In honor of Starlight's Poet Clockwork Spectrum, and a revised version of A Pine in Time. Enjoy this Oscar Time-Travelling fanfiction!

Some notes are listed at the end of this chapter, if you're interested in reading.

Chapter 1:

Professor Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon Academy, sat diligently at his desk finalizing the paperwork for a particular young girl with silver eyes before the ringing of his elevator door drags his attention from his administrative work. He brought up his computer screen to check who is visiting at this hectic hour of the day, only to be astonished that it's his deputy, Glynda Goodwitch.

"Come in." He unlocked the elevator doors to let the blond woman into his office. "Glynda, I'm surprised. I do believe that the second-year students will be returning to their dorms in a few minutes."

Beacon Academy will soon begin their semesters, and the students from all years will be shortly arriving on campus, making a mess of things. Hence, the stern professor that is Glynda Goodwitch is there to keep the order.

"Professor Ozpin." She politely greeted the headmaster, "There's someone who wants to talk to you through a video call. A young boy who goes by the name of Oscar Pine." Glynda lowered her voice to a faint, soft tone. "He knows about her and the Story of the Seasons."

The room and air felt like it went still for a moment.

Ozpin narrowed his eyes, "Very well. I will take it from here."

Glynda approached the headmaster's desk and placed her scroll onto the transparent green desk, connecting the video call session to a private and secure network. "If you excuse me, there are students I must supervise."

"Thank you, Glynda."

She nodded and hastily left the office, leaving Ozpin and a loading video screen alone in the clockwork tower. After what felt like several minutes of loading, Ozpin came face to face with a young boy around thirteen or twelve years. Tanned skin, youthful freckles, black hair, and hazel colored eyes that tell much and yet, not a lot.

The boy, whom Ozpin presumed to be the one and only Oscar Pine, blinked twice. "Ozpin, right?"

"I am." Ozpin said with a smile, "Oscar Pine, I presume?"

"Yeah." The boy scratched his cheek, looking rather uncertain of himself.

'How peculiar.' The headmaster thought to himself. "And you have something of importance to say to me? Something regarding her and an old fairy tale?"

"Well… Yes, but I don't think saying it over the CCT will do us any good." Oscar glanced around him, "I, uh. This area isn't exactly private, and I need help getting to Vale."

He would be lying if he said he wasn't a bit skeptical, but Ozpin knew better than to dismiss this as a prank call. "Hmm. A bit of… Subtly would do for now."

Oscar held up a familiar-looking cane. Its handle has a rounded knob and the shaft is square-shaped with a coloration of black-gray. "Is this enough? The Long Memory?"

"I'm afraid not." Ozpin hummed, slightly taken aback. The boy somehow knew his cane's name and has an exact looking replica of it. That said, it wouldn't be too farfetched for someone to copy another's weapon on the surface. "You'll have to forgive me. Anyone can replicate any weapon nowadays."

"It can store time."

Now Ozpin was intrigued. "Pardon me?" He feigned ignorance, "I do believe what you're saying is –"

"Okay, wait." Oscar waved a hand to stop the headmaster from continuing and rubbed his temple. It looked like he's trying to remember something. "Uh… Powers split in two? Autumn?"

Silence.

"Where can we locate you?" Ozpin steadily said, betraying no emotions aside from his professional demeanor.

/-/

Oscar slowly roused himself awake and stretched his arms with a yawn from his nap. The airship that carried him from Anima to Sanus towards Vale rocked gently as they neared their destination, Beacon Academy. Everything currently felt surreal to the farm boy. His mind felt jumbled, with pieces of his memories missing. He should have been an ordinary farmhand helping his aunt on her farm, not the next incarnation of an ancient wizard from eras long forgotten. Granted, he wanted to be something more than just a farmhand, but his fate leads down a difficult path.

He awoke one day, back at his aunt's farm with memories of events that have never happened, clutching The Long Memory in his hand. At first, he tried to pass it all off as a dream and sleepwalking. It failed spectacularly with even more questions like how he obtained the ancient wizard's cane, or how did he unlock his aura despite never unlocking it.

And the memories he retained… Pocketed with holes and blanks here and there of things that have yet to happen. It gave him a slight migraine when he tries to recall his missing memories.

Oscar got up from his seat and flailed slightly, balancing himself on the floor. His eyes wandered around the unnaturally empty airship and found a Haven Academy poster plastered on the side of the walls.

The poster read: Be A Hero.

"Déjà vu," Oscar mumbled, feeling like he's forgetting something. Whatever it is, it has something to do with Haven Academy.

He felt the airship suddenly swayed back, snapping his attention back to reality.

"We've arrived at Beacon Academy." The pilot announced over the intercom. "Please remain seated while Professor Goodwitch retrieves you."

Oscar gulped and sat back down immediately, clutching his backpack that contained everything he brought with him. Soon after, a blond woman with sharp green eyes and glasses walked onto the ship and fixed him a stare. Her stare lingered slightly on the cane he was carrying at his side.

Glynda's black and purple cape fluttered slightly behind her, while her riding crop rests slightly to her side. "Mr. Pine. We meet again, in person this time. I must say."

"H-hello, Miss Goodwitch." He stuttered underneath her steely gaze.

"A pleasure." She forthrightly replied, pushing up her glasses. "You've come at a rather inconvenient time, but it will have to do. Come along, now. The headmaster is waiting for you."

Oscar scrambled up from his seat and followed after her, pausing to take in the sight of Beacon Academy.

The sun was beginning to set, but the skies were blue and clear with few white clouds floating in the air. Sunlight shone down upon the castle-like structure that is Beacon itself. Crystal blue waters glistered in the campus shallow moats behind the academy's arches. Lush green grasses and trees decorate the grounds, while gray and white stones make up the roads and buildings.

"Whoa…" Beacon is much more pristine and beautiful than he thought.

"Welcome to Beacon Academy." Glynda said earnestly, "Be on your best behavior when we reach the headmaster's office."

"Y-yes!"

/-/

The elevator ride was awkward and silent, save for the mechanical rumbling of the elevator. Oscar steadily breathed and braced himself when the elevator door slid open, revealing a circular room with cogs rhythmically spinning above and in the bounds of the office walls.

To Oscar, the office is a familiar sight and somehow even feels like home despite never setting foot in Ozpin's office or Beacon for that matter.

"Welcome, Oscar Pine." Ozpin greeted the farm boy with a nod. "As headmaster of Beacon Academy, I extend my welcome to you, young man."

"Thank you, sir." Oscar calmly replied, feeling his nerves pacifying in this familiar environment. "It was quite a trip."

"Must have been a journey." The silver-haired man chuckled and turned slightly to his deputy. "Have the first-year students all been acquainted in the ballroom for the night?"

"They have, sir. The professors are now showing them the cafeteria." Glynda looked down on her scroll before glancing back up. "Hopefully, the children know better than to make a mess of the cafeteria while I'm not present for the duration."

Oscar felt his stomach rumbled slightly at the mentioning of the academy's cafeteria. He is rather hungry, not having eaten much throughout his journey to Beacon. He really misses his aunt's cooking, much less his own's.

"I see." Ozpin turned his attention to Oscar, "Forgive us for our lack of hospitality, Mr. Pine. A new semester is about to begin, and we have a large influx of cadets for tomorrow's initiation."

The farm boy nodded, "That's understandable."

"I'm glad you understand. Now then, shall we continue to the matters that resulted in this scenario? Mr. Pine? I believe you have something to say to us that you weren't able to over the network."

Oscar stiffened a bit, wondering what or how he'll explain his situation to them. Where does he even begin? "So, how do I explain this?" He dawdled, wracking his brain as Ozpin and Glynda continued to stare at him. "I know about the four relics from the gods, the four maidens with magical powers, the conflict between you and Salem, I may be your next incarnation, and my memories might be from another future."

"…"

"… I see." Was all Ozpin could say.

"Oh. Wait, what?" He was expecting a much more disbelieving reaction.

Ozpin extended his arms, elbows resting on the desk. "Let's start from the beginning. How do you know about these things?"

"And be truthful," Glynda added in with a steely tone.

Oscar gulped, "I'm… Not sure how I can explain it."

"It wouldn't hurt to try."

"Okay, right… So, I woke up one day with memories of things I shouldn't know and of events that didn't or has yet to happen." Oscar hesitantly explained, unhooking his cane from his waist, and showed it to them. "Along with this in my hand."

"A semblance, perhaps?" Ozpin inquired from a logical perspective. "Though, I can't say the same for your weapon in hand."

"I don't think it's a semblance. I've recently had my aura unlocked, and I don't remember when." Oscar pulled on the knuckle guard that serves as a lever, extending the shaft, and twirled it in his hand with familiar dexterity. "You're free to take a look at this if you think it's a replica. I don't think I'll be needing it here, for now."

"I wouldn't go that far, yet." Ozpin slowly clasped his hand and lean forward, "But I'll accept your offer seeing you'll be staying at Beacon for a while. Onto our more disconcerting discussion. For example, your previous statement about autumn?"

The temperature in the room dropped.

Oscar could feel the cool sweat soaking into his bandages wrapped around his neck. "The Fall Maiden. I think… If I can remember her name was… Amber?" He could see them visibly tensed up. "She had her maiden powers stolen. Half of it. I don't know! My brain hurts when I try to remember things like these."

"Do you know who?" Glynda asked in a low tone. She was tempted to say more, but Ozpin silently motioned against it, leaving her with this short statement.

"N-not really." Oscar stammered, feeling a slight pain near the back of his head. "Only her n-name."

"Go on." There's a dangerous tone laced in Ozpin's voice.

"Cinder." He dropped the name, "I only remember her name as Cinder." Aside from the basic physical description of the sinister woman, that was the only thing Oscar could recall about the false Fall Maiden. "She has black hair and bright amber eyes. That's all I know."

"Rather vague, don't you think?" Ozpin sighed, "What about you, Glynda?"

"I seem to recall encountering someone with a similar physical description recently." Glynda mused with a serious expression. "During one of Torchwick's most recent robberies. Unfortunately, it was too dark for me to be certain."

"Well, what other proof do you want? Magic? More details I shouldn't know?" Hunger was starting to get the best of the farm boy. "The Branwen twins can turn into birds. One is a crow, the other is a raven. It's even in their name. What else can I say?"

Ozpin raised an eyebrow. There was a hint of amusement on his expression before it quickly vanishes. "Yes, this is a rather peculiar scenario. How do we clear you of suspicion?"

Glynda huffed, "I'll say."

"I'm not working for Salem." Oscar flatly retorted.

"If you were, I doubt you would be this inept and straightforward in these circumstances," Ozpin said with an amusingly look. "Furthermore, a backpack containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, clothes, and a collapsible walking stick is hardly the proper assets for a blatant attempt in infiltrating Beacon."

"Wait, how do you know what's in my bag?"

A smile formed on Ozpin's face. "You didn't think that a school created for training individuals to fight against the Creatures of Grimm wouldn't have a system for screening visitors and students, did you?"

Oscar looked away, "I thought you were somewhat negligent."

"You would not believe how much," Glynda muttered under her breath.

"That aside." Ozpin cleared his throat, "I believe there's one thing that would settle this for the day."

"And that is…?"

The wizard pointed at Oscar's cane. "The ability to store time. Do you know how to use it if what you're saying is the truth?"

"I think so…" Oscar brought the ancient cane close to his face and took a deep breath. "Only used it once in Atlas when I was falling."

"Pardon?"

"It's a faint memory I can't really recall." He quickly dismissed it, "Okay, let's see if I can remember how to do this…"

Oscar closed his eyes and held The Long Memory near his face, shaft pointing upward. He held down on the knuckle guard, causing the gear within the handle of the cane to slowly turn. A faint yellow light began to emit from inside the turning gears, glowing brighter by the seconds. Ozpin's eyes widen as he felt the energy envelope the entire room resonating with his cane, while Glynda looked rather tensed, ready to act should things go south.

"Mhm. That's good enough." Ozpin calmly said, "Dubious your claims were, but your display has disproven most of our doubts for the time being."

"That's a relief. I thought this was to go on for a few more hours." Oscar released his hold on the lever of his cane, light quickly fading away.

"It would be rather cruel of us to do so. Glynda, you may resume your tasks at hand. I will take care of the rest from here on out with young Pine."

Glynda fixed Ozpin an uncertain look. There were many variables they have yet to consider, and the headmaster was willing to overlook this? Granted, the suspicious person is a boy that appears to be from rural farmland, younger and smaller than even Ruby Rose herself. But the ability Oscar displayed earlier proves that he can be a large threat if he's working for their enemies.

"Is this wise?"

"Likely so." Ozpin eyed his deputy, his brown eyes twinkled. "More importantly, it seems that the first-year students are becoming rowdy by the moment."

"I'll see to it, then." She reluctantly conceded and quietly left the office.

Two different people, yet similar souls. One is but a simple farmhand while the other is an extraordinarily influential figure and is also one of the many incarnations of an ancient wizard from an era where gods existed alongside humans. An era where magic had a widespread existence.

"You don't have a plan to deal with Salem." It wasn't a question; it was a simple fact that Oscar knows. His memories of the possible future may have holes in them, but the memory of Jinn showing everyone Ozpin's extensive past is vivid in his mind. "You know she can't be killed, so you gave up. You've given in to your fear."

Briefly, was Ozpin startled by Oscar's sudden remark. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't give me that." Oscar forced out, keeping firm eye contact with the wizard. "Jinn showed me your past in some far-off future. You outright admit that you didn't have a plan to defeat Salem."

Not the mention some physical abuses he suffered because of it.

"… Who are you? What do you plan to achieve here at Beacon?" Ozpin said quietly. His eyes suddenly looked tired, aimless. Hopeless. "Sow distrust, delusion, and despair among my colleagues?"

Oscar grimace at just how easily Ozpin had accepted his 'defeat' by his hand. "No. For the last time, I'm not working for Salem." He composed himself and stood straight up, his cane firmly resting on the solid floor. "I'm here to help and… Share this burden."

"I feel that this burden is my burden to bear and can't be shared with anyone else. You have to understand…"

"That your behaviors are backed by experience." Oscar finishes, remembering that particular line from back then. Or rather, the future that has yet to come. "I know. You said that yourself." He winced as he felt a sharp pain in his head.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I get these sharp pains in my head when I try to fill in the blanks in my memories, or something related." Oscar rubbed his head, "But as I said, I'm here to help and share this burden."

Ozpin looks at him in the eyes for a brief silence, wondering if there's any hint of falseness. There wasn't, and that made Ozpin feel the weight shift slightly. "It shouldn't be like this. You're too young to be imposed with this burden."

"We didn't have much of a choice." Oscar breathed out, "Besides, if you die here. You'll be finding yourself in my head very soon."

There was an awkward pause before Ozpin started chuckling.

/-/

"I see. So, Miss Rose managed to bring about a closely knitted team despite their rough start and much hardship." Ozpin mused as they walked down the corridor to the cafeteria that should be empty by now. "Much so for Mr. Arc despite not having any training at all."

Their conversation had been sidetracked, finally ending when Oscar's stomach began to protest the lack of food, prompting the headmaster to escort him to the cafeteria. The sun has quickly set; outside, the skies were now filled with stars along with the shattered moon. It was relatively peaceful within Beacon, save for a few shouts and running feet that were from the first-year students preparing to sleep for tomorrow's initiation.

That said, the cafeteria and this part of the hallway are temporarily cordoned off by Professor Goodwitch.

"Wait, you mean he didn't have any training at all in the first place?" Oscar asked, clearly surprised. He didn't know that the blond boy, who proved to be a talented tactician and fighter, has no training before Beacon.

"His transcript is forged, though I'd rather you not tell that to anyone," Ozpin smirked at Oscar's expression. "Contrary to what you and Glynda think of me, I am not as gullible as you think."

"I suppose." A millennium of existing and adapting into a variety of civilizations does open to one's eye to how deceptive the world can be. "So, what should I be doing now that I'm here?"

"Necessary arrangements have already been made." He assured him, "I reckon you're famished and exhausted."

"That's an understatement." He was lucky and logical enough to reach Ozpin through the CCT instead of finding his way to Vale by himself.

"You're in good hands now that you are here." Ozpin opened the cafeteria's door for Oscar to enter, "Beacon provides bountiful food for growing teenagers who are constantly put under vigorous physical and academic activities. Help yourself."

"There's a lot to choose from…"

Oscar found himself holding a tray and abundant of various foods partially scooped from their metal containers. He was at a loss of what to choose from, eventually settling for anything that looks appetizing as his stomach grumbled at him for taking too long. After grabbing two plates worth of meal, Oscar stopped by a large counter full of machines and packets for drinks. He grabbed a medium-sized paper cup, a cocoa packet, and poured the content over with hot water.

"We have an exact preference for our choice of drink." Ozpin nods with approval, sipping from his mug full of hot cocoa.

"It's been a while since I drank hot cocoa." Taking the nearest seat, he could find and gently setting his tray down. "Are you going to eat?"

"I already have my fill for the night, thank you for asking."

Oscar's dinner was done in silence as the wizard let the young farm boy enjoy his meal while he checks on his scroll on the status of his students and their preparation for tomorrow's initiation. Meanwhile, Oscar wolf down his meal along with measure sips of hot cocoa, satisfying his hunger.

He'll have to admit it. It's nice to try something different outside of his aunt's cooking. The meals are very filling, doing its job of keeping the huntsmen and huntresses in training well feed and energize enough to combat the Creatures of Grimm.

"That was a good meal."

"I'm certain our kitchen staff will be please to hear that." Ozpin pocketed his scroll and got off his seat. "Normally, I would be tempted to have you stationed with the rest of the first-year students for the night. However, it would be best to have you safely housed and adequately supported considering your predicament."

Oscar glanced over as he put away his tray on a rotating rack. "Well, what do you have in mind?"

"An arrangement for your long-term residency in one of our guest rooms has been set." He explained as they walked out of the cafeteria. "Your lack of necessities will be addressed, seeing how little you arrived with."

"Sorry, for not having much."

"Hardly an issue an issue, Oscar." Ozpin paused and frowned, "I believe that is Miss Rose hastening towards our direction."

"Huh?"

"Look out!" A familiar voice warns them.

A burst of red rose petals fluttered all over the floor as a young girl with black hair with red tips sharply turned her body, only to knock half of her forehead with Oscar's. The collision sent Oscar and the girl spinning by each other, hopping on their legs to regain their balance.

"Ah, Miss Rose. You wouldn't happen to be lost, are you?" Ozpin asked her with an amused expression.

"P-professor Ozpin!" The girl was no other than Ruby Rose, dressed in her sleeping wear. A black tank top with a pink heart shape bear head and rose decorated soft white trousers. "I'm so sorry for crashing into you! I got permission from Professor Goodwitch to do a quick check on my baby and lost track of time and then got lost in the campus and –!"

Ozpin held out a hand to stop the girl from exhausting her breath. "Easy now, Miss Rose. I understand your cause for being out here." He took out his scroll and texted Glynda a few words to save the young girl a lecture from his stern deputy. "I'll notify Glynda you were having a conversation with me, and our conversation sidetracked."

"Thank you, Professor Ozpin!"

"Not a problem, Miss Rose." He glanced over to poor Oscar, who was still trying to find his footing. "And I must clarify, I was not the one whom you crashed into."

"Huh?" Ruby looked confusing at Ozpin before following his eyes towards a boy who appears to be younger than her. "Oh! I'm sorry!" She reached out and clasped the boy on the shoulder to prevent him from falling over. He was even smaller than her, is he a student here? "I was in a hurry! Are you alright?"

"I'm okay." Oscar blinked away the stars from his vision, "I had worse before, I think." He found himself staring into Ruby's bright silver eyes. "Ruby?"

"Have we met?" Ruby asked. A curious expression started to form.

"Uh… I –"

"The two of you will have time tomorrow to continue this discussion." Ozpin interrupted, "Professor Goodwitch asks that you hurry immediately."

"Ahhhh!" Ruby released Oscar and started running towards the ballroom, all while waving. "See you tomorrow and sorry about that!"

Oscar stood there for a few seconds, trying to process what had transpired. Their brief interaction seemed to unlock a minor memory he had with Ozpin.

'She must've been one of the best Huntresses at Beacon, huh?'

"… ar… Oscar!" Ozpin's voice shook him out of his daze.

"Yeah?"

"Are you alright?" Ozpin asked, looking very concerned. "Do you need to see the nurse?"

"No. It's just… I think a part of my memory was just unlocked. A very minor one."

"Interesting. What is it about? If you don't mind."

He looked awkward for a moment but decided it was worth sharing to establish some trust and connection. "Well, we were at Haven Academy…"

/-/

Oscar found himself in a small room reserve for visiting guests. A king-sized bed, lamppost, desk, chair, small sofa, and a television occupied the room. The bathroom itself was modestly sized and already contained a set of shampoo, bar soaps, towels, and a hairdryer.

In all honestly, it was practically a hotel room.

A set of Beacon uniforms was set on a couch, meant for him to wear along with several spare clothing, including sleepwear. As it turns out, having a school that partakes in combatting criminals and Grimm requires Beacon to be prepared for a lot of spare clothing. The more you know.

After taking a refreshing shower, Oscar put on the clothes that were provided to him. His new sleepwear is soft, light, and cool to touch. Their size was slightly a bit large, but it fits him comfortably enough.

No more cramp space or upright seats to sleep on. He now has a soft bed to occupy, and quickly did his consciousness faded as he laid on the bed and turned off the light.

"I made it to Beacon." He said to himself, "It's all so surreal…"

He even met Ruby Rose, who he didn't event expect to encounter this late of the night. She's somewhat the same, yet somehow different. Maybe it's because she was in a hurry or something about her eyes. Whatever it was, Oscar didn't know or care. His consciousness drifted off as his eyes closed shut, dreamlessly and peacefully sleeping within the safe walls of Beacon Academy.

/-/

"Today's the day, Ruby!" Yang wrapped an arm around her younger sister's waist and lifted her into the air. "Are you ready for today's initiation?"

"Yang put me down!" Ruby struggled against her sister's grip, having both of her arms tied in on the hug.

Yang laughed and placed her sister down on the ground, brushing her luxurious blond hair. "Don't be yangry." Her pun earned herself a groaned from Ruby. "Come on, you'll be seeing your 'precious' when we get to the locker room."

Ruby suddenly became energetic, "What are we waiting for?!" She pulled Yang by the arm, "Let's go! My baby is calling out to me!"

The initiation starts roughly around 10:30, giving all students at this time roughly an hour to get ready to eat and equip themselves with their gears. Ruby and Yang already finished their breakfast, having been roused from their sleep by students who were early birds, much to Yang's annoyance. Regardless, the two of them felt refreshed after eating a hearty breakfast.

And by heartily breakfast in Ruby's case, it was a large pile of chocolate cookies and milk.

"You know, dad will start bothering you if he found out you ate half of the cookie containers the cooks put out."

"They were fresh out of the oven!" Ruby justified her actions, not feeling a pang of guilt for shoveling loads of cookies to her plate. "Besides, not a lot of people were going for them. I helped."

"The only help you're giving is to the cavities." Yang mumbled, "You did brush your teeth, afterward right?"

"Uh, yeah?"

Yang blocked her path. "I'm starting to doubt you. Open your mouth."

"What? Yang! We're not doing this again! I'm a grown-up girl!" Ruby locked hands with her sister, struggling to prevent her from prying her mouth open like a dentist. "Stop! Everyone is looking!"

"There aren't that many people out here right now." Yang evilly grinned, about to overpower her sister until she heard Professor Ozpin clearing his throat behind her. The blondie slowly turned around. "Uh… Hi, Professor Ozpin."

"Good morning. Miss Xiao-Long and Miss Rose." Their headmaster greeted the sisters. "I see the two of you are quite lively today."

"Yup!" Yang released her hold on her sister, "We're pretty lax and confident."

Ozpin smiled, "That's good to hear. You wouldn't happen to see a young boy with black hair, hazel eyes, with freckles. Would you?"

Ruby and Yang shook their heads.

"Are you talking about that boy I crashed into last night?" Ruby asked, suddenly remembering a particular individual who shared that matching description.

"Indeed. I am looking for Oscar." Ozpin surveyed the area with careful eyes. "He appears to be hiding from me."

Yang whistled, wondering how would be bold enough to play hide and seek with the headmaster of Beacon. "Does the other staff know about this?"

"Only Glynda. The others do not need to know about this." Ozpin turned on his heel, "No matter. I'm certain we'll find him in time for the initiation. I wish you two luck on your trials."

"Thank you, professor." The two sisters thanked their headmaster, watching him turn a corner.

Yang scooted to her sister, looking mischievous. "So, who did you crash into?" Her eyes flashed briefly red, "A bad boy? Was he mean? Tell me, tell me."

"Yang knock it off." Ruby shoved her sister away. "I got permission from Professor Goodwitch to do a quick check on my baby and lost track of time and then got lost in the campus and when I was running, I used my semblance to go faster and then I accidentally headbutted a boy who looks younger than me who was walking –!"

"Breath, Ruby." Yang covered her sister's mouth. "Don't tell the whole story in one breath!" She released her hand from Ruby's mouth. "Okay. Let's try that again."

/-/

Oscar looks daggers at Ozpin while he stands atop of Beacon Cliff, situated between Glynda and Ozpin, overlooking Emerald Forest. "I knew something was up the moment you asked me to do some practice swings. You're making me take part in the initiation, and that's not a question."

"It's a fact." Ozpin acknowledged, calmly drinking from his mug with a smiling face.

"I can't fight! I only remember how to fight, and maybe some muscle memories here and there, but I'm not completely fit for this!" Oscar turned to Glynda, pleading her to help him out.

"I would like to agree with Mr. Pine on this matter, sir." She came to his defense. "He's too young and inexperienced. More so than Ruby! We're not even certain he has a landing strategy!"

Oscar actually does have a landing strategy, which he decided to keep to himself in hopes of getting out of this. It was that aura bubble he made for himself when he was falling from Atlas. Compared to the height up at Beacon Cliff, Atlas was a very long fall for him. The question is if he can quickly pull it off…

"His parrying and counter to my surprise attack during our brief practice tells me otherwise." Ozpin countered, remembering how Oscar reacted to his sudden attack. The farm boy moved spectacularly during his mid-swing, and nearly clubbed him. "I'd say if any of the first-years were in his shoe at that moment, a few would have performed as well as him."

"That was on instinct!"

"You've yet to address his landing strategy if he has one, and what about the teams?"

"He won't be tethered to a particular team." Ozpin assured her, "I have already worked out the details on this matter, which I will share with you soon after." He fixed Oscar a glance, "And since he knows how to utilize the time storage within his cane, a landing strategy will be quite simple for young Pine."

"So, that's why you're confident I wouldn't fall to my death..."

Glynda huffed and pushed up her glasses, resuming her work on her large scroll. "This is a terrible idea."

Oscar sighed and rubbed his face. He was dressed in his work clothes, armed only with his cane. "Can I change out of these at least?"

Ozpin hummed, "I'm afraid not. I cannot run the risk of you fleeing at the last second. Besides, you appear to be more comfortable in your personal attire."

"I'm being self-conscious here." Oscar won't deny that his work attire is more comfortable compared to the Beacon uniform he tried on earlier today. "So, what do you want me to do out in a forest full of Grimm?"

"Doctor Oobleck and I used this morning to set up a small device at the location where the students will be tasked in retrieving their relic." Ozpin eyed Oscar's weapon currently in hand, "It can only be opened with what you currently have in your hand. Retrieve the item inside it as part of your initiation."

"And if I don't?"

"No particular penalties." Ozpin smiled, "Just some supplementary lessons on certain core subjects to catch up with the rest of the first-year students."

"… Got it."

The next few minutes breezed by rather quickly, with more first-year students gathering around Beacon Cliff. All of them cast a curious gaze at Oscar, forcing him to shy away by staring out into Emerald Forest. Still, it doesn't help that he could feel their stares linger on him along with a few faint whispers that he couldn't really make out.

"It's him. The one I accidentally crashed into."

Upon hearing a familiar, feminine voice out of the crowd, Oscar turned around and spotted Ruby Rose along with her older sister, Yang Xiao Long.

The latter fixed Oscar a look, "Huh. You're right. He does look younger than you." She waved at him, "Hello!"

Oscar awkwardly waved back, along with a nervous smile, also catching sight of Jaune standing nearby. The blond boy looked naïve and screams false confidence just by looking at him. Ozpin really wasn't kidding about Jaune faking his transcript, it seems. He even picked out a few familiar faces, particularly Blake and Weiss.

Though, he was taken aback by just how cold Weiss's expression is. A completely different image of the snarky, but caring Weiss he knew.

"You're scaring him," Ruby firmly pulled Yang's hand down, "and drawing attention to us. Don't make things awkward for me."

"Ahem." Ozpin cleared his throat, silencing everyone present. "For years, you have trained to become warriors."

Oscar refrained himself from rolling his eyes, 'Not me.'

"And today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."

"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of teams." Glynda stepped in. "Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates, today."

"What? Aw…" Ruby whimpered.

Oscar blinked. This was certainly a side of Ruby he never known before. Then again, she isn't the same Ruby who suffered through the hardship of losing her friends and Beacon. She's just a 15 years old girl who loves cookies and weapons. Along with some comic books when she's idling. He wondered what the rest of Team RWBY and JNPR are like.

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So, it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." Ozpin added in, "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

Ruby looked completely shattered by this revelation, her eyes wide and white in shock. "What?!"

"See, told you so~!" Another familiar voice caught Oscar's attention. He glanced further down the lineup and spotted Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren.

Oscar could help but smile, and also dread the moment he encounters Nora. The girl has the tendency to glomp him when she gets the chance.

"The sole exception to this rule is my apprentice, Oscar." Oscar found himself pushed forward to the group of students by Ozpin. "He'll be participating in this initiation alongside with you all, but he will not be counted as your partner and has a task he'll be completing."

There was a small burst of murmuring among the student body, but it was instantly silenced with a stern glare from Glynda. "Please listen, so that we may continue."

Though, somewhere in the crowd. Oscar could hear the familiar nickname given to him by none other than Nora. "Cute Oz boy…!"

"As such, to avoid initial confusion. Oscar will be given a head start."

Oscar sharply turned his head at Ozpin, "Wait, what?"

Even Glynda was unaware of this and had an incredulous expression.

"Mr. Arc. Would you mind letting Oscar stand in your spot for a brief moment?"

Jaune had a startled look before nodding, "Uh, sure!"

"Thank you, Mr. Arc. Right then," Ozpin jabbed Oscar in the back with his walking stick, forcing him onto the launchpad. "Off you go."

"I'll remember this," Oscar muttered under his breath, before getting launched into the sky. Even in with the rush of wind in his ears, he could hear Jaune's distorted exclamation on how the headmaster just launched a boy into the forest without a parachute or something. "Tell me about it." He said to himself and measured the distance in which he was falling. "I should get ready…"

Oscar unhooked his cane from his waist and extended it.

Ready for what is to come next.

Pardon my grammar, especially with the tenses. It is a 'time travelling' fanfiction.

Author Notes:

So, I decided to restart one of my story "A Pine in Time" seeing how I didn't like how the plot and characters went.

1. To start off, I placed Oscar within Vol 2 instead of Vol 1 because someone already did that, which is Starlight's Poet in his "Clockwork Spectrum" story. I didn't want to be 'unoriginal', so I discarded the old draft and started up another in Vol 2. Big mistake.

2. I intentionally have some of Oscar's memory lock in order to allow some progression for the 'villains' of this story. That includes some of his 'muscle memories' and abilities regarding combat. Of course, not all of it as seen earlier.

And yeah, that's how things will go from here on out.