Forgotten Phoenix (New Purpose Sequel)

Chapter 3- Roman's Temper

(~Your POV + Time Skip~)

I approach the principal's office with my coat folded over my arm. I received a call to come here and it's safe to say that I really don't know what to expect. With a soft knock, I'm summoned inside. "Please come in."

I open the door and step in, greeting my friend with a smile, "H-Hello, Miss Toriel." It's quite interesting to know that the Queen of the monsters has now retired to be a school principal. What's even crazier is that Honey and Blue knew her personally. Toriel returns my kindness with a smile but only briefly. Her gaze then fixes to the seat in front of her. I look to my right and see Roman seated there. "Please have a seat." Roman does not look at me but instead faces himself in the opposite direction. I find myself holding my breath as I sit down. Something like this has never happened before. I'm not sure what to do.

'Honey would know what to do.'

"First of all, I'd like to thank you for coming on short notice. I know you must be a busy woman. Especially since you are a single working mother with a child with... special needs." "It's n-not a problem a-at a-all. In fact, Serif is w-with his uncle now. I just need to k-know w-what's going on." I reply respectfully. I feel bad for having Sans babysit on his day off, but he insisted that Serif come over while I attended to things here.

Toriel leans back in her chair slightly. "Roman was caught fighting with some of the other children. According to them, he is the one who started the fight... We also learned that he was using magic.." My head snaps to the right as I look to Roman in complete disbelief.

'Punching a kid is one thing. Using magic against one is a very dangerous thing. He could've killed someone! Why would Roman do such a thing? It isn't like him at all.'

Roman doesn't look at me but continues to stare down at the floor. "I'm s-sorry. Roman's uncle has been t-teaching h-him magic for a few weeks. I-It was only meant for Roman's growth a-and self improvement. We did not intend for him to use it in this way." "There is no harm in training the boy. We actually promote that all monster children learn to use their magic as they come of age. However, I cannot allow for these occurrences to happen on my school grounds." Toriel replies.

'I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. Roman must've had good reason. Right?'

"I apologize. I-It will not happen again." Toriel grabs a stack of folders and taps them on her desk to straighten them out. "You are correct. It will not happen again or I will have no choice but to have Roman suspended." I clasp my hands together in my lap to control my shaking. I turn to Roman. He does nothing and says nothing. "Roman, a-apologize." I remind him firmly. "I'm sorry, Mama. I'm sorry, Miss Toriel." Relieved, I place a hand on his back. He flinches.

Toriel addresses us, "Thank you, Roman. Well... Roman is excused for the day. He may resume his homework and studies when he returns tomorrow. Again, Miss Wingdings, thank you for coming."

I grab Roman by the arm, giving a quick goodbye to Toriel. In a hurry to get home, I guide my son to the car. Things are very quiet as we both buckle in. I really don't know what to do. I never liked to scold my kids, but this situation is very serious.

"Roman-"
.
"I don't want to talk about it."
.
"Roman, I can't just ignore what's happened.'
.
"I SAID I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"

As Roman lashes out, he finally shows me his face. A crack is etched through one of his eye sockets. Bruises and scrapes are all over his bones. I don't know how I didn't notice this earlier.

'Oh mY sTArs-'

I gasp as tears well up in my eyes. Roman's pupils shrink in worry as he sees me get emotional. "Mama, I-I'm sorry. I-I-" I could care less about him raising his voice. My hands cup around his cheeks as I inspect his injuries closely. "Roman.. T-This is.." I choke up on my
tears.

'Why would they do this to him?'

"Does it hurt?" I ask him, worried sick. He looks away from me. I suppose I should leave it alone for now. I start the car, stating, "We're going to your uncle's house. You're lucky that he knows healing magic." "It's okay, Mama. Really! It could've been a lot worse but a friend helped me! They said they can help me fight again too-"

"NO! No, Roman! NO FIGHTING! Didn't you hear what Miss Toriel said?!"
.
"But-"
.
"I SAID NO."

Roman went quiet after that. Actually, the whole drive was quiet.

(~Serif's POV~)

I watch as both my mom and my brother enter Uncle Blue's apartment. Mom is pulling him along by his forearm, which is something she does when she's really worried or really mad.

'Wha- What happened?'

"Mama-" "Serif, where's Uncle Sans?" I shrink back a little, replying, "He's in the kitchen." She pulls my brother along again. She's in a one-track mindset right now. It's best that I don't say anything for now. My brother and my eyes meet as he passes. Roman is covered in bruises and scratches. What was most concerning was the crack branching from both sides of his eye socket. I feel like my soul drops.

'How did that happen?'

I soon get up and peek into the kitchen doorway. My mom picks Roman up and sets him on the kitchen counter. For a long while, she fussed at Uncle Blue. Told him about how Roman was fighting kids at school with magic that Uncle Sans taught him. I know Mama didn't mean half of the mean things she said. I think that without Dad to help her, she gets very stressed. She tries her best to keep everything together, including our family.

Uncle Blue is trying his best to comfort her. Roman only sits there on the counter, his gaze blank as tears fall from his eyes. The scene is heartbreaking. The pain in my soul gradually increases. I do my best to wipe my tears away with my sleeves.

'I.. I wish Dad was here.'