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Looking out his office window overseeing Beacon Academy, Headmaster Ozpin was deep within his thoughts. Reminiscing the last couple of years. Despite it being calm, there were memorable moments. Some were positive, though most were not. In particular, the handling of two students.
Jaune Arc was a unique situation to say the least. Having entered the Academy under false transcripts, he had allowed the young man into Beacon. He had potential. And while he did grow throughout his first year. A complication arose in the second year.
Pyrrha Nikos was, by all definitions, the perfect student. Diligent, hard-working, and all ways seeking to grow. It also helped being the consecutive reigning champion of the Mistral Regional Tournament, a prodigy through and through, And someone to keep an eye on.
The Vytal Festival was approaching the second semester. However in the background a difficult decision had to be made. The Fall Maiden, Amber, was slowly dying and Ozpin needed a suitable replacement, even if only half her magic was left. Pyrrha Nikos of team JNPR was the most suitable option.
Not wanting the powers to slip through his hands, with a heavy heart he had the Maidens' magic transferred to Pyrrha. The remainder of the Festival came and passed without complication. What came after was another story. Now that the Fall Maiden was able to fight once more the Headmaster brought her into his inner-circle, told her what she needed to know to ensure her loyalty to his cause.
Though one problem in particular kept rising since the transfer, Jaune Arc.
It was clear to anyone they had a special friendship, that Pyrrha wanted more than friendship despite his constant attempts to woo Weiss Shcnee. Her insistence on being glued to the hip of the boy made it difficult to train her in magic. Perhaps it was the fact that being put on the pedestal isolated the poor girl, and had found a piece of happiness through her leader's presence.
So the Headmaster believed that separating them was the only option left to get the new Maiden to focus on her responsibility. It was the middle of their first semester, as second year students, that Professor Ozpin called all students into the assembly hall to announce the expulsion of Jaune Arc from Beacon Academy. With the false transcripts coming to light the young man's dreams crumpled into dust, his friendship's broken in a single moment. His camaraderie with his team, and his friendship and trust with their sister team, RWBY, shattered irreparably.
He was belittled, ostracized, and shamed for his deception. But the worst was the fact his friends and his own team refused to listen to a single word of defense he made for himself, his reason to lie and hide away such a secret. With great shame Jaune Arc left Beacon Academy, never to return to the prestigious halls.
Ozpin wondered every now and again what happened to the boy, a week after leaving the school grounds it was reported that he never made it back to his hometown. He had completely disappeared, no traces could be found of him. Regret always followed that train of thought, that the professor had a hand in the young man's disappearance. As promising as he was, the Fall Maiden took precedence.
He can only hope that the right choice was made. To say that Pyrrha was devastated would be an understatement. It took weeks of comforting and coaxing from her friend and remaining teammates to get the girl on her feet again. But months of rebuilding after the apparent 'betrayal' and disappearance Ozpin finally got the edge he needed to fight back against her.
It's been two years since then, the Fall Maiden is now in her fourth year in Beacon. Soon she will be able to move more freely to do what Ozpin needs once she is a licensed huntress. The Headmaster had also brought in team RWBY and the last two members of PNR so the burden wasn't so heavy on Miss Nikos.
Yes, the tides of change are finally here. The time to push back grows closer, and just maybe, the means of ending this shadow war of his. The Professor can only hope that luck will remain on his side for a little longer.
His train of thoughts had been de-railed by the ringing of his scroll. The previous thoughts pushed away so he could focus once more. Walking towards the desk, sitting upon his chair before finally answering the scroll. "Headmaster Ozpin, you have a guest wanting a meeting with you." The receptionist's formal tone came through.
"I see. Send them up towards my office please." He answered back in a calm voice. Wondering who this individual was, the receptionist never stated it was a student. Once the elevator doors opened into the Headmaster's office Ozpin was greeted with the visage of an elderly man. He wore quite the formal-wear, and looked as if he belonged with the elitists in Atlas.
"Good evening Headmaster, I've been quite eager to talk to you." the unnamed gentleman spoke in a jovial voice before entering the office and taking a seat. The professor simply grabbed the mug sitting on his desk, taking a sip before responding. "Good evening as well, now what is it that you wish to discuss with me?" He asked directly.
"To the point I see. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Zelretch, and I have a proposition for you, Headmaster." Getting straight to the subject at hand he continued. "I wish to offer you an edge in your efforts to fight against the Witch". Stunned momentarily, the professor's thoughts raced in urgency, before he could ask anything, the elderly man spoke again.
"Now I did not come here looking to give you a heart attack Headmaster. I've come here to give you help, I have been watching your little war for a while now and I believe that my help could swing victory towards mankind's survival here on Remnant."
The smile on Zelretch's face did not waver for a moment opposed to the Headmaster's ever-widening eyes Staring at the mysterious man in front of him. He had realized he hadn't responded for nearly a minute. Recomposing himself Ozpin believed that now would be a good time to be asking questions of his own. "And why would you offer your aid in my efforts in combating her?" Ozpin decided asking about the offer would be a good start.
Zelretch seemed eager to talk about said offer. "You see, Headmaster I made a deal some time ago to save my world from certain destruction, and that I would return the favor to Remnant. And I certainly believe that now more than ever would be a good starting place in saving your world."
"Your world?" He choked out slowly. "Just who are you?" Ozpin's voice dropped dangerously low. He had to tread carefully with this new unknown.
His smile only grew bigger at that question. "Allow me to reintroduce myself, I am Kichur Zelretch Schweinorg. And I am the Wizard Marshall of the London Clock Tower back on Earth."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"...I'm sorry, you're a what?" Ozpin finally found his voice again.
"I'm sure I said it quite clearly, I am a magician, the wizard Marshal." Zelretch repeated himself before continuing. "What do you say Ozma, will you accept my offer?" His smile only grew bigger seeing the Headmaster's reaction.
Ozpin felt a shiver go down his spine when the wizard in front of him uttered that name. It's been centuries since he was ever called that name, not since… no, it's better not to think of those times.
"And if I accept?" he had finally asked.
"I know of someone who would be a great boon to you in fighting against the witches' pawns, it also helps that he seeks to become a hero." Zelretch gave minimal information waiting until the Headmaster came to a decision.
The professor began thinking. Whoever this person was that Zelretch spoke of meant that they had power. Power he desperately needed on his side. He was beginning to get desperate, resorting to methods he never believed himself capable of. Centuries of fighting had warped his way of thinking and he was teetering on the edge of insanity soon.
He was tired of struggling.
Perhaps this was a risk… but it was a risk he was willing to take. For too long he had been on the back foot. This was his chance to push back and regain ground against her. At this moment, Remnants fate hanged on his decision in putting his trust into the unknown. He prayed to the Brother Gods' that he made the right choice.
The moment felt like an eternity until he spoke his choice. "I… I accept."
There was no going back now. All he could do is keep moving forward.
"I'm happy to hear you've accepted Headmaster. Trust when I say that great things will come to pass, the course of fate has changed and new possibilities have been born at this moment. Simply hold on to hope and learn to trust once again and just maybe we can save this world."
Zelretch began to move to the elevator to leave the office, but before leaving one more thing was addressed. "I will be back tomorrow at the same time, I suggest that you gather your closest confidantes and the children you have brought into this war. They will be working with this new addition quite a bit, and first impressions are important after all. With that said, I wish you a good day Headmaster."
Once he had left Ozpin unceremoniously slumped in his chair.
He had calls to make.
It was the day after his interaction with Zelretch, Ozpin had contacted his inner circle, informing them of the meeting with the magician. His closest ally and friend Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch, had, of course, ripped him a new one for taking such a reckless action. Then proceeded to prepare for the meeting with haste. Gathering and informing team RWBY and PNR for what's to come.
And so with everyone needed inside his office they waited for Zelretch's return.
He answered his scroll as soon as it had rang, the receptionist's voice came through. "Hello sir, the gentleman from yesterday has come for another meeting with you."
"Yes, please send him up to my office please." Hanging up the scroll. It was clear to everyone in the room that he was nervous for what is to come.
No, he needed to have faith that everything would work out. Because he wouldn't be able to live with himself if it didn't. He made a fool of himself yesterday being stringed along by this new element. He needed answers this time around. The elevator chimed and opened with the old man stepping into the room. Walking toward the Headmaster's desk and sitting in the same spot as yesterday.
He was the first to speak. "Hello everyone, I assume that each of you were informed of who I am and the deal made yesterday, so I will simply answer some of your questions." Everyone seemed to ease a little at the calmness of his words. Ozpin would lead this conversation.
"Why are you interested in Remnant's affairs?" The first step was taken, all he needed to do was keep composure and a level-head.
"That is a loaded question, Hopefully it will answer some of your other questions you may have. I Possess the Magic known as the Kaleidoscope, granting me the ability to view and enter any universe and their variants whenever I desire. Remnant was one I had stumbled upon during my usual searching. I watched its history playout and simply decided that this moment would be the most beneficial for me to meddle in." He explained nonchalantly, waiting for the group's next question.
During Ozpin's explanation of his meeting with the man in front of her, there was one aspect of their conversation that gnawed at Goodwitch's curiosity. "What was the deal you made to owe our world the same favor in saving it?"
Zelretch seemed pleased with the question asked. "Understand that most universes and worlds have certain mechanics that keep them stable. Tethers are very important ones. Certain individuals are tied to events that can either save or destroy said world. While they vary in numbers, they will always be needed."
This was most certainly NOT what Goodwitch expected to hear, however…
"That didn't really answer what I asked" Unfazed the man simply continued. " Oh but it is very important for you to know this since one of Earth's variants had their tether erased. I had to find a suitable replacement so it could survive, and while watching the events of Remnant play out, a solution presented itself to me. I simply made a deal with one of your world's higher powers to take said solution."
"The Brother Gods?" Ozpin needed to know if the Brother's were still watching over their creations. Did they still find them worth saving? " Sorry, but that is something I cannot disclose to anyone just yet" And there goes his answer.
"So who is it that you took?" Ruby Rose, leader of team RWBY, had blurted out what was on her mind. "Miss Goodwitch told us that we would be working with someone new soon, is it the person you had taken to save Earth?"
That smile of his grew again. "I'm glad you asked Miss Rose." "Wait I haven't told you my name-." "Yes it is the one it took to Earth, I am simply returning what I had borrowed, but please understand if they want to go back that I will comply with their wishes."
That… was actually pretty reasonable to the group. "Then let us give them a warm welcome." Ruby declared. Whoever this person was deserved a welcome back home.
"Then please wait here while I retrieve him." Standing from his seat, a portal opened beside the magician. It was a bit nauseous to look at with all the swirling colors. "This may take a little bit so please be patient." He entered the portal right after.
The waiting part was like an eternity, thirty long minutes stretched before the portal opened once more. Zelretch entered first, looking around to make sure everyone was still in the office. "You can come through now." He called out to someone on the other side of the portal.
Ruby's imagination had run rampant while waiting, was this person older than her? Younger? How skilled was he? She really hoped they could all get along, as it would make working together much easier.
A steel covered boot entered first before the rest followed, he was easily six foot tall, maybe even a little taller. He had black pants along with a faded black long sleeved shirt. He wore a long ragged red cloth like a shroud. His skin was slightly tanned, as if he was constantly under the sun. He had slightly long, pure white hair. And finally grey eyes that reminded Ruby of steel.
Overall he looked as if he came from the harsh deserts of Vacou. Though looking at his face, he kind of reminded her of someone she once knew. Everyone in the room came to the same thought. He looked just like-
"WAIT, JAUNE?!" Ruby shouted at the top of her lungs, saying what everyone was thinking.
"Oh, the old man told you about me? Well I should at least still introduce myself." He seemed unfazed by her outburst. He slightly bowed before speaking again. "Hello everyone, my name is Emiya Jaune. I hope we can get along."
The room was completely silent before the sound of Zelretch laughing was heard.
Hello Everyone to my very first fanfic! I decided that if I was going to try writing then I would go big with this crossover. English is my first and only language and I'm still terrible at it. So I will greatly appreciate any criticisms given so I can grow as a writer, and hopefully deliver all of you an enjoyable story experience. With that said, actually finding the right words to start this story was a nightmare, but I'm sure it will get easier with time. For now I would like to thank you for your time, have a nice day!