DRAGON ACADEMY: THE CHOSEN

CHAPTER 5

SCHOOL FIELD

On the field, Cody and Kenzy found Anna and Jack. They quickly explain everything.

“So, you’re telling me that Daniel is a descendant of Hunter? The most notorious prosecutor of the Gifteds?” Anna voice was sharp with disbelief 

Jack crossed his arms “and how are you sure about this?”

Cole and Mila joined them, sensing the tension 

“What’s going on?” Mila asked

Cody inhaled sharply "Daniel's a descendant of Hunter,” Cody repeated 

Cole shook his head “That’s impossible… they’re all dead” 

“There’s another lineage," Kenzy explained “Hunter created another lineage with another woman”

Anna’s expression hardened “if what Cody’s saying is true… that means Daniel may be dangerous”

Mila bit her lips “Or not… Hunter died a long time ago. And if this child was born out of wedlock, the descendants probably don’t even know”

“We need to confront him, just to be sure”

BOY’S DORM

Daniel sat alone on his bed, reading. The six students entered and surrounded him.

“Hey, Guys,” Daniel said, looking up calmly 

Mila stepped forward “Daniel, we need to ask you something”

Anna cut in “just tell him straight” 

Daniel closed his book “you know this is the boy’s dorm”

Jack spoke firmly “we know you’re a descendant of William Hunter. The only question is do you?”

A slow, mischievous smile spread across Daniel’s face. He stood and faced them. 

“I’m impressed. I know that I’m Hunter’s descendant.” he titled his head “how did you know”

“That is none of your concern” Cody’s voice was flat

“If you know that Hunter is your ancestor, why are you at the academy he spent his life trying to destroy”

Daniel rolled his eyes “my stepfather made me. Thought it would be a good experience”

“I suggest you convince your stepfather to let you leave. How do you think the principal would take a descendant of her enemy being at her school?” Kenzy told him

Daniel smiled wider “I’m not going anywhere and as you don’t know, my stepfather is the mayor of Hollowere. So let’s say if something bad happens to me… it’s goodbye to Dragon Academy”

He winked at them and walked away, leaving the six of them standing in stunned silence.

THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Ms. Green entered the office in a hurried manner. Principal Diana sat on her desk.

“Some students are here to see you” Ms. Green announced to her

“Principal Diana raised her head “who?”

“The six specials ones” Ms. Green whispered 

“Let them in”

Ms. Green opened the door and the gang all barged in.

“Daniel is Hunter’s descendant!” Cody exclaimed 

The principal remained calm “you need to be more specific. There are many Daniels here”

“Daniel Mulligan” Kenzy clarified 

Principal Diana exhaled slowly “And how do you know this?”

“I used my powers” Cody admitted

The principal paused, then made eye contact with Ms. Green

“Ms. Green, can you excuse us?” 

Ms. Green nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

“To do what?” Principal Diana asked

Cody stepped forward and placed the paper on her desk. “This”

The principal looked at it, confused “An empty piece of paper?”

Cody shook his head “No. Only I can see what’s on it. It’s a letter of Hunter telling Iris to hide their child from you. But his wife’s name was Sam”

The principal’s expression shifted “you think there’s another lineage of Hunter apart from the one that I… eliminated”

“Yes. I even saw it all” Cody pressed 

Principal Diana sighed heavily “I love that you are learning to embrace your powers. But Daniel’s stay is to help Dragon Academy 

Anna was skeptical  “And how is he helping?”

“For the mayor to enroll his only son here means something in the eyes of the people”

“But he may be here to destroy it” Jack argued

“Daniel and the mayor are two different people. I’m not sure the mayor would take orders from a kid”

“Something’s not right” Mila muttered under her breath

They all filed out, unconvinced. Principal Diana turned to look at a mural of a dragon on her wall, her face visible with worry.

“What if they’re right?” she whispered to herself “What if Hunter’s back?”

Outside her office, Daniel leaned against the wall, a smirk on his face. He had been listening

“You thought telling her would do something?” he laughed softly, “bullshit. Cause not even her can stop me. Enjoy Dragon Academy while you can… because I’ll make it disappear, along with you monsters. You shouldn’t even be allowed to exist with us humans…. I’ll finish what my ancestors couldn’t”

He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. 

HALLWAY

In the halls, Cody and the rest stood in a tight circle, their faces worn with concern

“He threatened us? And i thought i was the was who does the threatening” Anna said, he voice filled with resentment

“We have to find a way to stop him” Mila said

Jack shrugged helplessly “but how? He got political power on his side” 

Kenzy eyes lit up like she had an idea “or..”

Cole leaned in “or what?” 

“We ignore him”

“We can’t just ignore him” Anna protested

But Cody nodded in agreement to Kenzy “Kenzy’s right. Daniel is only fifteen… What can he really do?”

“I’m fifteen… and you don't want to know know what I've done

“Maybe he’s all bark and no bite” Mila added

“Dogs dark when they’re about to bite” Anna shot back

“It’s settled Anna. We have to ignore Daniel until he makes a move” Cole siad firmly  

ONE WEEK LATER

BASKETBALL COURT

On the court, Coach Darven blew his whistle, bringing both sides to attention. Murmuring arose in the students watching from the bleachers. It was a match between the humans and the Gifteds. 

“Gifteds versus humans. Full court. No display of powers unless you want to run laps for a week. Now play ball!”

The game began. Gifted and human students faced off against each other. Cody, Cole and Jack played on the same, each scoring impressive points. After a close-edged match, the scoreboard finally showed the Gifted as the winners. The Gifted side of the bleacher rejoiced in victory.

After the game, Cody, Cole and Jack were packing up when two human students approached them.

“You guys got skill,” the first student said.

Jack grinned “oh, we know”

“Not bad for monsters. We thought you’d be easy”

“Don’t underestimate” Cole shrugged

The first student leaned in a conspiracy manner “Well, we’re going to a party. You guys should tag along”

Cody was confused “you guys already planned a party for the end of the term?”

The two students exchanged glances before bursting out in laughter.

“The party’s tonight” the first ones said

“So, your parents are letting you go for it?”Jack’s eyebrow went up

The second student shook his head “No, we’re sneaking out”

Cody didn’t even hesitate “well, we’re coming”

The first student grinned “cool. Meet us at the back wall by ten”

The students walked away. Cole turned to Cody and Jack

“Don’t tell me you guys actually want to go” Cole asked, annoyed

“Of course I do” Jack said

“Why not” Cody agreed

Cole rolled his eyes "Because it’s breaking school rules”

“I know,”Jack admitted, "but humans just invited us to a party. That’s not something you see everyday”

“And the principal did say she wanted to see an improvement in the Gifted-human relationship.  Going to a party with them is one way to do that. So basically, we aren’t breaking her rules” Cody added 

Just then, Daniel walked past them, shooting them an evil glare before leaving the court. 

Cody took a deep breath “Ignore him”

They all left the court together.

HALLWAY

In the hallway, the boys met up with Kenzy, Mila and Anna.

“Hey, boys” Kenzy greeted

Before the rest could respond, Jack couldn’t contain his excitement.

“Guess who got invited to a party by humans?” 

Anna looked around, confused  “Who?”

“It’s us” Cody replied

“Actually, them” Cole clarified to the girls 

Jack frowned at Cole “Don’t make us feel guilty”

“Why should you feel guilty?” Mila asked, curious

“Because the party is tonight” Cody explained

The girls were surprised. 

“On a school day?” Kenzy’s eyes widened

Cole nodded, in self fulfilled manner “See, exactly what I was saying”

Anna was the first to point out the problem.

“How are you going to sneak out? If you don’t know, the school’s covered with a force field”

Cody then smiled mysteriously “As a spirit person, I have the ability to control any energy form. So a little..’’ 

Cody then waved his hands, and the lights in the hallway flickered 

“Won’t be bad”

Kenzy's expression changed into something unreadable. Mila noticed Kenzy’s change in mood but said nothing. 

Jack turned to Anna “you can come too… if you ask the boys”

“No thanks” Anna scoffed

“Seriously? Are you intimidated by us boys?” Jack teased

“Please, I’m sure I can handle more shots than you boys”

Jack stared at Anna, biting his lips, clearly impressed. 

“You really should come” 

The school bell rang, interrupting the moment. Cody grabbed Jack’s arm. “C’mon, we got physics”

Jack groaned “why physics? That Isaac guy should have just eaten the apple”