You have silver eyes... (RWBY Fanfic)

You have silver eyes…

Prologue  

Oscar cried as he cradled the broken body of Ruby Rose. His tears streaming down his face to land in the growing pool of blood that was forming beneath her.

They had finally won, Ruby had managed to rid Salem of her darkness and turn her to the light by using the relic of creation to create her a new body. A mortal body without the memories of who she used to be, and therefore none of the tragic past she was trying to escape. She had been quickly killed by one of her own. Though this mistake had come at a drastic price, Tyrian, enraged at the death of his goddess, had broken Ruby’s neck before Oscar had managed to subdue him. Everyone was gone, killed in the fight, and Oscar was the only one who was left.

After some time Oscar rose from the ground and walked toward the relics, all four had been gathered and were still laying scattered about. He retrieved them all, barely withholding more tears as he tugged the relic of knowledge from Weiss’s cold unresponding hands. He then started putting the relics together. Once the final one was in place there was flash as he was transported to the same white void Ozpin had been transported to when he was first burdened with his task.

“Why have you summoned us?” The dark god asked angrily. “Humanity isn’t ready to be judged!”

The light god studied the crying boy in front of him. “You haven’t joined with Ozpin yet.” He stated.

The dark god whirled on the light god, “What! How can he not have joined? All the souls do, and at his age they should have joined even faster due to his weak aura. Are you sure you forged the reincarnation correctly? ALSO WHY HAVE WE BEEN SUMMONED!”

“Quiet brother,” The light god replied before addressing Oscar. “Why have you summoned us? Humanity is no where near ready to be judged. Salem may be gone but the damage she’s done is still there. Humanity will have to be wiped out.”

Oscar hung his head, “I know. That’s what Ozpin said you’d say. But I don’t care.”

“YOU DON’T CARE!” The dark god said, exploding. “Forget wiping out humanity let’s just kill this idiot! I thought humans were supposed to value their lives!”

“Quiet brother!” The light god said firmly, “Calm down.”

The dark god grumbled a bit but obliged and stayed silent.

“Your tragic state of affairs aside. How come you haven’t joined with Ozpin yet? My brother was right when he said that you should have joined together faster, not slower.” The light god asked.

Oscar gave a soft smile, “Ruby helped me. She made me realize that I could be my own person even if I did have someone else’s memories. She taught me how take everything I get from Ozpin and make it my own through hard work and study. We’ll never join now. He’ll just be my voice of reason.”

“I suppose this Ruby is the reason you are willing to throw away thousands of lives and have us wipe out humanity?” The light god asked.

Oscar sunk to his knees and nodded, “All my friends are gone, all my family’s gone, humanity’s obviously not going to change, so, why bother.”

The light god gave Oscar a considering glance, “What if you had a second chance to save her?”

At that the dark god looked back and forth between his brother and Oscar incredulously, but he kept his vow of silence.

Oscar looked at the light god, stunned. “What?”

The light god sighed, “You love for her is strong, strong enough for you to forego thousands of lives just because she’s gone. Love like this deserves a second chance.” “But,” He said, interrupting Oscar as he opened his mouth to thank him. “Only one more chance. If we are summoned again for something like this, we won’t be so merciful. Humanity will be judged, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

With those words there was a flash of light and Oscar woke up in his bed on the farm.

Chapter One

Oscar sighed as he looked out the window of the bullhead and down into the city below. It had been two months since he had left the farm and come to Vale. Leaving everything behind to aim for a career as a huntsman.

His aunt hadn’t been happy about the decision at first but had let him go with open arms after hearing that the official age to attend was 17 and you needed to pass an entrance exam. He was a farmer, she reasoned. She blatantly told him she expected him to go there, try and get in early, fail, and then come back. He could only imagine how surprised she’d be if he did end up convincing Ozpin to let him stay.

The bullhead lurched a bit as it descended towards the landing pad, its occupants gathering around the exit, eager to get to Beacon. He joined them, his eyes instantly finding Ruby in the crowd. While his Ruby portrayed herself as a warrior, sharp steely eyes that were always watching for a threat and a stance as if she were ready to battle at a moments notice, yet still managing to hold an innocence to her as she remembered the reason she fought. This Ruby was just innocence, unprepared for the hardship of war as she viewed the world through the eyes of a fairytale. He right then and there vowed to protect this innocence, make sure that this time round she emerged unscathed both physically, and mentally.

As he made that vow he hissed, clutching a hand to his chest, his heart feeling as if it were on fire. As he remembered just how scathed she had ended up the first time round. His mind flashing back to the feeling of holding her broken body in his arms.

“No!” He said, jerking his mind away from the memory and striding off the bullhead the minute it landed. He then smiled, the memory fading from his mind as he heard, "Oh my gosh, sis! That kid's got a collapsible staff!” Of course Ruby would be in awe of the weapons rather than the school.

But never mind Ruby, he knew she would be okay until initiation. He needed to find a way to get to Ozpin and secure his spot at the school! This whole trip would be a bust otherwise.

After a few minutes of searching he found Glynda Goodwitch in one of the halls overseeing the slowing pouring in students.

“Pardon me but are you Professor Goodwitch?” He asked hesitantly, just to be sure.

Glynda turned and startling at seeing something as young, if not younger, then Ruby here. He didn’t blame her, he technically hadn’t been invited.

“You’re…….a bit young, to be here.” She said slowly, narrowing her eyes. “Did you get on the wrong ship? Or did Ozpin invite another one?”  She said, muttering the last part under her breath.

“No and no, but I am here to speak the Headmaster.” He said slowly, not wanting to anger his only potential link to Ozpin.

“I’m sorry but the Headmast-“

He cut her off, “It’s about the Fall Maiden under the school and the relic of choice hidden in-“

This time it was her who cut him off, holding a hand to his mouth and looking around franticly. “We can’t speak about that here. Come on, I’ll take you to him.”

She then proceeded to drag him Ozpin’s office, tapping her foot nervously and casting unsure glances at him as they rode the elevator up. It was a bit unnerving to see her so rattled after just one sentence. He didn’t think Ozpin had ever seen her this rattled. He supposed it would be a bit of a shock to have a fourteen year-old boy at a school meant for seventeen year-olds walk up to you and then proceed to mention two of the schools biggest secrets.

Within minutes they had arrived and she dragged him by the arm over the Ozpin’s desk. “Sir we’ve got a problem.”

“It’s the first day of school Glynda, surely whatever it is can wait.” Ozpin said, not even looking up from his paperwork.

“But sir, he mentioned………Amber.”

That sure got Ozpin’s attention, he looked up to examine the unassuming fourteen year-old boy standing before him. Looking into the boy’s eyes he was greatly surprised by the drained, weary, and hardened look in them. It was as nearly identical, if not more prominent, to Ozpin’s own.

Oscar just calmly looked at Ozpin as his eyes swept over him, coming to a rest on his eyes. “You know about the maidens?” Ozpin asked.

“I know everything you do,” And with that Oscar preceded to tell them his tale. From the moment he first heard Ozpin’s voice in his head, to the moment he woke up back in his bed on the farm two months ago.

“And now I just have one goal from here on forward. Protect Ruby at any cost.” Oscar finished.

Glynda was in shock, his tale was preposterous, impossible even, but…… She’d seen the same look in his eyes that Ozpin had. One that told of a boy that had seen battle, war, and death. One didn’t just simply get that look at his age unless something truly world-ending had happened.

Ozpin gave him a considering glance. “I suppose you want permission to attend Beacon.”

Oscar nodded, “It would make my task easier yes.”

“Okay.” Ozpin simply said.

Oscar stared at him dumbfounded, “Okay? You’re just going to yes just like that!”

“Given the circumstances I think it’s the only thing we can do, Glynda wouldn’t you agree?”

Glynda nodded, “It does make sense, shall I arrange his living quarters?”

“No, have him attend initiation. He’ll be assigned a team. Though I have no doubt that he’ll manage to find a way to join team RWBY despite precedence. That will be all.” Ozpin said, going back to his paperwork.

Oscar didn’t say anything, still in shock a bit as he was dragged away by Glynda.

Minutes later he was standing at the entrance to the auditorium.

After a few seconds of standing there in shock he finally stepped in and surveyed the room, his eyes landing on Ruby who was flinching away from an unhappy Weiss. Jerking his eyes away he decided to search the room for an easier target. Eventually he found what he was looking for, Nora Valkyrie hugging a silent Lie Ren. He then wandered over until he was standing right in front of the pair. Lie Ren spotted him first and said, “Umm….Nora?”

“Yes Ren?”

“I think someone wants to talk to us.” Ren said, maneuvering Nora off his back.

Nora looked up and spotted the young Oscar Pine standing in front of them. Dashing up she immediately said, “Hi, I’m Nora, what’s your name. You look young. How old are you? Is that a collapsible cane? Is it your weapon? Is it hard using something that isn’t a weapon as a weapon? Ooo, do you like sloths? They’re my favorite. How dare you not like sloths! Let’s eat pancakes some time.” Nora said, berating him with questions and statements.

Oscar just looked at her calmly, “I’m Oscar Pine. I’m a fourteen year-old. Yes, my weapon is a collapsible cane. No I don’t find it hard to use it at all. I love sloths. I’d love to join you for pancakes.”

Ren put a hand on Nora’s should, dragging her back before she could ask more questions so that he could start asking some of his own, “How come you were let into the school? The official age to get accepted is seventeen.”

“Ozpin was impressed enough with my skills to let me join early. You’ll see why during initiation.” Oscar replied.

Ren had opened his mouth to ask how he knew that when Ozpin cleared his throat into the microphone, grabbing their attention.

“I’ll... keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step.” Ozpin said before walking off the stage.

Glynda then stepped up to talk and said, “You will gather in the ballroom tonight; tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed.”

Oscar turned Ren and Nora, “I have to go, nice meeting you though, bye.” With that he walked away.

“Though you don’t know just how many pancakes I have already had with you, Nora.” He whispered softly with a slight smile as he left.

Chapter Two

Oscar entered the ballroom with sigh, surveying the crowded room and finding Ruby, just to be sure he really was going to be able to keep an eye on he. He then positioned his sleeping bag so that he would have a direct view of her location at all times before leaving to change into his pajamas.

Once he came back in his simple green tank top and white pants, his orange overcoat over it all and his bandages still tightly wrapped around his neck. He settled down, pulled out his sketchbook and began to draw his latest image. Glynda frozen mid fall as she fell from the tower of Haven Academy, her enemy’s hands still visible as they retracted into the safety of the tower. A tear slid down his cheek as he remembered that day. Glynda was helping them search for Leo’s body when Hazel had pushed her off. Nora was the one to finally avenge her.

“Exc - excuse me, are you okay?”

Oscar looked up from his drawing into the bright emerald green eyes of Pyrrha Nikkos. The eventual Fall Maiden who died trying to protect her school. His heart clenched painfully as he remembered her death, a memory that came from Ozpin, not him. Without missing a beat he finished his disturbingly realistic drawing and flipped to the next page as he began to draw the death of the girl in front of him.

“I’m fine, sorry. Just remembering something unpleasant. Sorry if I was bothering you.” Oscar replied, still drawing.

“No, no, it’s fine.” Pyrrha said, shaking her head. “It’s just…..It must have been a really unpleasant thought if caused you to cry.”

“The death of someone often is,” He muttered under his breath before giving her a smile. “I guess it was. Is there anything you wanted to talk about?”

“Well, I don’t mean to be rude but…….aren’t you a bit young to be here?” Pyrrha asked, shifting uncomfortably.

Oscar sighed, he had expected this question to come up eventually, he just hadn’t known from whom, now he did. “Yes, I suppose I am, however Ozpin was impressed enough with my skills to let me join early. Also, as far as I’m aware of I’m not the only one to be let in early, Ruby Rose, I believe her name was.” He said, putting on the facade of thinking about it as he continued to draw.

“Ruby Rose, that’s me.” Ruby said, zipping over, out of the fight that she had commenced with her sister by Blake and Weiss. “What about me are you talking about?”

“Ozpin told me that you were the only other person let in early, I just didn’t know who you were.” Oscar said, keeping a cautious eye on her sister as Yang wandered over.

“Hey sis, why’d you run off like that?” She asked, coming to a stop by Ruby.

“He said my name. Apparently Ozpin mentioned me as the only other person to get in early. I’M FAMOUS!” Ruby said excitedly, she turned back to Oscar. “I got in by stopping a robbery. How did you get in?”

“He was impressed by my skills, you’ll see why during initiation.” Oscar said.

Pyrrha peered at Ruby, “It must have been a really impressive robbery if it was enough to get you in early, congratulations.” With that she walked away, hearing someone else calling for her.

Yang then peered down at Oscar’s sketchpad, “What ya drawin?” She asked, trying to make out what it was.

Oscar closed the sketchpad with a bang and if looks could kill, Yang would be on the floor dead. “You don’t want to know.” He said, pouring every ounce of venom he could into his voice.

Yang was about to argue when she took a look at his face, which was dead serious and told of untold dangers if she did look at it. “Okay.”

Ruby was dumbstruck. Yang actually agreed to just leave something, without dropping a pun, it was a miracle!

“So, you have silver eyes.” Oscar said, looking at her bright silver eyes. Ozpin had said it, he had said it when he was Ozpin, and he was saying it now as himself, if she had her original memories she would be laughing to no end as the phrase came full circle.

Ruby looked at him oddly, “Yeah…..”

“You know legend has it that those born with silver eyes are said to be destined to lead the life of a warrior. They wield a power quite unlike what the world has ever seen, the ability to crumble hordes of Grimm to dust if it means protecting their friends.” Oscar said softly, looking deep into her eyes before abruptly turning away, “But that’s just a fairytale, good night.” With that he turned out the lights, listening as Yang and Ruby grumbled, making their way back to their sleeping bags. Once he was sure they found their way back safely he finally let sleep lure him away.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

He woke with a start, his body thrumming with unimaginable amounts of pain as his dream of remembering each of the deaths one by one ran through his mind. As his eyes flew open he gasped, trying to tear his mind away from the memories. As he slowly calmed down he looked around to see if anyone had been woken up by his sudden awakening, only one had been: Blake Belladonna. His mouth, which had been open in a soundless scream quickly morphed into a sheepish smile as he tried to act like nothing happened.

When she finally directed her gaze back to her book, deciding to read the extra time away, he quickly got out of his sleeping bag, packed everything up, and left.

He’d skip breakfast, he decided. In his original timeline he’d been able to go days without food or water and it wouldn’t be any different here. He could eat with everyone else when he finally got assigned a team, but right now there just wasn’t any point.

So instead he dropped off his bags and went to the gym.

Three hours later he decided that he had definitely skipped breakfast and walked with his cane to the cliffs for initiation. He had refused to give it up for a weapons locker last night, saying that he needed it to walk. He didn’t, but since the ones collecting the weapons figured a cane was practically harmless and had no use being a weapon in the first place they let it slide.

He quickly arrived at the cliff, just as the others were starting to arrive. He found a platform and stood on it. The others seeing him do that and assuming it was the thing to do, did the same.