Ginger swam in the shining pond, the water pushing her under. Then, she got back to the surface, and she found a bird. She quietly stalked it.

She pounced. But before she caught the bird, something touched her fur. She yelped in shock, scaring away the bird. Great. she muttered to herself.

"Dream?" asked a voice from the shadows. Ginger's eyes shot open. She turned to see a large, light gray-furred wolf with emerald green eyes in front of her.

"W-w-who are you?" asked Ginger hesitantly.

"My name is Dapple." said the wolf gently. "Who are you?"

"I-I'm Ginger." Ginger replied, a hint of terror in her voice.

"I wanted to tell you that we are being sorted into Animal Academy today." said Dapple.

"Isn't that a legend?" asked Ginger.

"No. Come with me." said Dapple, walking into the dawn-lit forest.

Ginger hesitantly followed behind Dapple, not knowing if she should trust her. While Ginger was lost in thoughts, she heard Dapple say "We are here." She snapped herself from her thoughts and charged to meet Dapple.

She saw Dapple in a large, empty clearing. Dapple sat next to a silver crystal with a black substance inside of it.

"What's this?" asked Ginger, turning her head in confusion.

"This crystal will teleport us to the the Sorting Station, where they will determine what Animal Academy we belong in." replied Dapple, nodding to the crystal.

"Wait, there are two Animal Academies?" asked Ginger. "I'm confused."

"Yes." said Dapple softly. "Good Animal Academy and Evil Animal Academy. Now lap up some of the crystal's substance to get teleported.

Ginger made a face of disgust, but lapped some of it up anyway. She found herself and Dapple in a swirling purple tunnel. She felt her tummy ache.

After a few minutes, she saw a bright, flashing light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel placed her and Dapple on the ground. Then, the tunnel disappeared.

Ginger was slowly taking in her surroundings. At the other side of the room, there were two lines of animals. At the front of the lines, where they merged, there were two doors. One held a shining white light, and the other was dark purple with a gross substance leaking out of it.

Ginger's nose singed at the foul smell the substance carried. She heard Dapple behind her.

"Come on." said Dapple, running to the second line. Ginger rushed to meet her.

After an hour, the lines merged. After that, the line moved much quicker. It was almost their turn. Ginger glanced behind her shoulder. No one was behind them.

"Bandit, you are going to Good Animal Academy." said a cow near the doors.

The panda in front of them walked into the room with the shining light, unable to contain his excitement.

"Ah, you are the last two." said the cow, nodding to Ginger and Dapple. The cow looked at his clipboard.

Ginger bit her lip nervously. "Don't worry. You'll be fine." said Dapple, gently touching Ginger's fur with her tail.

"Let's see..." said the cow. "Sai, Patches, Dusky..." the cow scratched his head. "Aha! Ginger and Dapple, is this correct?" asked the cow.

"Yes." replied Ginger and Dapple in unison.

"Okay." said the cow. "Dapple, you will go to Good Animal Academy." the cow continued.

"Yay!" said Dapple.

"Now you, Ginger." the cow said, pointing his pen at the dark-ginger fox.

"Evil Animal Academy." said the cow.

To be continued...