(AN: Well, here we are! A new fanfiction and one I've been waiting to release for a LONG time! Yup, a new Transfer fic! And on the one year anniversary of its release too!
...albeit, done DIFFERENTLY
If I may explain, this fanfiction is not really a SEQUEL to Transfer, but instead, a series of ministories that are connected to Transfer and its universe, characters, lore, etc. Some of these stories take place before, during, or after Transfer. It's important that I note that these stories are not connected, but I will explain each one.
Also, because these are ministories, generally this fic will be updated every two days, because they will be rather short. However, there will be SOME exceptions, and if I take longer than two days, this means you're gonna have a long story :D
Anyway, lemme get explanations out of the way and say this; the reason I made this fic was that... well, even though i LOVED how Transfer came out in the end, and still do (I mean, its sitting at 3.8k views!), reading it again... well, there is SOMETHINGS I wish I could have explained more, gone into more indepth with, or hell, even added. Besides, I've been wanting to do some more things with Transfer too.
As for last minute things I want to add, well, I think I should mention this! Even though I have a list of stories to write, I realize there's gonna be a point where I'm gonna run out of things to write.
...that's where YOU guys, the readers, come in! If you want, in the reviews, you may leave in suggestions on what you would like to see for future stories! Now, do note that I will look over each one, and if its one I already have planned or I don't think its a good idea, I won't pick it. But, your idea may be picked for a future story! So, think of those ideas ladies and gentleman!
Before I end off this LONG author note, I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to Missplayer30 for providing the AMAZING cover art for this story! Check her out on deviantART too! She's doing an amazing Sonic comic that I'm into rn, and I think you guys would love it!
So, with that being said, I'll shut up, and let you enjoy the story!
Story 1 -
An Invitation
Espio gets an invitation from a friend of his family, Valdez, about a school called 'Mobius University'.
Notes - This is how each story is going to open up: A title, a small description of the story, and my notes about why I wrote this story! Starting off, one thing I DEFINITELY should have talked about in the original Transfer was HOW Espio got admitted into Mobius U in the first place. When I noticed this while re-reading it, I knew I had to make this a story for this fic.
Also much like Transfer, Espio and other characters will be speaking Japanese (because he's in his home village duh lol) but because I don't wanna use google translate for either the symbols or romanji because google translate ain't that good, when characters speak in Italics, that means they are speaking Japanese, so just try to imagine it in your head.
Espio held a cup of hot miso soup in his hands as he drank some of the liquid. It was dinner time in the dojo of Bride of the Constant Vigil, said Bride drinking away at miso soup along with not only Espio, but his little sister, Shami.
"Mother, is the rice done?" Shami asked.
"Patience, Shami," Bride of the Constant Vigil told her daughter wisely. "There's no good in wanting to become greedy. I've taught you this, my daughter."
"Espio?" She looked up at her older brother.
"Mother's word has meaning, Shami," Espio responded. Shami nodded, and went back into drinking her soup.
After five minutes, the Bride got up from the floor and left to attend the rice, which was cooking on an open fire in the courtyard. She brought back a black pot filled with cooked rice and placed it on a small stone tile surrounding the chameleons. The Bride then got three wooden bowls and chopsticks, and then returned to her children. As she was passing the bowls and chopsticks to Espio and Shami, a knocking was heard on the front doors of the dojo.
"Mother… who is it?" asked the little chameleon girl.
"I wasn't expecting anyone…" The Bride bemused aloud. She walked up to the front doors and slid them open.
"Valdez?" Bride of the Constant Vigil said. "Oh, Valdez it is you! What a surprise!"
"Valdez?" Shami said happily. She ran up to the blue chameleon and hugged him.
"Ho ho, you've been growing since my last visit, Shami," Valdez said. Espio walked up to the group of chameleons.
"And… Espio… you've certainly grown since my last visit too… To think you're now an adult…"
Espio nodded. "It's been too long, Valdez. What brings you here?"
"Oh… some important business. I wanted to drop by though," Valdez smelled the air. "Oh… is that some of your rice, Bride?"
"Yes, me and my children were getting ready for the dinner hours. If you'd like, you may join us."
"That's quite generous of you, Bride. I humbly accept your offer," Valdez bowed.
The four chameleons sat around the small wooden table on their legs, digging into their rice. They enjoyed their nice meal, the Bride conversing with Valdez.
"So Valdez, tell me. What's this important business you're on?" Bride of the Constant Vigil asked.
"I'm glad you're curious, Bride. It actually involves Espio here!" Valdez replied with excitement. Espio looked up from his rice. What could they need him for?
"You are aware of where I work at, correct?"
"Yes…that school in the… OUTSIDE world…"
The Outside world….
It had been something his mother talked about occasionally. She never seemed positive about it, saying 'Espio, there's a lot in the Outside world that's changing. Us, however, shall not. We'll continue the traditions of our ancestors for generations upon generations.'
But… it still mystified Espio… what was in the Outside world?
"Yes, well, you see, every year the school has a program called the 'Foreign Exchange Student Program', where they allow people from different parts of Mobius to come to the school for a full year, all costs payed in advance, in an attempt to get foreign students interested in becoming students there."
Valdez got out a flier from his knapsack and handed it to the Bride. Espio and Shami looked from their mother's shoulders at it. It was a mahogany colored brochure with a picture of a large building on it, as well as words that Espio couldn't make out.
"This, is Mobius University, or, Mobius U for short. I make this request because there's actually only one more slot available for the program. And that is… would you allow Espio to be a student there?"
Bride of the Constant Vigil was taken aback. "I… I… No…"
"Really now? Mobius University is listed as one of the best schools in the country where I'm located. Besides, Espio is a smart boy. I feel as if he can be able to handle it."
"But… I don't want him to be corrupted by the things he could see in the Outside world…"
"I guarantee that won't happen, Bride. I'll watch after him during his year."
The Bride considered Valdez's request for a minute. Finally, she sighed, and gave in.
"Yes… He can… Under one condition though: he will ONLY be there for what you call 'one school year', and that's it. Understood?"
Valdez nodded. "Yes, I do. And as for you, Espio. Would you be willing to go to this school?"
Espio thought over the situation. Being more knowledgeable is a good thing but… he would have to leave his mother and his little sister behind, not to mention the dojo. How could he do such a thing?
But seeing the look on Valdez's face… how could he deny his request at this point?"
"Yes… I am…"
"That's good to hear, my boy. I'm glad."
"When does this… school start?" The Bride asked.
"Term begins in mid August, about a month from now. This should give time for Espio to pack whatever he wants to bring. I'll also supply him whatever he needs, so there's no need for worriment."
"Wow… Espio, you're going to a school! I wish I could go…" Shami said as she ate her rice.
"Shami! Close your mouth!" The Bride scolded.
"This was a delicious meal, Bride. Thank you," Valdez said as he got up, eating the last grain of rice. He bowed.
"Thank you, Valdez. If you may be kind, please wash the bowl I have provided you."
"Understood."
Valdez washed the bowl in a pot of hot water, scrubbing it with his hands.
Meanwhile, Espio was thinking over everything that was going on. He was about to go to this big school… but… no one would be there for him besides Valdez.
The chameleon picked up the brochure and skimmed through it. None of the text he could understand, due to being in a different language it seemed. But from what he could make from the pictures, it depicted smiling students and different buildings.
"What is any of this?" Espio muttered to himself.
"Ah, I see you're already interested, Espio," Valdez said. The chameleon looked up at him.
"I mean…"
"Oh no no, it's fine. I understand. Well, I must be taking my leave now. I'll see you in a month from now, Espio."
Valdez walked towards the front door, placing on his shoes. He turned around and waved, opening the door and shutting it behind him.
ONE MONTH LATER
Espio stared at the two luggage cases in front of him. The first one had all his clothes, and some of his personal belongings, included his kunai knives, old photos, and some other items he had found in his living quarters. The second contained stuff that Valdez provided him, what he called 'textbooks, notebooks, pencils', and other things Espio didn't quite get.
The fuchsia reptile remembered being incredibly confused when he picked up one of the 'textbooks' to read, only to not understand a single word.
A sudden knocking at the door interrupted him from his thoughts.
"Ah, Espio, I knew I'd find you here," It was Valdez. "Come quickly, we don't have all day."
Espio nodded as he grabbed the two luggage cases. The blue chameleon took note and grabbed one of them.
"Let me take care of that for you."
As Espio and Valdez walked towards the exit of the dojo, he saw his mother and Shami standing next to each other.
"Mother…" Espio said.
"I know it must be difficult to leave home, Espio. But… perhaps this could be a next experience for you," Bride of the Constant Vigil said. In the days since Valdez arriving, she had calmed down about the idea of the Outside world, and became far more relaxed. "I know you'll do your best."
"Mother… I…"
Espio hugged his mother, who returned the hug.
"I'll miss you, my son…"
"Me too, big brother!" Shami said, running up to hug her brother's leg. "Promise to bring me back something!"
Espio smiled down at his little sister.
"Okay, I'll bring you back something nice," He patted his little sister's head. Shami smiled in response.
"Espio?" Valdez questioned.
"I must go," Espio said, before he bowed. Mother and Sister bowed in response as the chameleon got his last look of his dojo.
"I'll be back soon, home…"
And with that, Espio turned around, and followed after Valdez.
It was… strange.
Espio, for the first time in his life, would be leaving his village.
He only wondered what life outside the village was like. Were they like how everyone in the village was? Or were they truly different in the way that his mother made him out to be?
Whatever the case may be, it only gave Espio more butterflies in his stomach.
Right now, he and Valdez was walking down a dirt path with various trees on each side.
"Valdez… where are we going?" asked Espio.
"Well, we're going to pass through the main city and to the train station. Then we'll take my car to the school," explained Valdez. The fuchsia chameleon was already lost. Car? Train Station? What on Mobius were THOSE?
After some time, the dirt paths had ended, and the two were now walking on the sidewalk. Espio took note of these large… things that rolled by. He tugged on Valdez's vest.
"Hm? What is it, Espio?" asked the blue chameleon.
"What are those things passing by?"
"Oh, those are cars."
"So that's the thing I'm going to ride with Valdez…" Espio thought to himself.
After walking on the sidewalk for what felt like ages, passing by several people who stared at him as they passed by, the two chameleons reached an area with many mobians walking on the streets, 'cars' rolling by, and all sorts of things around him. It felt like Espio needed over a million eyes to properly see everything.
"So this is the Outside world…" Espio said.
"Impressive, huh? Wait until you see where I'm located," Valdez replied. "Anyway, let us go to the train station."
Valdez walked forward as Espio followed behind. He still continued to look around him, seeing signs everywhere. One depicted some sort of device with a mirror in it, calling itself 'Yadaboshi Camera'. Another depicted a female mobian with large breasts, however, it appeared as though she was not real, but instead, drawn. And so many others that Espio couldn't even look for a good second, because as he began to look at a red building that said 'SEGA' on it, Valdez grabbed him by the arm.
"We're here. Try not to get left behind, Espio," The blue chameleon said. The two walked down a set of stairs along with various other people, many who looked at him as before. Why were they staring at him?
Whatever the case may be, it didn't bother the chameleon that much. He followed behind Valdez, and stopped when Valdez had done so too. He was in front of some sort of chamber with a female inside of it. She smiled at Valdez as she handed him something. Espio looked at the woman as he went through the gate.
"The train is about to arrive, so that's really convenient. We need time to get you signed in at Mobius U," Valdez said. Just then, a large vehicle pulled up in front of the two, and began to stop. The doors opened as many mobians got out from it, some wearing fancy clothing, others with luggage similar to what Espio had, and many others. After everyone stopped leaving, Valdez and Espio got on, sitting down in seats by the door.
Espio looked around his surroundings. How did something like this work? So many questions filled his head…
"I can tell you're confused about everything, Espio," Valdez whispered. "Don't worry, you'll understand it whenever you arrive safe and sound at Mobius U."
More and more mobians began to enter the train as it ended up becoming full of people. Espio could see more people staring at him as the train began to move.
"Valdez… why are so many people looking at me?" Espio asked.
"Remember, Espio, you're from a part of Northern Mobius that these people aren't. They haven't seen people like you ever. It'll become more prevalent as we head into the part of Mobius we're going to," Valdez explained.
"Ah… is it negative?"
"No, no no, of course not. They probably will forget about you by the end of the day."
Espio nodded as he stared at his hands.
Nearly a half-hour later, the train came to a stop. Everyone began to rise and collect their luggage.
"Come Espio, these crowds usually get big," Valdez said, already holding one of Espio's luggage cases. The chameleon followed behind as he saw more mobians. These mobians however, looked and wore clothes completely different from the ones on Northern Mobius.
It was strange how different things were now that he was out of his village. The question is… could he get used to it?
As Espio and Valdez left the train station, they went to a large building with many of the 'cars' that Valdez explained. The blue chameleon took out an object that made all kinds of noises when moving it, and pressed a button on a black device. Espio heard a horn in the distance.
"Ah, there it is," Valdez said. He walked over to one of the cars, a light blue one, and opened the trunk.
"Espio, hand me your luggage," Valdez said as he placed the luggage he had on his hands into the trunk. Espio gave the blue chameleon the luggage he carried, who placed it into the trunk, then shut it. He walked over to the left side and entered the car, shutting the door behind him. Espio simply looked at the car, unsure what to do.
"How about I help you enter the car?" Valdez said, rolling down the window. He exited the car, grabbed Espio's hand, and placed him in front of the right car door.
"Okay, so take your hand, and pull on the handle, like so," The blue chameleon explained, taking Espio's hand and holding it on the door handle. "Now pull it,"
The chameleon pulled on the handle as the door opened.
"Now, just get inside, and close the door behind you,"
Valdez walked back to his side of the car as Espio pulled the car door back, shutting it. However, as soon as it came into contact with the car, the noise it made was incredibly loud, startling the chameleon.
"Try not to shut it too hard, Espio," Valdez said.
As he shut the door and started the car, Espio looked around his surroundings, seeing how… tight and compacted everything was. His eyes widened as he realize how enclosed he was. He could feel sweat trickling down the side of his head as his breathing picked up.
"Oh… it's your claustrophobia, isn't it, Espio?" Valdez asked. "Don't worry, its nothing that bad. When we get to Mobius University, I promise you'll be out of the car. Just put on your seatbelt first. In fact, here, let me get it for you."
Valdez placed the seatbelt on the afraid and anxious Espio, then began to drive the car backwards. Espio could only continue to panic, being tied down against this thing Valdez called a 'seatbelt' felt like pure torture.
As the blue chameleon drived out of the building, he began to follow a road he seemed familiar with. Espio looked at his surroundings, but was limited. He wanted nothing more than to be on nice, solid ground, not to be enclosed in this car and to be tied up. He held his arms and could feel himself shake, even through his kimono. Chills ran up his spine.
"Here, how about you read this to pass the time, and so your claustrophobia doesn't consume you. It'll help you with the language that's spoken in the school," Valdez said, handing him a book. It was in Japanese, but had characters in other languages. The title was "Understanding English for Beginners".
When Espio opened the book, he was immediately greeted with a short introduction by the author of the book before the first word, Hello, popped up.
The fuchsia chameleon read the word back to himself, trying to read the pronunciation of it, but to no avail. Shaking his head, he moved onto the next page, where even more words were shown.
Now Espio was getting confused. How could he master all of these in just a few minutes? He threw the book in frustration, the first time he's done anything out of frustration rather than staying calm.
"Espio… what's wrong?" Valdez asked. Espio placed his legs up to his face.
"I don't know… it's just… is this school even for me? I can't even understand the language and…" He sighed. "I just feel like I'm not supposed to be here…"
Valdez frowned. "Now, Espio… don't think like that. The language is easy to pick up, and as I said, you're a smart individual. Here, tell you what, I'll talk to the school officials about that, okay? Then you'll be speaking English in no time."
Espio simply stared out the window as the blue chameleon focused on driving.
Finally, after what felt like a century to Espio, Valdez began to pull up into a large building. Remembering the brochure the blue chameleon gave him, this must have been 'Mobius University'.
Valdez parked the car in an area called 'Staff Parking'. Upon stopping the car, Espio quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, and got out of the car, never wanting to take land for granted ever again. Valdez chuckled.
"Yes yes, you're okay, Espio. Now come, it's the first day of term, and all the staff is very busy. Besides, it's not long until the first classes of the day begin," Valdez said. He opened the trunk and got the two luggage cases out from them, shutting the trunk afterwards. The two chameleons held one luggage case each as they began to walk around the building. Espio could see mobians of all shapes and sizes walk up to the building, some still, talking to others, etc.
Valdez looked at Espio and smiled down at him.
"Espio, welcome to Mobius University,"
As soon as Espio and Valdez opened the door, the fuchsia chameleon's eyes bulged. The sight in front of him was beautiful. A main lobby with marble flooring, stairs leading upwards, various entrances, and many other things Espio caught sight of. He looked at the statue of a fox, then to his left, where there were tables with mobians sitting in chairs. Lines formed in front of the tables that seemed to go on forever.
"That's where you would sign up, but we're going to do that in the Headmaster's office," explained Valdez.
"Headmaster?" asked Espio.
"A teacher with the greatest responsibility for the management of a school. He's very nice, and he can be of some help to when I'm not available in the moment. Now let's go to his office."
Espio and Valdez walked to the right and entered a door with a sign reading 'School Official's Office'.
"Ah, Valdez, you've arrived," A lynx said in a language Espio couldn't understand.
"Yup, I'm here, Nicole! I have the transfer student right here," Valdez responded. If only the fuchsia chameleon could understand what they were saying…
"Ah, I see! Well, I'll ring up Headmaster Robotnik to let him know you've arrived. Just take him to the Headmaster's office and do about with your business."
Valdez nodded as he entered the door which lead out to a hallway with various offices. Espio looked back and forth between each one, seeing mobians in suits sitting at a desk, papers all over it.
"And we're here!" Valdez said before knocking on the door. The door swung open as Espio found himself staring face to face at a large human man, balding, but with a large brown mustache.
"Ah, Valdez! You've finally come!" The man said. He looked down at Espio. "And you must be the transfer student, Espio! Correct?"
Espio simply looked at the man, unsure what to say… not like he was able to say anything though.
Valdez chuckled. "Heh heh, my apologies Headmaster, Espio doesn't know a single word of English. I've given him books to help him learn but it seems like he hasn't learned anything."
"Ah, I see… Well, Espio, regardless, we're welcoming you to our family here at Mobius U. Please you two, take a seat."
Valdez sat down at the seat in front of his desk.
"Espio, sit," He said in Japanese. Espio nodded his head and sat in the other seat. Meanwhile, Headmaster Robotnik was busy looking at his computer.
"Now, let's see…" He began. "We need to sign up Espio for his classes first, as well as get him a room… What could we sign him up for? You know the boy a lot more than I do, Valdez."
"Well, we could bring him into the ESOL program, that's a start."
"Hmm… that's right… Actually…"
The Headmaster brought up a list of all the sophomore students, their section of the dorm coming up. He looked through each student to find that all but one had a roommate; Vector Crocodile.
"Vector… hmm…" He thought to himself…
"Actually, we don't need to put him into ESOL. I have a different idea…"
He began typing away at his keyboard.
"There's one student here, he's a real good one, let's have him be his mentor."
"What? Really?" Valdez questioned.
"You won't regret this. Now, I'm signing him up for many of the student's classes. It may not be what he expects, but this will help him. But, I'll give you the option of selecting two different classes for him. Your pick."
"Perhaps I would like to ask Espio what he thinks?"
"You may do that. Here, take a list of the courses here and say them to Espio in both of your native languages."
After reading out every course to Espio in Japanese, the fuchsia chameleon decided on Environmental Studies, and Creative Drawing.
"For those classes, Valdez, you will accompany him to those, understood?" Headmaster Robotnik said.
"Yes sir," Valdez responded.
The printer by Robotnik's computer began to whir to life as Espio was taken off guard. Valdez laughed.
"There's no need to be afraid, Espio," The blue chameleon said. The fuchsia chameleon looked up at Valdez, hoping he was right.
"And… here's Espio's schedule! I've requested a Japanese version of the schedule by the Japanese professor so Espio would be able to understand. I've also gotten him signed up into the school's system, and he'll receive his I.D. in about a day! His first class of the day is Advanced English Literature with Professor Finitevus, so take him there. Accompany him to that class just for today though, Valdez. I'll talk to Vector after that class." Headmaster Robotnik explained. "In the meantime, leave your luggage here, and I'll get someone to bring it up for you."
"Okay, then!" Valdez said, getting up from his chair. "Come, Espio,"
As the blue chameleon began to walk out of the room, the fuchsia chameleon got up from his chair, following behind Valdez. As he shut the door, the Headmaster went back to his computer.
"I really do feel that transfer student has potential… I wish him well this year…" Robotnik said.
After arriving to Professor Finitevus' lecture hall, the two chameleons met with the white echidna professor, who explained everything to him.
"Well, it's an honor to have you in my class, Espio," Professor Finitevus said, holding out his hand. Espio simply looked at it.
"Heh heh… wow, you weren't kidding when you said he didn't know English. But don't worry, Espio! Now that you're in this class, there's a lot you're gonna learn! Now, class is going to begin in just a few minutes, so how about I introduce you to your peers? I had the same ones last year, so when they learn about you, they'll be fascinated!"
Again, Espio didn't respond.
"Anyway, I'll take my leave for the time being. I'll come back though," Valdez said.
"Ah, okay! Espio, why don't you stand behind the wall here until I call for you? Er, Valdez, could you tell that to him in his native language?"
Valdez explained it to Espio in Japanese who understood. He walked over behind the wall and waited for the 'class' to begin. As he stood by himself, only one thought came to his head as he frowned.
"Damn… I forgot my ninja stars…"