The clock was ticking as the minutes ticked down to 3, revealing it was 3:15 pm. We see Sophie and James in the sitting room engrossed in their PS4 game.
"James, watch out!" Sophie exclaimed as she scanned the TV screen.
"I've got it covered," James replied, deftly manoeuvring the remote control.
"And there goes my counterattack...and.....GOT HIM!!!!" James cheered, raising her hands in victory.
TV screen: 🌟VICTORY🌟
"Yes, finally. After 2 hours of gameplay, we've defeated the boss," Sophie said, beaming with pride.
"Yes, high five sis," James exclaimed, extending his hand. The siblings exchanged a high-five, but their playtime was soon interrupted by Mrs. Agustin's arrival.
"That's enough playing for today, kids. Let's eat, and then you can work on your homework," Mom announced.
"OK, Mother," Sophie replied.
"Awwwwn, cant we play for 5 minutes more?," James whined.
"James." Sophie said. "OK, fine" James said.
They shut down the PS4, turned off the TV, and proceeded to wash their hands before sitting down to eat.
"Mom, what's for lunch today??" James inquired as he took a seat at the dining table.
"Well, we're having broccoli," Mom replied. "Broccoli, why??????" James whined.
"I didn't get a chance to go grocery shopping, and that's all we have for now. Can you please eat it for now? I'll get your favourite food after I go to the store," Mom explained.
James pouted, crossing his arms. "Fine," he reluctantly agreed.
Sophie also disliked broccoli, but she refrained from complaining so as not to hurt her mom's feelings. They sat down, said a prayer, and began to eat.
"Sophie?" Mom called out.
"Yes, Mom?" Sophie replied.
"I was wondering if you could go grocery shopping after eating?" Mom requested.
"Sure, no problem," Sophie agreed. "Can I do my quick assignment first, then go?" Sophie requested, taking another bite.
"Of course, dear. And, I almost forgot, I booked a dentist appointment for James. We'll leave together, and you can go to the grocery store while I take James to the dentist," Mom added.
"I thought the appointment was yesterday?," Sophie said. "Yes, but the clinic closed early so they moved it to today. " Mom said. "Oh ok" Sophie replies.
After finishing their meal, Sophie went upstairs to complete her homework while Mom instructed James to change. Sophie quickly finished her homework, put on her coat and scarf, and walked down the stairs. She saw her mom holding the car keys.
"Ready, Mom?" Sophie asked.
"Yes, dear. Here's the list. I'll drop you off at the store and then..." Mom trailed off, but Sophie interrupted her.
"No need, Mom. I can go by myself. You should take James to the clinic," Sophie suggested.
"Are you sure?" Mom asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. The store is nearby," Sophie reassured her.
"OK, then. Here's the money," Mom said, handing Sophie some cash for the grocery.
Mrs. Agustin, James, and Sophie stepped out of the house, and Mom locked the door before handing the keys to Sophie.
"It might be a while before I come back, so you should hold onto the keys," Mom advised.
"Oh, no need, Mom. I'll just go to the neighbor's house," Sophie replied.
"OK, be careful, alright?" Mom cautioned as she got into the car.
"Yes, Mother," Sophie said, confidently.
They went their separate ways. Sophie arrived at the store, picked up all the necessary items, paid for them, and started walking home. Just as she stepped out of the store, her phone rang
BEEEEZZZZZ, BEEEEZZZZZZ
Sophie checked her phone and saw the caller ID read '/Bella💞/'.
"Bella?" she said, picking up the call. "Hello, Bella."
"Bella: Hey, Sophie. What are you doing?" Bella asked.
"Nothing much, just finished grocery shopping," Sophie replied.
"Bella: Oh, okay. I was wondering if you could come to my house. I need some help with the debate."
"Um...( She looked at the time: 5:10 pm)
*The appointment is at 5:20 pm, so I have time*. Yeah, sure, I'll be right there. But I have some grocery stuff with me, so I hope you don't...."
"Bella: Don't worry about that, just come."
"OK then, bye."
"Bella: Bye."
Sophie ended the call and started walking, but then realised that she needed to inform her mom of her whereabouts.
She dialled her mom's number, but there was no response. Sophie assumed that her mom's phone was on silent and decided to text her instead. However, as she was typing the message, she was not looking at the road.
"And almost...send, Alri...(thump)"
She then felt like she stepped on something and as she looked, she stepped on a dog's tail, and the dog was looking angry and looked like it was about to bite her.
"Oh, shoot!!" She exclaimed, terrified.
She quickly ran, and the dog chased after her. Sophie ran as fast as she could, trying to remember where she had put the stone. But she quickly realised that she had forgotten it.
"Dang it, I forgot it," she thought. Sophie took a sharp turn and collided with someone, causing her grocery items to spill onto the ground. She quickly got up and explained her situation to the person.
"A dog is chasing me. Please help..." She stopped as she recognized who it was. "Nick?"
"Sophie? Which dog?" He inquired, scanning the surroundings, but there was no sign of a dog.
"Whatever it was, it's gone now." He replied, looking back at Sophie.
Sophie then glanced around and noticed the dog was gone.
"Thank goodness." She breathed a sigh of relief. As she looked down, she saw her groceries were scattered on the ground.
"Oh, my groceries!" She exclaimed, and began gathering her belongings. Nick came to her aid and helped her collect everything.
"Did you return from the grocery store?" Nick inquired. "Yes, I just got back," Sophie replied. "How was the dog chasing you?" Nick asked as they both stood up after collecting the groceries.
"Um, with its legs?" Sophie responded. "I mean, why was it chasing you?" Nick corrected himself.
"Oh, it's a really silly story," Sophie said, putting her hand on her head in embarrassment. Sophie then recounted everything to Nick. "Sophie, you need to be more cautious," Nick warned as they began walking.
Sophie nodded, and then she realised something. "Wait, where were you heading?" Sophie inquired.
"Oh, I was on my way back home after seeing my football coach," he replied. "Oh," she said.
"Yeah, sorry Sophie, but I have to head back home. Let me help you take the stuff to Bella's house and then I will head back," Nick said.
"Oh, no need Nick, I can manage," Sophie assured him. "Don't worry, friends help each other, right?" Nick said with a smile.
Sophie was a little surprised and with a warm smile, she replied, "Yeah, that's what friends do."
Sophie then went to Bella's house and assisted her. She glanced at her phone and saw that her mom had received the message and told her to come home before sundown. Sophie helped Bella and returned home, gave the items to her mom, and went upstairs. She then lay on her bed and checked her phone. She saw a message from Faith in the Dream Team group chat.
(Faith: Hello, guys. How are you doing, and how is the weekend going?)
Brian typing...
(Brian: Hey Faith, we're good. You?)
(Nick: We're doing fine, thank you.)
(Sophie: Good, you?)
(Faith: I'm doing well, too. So, I auditioned for the singing competition, and I got in.)
(Bella: Hi Faith, wow, that's great news!)
(Lucy: Hey, I knew you would get in, bestie 😁😁)
(Sophie: Wow, that's Nice!)
(Faith: Thanks guys, but there is one thing, they said that I can also have a partner if I don't want to go solo. So I was wondering if any of you want to be my partner?)
(Phil: Sup y'all, congrats Faith, and I can be your partner)
(Faith: Phil, you? 😅)
(Brian: Don't bother Phil. Because you already have an awesome voice of annoyance, Faith will win easily, and that's not fair to the other contestants.)
(Phil: I know, that's why.)
(Sophie: 😂)
(Phil: Wait.....)
(Bella: 😆)
(Faith:😅)
(Nick: 🤭)
(Lucy: Bahahahaha🤣🤣)
(Phil: Brian😡😡 you son of a ...)
(Bella: Phil, if you complete that sentence, I will kick you out of the group 🤨)
(Miles: Oh my God, what's up with you people, my phone is about to blow up.😠)
(Sophie: Hi Miles, just read the above messages)
Miles read all the previous messages.
(Miles: Just let Faith choose.)
(Nick: Yeah, Faith, who do you think can be your partner?)
(Faith: I'm thinking, Sophie.)
(Sophie: Me????)
(Faith: Yes, you have a great voice and would be a perfect partner.)
(Brian: Yeah, Sophie can do it)
(Sophie: I don't know, Faith, I'm not even prepared)
(Faith: The competition is in three weeks, and they said we can practise every day after school.)
(Sophie: Um, Faith, Well okay, I'll see. If the practice time is fine, I'll join, okay?)
(Faith: Thanks, Sophie)
(Phil: Sophie it is then😌)
(Nick: Best of luck to both of you😊)
(Miles: That settles it. Now I hope you guys won't blow up my phone.)
(Sophie: Sorry about that, Miles.)
(Miles: It's okay)
(Bella: Alright then, gotta go guys, chat later. Bye)
They all responded bye and went offline. Sophie looked at her phone and smiled as she thanked God for giving her amazing and good friends. Sophie then got up and was heading downstairs when she noticed the stone.
"Oh yeah, Digi said I would get to train with new powers today. Since I'm free, let me call her." She thought.
Sophie took a deep breath and said, "REMIS"
She then opened her eyes and looked around. A light popped, and Digi appeared. "Good evening, Sophie." Digi greeted her.
"Fine evening, Digi. I was wondering if we could go for training today." Sophie greeted back and asked. "Sure, why not?" Digi said. "Alright then," Sophie said.
Digi then opened a portal and created another clone of Sophie. They both entered and went to the same training area.
"Alright, so you said today I will train with powers?" Sophie asked, excitedly.
"Yes," Digi replied. "And how are we going to do that?" Sophie asked. "Well, the stone will select the first two powers for you, and then we will train," Digi explained.
"Since you're a beginner, the stone will choose the powers that will suit your personality. As you advance to higher positions, you can choose powers yourself. You have a limit of selecting nine powers, and the first two will be assigned to you now," Digi explained. Sophie nodded as she understood her explanation.
"OK, so we will start. First, hold the stone firmly in your hands, close your eyes, and clear your mind." Digi instructed. Sophie followed Digi's instructions.
"Okay, now let your energy flow through your subconscious," Digi instructed.
Sophie complied and after a while, a light cover surrounded her and she floated with her braid floating up. She floated for five seconds and as she opened her eyes, they shone with a bright golden glow. The brightness faded as she regained her senses.
"Did it work?" Sophie asked, looking at her hands. "It certainly did," Digi replied with a good-hearted smirk. "But I don't feel any different," Sophie said.
"Hm, I don't know what power you got, but try something," Digi suggested. "Like what?" Sophie inquired.
"Anything. Try holding your hand up to see if anything happens," Digi hinted.
Sophie raised her hands up to the roof, but nothing happened. She tried again and again, but still nothing.
"Maybe I didn't get any powers," Sophie said, disappointed "Hmmm, that's not right," Digi said, puzzled.
Digi then had an idea and attempted something. "Sophie?" Digi called. "Hmm?" Sophie answered.
Out of nowhere, Digi threw a stone ball at her. Without thinking, Sophie put her hands up to block the rock. After a second, she got confused as to why the stone didn't hurt her. She opened her eyes and saw a golden transparent shield appear in front of her. Sophie then calmed her hands, and the shield disappeared. Sophie was overjoyed that she had gained power. She started jumping for joy, but when she turned to Digi, her mentor looked shocked, with her mouth open.
"Digi? What is it?" Sophie asked, worried.
"I don't believe it!" Digi exclaimed, still stunned. "Don't believe what?" Sophie requested.
"You, as a beginner, got the Power of Mana?" Digi said, excitedly. "Power of Mana?" Sophie repeated.
"The Power of Mana is a very potent, specialised ability that you can earn as you complete missions. But in a thousand years, no one has ever gotten it as a beginner. You're something special," Digi said, smiling. Sophie looked at her hands in disbelief and thought to herself. "So, what is this power?" Sophie asked.
"Let's find out what your next power is, and then I will tell you about both," Digi suggested. "Okay," Sophie said.
Digi then arranged long stairs without edges. The stairs were like rolling warehouse stairs. She instructed Sophie to climb up, which she did, and reached the top. Sophie then asked Digi, while looking down at the ground far below, "Alright Digi, now what?"
"Now... jump," Digi said. "What! Are you insane?" Sophie shouted.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing. If nothing happens, I'll quickly get you before you hit the ground," Digi assured her with confidence.
"What if you don't?" Sophie asked. "That will never happen. Trust me," Digi replied.
Sophie looked at Digi with concern and looked down. She had trusted Digi this far, so she still trusted her. Without a second thought, she jumped, yelled, and quickly closed her eyes. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and saw that she was only six centimetres away from the ground. Sophie's head was on the ground side, and her legs were up. She then got scared and floated back to her right position. She then noticed that she was flying. She was a little scared but got used to it. She then saw Digi, who was also floating.
"Digi, oh my God, I am flying! Is this my other power?" Sophie exclaimed, surprised. "From the looks of it, it is. Flying is your other power," Digi confirmed.
"This is awesome, but floating without control is making me sick. Can I get down?" Sophie said, putting her right hand on her head and her left hand on her stomach.
"Sure, take a deep breath, and think that you want to float down. Try to move your body to it," Digi instructed. Sophie did just that and landed safely on the ground.
"So my two powers are flying and the Power of Mana," Sophie said. "Yes," Digi replied. "What is the Power of Mana?" Sophie asked.
"It is the ability to use spiritual magic power that allows one to create force fields, energy blasts, beams, stepping stones, and energy constructs. But this power is sometimes way beyond someone's control. That's why it's surprising that you got it as a beginner," Digi explained.
"Oh, but if you think I'm not capable then..." Sophie was saying but was stopped by Digi.
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. Since the stone chooses the power, then you must be capable," Digi assured Sophie. They both then smiled.
"Alright then, let's finish the training," Digi said.
They continued the training, and Sophie learned various techniques and how to handle her powers. After four hours of training, Sophie was finally ready.
"Wow, this is very fast progress. You were able to learn everything within one week, both your physical and spiritual abilities," Digi said, impressed.
Sophie then went back to rest and was content with what she had accomplished. As she lay down, she knew that she was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Sophie." Digi said. Sophie turned to her. "There is something you must also know. You will get powers, but there is a major side effect." Sophie sat up and asked, " OK, what is it?"
"You are fully granted 9 powers, but here is the thing. You can use 2 or more powers at once but u can not over use one when using 2 or morepowers." Digi explained but Sophie didn't quite get it. "What do u mean?"
"Ok, let me explained it like this, you have flying power and let's say the power of teleportation and fast speed. You use your flyimg power, then use teleportation with fast speed, but then you overuse your fast speed power without control, it will drain the power energies and as well as yours. Your physical energy will be drained which will cause u to become extremely weak and depending on how much the energy is drained you will temporarily lose your powers." Digi explained in detailed.
Sophie's face was just looking at Digi with a scared reaction, "And what if I am in danger and I need to use power?" Sophie asked, concerned.
"You can't, that why you need to be careful. But your powers will be restored but it will take time." Digi implied.
"How long will it take?" Sophie asked. "Depends on how much energy was drained and how weak you are. It can even take more then a month." Digi said.
Sophie looked scared and worried. "But I know it will barely happen, ok? Don't worry I know you will be careful ok?." Digi assured Sophie. Sophie smiled back as she understood the statement.
Sophie then went back home and rested for a while, feeling happy with what she had achieved. As she reclined for half an hour, she noticed that the stone was glowing - it had glowed before, but this time it was different. She turned to Digi and inquired about the reason.
"It means that your help is needed in a universe, so the stone is giving you an emergency call," Digi explained.
"A call for a mission and help? Help needed from a guardian?" Sophie asked.
"Yes, but in other universes, they are unaware of the existence of a guardian of the multiverse. To them, they are just in their universe," Digi replied. "Oh," Sophie said, absorbed in thought as she looked at the glowing stone.
"But it's up to you whether you want to go or not," Digi said, crossing her arms. "You won't know who you're meeting or who you're supposed to help until you get there. And you may encounter things you've never experienced before. Are you still sure you want to go?"
Sophie remained silent, contemplating all that she had heard. She then tightened her grip on the stone and let out a confident sigh.
"Digi, I have made my decision. I choose to do this, and I won't back out," she said, resolutely.
Digi was impressed and smiled with confidence. "Alright then, let's go," she said.
Sophie stood up, got ready, and held the stone close to her. A golden and black portal opened up before her, and she stood in front of it. Digi looked at Sophie and asked one final time, "Are you sure Sophie?"
Sophie smiled and looked back at Digi. "As long as I have you as my guide, and with God as my protector, and if I put my mind to it and try my best, I know we can accomplish anything," she said with conviction.
"Absolutely," Digi replied, smiling.
Sophie gazed at the portal with a serious expression, took a deep breath, and bravely stepped into it. As she went through, her eyes glowed for a second, and she disappeared into the portal.