DRAGON ACADEMY: THE CHOSEN

Dragon Academy was a majestic, isolating structure that stood between land and sea, located in the town of Hollowere. It was the beginning of first semester, ships docked at private harbors, bringing out students with their luggage. Cars pulled up before its grand entrance. 

The students were called Gifted, students of all descriptions each with unique abilities and skills.

In the principal’s office, a figure sat with their back to the room against a large glass window. The door opened and Ms. Green, a young woman with ginger hair, stepped in.

“They are here” the figure announced.

“Yes, and there are many of them this year,” Ms. Green replied.

The chair turned slowly, revealing the occupant to be Principal Diana; the founder of Dragon Academy. She was a black woman, elderly in years but still had that youthful energy and looks of a woman in her early 40s.

“The ones I told you about?” principal Diana asked.

“Oh, sorry” Ms. Green said, suddenly remembering. She reached into her bag and produced six files and handed them over.

A smile appeared on the principal’s lips. “Good”

“So, what’s so special about these students?” Ms. Green asked.

The principal looked at her, “what isn't special about them?” She selected the first one and opened it. “Anna”

As she spoke, through her magic orb, they saw Anna, who was a black girl with relaxed hair, walking through the school’s entrance, pulling her luggage behind her.  

Principal Diana continued reading “raised by a single mother. A great and strong fighter, highly skilled and dangerous… according to her former school. And has the ability to create any weapon of her choice.

Ms. Green’s eyes widened “a weapon conjurer… incredible”

“She’s prepared for any fight” the principal observed, placing the file down and picking up another.

“Jack”

At the school entrance, Jack, a black boy with big puffy hair, stood in his human form with his parents, Jake and Luna. They were both in the form of massive werewolves.

“Aren’t you going to transform?” Jake asked his son.

Jack shook his head. “No, I think I'll stay like this”

The principal continued reading “son of the Alpha of the Northern Wolf pack… strong, fast and intimidating at sight

“I do like werewolves” Ms. Green said, impressed 

The third file was opened “Cole”

They saw a white boy walking alone with his luggage, his expression was calm. 

“Son of the king of Atlantis… strong and incredibly fast underwater, possesses the hypnotic voice and is one of the rare few who can create portals with water”

“Fascinating,” Ms. Green remarked. 

The next file principal Diana touched was Mila.

She was a black girl with curly hair, standing with her father, Boze

“Make me proud” Boze instructed her firmly

“I’ll try” Mila replied, her voice uncertain

“Not ‘try’. Will,” Boze instructed her 

“Has the ability to control water” the principal read “her father. Boze, is considered to be the greatest water master”

Ms. Green nodded thoughtfully “seems like she as a large shoe to fill”

Principal Diana moved to the next file. “Kenzy” 

They saw a white girl walking towards the school, a look of repulsion on her face.

“Has been expelled from eight schools within the past year”

Ms. Green understood immediately “meaning Dragon Academy is her last chance?”

“Yes. but she’s a very powerful witch” she picks up the final file. “Cody Maxwell”

Cody is shown, a white boy with brown long hair, walking alone towards the imposing school building. 

“Raised by a single mother… father died”

Ms. Green frowned. “Is that all? What about his abilities?”  

Principal Diana slammed the book shut,  the sharp sound echoed in the room. “That is confidential”

Ms. Green looked taken aback. “So, what’s so special about these students? What do you want from them?”

The principal’s gaze was steady, her voice filled with purpose “Unity”

GIRL’S DORM

The girls were filing into their respective rooms. Kenzy and Mila meet in their shared room for the first time. 

“Hey there,” Kenzy said, spotting her new roommate 

“Hi… I like your makeup” Mila replied with a genuine smile.

“Thanks.. I like your garments, looks royal”

“I won’t be wearing it for now… you know, because of the uniform” Mila explained

“Okay?” Kenzy said, a little confused 

“I’m Mila” Mila fastly said

“I’m Kenzy”

Mila smiled warmly “well, you’re not as scary as people say”

“Well, I’m not,” Kenzy said, returning the smile. 

“I bet we’ll be good friends” on impulse, Mila grabbed Kenzy’s hands and pulled her out of the room.   

BOY’S DORM

The students were getting settled in their respective rooms. Cody, Jack and Cole were settling in theirs. Cole and Jack were making their beds while Cody sat quietly on his, reading a book.

Jack hopped on his bed “this room’s hot”

“Why won’t it be? You’re hairy, so you won’t know that this room is cold” Cole addressed.

“I’m sorry, I don't live underwater” Jack sarcastically replied

“And I don't live in the woods”

“My siren isn’t a death note” Jack shot back

“Your howl’s a pain in the ear” Cole snapped back

Their bickering caused Cody’s eyes to glow white. He took a deep, calming breath, forcing the power back in

Jack finally noticed him “who’s this?”

“Just another of our roommates" Cole said dismissively

“Well, can’t he talk? Oh, is he dumb or something?” Jack started to make exaggerated gestures “nice to meet you”

“No, no, no… it’s more like this” Cole said, trying to mimic what he thought was sign language.

As they argued over hand gestures, Cody simply stood up, placed his book down, and silently left the room.

“Now you made him hate us,” Cole complained.

“Eh, he’ll get over it” Jack said with a shrug 

HALLWAY

Mila and Kenzy, now in uniforms, were walking and talking. Cody passed them by. As he did, a sharp, sizzling sound filled Kenzy’s head. She inhaled sharply, her eyes widened. 

“What happened?” Mila asked, concerned 

“That boy that passed us,” Kenzy, slightly panting, pointed down the hall.

“Yeah, what happened to him?”

“I sensed a large amount of energy off him” Kenzy whispered 

“Witches can do that?”

“As the only witch here, I think I'm the only one that can. We need to find out more…”

Just then, the school speakers crackled on, the principal’s voice filled the hallways

“Welcome to Dragon Academy. Usually, we start with the welcoming assembly, but due to your incomplete number, that will take place tomorrow. So, your lessons will begin instead. You all have your respective classes, so you will do well to attend them”

The speakers clicked off. Mila pointed to where Cody was entering a classroom. “Well, now you can.. He’s part of our history class.

“Let’s go” 

Kenzy and Mila both hurried towards the class.

GYM CLASS

The students were much in their sports gear, Jack and Anna were coincidentally in the same class. On a raised platform at the center of the room, a girl named Sofia was easily defeating another student. She overpowered him and pushed him off the podium with a mocking shove.

Scoffing, she looked around. “You call yourselves a challenge?... I’ll wait till I get one”

Anna stepped onto the podium. “Now you have one”

Sofia turned, with a smirk on her face “hmm… let’s see what you got.. Umm, Anna?”

You don’t need to know my name” Anna said flatly

They begin to fight, using only their fists at first. Jack watches from a distance. They showed a dazzling display of skill; as they blocked and dodged each other’s attacks while simultaneously striking. The fight continued until Anna eventually managed to get Sofia in an armlock.

“Just to flip you and you’re done” Anna said with a confident smirk. 

“Not so fast,” Sofia grunted. She opened her mouth and sprayed a chemical directly into Anna’s eyes. Anna cried out, losing her grip. In that split second, Sofia flipped her hard onto the ground.

“Winner… Sofia” the coach announced 

The students erupted in cheer for Sofia. She walked over to Anna, who was still on the ground, trying to blink away the pain

“Better luck next time” Sofia taunted 

Anna tried to stand but stumbled. Jack, thanks to his speed, moved in an instant, catching her before she fell. 

The coach nodded at him “take her to the nurse”

“I will” Jack said

NURSE’S OFFICE

In the nurse’s office, Anna woke up on her bed. Jack was sitting on a bed

“What are you doing here?” she asked Jack, surprised

“You fainted. So, I helped you here” he explained 

“Why did I faint?”

Jack hesitated “you lost to Sofia…

Jack’s statement made annoyance flash in Anna’s eyes. “I remember, you don’t have rub it in”

“I’m sorry, but…” Jack stammered.

“So, you’re here to tell me that I lost, right?” 

“No, it's really not like that” Jack tried to defend himself

“So, what is it like?”

Jack took a breath, “I’m sorry, Anna?” he answered, unsure of her name

Anna sighed, her annoyance faded slightly “yes, that’s my name”

He smiled gently “I thought no one needed to know that”

“Don’t push it,” she said, but a tiny smile appeared on her lips.

HISTORY CLASS

In the class, the room was filled with plants and flowers. Kenzy spotted an empty seat next to Cody, who was focused on his drawing. But another girl was about to take it. 

Panicking, Kenzy tapped Mila “Mila, what should I do?!”

Mila shrugged “you’re the witch, do something”

With a flick of her fingers, Kenzy used her magic to make the chair vanish. The girl fell to the floor. Just then, Ms. Green descended the class on a giant, gliding leaf.

“Lindsay, go find another seat” Ms. Green instructed calmly. Lindsay obeyed, and Kenzy made the chair reappear, quickly sitting down.

“Welcome to history class”Ms. Green began. “But since this is the first day, I think we’ll use this period to get to know ourselves… starting with…”

As Ms. Green spoke, Kenzy leaned over to Cody “hey… I’m Kenzy”

Cody glanced at her, then returned to his drawing without a word.

“Want to see a magic trick?” Kenzy persisted. When he still didn't respond, she used her power to make Cody’s shadow to suddenly become three-dimensional and walk around the classroom on its own. The other students gasped and pointed, amazed.

Ms. Green noticed “everyone but him is impressed, Kenzy”

“He is,”Kenzy insisted, turning to Cody “Aren’t you?”

Cody slowly picked up his pencil. In one swift motion, he threw it at the animated shadow. The moment the pencil touched it, the shadow dissolved into a pile of dust. The whole class burst into laughter

Mila winced, “yikes”

Kenzy turned her face away, burning with humiliation