Unexpected Incarnate (RWBY Ozpin Incarnate SI)

Hey, RGQC here. For those who are reading this for the first time, I am a SI fanfiction writer who mainly wrote on Fanfiction.net, but I realised that it isn't safe to have them in one basket. Or I suppose one website. So I'm posting my stories here slowly and at a good pace. Perhaps every new chapter will be in a couple of days.

Who knows, if the first chapter does well enough, I'll post more of them here.

So yea, if you'll see my story for the first time, I hope you enjoy it, and I hope to see you soon!

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Everything was supposed to be ordinary back on Earth, waking up, taking a quick shower, and eating breakfast. Go to work. All those kinds of things you've expected for a young adult, yea? It's either not my day or luck, as when I opened my eyes, I didn't find myself in my bedroom or staring at my teal-coloured ceiling.

I found myself in some sort of void? I honestly couldn't tell, but whatever I am, I'm definitely not on Earth. The last time I checked, I did not pass out in the void. Wait, then how am I seeing myself despite the lack of visible light if that's the case? I could only wonder as I got up and looked around in a rather fruitless attempt to find out where I was. But as minutes passed, I began to feel more anxious and justifiably afraid by the second.

I mean, I just got kidnapped by some entity? I know I have lived alone since the unfortunate deaths of my parents, and I'm technically an adult, but it still doesn't explain where I am.

"Where… Where am I?" I could only mutter out as my movement became ever more frantic. Though it appears that wherever I was finally decided to answer that question. But not before spooking me out and making me startled as I jumped slightly. I was always easily anxious or startled easily back at home. Heck, my buddies at work would occasionally pull off harmless pranks just to get a laugh at the cost of my overreacting to it.

"It appears they have failed, brother." A rather loud voice seemed to echo into the void itself as it forced me to cover my ears due to how loud it was. But one thing perplexes me. Brother? What do they mean by that? And who exactly failed?

Details man! Details!

"What a shame… They were so close as well. But it appears that fate wasn't on their side." Another voice then came in, but that brought only more questions than answers. Also, why do they mean they were so close? Or that fate wasn't on their side? I could only silently wait and wonder what they meant by that as I continued concentrating on their conversation.

"And now they lie at the mercy of her. How many timelines have they tried to defeat her again brother?" The same voice then continued on in an almost mocking tone. The mercy of who?!

But instead of getting an answer, all that transpired was a long deafening silence before there was finally a response with an irritated sigh.

"Hmp. Too much to count. So much for hoping for their success. Again." It huffed before admitting. Hoping for whose success? Am I listening to some eldritch abomination's conversation? The hell?

"But we have other ways to change fate, don't we? Then let it begin." It says as the floor I'm standing on begins to crack like glass before shattering under me. Plunging me into the endless depths of the void as I could only scream in terror. But before the void consumed me, I could only barely hear one of them finishing their conversation as it was quite muffled.

"Let's hope that he serves as a better vessel. I tire of seeing them constantly fail to stop her." The voice muttered as I blacked out.

I woke up gasping my head out as I sat up in a dark room that had multiple bunk beds with people sleeping in each of the beds. Am I in a dorm room of sorts? Thankfully, none of them woke up from the sudden noise I had made. I could only then focus myself as I began to slow my breathing, though I struggled to keep myself calm due to my anxiety hitting me full force.

"The hell?! Where am I?" I could only yell in my head as I tried to process what had happened. Ok. Instead of waking up and doing my basic procedures, I woke up in some void? And listened to two unknown beings talking about someone failing in their mission? And whose vessel are they talking about? I could only wonder as I rested my hand on my face, only to notice something that I hadn't paid attention to until now.

I can see in the dark.

Like literally seeing everything clearly at night. I can see every detail in the room while it is pitch dark, and I can see that I'm wearing checkerboard-patterned pyjamas. "Do I have night vision? How is that possible?" I wondered to myself as I stared at my hand in front of me before glancing at the bunk bed to my right and saw a girl with pink hair sleeping.

Wait, what. Pink hair?!

What! Whu- why is her hair pink?!

"What is this?! Am I in an anime of sorts?" I sarcastically thought to myself as I then looked to my left bunk and noticed a boy with sheep horns on the side of his head? Okay, at this point, I'm either high as a bloody kite or stuck in a strange ass dream. Because I didn't just see a boy with sheep horns attached to his head.

In hopes that this was all just a weird ass dream, I then proceeded to pinch myself in the arm before wincing in pain with a slight groan.

"Yup, not a dream. Not in the slightest. Last time I checked, you can't feel pain in a dream. Great. Now where the fuck am I?" I then slowly and silently got off the bed, only to see what, I assumed, was my name at the side of it.

"Zack Arakan?" I whispered out. That's my name in this world? It sounds like a mixture of English and Japanese. Damn, I wish I knew what's going on because I'm sleeping in a bed that has both English and Japanese names together! Then what does Arakan stand for anyway!?

I don't speak Japanese!

While ranting in my head, I then noticed a small cabinet that had a digitalised clock on it, it even stated that it was 0600 in the morning, but it wasn't alone on the cabinet. There was also a potted flower and some sort of letter on it.

Without thinking, I then grabbed the letter and stuffed it into my pocket only to notice something long and fluffy dangling off my butt. My eyes widen when I realise that I have a tail of all things! As if by instinctual command, my tail stood up and it fluffed up in response to my shock. It also gave me a better view of it, and it looked really fluffy as I watched it dances in the darkness.

"Why do I have a tail? And it looks like a fox's tail I've seen online! Does that mean I'm a fox boy?! Do I have fox ears as well!?" I franticly thought as I reached for my head to notice that no, I don't have fox ears on my head. Strange, but my hearing is unusually strong. I can hear the slow heartbeats of those who are sleeping if I pay enough attention. I can even hear snoring from the other side of the bunk room rather clearly. That's going to take some time to get used to.

As I left the bunk room and went through the dark corridors with my night vision, which was quite handy indeed until I finally managed to find a bathroom by wandering into it, and it wasn't that far from the main bunk room housing. So, as I entered it, I then looked for the switch and hit it. Unfortunately, having night vision kind of worsens it when the light of bathroom lights suddenly turns up and immediately burns out my retinas.

I let out a hiss as I immediately covered my eyes with my hand and tried to get my bearings together, all while leaning against the nearby wall for support. A minute or so passed as I slowly removed my hand and opened my eyes slowly to adjust to the brightness of the room. At the same time, I shuffled slowly towards the toilet basin and finally had a look at myself in the mirror.

What was once black hair, has been replaced with pure white hair with black highlights at the tips of it that extends all the way down to my shoulders. It kinda reminds me of snow in a way, or people who had so much stress that their hair turned white. My face seemed roughly similar to how I originally looked, except that my eyes were now golden-yellow instead of the basic brown that I had. Even more, my skin was unusually pale for me and didn't have the Asian feel to it.

But seeing my hair reminded me that I have a tail as well, so I made it curl around my waist so I could grab it with my hand. And much to my surprise, I never realised how long it was! It actually went down all the way to my knees, or my tail is soft and fluffy that I couldn't help but stroke it slowly. Oh, that feels nice… Wait! Focus! It was then that I noticed that my fox tail looked similar to how my hair looked. It has white fur with the tip of it having black highlights. But that brings another question. Where or, more exactly, who am I then?

I clearly looked human but except I had an addition of a fox tail, which basically rooted out the possibility of me being fully human any more. Possibly? Maybe? I could only pull my tail into a hug as I began to wonder next, where in the bloody hell am I?! And what about the previous host? What happened to the original owner before I took over?! My breath began to waver as I sat on the toilet seat to process everything.

It's clear that wherever I'm in, it looks like I'm in an orphanage of sorts, judging from the number of kids like me sleeping earlier. But why did I take over some random older kid's body? Then why does that happen to look a hell lot like mine back on Earth!

This doesn't make any sense!

"Where the fuck am I?" I could only mumble out as I clutched my head with my hands. I even looked much younger than I was before! Before being dragged to whatever the fuck this is, I looked like a young adult and already had a well-paid job! Now, I look like how I did when I was in Secondary 4, and I was 16 at that time! (Basically, high school for my western audience. And soon to advance to junior college.)

I then remembered that I had a note in my pocket before I'd decided to pull it out and read it, hoping that it would give me hints as to where I was exactly.

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Hey Zacky!

It's me! Schmitt here! Remember me? I'm your friend when we were younger before what happened at Nozomu. It's been a long while, and I've only just heard as to what happened to you and… I'm sorry. Truly I am. It must be hard for you to lose them and be forced to flee to Hinan alone. Well, at least you'll be much safer there! And I hope you have a better life there!

From what I've heard, that place over there has a lot more guards watching over there. Though… I'd wish you'd received this much earlier, but the fall of Beacon and the collapse of the CCTs had basically made things… harder. But I hope that you're doing much better now compared to me.

Mom and dad wanted me to stay in Atlas and away from you ever since they heard that the White Fang were partially responsible for the Fall. Well, besides the Grimm assault as well as the giant-ass Grimm Drake frozen on top of the Beacon Tower. I tried to argue on your behalf that you're not them and tried to get them to take you in, but… I failed.

They were justifiably paranoid from that speech during the festival, and I fear that this, this may be the last time we've talked in a long while until things calm down. But mom and dad insisted on teaching me how to run the company. It's so boring, and I wish to become a huntress! I wish you were here! I missed ya.

Till then Zack, I hope that we can still meet again in the future! Besides, I missed your tail, it's so fluffy and nice to hug.

Take care,

Celeste Schmitt.

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As I continued reading the letter, everything started to make so much sense and answered a large chunk of my questions! I'm not in some random orphanage, I'm in an orphanage in Remnant post-fall! That's actually worse now that I think about it. And that explains the fox tail I had and those weird-ass colours and horns on one of those kids earlier! I'm a bloody fox Faunus with that tail of mine! And that's not good. I gotta deal with racism and segregation of that kind of shit.

And Celeste Schmitt… Sounds like a German girl's name...

"Who was she? Have I met her before?" I could only wonder who she was, it was obvious that we'd met before but… My mind suddenly blanked out as the thought of that girl seemed to work as it triggered something within my head and my eyes widened in response.

I got this body's memories.It started out with genuine child-like innocence in a town with a Faunus mother with a human dad. Huh… Guess the world of Remnant was right that if a Faunus and a Human breed, their child will either be a Faunus or a Human. So, in this case, I adopted my mother's species. Though she had fox ears, and I got a tail instead. A shame though. It would be much easier to hide those ears if I had them. It also appears to be the reason for my paleness, though her eyes were blue instead of yellow. Must have gotten that feature from this body's father.

But then, everything changed when the bandits attacked Nozomu, my home town. Both mom and dad died protecting me, and I left the ruins about a while ago before arriving at Hinan, another neighbouring town. I also discovered that I was temporarily staying at this orphanage in return for helping them out. Pay included. And Celeste, she was a girl that soon left for Atlas all those years ago. A close friend it seemed…

Speaking of Atlas… Yes, I haven't paid much time to RWBY ever since the quality of the show started to drop, and I look at parts of Vol 8 but enough to keep me informed as to what happened before Atlas falls. But me saving Remnant from Salem as some orphaned kid? Like hell that's going to happen. I honestly wasn't sure if they were going to win. I know that the ending of Vol 8 shows them heading to Vacuo and everything looking grim dark (Hah!), as Atlas crumbles alongside general Ironwood. That paranoid man and his damn Semblance. He got too desperate and pretty much-alienated everyone, even his own men and his most powerful asset who had the maiden's powers, Winter.

Bah! Too much information. And those voices I've heard before waking up here, were those from the brother Gods? It now makes a hell of a lot of sense, and if they were the ones to send me here, and didn't one of them say that this isn't the first timeline in which team RWBY and the gang tried to stop Salem and failed?! Damn! And what does one of them mean by better vessel?

Vessel for whom? Ozpin? I think I'm missing something here… Though, it appears that my thoughts were interrupted by someone else calling me.

"Oh! Hello Zack! I didn't expect to see you up this early." My eyes shot up from my letter before facing a woman who looked like she was in her early forties. She had black hair alongside blue eyes that seemed to shine kindness. She could be seen wearing what is basically a vest of sorts over a white vest as well as black pants to go alongside it. Oh, and she's also wearing slippers with it.

Huh…

"Aunt Cassy, I didn't know you'd be up this early." My own mouth seems to move on its own as she notices the letter in my hand before looking back at my face. Do I know her? It seems more like this body knows her.

"The same could be said about you, Zack. But yes, someone needs to help organise everything for the day itself," Cassy stated before taking a short pause and continuing. "I see you read the letter I'd left beside you, I received it the night before, but you and everyone else had already gone to bed, so I decided to leave it next to you. I'm glad you noticed it. We wouldn't want anyone else reading it, yea?" Cassy confirmed as I nodded back.

"Yea, thanks for that aunt, Cassy." I seemed to know her well in a way. It must be mutual respect or something if she's willing to speak so casually to me. Yet, it's clear that we had a decently close relationship from the memories I've received so far. She accepted me into the orphanage, and I did my part to help her out alongside some of her colleagues, since I was much older than any of the other kids in the home. I was also getting paid for it as well, much to my delight.

Noticing my silence as I glanced back at the letter in my hand, she asked curiously. "Zack, what does the letter say? If you don't wish to tell me, I understand." I could only look at her and back at the letter before letting out a sigh. And I explained.

"This letter is from an old friend of mine who used to stay in my old town before moving to Atlas with her parents. It's mostly about her being concerned about my safety ever since she heard about the incident that happened in Nozomu, and she also expressed her condolences for my loss. She also heard of my journey to Hinan and wished for my safety and wished me luck in having a better life there." I paused before continuing.

"But I won't say much, a lot of the letter is personal stuff, and I don't feel like sharing at all. I hope you understand." I bowed to her as she gave an understanding nod.

"I understand. You two must be very close to each other. Am I right?" I mean to me, Celeste is a complete stranger to me yet, it's clear that I had a connection with her. Like I knew her before she moved to Atlas.

"We were…"

…

"May I know her name? The letter didn't come with a name, but it states that it was meant for you." Should I? I feel slightly uncomfortable, but this is my new life now in a way. Funny… I lost my parents to an unfortunate accident, and now in Remnant, the very same thing had happened to this body host. Talk about fate being a bitch here.

I could only let out a sigh. "My friend's name is Celeste Schmitt. Years back, she and her parents moved from Nozomu to Atlas as Celeste's parents wished to start up a business there. From what I'd heard. they're clearly doing much better there than here, and she was also the first friend I'd made back at Nozomu before it fell. She didn't care that I was a Faunus but found my tail huggable and cute when I got excited." My mouth seemed to move by itself as I stood up and glanced at the mirror. A small smile appeared on my face as those memories appeared in my head.

However, that smile didn't last long, as it changed into a frown. "But ever since the fall, her parents have been insistent that I can never see her again, despite her protest of it. I won't blame em in the slightest. Her parents had always been cautious of Faunuses ever since one tried to kidnap Celeste when she was much younger."

"But they allow you to interact with their daughter?" Cassy continues probing it.

"At the time before she moved out, her parents and mine were relatively close together, so I guess they just turned a blind eye to my family. But not anymore… not after the fall, it seems." I let out a huff and a shrug before keeping the letter in my pocket and grabbing one of the black tying bands hanging on the wall.

I then used it to band up my hair into a high ponytail as if I knew how to do it. Naturally, it must be Zack knowing how to do it. As I was tying up my hair, Cassy seemed to give me a pity smile before walking off somewhere. Most likely, she had a job to accomplish first and had wasted enough time talking to me.

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Some time passed as I changed into Zack's casual outfit which consisted of a white t-shirt which had its sleeves rolled up and naval blue jeans. I also wore red and white sports shoes. It wasn't what I'd usually wear, but it would do before I assisted Cassy and her colleagues who had arrived later on in getting breakfast ready for the orphans. Turns out, I was well-liked as I would regularly play with them with toys or scrolls it turns out, I have one for myself and Cassy would deposit my pay in it. In fact, I was also called big brother Zack by a couple of them, and I would occasionally distract them with my tail.

Aww…

But then there was also a case in which I had to intervene when two orphans got into an argument before a fight broke out. Something about us Faunuses looking weird with our additional appendages, I had to order him like a big brother to sit down and have a talk about his actions. It turns out, this is the same brat Zack doesn't like in the slightest due to his utter refusal to cooperate with me or any of the caretakers.

At first, I believed that he was just a problem child, as many kids are when they lose their parents, turns out I was wrong from the start. The little shit really REALLY hates Faunuses in general, all because we 'look weird'. If that's the dumbest reason to hate someone, I dunno what is. Nevertheless, I had to punish him by making him help out with the chores in the orphanage.

Some time passed, and it was already evening. Cassy kept everyone busy having dinner with them since I had mine much earlier than the others at my request. All because I wish to send a letter back to Celeste. She at least deserves a response if we were to meet again somewhere in the future. But perhaps this life may not be so bad, away from any sort of conflict or trouble. Just the way I liked it.

I'm no fighter after all.

And while I can help RWBY against Salem, I'm literally a sixteen-ish year old Faunus with no fighting skill and also a bloody coward. Yea! I admit it! Going against her is a terrible idea! Even with my knowledge, I would be just a burden to them. But the thoughts of what the brothers had said lingered in my mind for quite a while now since morning.

But as I continue writing my letter to my 'friend', something feels off, maybe it's just me, but something doesn't feel right… As if something else infiltrated my head in a way. But there's no way that is true, my anxiety must be kicking in. And with that, I continued writing my letter to Celeste. Once I'm done, I immediately head back to the dorm roand,and more specifically, where I sleep. I then noticed a large bag underneath the bed in which I slept.

And with curiosity in mind, I pulled it out from underneath and unzipped and what was inside caught me off guard. I saw a sword in a black scabbard that I'd never seen before, but it was obvious that Zack knew it more than I did. I then grabbed the scabbard from the bag before standing up and pulling out the sword. And it's a pretty one.

I can tell at first glance that this sword is clearly a single-edged blade with serrated edges near the guard on the blunt side of the blade. It is also painted black from the guard to the blade itself, except that there's a red line that exits from the guard itself and extends all the way to the point of the blade itself. It looks like a katana now that I've had a good look at it…

As I continued to observe the sword itself, I then noticed that on the blade itself, a name of it could be seen engraved on it.

Oathkeeper

Oathkeeper, huh? There got to be a meaning right there. And yet, I can't help but feel upset. Because I know that this blade used to belong to Zack's father. He dropped his career as a Huntsman just so he could live a quiet life in Nozomu only for bandits to attack the village.

I remember it all as if it were all yesterday. He asked Zack to grab the bag underneath his bed and run. He just keeps on running and running without looking back. And yet, only days later, when he arrived in Hinan did he receive the news from the authorities that everyone there had died.

Both his parents didn't make it.

And it broke him for weeks. He- no, I spent grieving for them. Yet, perhaps their legacy would still be given a chance with this sword. But do I have the courage to do it? I could only wonder to myself as I sheath Oathkeeper back into its scabbard and kept it inside the bag, might as well take a shower first.

But it appears that while I was washing my face, I noticed something was seriously off as I gazed back at the mirror in the toilet. I'm getting some serious Déjà vu going on here, I could only glance around as I asked.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" That appears to be true when a familiar yet unfamiliar polite voice appears in my head and greets me.

"Hello! I'm Professor Ozpin!" To say the least, I was justifiably shocked as I jumped slightly and looked everywhere. Even his voice was echoing in my head.

"What the?!" I panicked as I looked everywhere, but no one else was in the toilet, yet his name says it all as I paled slightly. What the fuck is Ozpin doing inside me?! No. I must be going nuts from the stress of getting tossed into a random kid's body! Why isn't he in Oscar instead?

No, wait… I remember it now, 'he serves as a better vessel.' So that's how it is, huh? The bloody gods decided that, oh, let's pick this random guy up and use him as a new vessel for Ozpin! Yea!

That's a great idea!

他妈的一块狗屎! (Translation: Tā mā de yīkuài gǒu shǐ! /Motherfucking piece of shit!)

"Are you alright, Zack? You've been standing here staring at the mirror for one minute." Ozpin seemingly asked me with concern as I was frozen for at least a minute or so while my face also paled for a while now. Though, hearing him speak again immediately snapped me out of my stunned situation and, without hesitation, grabbed a towel beside me and cleaned my face of any water still on me.

"Nope it must definitely be just in my head; there's no possible way the headmaster of Beacon just somehow ended up in my head. I probably just need some rest and this nonsense will go away." I walked off after placing the towel back as Ozpin spoke again in my head.

"No, it's not a lie, Zack."

"Nope! Not listening to you! Nuh-uh!" I countered Ozpin as I covered his ears. I just need a rest, and all this will pass! I will definitely wake up back on Earth tomorrow!

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A month later…

Turns out it wasn't a dream as I wished it was, and I was stuck on Remnant. And as much as it was necessary, I've basically got used to my new life in the orphanage and being a Faunus and getting used to the fact that I now have a fluffy tail that is difficult to dry after a shower. Besides that, there's a problem I'd encounter. Ozpin for some reason, had ended up in my head!

He's supposed to go to Oscar!

Why in the glorious fuck did he end up in me? And I've been quite resistant to leaving, and I tried to ignore him. He also took the time to explain some stuff which I'd already known before he invaded my personal space, though it appears that I had reached its limit in the following conversation.

"No, we are not going to Haven. Why the hell do I need to go there!" I argued in the toilet as it seemed to be the safest place to be in without drawing attention from everyone else. I'd hoped that I would somehow end up back on Earth, but it was for nought. And how I have Ozpin somehow in my head!

Like, come on!

I heard an audible sigh coming straight from within my head as Ozpin spoke. "Don't you wish to uphold your father's legacy as a huntsman?" He asked.

"What?! How did you know about it?!" I counter, at this point, I'm pretty sure I became Zack as I have all his memories, and I know that Ozpin could do that, but I didn't realise that he did it already.

"Your memories are our memories now, and I know that in your heart, you wished to take up your father's mantle. Though a portion of your memories seemed locked off from me, I suppose you're instinctively preventing me from seeing it? Strange…" Ozpin pointed out. Did I actually do that? It must be my memories from Earth which I'm unconsciously preventing him from seeing.

I then let out a sigh. "You have a point. Jesus Christ, help me." I facepalmed before silently cringing as I realised what I'd just said. Ozpin then responded back with confusion in his tone.

"Who's Jesus Christ?"

"None of your business!" I retorted rather defensively.

"Very well then, I will not comment about it, but nevertheless. You do have an opportunity to take your chance to become a Huntsman. Why don't you take it?" Ozpin then understood before questioning.

"I… I just don't know if I can do it. I never aspired to become a Huntsman because… I don't believe that I can do it, to begin with. Every time, I tend to run or give up without a fight at the first sight of trouble. I'm just a normal boy, you know? I never wanted to join a dangerous career that could possibly get me killed." I answered back.

"I see... You are letting self-doubt cloud your mind. From the moment I met you, I could tell that you have the potential to be greater than you are right now. You just need support and encouragement, and I'm sure that you can achieve it. Even if it won't be easy and without sacrifice."

At this point, he's right, and I hate to admit it. I was doubting myself, and I couldn't do anything about it if I was unwilling to do it without sacrifice. I might die or lose myself in the process, but I can't just let Ruby and her group deal with Salem alone. Even if I wished to hide from this bloody mess, they would need Ozpin's help. Besides, Ozma would eventually just merge with me fully in time. I might as well leave a mark before Ozpin takes me, and hopefully prevent their failure against Salem from what the brother gods are saying.

I could only let out a sigh as I remained silent for at least a minute or two, while Ozpin didn't seem to choose to interrupt me during that time. I guess he could tell that I was thinking about my options. Nevertheless, I have to act despite my reluctance to do it.

"I'll do it, not that I had a choice in it. It's either that or you're going to keep yapping at me until I do something about it." I said my thoughts out grimly on the matter but it appears that Oz didn't think it that way.

"I am not convinced that is the case, Mr Arakan. You're the one who decided to act, and I can tell from your heart that you know that what you're doing is the right thing. No matter how much you deny it."

"Perhaps you're right," I gave a small sad smile. "I have always doubted myself ever since their death, and I was afraid of dying. Perhaps this is for the best. But I can't just leave aunt Cassy suddenly like that; give me a day or two before we move out to Haven, alright? I need to at least tell her that I'm leaving Hinan and heading for Mistral."

"Fair enough." Ozpin responded back before his voice seemingly dissipated from my head, but I knew he was there.

He's always there…

I could only let out a sigh. "What did I get myself into…"

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To say the least, the next day, I was surprised when Cassy didn't seem to complain about me leaving so soon. In fact, she encourages me to find my own path and that I shouldn't stay at her orphanage, as much as she appreciates the additional help. The main problem was the rest of the orphans that didn't want me to leave since Za- I mean, I'm technically their big brother. In fact, I had to assure them that everything would be fine without me. It took some time, but eventually, they allowed me to go off.

But before that, Cassy had something to say to me. "Zack. before you go, can I speak to you?"

"Sure thing." I said back as most of the orphans had said their goodbyes before walking back into the orphanage, since I'm already outside the door.

Cassy then pulled me into a hug as she stroked my hair as a mother does to their child. "Take care out there. I do hope you find the path you're looking for. And promise me something, Zack," she said as she broke the hug before looking me straight in the eyes. "If you must, then grieve for them. But do not forget their sacrifices go to waste, your parents wouldn't want their only child to worry about them now, would they? Look forward and don't doubt yourself, ok?"

"I will, Cassy, and thanks... for caring for me ever since we first met." I smiled back.

Aunt Cassy just gave a sombre smile as she began to walk off, but she stopped and gave one last look at me. "Goodbye, Zack. I wish you the best of luck. And I also took the opportunity to give you some extra funds. Use it wisely." And with that, Cassy walked back into the orphanage.

"I will…" I muttered before turning around and walking away from the home that housed me for what I could remember years.

"Headmaster, we're done now." I called him as I wore the scabbard holding Oathkeeper onto my back while carrying the bag that had all my essentials with me.

"I can tell," Ozpin stated before he asked. "Do you know how to get to Mistral from here?" I then silently nodded back in confirmation. Zack's, or I guess my memories proved quite helpful in understanding Remnant and where I am.

"Not far from here, there's a train that can take us straight to Mistral in about a day. You've also been quiet recently headmaster; did you fall asleep?" I mentally asked the resident headmaster in my head in an almost mocking tone, as I began walking through the empty streets of Hinan.

"Not exactly. I've been using the time to unlock your aura. In fact, the process is done about now." As soon as Ozpin finished what he had to say, a violet aura glow then appeared around me which caught me by surprise. Even more interesting was the feeling; it wasn't like clothing but, more like a second skin over me, if that makes any sense.

"Whoa… That feels weird." I admitted as I glanced at my aura covering my hands as it slowly faded away.

"I must say, you have an acceptable amount of aura reserve." Ozpin then spoke as I resumed walking.

"Is that a good or bad thing?" I then curiously asked Ozpin who I could hear humming. I really don't wish to have a low aura reserve. That would be bad indeed.

"Your aura reserve is not as high as some of my students, but it isn't the lowest." Ozpin explained.

"I see, so Ozpin, once we head to Mistral, who are we looking for?" I then asked Ozpin, even though I knew that I had to seek Qrow out. But I prefer less suspicion of who I truly am.

"We're looking for a man called Qrow Branwen. He's a friend of mine who can help us out. The location of our meeting was pre-arranged, set up between us, just in case something happened to me." Ozpin spoke in my head as I hummed as he projected what Qrow looked like. He actually looked a hell lot like how he looks in the show, it's just uncanny to me that how he looked so… real...

"Ozpin, change of topics. I know that you told me that you're a combination of countless men and such but, have you, well... had a Faunus host before? Or am I your first?" I just had to ask Ozpin that question. After all, I know that he's a bunch of memories all meshed together, but did he have any Faunus hosts before? Or is it only humans whose bodies and mental capacities are similar to his? I can't help but be curious.

"Yes, this is indeed my first time ending up in a Faunus throughout my many lifetimes. It is intriguing, to say the least."

I then wrapped my hands at the back of my neck as my tail swayed as I continued walking. A minute passed before I resumed my conversation with Ozpin. "It would take some time for us to reach the train station, roughly in about 20 minutes or so. Since we got some time on our hands. Do you have any other stuff worthy of attention to share with me?"

There was a slight pause on Ozpin's side before he confirmed it. "I do. If required, I can temporarily take control of your body if you're in serious danger. Doing this would allow me to fight in your stead and protect both of us from any danger. Of course, with your approval first of all." Ozpin then added, but don't think I don't know that you could forcefully take control of my body Oz!

"That's reassuring." I sarcastically commented. Though Ozpin seems to ignore my comment for now at least before he continues on.

"I recommend you temporarily let me have control of your body now since we still have some time before we reach the train station. Once we reach it, I'll let you control your own body again." Honestly, I'm disturbed by the prospect of letting Ozpin take control of my body, even if it's temporary. I know that Oscar felt really disturbed and uncomfortable when Ozpin took over, and I'm starting to see how he feels about it. But perhaps I could work with him and create some sort of combo attacks?

That might work in the future...

"Very well. Just make it quick." I conceded as I closed my eyes before there was a quick flash of green and white aura over my body at the same time. My eyes opened once again except this time, they were glowing, and they faded seconds later.

Ozpin, who's now controlling my body, looked at both of my hands before he asked in his voice through my mouth. "Zack, are you still here?"

"Yea, still here but man, this is really weird, really REALLY weird; it's as if my body is a car and you just took over the controls. Is this how you feel most of the time?" I then mentally asked Ozpin, who at the time was controlling my body. But seriously, this is really disturbing as hell. I can still see through my own eyes, but I'm not moving my mouth, or eyes, or body. As if I'm just stuck in my head.

"I'm sure you will get used to it. And in a way, yes. But I've gotten used to it." Ozpin admitted, though… is it just me or does his uh, my facial expressions look slightly uncomfortable.

"But I must admit, having a tail now is a new experience for me."

"I'm sure it will be fine. Let's get a move on, ok? I think we've stood here long enough; I mean, you, since I'm not the one in control." I ended up stumbling through my words, I'm not used to having him controlling my body. God, when did my life become so complicated?

"Very well then." And with that, Ozpin continued on his journey towards the train station. Though I was quiet the whole way, in fact, I'm pretty sure that he was slightly unnerved at how quiet I became after passing control to him since it wasn't long until he spoke in my head.

"Zack, are you alright? You've been quiet for some time."

"Sorry headmaster, I've been wondering, can you tell me about your favourite students in beacon?" I won't deny, I'm curious about what Ozpin thinks of his students.

"Is there a particular reason why?" Ozpin then asked back as I hummed in my head.

"Well… I think since you're basically stuck in me, I think we should get to know more of each other, and I'm curious as to what you think of your students. And which of them do you find the best." I answered back as Ozpin was silent.

"I suppose it should be fine.

Ozpin then began to tell me more about his students, which, conveniently, projects how they all looked in my head. And much to no one's surprise, team RWBY had gone into a ton of shenanigans in Beacon, with poor Glynda having to chase after them and give them detention.

Ruby, despite being younger than the rest of her team, proves quite capable herself. Heck, Ozpin even showed me one of her fights against another student and damn, I must say. I'm impressed at her skill with Crescent Rose and the manoeuvres she'd done with it before.

Then there's her half-sister Yang, the blond bombshell of the team and the one who would beat the shit outta anyone who touched her hair. In fact, she was sent to detention by Glynda when a student accidentally touched her hair. I hope that doesn't happen to me when I meet her…

Then there is the local ice queen herself, Weiss. Turns out she's cold and haughty, just like in the show. And in a way, the sane one of the team. But it's obvious that Weiss cherishes her team, and from what Ozpin told me so far, she warmed up eventually. How nice. Hopefully, my interaction with her would be more smooth sailing, since she is not an ass against Faunuses.

And then we have Blake Belladonna. Ever the mysterious cat girl of the group. Though from what Ozpin had told me, he knew that Blake was originally from the White Fang. Even more interesting was that he knew that Blake was technically royalty thanks to the fact that her father was the chieftain of Menagerie. Then again, it must not be well-known seeing that no one in the show recognises that Blake is the daughter of the chieftain of Menagerie in a way.

Ozpin then talked about their sister team JNPR, and I was immediately reminded that Pyrrha died during the fall of Beacon, I'm sad now. Ozpin must have sensed my distress as he stopped talking more about JNPR and asked me.

"Are you alright, Zack? I can tell that you're distressed. What is affecting you?"

"No no. I was just reminded that with the fall of Beacon, who knows how many people, even your students are dead because of it. Even if they were to somehow survive the fall, that doesn't go into detail the potential trauma they'd got from it." I explained.

"I understand. The fall will be hard on everyone, but we must move forward, no matter how much it affects us."

"Right…" As if that's the case, old man, you had no bloody plan to stop Salem!

Stop feeding me comforting words!

Nevertheless, I then projected team RWBY into my head, and as it came to me, they were already quite somewhat pretty in the show, but in real life, they straight up look beauti- OW! what the fuck Ozpin!?

Turns out, Ozpin could somehow tell that I was ogling team RWBY in my head, and he basically gave me one hell of a headache as punishment, despite the fact that he's in command of my body. I mean, can't I? All of them are basically beauties in their own ways! Nevertheless, it's clear that Ozpin doesn't appreciate me ogling his students.

"I prefer if you keep your hormones in check, Mr Arakan." Ozpin lectured me.

"Right, headmaster, I will be sure not to ogle your students. Despite the fact that I have hormones ravaging my system. Got it." I responded back rather sassily. Turns out, that was a poor idea as he immediately gave me another painful headache.

"GAH! I get it! I get it! I'm sorry about that!"

"Much better." Ozpin hummed at my apology. To say the least, I was slightly salty after getting a bloody headache from Oz and kept quiet through our journey, we soon arrived at the train station as it was already approaching evening. But Ozpin didn't tell me that he was giving back my body suddenly and as a result of that, I nearly slammed my face against a pillar when I took back control.

"Are you alright there, Zack? You nearly hit your face there." Ozpin asked with concern.

"Yea. Peachy, I just need to get used to suddenly having my body back." I internally grumbled back.

"I see; Perhaps it is wise that you get used to it now than later."

"That, we are at an agreement." I muttered back as I walked towards the machine and selected Mistral as my destination right before placing my Lien card against it. I swear, it reminded me of the bus transit link systems back at home. Nevertheless, I watched as it processed my Lien before depositing a small ticket, which I then took.

"The train ride from here to Mistral would take a day or so. Are you sure your friend will be there?" I then chose to ask Ozpin as I sat on the chair with my tail swaying against the wind.

"I know he would be." Ozpin confidently answered back.

And so, thus began my journey in Remnant after a month or so and to find a certain drunk crow in a bar. This should be, if nothing else, interesting. Though, I wonder how long I have before Ozpin finds out everything else that I'm hiding from him. How ironic, that I fear him discovering my secrets. I could only rest my tail on my lap as I stroked it slowly in a subtle attempt to calm myself.

Meeting Qrow and the RWBY is going to be both exciting and worrying at the same time. But as I stroked my tail, Ozpin was thinking through the past month since he had bonded with me.

After all, he wasn't expecting to be bonded to a Faunus orphan, since the last thing he remembered was that he died in the basement of Beacon against Cinder Fall who had the Fall Maiden's powers.

Then like all the previous people that his soul bonded with previously, he reacted negatively to his introduction. Claiming that he's not real, and straight-up denying his existence. At first glance, Ozpin could tell that this Fachild,child or Zack as his name goes by, has anxiety problems and regularly doubts himself while occasionally using sarcasm to cope. Though he never shows it openly or against anyone he trusts.

But a week went by and still Zack proved to be either in denial of his existence or straight up ignoring him in his attempts as he helped out in the orphanage, only to open up to Ozpin slowly at best. Then there's the fact that a portion of Zack's memories seemed to be locked off from him, which was strange indeed and earned his curiosity

Because, none of his previous incarnations was able to do what that kid had done, and it brought up another possibility that the boy had something that he didn't want anyone, not even him to know and was scared of anyone finding out. In fact, it just makes Ozpin even more curious about who he is as a person and delves into the memories that he could see.

And he learned much of his new incarnation and his origins; in fact, Ozpin could only pity the kid. He was originally similar in terms of idealism to one of his students, Ruby Rose, and he carried with him hope and confidence for the future, though that changed in a heartbeat when his village was attacked by bandits and forced to flee. It got worse when he soon learned that both his parents had died in the town.

At this point, the poor child became anxious naturally and doubted himself as a result of losing both his parents and delving into sarcasm to cope with it. It also crushed any hopes he had about his ambitions of becoming a huntsman like his father, and he became more concerned with staying alive and away from combat. Nevertheless, Ozpin did what he could to interact and encourage his next incarnation to move on. It worked gradually until he finally convinced him to head to Mistral.

Abide reluctantly at first. But it worked nonetheless.

Their adventure together had just begun.