. The very God that was responsible for the creation of the Grimm.
After a few tense minutes of walking, the group came to a stop in front of a massive machine. The machine consisted of multiple terminals connected to a series of large black wiring and tubes. At the ends of the wires and tubes were two pods. One of the pods lay empty while the other contained a young woman with a scar on her face. She was unconscious and if one didn't read the vital signs on the pod, they would mistake her for a corpse. A well-kept and clean corpse.
Pyrrha gasped softly and walked over to the pod. She placed her hand over the glass.
"Had the situation been different, you would have been in the other pod. And Amber… Amber might not have died in vain," Ozpin said, walking up to her side.
So her name is Amber. "How… How does it work? The Maiden Power," Pyrrha asked, never once taking her eyes off the girl.
"Through a series of convoluted rules," Qrow answered.
"Qrow," Glynda said. "But he isn't wrong. There is one consistency amongst the Maidens in that all the candidates are young women. It's when the power passes on that it starts to get far more complicated. Over the years, we've discovered that the Maiden passes her power on to the last person in her thoughts."
"Unless if the last person in her thoughts is an old hag or a dude, then the power chooses randomly," Qrow said.
"Unfortunately, for all we know, Amber's last thoughts could be her assailant or if she suddenly dies, the power could seek its other half," Ironwood said.
"Other half?" Pyrrha asked.
Ozpin's face darkened as he stared at the pod. "This girl. Her power is split. The Magic of the Maidens and its host share a symbiotic relationship. In a way, it acts like a vital organ. Damage or remove it and the user won't be able to sustain themselves for long and the power gets a host."
"So what do we do? I can't take this power on," Pyrrha said.
"I know. I had hoped that wouldn't be the case as horrible as it sounds to force such a burden upon you. But compared to the cross you bear now, this burden might seem like child's play," Ozpin said. "You are taking this far better than I expected."
"I've seen things when I first awakened this. I've been made aware of things that go against everything we know about Remnant and the world." Pyrrha gripped her arm. "And at first, I refused to believe it but… these past few days and now this, I've come to terms with what I am and… what is truly out there."
"So you're aware of her?" Ozpin asked.
"They refer to her as The Princess," Pyrrha said. She returned her gaze to the glass and looked at the girl sadly. Her senses felt for the waning power inside the girl and noticed something familiar. "The Maiden Power… it's your power isn't it?"
Ozpin closed his eyes. "Yes. The power the maidens wield is almost a fourth of my original power."
"Why not just take them back?" Pyrrha asked.
"I won't let an innocent girl die just to regain my power," Ozpin said. "And it's not that simple. Normally, Ruler power cannot be removed or stolen but with the right tools, the Ruler can distribute their power to others. But… as you can see…"
"It can be stolen once it's no longer with the Ruler," Pyrrha finished.
"So kid. Since you're not going to be the Maiden, what are you going to do? Other than Ozpin, the rest of us think that you're now a liability," Qrow said.
"Qrow!" Glynda chastised.
"What? Ozpin's guardian failed. We don't exactly have the time to look for another candidate," Qrow said.
"He's right. Without Miss Nikos accepting this power, we might as well hand it to the enemy on a silver platter," Ironwood said.
"How… How would this work? If she's unconscious, how will she transfer her power to the host you chose?" Pyrrha asked.
The four looked at each other, unsure of how to answer her. Glynda looked rather uncomfortable at the prospect of having to answer such a question. The methods made her sick and it violated the laws of nature and aura. Not only that but the process itself violated Amber as a person both physically and spiritually.
Pyrrha's eyes shifted between each adult. It was clear she wasn't going to get a clear answer or any answer at all. She sighed and dropped her shoulders. Was there anything she could do in this situation? Compared to Ozpin, Pyrrha had zero experience as a Ruler. Qrow was right. She might as well be a liability.
"So what now?" Pyrrha asked.
"It depends on your decision. We have very little time to look and… from your expression, you are aware that I don't have time to properly teach you how to cross over. Even with guidance from Lady Israfil, crossing over is a choice made by you. It's not a matter of I choose to be this, it is a matter of will and if your will is not strong, then you cannot become a full-fledged Ruler," Ozpin said.
Pyrrha remained silent. Was it really all for naught? Did her training not even matter? Was this disaster that Israfil foretold fated to pass?
"But," Ozpin added.
Pyrrha looked up at the silver-haired man. He sighed and pushed his glasses up. "If Lady Israfil truly believes that you are capable of averting this disaster, then I shall abide by her word. Of all the Gods, she is the only one who has come to check on Remnant in these thousands of years. Her Ruler appearing during the Great War was proof of that," Ozpin said.
"I don't want to interrupt but Tinman is right. I don't care that you've kept this secret and frankly, it explains a lot about what you can do. Blessing from God or not, this girl is our only hope. So, what do we do now?" Qrow asked.
"I want to help. I don't know how much help I can be but… please, if it's for the safety of everyone." Pyrrha's mind flashed with images of her mother. Images of her team. Images of Jaune. "I want to help as much as I possibly can."
"There's no way you can possibly help as you are, kid. Ruler or not, these people might be above your paygrade," Qrow said.
"There might be… something I can do but I need to think about it," Pyrrha mumbled. Her words weren't heard by the adults in the room but Ozpin saw her mouth moving.
"Do you have an idea?" Ozpin asked.
"I do but… I don't know how much it will help. I need time to think about this," Pyrrha said.
"I understand that this might be a big decision. However, the status you've been graced with. The burden you now carry walking this path is akin to a curse. I will give you until the end of the tournament. I need your decision by then and whatever idea it is that you are thinking of so deeply," Ozpin said. "The fate of this world hangs in the balance."
Pyrrha gulped upon hearing those words. However, she knew that she would be forced to make a difficult choice regarding this matter. Israfil herself said as much. In addition, after whatever disaster she foresaw passed, would Jaune and Alice be able to live normally anymore. The idea she had guaranteed that would no longer be the case.
She gripped her arm and stared at the floor. Jaune, Alice… what do I do?
Israfil sat atop the Beacon Tower. No doubt, Ozpin and Pyrrha were having a difficult conversation. She only wished Ozma hadn't involved so many people. The gears of fate were moving accordingly to what she had foreseen. The only factors that could throw fate off its predetermined course were them.
"What are you sitting up here for?"
Israfil was roused from her thoughts by the presence of another. She smiled gently, recognizing the warm presence.
Behind her was a man. He floated gracefully in the air, arms crossed and face full of concern. He was a beautiful man with effeminate features. The man had long, flowing flaming orange hair and eyes that resembled that of the setting sun. He wore white robes with red embroidery. The light of the sunset reflected across his tanned skin as he floated over to her.
"Auriel," Israfil said.
"Isla," he greeted. "Why the long face?"
"I was thinking. Thinking of this world's future," Israfil said.
"How strange. Despite being the God of Life, you were never one to think of the course the world's fate took. You said that such a concern belonged solely to Mikhaela," Auriel said.
"Sister is too preoccupied at the moment to be worried about Fate."
"That is true." Auriel let out a puff of smoke from his mouth yet he had no cigarette on him.
"Brother and Sister are happy. Even with the burdens they face, they seem… happier. The happiest they've been since the Previous Era," Israfil said.
"It would appear that becoming human did wonders for them," Auriel said.
"Cut the small talk. Why are you really here?" she asked.
"The others. The others have come down. The fated time is drawing near and the cataclysm at this school will serve as the catalyst. Jibril is hovering around Mistral. Anael is wandering the streets of Mantle and Atlas. I believe Sachiel is at Vacuo. That leaves you and me here in Vale," Auriel said.
"Why Vale?" Israfil asked.
"The others are looking for potential Rulers for the upcoming Fated Event. I don't want to be left out. Especially since Brother already created one and Sister has had hers running around down here for thousands of years," he replied. "I figured it was time for us to start getting new ones. How about you?"
"I haven't decided yet. At the moment, there isn't anyone that catches my attention," she answered.
"No one? I see we're in the same boat," Auriel said. "I was hoping this tournament would be a good time to find one."
"..." Israfil remained silent as she looked down at the courtyard. She spotted her brother and sister walking with their team. Pyrrha was missing as she was with the Ruler of Light.
"Time is running out," Israfil said.
"Indeed." her brother nodded at her words.
"She's becoming more desperate, sending two operatives over here," she said.
"Let's hope for this world's sake that those two will be strong enough to make the correct decision," Auriel said.
"And pray tell brother, what decision is that?" Israfil asked.
"To embrace their Divinity once more."
So Pyrrha and Ozpin had their talk. Pyrrha found out Ozpin is the Ruler of Light and everyone else found out that Pyrrha is the Ruler of Darkness. And the Gods have descended upon Remnant once more and are looking for Rulers. I won't add them now. Maybe in the future but I guess you can figure out which God Auriel is just by his description. Let's see if you can figure out which God is which.
For reference, here's a list of all Seven from oldest to youngest.
1. Alice/Mikhaela (God of Light)
2. Jaune/Samael (God of Darkness)
3. Auriel (God of Fire)
4. Jibril (God of ?)
5. Anael (God of ?)
6. Sachiel (God of ?)
7. Israfil (God of Life)
I don't remember which reader made the comment but one of you mentioned that Nora should become the Ruler of Wind due to her semblance being related to electricity. I found that concept interesting and I'll put it on the backburner for now. After this chapter, it's back to the tournament and hopefully, we can wrap up Volume 3 before the end of the year. Don't worry for those of you who brought up the Penny Incident. I promise that nothing will happen to her. I can 95% guarantee it. However, I can tell you that the Fall of Beacon won't have as far-reaching consequences as it did in the show thanks to Roman. But, people will still die and choices will be made.
PS: Pyrrha's Dad will appear next chapter. So will Pyrrha's mom.