Chapter Text
It had started as a normal day of sparing, Ruby and Oscar had just finished their hand to hand when Oscar had asked Ozpin about his magic. The young boy wanted to know if he could do magic himself, when Ozpin had confirmed it, he wanted to try a few spells. And thus, here they were, everyone standing by the wall and Ozpin in control to show Oscar how to do it.
“We’ll be starting with the two most basic spells. Animal transformation and Copying.” Ozpin explained, “One is exactly what it sounds like, the other gives you the ability to make a magic copy of yourself. Think of it as a sort of golem or puppet that you can control.”
“Why are all of you still here?” Qrow asked the teens beside him as they watched Ozpin talk to Oscar.
“Because when else are we gonna get to see real magic?” Nora grinned, happily bouncing in her place next to Ren.
“Oh I don’t know, maybe, anytime I turn into a bird.” he retorted with a snort.
“Shhh!” Ruby shushed. “I think they're gonna do it!”
“Now,” Ozpin said cheerily, “I will demonstrate how to do it first, then I would like you to attempt it. Alright?”
*Alright.* Oscar said eagerly.
“Then let’s begin.” Ozpin chuckled.
Ozpin let out a breath and gathered his magic, going slowly so Oscar could get a good idea of just what he was supposed to do. And suddenly in the blink of an eye, where Ozpin once stood, there was now a silver dire wolf pup.
“What the...?” Ozpin barked in confusion.
“OH MY GOSH! PUPPY!” was all he heard before Ruby was right in front of him. “You’re so cute! Look how little you are, oh my goodness!”
Startled,Ozpin involuntarily whined and took a step back, his tail tucking reflexively between his back legs. She was just so much bigger than him now and she had showed up so suddenly. Curse his animal instincts.
“Ruby!” Qrow called, suddenly pulling the girl away from him. “Relax and go back to the wall.”
“Ok…” she mumbled, shooting Ozpin an apologetic look.
*So... puppy?* Oscar asked curiously.
“It would appear so. Usually when I shift to this form I’m a fully grown dire wolf. Perhaps that has changed since your body is so much younger than my previous one.” Ozpin mused, flopping onto his belly and laying his head on his paws.
“Hey Oz. Everything alright? One bark for yes, two barks for no.” Qrow said, kneeling in front of the newly fluffified Ozpin.
“Yes.” Ozpin barked lightly, his tail thumping the ground slightly.
“That’s good, Oz. I’m gonna hold the kids back while you talk to Oscar.” Qrow chuckled. “I have a feeling Nora will start dressing you up in cute little outfits if I don’t hold her back.”
Ozpin whined at the thought, crossing his paws over his small muzzle. He heard Qrow chuckle and walk away, though not before rubbing the top of Ozpin's fluffy head. The silver wolf pup then sat up, shaking out his fur and yawning, it had been sometime since he had last done this. It was a few months before the start of the last school year if he remembered correctly. He had been dreadfully bored in his office so he decided to shift into his animal form and go play in the forest. That had been such a fun day…
*Oscar?* he asked in his mind, *How are you feeling?*
*This is kinda weird.* Oscar replied.
*I remember it being rather strange the first time I transformed too. So don’t worry about it too much.* Ozpin replied. *Now, were you paying attention? Because I would like you to try this next. And be forewarned, your default animal form will most likely be very different from mine. So don’t be too worried about that.*
*Right. I think I can do it, just promise you’ll be there if I need some help.* Oscar said, a bit of anxiety slipping through his voice.
Ozpin felt his tail thump on the ground, *Always Oscar. Now, I’m going to shift us back and give you back control. Ready?*
*Ready.*
Soon Oscar was standing in human form before the others, “Um, I’m gonna try the spell now so… you might wanna stand back. I don’t know what might happen if I get it wrong.”
“You can do it Oscar! We believe in you!” Nora cried, giving Oscar a double thumbs up.
*You’ll do just fine Oscar. I’ll be right here if you need me, alright?* Ozpin encouraged gently.
*Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be alright.* Oscar thought back, a small smile on his face.
Oscar took a deep breath, focused on the magic within him, and carefully copied what Ozpin had done before, the old wizard guiding him all the way. Soon, faster than Oscar could blink he was suddenly much smaller and warmer. Looking down he saw two little brown paws in place of his hands, he yelped despite knowing this would happen. His yelp came out as a high pitched bark, startling him further. Stepping back he accidentally stepped on something fluffy that hurt, making him yelp again. He then turned around and saw 3 fluffy brown fox tails behind him.
*Oz?* he thought desperately, *Ozpin?*
*It’s alright Oscar! This is normal! Animal forms can be anything, from the tiniest little bug to the largest and mightiest dragon. It would appear you're a type of fox. But you’re alright, just relax and get used to your new form.* Ozpin gently soothed.
Oscar sat down, shaking and feeling like he was gonna cry. This was just so weird, he was so small, this really didn’t feel right to him.
“Kid? You ok?” Qrow asked, crouching down and reaching towards Oscar.
Oscar flinched back before relaxing a bit, this was just Qrow. Qrow wouldn’t hurt him, Qrow would never hurt him. He leaned towards him with a pitiful whine, placing a paw on Qrow's knee.
“Aww, you’re breaking my heart kid. Come here.” Qrow gently lifted Oscar into his arms, petting down his back and scratching his furry head.
Oscar let out a sigh putting his paws over Qrow’s shoulder and nuzzling into Qrow's neck. This felt safe, he felt safe. Qrow wouldn’t let anything happen to him, no matter what form he took.
“There you go kiddo.” Qrow soothed, running his fingers deftly through Oscars fur. “Yeah, it’s alright. You’re alright.”
*Better?* Ozpin asked, his voice soft and genuine.
*Yeah, better.* Oscar replied, snuggling a bit more into Qrow.
Ozpin hummed, *Good, now I think you should spend some time in this form. Get used to it and all.*
*Do I have to?* Oscar asked, whining a bit.
*No, but there’s a great deal of fun you can have in this form.* Ozpin chuckled, *I can remember the pranks I played on students back in my days at Beacon.*
Oscar was quiet for a moment before, *Alright. I’ll try to stay like this for a bit, but the second I wanna change back, we do it ok?*
*Of course Oscar, just say the word.* Ozpin agreed, sounding excited.
*Why do I feel like you're going to enjoy this more than I am?* Oscar chuckled, though it came out as more of a snuffle in his fox form. His tails began wagging and he wiggled a bit in Qrow's grip.
“You wanna get down? Alright.” Qrow laughed, placing Oscar back on the ground. Oscar tried to stand up, but quickly lost his balance.
*You’re currently a fox Oscar, you can’t stand on your back legs.* Ozpin chuckled.
*Yeah, yeah laugh it up old man.* Oscar huffed, standing again this time on all fours. He took a tentative step forward, then another, and another, and he fell. He let out a whine and Qrow set him back on his feet.
“You can do it kiddo. It takes practice.” Qrow encouraged, a patient smile on his face.
Oscar’s tails began wagging once more and he stood, he envisioned the way canines usually walked, and began the slow process of mimicking it. It took a few tries and he tripped up a few more times but Qrow helped him up, and he got the hang of it soon enough. He soon trotted in a small circle around Qrow, his tails wagging happily.
“I got it!” he barked, jumping up in joy, though he didn’t quite stick the landing.
Qrow chuckled and picked him up again before putting him down, “You’re definitely picking this up faster than I did. It took forever before I was able to walk around and the like.”
Oscar wiggled happily and trotted up to Qrow, placing his front paws on the older man's foot. “Come down!” he barked, tails wagging furiously.
“What is it, pipsqueak?” Qrow asked, kneeling down and placing Oscar on his lap.
Oscar placed his front paws on Qrow's chest and gave his chin a lick, “Thank you.” he woofed.
Qrow laughed and rubbed the top of Oscar's head, “Yeah yeah. Your welcome.”
Oscar hopped a bit on Qrow's lap, licking his face more. He was just so happy all of a sudden, he needed Qrow to join him in his happy state.
“Kid! Ack! No!” Qrow laughed lifting his arms to escape Oscar’s sudden playful assault.
*Oscar.* Ozpin's voice spoke, breaking Oscar’s concentration. *You need to keep a hold of yourself. I know it’s difficult to keep your animal instincts at bay, but do try please.*
Oscar backed off with an apologetic whine, his tails tucking themselves between his legs.
Qrow wiped his face and smirked at the kid, “You’re fine. Now you wanna say hey to the others? I think Nora will literally explode if she doesn’t get to pet you.”
“Yeah!” Oscar barked, jumping a bit in place.
“Ok.” he smiled before turning to the others, “Kids come on over! But be careful, you don’t wanna freak him out.” Qrow called to the waiting teens.
Ruby was the first over, kneeling in front of Oscar and bouncing in place. “You look so cute and fluffy oh my goodness!”
Oscar gave a puppy smile while wagging his tails, he really wanted to play all of a sudden. And Ruby was always really fun! He should play with her!
“Come on!” he barked, jumping to all fours again and running a small circle. “Let’s play!” he bowed, tails wagging furiously in the air.
Ruby giggled, “You wanna play? Is that what you want?”
“Yes!” he jumped again, landing in a bow.
“Ok!” she grinned, reaching her hand out to him. Was this the game? Was he supposed to get her hand? Well get her hand he would!
Oscar leapt forward, batting at the hand with his paws and growling. He was gonna get that hand or his name wasn’t Oscar Pine!
*Be gentle Oscar.* Ozpin's voice chuckled in his head, *You have much sharper teeth now.*
“Right!” he barked, batting again at Ruby’s hand.
Nora’s hand pushing him over came as a surprise. She was gentle in her push, but it was enough to knock him to his side. He barked in surprise and rolled onto his belly, sneezing and shaking his head.
Nora squealed, “You’re so tiny! Oh look at you!” she lifted Oscar into the air above, grinning a thousand watt smile.
“It’s not my fault!” he protested, wiggling in Nora’s grip.
“Aww, cutie!” she cooed, placing him on his back and rubbing his belly.
*Oh no.* Ozpin thought, *Belly rubs. A canine's greatest weakness.*
Oscar paid him no mind as he let his head flop back in relaxation. This was amazing, no wonder actual dogs liked this so much. Belly rubs felt fantastic! Everyone should get a belly rub at some point!
“He likes it!” he heard Jaune coo from somewhere nearby. But he was too caught up in his bliss to really pay attention. Especially since Nora had just found a really good spot by his side that had his leg shaking.
*Oscar, what did I say about keeping a hold of yourself? I know it’s difficult, especially right now. But you must resist!* Ozpin called out, finally snapping Oscar out of his daze.
He wiggled out from Nora’s grip and zipped over to hide behind Qrow in shame. He was so embarrassed, he had just let Nora rub his belly, and he tried to fight Ruby’s hand! He was never gonna live this down! He laid on his belly and crossed his paws over his face with a whine.
“You let the animal part take over didn’t you?” Qrow smirked, picking Oscar up and cuddling him to his chest.
Oscar whined and nodded, nosing at Qrow's chin.
Qrow laughed softly and scratched behind Oscar's ear, “Yeah, it takes awhile to get under control. I still find myself drawn to shiny things and making nests sometimes! Nothing to be ashamed about. I mean, you should have seen some of the stuff Ozpin did!”
Oscar tilted his head curiously, “What did he do?” His tails were wagging again.
“What did Professor Ozpin do?” Ren asked from next to Qrow, the back of his knuckle coming up to rub Oscar’s chin.
“Well a few things really, I caught him playing in puddles, sun bathing, begging for belly rubs from students, taking naps in the courtyard. But my personal favourite is when some student was blowing bubbles in the courtyard and he was chasing and biting at them.” Qrow laughed at the memories, his hand moving to pet Oscar’s back.
*Really?* he thought in amusement at his mental companion.
*Oh hush! Bubbles are always fun!* Ozpin pouted. *And you now know the power belly rubs hold! Don’t judge me!*
“How did that even work?” Jaune asked, “I mean, he was a giant wolf! Wouldn’t people question that?”
“Well he wasn’t always in the form of a dire wolf. But it was mostly explained as being a docile dog that wandered the campus from time to time. It freaked some people out a first but Oz just did a few tricks and it won everyone over.” Qrow explained.
“What kind of tricks?” Ruby was next to ask, taking Oscar from Qrow's grip and holding him in the crook of her arm like a baby. Oscar would have protested, but her free hand was scratching his belly and Oscar just couldn’t bring himself to move honestly.
Qrow paused, seemingly thinking, “Fetch, roll over, play dead, sit, stay. The basics. He also knew sit pretty and dance. I think I have a video of that somewhere.”
Nora giggled into her hand, “I would pay good money to see that!”
“You and me both!” Ruby agreed, booping Oscar’s nose. Oscar whined and took her hand in his paws, guiding them back to his belly for further scratching. Ruby giggled and resumed her previous scritches, making Oscar’s tails wag happily.
*You really did all that stuff?* Oscar asked idly, his mind a bit hazy with relaxation.
*It put people at ease to think I was a trained animal rather than a wild one. Plus, they sometimes gave me treats.* Ozpin chuckled fondly.
*Nice.* Oscar thought, closing his eyes in bliss.
“Yeah, Oz was pretty adorable in his animal forms. Though he could get pretty… playful too.” Qrow chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Playful?” Nora asked eagerly.
“Well, like I said before he’d do tricks, and play in puddles. But sometimes he’d literally pounce on me and slobber all over my face, or he’d turn into a cat and sneak attack people, and more than once he turned into a field mouse and tickled the crap out of me.” Qrow explained, smiling fondly at the memories.
Jaune chuckled, “I didn’t know you were ticklish.”
“Try it and die Arc.” the dark haired man growled, shooting Jaune a deadly glare.
Ruby giggled and put Oscar on the ground, “Get ready uncle Qrow.”
“Don’t you even dare!” Qrow growled, stepping back.
Oscar yawned and trotted over to the wall to watch the fun. *You think we should do something?*
*Nope, Qrow needs to laugh more anyway.* Ozpin replied flippantly.
*Agreed* Oscar replied, laying down with his head in his paws.
“Get back you feral beasts!” Qrow yelped, walking backwards away from the approaching teens.
Ruby chuckled darkly before petal blasting behind Qrow and putting him in a full nelson. “Get him guys! His belly and underarms are his worst spots!”
“W-wait, NOOO!” Qrow shouted before 6 hands were attacking him without mercy.
*Fatality.* Ozpin thought with a laugh.
Oscar smiled, *I think you mean tickletality.*
The joined souls laughed together as they watched the show. *Wow, they are really killing him.* Oscar thought with a chuckle.
*Yup. What a shame that is.* Ozpin replied.
Oscar yawned, *I kinda want to try that other spell. Copy, right?*
*Yes, would you like to try it in human form? It would probably be easier that way.* Ozpin answered.
Oscar rolled back onto his stomach and stood, shaking himself off and stretching. He took a deep breath and with Ozpin's guidance, transformed back into his human form.
“Ok, I’m ready. What do I need to do?” Oscar said excitedly.
*Just like before, I do it first then you do it.* Ozpin chirped.
“Right.” Oscar let out a breath and gave control back to Ozpin.
Ozpin looked over to the others who were still busy destroying Qrow, he chuckled, “If you could all please stop killing Qrow? I need to concentrate and his laughing makes that rather difficult.”
Ruby shot up first with a thumbs up, “Okie-dokie! Come on everyone!”
The kids all pulled away from Qrow and switched places with Ozpin, leaving a still giggling Qrow curled up on the ground. “Are you ok?” Ozpin asked, crouching next to Qrow with a chuckle.
“I-I just need a minute.” he panted, sitting up and shooting a glare at the kids. “I’m going to get you all back. Just you wait, I will have my revenge.”
“Good luck!” Nora cried, her fists on her hips, “I’m not ticklish!”
“That’s a lie. You’re ticklish right here.” Ren said calmly, poking Nora’s ribs.
Nora giggled and shot him a glare, “Traitor!”
“Students, can this wait? Like I said, I need to concentrate.” Ozpin called in amusement, ending their conversation.
“Yes sir!” they all chirped back grinning.
Ozpin shook his head with a chuckle and took a breath, “Alright. Let’s begin.” Gathering his magic he slowly pushed it out and into shape, he kept it going until he had a solid form and with a snap the copy was made.
“Oh you have got to be kidding me.” he heard Qrow grumble when the copy took form.
“Is-is that Qrow?” Jaune asked incredulously, “In a skirt?”
“Why yes it is Mr Arc.” Ozpin grinned, looking directly at a grumbling and probably cussing Qrow. “Yes it is.”
Ruby began quietly giggling before she looked at her uncle and burst out in loud laughter. “I remember dad telling us about that! Oh my gosh!”
Ozpin snorted into his hand. “Qrow, are you ready to practice your landing strategy?” he said before joining Ruby in laughing at Qrow’s misery.
“I’m going inside. Screw this.” Qrow grumbled, storming back into the house.
Ozpin wiped a few stray tears of laughter from his eyes and pulled the magic back into him, shattering the copy. “Alright, I’ve had my fun. Oscar do you think you can do that?”
*Embarrassing Qrow? Definitely!* Oscar giggled.
“You know what I mean young man.” Ozpin playfully chided, “Do you think you can make a copy?”
*Yes!* came the eager answer.
“Alright.” Ozpin gave control back to Oscar and they quickly set about repeating the process of gathering magic and pushing it out into form. Slowly the form of a little black and white dog came into form. Soon, with a snap, the dog was solidified and before them stood a little corgi, holding a red rose in its teeth.
“Zwei?” Ruby said softly, shock written across her face.
“I thought you might like to see something familiar.” Oscar sheepishly admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
Ozpin hummed a bit in his head, *How sweet of you.*
“Do um, do you like it?” he asked, ignoring Ozpin.
Ruby nodded, tears welling up in her eyes, “I do. I don’t think I realized how much I missed him till now.”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make you upset!” Oscar cried, taking a step towards Ruby.
Ruby sniffled and quickly shook her head, “No no! It’s not sad crying! I’m really happy to see him again! Thank you Oscar.”
Oscar blushed and looked away, “I’m glad you like it.”
Ruby smiled at him and brushed away her tears, “I love it. Heh, the rose was a nice touch by the way.”
Oscar chuckled, “Thanks, I uh, I’m gonna take it down now. I’m not sure how long I can keep it up for, honestly.”
“Yeah! No problem!” Ruby gave a thumbs up with a smile.
Oscar pulled back the magic holding the copy together and the construct shattered. *All and all you did very well Oscar! It took quite a bit longer for me to get those spells down.* Ozpin congratulated the teen, the smile clear in his voice.
“Thanks Oz. I’m pretty excited to learn more!” Oscar grinned, clasping his hands together.
“Alright! If that’s all then I’m gonna go inside. I’m hungry!” Nora called from over her shoulder as she walked inside.
“Me too!” Jaune and Ruby responded, quickly trotting after their friend.
“Ready to head in Oscar?” Ren asked.
“Yeah, I’m starving!” Oscar grinned.
Ozpin chuckled, *Yes, I’m sure after all that showing off for Miss Rose, you would be.*
Oscar tripped up, prompting Ren to shoot him a concerned glance, but Oscar smiled and gave a thumbs up to show he was fine. *Shut it Ozpin.* he fumed, his previous blush returning full force. Ozpin laughed and they followed Ren into the house for some much deserved food.