"Cargo arriving from LAX will be dropped off at carousel 4A. Thank you for flying with us and enjoy your stay. Welcome to Arcadia!"
Through high walls of glass, a beautiful summer backdrop of a lightly clouded, flawlessly blue sky welcomed passengers disembarking a commercial plane. People of every background filed out into the terminal of a grandiose airport, carrying or dragging their personal items along. As bodies diffused and thinned out the crowd, two teenagers continued to walk alongside each other towards the baggage claim. The older of the two, a young male of sixteen years, led the charge while engaging in conversation with the other, his younger half-sister just under a year behind him in age.
"All I'm saying, Opal, is that all things considered, the flight wasn't terrible," he said, trying to reason with her.
Shizuo Akiro, who chooses to use the maiden name of his deceased mother, is an intelligent and driven youth. Standing tall at six feet, two inches, a pair of hazel eyes and neatly swept up, long brunette hair complimented his friendly demeanor. After his mother's passing at a young age, he was taken in by his biological father, Elias Atwood, the founder of the technological super corporation known as Arrow Inc. A surprise inheritor to wealth, Shizuo has humble beginnings in the countryside of Japan where he previously lived with his mother and grandfather. Having acquired life skills such as manual labor and housekeeping from his early years, Shizuo appreciates the life he now lives, a fine blend of the modern-day and traditional values.
"That's easy for you to say, Shizuo. Your phone didn't die halfway through the flight," she shot back, "And the crying baby behind us? This is exactly why we should've asked Dad to take the jet. No babies, no crowds, no creeps, oh, and no babies. Did I mention that?"
The only daughter of Elias Atwood and his wife, Opal Atwood grew up alongside the rising success of her father's business, living and loving the luxurious city life of LA. Standing at five feet, three inches, she had emerald green eyes and straight, long light brown hair that flowed gently behind her shoulders, a slight wave towards their ends. Though innocent in appearance, Opal has an affinity for arrogance and bluntness, but balances the two into an otherwise charming personality that keeps her friends close and those she couldn't care for away.
Her brother had to let out a small chuckle at her last point, "True, but your aPad was in your carry-on, why didn't you just grab it and listen to your music from there?"
Opal rolled her eyes, "Right, like you expected me to get passed that guy in the aisle seat? He could've had a whole row to himself and still be in my way."
Shizuo couldn't argue with that, the man in question was of considerable size.
"Well we're here now, lighten up, sis. It's time you meet my home away from home," he said with a comforting smile.
As much as Opal was ticked off by her less-than-favorable experience on the flight, what was to come from then on excited her more. Both she and Shizuo would be entering their junior years at the Gifted And Talented Education Academy, or GATE, but the school would be a first for her. She had spent her previous two years enrolled at the Special Talents and Abilities Training Academy, or STAT, that was locally based in LA. Had it been any other school, she would not have been as eager, but the GATE Academy had one of, if not, the best reputations of academies in the world.
In a fantastical world where legend and reality coexist, the GATE Academy shines as a beacon of inspiration. Located on the pacific island of Arcadia, the Academy serves as a safe haven for the "talented," or those of supernatural ability. Students from around the globe and beyond enroll in the prestigious school in hopes of mastering their powers and abilities to take back home. Whether to fight for their countries or for personal growth, each youth holds the expectation that they will leave stronger, better equipped, and more confident in themselves than ever before.
The island of Arcadia, located between Hawaii and the United States, is home to the most "talent-friendly" policies and lifestyles to be found nowhere else. The natives of Arcadia are a hospitable, magical people whose history and culture are rooted in the supernatural, making the island a perfect residence for the GATE Academy. Though an autonomous nation, Arcadia uses the American dollar as its central currency.
As the two siblings gathered their things from the carousel, Shizuo took one of Opal's bags to assist. He had only brought one large bag and a single black backpack with him on the trip. Shizuo left many of his personal belongings and school supplies at the Arrow Tower that was located on the northeastern coast of the main island. The Arrow Tower is one of many properties based around the world owned by Arrow Inc, which serves a number of functions to the company. Holding office spaces on the first few floors for business, they typically contain a variety of luxurious living spaces that can be used by employees at discounted rates or a temporary residence for travelers and vacationers. The first floor of most Arrow Towers include a variety of cafes and a convenience store for the public and employees alike to enjoy. Several recreational areas are scattered amongst the office floors to exclusively offer workers a relaxing environment between breaks and after work. In a select few Arrow Towers are underground labs where research and developments are made to further the company's technological advancements.
Since departing the plane, Shizuo had ordered an Uber to take them to the Akiro Tower, which would only be about a twenty-minute drive from the airport. Shizuo set aside his bags to load Opal's in first, as his could easily fit in the back seat if need be. The Uber driver, a young man in his mid-twenties with sandy blonde hair and an easy air to him, came out to assist with their loading.
"You guys must be GATE students, huh?" He asked as he popped the trunk to his SUV, taking Opal's bags from her.
"What gave it away?" Shizuo asked with a light chuckle, moving in to help with the rest of the bags, which fit comfortably in the large trunk space of the car.
"It's easy to tell with you GATE folks!" Hoping to not sound offensive by generalizing, he quickly followed up, "I mean, you guys all have this confidence to yourselves. It's actually inspiring."
Shizuo smiles at the man's response, "I appreciate it. We try our best."
The driver nodded, returning with a smile of his own before closing the trunk of his car and walking around to get back in. Shizuo grabbed the backseat door for his sister, a quick "Thanks" coming from her, before sitting himself up front in the passenger seat. The young man began his usual Uber spiel, informing the two of them about the varying services he had to offer, one of which happened to be chargers.
"I'll take a charger please," Opal said quietly from the back. At times around strangers, she was less upfront and more inclined to politeness. Shizuo started to grab the charger, but waited to pass it back to his sister, using the moment to his advantage.
"What was that, Opal? I couldn't hear you," he teased.
Opal, catching onto what he was doing, furrowed her brows and held out her hand for the charger, "The charger, Shizuo. Hand it over."
Shizuo and the driver laughed lightly as he passed back said charger. The driver took off onto the road as Opal plugged her aPhone, the trademark phone of Arrow Inc, in, a small ping going off to signal its charging. The scene wasn't entirely unfamiliar to Opal, as they had made a few family trips to Arcadia in the past, but right then, she saw the city through a different lens. This would be an extension of her home for the next two years just like Shizuo had made it. The malls, ma and pa shops, parks, the people. Though a busy city, there was an openness to it. There were fewer skyscrapers and overarching buildings to obstruct the view of the expansive sky, the sidewalks were wide and clean, everything seemed new and modern. The small parks on every few blocks flashed many smiling faces of families, all enjoying the freedom that was summertime.
As the Arrow Tower came into view, a magnificent multi-floored sight, Shizuo mentally walked himself through how he would get his things. Opal and he being the kids of the owner, he knew the managers and people that knew about them would want to talk. Once the driver pulled into the main parking lot of the tower, Shizuo spoke up to him.
"You can go ahead and drop us off on the side," he said, pointing to continue on ahead. The driver did as instructed to no complaint, but it did raise a question in him.
"You guys don't have to check-in or anything?" He asked.
Opal straightened her back and answered him, "Nah, we own this place."
The driver's eyes widened slightly. "No way, your dad's Elias Atwood?"
Opal's lips formed into a half-smile, taking pride to answer his question "Yep, the one and only!"
Shizuo decided to end the conversation as they rolled up to the back entrance, knowing these conversations could get dragged on depending on the person. While he wasn't opposed to friendly conversation, his mind was already focused on how he and Opal would get in and out undetected.
"Thank you for the lift, man," he said, opening his door and beginning to step out, "Take care!"
He looked back at Opal, who was still seated, signaling with his head to get out. Seeing the eagerness in his eyes, she had an idea of what he was onto.
"Thank you again! Have fun or whatever with the rest of your day," she followed suit and exited the car promptly.
Shizuo already had most of their bags out of the car by the time she came around, so she took the last two of hers out and struggled to pick up the two that sat on the curb. When she turned to face Shizuo, she came face to face with a pair of keys dangling from a black lanyard.
"Take these and go find my car. It'll be in the employee parking garage around the corner, it should be one of the first cars. You remember what it looks like, right?" Shizuo added, his arm extended out to his sister.
"Of course," Opal reluctantly let down a bag to take the keys from him, "But what about our bags, smart one?"
Shizuo waved a hand to her as he turned to the side door, taking out his wallet to pull out a white access card, "Just leave them there. No one's going to steal 'em!"
"No way, I'm not just goi-" Opal started, but Shizuo had already slipped into the building, leaving her to herself.
"... what a pain..."
Instead of waiting around, Opal picked up the bag she let go of and began to make her way around the tower. "Around the corner" was easier said than done. The tower was huge.
From the entrance he chose to take, Shizuo entered the back storeroom of one of the cafes. There was a chance somebody might recognize him just because he was a regular, but he was less important to them as he was to the Arrow employees. Making his way out of the storage room, he peeked his head out into a back hallway that circled the perimeter of the building. The stairs were just a few doors down and if the coast was clear, he would be set for an uninterrupted trip. Lucky for him, it was just so. He made a quick move to the stairs, entered, and shut the door behind him. These particular set of spiraling stairs were only used by employees of the tower in case the elevators were down, so there was little to no traffic ever on them.
With the coast being clear once again, Shizuo closed his eyes and envisioned a small bird, shapeshifting into it once he set his mind on a specific one. Shizuo's powers consisted of control over fire, super strength, and the ability to shapeshift. His speed was above a human's natural ability, but that was the nature of a trained, talented body, reaching and exceeding the peak of humanity. He also had the ability to fly, but that was only when he summoned a pair of large, white angel wings to his back. His sister, on the other hand, had control over water, ice, and a form of energy. Near opposites with their power sets, the two often train together whenever they're on break.
In this enclosed staircase, Shizuo's wings would be too large. He didn't want to risk having an accident, crashing into a set of stairs, or making any unnecessary noise that might draw some attention to him. Now a small chickadee, Shizuo shot up through the spiraling staircases and watched the placards with each floor's level posted pass by. His suite was on Floor 16, which at his current speed, would be arrived at shortly. Coming to a halt at his floor, Shizuo flew over the railing and shifted back into his human state. Taking out his wallet once again, he opened the door to the floor and made pace towards his residence, which was just down the hall and around a corner. Holding his wallet up to the reader on his door, a small beep was made as the door unlocked, leaving Shizuo free to enter.
Meanwhile, Opal spots her brother's car from a distance. It was a project car he had custom made for efficiency and class. Not so much made for sport, the deep, glossy scarlet hue of the car still never failed to turn heads. The car comfortably fit five and had a surprising amount of trunk space. With the appearance of a sleek and slim car, it was actually slightly bigger than most, an almost visual illusion to hide it's surprisingly spacious interior. Being familiar with Shizuo's car and some of its features, Opal made her way to the back of the car, set down a bag, and placed her hand under the trunk's handle. Her hand was briefly illuminated by a scanner and the trunk opened automatically, Opal's handprint already being registered into the car's database.
Opal loaded her two bags into the trunk and closed it accordingly. Making her way to the driver's seat, with the same technology as the trunk, the door opened to her hand being wrapped around its handle. As she took a seat, she shifted around to get comfortable. The seat settings were not at all to her liking, so she began to adjust them. While doing so, she pressed the ignition button next to the wheel to start up the car. A quiet hum broke the silence as the machine came to life. Opal was used to the car connecting to her aPhone if Shizuo wasn't around, but for some reason, it connected to his.
"That's weird..." she said to herself as she looked at the control panel, a large screen where the radio normally is on other cars.
Just then, a large mass dropped from the sky in front of Opal. Her heart nearly skipped a beat as it took her only a second to realize what it was. She rolled down her window and stuck her head out.
"Can you at least try to be normal??" She brought her head back in and continued to adjust the seats and mirrors.
Shizuo grinned and chuckled as he strolled around to the back of the car, beginning to load his two new bags.
"I really hope you're not changing my settings. You're not driving, y'know?" he said, speaking through from the trunk of the car.
"Oh come on, bro. I know the legal driving age is sixteen here, just let me give it a go!" she exclaimed, Shizuo now standing outside of the driver door. He placed his hand on the handle to open the door, to which Opal responded by putting on the seatbelt.
Shizuo let out a quick sigh, "You're still fifteen, but that's beside the point. You don't even know how to get to GATE anyways. Plus, you can't just let the junior class president roll up to school in the passenger seat."
Opal's mouth twitched with annoyance, "Fine." she said shortly, unbuckling herself and removing her from the driver's seat.
Shizuo sat himself into his old car that was left on the island over summer. The seat would have felt more welcoming if Opal hadn't messed with the settings, but it was of no concern to him. By holding down a button between the mirror adjusters, the seat returned to its original settings. Shizuo turned to his sister before taking off, understanding that he upset her.
"Hey... how about I let you take her for a spin once we get you all settled in at school, yeah? We can take a drive back here and get a bite to eat, I'm sure my friends'll be hungry."
Opal hated her brother's ability to reason and recompose himself. As much as he had to put up with her, he never failed to make amends with his politeness. As she put on her seatbelt, she turned to look out the window, hiding a small smile.
"Don't worry about it, I'm bound to get my own car out here anyways."
"Suit yourself," Shizuo said with a grin, shifting his car into drive and taking off. A quick stop to load up their left behind bags on the curb was the only break in their drive to the academy, but in time, Opal would become intimately familiar with the city.