(Ps when father is mentioning school it's a boarding school though I forgot to add that in)
;…;
Previously on What if…
It had been a normal afternoon for most. The sun was just setting on the horizon, the sky turned for a baby blue to violet and pink, there was also a splash of orange in there as well. People were starting to finish up work for the day while others started to go to there shift- well most were.
"Dad if you don't leave now you're going to be late," fifteen-year-old Ashlyn James called from her spot on the living room couch. Glances up from her book her father had just emerged from the hallway. As usual his dark hair was slightly sticking up and his white doctor's coat flipped casually over his shoulder of his blue scrubs.
"Thank you for that," he says before grabbing a set of keys and a clipboard off the kitchen table. "Stay safe, don't let anybody in or out of the house at all times and if it's Murry-"
"- Pretend you're not home, I get it," Ash interrupted. "Now go or you'll miss tomorrows shift as well."
She got up off the couch and pressed a kiss on her father's cheek before following him to the door.
"Well, when you put it like that, I should probably get going then." Winking at her, his brilliant blue eyes sparkle with mirth. He opened the door, though when he looked back he had become serious once more.
"Be careful, OK?" He asked. "Tomorrow is your first day at your new school and we don't need any last-minute problems."
"Yeah, I know, and I'll do my best not to do anything stupid until you come home," Ash promised.
"Good," Her father said. "Though make sure you're packed before I get home."
"Yes dad," the sarcasm wasn't missed. He lightly kisses her on the top of her head before stepping through the doorway. The faint sounds of the car starting could be heard as the vehicle backing out of the driveway and onto the road. A few moments late the engine of the car could no longer be heard.
She walked down the hall to her bedroom Puddles close behind her trying to keep up. Puddles- a cat that Doctor James had found in a street as a kitten. His fur was a mess of brown, caramel and white. His eyes the usual cat like gold, his right eyes covered with a patch of caramel fur. Puddles had gotten his name at the fact that all four paws were covered with brown fur and looked like he had jumped in a muddy puddle. Ash just simply couldn't help herself, he was adorable and needed an adorable name. Her bedroom was the first one to the right side of the hall. Notes and a mirror hung in the front the door. The mirror was a small motivation that her father had made when a couple of bullies called her ugly. She had gotten her dad's blue eyes, even the twinkle in them. She was healthily tan, and her hair was chestnut brown like her mother's tied back in a ponytail. Opening the door to her quite plain room Ash dug out the suitcase from under her bed while Puddles attempted to jump onto her bed. He was unsuccessful until Ash had found her travel bag and lifted the growing kitten on her bed curling into himself and falling asleep immediately. Ash snorted muttering her jealousy under her breath before starting think of what to pack for tomorrow's journey. As she went Ash wrote down things she was most likely to forget;
Tooth brush & tooth paste
Deodorant
Socks
She looked around her room for what felt like the tenth time trying to see what else she had forgotten. For a girl of fifteen, her room was quite bare. The walls of the room were cream like most of the house. The bed was pushed against the back wall leaving room for a desk at the foot. A single photo frame the corner next to the pencil holder in the shape of a cactus. It was a mother holding a baby in her arms both smiling. The mother looked as if she was laughing. A tall, white wardrobe standing in the corner. Ash stares at the empty suitcase lying open on the end of her bed. Deciding clothing would be the obvious first, within two steps she was in front of her wardrobe. Every time she looked at the frame and the doors she couldn't help but start at the beautifully crafted design out of the warm brown wood. The doors were decorated with tendrils of flowing water with a blooming roselle flower in a group of three in the middle. The sides had crashing waves, the wood was rough and felt funny with the weird etches in it. She smiled to herself and opened the double doors. Though instead of clothes there was just empty space. It seemed to be a bottomless pit.
"What the hell?" She questioned. Doing quick calculations of conclusions in her head, Ash cautiously stuck out her hand into the darkness. It was cold and empty, nothing jumped out either.
'If you see anything strange happen, anything at all, tell me immediately.' That is what Dad had told her. Though yet again he had just left and was late for his shift. Her phone was in the other room, but that wasn't too bad right? Plus, this was much to interesting just to be left alone. She put her foot in the inside of the wardrobe and found the base. A strong gust of wind blew out of the darkness. It was slightly chilled, like someone breathing cool air on your neck.
"Um… ok," she was starting to get sceptical of her choices. All of this was starting to get a little creepy. And then her wardrobe began to rock. As if the strong wind had caught onto it making it unstable. Ash tried to take her foot off the base of wardrobe but couldn't. Her foot was glued to it. She tried to steady the frame with her hands but no matter what way the wardrobe rocked she couldn't stop it from moving.
"What is-" Ash was cut off when the wardrobe rock violently forward. Puddles had awoken from his nap. He meowed in distress as the whole wardrobe seemed to come tumbling forward. Ash tried to stop it even with one foot working for her and the other magically glued. Though the wardrobe seemed to gain weight making it impossible to hold up. With a sudden noise distress came from Ash as the endless darkness came toppling on top of her before everything went black.
;…;
Ash felt drained. As if her night sleep had taken away her energy rather than replenish it. The darkness underneath her eyelids turned to red and orange. Warmth pricked her skin as if she was laying in the sun, whatever she was laying on was soft and nice. With an unsuppressed groan Ash sat up slightly and opened one eye only to have a blinding light flashed. She quickly shut her eyes again to avoid blinding herself. Why was it so bright? Had she left the lights on? Ash opened her eyes again just a sliver letting her eyes adjust before opening them a little more until she was able to see everything around her. It wasn't that she had left the lights on, it was more the case that she was no longer in her room. Instead she was a green landscape and is was simply beautiful. Ash couldn't hold back the gasp at the sight.
It was like a fae chanted forest. Everything was vibrant and green, rays of sunlight seeping through the tall trees that towered over head. Ground cover and flowers littered the ground- it was just simply so much.
"Wow," she whispered as she stood looking at the landscape in wonder. Where was she? Had she hit her head on the fall of the wardrobe? It all seemed too good to be true. If only her-
Oh no- Dad. He was going to freak when he got home. Her wardrobe would be found on the ground and Puddles would probably somewhere nearby or sleeping. Looking behind her, Ash only saw green forest. There was no sign of anything that could be an exit. All but a small hill and another large amount of green forest. Ash began to pace, her thoughts in a swirling whirlpool. How was she supposed to get home? How much time would pass there and wherever she was right now? What would her dad think? What if-
The sound of bushes rustling pulled Ash out of her thoughts. They were to the right of her, moving every now and again as if something was slowly making their way through them.
"He-hello?"
Within a few seconds the bushes fell silent with no movement. Ash waited what was thought to be a minute before guiding attention elsewhere. Though she didn't have much to look for-
Another rustle came from the bushes again. This time a bit more violent then the last. Ash readied herself for the inevitable remembering the self defence skills her father had taught her. Finding a gap between the bushes came a small creature- well that Ashlyn's prediction. It more looked to be a rainbow ball of fluff, with enormous eyes in the middle of the fluff. It was adorable to say the least. It made a small distressed shriek (it reminded Ash of a ginea pig) jumping away slightly. Ash crouched down somewhat at the same level as the creature. It didn't seem to be overly intimidated by her by the slightest.
"What are you?" She asked, though she knew something like this wouldn't be able to-
"It's kind of obvious don't you think?" The ball if fluff said. It spoke. It was official the weird adorable ball of rainbow fur just spoke. Ash scrambled backwards in surprise and fear. What the hell? The odd talking creature let out a chuckle as if amused at her reaction.
"Sorry I couldn't help it," it- he maybe- said. The creature jumped forward, stopping close to Ashlyn's feet. "Though to be fair-"
It was cut off as its fur turned chocolate brown and started to change becoming taller and more human. Now standing above her with a hand extended out to her was a boy. He looked about her age at least, scruffy chocolate hair fell over his eyes mostly hidden under the hood of his red hoodie complimenting his tan skin. A glint of genius and mirth sparkled in his dark eyes matching his smirk.
"-You did startle me first," he finished his sentence from earlier. Ash was too stunned to speak. Just- how? Her first thought was that she was dreaming, though her racing heart said otherwise. She somehow moved to take the hand of the boy in front of her. He helped her up from the ground in one quick movement. They stood there for a moment, Ash still staring in shock while the boy studied her politely.
"You're not from around here, are you?" He asked, pulling off his hood messing his hair a little more. Ash opened her mouth though no words seemed to come out. She tried again-
"Ezrin! You around here?" Someone called from a distance. They seemed to be heading this way. The boy- Ezrin it seemed- cursed lightly, running over to a clear spot between two trees before addressing Ash again.
"Just act somewhat natural as you can, and Landon won't have a clue," he said. He pulled his hood over his head again. His body began to fade as a shell wrapped around him within a few moments where he stood was a tree. Ash stood there for a moment- what just happened?
She had little time to process what had happened as a boy appeared in the clearing. His wore a shirt with what looked to be a sporting team log on it with jeans. His hair sat in ringlets close to his scalp the front fall over his emerald eyes, it was a light blond turning white in the sunlight. His green eyes caught sight of Ash, they widened a little not expecting company.
"Umm hi?" Ash said feeling the awkwardness settling.
"Yeah hi, sorry I'm looking for friend Ezrin?" The boy asked. "He's about this tall (gesturing just shorter than himself), clearly a nerd but we have yet to have discuss it."
The mirth in his eyes glinted slightly brighter as he looked around trying to spot any signs of his friend.
"No…" Ash drew out, though her eyes trailed to the two trees and the imposter behind her. "Though I did meet a talking tree somewhere that way."
She pointed right in the direction of the trees, hopefully her silent hints worked. She saw the green eyes widen ever so slightly before he winked at her. He headed passed the trees- or so it looked. Because Landon was standing right in front of Ash. She looked at the copy walking through the forest calling for his friend, while an identical copy stood right there. His hands in his pocket a smug look on his face. He put a finger to his lips before disappearing into the bushes.
Ezrin turned back to himself a look of triumph on his face.
"Well I do have to say that worked better than expected," he said working over to Ash. "Thanks for that- though what are you doing in the Ezera Forest?"
"I-"
"IN COMING!" A shout came from behind. Landon was up in the air flying towards them ready for the tackle. Ezrin let out a groan at his fail of staying hidden though he moved fast and quick out of the way of his flying friend. Ash not so much. She had tensed in shock and was unable to move in time before being flattened. They fell hard onto the ground with audible 'ooffs' to follow. Ash had been slightly winded from the fall but was ok. She looked up to find that the blond boy had landed on top of her and was looking down at her with a huge grin his face and a twinkle in his eye.
"Well this is awkward," with no signs of the emotion in his voice whatsoever. Pushing down at the heat that rose to her cheeks, Ash half heartedly pushed him off her and sat up. Ezrin was trying to cover his amusement with coughs, but it did little with the enormous smile on his face.
"You have to excuse Landon and his actions," he said. "There not an awful lot up here (pointing to his head)- it seems to all disappear when a girl gets into the mix."
Ash pushed down as heat flared in her cheeks, though Landon just snorted at the comment.
"Yeah right," he shot back. "I'm averagely smart you however are an absolute nerd."
"Ok well when our latest test comes back I'll be happy to stick my grade up your-"
"Excuse me?" Ash cut in. Both boys seemed to have forgotten the third person.
"Sorry about that… um-"
"Ashlyn James- but Ash is fine," she introduced.
"Well, Ash as you know my name is Ezrin Stirling, but I prefer Ez," Ezrin returned introduction. "And that Landon Bailey, but he goes by boof-head most of the time."
"Hey!"
"Anyway, what are you doing in the Ezera by yourself?" Ezrin asked.
"Um…" Ash drew out looking between at the two boys. "Where?"
They looked at each other silently communicating before looking back at her.
"Have you hit your head?" Landon asked, walking up to her a bit too close for comfort. "The Ezera Forest- as in the large amount of dirt and trees next to academy…"
"No, I haven't hit my head- though how did you do that?" She asked taking a step back.
"Do what?"
"Both of you did some weird supernatural crap and-"
"Wait- You don't know what a gift is?" Landon asked, looking at her as if she was crazy. "How- where in Medora are you from?"
"Landon, buddy I don't think she's from anywhere in Medora," Ezrin said, his words having a double meaning.
"Wait, you really think she's from-" Landon jerked his head backwards.
"Well she is standing right here and would like to know what is happening," Ash addressed.
"Sorry, sorry," Ezrin said. "So, you have no idea where you are right now?"
"Nope- why, where do you think I come from?" She asked.
"Well tell us what you remember before coming here and we'll compare notes," he said. Ash told the two boys about the wardrobe only to realised how it sounded something out of Nania.
'I wonder if fawns are real?' She thought. The irony would be hilarious.
Ezrin had a sceptical look on his face making Landon's comment about being a nerd might as well be true.
"What do you have for us Professor Stirling?" Landon teased his friend.
"Shut up Bailey- but I really do think she's from-" he said as he jerked his head backward the same way his friend had before.
"Really?" Landon asked, earning a nod in response.
"Where am I from exactly?" Ash butted in. She was getting tired of waiting. Answers needed to be given, now.
"Well in a rough conclusion, but by the looks of it you are Freyan," Ezrin stated.
"Freyan?"
"Yeah, so you call your world Earth, but we call that world Freya," he explained. "And somehow with a wardrobe you got transported here to our Earth or what we call Medora."
"Ok, so I'm from a different world and people have superpowers…" Ash said summarising. "Well this isn't how I pictured my night to go."
"But it's day," Landon said.
"True."
"Think of it was the worlds are twins with slightly different personalities," Ezrin said.
"Yeah, well I guess since you turned in an animal and a tree, while you make copies of yourself-"
"Not just myself," as Landon said it, another Ash appeared next to him flashing a smile identical to his.
"Case in point."
Ash looked around again, yet there was still no sign of exit.
"This is all really awesome- honestly, but how am I supposed to get home?" She asked. Both boys shrugged both as confused as the other.
"So, I'm stuck here," Ash concluded with a frustrated sigh. Stupid Nania rules.
"We never said that," Ezrin said.
"Wait really? You know-"
"It's a bit if-y but if it gets you home I guess we have to try," he concluded. Landon absolutely lost before Ezrin rolled his eyes and muttered 'Headmaster' under his breath. The blond boy caught on quickly with a 'oh'. The boys lead Ash through the Ezera forest, explaining a little about themselves and a bit more about Medora. Turns out that they had been friends for a lot longer than Ash anticipated.
"What were you be doing in a forest anyway?" Ash asked at one point of their walk.
"Hide and seek tag," Landon said casually.
"Ok?" she drew out looking to the other friend if he could help. Ezrin just grinned and shrugged as if there was nothing wrong with that. The trio came to a clearing in the trees, Ash couldn't help but gawk at the sight before her. There was so much one place, some looked futuristic another part looked lost in time.
"Where- w-what- how?" there was just too much going on in Ashlyn's head. Where was she?
"Ashlyn James welcome to Akarnae the academy for the gifted," Landon introduced with much drama. He and Ezrin lead their new friend to the campus grounds. This was bound to be fun.
This will be the first one in a while since I'm going to do a couple at a time and then post. Hopefully I get through all of them.
Anyway, see you in the next chapter hope you enjoyed this better the last piece of-
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