Academy

Chapter Six : Wonderland

‘Flashing lights and we

Took a wrong turn and we

Fell down a rabbit hole

You held on tight to me

'Cause nothing's as it seems

And spinning out of control

Didn't they tell us don't rush into things?’

Taylor Swift, Wonderland

Pan scurried after her, mind reeling. Staying a few steps behind Raven Elex, Pan was clear from most of the strange feeling that wafted from the academy legacy.

Incredible.

It was her first day - her first evening really - at Ashbourne Academy and already she'd met and spoken to Raven Elex. Her grandfather Camiron was legendary, he was a figure head in the rebellion - half the reason Phoenix Squad was formed. Raven Elex was born to be a Guardian and she was already turning out to be a damned good one.

And she'd met Gabriella Jaro, the girl with the incredibly strong fire manipulation. The Jaro family were basically royalty in Portum, the country just north of Arcadia, they owned half the mountain range separating Arcadia and Portum and were close with the Portum royal family. Gabby was the eldest of Bastian Jaro's three children, though her brother Damian was inheriting the family fortune, because Bastian had dreams of his most talented child being Portum's King's personal Guardian. Gabby was on the fast track to fame and fortune and with talent to boot.

And Connor Daryen - Connor was Landon Emerton's muscle man last year. He was built to be a Guardian, despite his kind face, in the Royal Tournament it was Connor who saved their butts and dragged them through the first round practically single handed.

She'd not heard of Max or Rowan before today but Bella was very pointedly obsessed with the top two teams; Raven Elex and Landon Emerton. And now Bella was on Landon's team and Pan was on Raven's - short of being on a team together this was the dream. And it felt surreal.

Surreal because, as Pan watched Raven catch up to - but remain a step behind - their Squad, something in the back of her mind felt as though it were clicking into place.

You're here Pandora, in Jupiter Squad, because you are special - far more so than you even understand.

Special - she had a special team.

As she watched the crowd parted around them - not just her team, but her. They parted and stopped and stared and whispered. As if Jupiter Squad were… other.

"Dora!"

Pan whirled, her heart leaping - thank the gods - "Bella!" She breathed in relief.

And there she was, wearing a skater skirt and white wrap blouse tied at the side. She looked pretty, with her dark brown hair cascading down her shoulders, loosed from her usual braids.

Pan ran, dimly aware that Max shouted his own hello to her big sister. "I couldn't find you!" She gasped, stumbling to a halt in front of her sister.

Bella brushed Pan's hair back from her face, frowning that long suffering frown. "Would it have killed you to change into a nicer top - oh you've already ruined the sleeves of your sweater, seriously Pan you're a wreck, you didn't even brush your hair and-"

"Stop it," Pan grumbled, swatting her sister's hands away and scowling. "If you hadn't abandoned me-"

"Well I heard you got to ride in the Headmaster's Transport so I think you're doing alright," Bella teased, but Pan didn't miss the tightening around her mouth as she spoke. Oh she was jealous - the thought was almost enough to make Pan grin, how the tables had turned. "Besides, I had to meet my own team. It's incredible Pan really. Jax Hirsche and Landon Emerton and Akyra Karnes - its like a dream. Are we really here right now? Pinch me!"

Pan grinned, "I know, it's so weird! You didn't tell me the Academy was this cool."

"Oh I'm sure I did," Bella nudged her with an elbow before reaching back out to smooth down her hair again. "We've gotta call home tomorrow," Bella reminded her, smiling broadly, "Mum and Dad are gonna wanna hear all about your first day."

Pan giggled and bounced on her feet, "This is so cool."

Bella looked up past her, "Everyone's looking," she whispered, flushing slightly, "Including your whole team."

Pan leaned around her, "Yours too."

Bella rolled her eyes, her voice dropped low, "Landon Emerton is way more frightening than he seems. He's had the whole squad following him around all night or I would have found you sooner I swear."

Pan reached out and hugged her sister tightly. At least half a head shorter than her sister Pan's arms wrapped around Bella's slim waist. "Good," She grumbled, releasing her sister, "I thought you were upset with me."

Bella softened instantly, seeing the concern and anxiety on Pan's face. "It's gonna be tough Pan," she warned, "For both of us - just… I'm sorry in advance, for whatever fights we have this year, it's not about you and me it's about these Squads."

Pan frowned. She nodded though she didn't understand, but now wasn't the time for this conversation. Around Bella Pan saw Landon Emerton, tall with sandy blonde hair and a clenched jaw, his arms crossed over his chest and his stormy expression focused on the sisters.

She twisted to glance behind her - her own team had stopped a healthy distance away, Raven Elex seemed to have disappeared beneath her hood, those shadows wrapping tightly around her so she was nothing more than a girl-shape. But it was Gabby who caught Pan's eye, her golden skin blanched, her green eyes narrowed, fingers curled at her sides. Connor's arm tightened around her waist and he leaned over to murmur something in her ear. It took Gabby a few deep breaths before the tension eased.

Pan looked up at her sister, "I don't think they like each other," she whispered wryly.

Bella smiled grimly, "Don't worry about it bub, it's not personal." but it was Bella's turn to glance back at her team and smile faded from her eyes almost instantly. "I should get going," she explained, backing away, "I'll find you after dinner tomorrow night so we can call home."

"Tomorrow night?" Pan squeaked, "Won't we eat breakfast together?"

Bella shook her head and sighed, "Sorry Pan, Landon says we have to eat as a squad, something about team solidarity. And we'll be both be busy with classes and everything the rest of the day so I really don't think I'll get to see you until tomorrow night - but it's fine, don't freak out, you've got this bub, you're more than ready for Ashbourne." with a wink and final smoothing of Pan's unruly hair, Bella turned and hurried back to Landon.

She was met with some biting remark that Pan couldn't hear, but from the look of Landon Emerton's face it wasn't kind.

A tentative hand landed on her shoulder. "You hungry?" Gabby asked her kindly.