Work Text:
Oscar didn’t realize when it really started to happen. Little changes in himself. Little quirks or traits that started to change. He started to like hot chocolate instead of coffee. Preferred the color green to orange. Started talking differently. Something in his voice was wiser, his vocabulary more complex.
He hated it.
He hated not being able to tell what was him, and what what Oz. He had memories that weren’t his own, faces, names, people he never knew and would never know. Flashes of horror, death, pain, moments of love, hope, peace. People who had felt the same fear as him, people who had succumbed to it. People who’s families never knew what happened to them, who they had become.
Oscar didn’t want to be those people.
He didn’t want to be another face of Ozpin, although it was inevitable. But he wouldn’t let himself be forgotten. He wouldn’t let his friends, his family, wonder what happened to him, where his soul went, when he was truly gone. So he wrote.
He wrote letters. To RWBY, to JNR, Qrow, and even his Auntie Em. Maybe one day they would read them and weep. Grieve for the soul lost to time. Maybe they wouldn’t care. Maybe they would throw their letters away, or forget about them, leave them to collect dust in some drawer in their homes.
It didn’t matter what they did with them, as long as some part of Oscar was preserved, he would be okay. He would be okay with what was going to happen.
Ruby,
If you’re reading this, that means that I’m gone. Not dead perse, but my soul no longer exists on its own. I’m writing this to help you remember who I was, to preserve some kind of memory of myself. Who I was, not who I am.
I remember late nights with you. When I still liked watching the sunrise more than the trees in the forest. I loved talking to you about my farm. I can’t remember half my animals anymore, but you would always just listen to my boring stories about shoveling hay or how one of my chickens always tried to escape.
I remember playing pranks with you on the others. I’ll never forget the looks on their faces. Well, maybe I will, but I hope you won’t. Those were some of the best moments in a time of uncertainty.
Ruby, you are one of the most incredible people I have even borne witness to. Your undying hope and faith in the people around you, your ability to see the good in everyone and everything is something I cannot ever forget, even when I am gone.
I will cherish the time I had with you, for as long as this curse will allow it.
Oscar.
Weiss,
You’re probably reading this with Ruby, so you know why you’re reading it. I’m gone, my soul is gone even if my body still exists. But I hope you remember me as I was, not as I will become.
I think you were the only one who could truly appreciate coffee. Everyone else will drink it, some of them won’t even complain if it’s black. But you were the only one who really got it. It may seem bitter and gross on the outside, but if you can think past what’s on the outside, you’ll find something complex and rich at the core.
I think that’s how you are. When I first met you I thought you were terrifying. Bitter. But I needed to think past the bitterness to find the complex person inside. Your stories of grandeur, growing up in what was practically a palace, it was both terrifying and incredible. I loved being able to glance into a life opposite my own, to be able to understand a little more of what the coffee had to hold.
When I think about you I think of power, of strength, of choice. You were brought up to be an heir, a pawn, someone to sit around and look pretty while others abused their power. But you chose to be something different. You chose to be a beacon of hope, to prove that you were more than your name. You defied all odds, and for that I commend you.
Your choice will forever show what an amazing person you are, and I will savor the little time I had with you for as long as I can.
Oscar.
Blake,
Like I told Weiss, you’re probably reading this with Ruby, so you know what this is about. My soul is gone, my body is here, and I want you to remember me as I was, not as I am.
I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time with you, and I regret that deeply. Though the time I did spend with you was insightful. Your passion for reading and books was always so prominent, and your thoughts were so unique. I’ve read many many stories before, some even multiple times. But even those stories that I knew by heart, you brought new life into them.
Your way of thinking, of seeing the world, of understanding something deeper, a different meaning, was always delightful to hear. I’d never even stopped to recognize half the things you did in those stories. You cherish books in a way I never could. You read every word, and let them tell you not only what they mean, but what they’re really saying.
When I first met you, I saw only the story of a huntress, but you were so much more than that. You were a faunus, you were a bridge between lives. You were a friend.
I will always remember to listen to the real meaning of the words, and I will hold onto every word you said for as long as my curse will allow.
Oscar.
Yang,
I’ve written it three separate times now, so sorry if it’s rushed. My soul is gone, my body is here, but I want you to remember me for who I was, not Ozpin.
You were always so full of passion. This bright, fiery, drive. You always strove to protect, to protect your family, your friends, and even those you didn’t know. You didn’t know me, but you tried to protect me anyway. You accepted me into your group, took me in, and even when things got tough, when you didn’t know if you could trust me, you still protected me.
I never had any siblings growing up, but I had always wondered what it would be like to have an older sibling. I think you did a pretty good job of showing me. I know I’m not actually your brother, and you’re not actually my sister, and you have a real sister anyway, but I’d like to think that you’re my honorary older sibling.
I will always be comforted by knowing your burning passion will never dwindle, and I will hold onto that warmth for as long as I possibly can.
Oscar.
Jaune,
When you read this, I will be no more. My body may still exist, but this is to help you remember me for who I was, not the soul that inhabits my body now.
You have always been so resilient. So, so many times in the past few months, I have been terrified. I have been scared of Salem, of the grimm, of what’s to come in this world. I’m scared of becoming someone I’m not. But you were always there. Sturdy, steadfast, caring. You listened, you helped. You were there when I had nightmares, and you gave me strength when I had none left.
You are so willing to grow. To change, and be better than yesterday. Back when things were… bad, and you didn’t know if you could trust me, you hurt me. But you admitted it. You changed. You grew. That’s something that not many people are able nor willing to do.
When I spent time in Atlas, that’s when I really started to realize that I was merging further into Oz. I tried my very hardest to spend what little time I had with you and the rest of JNR and RWBY. I just wish I had more time with you. Dinner and training isn’t much but our conversations were always so much fun.
Thank you for taking care of me, and I hope you can continue to grow into someone even more incredible than yesterday.
Oscar.
Nora,
My soul is gone, my body is alive, you probably already know that though. I want you to remember me as Oscar, and only Oscar. Not Ozpin, or Ozma. Just Oscar.
When I see you, I see someone without fear. I know that’s not true, you’re human, you get scared too, but you have been able to overcome it every single time. You were not afraid to sacrifice yourself for your friends, and you were never afraid to speak your mind.
I always loved playing games with you. When we made it to Atlas we didn’t have much time, but a quick game of cards felt like it lasted for hours in your company. You have this energy that radiates from you, it makes things seem better. Safer.
I know that you didn’t know me for a super long time, but you always cared for me. You made me feel safe, and I can’t thank you more for that. When I needed it most, you were there, confident as ever, and so willing to help.
I will admire your confidence always, and for as long as I am still me, I will remember what you did for me.
Oscar.
Ren,
I’ve had to write it like, six times now, but as you know, I’m gone. My soul has vanished, absorbed by a being millions of years old. But I want you to remember me for who I was.
You are wise beyond your years. You take such careful consideration into everything you do. In our fast paced lives, especially for huntsmen and huntresses, it’s extremely difficult to take a moment and consider. Consider your plan, consider your options. Consider how others feel, how you feel, how all of that affects you. Your control has always been something I admire.
I liked cooking with you. You really don’t seem like the type, but your skills are phenomenal. You have this fluidity in the kitchen that’s an awe to witness, and also a privilege to work with. I learned a lot from you, not just in terms of cooking (although some of your techniques really have come in handy).
You taught me to stay calm. You taught me how to step back, and take a breath. How to take a moment to absorb the world around me.
You have taught me so much and for as long as this curse will allow me, I will hold onto those lessons.
Oscar.
Qrow,
I know that if you’re reading this, I’m essentially dead. My soul has been removed from my body, and all that remains is Oz. But I want you to remember that I was Oscar first.
You are the only one who knew Ozpin, before I was him. I don’t know if you knew Ozpin before he was Ozma, so I don’t know if this is the first or second time this has happened to you. Maybe you’re ready for it, or maybe you’re not. I don’t know. Who knows, maybe you were just waiting for this to happen. I hope not, but again, I don’t know.
But either way, I’m proud of you. I know that might sound silly coming from a little kid, but it’s true. The first time I ever met you, you were literally in a bar. Always drinking your problems away. I know from what Oz told me, it’s been like that for a very long time. But you’ve changed. You put down the bottle, you took your chance at life.
You’ve been so kind to me. I know that we’ve had our differences, but I don’t hold it against you. Every time I was with you it made me feel just a little more hopeful in humanity. Seeing you turn your life around was incredible.
I really didn’t spend as much time with you as I should have, but we were both busy. The little things made all the difference though. Little hair ruffles, or hiding behind your cape when Nora was trying to find me. Just seeing you smile, seeing you be able to smile, made every moment with you count.
You are a friend, a companion, a father, that has lasted generations, and Oz and I will both remember that, curse or not.
Oscar.
Auntie Em,
I am so, so sorry. This is going to be one of the worst thing that you will ever have to read, But I need you to understand.
This is going to sound insane, but my soul is being merged with the soul of an ancient wizard. It sounds crazy but it’s true. I was destined to save the world, whether I liked it or not, and eventually my soul will become one with his, and I will cease to exist.
If you’re reading this letter, that means that that has already happened. I’m gone. My body still exists, and I will still be some part of Ozpin, but I won’t be me.
I want you to remember me for who I was. Oscar. If you ever meet Ozpin, a small part of me still lives in him, but I want you to see me.
You have always been there for me. From the moment I showed up at your door, a sobbing orphaned mess, to the moment I left, you were there.
I remember when I was little you would read me stories. Stories about princesses and magic, of wizards and wonder. I loved those stories. I miss listening to your heartbeat as I fell asleep. A little reminder that you were still there.
When I started working on the farm, you were the one who showed me how. You showed me how to plow, how to plant, how to care for each and every one of our animals. You made me my very first pair of gloves, and I’ve kept them with me, even when I outgrew them.
I mean no offense when I say that your cooking wasn’t the best, but you already know that. Some days when I was traveling I would have these amazing beautiful dishes prepared by master chefs, and I would be so glad I would get to try them. But other days, I would miss your cooking so, so much. I longed for that mediocrity, that sense of home. I’ve actually traveled with a pretty good cook, his name is Lie Ren. He’s a professional huntsman. Maybe he could help you out some time.
I’ve missed you every day I’m gone. I wonder what’s happening to you, if you’ve moved somewhere, or if you’re still keeping up the same old farm. I hope that you were able to move on without me.
I love you, so so so much. More than I will ever be able to write, and more than you will ever be able to know. Even if I don’t remember you anymore, even if I’m just a tiny speck in a sea of lives, I will always love you.
Oscar.
Oscar sighed as he put down the pen. Each letter had been tucked into an envelope, and now he just had to store them somewhere safe. Maybe in one of the headmasters’ offices.
‘Oz?’
‘Yes, Oscar?’
‘Can you do me a favor?’
‘What can I help you with.’
‘When you take over- when we finish merging, can you make sure they get these letters?’
‘Of course. I’ll make sure they get them.’
‘Thanks’