CHAPTER 3: FIRST DAY BACK
The move that brought the eight groups together lasted less than a moment before the bell rang. You see what happened was that Aelita, Larana, Katara, Olivia, Edien, Will and Kairi were going down the hall in one direction and Jeremy, Obi-wan, Aang, Charlie, Tony, Jared and Sora were coming down the hall in the other direction…and they bumped into each other. "Hi Jeremy" Aelita said softly. She had forgotten how to act around him for a moment, after all he was a boy. "Hi Aelita" said Jeremy, quite obviously just as embarrassed. "Obie, hi" Larana was quick to try and start up a conversation, "I didn't expect to run into so quickly or in this manner come to think of it." "Hey there Free Spirit" said Obi-wan, "I can see you're fitting in nicely" "So has your day been working out Aang" asked Katara "So far everything's cool" said Aang. "Hi Charlie" said Olivia, "I was wondering when I'd be running into you" "Same here Liv" said Charlie. "Hello Tony." Said Edien, "I was just wondering what you were up to" "No worries, Edien" said Tony, "Everything's cool here" "Oh my gosh, Jared is that you" Will didn't recognize him right away because his hair had grown slightly. "Yeah" said Jared sheepishly, "Hi Will" "I was wondering where you were Sora" said Kairi expectantly. "Well here I am" said Sora. They laughed and shook hands and walked together to class.
English was the first of class of the day. The class room was in between the music and math rooms. None of that had changed but something else had, there was a new teacher this semester. The regular English teacher, Mr. McDuffie had disappeared just after Easter , so Mr. Carp, the English teacher from Bloor's Academy would teach the 11th and 12th graders for the remainder of this year and all of next while a temporary substitute would handle the 6th through 10th graders. If the new teacher was satisfactory, she would be hired back next year. From the moment, Aelita entered the room she knew it would be a good year. Gone was Mr. McDuffie's blue rug and quiet blue paint, replaced by green velvet wall paper and a long faux fur carpet. The bookshelves which once housed sixth grade readers and eighth grade research paper guide books, were overflowing with books, real books like Pride and Prejudice and The Odyssey. The desks were rowed in groups of two, and the large mahogany desk at the front of the room no longer housed pictures of Mr. McDuffie's pet potted plant, but a white cat, a school picture for the early 1980s and a wedding photo. Aelita sat beside Larana at a desk in the front row. Jeremy sat beside Obi-wan across from them. Katara and Olivia sat down behind Aelita and Larana and Charlie and Aang sat in the desk across from Jeremy and Obi-Wan. It was the same for Edien, Kairi, Tony and Sora. Jared and Will took the long table that was classified as the "fourth row" separating first-third and fifth-seventh rows. Belle, Dorcas and Sissi were seated already, Belle and Sissi were sitting at the desk on Aelita and Larana's other side, while Dorcas sat in the back row making spit balls. The next to arrive was Dagbert Endless, a tall dark-haired fishy smelling boy with iceberg eyes. At the sight of him Olivia leaned over to Aelita and Larana's desk and mouthed the words "Dagbert the Drowner". Dagbert the Drowner was accompanied by his new roommate, Nicholas Polkioff, a tall gangly boy with pink skin, hazel eyes and white blonde hair who staggered with Dagbert to the seat at Obi-wan and Jeremy's immediate right. Odd came next, casually dumping his bag at a seventh row desk at which he placed a Reserved sign. Aelita looked at Jeremy questioningly but he shrugged. Lowie was the next in his ridiculous human skin taking a back row desk, and putting his already half-eaten notebook on top of it. Fidelio Gunn, a tall cocky, brown-haired, freckled faced boy was the next to arrive sauntering into the sixth row with his English text book in one hand and a sheet music in the other. Jared's twin brother Simon who resembled Jared perfectly except for shorter hair and more practical looking clothes rushed into the classroom and then to the seat beside Fideliostopping only to nod to Will and his brother. Closely following was an equally rushed looking blonde boy with green eyes who slunk awkwardly into the seat beside Dorcas, Will's friends and fellow Guardians, whiny brown-haired Irma and confident blonde Cornelia, Jaina not sitting at the desk she dropped her books at but the one next to it, several students Aelita recognized from semester including Emily Leduc and Theo Gauthier, ten, or fifteen Bloor's Academy students in blue, purple, or green capes and a thin red-headed, blue-eyed girl nobody knew who sat in the last seat in the seventh row with her face in a book, no one offered to seat with her. That left only that seat, the "Reserved" one beside Odd and the teacher's desk. It was then she entered looking tall and modern in her black tube, black jeans and black practical boots. Her long black haired tied in a pony tail down her back. "Good morning class" she said, "My name is Ms. Ellie Pendragon and I will be your English for at least the remainder of the year. Any questions" Ms. Pendragon's brown eyes surveyed the class, stopping briefly at Aelita before turning to the board. Aelita liked her right away, but there something about her, that had been evident from the moment she walked in the door and did not go unnoticed by Sissi. "What's with your face?" Ms. Pendragon turned from writing her name on the blackboard. "It's where I keep my nose, eyes and mouth sweetie" She must get comments like that a lot looking the way she does, thought Aelita. Ms. Pendragon had green skin. "First of all I happen to have a rare skin condition, which tints the skin tone. It is not deadly. It is not contagious, and because it so rare there is no cure. If you want proof of its existence research the green children of Woolpit . Very fascinating tale, but we'll get into that later. Any non-rhetorical questions?" Nobody said anything. "Okay then we'll get straight to the curriculum. Since many of us are new and both Mr. McDuffie and Mr. Carp have you in different sections, the ninth grade English Class will be researching legends for the remainder of the year, Partly because this city that has been the stuff of legend for nearly 400 years and partly because Bloor's is in a city that has been legendary for 900 years" Aelita and Larana exchanged grins. "Now" Ms. Pendragon surveyed the room again, "Before we begin I think it's best I take attendance"It was then the door burst open and a tall African American girl zoomed in on a skateboard. Odd looked not only impressed but enchanted. Aelita guessed this was his mystery girl. "Samantha Knight" Odd breathed. "Thank you for the introduction, Mr. …" "Della Robia, mam" said Odd quickly with a stupid grin on his face, "Oliver Della Robia" Larana gave Aelita a strange look. "You're late Miss Knight" said Ms. Pendragon quietly. "Well sometimes you've gotta think outside the box" said Samantha Knight taking the seat beside Odd. "Okay then" Ms. Pendragon's eyes returned to the board, "Now is there anyone else who…" It was then the door opened again and in walked a boy with close-cropped brown hair, pale skin and brown eyes wearing a white shirt, a green sweater vest, brown khakis and tan loafers. It could Aelita a moment to recognize him. "Ulrich" she whispered across the aisle to Jeremy who shrugged. Ulrich handed Ms. Pendragon a note and sat down beside the quiet redhead. He was as silent and sullen as she was. This was the sixth unusual event of the day.
Ms. Pendragon was a great teacher and proved herself capable of teaching very interesting topics. It was from her our heroes first learned the shocking truth. They didn't know it was the truth at the time. "As you all know the Red King and his children and companions have been renown for centuries." She exclaimed, "They are the subjects of a number of strange and mysterious legends" It was Theo raised his hand, "But they aren't real, right?" "Shut up, you moron" said Dagbert Endless, "Of course they are" "Were! Were, Mr. Endless. The proper adverb is." Said their teacher, "And they are like King Arthur. It was so long ago that now it's up to those who hear the legend to decide if it's true or not."
"Are we reaching a point here." Asked Odd, who was only half paying attention, as evidenced by the fact that he was currently passing notes with Samantha Knight.
"That was the point of the speech." Answered Ms. Pendragon brusquely, "The point of mentioning the Red King and his children in the first place is, the Red King and his children are subject to many interesting and mysterious legends and your first English assignment of the semester and your last English assignment of the year is to write a ten-page paper about one of the legends surrounding the Red King and his family."
Dorcas Loom's fat dimpled hand rose above the heads of the other students, "I'll do Count Harken Badlock?"
Mrs. Pendragon frowned seriously, "Not how it works, sweetie. How it works is this, I, write down every possible choice you could make for this project and put it in my hat," she pulled at a tall black witch's hat from the inside of her desk, "And each of you will reach into the hat and withdraw the name of a legend. Any questions, unreasonable objections or lawsuit threats?" No one even looked in her direction. Mrs. Pendragon was clearly not playing around. She picked several strips of paper and filled her hat with them. The hat was then passed around the room. Some kids grabbed at it, Dorcas Loom was one. So was Belle Donner. So was Dagbert Endless. Once the student had their legend, they would read it aloud to the class. Dagbert got Petrello, the Red King's Fifth. Jeremy got Edern, the Red King's Smith. Obi-wan got the Stones of Ravenglass. Odd got Cafall the Changer. Dorcas got Harken Badlock like she'd wanted. When the hat came to Ulrich, he sullenly read it aloud.
"Could you please make that clear?" Miss Pendragon asked. It wasn't a question.
"The Red King's Sword." Ulrich answered.
The hat came to Larana soon after. She got the Three Flames. She looked pleased by that. The hat felt strange in Aelita's hands, like it was alive. Before she knew it the piece of paper was in her hand. "Well, read it." Mrs. Pendragon said sternly.
Aelita held her breath, the name on the paper was Amoret, the Princess of Heart.
"What do you know about Amoret?" Aelita asked Charlie as the group of twenty-two newly united friends walked to the cafeteria together.
Charlie shrugged, "I know that she was the Red King's youngest child. I know that her mother died when she was born. I know that she apparently had a mirror that helped her go other worlds…"
"Wait a minute, what?" Aelita was pretty sure that had not heard him right.
"That's what the legends say." Charlie explained, "I don't know if it's true." He, Olivia and Fidelio shared a funny look.
"Of course it's not true." Said Odd confidently, "I can't believe that she forced us to do this scam project. Five bucks says that we find almost nothing on this garbage and what we do dig up on the crap she's forced on us is absolute BS."
"You'd be surprised to be wrong about that." Answered Charlie who clearly trying to hide an annoyed frown at Odd's ignorance, "My uncle Paton has entire books on the Red King and his children. He could probably give us a hand on this report. He's even writing a book on them himself."
"I thought this legend was obscure." Commented Jared.
"Obscure in America maybe." Said Olivia, "But at Bloor's it's pretty much the only history anyone cares about."
"Well, I just say that they'd better have brought some useful books on all this." Commented Jeremy, "That is if the rumors about Bloor's teachers not allowing the internet for any reason even school."
"Oh that's true all right." Answered Charlie, "And we all have to live with it. But there's probably something useful in the library."
"There better be." Said Will, "Because no matter what happens, we'll be spending a ridiculous amount of time there."
When the group entered the cafeteria, they were met by a very strange sight. Everywhere you turned there were signs of the Bloor's influence. The once plain blue walls had newly added streaks of purple and green. The cafeteria ladies were dressed in long blue, purple and green aprons instead of the normal white. And of course, there was the ridiculous overcrowding. There were suddenly twice as many sixth through twelfth graders, pushing and yelling and jostling in purple, green, and blue. And at the front of it all, there stood a boy. He was older than almost everyone else in the cafeteria, dressed in a long black cape that swept over his just about as long gangly legs, his long floppy hair was as black as night and his skin was so pale he could have been mistaken for a corpse, or a vampire, at six or seven feet tall he loomed over the entire cafeteria. But the most memorable thing about the boy, were his eyes. They were as black as his hair. No, they were blacker. Dark, and deeply lidded, the eyes on the boy before the Lyoko Warriors could have belonged to a Battle Droid, if not for the fact that they shone brighter than the night sky.
"That's Manfred Bloor." Said Olivia. But Aelita knew that. She didn't know how she, there was just a deep, strong, instinct inside her that told that this must be Manfred. After all, it very well couldn't be anyone else. Manfred was arguing with William Dunbar.
"Why should I wear the stupid uniform?" The younger of the two boys complained, "It's not like you're staying for more than the rest of this year and the year after. I'm not giving up my cool for that."
"Your cool, Mister Dunbar," Manfred was arguing back, "Has absolutely nothing to do with the success and esteem of Bloor's Academy."
William threw his hands up, "This is Kadic Academy and your school isn't esteemed by anyone. Everyone around here thinks it's a glorified nuthouse."
That was exactly not only the wrong thing, but the worst possible thing to say to Manfred Bloor. If William had been conveniently standing in front of any other Bloor's Academy students, he would most likely have been left to be hypnotized. But, whether due to the intervention of fate, or fortune, William was standing in front of Tancred Torrson and Lysander Sage. Two boys from old families, from separate sides of the planet, were inseparable friends who shared two more, very strong distinctions that bound them together in a way that made them a dangerous pair. Among the Bloor's Academy Endowed, they were arguably the most powerful. Tancred could bring storms, rain, wind, even ice and snow. And Lysander was gifted with the rare ability to call upon his long-dead ancestors. He was and he alone was feared by Manfred Bloor. And he was now putting his hand on William Dunbar's shoulder.
"He's not worth it. Just take the cape" William turned. Aelita could in his face, that there was a part of William that wanted to tell this well dressed English black boy to mind his own business despite the fact that anyone could see that Lysander Sage could have crushed William like a grape without help from his spirit ancestors. But thankfully, something in Lysander's voice, managed to get William his head back.
"Fine." He shrugged in Lysander's direction, "I guess it suits you well enough."
"What did you say?" While Lysander didn't seem to catch on to William's semi-racist comment, Tancred clearly did.
"Lay off it, Tanc." Lysander put his arm around his friend.
"Nothing." Was William's almost defeated sounding answer, "Thanks for your help." He told Lysander although he really didn't sound all that thankful. Without looking Manfred in the eye, William accepted a long crimson cape. Despite the fact that Lysander had essentially made Manfred's job easier, he looked at the African boy and his blonde northern companion with nothing short of disdain.
He was no friendlier by the time, the large group of ninth graders came up to him.
"Charlie Bone." He growled at Charlie as though they were old enemies.
"Yes sir." Charlie answered stonily.
Aelita was astonished, skinny dark-haired Charlie with his kind smile and serious eyes wasn't the first boy you would take for a trouble-maker, despite his messy hair.
Sullenly, the headmaster's son shoved the box of capes in front of the group, at least those of them who weren't from Bloor's.
"Make your choice and move on." He said sullenly.
Jeremy was the first in line, and looking straight towards Charlie, he took a light blue cape from the box. He was followed by Obi-wan who looked Manfred straight in the eye and grabbed a cape that was crimson red. Jared was next grabbing a cape that was sky blue, followed quickly by Will who grabbed a purple one. Tony and Sora were next, each grabbing a blue cloak (Tony's was midnight blue, Sora's was bluish green). Aang and Katara were the next to step up. Aang chose a rusty red cape, Katara chose one that was icy blue. Edien and Kairi were next. Edien's cape was a piney green, Kairi's was a faint pinkish red. Aelita and Larana were last. Larana confidently reached into the box and grabbed a sea green cape which she tied around her shoulders. Aelita dipped her hand into the thick and colorful box of fabrics. She found a long pink cape that was ringed with purple. On the tag was the name, A. C. For a moment, she wondered if it was her mother's name. Suddenly a shout jolted Aelita from her reverie.
"Get out of my way, you little freak." It was a small, not particularly attractive boy, who couldn't have been more than twelve and was covered in papers and wood, yelling at a very small boy with hair that so blonde that it was almost white, very pale skin, and brown eyes. Aelita had seen the boy in pictures, it was Jeremy's cousin, Adam, Patrick's younger brother.
"That's Joshua Tilpin." Olivia whispered into Aelita's ear. Adam whimpered like a beaten puppy.
"Not talking to me?" Joshua asked, "That's rude." He put his dirty face right up to Adam's. "But then again maybe I should forgive you. You're Adam Belquois, aren't you? I hear you're soft in the head."
Jeremy's fists were shaking, he had never gotten into a fight before, but for Adam he was willing. Particularly since, Patrick was across the room and ignoring the proceedings.
"Leave him alone."
Joshua laughed like a lunatic, "Why are you defending him? Can't you see he's hopeless!"
Obi-wan was three inches taller than Jeremy and fairly intimidating looking, he stepped slowly beside his new friend.
"You heard Jeremy, leave him alone." Obi-wan's temper was failing him. He hated bullies. Seriously hated them. And now there was this arrogant little squirt who picking on someone that was by far smaller than him.
"Who's going to make me?" Joshua stood up and grinned evilly at every other student in the cafeteria, "You, Skywalker, or your mother, the coward's daughter."
"Shut up!" If there was one thing that Obi-wan hated more than bullies it was someone insulting his mother. Obi-wan's endowment was the ability to control metal objects with powers that were far beyond the force. There was a tray in Joshua Tilpin's hand, it had suddenly gone into his nose. That was the first projectile. Somehow everyone knew that Obi-wan Skywalker had done it. Everyone including Manfred Bloor who started towards Obi-wan slowly, but surely. Aang hadn't been in school for one hundred years, he had forgotten that it was a foolish move to blow the head boy away from your friend to defend him. Dagbert Endless rushed loyally to defend his head boy, followed by Nicholas Polkioff, only to be fought back by Tancred Torrson, Zuko, Lysander, Jaina, Zain, Kenny, Charlie, Tony, Sora, and Jared altogether in a flurry of water, fire, wind, fists drums and feet. Riley Burns, the head of the Bloor's Prefects tried to diffuse the fight, but was knocked aside by Dagbert's water. Katara tried to use her own water to fight back, and both Irma and Aang tried to help, but all it accomplished was flooding the cafeteria. Idith and Inez tried to send the older girl off with their telekinesis, but Sokka was quick to jump on them to save his sister. Sissi, Dorcas and Belle were soon standing above all the other students. In a flash of light, Belle was a bird flying down to attack the group only to be punched aside by Hayner, the blonde boy from English class, Odd, William, and a strange invisible force who kept beating on her. Manfred tried to control the situation only to be unexpectedly upended by the floor. Toph stood nearby with mischievous grin. Dorcas Loom tried to attack her from behind, but was quickly thrown aside by Toph's earth-bending.
"You, you started this." The injured Joshua tried to get near Obi-wan only for Larana to attack him in a powerful wave of blue magic. Without thinking, Aelita was on him too. Out of nowhere, a bird the size of a house appeared.
"Whose doing that?" Manfred yelled, "I'll kill the person who's doing that." Olivia grinned.
"Try me!" yelled Riku knocked the older boy from behind.
"Try this!" hollered Dagbert as the cafeteria filled with water.
Katara, Irma and Aang tried again to push it back, but it was filling up so quick that the cafeteria was filling. Taranee and Zuko tried to boil it, Toph and Cornelia tried to patch it and Hay Lin and Aang tried to patch it, but it did no good. Jeremy, meanwhile was suddenly knocked from his feet with Nicholas standing over him.
"You're mine, Belquois." Before Jeremy could react a tray came from behind him hitting Nicholas on the head, that wasn't the only thing either, suddenly Jeremy's laptop was alive, out of his backpack and attacking Nicholas. Lowie was running at the Brankos and slashing at them. Edien was nearly being pulled under by Dorcas, only to be unexpectedly saved by her Dreamcreature, Ugger and Will's energy wave. Stragg and Inora were throwing all their relics at the attacks waters of Dagbert's wicked attack.
Suddenly, a voice called, "What the devil is the meaning of this?"
Of course, Manfred Bloor and his friends were found completely innocent of all wrongdoing in the near destruction of the cafeteria. Aelita, Jeremy, Larana, Obi-wan, Aang, Katara, Charlie, Olivia, Tony, Edien, Jared, Will, Sora, Kairi and their friends were not so lucky.
"Why in God's name is it always you, Charlie Bone?"
"I don't know." Charlie answered stonily, "I guess I'm just lucky."
"Are you aware your son has in for him?" asked Tony.
Dr. Bloor opened a file and examined it, before hatefully looking at the seven young boys looking back at him, "Anthony Jones, straight-A student, track star, in detention five times in one year for at the Dustin School for repeated fights with other students, talking back to teachers, and various childish pranks." He gave Tony a particularly dark look, "I suppose you've always thought yourself above the school." Tony shrugged.
"You," he said looking at Jared, "Jared Grace, suspended from six times from PS-119 in New York City before relocating to Massachusetts and being expelled from Middle School for fighting. It's always for fighting. It seems you have a temper."
"Only for bullies." Jared answered.
"Is that your defense as well, Obadiah Skylar. From what I've seen you've been kicked what is it, three schools for starting fights same as you started this one."
Obi-wan glared at Dr. Bloor, "I don't start fights. I don't like bullies. I don't care if they're bigger, or smaller than I am. I just hate them."
Dr. Bloor examined the report again, "Joshua Tilpin is smaller than you. Much smaller."
"With all due respect, sir." Jeremy answered, "Joshua was picking on my cousin, Adam."
"Jeremiah Belquois." Dr. Bloor answered, "Straight-A student, president of the computer club and infamous for his numerous tendencies to skip class. I see you've now graduated to much more serious offenses."
"And lastly, we have David Coleman and Aang Wang." Dr. Bloor looked just as hateful gazing at Sora and Aang, "It seems that this is a first defense for both of you boys. Well, I'll be lenient; each of you will receive detention for your crime even though you deserve far worse."
"That was close." Said Aang.
"Speak for yourself." Obi-wan answered guiltily. He knew that he should have snitched on Joshua instead getting involved in the fight, he'd promised his mother that he wouldn't get into any fights at Kadic like he did at his previous schools and the Temple. He probably should have known better than to make that promise. He was too short-tempered. Too arrogant. Too bold! He was a Skywalker. He'd been taught to never back down from a fight no matter how hopeless. All he'd ever wanted to do was honor his family name and the Jedi Order. But every time he tried, he wound up doing the opposite of what a true Jedi would. Even in his family, after all it was this kind of behavior was exactly what had almost turned Obi-wan's grandfather, Anakin to the Dark Side.
"It was worth it." Tony said matter-of-factly.
"What?" Jeremy was shocked, he had been in several detentions based on skipping class and misunderstandings, this was much worse.
"Tony's right." Agreed Sora, "The little jerk had it coming. How you do that anyway, it was awesome."
"Lucky blow." Obi-wan muttered.
"A lucky blow?" Jeremy was incredulous, "You practically took his nose off. I mean I'm glad you help my cousin and all, but you really have a temper don't you?"
"I don't have a temper." Obi-wan answered, "It's the same as I told the old man in there, I just really hate bullies."
"Want to know what I want to know." Said Jared, "I want to know why Manfred and the others are getting off scot-free. I mean I get letting Joshua off because his nose was broken so they were probably worried his parents would sue the school. But what Dagbert did came closer to killing way more people than what you did."
"It's just the way it is." Charlie answered, "The Bloor's Spies always get away with everything. By the way, what you did was cool."
"Not really." Obi-wan answered.
"Are you kidding." Said a voice from behind, the boys turned it was Odd, "That was super awesome. You, too, Einstein and you guys too."
Jeremy grinned, "You were pretty cool in there too."
"Heck," said Odd, "Everyone who fought with us in there deserves to be a Lyoko Warrior."
"You know what." Said Jeremy, "I think you just might be right."
Later that day, Odd met up with Ulrich outside the gym.
"You didn't help out in the cafeteria."
"I was busy."
"You were hiding." Odd answered disgustedly, "And you look different. What's wrong with you?"
"Look, Odd." Ulrich answered, "These people, they're concerned about three things. 1. Their reputations. 2. Kids following the rules and 3. Having someone to pick on. I'm done breaking rules and I'm done disappointing my father."
"So you're not going to be a Lyoko Warrior anymore?" Odd asked, "Not even next year."
"Why would I?" asked Ulrich, "That part of our lives is done. And anyway how's helping that psycho about being a Lyoko Warrior?"
"Because Jeremy's roommate and Jeremy's friend." Odd answered, "And he was defending Jeremy's cousin."
"That doesn't have shit to do with me." Answered Ulrich, "I don't even know that kid."
As Ulrich walked away, Odd realized that he didn't really know his friend anymore.
With the arrival of the Bloors, Kadic had a new rule. All the students were to do their homework in the library from the end of their last period, until dinnertime. At Kadic, dinner was at 7:00 and classes ended at 3:00. Naturally, most students couldn't help but complain about this. Kadic had only one library on the third floor. It was called the Spiderwick Library. Aelita liked it well enough. But Odd complained the whole way.
"It's bad enough that they're putting us in detention, but do they have to imprison us here?" he said his arms extended as if to show how crazy he found the entire ordeal.
Jeremy shrugged, "It could be worse."
When the Lyoko Warriors entered the library, there was a painting of a large African man wearing a crimson cloak in a gold frame which hung over one table.
"I want to work here." Charlie said sitting at that table.
Almost all of his friends from Bloor's and Benjamin Brown, a skinny blonde boy who had transferred to Kadic to be close to Charlie immediately sat down beside him. Aang, who had grown close to Charlie throughout the day was quick to sit beside him as well. Katara followed Aang. The rest of their closest friends followed her. Will and her friends from Heatherfield followed them. Jared and his siblings followed them. Sora, Tony and their respective groups followed them. Larana took Aelita's hand and they walked to the table together. Jeremy, Obi-wan and the others followed them. Jeremy's younger cousin, Adam sat down with them.
"I think he wants protection, Obi." Teased Jaina.
"Shut up." Obi-wan answered flatly.
"Let him stay." Said Charlie. Adam reminded him of Billy Raven.
"Of course he can stay." Said Jeremy.
"Can I sit here too?" asked a voice. It was Jeremy's cousin, Patrick, "He's my little brother and I should have been protecting him, but I'm glad that you could. And Jeremy, we were going to be friends last semester. Want to give it a chance."
"I will." Jeremy answered.
Suddenly the redhead from class appeared.
"I would like to sit here too." She said, "Is it alright."
Nobody objected.
She sat down.
"My name is Jess. Jess Dusquene." Everyone went around and introduced themselves. They were a group, a group starting to form.
Aelita decided to start out her homework, by starting work on her English report. She went to the librarian, Mrs. Roberts and asked her if she knew any books on Princess Amoret, boredly Mrs. Roberts pointed to the history section. It took a lot of work for Aelita to get her hands on the one book that was entitled, The Princess of Heart. It was broken and leather-bound and when Aelita opened it, it almost seemed to crack.
Princess Amoret was born around 1106 in the Castle of the Red King….
Suddenly Aelita was standing in a small room where a girl with long black hair, dark skin and blue eyes was sitting above a huge leather-bound book. She was chanting in a language Aelita didn't know, when a tall dark man with sickly gray skin, long black hair, and flat blind eyes.
"What are you doing, child?" he asked in a dark evil, although she had never heard that voice before, somehow Aelita felt like she knew it.
"I am stopping your evil." The girl answered, Aelita she knew that voice too.
"How do you plan to do this?" asked a third voice and a green-skinned woman dressed all in black and purple with a crown with horns like a goat's, or a devil's, "We are too powerful."
"Not if I banish Agram to the Core."
"You can't!" hollered the man.
The girl responded with a line of long and incomprehensible words. The man started to fade out and disappear.
The woman let out a cry, "You pay for this, Amoret, daughter of Timoken."
The next thing, Aelita knew, she was sitting on the floor with the book on her lap. Study time was over.