R&R!
Leon woke up feeling cold and empty. His head pounded as he thought in fear of yesterday's events. Only then did he realize the field of crackling golden energy that enclosed him within his depths. He stood up in astoundment of what he was witnessing. He felt a strange, almost intimate connection with it. He reached out his hand to touch it but was met with shock through his entire being. Great, he thought with hysteria, now I'm stuck in this blasted overgrown Christmas ornament. I suppose now the only thing that could possibly make it worse would be a shady figure standing right outside of here. He checked his watch. It read nine fifteen. He glanced to his right and only then did exactly what he had foreseen come to life right in front of his eyes. Two feet in front of him stood a green clad figure holding a staff embroidered with gold trimmings and a shining dark green emerald at its tip. He let out yell and stumbled back until he was met with a shock from the other side of the shimmering dome. He fell to the ground gasping, the scent of burnt cotton filling his nostrils. "Well that was a smart move." The figure said dryly a smile playing on his lips. His green cloak obscured Leon's vision of the rest of his face. "Who are you?" He asked in a shaky voice. "Me? Why would have need of that information?" Let's see, thought Leon, I've been attacked by my math teacher, trapped inside of some strange golden ball, and been scared half to death. That's why I'd like to know your name. Leon did not voice these thoughts but instead said. "My apologies but would you be so kind as to reveal to me your name?" He said with mock politeness. At this the figures smile seemed to double in size. He burst out laughing followed by; "I like your spirit boy. John is my name since you are bent on extracting it from me. Well John maybe you can explain to me why I'm trapped in this giant golden ball. Well that, you did to yourself or to correct myself, your magic did this to you. My what?" Leon asked shocked by what John had just said. " Magic? Magic doesn't exist. Then how do you explain the giant golden ball, as you so bluntly put it, which you are trapped inside of?" He was at a loss for words. "Or how your teacher melted into a dark form then shot darkness seemingly from nowhere at you. Ok so maybe magic does exist but inside of me. Oh yes, actually you have one of the brightest sparks I've seen in ages." John exclaimed. Leon had a tough time grasping this fact. "Ok first of all, how do I get out of this great ball of energy. Well first you have to summon your magic. How? I can't even summon a taxi much less my so-called magic that I didn't even know I had until two minutes ago. Calm your mind." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Good now find the energy that resides inside your mind and let it flow through you." Leon felt his pulse quicken as he sensed the stream of golden energy flowing just behind his thoughts. He cleared his mind of the pesky thoughts and made contact with the energy. Through his connection he saw, with his mind's eye, a small branch of energy connected to the glowing stream. He severed the connection like a knife through butter and the branch faded leaving just the never-ending stream flowing on into eternity. He broke the connection and returned to himself. He saw that the barrier of light had vanished into thin air. He turned to John, a broad smile alighting his face. "Well done boy, well done indeed. Remember this one thing. Magic is infinite and has infinite possibilities." He made a mental note of that for it seemed like an important piece of information. "Okay, but what has that got to do with me?" He asked puzzled. "Ah now we can get down to the real reason I'm here. Would you like me to explain it to its entirety or would that be too dull for you? Oh no, you're not getting away without telling me the whole truth. Ah a thirst for knowledge. Rare site these days. Perhaps I will tell you." Leon snapped his attention to John in an instant. He would analyze every word being said. "Long ago, there was the peaceful and prosperous land of Cytopia. Its rivers flowed milk and honey and its green teemed with life. At the center of the land lay the city of Kiona. It beheld the Marble Castle. The land north of Cytopia, The Plains of Despair, looked with envy on Cytopia. The Master, the ruler of the sickly land, deigned to assemble the Dark Army and made them to march toward the border of Cytopia. The army consisted of hags, goblins, revenants, spirits of the dead, and many other foul, unspeakable demons. But worst of all was the treacherous dark wizards who had betrayed the king. King Alcor sent his thirteen elite sorcerers to hold off the armies until the wizard strike force arrived. Their leader's brother, a dark wizard, defeated them. The leader took his magic and his life force and that of his agreed comrades and sent it to earth. With them out of the way, the army was destroyed and the king killed. Mother earth has fed the magic into chosen children and continued to nurture it until it blossomed when the children turned thirteen. Mine, and others jobs is to ensure that these children reach Cytopia and get proper training. We hope that one day we can kill The Master and restore Cytopia. My only question is, will you come. What about my mom and school? A doppelganger will be taking your place if you step through portal. Well then I'm in" He said without hesitation. "Then let us be off." With a wave of his hand he opened a rainbow-rimmed portal with a clear center. Leon stepped through it without being told ghost of a smile playing on his lips. Here starts the beginning of the rest of his life.