A Portal, Some Gems, and Lots Of Pressure

Hey y'all! Kyla again! I just made a new page and I'll just post chapters here. Let's try this again: I hope you enjoy it!!
== ~1~ ==
=== Willow ===
This story starts on a normal day. My best friend Aria and I were in the woods. She was helping me for my archery tournament coming up. She had painted targets on the trees for me when we were little. We usually practiced in the woods after school or on the weekends. 
“Ready?” Aria asked as she backed away from the tree. I nodded. 
“FIRE!” she shouted as I let go of the arrow. 
“Bullseye!” I exclaimed and we high fived. 
This is how most of our days went. We decided to take a break and go inside. I grabbed my arrows and bow and we ran towards my house. When we got to my backyard, I ran up to the patio where my brother Lucas was waiting on the other side of the screen door for me. 
“Willow!” he exclaimed as I opened the screen door. 
“Hey, dude!’ I exclaimed as he gave me a bear hug. He let go and we came inside. Same old clustered house. I slipped off my shoes and plopped down on the couch. Aria sat in the old arm chair while Lucas sat next to me. I turned on the TV. 
“Hey, Mom,” I yelled. “Is the Multi-Dimension ceremony on yet?” 
Every 100 years, there's a new crowning for leaders of their dimensions and the passing of the crystal. There's 7 dimensions. The Moon Dimensions, The Sun Dimension, The Shadow Dimension, The Light Dimension, The Ice Dimension, The Fire Dimension, and our dimension. The crystal is basically a powerful crystal that stabilizes the portal so we are able to travel between dimensions. 
“I think it's starting!” she yelled back from the kitchen. 
I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. I flipped through the channels till I found the news. Our new leader, Empress Edena, was already crowned and was sitting on our throne. Our dimension is called The Earth Dimension, because it consists of Earth and all the other planets. 
“I can’t wait till we get our powers,” Aria said. “Then we can be cool and travel between dimensions!” 
Yup. It's the law that you have to get your power before you can cross dimensions. 
“Yeah,” I said. “Wait, I think they're gonna start the crowning.”
The gems were on pillows and were hanging from silver and gold chains. Suddenly, Hallie Chan, the announcer, tapped the microphone and tested it. 
“Attention ladies and gentlemen from all 7 dimensions,” she said. “Welcome to the annual Multi-Dimensional crowning!” 
The crowd cheered and so did we. “Here with us we have our emperors and empresses with their children.” 
Then, they went through everyone. First, there was Emperor Aksuk of the Moon Dimension with her daughters Aruna and Amaris. All of the siblings of the new emperors and empresses would be their royal advisors. Then, there was Empress Alya Aelius with her sons Dayton and August. Then, there was Emperor Adham Moreau with his son and daughter, Ciaran and Adreanna. Then, Empress Eileen Anluan with her sons Chandler and Abner. Then, Empress Beyle Isbert with her daughters, Aneria and North. Lastly, there's Emperor Agni Hestia with his daughters Anala and Akosua. Woah. That was a lot. 
“Before we start,” Hallie said into the microphone. “Amaris told me earlier she would like to say something. Give her a hand!” 
Everyone clapped as she stood up and walked towards the microphone. August, Adreanna, Abner, North, and Akosua stood up as well, but they stayed put. I noticed another dark figure in the shadows near Empress Edena. 
“Hello everyone that has come out here. As you know, I am Amaris Aksuk, new royal advisor to my sister Aruna! Give her a hand!” 
Everyone clapped for Aruna and she waved. 
“Now,” she said as the clapping stopped. “I love my sister dearly and she deserves this position. As well as my friends' siblings. But, what about us? We’re apparently ‘not good enough’. Since when?” 
The crowd looked confused. The other advisors started to walk towards the necklaces with the gems. The emperors and empresses tried to stand, but some blurry figures stopped them and kept them seated. 
“So, I think WE deserve to rule. Not our pesky goody-two-shoes siblings. I'm afraid that's all we have for tonight, but stay tuned. There will be a lot in store...” 
She maniacally laughed and punched the camera. The screen went black. Soon, the regular news reporter came back on and told us to stay tuned for more information. I sat there in shock. Stay tuned for what's in store? What's that supposed to mean? But I was about to find out when I heard the news that changed my life forever…
== ~2~ ==
=== Gemma ===
I could not believe what just happened. The new royal advisors were…..villains? My older brother Noah scooted closer and hugged me. He always knew what to do to cheer me up. My aunt and uncle were frozen in their spots. Suddenly, the TV came back on and the news reporter came back. 
“Welcome back,” she said. “We have instructions from our beloved Empress Edena.” I perked up. “She said that the new advisors, who call themselves ‘The Keepers’, have lost the gems and they are scattered all over the state and that the fate lies in 6 chosen children from the ages of 13-18.” 
My brother and I looked at each other. He was 16 and I was 14. That means we could be chosen. The news lady went off screen for a minute. Soon, she came back on screen. 
“I just got information that Empress Edena has chosen the children.” I took a deep breath. “The children are….Willow Deemsbury, Noah Huxley, Gemma Huxley, Paxton Collymore, Aaron Smith, and Ivy Phoenix.” 
I froze. Wait… I know those kids….THEY GO TO MY SCHOOL!! I’d seen them walk down the halls before. Especially Willow and Ivy. I’d mocked them behind their back and sometimes in front of them. They were all just a bunch of nerds. Aunt Felisha and Uncle Harry rushed into the other room, trying to speak in hushed voices, but I could make out some of the things they were saying. 
“No, it can't be.” 
“They're just children!” 
If only they knew what I was capable of. I rustled out of Noah’s hug and crept into my room. Obviously, being the overprotective and annoying older brother he is, he followed. I flicked on the light. Same old room I'd been staying in for the past 8 years. 
“What are you doing?” he asked, leaning against the wall. I opened my closet and pulled out an old black backpack. 
“What does it look like I’m doing, genius?” I asked sarcastically. “I'm packing!”
“You're not seriously doing this, are you?” he asked. I stopped for a minute and looked at him. 
“Emperor Edena chose us out of everyone else. This means something. We’re the chosen ones. And, besides, we can use a conjurer.” I went back to packing. 
“Pfft,” he said. “My power is no big deal.” 
I rolled my eyes. I grabbed a couple changes of clothes, my water bottle from this morning, a notebook, and a pen. I ran downstairs with the bag. Noah followed. I went into the kitchen and grabbed anything I could fit. Bottles of water, fruit, canned foods, granola bars, everything. I had one of those backpacks with a lot of zippers and compartments, so I made sure to stock up. I ran back upstairs. Noah was panting. 
“Well, aren't you gonna pack?” I asked. 
“In a minute,” he said and stopped me from racing around. He hugged me. “Look, I know you're strong, but you're still a kid. Are you sure you wanna do this?” 
I took a breath. “I’m sure.” 
He let go. “Because once we're doing this, there's no going back.” 
I nodded and he went into his room to pack. One more thing, I thought. I went into the corner of my room and grabbed my bowstaff. I had been using one ever since I moved in with my aunt and uncle. My uncle gave me lessons, then I kinda worked on my own. Yes, I thought. Plus, it can also be used as a walking stick. I came back downstairs to Noah. He was all packed and ready. 
“The TV said that us and the other kids should meet up at the town plaza by 5:30 to get our crystal.” 
I checked my watch. It was 4:45. We ran over to our Aunt and Uncle and hugged them. “We’re gonna miss you guys,” I said. 
“We’ll miss you too,” Aunt Felisha said before beginning to bawl. 
“Don’t worry,” Noah started. “This isn’t goodbye, just see ya later.” 
We all hugged one last time and then we were off. And that was just the tip of the iceberg…..
== ~3~ ==
=== Ivy ===
“IVY!” my older sister Amelia exclaimed as she ran into the greenhouse. I was watering the plants as I usually do after school. 
“What now?” I asked, turning to her. 
“You have to see it for yourself!” she yelled and grabbed me by the wrist. I dropped my watering can. 
“C’mon!” she yelled and yanked me out of the greenhouse and inside. 
“Okay, okay,” I exclaimed as she let go. “What is it that I need to see?” 
“Come, sit!” she said and plopped down on the ground. I sat next to my little sister Nellie on the couch. 
“What is Amelia rambling about now?” I quietly asked. 
“You were on the TV,” she whispered to me. 
Say what?!
“Do you know why?” I asked. 
“I dunno,” she said. “They never tell the 6 year olds anything!” 
She’s right. Amelia rewinded the news to a certain section. 
“Just listen!” she exclaimed. 
There was a newswoman on the TV and they were rambling on about these people called ‘The Keepers’ and how they stole the dimension gems and they are scattered everywhere and now 6 kids between the ages of 13-18 were gonna be chosen. There was whispering off screen for a minute. Then, she started listing names. I knew Pax, Aaron, Gemma, and Willow from school. Willow was in 3 of my classes, Aaron and I are in art together, Pax and I are close friends, and Gemma, well… she was kinda mean to me. Then, I heard my name. Ivy Phoenix. My jaw dropped. I was chosen to save the dimensions? There had to be a mistake. 
“Mom and Dad already know,” Amelia said. “They were watching the ceremony at work and they are already telling everyone.” 
Okay, Ivy, think. There has to be SOME reason that they chose you out of all people. I started thinking. Well, you are pretty smart, but everyone is smart in their own way. After a while, I finally gave up. 
“So, are you gonna do it?” Amelia asked. I nodded. 
“I'm gonna start packing,” I said and ran upstairs to my room. 
I grabbed my green backpack and started packing. I kept rushing up and down the stairs, grabbing water and food and clothes. In all, I ended up packing my water bottle, 4 plastic water bottles, some fruit, protein bars, my sketchbook, 2 pencils, a pencil sharpener, some granola bars, and a picture of my whole family. I zipped it up and put it on. I slowly went downstairs. I took a good look at my sisters. I hugged them both. 
“I promise I will see you both soon, don't worry.” 
They nodded. Nellie was in tears. I gave her an extra hug. I ran upstairs and gave her one of my many potted plants. 
“I need you to take care of this for me,” I said. She sniffed and looked at it. It was my best potted plant. 
“A-are you sure?” she asked. “It's your favorite.” 
I nodded. “I trust you.” 
She grasped it with one hand and hugged me one last time. She made me tear up. I took one last look at my sisters, and then I was off.
* * * *
I was walking for a while, looking for the plaza. Suddenly, I saw two people. As I got closer, I realized one of those people was Gemma. I could immediately recognize her. She had black hair that was styled like a pixie cut, a nose piercing, 3 ear piercings on one ear, 4 on the other. I think the other one was her brother. 
“Hey!” the brother exclaimed, waving his arms. I ran up to them. Gemma had a look on her face that said ‘don’t look at me or I’ll kill you’. 
“Uh, hi,” I said to the boy. He looked about 16. 
“What's your name?” he asked. 
“Ivy,” I said. 
“Well, I'm Noah, Gemma’s older and cooler brother,” he said and glanced at Gemma with a mischievous look. 
“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” she said and walked over by an old beat up car. Until the others came, Noah and I just talked and joked around. Soon, I saw someone. It was Pax! I could recognize that messy white hair from anywhere. 
“Hey, Pax!” I exclaimed. He looked at me, smiled, and rushed over. 
“Ivy!” he exclaimed. We hugged for a while. “I totally didn’t see you like 2 hours ago.” 
“Haha,” I said. 
“Why hello,” Noah said. “Who is this?” 
He sounded flirty. 
“This is Pax,” I said. “He goes to my school.” 
“Well, nice to meet you.” I looked at Pax and he was pretty red. He pulled me aside. 
“Is he flirting with me?” he asked and looked at Noah. Noah noticed and winked. Pax turned back to me. His face was redder. 
“Maybe,” I said. “Wait, do you like him?”
“No!” he exclaimed. “I do not.”  
“Whatever you say,” I said and walked off. Until then, we just had to wait for the others. Then, the hunt for the gems would begin...
Category:Stories