Dr. Gwen led us to the level closest to the surface of the earth; apparently we would be eating lunch with the Order of the Wicked leader. How wonderful.

    When we walked into the Dining Hall, which had a very tall ceiling and pale tan walls, there was only one person inside. Crowose had thick shoulder length Burnette hair and also wore a black sweater. She was smiling, her white teeth visible and pink lips stretched back, at me.

    "Lilliana, I never doubted your return," she said. Her voice was soft and silky. I smiled weakly in return, not knowing how to reply.

    Taylor and I sat across from Crowose at one of the many long polished oak wood tables. Dr. Gwen sat next to her.

    A man dressed in all white with a very poofy hat – most likely the chef – came to tell us the soups of the day. This would be my first time eating normal food in forever; I would have to copy Taylor for I did not know good table etiquette.

    We ordered, the chef left, then came back with a tray of soups bowls a few minutes later. As he set a bowl and spoon in front of me, I did what Taylor did. I grabbed my spoon and splashed it into the bowl, slurping the hot red liquid that I scooped up. There were chunks of carrots and celery that I crunched very loudly on. Crowose and Dr. Gwen were staring at us, their spoons halfway to their mouths, with disgusted expressions, though Crowose did have a hint of humor sparkling in her eyes.

    Dr. Gwen cleared his throat unnaturally loud. Taylor and I glanced up in surprise. Crowose smiled at us and began to eat her soup, not splashing, slurping, or crunching. Taylor and I immediately followed suit.

    After the soup dishes were taken away, we had time to discuss various topics. Crowose began by smiling at us, her hands interlocked out in front of her: "So, Lilliana, do you know exactly why you're here?"

    "I believe so. My family served here and aren't I supposed to fulfill some prophecy?"  I asked.

    "Correct. Your parents were our bravest and smartest soldiers and they led most of the missions into the Rosary Kingdom," the leader continued, "And do you know why you were in the M.S.P?"

    "Very vaguely," I responded.

    "Well, you were in there as punishment to your parents, who had murdered half the castle staff that day in hope of finding and assassinating President Marigold. Then the Rosary Soldiers had kidnapped you while your parents will still in the castle! Your parents had tried day after day to rescue you, but your vault was too guarded. At least, at first. Soon after you were captured by the enemy, your parents died when President Marigold ordered a bombing to the Pine Jungle, not realizing who he had caught in it," Crowose explained. Taylor was becoming slightly emotional.

    "Why are we at war with the Rosary Soldiers?" I asked.

    "Oh, to make that long story short," Crowose began with a slight sigh, "The Rosary Kingdom Council decided that they only wanted rich and intelligent people as residents in the kingdom, so President Marigold ordered all others out. If they did not leave, punishments were severe, even if you were smart but poor, or vice versa. Everyone that was kicked out came deep into the Pine Jungle and founded the Order of the Wicked. Some of the people who were allowed to stay but didn't agree with the new law joined the order. That was twenty-six years ago."

    I nodded, absorbing all the new information.

    "So, Lilliana, about the prophecy," Crowose began again.

    "Here we go again," I muttered.

    "I know that it seems too soon but it is very important," continued Crowose, "You are the Girl of Strength, but do you have strength? Probably not yet, because you were cooped up for so long, which means you have to train. But before your trainer is decided, you need the witch's advice."

    Oh, so now there's a witch?

    " 'Witch'?" I repeated, "Wouldn't she be evil or something?"

    "Aren't we all?" Crowose objected with a slight laugh, "None are good nor bad, it just all depends on your beliefs."

    I never thought of it that way. "So, um, this witch . . . what is she like?" I continued to question.

    "Madame Lee is very stern. She may give you confusing riddles and sing songs about death. She may even turn her riddles into songs," answered Crowose, "And it will seem as if she knows more about you than you do."

    "Well, I surely don't know much about me," I replied, "When will I visit her?"

    "Tonight. I will escort you to her living quarters, which may seem a little eerie and spooky, but in truth Madame Lee means no harm. You've got to trust me on that one," said Crowose, "Dr. Gwen will bring you here at eight."

    Just as I was about to open my mouth to speak, Dr. Gwen said, "I'll help you read the clock." I nodded my thanks.

    I spent the rest of the afternoon with Taylor. She gave me a tour of the O.W. There were dorms, equipment rooms, locker rooms, classrooms, and kitchens. She showed me our dorm, which was two rooms painted pastel colors. One room held two twin beds and a closet, the other a sofa and T.V. In between the rooms was a half bathroom; we would still need to use the girls' locker rooms to shower.

    Since we had a late lunch, we did not eat dinner with the rest of the order in the Dining Hall. Taylor told me that eight o'clock would arrive in two hours. She showed me the O.W. news channel and we watched stories about when the next bombing should be and different inventions that the engineers were creating. Dr. Gwen was interviewed in one of the stories.

    Suddenly, what felt like all too soon, there was a knock on the door, which was on the same wall as the couch. Taylor, who had been half asleep on the couch, jumped up to answer it. I was sitting crisscross on the pink shag carpet. I watched Taylor open the door, having a guess as to who was on the other side.

    Of course, it was Dr. Gwen. "It is five till eight," he said, peering in at me, "We should get going, unless you want to start off on a bad note with Madame Lee." He laughed at that.

    I stood up and slipped on my Uggs. I followed Dr. Gwen into the hallway after giving Taylor a hug. He and I stood in an awkward silence on the elevator, shuffling our feet and whistling and gazing around. I was nervous, yet excited to meet Madame Lee the witch.

    Crowose was standing right outside of the noisy Dining Hall, which sounded like it was packed. She was waiting patiently for us with her shining teeth. "Whether you're ready or not, Madame Lee will be waiting for her first encounter with you," Crowose greeted, "She's waited seventeen years. Are you excited?"

    I nodded, too excited and nervous to speak. My stomach was tied into a knot, my feet tapping, my mind racing.

    "Okay, then. Dr. Gwen, I can take her from here," Crowose closed and as Dr. Gwen left, she led me to a dark, black staircase. She clicked on a flashlight and we descended down the steps.

    "Madame Lee's living quarters are not officially part of the O.W. headquarters," Crowose explained on our trek down the stairs, "If we were above ground, this would be her turret. But since we are underground, it is her chamber." We continued down the stairs. Soon we came to a huge, brass door. Crowose knocked and after a moment's pause, the door swung open.

    Madame Lee had midnight black hair and dark skin, though not dark enough to be considered black, but maybe Indian. Her hair was styled so that a braid ran across the top of her head, keeping the loose hairs out of her face, like a headband. The rest of her hair fell loosely to her shoulders. The witch wore a long, black skirt that flowed around her legs and ankles. Though she seemed young, wisdom was etched all over her face. "Lilliana Ehvil," she greeted in a deep, demanding, velvety voice, "Come in."

    I stepped forward, a little bit shaky, but Crowose did not. When I gave her a questioning glance, she said, "I have to leave you here." Then she started her journey up the staircase.

    I turned back to Madame Lee, who gestured for me to step inside after watching Crowose disappear, the small light on its way into the darkness. I did. The walls were stone brick and the only light came from torches along the walls. There was huge oval mirror above a gray wooden dresser with many drawers. A metal bed frame was propped up against one wall. I felt uncomfortable being with this woman alone, but if Crowose trusted her, I would have to too.

    I heard the door slam shut behind me. I jumped, spun around; Madame Lee twirled what I believed to be her wand with her fingers, using both hands. It was transparent, made of glass, with deep purple, almost black, glitter and golden stars inside. I eyed it suspiciously. Madame Lee smiled when she saw what I was glaring at. Then out of the blue, she began to speak, her voice strong and powerful.

    "If what you seek is greed, none will be given to the unworthy. If you seek help, you will receive it only if you truly need it. If you seek training advice, which I presume, you must first show me what ability you are capable of. Now, which is it?"

    "I-I need training," I stammered, "But I don't have a power."

    "Everyone from the Order of the Wicked has a power," the witch cackled, "But you've been stuck in the M.S.P for too long. I'll help you discover yours."

    "O-okay," I agreed; I kind of had no choice. Madame Lee took a step forward so that we stood nose-to-nose. She stared directly into my eyes. I stared back.

    The witch waved her wand above our heads in a big circle, murmuring an enchantment as she did so. I did not understand the words, for they were foreign. I took a deep breath. "My dear child," Madame Lee whispered, still waving her wand, "If you are the Girl of Strength, then it is said that you will have two powers."

    I did not respond. I broke our eye contact to glance upwards. Madame Lee's wand was leaving a path of golden stars in its wake. They disappeared after a second as the wand made its way back around. Then they were back again. I lowered my gaze back to the witch; her eyes were now closed and she was back to muttering her spell.

    Then, to my great surprise, we were elevated into the air.

    No, I was elevated into the air! Madame Lee opened her eyes and smiled, a warm smile, at me. "Ah, power number one!" she exclaimed, "The ability to fly is very rare!" I moved my limbs so that I was positioned like a starfish. I was smiling from ear to ear as my hair floated around my head. Golden stars shimmered and shined all around me as I gazed around the dim room with a new interest. I felt very lightheaded and that nothing could upset me now.

    "Now, I believe that discovering your second power could take a few weeks, or even months," Madame Lee stated as I began to descend, which was all too soon. I didn't care, as long as I had power number one! Flying felt miraculous, possessing magic was breathtaking!

    But now on the ground, my mind was once more filled with thoughts that were nothing like the ones when I had been flying. "You will train to fight and how to use your power," Madame Lee was saying, "Then you'll come to me in the evening to help uncover your second power. Hmm, let's see; who would be the best trainer for you?" She paused, her expression displaying that she was deep in thought. When she figured out the answer, she snapped her fingers and decided, "Andy will be your trainer. He is currently training your sister too, so she can help guide you also. I think that Andy should be mature enough to handle another student, though you never know with that boy. Now, be off! Your sister will help you to the Training Dome tomorrow morning."

    As I opened the door to leave, I asked one final question. "What does the prophecy say, exactly?"

    Madame Lee took a shuddering breath. "If anyone should tell you, I guess it should be me," she replied. Then he eyes glowed red as she began to recite:

    "Girl of Fairness, will not cheat. Girl of Strength, sister of Fairness, has double the ordinary. Together, the Rosary Kingdom they can defeat. Together, stronger than witches. Together, rarer than riches, the kingdom shall perish."

    Her voice was hoarse and she took gasping breaths between each line. She had spoken slowly, but deafening. I swung the door open and dashed out when the witch's eyes became their normal color of brown once more. "Now, I mean it!" she called after me, "Be off!"

    I did not have to be told a third time, that was for sure. I sprinted up the dark staircase and did not stop until I was safely in my dorm, the door locked once I was in. Taylor was reading, sitting on the couch, of course, in her pajamas. She saw my bewildered face as I stood, panting, leaning on the door. "How'd it go?" she asked anyway.

    "Well, we uncovered power number one," I began once I gathered my breath, "I'm going back tomorrow to hopefully uncover my second power. Apparently Girl of Strength has 'double the ordinary'. Also, I've learned that Madame Lee has freaky glowing eyes that totally freak me out." I paused before adding, "What does the prophecy mean when it says 'Girl of Fairness will not cheat'?"

    Taylor patted the couch cushion next to her. I took my hand off the door handle to sit next to her. "It means we won't use my power to freeze time, invade the Rosary Kingdom, and kill President Marigold," she explained.

    "Why?" I asked.

    "The Rosary Kingdom has freeze robots that only activate when time is frozen," Taylor answered, "Also, Crowose said that we wouldn't have the same type of victory. Okay, enough of that. Who is your trainer?"

    "Andy. I'm training with you," I told her.

    "Great!" my sister exclaimed, "That's so exciting! Andy's a tough trainer so let's get some rest; you'll need plenty of it." We brushed our teeth and in no time we were fast asleep, Taylor snoring slightly.