I'm not going to go into a long story of why I was away for so long, since I don't think I could give any acceptable reason. Long story short, life happened.
"What?" The young wizard's voice strained out as the possibility of a breakdown grew. Carbuncle could easily hear the sadness in his voice, which prompted the fox-like creature to try and comfort the boy by nuzzling him affectionately.
"I know it's difficult to hear, but it's the truth." Carbuncle said in a low tone as its own sadness began to grow.
"H-h-how do you know this?" Vivi asked with slight sobs interrupting his question.
"I'm going by your energy presence. Usually when someone or something is transported into another timeline or dimension, a small portion of their energy presence is left behind, even if it's a tiny fraction. This allows for an easier return to the original location. It's tricky to explain, but it's a lot easier to go then it is to return when it comes to this kind of travel."
The weight of Carbuncle's revelation stunned the young boy into an almost catatonic state. What was his eidolon friend mean, surely to goodness his friends on Gaia wouldn't forget him, right? As if Carbuncle's words evolved to gain physical mass, Vivi collapsed to his knees under their sheer weight. Vivi's slight sobs began to get louder and louder with each one, quickly becoming a full blown whale of despair, a whale that gained the attention of those he helped just a few moments ago.
"We heard screaming, is everything alright?" Pyrrha asked as everyone came charging through the thicket, each holding what looked to be an enlarged chess piece.
"Yeah," The fox creature replied, trying to cover the sorrow in its voice, "He just received some heavy news. We're going to stay here for a little while before heading on our way, it was nice meeting you guys."
"Actually we might know someone who might be able to help you guys get to wherever you're going." Yang said with her sister-like instincts kicking in.
"Yeah, I'm sure Headmaster Ozpin would be more than willing to help you guys out!" Ruby joined in with her half sister.
"That's sounds great, you guys go on ahead, we'll follow behind you once my friend calms down." Carbuncle replied, looking towards Vivi.
With that the group of colorful students began to quietly walk past the crying child and his assumed pet. The only acception was the rose themed reaper who paused briefly to kneel down and give Vivi an affectionate hug, to which the boy accepted without question. After a brief moment when the young wizard and his eidolon were alone again, Carbuncle crawled into Vivi's arms, allowing the boy to embrace the creature in an unintentionally crushing hug. They both remain in that location in silence, comforting each other as Vivi's quiet sobs continued to make his body tremble for what felt like hours, but in reality was just a few minutes.
"Carbuncle," Vivi whispered, gaining the attention of his now only friend, "Do you think I could have done more to help Zidane and the other back on Gaia?"
"Vivi, you did everything in your power to help your friends, which was more than enough. I don't think there is anyone that would say otherwise." Carbuncle replied immediately in a firm tone. Those words seemed to be enough as with one last sniffle, Vivi stood up and adjusted his broken steeple hat.
"Well," Vivi said before briefly pausing, "Let's get going, we shouldn't keep them waiting too long." As the young wizard picked up his staff and began to follow the group of colorful people, Carbuncle had only one thought cross its mind.
'That boy is far from being alright.'
As the new students of Beacon finally made it up the sheer cliff-side by traversing the natural, winding pathway, the group of eight were met by Headmaster Ozpin and professor Glynda Goodwitch.
"Congratulations, you eight have passed this initiation. Now if you would please make your way to the auditorium, Ms. Goodwitch and I have something to take care of before we start the ceremony." Ozpin said as he greeted his new students.
"Actually Headmaster Ozpin we have something to tell you. While we were in the forest, we met this little boy and his gree-!"
"That is exactly what I was talking about Ms. Rose," Ozpin said, interrupting Ruby's speeding recollection of events, "We've been watching everything, so we know about the boy and his talking fox."
"Oh," Ruby replied disappointed after being so eager to recall everything, "I guess we'll just head inside."
As the students began to shift past the two authority figures, Pyrrha stopped for a moment to make a request. "Please be easy on him, that boy seems to be going through a lot." The only reply the red haired spartan received was a small nod from the headmaster before being motioned to follow her fellow students. Only when the two professors were left alone for some time did Glynda finally speak up.
"Headmaster, what exactly do you plan to do with this strange boy and his pet?" Goodwitch asked, turning her head towards her boss.
"That's a very good question Glynda, I suppose we can start by talking to them." Ozpin replied as he gestured towards the cliff where a boy in a blue coat and a small green fox with a ruby embedded in its forehead emerged.
"You seem to be full of surprises young man," The Headmaster said gaining the attention of Vivi who had a troubled look in his eyes. "My name is Ozpin and this is my assistant Glynda Goodwitch."
"I'm Carbuncle and this is my friend Vivi, we were told you could help us with getting to the nearest town or village." Replied the the eidolon while keeping eye contact with the headmaster.
"Indeed we can, but I would like to ask you two a few questions, and I assume you both know what they would be about," Ozpin answered, receiving nods from the boy and his companion, "Good, now if you would follow us, Ms. Goodwitch and I have something important to take care of before we can have a conversation."
As Ozpin and Glynda turned and began walking towards the massive building, Vivi and Carbuncle shot each other a nervous glance before following the two adults, with the same thought running through both their heads.
'I don't have a good feeling about this.'
As the two were led through what they learned was a school of all things, they couldn't help but silently marvel at how simple, yet elegant everything was. From the crystal clear windows and extravagant lighting, to the detailed portraits of what they guessed were important people and locations, the four finally walked into what looked like a bizarre office.
Gears and dials cranked and ticked beneath and behind the walls and floor. The front half of this rather large room was left barren of any decor or furniture, however the back half had a large, grey, square area rug, a grey couch with a coffee table in front of it, and a black desk with one black chair behind and two smaller black chairs in the front of it sat at the very back of the room. Perhaps the most eye catching aspect of the room, was the window at the very back that replaced the entire wall, allowing a perfect view of the school grounds.
"Feel free to make yourselves as comfortable as possible, we should be back up here within an hour at the latest." Ozpin said snapping the two newcomers out of their silent amazement. Before the two could even process any quick questions they might have had, the door to the office was closed, leaving Vivi and Carbuncle to contemplate what was going to happen.
"I don't know what it is about that man, but I don't have the best feeling about him" Carbuncle finally said after waiting a brief moment to make sure they were alone.
"So you felt it too?" Vivi asked, happy to know that he wasn't alone with his uneasy feeling.
"Yeah, him and the woman both seemed heavily guarded the moment they laid eyes on us, as if they thought we were dangerous."
"Why would they think we were dangerous if we've never met them before?"
"Honestly, I don't know, but we need to be ready to get out of here in case things get bad." Carbuncle finished as it finally decided to sit down on the couch with Vivi following behind.
The minutes passed in tense silence as both of them began thinking of possible ways to escape without any help from Vivi's magic. Each scenario that they either thought of themselves or together was quickly crushed, either by their lack of knowledge of the location, the assumed massive numbers against them, or both. In fact, the two were so wrapped up in their own private discussion, that they didn't notice Ozpin and Glynda had returned until a cough snapped them back into reality.
"I'm sorry for startling you two like that, but I would like to have our conversation now." Ozpin said as he gestured to the chairs that sat in front of his desk, which Vivi and Carbuncle immediately moved to while Ozpin sat in his chair and Glynda stood beside him.
The Headmaster then took what felt like hours to pour himself a fresh cup of coffee, almost as if it was intentional, before focusing back onto the strangers.
"Now here is what's going to happen, you two are going to tell me why you suddenly appeared in the Emerald Forest, began slaughtering Grimm with such levels of arcane power that has never been seen in Remnant's entire history, and why you have the same type of energy as Grimm." Ozpin sternly said while looking Vivi in the eyes.
The demand from the Headmaster had Vivi and Carbuncle both alarmed and confused. Alarmed for the fact that the man's previously calm outlook suddenly shifted to a fierce one, and confused because they didn't have the first clue as to what he was talking about. When both of them looked like they weren't going to respond, it was Glynda who decided to speak up.
"I advise you both to start talking, this can only end poorly if you choose to remain quiet."
"But I don't know what he's talking about!" Vivi practically shouted, allowing his childlike behavior to slip out.
"We honestly don't," Carbuncle assisted in explaining, "We don't really understand how we got here either, we don't even know where 'here' is."
"So you expect us to believe that you two just randomly popped into the forest and began using powers that even the strongest military force on Remnant could only dream of using?" Glynda fired back, clearly not believing their statements.
"Now Glynda, let's take a step back," Ozpin said, trying to calm his partner's ever growing unease, "How about we try this again, except start with explanations?"
As if the silence from the two adults was a sign for Vivi and Carbuncle to explain, they began to tell their outlandish story. The tale began with how Vivi came to meet his best friend Zidane and the adventures they had from there. From their escape from Alexandria castle on the theater ship, to being on the run from queen Brahne's henchmen.
Vivi also went into detail about the eidolons, much to Carbuncle's hesitancy of letting these strangers know of such powerful entities by name. The young wizard started with his encounter of the lightning eidolon, Ramuh, to then seeing the destructive powers of Odin, Atamos, and Bahamut. However, there were two topics that Vivi spent the most time talking about.
The first was of how Vivi came to discover how he was actually made in a factory and his so-called true purpose as a prototype for war. He described the feelings of fear, sadness, disgust, and anger weighing down on him all at once when watching their mass production. Then he talked about how he went into a blind rage when he saw them all get destroyed by the Black Waltz. Although, that last part Vivi did mention that he was told all that by his friends, since Vivi himself didn't remember it.
The young wizard also recalled his memories and feelings of seeing the Black Mage Village for the first time. Learning that there were others like him who were also made for destruction, yet able to choose their own lives. It really helped Vivi to not feel so small and alone.
The other topic that Vivi talked about a lot was of a man named Kuja. Every word the young wizard spoke about him was full of nothing but venom and hatred, to the point where Carbuncle had to ask Vivi if everything was alright. When Vivi finally ended his story by telling the two adults when he woke up in the forest, it was already close to night time.
"Well Vivi, I must say that was quite an amazing adventure you and your friends went through," Ozpin said as he and Glynda leaned back in their chairs, "But my question is what do the both of you plan to do now?"
"In all honesty, we don't know. Our original plan was to just find the nearest town or village and go from there." Carbuncle said as it stood up to stretch.
"Regardless of what your plans are, I believe it's too late to do anything. Glynda," Ozpin said, gaining the attention of the Huntress, "Would you please escort these two to a guest room please?"
"Yes Headmaster," Goodwitch said as she stood and straightened her attire, "Follow me please."
With that the three began walking towards the elevator, but before they reached it, Ozpin spoke up again.
"I will have Ms. Goodwitch to collect you two first thing early morning, so I advise you get as much rest as you can." With that the trio stepped into the elevator and descended to the ground floor, allowing Ozpin to process what he heard in peace.
The walk through the academy's halls was a little eerie for Vivi and Carbuncle. Where the sounds of students having normal discussions could be heard, there was now only dead silence, like all the noise suddenly switched off. It reminded the both of them of the night after Bahamut's attack on Alexzandria.
Shaking off that uneasy memory, Vivi decided to focus on his surroundings and the turns they were taking. The young wizard still wanted to have an escape plan in case things went wrong. After all, you don't go through what he did without becoming a little more cautious.
Meanwhile, the tense silence was starting to get to Carbuncle, so it decided to try and break it.
"So, do you believe anything we said?"
"Honestly I don't," Goodwitch replied while still looking straight ahead, "But it doesn't matter what I believe, the only one you two should worry about believing you is Ozpin."
"Do you think he believes us?" Vivi asked having been pulled from his focus by his friend's question.
"I don't exactly know that either, but it does seem like he trusts you enough, otherwise he wouldn't be allowing you two a place to sleep here." Goodwitch replied, glancing down at the boy.
"That reminds me, what was he talking about when he spoke about Vivi's magic?" Carbuncle asked with genuine curiosity.
This question caused Glynda to stop in her tracks, contemplating how to answer. Finally, she just sighed. "The level of arcane power your friend here showed in the Emerald Forest is far greater than ever reported throughout history. Just from one of his fireballs registered more energy than an Atlas Dust Bomb, yet the explosion was contained perfectly. No one on Remnant has ever seen that kind of controlled destruction. When Ozpin first saw it, he showed something that I've never seen since I've known him."
"What was it?" Vivi asked.
"Fear," Goodwitch replied while looking Vivi in the eyes, "Anyways, here is where you two will be sleeping tonight. I will be here at six o'clock sharp to escort you to Headmaster Ozpin, so I suggest you get to sleep soon." With that, Glynda unlocked the door and began walking back the way they came before turning out of sight, leaving Vivi and Carbuncle by themselves.
"Why do you think that Ozpin guy was afraid when he saw your Firaga spell?" Carbuncle asked, still looking in the direction Goodwitch went.
"I don't know, but she's right, we should probably get as much rest as we can." Vivi replied, earning a nod from his companion.
The two walked into the room that could only be described as simple. Two beds sat at both ends of a window at the opposite part of the room. There was also a small desk that sat right next to the door, but that was it, nothing else was in there. Eager to sleep their fatigue away, the two got into separate beds before turning out the light and going to sleep.
As Glynda made it back to Ozpin's office, she was met with the sounds of various videos that they seen earlier that day. Every video that featured Vivi casting a spell was being played simultaneously with the Headmaster intensely focusing on all of them. Wasting no time, Goodwitch walked up and sat in the chair next to him to get a better look.
"What do you think of their story?" Glynda asked once the videos started to loop.
"It was certainly entertaining if nothing else, but if you're asking if I believe them, then I'm not sure. On one hand it all sounded like it was torn straight from a fairy-tale, but on the other hand, everything they said was with such seriousness, as if it was all true to them." Ozpin said as he watched a fireball manifest from the boy's staff and impact a Deathstalker.
"The level of raw power that boy has is terrifying, I can only wonder what the Red Queen could do with something like that." Glynda whispered to herself while still speaking loud enough for Ozpin to hear.
"Which is why we're going to run some tests in the morning. I want to be completely positive that he isn't some sort of spy or sleeper agent, and if he isn't, then I want to make sure he never falls into her hands." Ozpin said after finally shutting off the videos.
"And how do you plan to do that, you not going to torture him are you?" Glynda asked.
"Of course not, but it would be seriously frowned upon by normal society," Ozpin grimly replied as he stood up and collected his coffee mug and cane, "Glynda, send a message to Professor Oobleck and tell him to meet me in my office in the morning. Also, send a message to Qrow and tell him to return at once, things just got a lot more complicated."
Without waiting for an answer, Ozpin walked to the elevator and descended out of his office, leaving Glynda to her tasks.
As Goodwitch began typing the messages, only one thought crossed her mind.
'I hope that whatever he's planning isn't as bad as he's making it sound.'
I know this isn't much of a return, but this is what was planned before I disappeared. I'm hoping that I made Ozpin and Glynda at least somewhat reasonable in this chapter. Also, I've left a couple of big hints in this chapter as to what I have planned for this story, hopefully there not too vague or obvious.
However, I'm going to be putting this story on a short hold until I get my other story, The RWBY Gene, to the same number of chapters as this one, after that I'll be jumping in between the two. I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned this, but a reminder doesn't hurt.
Have a good one everybody!