chapter 3 The gift

When Sekora got back to school on Monday, she had told her friends what happened in

Ohio.

“So you actually saw the explosion?” Asked Alex, who was trying to listen to a song on his MP3 player.

“Well no, but I knew it was going to hit and warned everyone.” Said Sekora folding her hands on the table.

“I heard about that on the news, you always said watching the not just for weather and sports is important.” Said Mark looking over at Sekora.

“Yep and because I did that morning, my family and I didn’t get killed.”

“So you’re saying, when you and Gordon went over to the pod, a lady stepped out and levitated that necklace?” asked Kirk, pointing to the necklace.

“Yep.” Said Sekora, looking at the necklace.

Just then Hector and the Carter sisters had joined the group.

“What’s going on guys?” asked Hector pulling up a chair and sitting at the table.

“Sekora was just telling us about her special trip to Ohio.” Said Mark, who was using his hands to talk.

“That’s where that pod hit, I’m glad to see you’re OK!” exclaimed Leyla sounding hysterical.

“I’m fine Ley, thanks.” Said Sekora laughingly.

“That’s a pretty necklace, it looks like a blue version of the Heart of Kandracar from Witch!” piped up the cartoon fanatic, Emily.

“Thanks EM, maybe you should show me that show so I can see the resemblance” Said Sekora, looking at her and then the necklace once again.

“I sure will, just come by and bring that awesome looking necklace!” exclaimed Emily with a smile.

During school, people commented on Sekora’s necklace and asked her if she was ok. She told everyone yes and that she got the necklace from her grandmother. Then she caught up with Gordon, who was still fuming over the fact that he didn’t see Kendrick’s in Ohio.

“Don’t tell me you’re still mad about not seeing Kendrick’s.” she said, looking at him sideways.

“No!” he said defiantly with his arms crossed.

“Oh ok, you don’t have to be mean about it.” She said laughing.

“Anyway, what’s been up with you.” Asked Gordon who was now opening his locker.

“People have been asking me if I’m ok, what happened, and how I got my necklace.” Sekora replied helping Gordon carry some of his books.

“What’d you tell them?” asked Gordon ,who was walking toward a classroom.

“That the necklace is from my grandmother, yes, and that we missed the landing.” Said Sekora handing him the books.

“Good call, well bye Sekora.” Said Gordon, before opening the door to his class and stepping inside. Sekora gave a wave and walked away.

Then Sekora walked into her Science class, where Mr. Schiller was standing asking her for her homework. She told him she was on a trip, but she was almost done. He asked her if she was near the crash and about her necklace. She told him the truth about the crash, but not about the necklace. The next thing you know, he told her to forget the paper and gave her an A. Sekora knew Mr. schiller was nice, but she didn’t think he would just scrap a whole paper for her. When she asked him why did that, he said he had kids and he understood the stress she might be under.

When she got home, Sekora told Jamie what had happened because her dad was at work.

“That’s great Sekora!” she said, turning from the stove where she was cooking fish.

Then Sekora started Mr. Viser’s homework on analogies, which she was actually good at. She finished it quickly, then went on to Mrs. Syphyr’s homework on adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers, which was actually easy as well. Gordon was doing his Social Studies homework when his phone rang, it was the photograph ring tone, so he knew it was Kendrick’s.

“What’s up?” asked Gordon, who was getting excited.

“Not much.” She said in her calm cool voice.

“Oh, I missed you when I was in Ohio.” Said Gordon sounding disappointed at the thought.

“Oh sorry, I was in San Francisco visiting family, so how was the wedding?” asked Kendrick’s, who can be heard drinking something.
“That’s ok and it was great, I’ll upload you some pictures.” Said Gordon, grabbing his book bag off the chair behind him.

“OK that’s great, I’m going to come and see you when I come to Liverpool next week.” Said Kendrick’s sounding super excited.

“Great, I’ll be waiting, bye!” exclaimed Gordon with a smile.

“OK bye.” Said Kendrick’s, then Gordon hung up the phone and finished his homework.

Then the family sat and ate dinner, in which they had fish, macaroni and corn. After dinner, Gordon told the family what Kendrick’s had said and left in a frenzy. Sekora went outside and sat on the porch and stared at the necklace with admiration, turning it in her hand and rubbing her finger over the design.

“Who was that lady, why did she give this to me and what is this crazy mission of hers about finding swords, sounds a little farfetched to me.” Sekora said to herself before placing the necklace back around her neck. Sekora was deep in thought when Gordon cane and joined her on the porch.

“Hey what’s up, why are you out here by yourself?” he asked looking at Sekora.

“Just thinking.” She replied looking at Gordon

“About what?” asked Gordon.

“Can I trust you?” asked Sekora narrowing her eyes.

“yeah of course, what’s up?” asked Gordon looking nervous.

“I think this necklace and that lady have power.” Said Sekora.

“Power, what kind of power?” asked Gordon giving sekora a sideways look.

“ This might sound weird, but I think that this necklace and that lady have magic, don’t laugh.” Said Sekora, narrowing her eyes once again.

“I’m not, but that is kind of cool if you ask me.” Said Gordon throwing up his hands.

“What, should I do?” asked Sekora standing to her feet.

“Find out more info about her and your necklace.” Said Gordon standing up and wiping the dust from his pants.

At school the next day, Sekora saw that strange girl that gave her the necklace back in Ohio and ran over to her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Well, if it isn’t the Sword Keeper, have you figured out how to use your powers yet?” asked D2, in her soft melodic voice.

“No, but you still haven’t answered my question” said Sekora hotly.

“I guess I haven’t answered a lot of your questions have I?”

“No.” Said Sekora, who was now opening her locker.

“Well first I came to find you, second that necklace is called the Phoenix Ball necklace third, I know your name because you are the new Sword Keeper, you must fight against the Night nation and find the seven swords and finally to use your powers, you must touch the necklace like this.” Dejon replied, then she took Sekora’s hand and placed it on the necklace before she ran down the hallway.

“You’re late Mrs. Taru.” Said Mrs. Syphyr angrily slamming her pencil on her desk.

“I’m sorry, I was just talking to my sister.” She said, looking angrily at her necklace.

“Well next time tell your sister to get you to class on time.” Said Mrs. Syphyr.

“OK.” Said Sekora, walking toward her seat.

Then she went to sit in her seat and started floating into the air with a strange blue glow.

“What’s going on?” she asked herself, seeing her feet off the ground.

Just then Matt piped up “Hey Sekora you’re floating!” He exclaimed, causing the whole class to turn and stare.

“You’re necklace is also glowing!” Exclaimed Leyla, Causing Sekora to look down, touch the necklace and fall into her seat with a thud.

When Sekora got home from school, she noticed her dad was home early from work.

“Dad, you’re home early.” Said Sekora, coming into the living room and sitting down next to him.

“Yep, my client signed his deal early, so I got to go home.” He replied with a smile.

“Oh.” She said standing and giving him a hug.

“How was school?” Asked James, who was starting to stand up to go get changed.

“Good, I don’t have any homework” said Sekora also standing to her feet.

“Great!” He said, then both of them went to change for dinner.

When Sekora got to her room, she saw D2, as she was now called standing in her doorway.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, looking puzzled.

“I am here to keep an eye on you, I can’t have something happen to you before our contract is fulfilled.” Said D2, who was now sitting on Sekora’s bed.

“Contract, what contract!” exclaimed Sekora, looking outraged.

“Never mind.” Said D2 with a smile.

“You know what, get out, I have to get dressed.” Said Sekora, who was pushing D2 out the door and slamming it behind her.

When Sekora was getting dressed she noticed something, the mark on her body, which she was told was a birth mark looked just like the necklace, so she picked it up put it on and it started to glow.

“Hey D2 come here a second.” Said Sekora still looking at the necklace.

“But you told me to get out.” She said turning around and opening the door.

“Just come in here.” Said Sekora angrily, then she opened the door letting D2 back in.

“Look, the necklace is a replica of my birth mark.” Said Sekora, taking the necklace off and showing it to her.

“I told you it was your destiny to be the Sword Keeper.” She said sitting back on the bed.

“What makes you think I want this supposed destiny of mine?” asked Sekora, hotly as she shut the door behind her.

“Unfortunately for you, you don’t have a choice.” Replied Dejon.

That is not just a mark at all you see, when Sekora was six, her mom told her of a special necklace that did amazing things and drew it on Sekora with special permanent ink as a reminder that she was a special girl.

“How did you get the necklace drawn on you?” asked D2.

“My mother.” Said Sekora.

“Oh, what happened to her, I didn’t see her?” asked D2.

“She died in a car crash, if only I didn’t want to go to that stupid movie, she’d still be here.” Said Sekora solemnly.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Said D2 in a low somber vice.

“Its ok” said Sekora, then she started to go to dinner.

“What movie was it?” asked D2.

“The Magical Unicorns movie, don’t laugh.” Replied Sekora, arms crossed.

“I’m not, matter of fact with your new powers you might get to see a unicorn.” Replied D2 taking a breath.

10 years ago Sara, Joe and Sekora were packing for their beach trip that was to take place in Florida in the coming days when Sekora wanted to take a break. Sara stopped what she was doing to listen to what her daughter was saying. Instead of speaking little Sekora went and grabbed a flyer off her bed. The flyer showing that there was a movie being shown at the Atlas theater tonight. The movie was My Magical unicorn.

“You really like that show huh?” asked Sara with a smile.

“Yes, so, so much!” exclaimed Sekora jumping up and down.

“Which unicorn is your favorite?” asked Sara taking the flyer from Sekora.

“Star unicorn, she rides the star road and she is the best most awesome unicorn!” exclaimed Sekora jumping up again.

Sara showed the flyer to Joe, who nodded his head in approval.

“I’ll finish packing, you girls go ahead.” He said waving his hand.

“Alright, dad you’re awesome, cuz I really, really, really, really, really want to go!” exclaimed Sekora.

“Hm, five reallys alright fine, come on Sekora, let’s go see some magical unicorns!” exclaimed Sara, making a rainbow motion with her hands.

“yay!” exclaimed Sekora jumping into her mothers arms.

“Wow buttercup, your getting big, as big as a weed if I do say so myself.” Said Sara giving Sekora a tight hug.

“Mom, I’m not a weed, I’m a big flower. Said Sekora, crossing her arms.

“Oh and which one is that?” asked Sara with a smile.

“The Cherry Blossom flower.” Said Sekora returning the smile.

“Alright honey, lets go or we will be late.” Said Sara, loading Sekora in the families Honda Civic and shutting door.

“Can we listen to the Magical unicorns theme?” asked Sekora.

“Once.” Sara replied.

“Twice please!” pleaded Sekora holding up two fingers.

“Alright we will hear it twice just for you.” Said Sara, who began tuning the cars radio.

“Yay!” exclaimed Sekora putting her hands into the air.

A few minutes later the girls were stopped at an intersection when the car of a drunk driver smashed into their car and sent them spinning. Sara tried to use the wheel to control the car, but it was to no avail, the car crashed into other cars and caught on fire. Police were able to remove Sekora who had no scratches, but Sara was not able to be saved she blew up with car.

“What was she like, your mom?’ asked D2.

“She was tall, with long black hair, green eyes and loved to wear dresses and high heels. She was also super nice and would give me the world if I asked for it” said Sekora.

“What about your parents?” asked Sekora.

“Never knew my mother and my father was a mean man, so I ran away and don’t ever want to go back to that situation.” Said Dejon.

“I see.”

“Shouldn’t you be getting to dinner, your dad’s calling you.” Said D2.

“Oh crap, coming dad!” screamed Sekora running down the steps to the kitchen.

For dinner the family had chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Dinner was a great time to talk about things, so Sekora ran the question about her mark by her dad.

“Hey dad did you know that my necklace matches the mark mom drew on me?” she asked him.

“No I didn’t sweetie, you should show me after dinner.” He said shaking his head.

“OK I will.” She said scooping up some of her beans.

So after dinner, she went to her room and grabbed the necklace and came down stairs to show him the resemblance.

“I guess it’s a coincidence you found that necklace.” He said taking the necklace, examining it than handing it back to Sekora.

“Or maybe fate.” Said Sekora staring at her necklace.

The next day at school, everyone was talking about Sekora floating in class the day before.

“Hey did you hear about the floating girl in Mrs. Syphyr’s class?” said a boy to another boy.

“Yeah man, wish I could have been there, would’ve been cool to see.” He said.

“Bro, it was.” Said the other boy.

Other kids joined in the talk about the schools floating girl.

Then when Sekora walked in people stopped, stared and pointed to her and began to whisper. She asked Kirk what was going on and he told her that everyone was talking about her ability to float. On this day, she was a school celebrity.

She was sitting in Mr. Viser’s class, when she started to glow, but she didn’t touch the necklace and shot a hole in the chalkboard with a fire ball, blew up the computers using vines and flooded a closet with water as everyone ran for cover. Then as Sekora was detained, she took off the necklace and the power faded.

“Did you guys hear Sekora destroyed Mr. Viser’s class?” asked Hector.

“What no way, not Sekora!” exclaimed Emily after hearing the news of Sekora’s detaining and suspension.

“That’s not like her, that’s not in her character, I think someone set her up somehow.” Said Alex fidgeting with his hands, which he does when he is either nervous or concerned about something.

“I think you’re right Alex, that’s not like her at all.” Said Mark.

Or, maybe she’s a terrorist and we just didn’t know it.” Said Kirk making everyone turn and look at him and narrow their eyes.

“Hey I’m just saying, who just destroys a whole classroom full of students.” Said Kirk throwing up his hands.

“Well this might sound crazy, but she does have that necklace that made her float in Mrs. Syphyr’s class.” Said Leyla in a whisper.

“Are you telling me that Sekora Nicole Taru, our friend has magic?” asked Alex sounding skeptical.

“Yes.” Replied Leyla.

“Leyla this isn’t one of your cartoons or anime, this is real life people just don’t float or have magic powers!” Exclaimed Emily.

“I saw her float with my own eyes, so I say she does have magic powers!” Leyla screamed back.

“Well I’m older than you which make me smarter, so there!” retorted Emily sticking out her tongue.

“Only by one minute!” screamed Leyla crossing her arms and turning away from her sister.

“May you guys please stop fighting.” Alex said in a calm voice.

“She started it!” exclaimed Leyla in a whining voice.

“She’s wrong, there is no way someone can have magic powers in real life.” Said Emily matter of factly.

“We won’t know who’s or wrong until Sekora comes back, so just drop it ok.” Said Alex slamming a hand on the table making everyone jump.

After school, Sekora asked D2 why her powers were acting up even though she didn’t touch the necklace. She told her that the necklace and the mark on her body are trying to sync up and she was now tuning into her powers of the necklace.

“What do I do, how do I stop it?” Sekora asked.

“Nothing, you can’t stop it, the necklace and the mark have synced up which makes your power permanent and you can’t ever take off your necklace.” Said Dejon with a smile.

“I can’t tell my parents that I have powers and I used them to blow up my classroom.” Said Sekora.

“Then don’t.” said Dejon standing to her feet.

“Sit down and tell me what I should tell him.” Said Sekora pushing Dejon back onto the bed.

“Hm, I have no idea Sword Keeper, but you better think of something, can’t help you on this one.” Said Dejon standing back to her feet.

“Hmph, this is kind of your fault.” Said Sekora.

“Mayyybeee, a little bit.” Said Dejon, who began bouncing on Sekora’s bed.

Sekora walked down stairs to see her father sitting in a chair waiting on her with his arms crossed. Sekora came down and confronted her father.

“Sekora please tell me what happened at school today.” Said her father.

Sekora took a deep breath then stared at her father for a long time thinking of what to say.

“I got into a fight and things were thrown.” Said Sekora finally.

“May I ask why and who you were fighting?” asked her father.

“This girl named veleincia tried to take my necklace.” Said Sekora clutching her necklace.

“I see.”

Sekora was suspended for twenty days, had to pay a $15,000 fine in damages to the school and she had to appear in court to appeal her suspension. So days came and went and Sekora was being taught how to control her powers by Dejon in secret. Sekora was taught things like how to fly, which had to be done at night because no one was out late, how to control the elements of water, fire earth and darkness, how to use her shinning finger an attack she wanted to emulate from the anime G Gundam, which is an attack makes your hand glow green and you can crush things with ease. Next she wanted to learn a move called the Spirit Gun from the anime Yu, Yu Hakusho, which allows you to fire the essence of your soul at an opponent in the form of bullets. This attack has the power to pierce a hole through metal.

“You concentrate and tap into the power of your soul, then make a gun with your fingers and fire the energy in the form of a bullet .”

“How do I do that?”

“You must learn to use Flow.” Said D2 pointing to Sekora.

“Flow?” asked Sekora looking confused.

“Flow is an energy separate from Furiyu, or magic as it’s called in this world, it is soul energy and it allows you to predict attacks, others movements and if you learn to spread the Flow through your body, you will be able to release it.”

“Does everyone have flow?” asked Sekora eyes wide.

“Oh yes, everyone has Flow, but not everyone can release it

After about two weeks she had flying and controlling water down, but the other powers still needed some work.

So finally the, court date arrived and she was ready to face whatever the judge’s penalty would be. Jamie took her to the downtown court house and walked her in the room. Everyone stared at Sekora and her necklace before the trial began.

“All rise, the honorable judge Adam Reed presiding.” Said the Bailiff, once everyone was in the court room and seated.

“This is case number 1266 Sekora Taru versus Liverpool high school, all may be seated.” He continued as he began talking to the judge.

“So Ms. Taru, do you know why you are here today?” asked Judge Reed.

“Yes, to appeal my suspension from school.” She replied, looking directly at the judge.

“That is correct and do you know why you were suspended MS. Taru?”

“Well because I blew some things up.” She said, dropping her head.

“Yes, now can you tell me how you got vines to come out of your hands?” Asked the judge.

“Well I a...”stammered Sekora, straightening herself up.

“She has a gift to control the elements.” Interrupted Jamie making Sekora turn to see who was talking for her.

Then Sekora looked around to see D2 standing with her hands on Jamie’s head, talking in her voice.

“Can you show us this gift?” asked Judge Reed, waiting in anticipation for what was about to happen.

“You want me to show you my gift?” asked Sekora looking shocked at this turn of events.

“Yes.” Said judge Reed, motioning her up next to him to face the crowd.

Then Sekora made her eyes turn red and held a fireball for everyone to see. The crowd was amazed and so was Judge Reed, so he let her go and she would be back to school in two days. When Sekora got home, she saw Gordon step out of the car followed by Kendrick’s.

“How did your hearing go?” he asked shutting the car door.

“Fine, they are going to let me back in school” “Wait, how’d you know about that? She asked.

“Dad told me and it was the big thing in school.” He said.

“Where have you been anyway?” asked Sekora looking stern.

“I stayed at Rob’s house, then we picked up Kendrick’s from the airport.” He said, as all three of them stepped into the house.