Chapter Text
Pandora University was the golden child of the city. It sat nestled between the good, shining neighborhood the city liked to advertise the most, and what the town's higher ups affectionately called ‘The Slums.’
Anyone with eyes could see that Pandora was a blossoming school not yet abandoned by the council. Anyone with eyes could see how jealous Yggdrasil College was.
Yggdrasil was the first school, most commonly known as a test run by those above it. They had haphazardly built it closer to the poor neighborhood, and called it a day.
Originally, the tuition was too high for those to pay, and no one from the rich neighborhood wanted to drive anywhere near it, lest their image get stained.
So they lowered it, along with the budget it was given. Students got restless, and teachers hated their job. They looked upon Pandora with hopeful eyes, wishing that one day they could be accepted, and teach well behaved students.
But Pandora had standards, and it was only a childish dream. They were stuck with what they had, and if their lives were miserable, so would the students’.
Pandora kids, though outwardly golden, were not above petty taunts. They would tease Yggdrasil students whenever they had the chance, but the council was blinded with money, and they never got punished.
The school of Yggdrasil was a punishment in and of itself, so students there feared nothing. Their skin was thick, and their minds were tough. They would taunt back.
Pranks were common between the two schools. Pandora students would sneak over to Yggdrasil, still caring about their image. While Yggdrasil students would brazenly stomp over to Pandora with their latest invention.
When it became all too much, and funders of Pandora started to complain, a tall fence between the two schools was constructed, blocking off access.
The only good thing Yggdrasil got to look forward to was a city wide football game between both schools. It boosted morale for Pandora kids, and the rich funders loved to see the game.
The students of both schools were petty, but not that petty. They shook hands behind closed doors, and agreed that their pranks would not reach the game.
Pandora had professional coaches that must have taught the likes of Tom Brady. Yggdrasil had coaches probably bought off of Craigslist.
Both schools knew who the obvious winner was, but Yggdrasil students were tough, and they always gave it their all. Surprisingly, most of the time Pandora just barely won.
But there had never been a game that Yggdrasil won. Be it actual skill on the opposing team, or cheats that high ranking officials snuck in. Yggdrasil was cursed at creation to never succeed, always stuck behind Pandora’s shadow.
But a new wave of students hoped to change this constant battling with one final blow.
Members of both schools stood up to the leadership roles more timid students desperately needed. They set up groups, those like Westhelm and Infernus rose quickly in Yggdrasil.
And groups like the Cass Coalition, and The Commonwealth started to fill the gaps of power present in Pandora.
Other cliques were formed, and by then most people had a group they belonged to.
Like every year, Pandora knew they would win. And like every year, Yggdrasil tried.