The Beginning Chapter 1 Page 16-20

".... Don't go too hard on me..."

Kimberly: Never. Jackie, don't you trust me? I know how much damage you are capable of absorbing, safely, that is." She says, with that playful tone sprinkled on her voice, like a cat that's toying with a mouse in their paws. Yeah... I'm done for... Taking our stances, I keep my guard tight and my body loose and springy, my legs pumped and ready to push and pull me, I'm gonna have to be super! Super! Super duper! Tight on my d game cause I've gotten caught by Kimberly, way too many times to know exactly, how painful, and not too mention she could easily end my subscription to life.... Getting into my rythm I sway side to side and keep my weight on the balls of my feet, stepping around or in place to keep momentum going, I need to step in and work from the inside like always. Hearing Jeremy's call, our match is on! Wasting no time I step in and use lateral movement and feints to close the distance; Kimberly does the complete opposite; using her Magicia to keep me away while flicking out attacks from extreme angles! Dodging and blocking some of them, I take some and they sting like hell!!!... But I need to press forwards.... I need to dig deeper!.... I won't quit!.... Never quit!!..... Dodging two basic attacks from Kimberly, she wasn't being lazy or overconfident, she was sharp and flowed perfectly like always, but I saw them and somehow I manage to dodge them?... Could it be back??? Having no time to think about it, I've gotta keep my head in on Kimberly or I'm going to eat all of her attacks! Bobbing and weaving her attacks by a paper thick, I think I've still got some of whatever that was, which means I... I... I can still fight! There's a chance I might win!! Giving it everything I've got and a little more; I dig deep; like, really deep to breakthrough Kimberly's attacks; standing in the pocket with a liver hook locked and loaded; I throw it hard as Kimberly's attacks; landing flush on where her liver is; Kimberly falls and just as I think I've won I'm seeing her and the world upside down? Oh crap!... I'm done for.... Taking her time to heal herself using a basic healing incantation, I'm strung up by purple vines and there's no way I'm getting out of these, oh great, and just when I made something happen!.... I'm a failure... Expecting Kimberly to pay me back for the liver shot, I brace for impact but........ Nothing? Opening my eyes, Kimberly smiles and it's not the one that she shows everyone, no this one is the one that she mostly only shares with me and our crew. Pinching my cheeks, she asks if I concede and I do, knowing that I can't get any further and that my left hand is definitely hurting more than it should.... And it also feels nothing. This definitely isn't normal.... I think I need to go see Dr. Appleburr again.. aargh! That hurts! A sharp stinging and burning pain shoots different parts of my left arm, and it hurts, a lot....

Kimberly:... Jackie, are you alright? Jackie? Jackie look at me, tell me what it is you feel? Is it your left arm?" She says. Gently bracing my left arm with tender and soft hands, the very contact hurts but I feel.... Better? Noticing Tyrian Purple Aura aminate and flow from Kimberly into my arm, is she using her Mana on me?

" I.. I am alright! Ahk! Ow! Just a little pain is all... No big deal!!...."

Kimberly: Of course, unable to use your left arm is perfectly dandy and, by no means, a cause for concern." She says. Sarcasm and disbelief in her voice and written clear as day on her face. Yup... I'm done for... Scratch that, I'm double done for, cause our crew is looking at me like they wanna feed me knuckle sandwiches....

Grayson: Bro! What the hell??! Never practice when you're injured, that's training rules 101!!!" He says. Loud and caring, my eardrums are bleeding but I've gotten used to Grayson, after all, he's pretty much a Liobear in human skin.

Danni: gasp. That's why yer ran out on us during lunch break! You went to the medic room!" She says.... Danni much like Kimberly, is pretty good at connecting the dots, I guess I got careless, and who am I kidding? They'd have found out sooner or later anyways... But I just gotta not tell them about Jerkwad and his gooneys...

" Guys I'm fine... Sure my left arm is a little--- off! But it's not broken or anything!-- I just kinda... Struggle using my hand a bit..."

Lars:.... Dude. I can feel my braincells falling over from your dumbness! How is that alright?!!" Says Lars. His already higher voice going even higher as he shouts and yup. My ear is bleeding again... But that's alright... I'm used to it... And Jeremy just sighs... Which is a sign that he doesn't even have the energy to comment about it which is pretty bad... Oh crap. I am in big trouble....

Kimberly: Danni, please be a dear and ask if Sadie knows of Jackie's situation."

Danni: On it. C'mon guys, let's go." Says Danni. Taking the guys with her, we know when Kimberly wants to talk one on one, she'll call Danni a dear and ask to give her some space. Sitting in front of me on the grass, Kimberly still has some of Tyrian Purple Aura glowing around her, but it's much less than before, now it's almost completely transparent... Looking to the grass as if it'll get me outta here, Kimberly doesn't leave and I guess I can't avoid her anymore...

"... You guys were right..." Whispering beneath my breath going back to look on the grass...

" I... I fought Jerkwad and his gooneys... It's not-"

Kimberly: Jackie, do not say it was nothing! How many... Jackie. How. Many..." She says. Not really asking more like, demanding, and that look in her eyes is really making me feel cold...

".... Three."

Kimberly: Three?! Jackie... Honestly, I should have dealt with them sooner, I'm sorry Jackie."

" It's not your fault! Or our crew!... It's mine... You know... You know why..."

Kimberly:... Damaging yourself over and over, don't you feel like a fool, Jackie? How stupid can you be?!" She shouts. Her eyebrows furrow and her anger burns bright in her eyes...

"...... So what? So what if it's stupid?!! I know it is! But I can't!... I can't stop!.... I need to do this... I can't... I won't go back..."

Kimberly:... Jackie, look at me and pay full attention to what I say; you have paid for what you did; you have changed and come so far... We are proud to have you as our friend... Best friends..." She says. Wrapping her arms around my shoulders and giving a good Liobear hug, the care and truthfulness in her voice is... Way more comforting than I thought it'd be.... Returning the hug, I squeeze back but my left hand is still iffy and not fully connected, but it does feel a whole lot better thanks to Kimberly. Helping me back on my feet, Kimberly asks what I plan to do about Jerkwad and his gooneys, to that I reply; I'm still thinking... Sighing and face planting, I'm not surprised, Kimberly usually keeps a neutral poker face on in front of anyone else, but I'm not anyone, I'm one of her best friends and part of our crew. Reassuring her that I won't just stand by and get bullied any more, that brings a little smile to her face, but she huffs and drives home what she said earlier about having paid for what I did..... I still... I still have more to pay. I will always have more to pay but just for now, I'll take Kimberly's advice and stand up for myself a little more.... Rejoining our crew, we head to Portland's Rock and fill our table with bowls of ice cream and desserts that would knock our teeth out.... Walking back home with Kimberly, we pass our secret getaway and I feel happy, a place just for two pals and a big milestone in becoming the best me I can be... Asking how are things going with Rex, Kimberly says that she and Rex are perfect where they are now, enjoying each other and supporting each other, usual couple stuff... Walking Kimberly to the front door, we share a quick hug and she shuts the door. I smile at the moon a friend and so the sacred night... Hmm.... Every hero has their inner demons, demons of the past, something like this, and they all learned how to conquer them; use them; and control them.... But how am I supposed to do that when I was that demon?.... What do I do?.... Returning home tired and heavy as a bag of rocks, I crash on my bed and let sleep carry me away to my dreams...

The sound of my alarm clock ringing...

The light of the sun beaming through the window...

Good morning!... Aargkh!! ..... After pain... But I'm alright!... January/5/2019... Waking up in better shape than I thought I'd be, I'm still a little groggy and my legs a little too jello like, but overall a pretty good start to a new day... After freshing up and setting breakfast, eating together with Mom and my sisters, we talk and joke about anything and everything, and talking with Mom; her words play in my head; going back to the beginning... But... Can I? Should I? All that's there is what I hate.... After breakfast, I go to Fuller Academy same as always, but a slight bit slower than I'd like to because I do not want to push my bod anymore than I already have. Arriving a few minutes early, I link up with Grayson before stepping through the great doors of Fuller Academy... And thanks to him walking with me like a massive shield, all the usual bullying goes up in smokes and gets blown away like the ashes against the wind. Following me to Mr. Earl's class, we do our special Bro-shake and I step in and take my seat, and Mr. Earl starts class right after the last student gets in.

Mr. Earl: Well... I see all of you are ablaze by enthusiasm and full of energy! Perfect, now the test starts and good luck." He says. His voice deep as the ocean and rich as Boro Forest, an air of mystery shrouds him... Handing out the test papers, the live demonstration portion of the test comes after, so that's something... A little bit of time before the dreaded moment where I will most likely fail and get my behind kicked out of Fuller Academy for good..... Thankfully I am above average on test papers since y'know, kinda have to on account of being a Disabled and all, so that's a bright lining, and just like that.... The test papers are done and time for the live demonstration of all the Magicia skills we have learned from Mr. Earl's previous classes; Mirror Eyes; Ghost Walking/Running/Etc; Camilleon; and Mana flow; Mana breathing. And holy gelato ice creams! I'm next!!! Walking to the area of the classroom where the demonstration is done, Mr. Earl asks in completely different orders than the last student, to start off with Mirror Eyes. Taking a deep breath in, I use the Mana flow and Mana breathing techniques at once, feeling what Mana I have in my well inside, flow up to my eyes, I cast the spell mentally and feeling... Like.... I'm lifting 2 Graysons on a barbell, Mr. Earl tasks me with finding out what he has prepared for lunch, neatly tucked away in his bag covered in tinfoil..... Focusing with everything I got! I'm... I'm seeing flashes, parts of it, but I can't make out what it is.... C'mon me! Please!!! Mana work this time!!!........ Yes!

" Yellow horn trout grilled not pan fried! Sweet potatoes and cherry tomatoes!... And a pack of fresh juice from the market!!"

Mr. Earl:... Perfect! Excellent work Jack, now use Ghost Walking for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. You have 5 seconds to prepare..." He says. Hearing the excitement and proudness in his voice, Mr. Earl is usually stoic and shrouds himself with an air of mystery... I did it!! And I'm gonna have to do it again so please don't fail me now Mana!!! I cast the spell mentally and feeling most of my Mana flow into my legs and taking a deep, deep, breath in... I take my first step and I failed! I failed so loudly!.....................

Is what I thought would happen but nothing.... I'm walking and there's nothing... Nothing! Not a sound at all!!! Yes!!! Just gotta keep it up for 2inutes and 50 seconds then I'll pass another part of the test.... As the clock runs down to the last 10 seconds, I feel like I'm about to give and.... I do.... No... No!.... Failing the test, I fail to cast Camilleon too.... Retiring to my desk with my head hung low from defeat crushing me, results won't be out until 2 weeks from now but... This was my last shot at earning to keep my enrollment in Fuller Academy, and now? It's gone like the ash blown by the wind... Leaving Mr. Earl's class, he comforts me and says I did great but, I know I'm not passing this time, and I guess this is it..... Taking in as much of Fuller Academy as I can, I leave-eth defeated and crushed, my dreams a mess and so is my heart.... Returning back home, I'm silent and Mom, Sara, and Yasmin already know what happened; they give me a hug and tell me that it's alright.... Going to my room... I shut the door and crumble to pieces on my bed, I want to yell and just!... Angry!! At me and failing!!.... I can't do anything right!!!...... Closing my eyes, I try to catch some z's but instead I stare out the window driving miself up a wall! I can't stand this!!.... Let alone for 2 weeks, just waiting to hear what I know is most likely going to happen!.. Taking my gear, I go out to my training ground and work on exercising, sweating out all this pent up anger and energy... Running until my lungs burn up, pull ups and push ups until I can't use my arms and shoulders, even training my neck too!... I just... Why can't I get Magicia right??!... Crying and screaming my heart out... I just... I just... I put everything I had into making it for every class, I studied, I trained, and no matter how much I did it still wasn't enough!... Picking up miself off the ground, with nowhere in particular to go, I just wander..... Walking slowly through streets I haven't gone through and past houses and even a couple dead buildings, their windows broken and covered in mold, nature reclaimed most of them, broken and rotting furniture... Arriving at the beach, I walk on the boardwalk for a bit before digging my toes into the yellow grains of sand... Feeling the difference of my balance shifting from step to step, they sink more than usual, they feel heavier and slower with every step... I'm so tired.... Finding an empty spot away from the crowds, I'm accompanied by a lazy wave that hugs the edge of the shore... The salty air that's refreshing, the slight warmth from the grains of sand below my b cheeks, the cool water that licks my feet, and the distant chatter of birds....... Resting until the sun goes down I sit with my thoughts and feelings a jumble as they conflict one another, and hearing what Mom said about the past, going back to the beginning, and the Missing memories.... Everytime I try all I get is a mean headache and fog...... Returning back home late after Mom, Sara, and Yasmin have slept. I stealthily enter my room and leaving my bag hanging on the door, I crumble to bed and let my eyes flutter close heavy and still wet from before...

January/8/2019

Stormy day and howling winds... Branches

scratching glass and thunder striking....

After battling miself, I've reached the conclusion... I'll just swing by Fuller Academy library and maybe just.... Browse some of their collection.. And learn some stuff before they inevitably announce my departure from Fuller Academy. Alright but first I need to get ready and not just to make breakfast for Mom, Sara, and Yasmin, but I need to swing by the market to get a few things... Waiting until night falls, lucky me I made a back entrance from the side of Boro Mountain, that leads to the left side of Fuller Academy, but I need to be careful not to get caught by the night guards since all students that face losing their spot in Fuller Academy. Using Mana flow and Mana breathing, these 2 Magicia related techniques are the only 2 I'm actually able to do... But it doesn't help much overall..... Using my knowledge of Fuller Academy, I move from shadow to shadow, sticking to the cover of darkness like a lifeline and making it to the Library, I'm in! Yes!... Going straight for the Magicia books, I pay more mind to keeping my steps light as a feather and loud as the breaths of the dead... But.... Something doesn't feels right... Listening to my instincts and trying Mirror Eyes again; flickering on and off like a thin towel against a harsh wind; it takes multiple attempts before it works; proving my instincts right. Following a set of footprints up to the second floor, I shouldn't be anywhere near the floor but I've gone this far, might as well see what all the hush hush is about! Cutting the corner, from the shadows a cloaked figure stands attempting to break the lock on the doors. Inching steadily towards the figure, I prepare to tackle but they vanish? Wait?..... Why am I looking at the stairs and why am I... Am I sitting on the floor.... Standing in front of me, the cloak figure squats and looks at me through their mask.... Who are.... You??..... Trying to reach out and grab hold of them, they land a solid hook and everything fades to black....... Waking up to the detention room, I'm on a chair and judging from the scent of herbs and tea leaves, paired with the thick, clouds, of smoke wafting in the air I know just whom this is... Principal Darci's right hand woman, Captain, Eli Garrett; she leads the security guards and is the one in charge of detention... Stern and known to have a sadistic smile when she catches you up to no good, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE! Even jerkface tries his best to stay on her good side. Now... Now I'm on the wrong side and I'm... I'm back to where I was but... I was trying to stop someone from breaking in!

" Cap. Eli, please listen to me! There was someone trying to break into the library!"

" They wore a cloak and mask but... They were strong... Really strong..."

Cap. Eli: Done with yer little story? Good. Jack ye are disappointing, ye showed potential, but now... Now that's all down the pipes." She says. Her voice cold like winter and frigid, she slams the table and feeling the pressure off of her, it sends a shiver down my back similar to what the Cloaked figures radiated...

Cap. Eli: Jack, cut the bull! We found ye asleep on the 2nd floor, after breaking into Fuller Academy." She says. The anger and disappointment in her voice, adds another big dose of fear that locks me voice in me throat... I... I have to say something... Anything!

" No... You're wrong! There was someone! And h-have any of you checked if there's!-"

Capt. Eli: Yes we 'ave. Nothing is gone, every'fing is still f'ere! So with tons o' joy, yer expelled! Yer things been packed sent back to yer home." She says. Scoffing, she turns her back on me and goes to open the door, gesturing for me to leave with a satisfied smile on her face. Rising up trying to talk back!- Any strength I have to speak went straight out the window. The weight of her Aura oppressive and paralyzing... I walk with my head low and leave Fuller Academy unsure how to feel, empty? Sad? Angry? Kinda feels like there's a mix of everything... Leaving Fuller Academy like a passing breeze sweeps through an empty building. Unsure of whether or not to go back home, I decide to let the quiet voice of unpredictability, lead me to where I should be... Going to Portland's Rock, I step inside and order some of my favs and desserts too, and a big ol pitcher of tea and root beer. The bitter taste of sugar free tea blend with the fizzy prickles of the root beer and it's unique taste, I didn't really take to it but after a couple pitchers... It's pretty good! Hmm..... Maybe I could ask my Bros what they think about my situation? But.... Nah! I'll just be bothering them, and they don't need that, not when all of them are working their butts off trying to pull through with their own classes. Hmm..... I guess it's just me... Returning back home feeling like dirt. I just crash on my bed and let sleep take me away until I wake up again... Anyways... That's it from me for now...

Over with the other Crew...

Kimberly: Hmm... I wonder what is Rex doing at the moment? He'd look dashing focused in class..." Speaking to myself in thought, images of Rex floods my thoughts and butterflies flutter in my heart. Hmm... Rex should be free this evening, having a date would do wonders... Returning to the ever ghoulish nightmare business class that. I sigh and at times like these, I often daydream about the freedom to do what I please, to be where I want to be...

Danni: Ugh. Seriously... I'm gonna kick the bucket from all this madness! Seriously?! It's gotta be so... So... Boriiiiiing!!..." Hmmm... I wonder what Gray-Gray 's up to? He's probably got that cute lost look in his eyes reading his text books, or maybe he's in wrestling practice? Anyways... These books and this class won't get done by daydreaming... Back to the trenches!

Grayson: Let's get it!" Steamrolling his legs, timber! Going to the ground, I let the dude squirm and give him some hope... Before squashing him completely! Literally!... Poor guy couldn't take on the good ol full weight press! Hmm... I wonder how ma Bros are? How are the girls?... I wonder what Danni's up to?

Lars: Gotta put this here.. Connect ya there and.... Aha! Got i-!" Coughing up smoke and putting out the little fire nibbling my hair, I suppose not all experiments are successes! But that just means 1 less way to fail! Ooh! Better jot it down and in my journal... Hmm... Now where did my tool go to?....

Jeremy:... Why I torture myself is a mystery. Then again, I do love Magicia, but this is.... Mind boggling." I speak to myself from within the confines of my mind, I read and analyze the scripture; diagrams; sigils; and order to how they all come together to form a Magicia spell. Hmm... I wonder how The Prodigy managed to make herself go beyond Magicia VII? The slight picture of how much work and effort is daunting...

..... Back to Jack.... February/8/2019

It feels like forever since my expulsion when it's only been about oh I don't know... 1 month... Yup... And of course, when the Crew got wind of it, oh crab cakes, were they livid! But... In the end, I decide to not tell them about the cloaked figure, maybe they were just some rich kid that got their privileges suspended, and they did it on a whim or something... And one shoting me was some kinda collateral damage. Either way, I need to focus on training! Training is pretty much the only thing that's taking the stress off, and I need to at least keep from falling further from them, I know there's still so much I'm lacking, but I need to do what I can to keep that from getting any worse! Using Mana Flow & Mana Breathing over the month during training and lately, pushing to use it outside of training, it isn't perfect but it's the only Magicia I can even use so I'm definitely not letting up! Working on my head movement using three double end bag suspended on metal bars forming a triangle; they move and I need to keep my head moving or I'll get smacked! Slipping, ducking, pulling to avoid getting whacked by the bags, I dodge most of their returns but a few still gets me. The whipping sting is heavier to be more realistic to an actual spell. Hmm.... There's still something missing to my game but I'm not sure what? Maybe if I train some more, I'll get it eventually... Working on the triangle formation double end bag till the sun sets and night paints the sky, twinkling stars like grains of diamonds glitter the dark sky... Packing up my equipment, I put aside neatly and head back home nicely tired but, a little satisfied, especially now that I'm able to use Mana Flow and Mana Breathing. As I traverse back home over deep cracks on the sidewalk, the thick foliage of little bushes and shrubs, the occasional moss.... I walk a new path to further deepen my knowledge of Sun Coral City. Passing by the candy shop that the old man used to run, he closed it down quite some time ago, back when I was a kid, and ever since people say it's haunted for some reason... But those are just stories! Hmm.... I think this path might be the longest one back home, well, at least now I know. Taking a turn, in front the ends of a cloak disappears out of sight and my instincts steps on the gas pass the floor, running after whatever I just saw, it leads me further and further away but eventually I found it! Or should I say them! The cloaked figure and now I'm in some old warehouse for containers by the docks.... Taking cover behind a cargo container, they vanish after turning at another container. Where they-! Getting thrown to a container, the metal morphs in slightly and the sound shocks me ears!... Having my heartbeat up in me ears, I get back to me feet and there, in front of me stands the cloaked figure... What do I do?.... They're too good!... Magicia VI?? VII??? Magicia VIII?!..... This is bad.... I know I'm not so weak that I can't handle a 1 on 1 duel against a Magicia V, but for this person to one shot me means they are ridiculously strong....

" What do you want? Why were you trying to break in to the library??... Answer me!".... Nothing.. They look at my direction but say nothing.... Their hands falls to their hips relaxed and their stance too. Hmm... What should I do? On one end I could just leave and it seems like whomever this is will let me go. On the other end, I can't just leave knowing they tried to break into the Library... Uuuuuuhhh.... Why does it always have to be the hard choices... Taking my normal stance I keep my guard tight and step in behind my stiff jab, but it's a feint! And I step deep to serve up my signature liver bomber! But no dice! They know it too, and they easily move out of danger... Dang... I need to get in range, but how?... I guess I'll just charge forward and keep up the pressure, sooner or later, they will start to either gas out or trip from moving around so much... Keeping up the pressure using more than just punches and feints, I use me head movement and my footwork, buy they are still out of range... Stumbling around from their speed and constant direction changes, these containers are really starting to get stuffy.... Wait a second... These containers! I can use them to cut them off moving around the place like a juiced up hummingbird! But how?... After all my pressuring, they still move freely!... C'mon Jack think!... Gotcha! Pressuring them to a dead end, their back touches the container.. Here I go!!!

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