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  Girl Power

  Book 3

  The True Enemy

  John Zakour and Katrina Kahler

  Copyright © KC Global Enterprises Pty Ltd

  All rights reserved

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 – The Cup of Knowledge

  Chapter 2 - An Offer

  Chapter 3 - Conversations

  Chapter 4 - A Chance

  Chapter 5 - Monkeys Aren’t Always Fun

  Chapter 6 - Hitting the streets

  Chapter 7 - Meeting of Minds

  Chapter 8 - Cheating?

  Chapter 9 - Old Ties

  Chapter 10 - The Closing

  Chapter 11 - The Concert

  Chapter 11 - The Meet and Greet and Defeat?

  Chapter 12 - Kind Words

  Chapter One – The Cup of Knowledge

  Hi, I’m Gwen. I was once the queen of a far-off land called Camelot. Back then I was content to sit quietly in the background. Sometimes I think King Arthur and many of his knights took me to be nothing more than a decoration. Now, I’m a kid, well a teen, in a not so far off land. Yet I’m trying to be a “queen” again. Only this time I will not be a part of the background. I’m the leader and defender of this world. Today, my new and newfound knights and I seek to defeat those who want to corrupt all they touch.

  The catch is and there is always when saving the world, I’m not completely sure who I am saving the world from. Back in my original day, there was a mad super powerful witch, mage, enchantress named Morgana LeFay. She was a witch who put the witch in witching. The E in evil enchantress. She would stop at nothing in her goal to take over the world. She’s the one who cast the spell to turn us all into kids and send my knights and me to the future. She left my memory intact but wiped the minds of my knights. Still, I’ve managed to find an restore lot of them: Lance, Galahad (now a girl), Kay, Percy and even Arthur himself. I’ve even found the holy grail or as it’s called now the Cup of Knowledge.

  Here’s one of the catches, Morgan is here in this time. She still has power, in fact even more power. Not only does she has full command of her magic but she is also a reality TV star.

  No...she’s a supernova. Perhaps the most popular being on the planet. Most people see her as a humble pacifist who helps the poor. I, of course, know better. I believe she remains a threat to all.

  Yet Morgan insists that teenage rock star Kristi Quick is the true big bad evil. Of course, the rest of the world sees Kristi as a super sweet megastar. I have seen nothing to make me believe a word of what Morgan has told me. But I must admit the golden statues I’ve seen by Kristi’s pool do give me the chills.

  Back to the present moment: I stood in my room with Merlin a wizard turned into a cat and Fern, a dragon turned into a bird by my side. I held the cup of knowledge in my hand.

  “Well, young queen are you going to drink it?” Merlin asked.

  “That cup comes with knowledge but the knowledge comes with a price,” Fern reminded me.

  “Oh, I know…” I whispered.

  “The price is often low and well worth it if you are pure of heart,” Merlin added.

  Now that was the big kicker here. I couldn’t be sure if I was pure of heart. I mean come on what does that really mean? I like to think I’m a good person. I try not to ever hurt others. I am attempting to stop a big bad lady for controlling the world. I love my adopted parents. I am true to my friends. I helped a little old lady cross the street a couple of times. I try never to fart in public. If I do fart in public I always take the blame. I take out the trash. I do my homework. And I’d like to repeat I am trying to save the world. Those are all good things. Right? I’m mean, Right?

  On the not so pure side, I do have a few boxes checked. I do kind of like three guys. After all, throughout history, I have always been linked to Arthur or Art as he is in this time and world. Arthur and I united a world. Well, sort of...,

  I also have gotten along REALLY well with Lancelot or Lance as he is now known. In the past, I have found myself attracted to him, despite my better judgment. He’s strong and noble and always does what he feels is right. Plus, he is way handsome. Here in the now, I still find him to be a comfort as he gets to learn this new world. He may not be as pure of heart as Gail or Paulie but he is close.

  Then there is Sebastian. He was not one of my original knights. In fact, this is the only time and the only land he has ever known. Still, he is strong-willed, fun and dedicated to my cause and me.

  I am honored to have him as my friend. Many girls would gladly call him a boyfriend. My heart and brain though still haven’t decided what they want. I believe my brain is pure but my heart has a mind of its own.

  Of course, then there is my dilemma I spoke of earlier. I really believe Morgan is the true threat to this earth, this realm, this time. But Morgan insists she is really just trying to help. Normally I would shrug off her words like water off a duck’s back. Morgan is not to be trusted. Only the fairies who are now powerful and popular members of my school seem to have some faith in Morgan. These fairies have always been drawn to power. And Morgan has loads of it. She claims the city of Atlantis no longer exists because she got angry and super blew it to dust with her breath. And then, of course, Morgan tells me it’s Kristi to fear.

  “Stop thinking so much. I wouldn’t mind you thinking more if I thought it could help but it won’t. It will just make you all constipated!” Merlin insisted.

  “Leave Gwen alone she is a deep thinker,” Fern said. “That’s why I was drawn to her.”

  “Thank you, Fern,” I said with a slight grin.

  Fern nodded, “Still you have to do something girl. Just standing there staring at the grail will get you nothing. I know there are times when to do nothing is the right answer but not when you hold the holy grail or cup of knowledge.

  My mom, Maude came in the room. She had a pitcher of apple juice in her hand. She poured the juice into a glass.

  “Drink it!” mom said forcefully.

  Lance, Sebastian, and Mika followed Mom into my room.

  “Man if this keeps up Gwen’s going to need a bigger room!” Merlin said.

  “Or I’ll have to kick the cat out!” I told him.

  “No need to be testy,” Merlin said.

  “We’re here for support,” Mika said.

  I had to admit that right now I would take all the support I could get. A wise queen or even a possible future queen knows when to listen to the council and support of those around her. The people she loves and trusts and even her cat.

  “Just stop dillydallying and drink!” Merlin said. Waving a paw at me. “I’m like 60 percent certain nothing totally bad will happen.”

  “Those are good odds. Right?” Lance said.

  “They could be better,” Mika said.

  “Agreed,” Gail said.

  “I’m not thrilled with them,” Sebastian said frowning.

  “Maybe one of us should drink for you, my queen?” Gail offered.

  “I’m not your queen,” I said more curtly that I should have.

  Gail lowered her head and took a step back. “I’m sorry. That was not my place…”

  I leaned over and put a hand on Gail’s shoulder. “My friend, I should not have used that tone. You certainly had every right to sp
eak.”

  I knew Gail’s offer was legit. She was one of the two purest people I knew. Surely the cup would accept her and grant her wisdom. But the trick here was, I was the leader. I needed to step up. I needed the wisdom and the knowledge. I started this quest I needed to carry it forward.

  I looked Gail in the eyes. “I truly thank you for all you’ve done for me.” I turned to all my other friends, loved ones and Merlin. “I am glad I have you all with me.”

  Merlin rolled his eyes like only a cat could. Waving impatiently at the cup he said. “Drink! Nothing tastes worse than warm apple juice.”

  “Surely things taste worst than warm apple juice,” Lance said. “There is week old milk, day-old socks, dirt, mud…”

  “Just trying to make a point!” Merlin said. He looked at Lance. “And how do you know what socks taste like?”

  “I just do!” Lance said.

  Mom stepped in. Pointing at the cup. “The cat has a point. Apple juice is better cold.”

  “And tastes way better than socks!” Lance added.

  Yeah, he was cute, but not the sharpest sword in the armory.

  I reached over. I grabbed the cup. My hand trembled. I heard music. I believe it was the chicken dance song. I turned to Lance. He showed me his phone. “Oops sorry that was a butt dial. Still not use to these things…”

  I inhaled deeply. I closed my eyes. I opened them again. The cup wobbled in my hand. I put a second hand on the cup. I drew the cup to my face.

  “Please grant me your wisdom!” I asked.

  I took a sip. I swallowed. I tasted apple juice. A little warm but still tasty. I waited.

  “Well?” Merlin asked.

  “So far it’s anti-climatic…” I said. Not sure if I was disappointed or pleased. Then suddenly I saw a tunnel of white light.

  My brain and body jumped into this tunnel without me having any say in the matter. I found myself streaking through a maze of white nothingness. My body shot left, then right, left, left, right, up, up higher, up even higher, then down. I saw two doors in front of me but flying towards me.

  Suddenly I came to a stop in front of the two doors.

  Both doors swung open. In one door stood a smiling Morgan. In the other door stood Kristi. Both of them were dressed in black. Morgan in short black mini-skirt. Kristi wore a long black gown.

  The two of them looked at me. They motioned for me to come toward them. I shook my head no. Morgana crossed her arms. My body suddenly was pulled towards the two doors. I tried to fight it physically but the force was too strong. It felt like running against a hurricane. I tried to use magic. My mind was too jumbled to make actual words form.

  In a second, I stood between the two doors.

  “Who looks better?” they both asked me.

  “Excuse me?” I asked.

  They looked at me. They looked at each other with contempt. They looked at me.

  “Tell my child she isn’t as beautiful as her mother!” Kristi said.

  “Tell my mother not to be an old hag,” Morgan said.

  “You both look lovely,” I said without much thought.

  They both crossed their arms and stomped their feet. “No choose!” they shouted.

  The force of their words sent me staggering backward.

  “Choose with your mind!” Kristi said.

  “Choose with your heart!” Morgan said.

  They both shot each other withering looks.

  “You MUST pick one!” they both said.

  Okay, I guess this couldn’t be too tough of a task. I looked them both over from head to toe. They both looked gorgeous.

  “You are both gorgeous!” I told them.

  “Thank you but you state the obvious,” Morgan said.

  “Now choose,” Kristi ordered. “Whom is the fairest of them all?”

  “Ah isn’t that a different story?” I asked.

  Kristi groaned at me and rolled her eyes. “Did your mommy tell it to you when you were a little kid? It’s kind of a universal concept, silly girl!” she said sarcastically.

  “Well like I said you both looked amazing!” I insisted.

  “True but one of us much look better,” Morgan said, pointing at herself.

  “You know Gwen I’ve never met you before now but I think you are amazing and have such great potential,” Kristi said. “And you are almost as lovely as I am.”

  “Mom, no buttering her up,” Morgan said to her mom. She looked at me. “Trust me after she butters you up...she eats you up!” Morgan rolled her eyes. “Tell her she dresses like my daughter not my mom.”

  “Who’s the one showing all legs with a mini shirt on?” Kristi said.

  “At least mine isn’t slit down the side. Really mom. Have you no shame?”

  “Dear I’m a rock goddess, so no of course not!”

  This was weird. I felt pretty sure this was all in my mind. Yet somehow Kristi and Morgan were real. Like a 3D surreal dream but I was awake.

  “Choose…” Kristi insisted. “Which one of us is hotter? Me,” she pointed to herself. “Or my dull daughter?” she pointed to Morgan and stuck a finger into her mouth as if to gag. “I mean come on, the girl can be any age she wants and she picks 33?”

  “It’s a nice number. Mature but not too mature!”

  “Mature sounds like Manure…”Kristi noted with a laugh.

  “So mature mom!”

  Now, this was definitely different. Standing in front of perhaps the two most powerful beings in the world and they were arguing about beauty, maturity, and poop.

  “Truthfully you are both acting like twits!” I said.

  Morgan grinned at me and shrugged. “Sorry, Gwen she brings out the worst in me…”

  Kristi crossed her arms. “You are just jealous that I look younger than you, dear daughter.”

  “Look, Mom, I could be younger if I wished. I just don’t wish to be. I’m not as shallow as you!”

  “Oh Morgan, honey, you’ve always pretended to be more mature than you really were. I remember that time you changed your own diaper and failed. You pricked yourself with a pin. You turned your nanny into a diaper.”

  “Mom I was like two. I just wanted to impress you.”

  “Well I do admit turning the nanny into a diaper was funny!”

  “You know, I kind of think you are both terrible!” I said.

  They looked at me. They rolled their eyes. “Yes of course, dear that’s a given!” Kristi said. “That’s why we want to know which of us is hotter!”

  Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “I can’t judge that! You both may be evil as anything but I also think you are both quite striking looking!” I spoke the truth. “I’m actually surprised you are both so shallow.”

  Both of the ladies shook their heads again. “Not shallow just competitive with each other,” Morgan said.

  “Agreed,” Kristi said.

  The two actually exchanged a smile.

  “Look, Gwen I never really knew you in the past, but my daughter does hate you,” Kristi said. “Which leads me to believe you have some good in you. Therefore you must have good taste.”

  “That’s not sound logic, Kristi,” I said.

  Kristi laughed at me. “So what I am rich and loved by the masses I don’t need sound logic. In fact, I make my own reality, logic bends to my rules. So who cares about logic. I just want to know who is the better looking!”

  How could two such powerful women be so vain and egotistic, I thought.

  “Like I said, we’re competitive, it makes us!” Kristi said, apparently reading my mind. “You being mostly mortals, can’t begin to comprehend what its like to be us.”

  Morgan agreed with her mom. “She’s right, when you live forever and can get whatever you want, you long for the little things. Like the pleasure of knowing I’m hotter than my mom.”

  “Or the pleasure of knowing despite being centuries older than your child you still look better,” Kristi said.

  “You two are both crazy!” I
shouted.

  Next thing I knew I was back in my room. “That was weird,” I said.

  “What was weird, did the juice taste funny?” Lance said. “It kind of reminds me of pee.”

  I looked at my people who were looking all weird at me. “I had a talk with Morgan and Kristi,” I said.

  “Honey, you never left the room. It hasn’t even been more than a second since you drank the juice,” Mom said.

  Merlin and Finn exchanged a glance. “Instant astral projection!” Merlin said. “The cup has grown more powerful.”

  “What did it show you?” Fern asked.

  “That neither Morgan or Kristi can be trusted,” I said.

  “The question is can we stop them both?” Mika asked.

  “Truthfully I am not sure we can stop even one of them,” Merlin said.

  I feared he may be right but that wasn’t going to stop me.

  My notes:

  I guess I really shouldn’t have been all that surprised that the grail or cup showed me that both Morgan and Kristi were up to no good in this world. They each only cared about themselves and being better than the other. It was a strange mother-daughter dynamic. Two women who only wanted to beat each other. The odd thing was they were so alike they couldn’t even see it. I guessed that was a good thing because if the two united there would be no way to stand against them.

  That would be the key to winning this battle. I would have to keep the two of them apart and at each other’s throats. That also meant that maybe, just maybe, I should side with one of them. If my knights combined with either Morgan or Kristi...surely we take the other down. But how would I feel about myself if I worked with evil just to take down a greater evil? And which one is the greater evil? Does the end justify the means? Am I thinking too much?

  Can I possibly take one of them out without the others help? Maybe… Maybe not? But Morgan has offered to help me. Perhaps I should take her up on the deal? After all, like they say, the devil you know… I know Morgan. I know what she is capable of. We have a long history together. She does hold Excalibur. Not sure why the sword would go to her. But that might be a good sign if Excalibur trusts her then maybe I should too. Oh my goodness, I am putting my faith and fate into the judgment of a sword. Yeah, that might not bode well for me. I need to trust myself and my gut. My gut tells me I can’t trust either. I need more information. Not from drinking from the cup...but from experience!