It's time for a classic from my childhood

Inspiration:The Lion king

''Let's expand our numbers a bit.'' said Vermillion as he snapped his fingers filling up the empty seats.

"Why do you snap your fingers? it's completely unnecessary" asked Cobalt.

"I believe in being stylish whenever I do something."

"But finger snapping isn't stylish."

In a flash of light Salem and her forces then appeared, filling up some of the seats. For some reason most of them seemed to be annoyed except Tyrian.

"So then I said- what the hell!" Tyrian said cutting his story short, to the relief. "Where are we?"

"Excuse me, what is the meaning of this?" asked Cinder. This caught everyone of guard and everyone's mood soured significantly. Everyone except Emerald of course.

"What is she doing here?" yelled Jaune as he angrily pointed at Cinder.

"Do you mind we're in the middle of something." replied Vermilion.

"Vermilion, I think we should address our guests."

"Fine, we'll finish this later." said Vermilion. "Welcome to Crimson theater, a room that exists in the boundary between universes."

"From here one can gaze upon infinite timelines."

"I've never heard of such a concept." said Salem. She then looked around the theater at all the terrified faces till she saw one that grasped her attention. "Ozma? You're here too, strange." Salem said. "Why does your host look ...older?"

"Mistress I believe that is a different Ozma." said Tyrian

"What makes you say that?" asked Hazel.

"Because the one I'm more familiar with the one standing right there." said Tyrian as he pointed at Oscar.

"Mercury are you seeing this?" asked Emerald.

"I am, and to be fair I'm not even surprised anymore." said an unperturbed Mercury.

"Two Ozmas, perhaps there is a grain of truth to what you said." Salem said. "What is it you have brought us here to watch."

"A musical." replied Cobalt much to Mercury and Yang's annoyance.

"Well, I got nothing better to do so what the hell." Mercury said as he accepted his fate. Why did it have to be a musical of all things?

Watts stood in front of a cliff face alone as the other agents of Salem arrived.

''Why did you call us here Watts?'' asked Cinder as she took a seat on a rock.

''You're in a rush.'' Watts replied. ''If I didn't know better I'd say you're afraid.''

''He seems laid back, a bit too laid back.'' said Glynda.

''That seems awfully uncharacteristic of me.''

''Of course we're afraid!'' yelled Tyrian. ''We've gathered here against the mistress's wishes, if she found out she'll have us killed!"

''This better be worth it, Arthur.'' said Hazel.

"They're scheming behind Salem's back." Noted Ironwood.

''Oh it will be.'' Arthur replied. ''We all had our own reason to join Salem.'' he said as he began walking around the camp

''Trouble in paradise my dear?'' Alternate Oscar joked. he got no response from Salem, causing him to frown. "Silent treatment, aren't you too old to be doing that?"

"He is a strange one isn't he Oscar?" remarked Ozpin.

''Watts you're not plotting against me are you?'' Salem said giving her underling a sideways glance.

''I would never do such a thing my mistress.''

''Good, because if you were, I'd have you flayed and use your skin as a warning to all others.''

''Some of us joined because we wanted power, others joined because we wanted vengence then there is Tyrian.''

''Is there a reason you're telling us what we already know.''

''But have we even come close to those goals? NO!'' said Watts.

''We are all pawns in Salem's game, easily disposable. We fight a war we'll never win, because she doesn't know how.''

''Watch your tongue!'' lashed out Tyrian. ''I won't stand here and listen to you insult my mistress.''

Tyrian smiled at his counterpart's outburst, a sign of his undying faith. It seemed that he will always be a true believer no matter where he is.

''Your mistress has yet to make due on her promises.'' Watts replied.

''It's clear that she doesn't care whether or not we live. I mean just look at Cinder and Roman.'' Watts continued. ''Roman was killed by one of her grimm and Cinder barely made it out one piece.''

"Mostly in one piece." Vermilion said causing Cinder to scowl.

He let his words hang and looked at Cinder.

"Roman was just another small time crook." Emerald said. "He wasn't as valuable as Cinder, she's important to Salem."

"Is she really?" Watts countered. "Salem could just eliminate her there and then and seek out the new maiden, she has all the time in the world after all."

''What do you suggest then?''

'Hazel I don't believe you're actually considereing this.'' said a shocked Tyrian

''Don't be foolish Tyrian, it's obvious what Salem has in mind does not involve us surviving.'' Hazel replied. '' I don't know about you but I for one do not want to be associated with a mass extinctinction.''

"Having second thoughts Hazel?"

''What do you suggest Watts?'' asked Cinder

''Salem has been unrestrained, bringing us more harm than it was worth, but fear not for I have a plan to fix that."

A song than started playing as Watts began to speak.

I never thought allies essential

You're crude and unspeakably plain.

But maybe they've a glimmer of potential

if they allied to my vision and brain

''I was worried he was going to sing.'' sighed Mercury, a dramatic poetry recital isn't that bad.

''Oh the song comes after this."

Watts walked up to Tyrian and grabbed by his jaw before pulling him closer.As the song continued Arthur began to sing

I know that your powers of retention

Are as wet as a warthog's backside

but-thick as you are pay-attention

My words are a matter of pride

Tyrian was left massaging his jaw as Arthur walked away. This newfound strength made no sense him, what happened to Watts.

It's clear from your vacant expressions

The lights are not all on upstairs

But we're talking rulers and successions

Even you can't be caught unawares!

"I thought he was trying to win them over not piss them off." Yang said as she smirked. It felt so satisfying.

So prepare for the chance of a lifetime

Be prepared for sensational news

A shining new era

Is tiptoeing nearer

Cinder however was getting tired of this and walked up to him. ''In this plan where, do we feature?''

Arthur was undeterred by this and calmly responded ''Just listen to teacher.''

Cinder clenched her fists and clenched her teeth. Did they just come here to be insulted.

Emerald seemed as if she was about to lash out at Watts only for Mercury to grab her by the wrist. He gave her a stern look as if her was telling her it wasn't worth it.

I know it sounds sordid

But you'll be reward

When at last I am given my dues

And injustice deliciously squared

Be prepared!

''Be prepared? Be prepared for what?''

''The fall of the queen.''

''Arthur, what have you done?''

''What needed to be done.''

''Your plan has one flaw, who will control the grim?''

"Someone is thinking ahead." Qrow said.

"They Grimm would be a greater threat if they aimlessly attacked."

Arthur smirked as his skin and hair turned white, black vein like markings covered his skin wild cackling were heard coming from the forest. Hyena like grimm entered the camp and swarmed around them. ''The grimm will have a leader and it will be me!'' a strange noise that sounded like chanting was heard.

Watts had a look of disgust on his face. Why would he go out of his way to do such a thing?

''But Salem is far too powerful too challenge.'' said Emerald.

''Going up against her, that's just asking to be killed .'' said Mercury.

''Salem is yesterday's message, a clapped-out regime.'' Watts said. ''Whose failings undoubtedly presage, the need for a different dream.''

''Her clandestine ways need changing, which means the grimm must too.''

''He's not wrong,'' Salem said arousing surprised looks. ''I've been far too lax in my approach, now it's time for me to be active?''

''Don't you think saying that infront of us is a bold risk?'' Ironwood said. ''We could be more prepared for whatever you have planned.''

''Oh General, whether or not you prepare for me makes no difference, you will still fall.''

''When i rule, we will have what we want.''

''My vision is clear and wide-ranging, and it even encompasses you.''

''Join me and I will make your dreams a reality. I will overthrow Salem and defeat Ozpin!''

''And if we refuse?"

''I can't have Salem finding out can I?'' the grimm then started growling as they slowly approached the group.

Hazel was the first the first to begrudgingly drop to his knees and bow, followed by Cinder,Mercury and Emerald. ''Hail the king.'' they chanted.

The grimm and Arthur turned to Tyrian. He briefly weighed his options, he wanted to stay faithful to his mistress, but the desire for self preservation was too great. He then bowed to Arthur, ''Long live the king.''

The grimm then started chanting as well ''Long live the king, Long live the king! Long live the king!'' before they sang as well.

''Finally grimm that say something else.'' Alternate Oscar. ''I swear if I heard one more ''nevermore'' it be too soon.''

''Wait the Grimm in your world actually speak.'' Ironwood asked in amazement.

''Yours don't?'' Alternate Oscar replied also surprised. ''It's only the Ravens that speak.''

''Ravens? You mean Nevermore.'' Yang corrected.

''Thats what you call them here, at least you're more creative.''

It's great that we'll soon be connected

With a king who'll be all-time adored.

''Looks like you've got some competition Weiss.'' Ruby joked.

Salem was amused, of course she didn't show it but the sight of the grimm singing and uniformly marching was quite a spectacle. She could have free entertainment

''Why couldn't you ever make Grimm like this?'' Alternate Oscar yelled.

Of course, qid pro quo, you're expected

To take certain duties on board

Watts then slid his finger across his throat, cementing what his intention were. If they weren't obvious enough

The future is littered with prizes

And though I'm the addressee

''Why am I not surprised.'' Cinder said as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

''Oh sweet Cinder,'' Watts said in faux sadness. ''You're words wound so much.''

The point that I must emphasize is

You won't get a sniff without me!

Watt's monstrous features became more ferocious he punched the cliff face producing a massive indentation and a web of cracks

So prepare for the coup of the century

Be prepared for the murkiest scam

Meticulous planning

Tenacity spanning

Decades of denial

Is simply why I'll

Be king undisputed

Respected, saluted

And seen for the wonder I am

With every word the prospect of ruling became more and more appealing. Yes, if he were in charge, in control of the Grimm maybe just maybe his talents will be appreciated. He could see it now, Arthur Watts ruler of Remnant. It had a nice ring to it.

Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared

Be prepared!

Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared

Be prepared!

''That was quite entertaining.'' Salem said with satisfied look on her face. ''Now, may we return to our world.''

''Not yet there is still more to see.'' said Cobalt


Where does the time go?