(AN: And at last, it's finally arrived! I hope you all have been waiting since the announcement after finishing Despair Hill Zone, but here we are, back for a new semester at Mobius U and a revisit to a beloved AU!
Now you may be asking, 'TheHunterPersian, why are you remaking this?'. Well, it's simple. Today marks the five year anniversary of publishing the original Transfer on this site. Back in 2015, I was still in High School and frankly, not as good as writing as I am now. Currently today, I've finished with College and am currently working an internship in my field. So naturally, plenty of time has passed, as well as the quality of my writing improving. Before Transfer, I just wrote oneshots that really didn't leave a mark with people, but Transfer was my first hit and a universe that I still hold near and dear to my heart.
If you're here as a fan of the original, you'll recognize plenty of characters, scenarios, and locations, so get ready for walks down memory lane! For those who are new to this story, consider this the ultimate version of my original story, combining material from the original Transfer, the sidestory Memoirs of Mobius U, and completely brand new storylines and characters not seen in the original. I'm going to try and make this the best version of Transfer thanks to all the years of writing I've done, mainly as a way to see how I've improved.
For those who are new here as well, you may know the basic concept from just the description. However, I feel that it bears explaining as well. Since characters will be speaking Japanese in the story, they will be identified using italics (unless they're speaking on a phone). Naturally it's not something I can write out and have my readers understand, so I hope that it does carry some semblense of belief during the story. I also did a lot of research during my original story, and will likely do even more for this remake. Please let me know if I forgot anything or have something incorrect, I'm not perfect after all!
Now that I've gone on, I do hope that you enjoy this remaster of my most popular story alongside Rooming In! If there are any original fans out there, let me know! I'd love to hear from you guys again! With that out of the way, let's begin!
*Oh, and one final thing. I know this is the same cover image as the original story, however this is only a placeholder, as a certain Vecpio artist is making one for this story. You might be familiar with them if the phrase 'Riot Boys' sounds familiar)
Another phone call…
It was the sixth one that Whisper Wolf had answered that day, and sure enough, it was likely going to be from another clueless student who has never been to college before.
It wasn't enough that she had to be in charge of the cashier's office, but she was also in charge of matters relating to personal help or setting up meetings with the headmaster and other such 'fun' activities…
Not that Whisper HATED her job, but sometimes she did wish that people would do their own troubleshooting first before needing to phone the office up with simple issues.
She sighed as the looked at the phone that was ringing loudly. "Well, it's not gonna answer itself," the wolf told herself. She answered the phone and held it up to her ear. "You've reached the front desk of Mobius U's cashier's office, this is Whisper. How can I help you today?"
"E-Erm… hi? I f-forgot to set up my payment plan before the semester starts and the website won't let me make one. Is there anything I can do?"
Of course it had to be one of THESE calls…
"Usually prior towards the start of semester, the website is swamped with other students setting up payment plans and temporarily stops accepting them. Just keep checking back over the next week and they should open up. Also, the week that term begins, you should also be able to sign up, so don't stress over it."
She could hear the person on the line sigh in relief. "That's good! I didn't think I would be getting it. You see I've been trying over the past few weeks to get my financial aid in and-"
"I understand sir,"
For Gaia's sake, did she REALLY need a life story too?
"Thank you so much!"
"Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
"Not at all, thank you!"
The line disconnected as Whisper hung up. Maybe now she could finally finish up her work before clocking out for the day…
That was until the door to the main office opened. Whisper looked up to see an anxious blue chameleon holding various documents under his arms and in both hands.
"Mr. Valdez?" she asked. "What's wrong?"
"I'm-" the chameleon with a bright yellow horn said in between breaths, almost as if he ran as quickly as he could to the office. "-here for… my meeting with the headmaster…"
"W-Well, Headmaster Robotnik is currently in a meeting right now, but I think he should be done in a couple of minutes. Sit down and take a rest, you look like you ran a marathon. In the meantime, I'll phone him up and let him know."
"T-Thank you…"
The chameleon sat down and let his files slide onto the floor, and while he was busy picking them all up, Whisper picked up the phone and dialed the number for Headmaster Robotnik's office. After a few rings, the headmaster picked up.
"Whisper, what is this?" he asked. "You know I'm still in my meeting-"
"I apologize sir, it's just Mr. Valdez is here."
There was silence for a few seconds before Headmaster Robotnik replied, "Oh, Valdez! Of course! Here, I'm almost done here, I'll come and pick him up once I'm done."
"No problem, I'll let him know."
Whisper hung up the phone and looked at her acquaintance. "Wait a minute, okay? The headmaster will be out in a minute."
"Alright…" Valdez nodded.
"What are you so worked up over?"
"I think I'm about to lose something I'm passionate over."
"What, your virginity?"
"Ha ha, you're such a queen of comedy."
"Oh I know. But for real, what is it?"
"It's about that thing I made."
"Well, mind specifying or?..."
"The Foreign Student Exchange program. You know, the one I started to help bring foreign students to this university?"
"I was just pulling your leg, of course I knew you did that. I have all the records about it in my database. What's the issue?"
"Well-"
Just then, the door to the hallway of offices opened as a black Overlander teacher stepped out alongside Headmaster Ivo Robotnik himself; large, portly, and carrying the largest moustache anyone on campus had.
"Well Nate," Headmaster Robotnik said. "I do hope you have a wonderful rest of the day, and do let me know the end results of your new class."
"As I very much will, headmaster," Professor Nate Morgan replied, nodding. "Ah, good afternoon Mr. Valdez and Ms. Whisper."
"The same to you, Professor Morgan," Whisper replied.
"Valdez, will you come with me?" the headmaster replied. The chameleon nodded as he grabbed his materials and slowly walked towards the headmaster, shutting the door behind them as Whisper continued with her work.
As the two entered the headmaster's office, the chameleon set his files down on the headmaster's desk and slowly took a seat.
"Y-You wanted to see me, sir?" Valdez asked.
"I did," Headmaster Robotnik replied, taking a seat as well. "Valdez, I'm going to cut straight to the point. As you know, we've been experiencing some minor cuts in our art departments thanks to funding from our grants wanting to go into OTHER programs. This does include your program too."
"They wish to cut my program?!"
"From what I've been hearing, our funding sources say they feel we haven't done enough to justify continue giving us money to continue your program."
"But sir-" Valdez opened up one of his documents and pointed at it. "I've been making fair progress. If you see here, I was able to get in contact with some students from Mazuri and we've finally begun the paperwork to have them study here for this upcoming school year-"
"I understand that, and I know you're very much committed. However, they're telling me that unless you're able to get at least twenty students signed up, we have to stop with the program."
"They can't do this! With these students, I only have nineteen that I was able to get signed up! Sir, please tell our funders to extend the deadline. The next school year begins in a week, there's virtually NO way for me to contact a student and have them agree to all the terms and conditions that quickly!"
"Well, you better find a way if you wish to save your program. I'm sorry, Valdez, I know you feel a lot about this program, and I'm trying my best to convince them, but it seems the funders have made up their mind."
Valdez's face fell as he closed his folder. "…I… I see…"
"Again, I apologize. I wish there was more I could do, but you better quickly find one last person."
"I… understand. I'll be taking my leave now, sir."
Valdez adjusted his beret, grabbed his materials, and left the office without another word. He sulked down the hall and past Whisper, busy with her work. He continued to sulk out of the Student Services building and to the faculty and staff parking lot. Getting in his car, he threw his materials to the passenger's seat and shook his head.
How? How on EARTH was Valdez going to find another person so quickly? It took him weeks to get contacts and finalize paperwork with other students, there was NO way he could do it in less than a week.
Who did he know that was even college aged and would be a perfect candidate for the final student for the Exchange Program?
As he started up his car, the chameleon could help but get a familiar feeling… A feeling that he DID know someone…
"It couldn't be…" he said as he pulled out of the parking lot. On the car ride back to his apartment, Valdez couldn't stop to think that there WAS someone he knew, but whoever it specifically was wasn't coming to mind. It boggled him as he drove through the parking lot, boggled him as he got onto the main road, and boggled him as he drove through different roads to reach his apartment complex.
Getting out of his car with his materials in one hand and keys in another, Valdez took the flight of steps to his apartment and set everything he had in hand down on the counter. He walked towards a picture book he had and opened it up, seeing faces he hadn't seen in years.
And one face made his eyes widen.
Surely, HE could work… after all, if he did his calculations, he SHOULD be college aged… but remembering his mother, Valdez's face fell as he knew the likelihood of her agreeing to this was next to none.
But as he looked at the photos of his birth home, he knew he had to give it a chance. And plus, it was a Friday. Surely a surprise weekend trip wouldn't be TOO out of the ordinary…
"Goodness, I hate it when they stare…"
Valdez found himself in the middle of a busy subway in the Northern Mobius city of Ryube, hand on a bar as he was trying not to trip over anyone. It would have been easier said than done, if not for the geta footwear he had on. What was clear as day to not just himself, but to many of the people on the subway, was what he had on: a striped blue and black yutaka.
Valdez could feel his scales getting redder and his cheeks warming up. Many of the Northern Mobius citizens weren't used to seeing someone like him.
At least, a Northern Mobius citizen who was a part of modern society, as Valdez originated from a village in the most rural parts of Northern Mobius, separated by the government as the 'historical district'. Because of their separation from the modern Northern Mobius, the historical district's villages of Gojo, Hirunotsuka, Kaku, and Tsunoda are all governed by a 'clan house' and a 'Bride', who rules over each village and is the one who makes decisions for their own village. Where he was from, Gojo, the Shinobi clan was the leader of the village, ruled by the fuchsia chameleon woman, Bride of the Constant Vigil. Each other village also had their own leader, for Hirunotsuka, it was the Raiju clan's lynx leader, Bride of the Conquering Storm. For Kaku, it was the Yagyu clan's bat leader, Bride of the Rich Nights. And finally, for Tsunoda, it was the Gossamer clan's spider leader, Bride of the Endless Reach.
It had been a while since he had met with them all, but if there was something he was worried about on that trip, it was the response from Bride of the Constant Vigil. Each village had a strict policy of not allowing other villagers to leave the historical district, as the Bride's believed it was important to keeping the legacy of their ancestors alive. As such, many of the people from the four villages weren't even AWARE of a world that was more technologically advanced then theirs, and yet, they all had no qualms about that.
Valdez however was a special case, as he had left the village in his early 20's to pursue a learning career after feeling like being stuck in Gojo was hindering his progress. This however, caused massive tension between him and Bride of the Constant Vigil, who thought what he was doing was an act of defiance, and banished him out. It wasn't until years later that he was allowed back into the village after Constant Vigil had seen the amount of work he had done, even teaching people about Northern Mobius (even if it was impossible for outsiders to get in).
But he knew things were going to be different once she heard what he planned…
"I just hope that isn't the case," he said to himself, staring at the photo of who exactly he was going to ask to be the latest student to enter Mobius U. And once he tells him what the plan is, he was preparing himself mentally for the anger he knew the Bride would show him…
After the subway ride and a taxi to the closest place he could get to that would easily reach him towards the historic district, Valdez had noticed how pretty the flowers were this summer. Of course, he knew the reason they WERE that beautiful was thanks to the rich earth provided by the village of Hirunotsuka, but it seemed that none of the citizens in the outside world knew the truth.
Walking along the dirt path, Valdez turned as he found himself walking down a path with a fair amount of tree and shrubbery.
"It's been some time since I've been here…" he said, looking around. "Let's just hope I can remember it. And let's hope my luggage will fit, I think I overpacked this time."
Looking around to see if the coast was clear, Valdez walked towards a middle section of the shrubbery and opened it wide, revealing the path to the historic district. Snapping, he went through the shrubbery and grabbed his luggage on the way, setting it down as he brushed his yutaka with his hands.
"Alright, I'm here," he sighed, grabbing the handle of his luggage and rolling it behind him as he walked down the dirt and stone path towards Gojo. On the way, cherry blossom trees blew their petals onto the ground as a soft breeze blew through the summer day. Normally, it would have cooled Valdez had he been back in Central City, but wearing his yutaka, it was making him sweat. Cursing himself for not bringing any water, he realized he had to suck it up and continue on his way.
Eventually, after some time of walking, there was a five way intersection in front of him. Towards the left was the villages of Gojo and Hirunotsuka, to his right was the villages of Kaku and Tsunoda, and finally straight ahead was the most important village in the district; the village of Genshu, a village cut off by nearly everyone in the four villages sans the people apart of the clan houses. This was due to the village being used by the four brides to meet monthly regarding politics, economic growth, societal growth, as well as the minor comment from the government of Northern Mobius.
Since there was no reason to go anywhere but Gojo, Valdez turned towards the direction of his home village, passing through a small forest, a bridge by a waterfall and a river, and finally, rice fields and large vegetable farms. After his almost half-hour treck through the historical district, Valdez finally reached the gates to the Gojo Village, the entire village surrounded by large wooden fencing. As the blue chameleon looked up at the symbol of the Shinobi clan, he was suddenly stopped by two guards by the gate, blocking his way in with their spears.
"Halt! I don't know how an outsider entered here, but this is the village of Gojo. Turn back now, least until Bride of the Constant Vigil hears about this! Identify yourself!" yelled one of the guards. Sure enough, like everyone in Northern Mobius, the guards too spoke Valdez's native language of Japanese (albeit a bit more ancient than modern Japanese). Valdez rolled his eyes and held up his arms.
"Look you fools, its me, Valdez."
The guards lowered their weapons. "Valdez? What brings you back to Gojo at a time like this? Have you come to return indefinitely?"
"Not… that… I've come to ask Bride of the Constant Vigil of a favor. May you please let her know of my arrival?"
"Are you foolish enough to believe that the Bride is suddenly seeing people as if it were nothing? As if she wasn't busy of her own accord? We have no problem letting you in, but we see no reason in letting you visit the Bride-"
"I will have you know that I am a personal friend of Constant Vigil. Regardless of any past actions, do not take me lightly, I can report to her personally if I feel that I am being unfairly judged."
The guard was silent for a few seconds before nodding. "Very well. But behave yourself, Valdez-san. Meeting with the Bride means we will not tolerate tomfoolery."
"Oh, I know. I've known the Bride long enough to know she lacks a sense of humor."
Valdez grabbed his luggage as the other guard slammed his spear down onto the ground. The gate to Gojo was opened as the blue chameleon's eyes widened. How long it had been since he was back home, and it hadn't changed one bit. As Valdez walked into the village, he saw men working on construction projects, women shopping in outdoor grocers, and young children playing games on the street.
"And there's the Shinto palace of worship…" he said to himself, looking at the palace in the western part of the village. "Oh, and there's the Shinobi clan's ninja training school."
The chameleon passed by a group of students training outside, no doubt still having their year round classes and not enjoying the same privileges as the people around in the village. As he passed by multiple houses, some restaurants and izakaya's, and even the occasional bathhouse, he found himself towards the very northern end of the village. There it was, on the largest hill in the village and the tallest point in the village lay the Shinobi clan's dojo, still untouched from the last time he had been to Gojo.
At this point, Valdez's heart began beating intensely. He was now starting to become convinced that the Bride would deny his request. But… he WAS here after all, and the guards did accept his request to visit Constant Vigil so… it couldn't hurt to try…
As Valdez walked up to the gate leading up the stone steps to the clan's dojo, the two guards outside looked at him.
"Valdez-san, correct?" one asked. "We heard from the guards in the entrance. Please, come in. But remember: knock before entering, and be on your best behavior. One complaint and we will be forced to kick you out."
The guards opened the gate up for Valdez as he walked up the steps, putting the handle of his luggage back in its place as he lifted it up and walked up the stairs, finally at his destination.
Inside of the clan house of the Shinobi, the leader of the clan, Bride of the Constant Vigil, sat in the middle of her chambers. The only noise she could hear was the sound of the pond from the garden outside as well as the occasional drip from the bamboo fountain. She held a tobacco pipe in her hand, smoking her usual batch of cherry tobacco as she read over some scrolls she had just received from the Gossamer clan.
There were two others who lived in the dojo alongside her and the guards; the Bride's two children. Her youngest daughter, Shami, was with her nanny, teaching her how to weave in her own chambers. Meanwhile, her eldest son, Espio, was his in own chambers surrounded by a large amount of wooden dummies. The purple chameleon had no shirt on, but kept on his black hakama, white socks, his wrist cuffs, and had a sword sheath on his waist. He stood in the middle of the room, eyes shut as silence plagued the room.
In an instant, the chameleon opened his eyes and unsheathed his wakizashi sword, slicing each dummy in a matter of seconds. Some were slashed through the head, the neck, the torso, and even the arms, but no matter what, no dummy was left without at least one limb missing from its body. As Espio made quick work of each dummy, the Bride's son finally finished off the final dummy and put his wakizashi back into its sheath, clicking something in his pocket. Espio reached into his pocket and pulled out a timer.
"…10.91… damn, not as good like last time…" he muttered to himself. He sighed as he put his wakizashi on the ground, ready to clean his mess before his mother would scold him for how much of a mess he would make (until she would compliment his fighting skills, but that came later).
That was until a sudden knock from the front door. Espio perked up, quickly grabbing his wakizashi and unsheathing it. He quietly slid the door to his room open and tiptoed to the front door, ready to strike. It was just then that the chameleon turned his head and saw his mother walking towards the door.
"Who has come to show their presence to me?" Bride of the Constant Vigil asked.
"It's me! Valdez!" a voice from the other side said. Espio dropped his sword when he heard the name.
"Valdez-san? What is he doing here?" he thought to himself. The Bride opened the door, revealing Valdez at the front door with something by his side.
"Ah, hello, Constant Vigil. It's been too long-"
The Bride interrupted him. "What… is the meaning of this, Valdez?"
"Well, I don't appreciate the hostility. It's not like I couldn't return, you know."
"You barely return to Gojo anyway. You're too stuck in the outside world to return. Yes yes, what have you come here for?"
"Well, I've come to ask of a proposition. Erm, may I come inside?"
The Bride sighed. "I suppose, very well."
Valdez took off his geta at the front steps and let himself up, smiling when he saw Espio.
"Ah, Espio-kun. It's been far too long since I've seen you. How have you been?" he asked. Espio looked at his mother and back at Valdez.
"F-Fine. I've been mainly perfecting my ninja arts on my own accord."
"Strict training I assume?"
"I do not see it as strict, if it helps me get better."
"If you are done questioning Espio's methods of training and what I've selected for his future, may I offer anything, Valdez? Tea? Water?" asked the Bride.
"Erm, some tea will be fine," Valdez replied. Just then, Shami came running into the room, her nanny in tow.
"Valdez!" she said when she noticed him. The blue chameleon picked her up and hugged her.
"My, look how big you've grown, Shami-chan! You were still just a very little girl last time I saw you!"
"Uh-huh! And I've even been perfecting stuff like homemaking, and meditation, and and! And I'm gonna start ninja training soon! I'm so excited!" the little chameleon girl replied.
"Is she always this excited?" Valdez asked her nanny.
"Shami is a very excitable girl. I know the Bride wants her to be disciplined just like her older brother, but she wants to do everything he does, only with more excitement," the nanny replied. Just then, the Bride came in with a teapot and some cups. The nanny looked to her side and gasped. "Oh! Please, Bride of the Constant Vigil! Allow me to pour out the tea!"
"I suppose you need a little bit a of a break?" Valdez asked Espio. "You're sweating up a storm."
"I was just training in my room. 10.91… not a good time this time."
"Eh, I suppose you'll get there. After all, I never was too good with my times. 14.52 was my best record, Khan-sensei always called my performance shocking."
"Maybe be the Bride's son and perhaps you too will get better."
"Ha ha, I suppo- wait a minute…"
The two chameleons walked over to the tea table in the center of the main dining corner, sitting down as Shami's nanny prepared them all a cup of tea. Suddenly, Constant Vigil looked at her son.
"And what are you doing looking like that at the table?" she asked.
"I was training mother," Espio replied.
"Then I think you know better to put something on. You know better then to not look indecent at the table."
Espio bowed. "Yes mother."
The chameleon got up from the floor and headed back to his room as Shami's nanny finally prepared Valdez's cup. He thanked her as Espio finally returned with a black haori.
"Thank you," said the Bride. She turned to Shami's nanny. "Would you care for anything?"
"Oh no, it's very much fine. Please ask for more if you'd like. May I be excused, Bride of the Constant Vigil?"
"Why of course."
Shami's nanny walked away as Valdez took the first sip.
"Ah… delicious. Who prepared this?" he asked.
"I did," The Bride replied. "All of us have been drinking this tea for our meals. It's quite exquisite. We just had some earlier with rice and seaweed."
"I assume it's a little too late to ask if I may stay for dinner?"
"Well, I suppose I should first ask for your intentions for staying here," The Bride took a sip of her tea. "So, what is the story?"
"Ah, yes!" Valdez walked over to his luggage and opened it up. Espio and Shami watched with curiosity as the blue chameleon rummaged through his belongings, setting them to the floor. The Bride watched with disapproval as Valdez walked back to the table, holding a stack of papers and folders in his arms. "So… I'm sure you ARE aware of where I work, correct?"
The Bride's eyes lowered. "Yes… the OUTSIDE world…"
Espio looked over at his mother. Anytime she or any of the other Brides discussed the outside world, it was always with distain in their voices and expressions. They had all believed that the outside world had nothing of value, nothing worthwhile that would give a reason for any of the villagers to leave. She installed the fear into the outside world into he and Shami when they were young. As she said herself, "The outside world has its own traditions, and that will never be what any of the houses want for our villages. You understand, don't you, son?"
And yet… something about the outside world always mystified him. Was it REALLY as awful as his mother made it out to be?
"Well… I've come to ask a favor," Valdez said, preparing himself for the fallout that would happen. "I don't think you know about this, but over the past few years, I've been making a program getting foreign exchange students to come to the school that I work at, for them to not only experience a new world, but to also represent the areas that they come from. I've been successful at getting many people from around the world to come along, but unfortunately, this year I was told that if I don't reach a certain threshold, then the program I have will be discontinued. So… I ask of this as your friend, Constant Vigil. I know that Espio-kun has turned nineteen and-and… and I wish to ask your permission to let him be the final student to join my program!"
Valdez bowed, unaware of the reaction the three chameleons just had. Espio choked on his tea, staring at the blue chameleon while Shami gasped. Bride of the Constant Vigil however, was NOT pleased. She loudly slammed her hands on the table.
"Is THIS what you've come to ask me for?! Not returning to this village, but to have my SON enter… enter the Outside world?!" she yelled.
"Constant Vigil, ple-please!"
"ENOUGH! I should have you kicked out for even SUGGESTING such a foolish thing!"
"You don't understand what you're doing!"
"Oh, I FULLY understand, Valdez. You want to take my son into the world you live in and corrupt him with outside influences. I understand once he becomes the future leader of Gojo, Espio will need to make his own tracks into the outside world, but that will be of his OWN accord, not because you want him there!"
"But this is a chance to learn essential life experiences!"
"What could be more essential than him learning on his own? How DARE you act like you know my son more than me?"
By now, Shami had scooted over to her older brother, grabbing his haori and burying her face into it. Espio had now started to get uncomfortable with how heated his mother and Valdez were getting.
"Constant Vigil, I know you see the outside world as a threat. But look-" Valdez opened up a folder containing various colorful photos. The two chameleon siblings looked up at the photos, mystified. "This school has brought about many intelligent minds from all over the country, and thanks to my program, many of the exchange students were able to represent their countries with their achievements. Constant Vigil, I understand your concern, but this could be the chance to represent the Historical District. To allow Espio-kun to open dialogue with the outside world early so that when he's ready to become a leader, all the skills he's learned will help him continue to lead Gojo."
The Bride sat down when she heard Valdez's argument. "I… I don't know what to say… But I'm still opposed…"
"Well… there is ONE thing we can ask. Espio-kun? I know this is a heavy question, and please do not feel like you have to give an answer now. But… would you be willing to study at the University I work at?"
Espio looked at Valdez and then his mother. He didn't know WHAT to say… He WAS always curious about the outside world… but it felt like Valdez was throwing him at the deep end. Then again, his training HAD been getting a bit more dull…
"…may I please see the paper you showed Mother?" he asked. Valdez handed him a Mobius U pamphlet, which was mahogany colored and had a large campus on its front cover. However, the entire pamphlet was in a language he couldn't understand.
"Ah yes, that pamphlet isn't in Japanese. That will be something we will need to work on," Valdez said.
"T-Teaching him another language?" The Bride asked.
"Constant Vigil, before you object, I feel having Espio study another language could be key to new dialogues. While it's important he doesn't let his customs die, surely you do not oppose him learning new subjects, no?"
"W-Well no, but… but I must object!"
"Constant Vigil-"
"I'm not saying I don't want him to go. But… if he DOES agree to this and you are okay with this, I want some regulations with him. First, I want him to be with you at all times. Second, limit his interactions with the outside world. I understand he may need to interact with some people, but doing so will only introduce him to… FOREIGN concepts… Third, and most important, I only want him studying for a year."
"Surely you would want him to at least finish a four year education, if not a two at most-"
"One at most! That is all I will agree to!"
"Okay… one at most…"
As they continued to bicker, Espio continued to mull over the situation while Shami read over the Mobius U pamphlet. Seeing a new world outside his village interested him but… what about his mother and Shami? What about Gojo? What about his training? Would they all be okay if he left for a year?
Espio got up from the floor. "I… wish for some time to think…" he said, walking away from the three. The Bride looked at Valdez.
"Whatever answer he gives, do not be disappointed if he has doubts," she said.
Later that night, as Valdez was helping the Bride prepare rice with pickled vegetables and miso soup, Espio came out from his room and walked into the kitchen.
"Ah, there you are, Espio-kun," Valdez said. "So? Do you have an answer?"
Espio stared at the floor, sighed, and looked up at the two chameleons.
"…I'll go,"
Valdez smiled as he hugged the chameleon. "I knew you'd say so!"
"Espio…" Bride of the Constant Vigil walked towards her son. "Please, whatever you do… don't forget everything you've learned here in the outside world. You are going to be the face of Gojo in your future, and how you behave in the outside world will reflect your leadership skills. Don't let your village down."
Espio bowed. "Very well, mother, I shall let neither you nor the village down."
"Valdez?" The Bride turned to face the blue chameleon. "When does this… school start?"
"A week from now. Don't worry, I shall take care of Espio's supplies, books, classes, and enrollment. Normally, schools where I work at will cost money, but thankfully, there is a scholarship for students like him, so it should be enough to pay for his tuition."
"I do hope you know what you're doing…"
"Constant Vigil, as Espio has promised to you, I promise to you…" the blue chameleon proceeded to bow. "…that I too shall not let you down, that I shall be Espio's mentor and help him along the way to learning the ways of the outside world, but do so in a manner that won't warp his mind."
"Very well. I do have faith in you after all."
After dinner, Valdez had taken his leave from the Shinobi's dojo into the night streets of Gojo. Checking into a hotel and putting all his belongings in his room, Valdez had left the village and returned on the trail back to the modern parts of Northern Mobius trying to get phone reception. As much as he loved his village, curse this part of Northern Mobius for not having any phone towers…
After spending the thirty minute walk from Gojo to the very start of the trail back to modern civilization, one bar finally appeared on Valdez's phone as he sighed.
"Finally!" he said, rushing to his contacts and calling Headmaster Robotnik. It WAS late back in Central City, so he only prayed the headmaster was still awake…
After a few rings, the phone picked up "Hello?"
"Headmaster, it's me, Valdez."
"Valdez? Do… you know what time of night it is?"
"I understand it's late, but listen, this is very important. Headmaster, I found our final student for the foreign exchange student program."
There was some silence from the headmaster's end. "…that quickly? Are you sure?"
"Yes. There… MIGHT be some cases of concern we'll have with him, but I can explain it to you in the morning."
"Yes… we'll need to explain multiple factors. What he's majoring in, what his classes should be, getting his books…"
"I understand. Just… I will warn you, this student will be like none other we've had in this school."
"You aren't setting up my school into a recipe for disaster, are you?"
"Of course not, headmaster!" Valdez was now panicking. THIS was how he was trying to sell Espio to his boss? Oh, wait until he learns about his family being ninjas…
"Very well… we'll discuss this tomorrow. Please, let me sleep however, Valdez."
"Okay, good night headmaster."
Headmaster Robotnik hung up as Valdez sighed. He only HOPED he was able to get a good position, otherwise he was pretty sure he made Espio already sound suspicious.
"But for now… I need some rest…"
THE NEXT MORNING
"So from what you're explaining…" Headmaster Robotnik said on the phone. "The student in question has absolutely NO knowledge of English, and has absolutely no knowledge about anything he hasn't learned in his village, correct?"
"Y-Yes…" Valdez said, sitting on a bench back in the modern Northern Mobius.
"Valdez, I understand you needed another student, however… I feel you're setting up Mr. Espio the Chameleon for the biggest culture shock of his life. I don't know how the boy will cope in a school like this. While we pride ourselves in education, you do know we have an active sports scene here, as WELL as the occasional party, as much as I don't wish to see the students partaking in such things."
"I understand your concern, however his mother has given me three rules she wanted myself and Espio to follow throughout his time. However… I feel they're a little too restrictive. I obviously don't wish for Espio to become a party animal, but I do feel it would be best to let Espio interact with new people. Ever since I knew him, the boy has always been quite lonely, always keeping to himself and never letting his emotions out. It's how its been in his family but… you can't help but feel like he's missing out on some life experience."
"I suppose… Very well, as long as his mother has a plan, we shall proceed from there. Now, what about classes?"
"Admittedly, I haven't discussed that with Espio. His mother requested that I only keep him for a year at Mobius U, so I say we should put him into general studies. It should be enough to let him study without having him stuck into a degree he may either like or dislike. However, I do think it would be VERY crucial that we put him into the ESOL program."
Valdez heard the clacking of a keyboard. "Okay… General studies and ESOL… Do you feel we could put him into any other extra circular classes? Should he ever want to return, it would be nice to give him some inspiration."
"Well…"
Valdez stopped for a second. Now that he thought about it, what DID Espio like? More or less, how would he be able to recommend a class that a ninja would like? After all, he was not only calling the shots here, but it wasn't like they had ninja classes…
At least, until he remembered one thing that Espio WAS rather skilled at.
"Put him into Creative Drawing I. Espio is a rather artistically skilled individual, and I think he might be able to enjoy it."
"Okay… and there we have it. From what it's looking like, we'll put him in Algebra 101 with Professor Quack, Biology 102 with Professor Morgan, Social Science 101 with Professor Mink, Environmental Studies 102 with Professor Remington, Psychology I with Professor Starline, and thanks to the information you've given me, I decided that I would put him into Advanced English Literature with Professor Finitevus. I do feel confident that Espio would work well in that class, despite the fact that he would be reading… well, English literature. Alongside that, we will have a weekly meeting with an ESOL instructor, as well as Creative Drawing I with Professor D'Coolette. As for his books-"
"Let me know what books he'll need. It'll come from my pocket."
"From YOUR pocket? Valdez, surely you don't have the money for-"
"Don't worry, Headmaster. I have my ways."
"W-Well… very well. Next order of business is Room and Board… I am having some issues finding available space, so you might not hear back in regards to Room and Board, but rest assured I will find an available space. As for anything else…"
"I already have him as a part of our scholarship, so his tuition is already taken care of. Other than maybe a meal card… that's about it on your end. I'll take things from here, headmaster."
"Very well. Goodness though, Valdez. Of all the students I've signed in thanks to your program, this one has certainly been the most interesting."
"I'm glad you think so, headmaster. I think you will not be disappointed by this pick."
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll need to make records for the school, inform the instructors of these classes, set up everything regarding tuition, and email our funders letting them know that you found your final person. Busy day for me while you're on vacation, no?"
"Oh trust me, you'll learn quickly it isn't a vacation once you anger Espio's mother."
The headmaster chuckled. "Well, I'll see you in a few days from now. Have a good rest of the day."
Back in the village of Gojo, Espio sat on the futon in his room, reading through the Mobius U pamphlet once again. He still couldn't understand any of the words that were on the pamphlet, but something about the smiling students on each page and the different buildings on the inside and outside captivated him as he read through it each time. He wondered if his new school would be anything like this, or if there would be anyone like him. Maybe someone from one of the other villages was at this same school and could relate to him?
He knew he wanted to go but… looking at this brochure again made him think twice. Would he have a good time learning new skills?
Suddenly, his door slid open, revealing Valdez.
"There you are," he said. "I already talked with the headmaster, and we already set up your classes and everything. Don't worry about your books, I'll have them taken care of for the day you arrive at Mobius U. And, since you're going to a new place, I decided to get you a little gift-"
Valdez handed Espio a book. Written in Japanese, the title was, "How to learn English, sixth edition".
"I figured since you were going to a new place, you can learn the language using this. It's very easy, and it helped me learn when I left the village. I can't be here for too long, the Bride doesn't know I'm here."
Espio looked up at the blue chameleon. "Mother doesn't?"
Just then, a screech was heard from the front of the dojo. "Why is the door open?! Who has entered the dojo?!"
A dozen or so feet fell onto the ground as Espio and Valdez got up. Just then, Espio's door was open wide as the two chameleons held their hands up. Suddenly, the fuschia chameleon pointed at Valdez.
"Valdez, how dare you enter this dojo without permission! Guards, take him away and make sure he's learned a thing or two about knocking!" Bride of the Constant Vigil yelled, looking cross as the blue chameleon was taken away.
"I'LL COME BACK FOR YOU IN A FEW DAYS, ESPIOOOOO!" Valdez yelled as he was booted out of the dojo. Espio couldn't help but smile, but changed his expression to a cross one when he saw his mother staring at him.
A FEW DAYS LATER…
It was about four in the morning, and the sun had yet to even rise when Valdez had already prepared his luggage and checked out of his hotel. He left the hotel and headed to the Shinobi clan's dojo, heading up the stairs and knocking on the front doors. Bride of the Constant Vigil opened the door, candle in one hand.
"So… today is the day…" she said, clearly still tired from the expression on her face.
"It is, Constant Vigil. Is Espio ready?"
"He is. We made sure he prepared last night. Surely you have everything for him?"
"It's all in my office at my job. I asked my coworkers to send them there so we wouldn't lose them."
Espio walked forward, a knapsack over his shoulder as he looked at the blue chameleon.
"Well Espio, are you ready to begin a new chapter of your life?" Valdez asked. Espio looked at the ground.
"I… suppose."
Shami had proceeded to come out from behind her mother's leg, looking at her older brother as he and Valdez were about to make their leave.
"Mother… Shami…" Espio said, turning around to face his only family.
"It's okay, Espio. I know it's difficult to leave your home for a year, but… I have faith that you will learn much for your future," The Bride said, who had been calming down about the idea of Espio leaving over the past few days. "Remember, make Gojo proud."
Mother and Son hugged, not wanting to let go. Shami soon joined in on the hug, looking at her older brother.
"Please be okay, brother!" she said. "And bring me back something when you return!"
Espio looked down at his sister and crouched down, stroking her face. "Okay, I'll bring you back something nice just for you, okay?"
The little girl nodded as Espio got up, turned around, and made his way with Valdez down the steps of the dojo, and the two chameleons soon made their way towards the gate of the village, the fuschia chameleon not knowing what to expect as soon as the gates to Gojo were opened, not knowing what to expect when they passed by the Gojo landmarks, not knowing what to expect when the two had gone past the five way intersection to the other villages, and not knowing what to expect when the two had finally reached the exit of the historical district and went through the shrubbery into a brand new world…
CHAPTER 0 ~ Prologue
END