When I wake up, I'm surrounded by friends. Rachel, mom, Emily.... and I see Thompson and a few soldiers as well. We're still at the research facility it seems.

  "She's waking up!" Emily said. "Hi there, Ann. Had a nice nap?"

  Why is she talking to me like I'm a kid?"Yeah....oh, did you guys bathe me?" I checked my dress, and it's....gone. I'm sitting in another towel again.

  "Yes, it was quite...necessary after what you did." Thompson said while grimacing.

  "How did the test go?" I asked. Just checking.

  He grinned. "Far beyond our expectations. Not bad for a tiny fairy, gd that you're on our side. The President has seen the footage as well and wants you at the front as soon as possible."

  "Yeah...I'm sure that's what he wants. Did you tell him that this was only a test?"

  "I did, and he understands. But to be honest....after seeing you in action? You are definitely ready."

  "Why do you even ask the President? Don't you have....like a General or something?"

  "Special exception, Ann."

  "Okay, whatever. Where's the crystal I found?" I let another dress appear and make my way out of the towel.

  "We never had a fresh one before, so we're examining it right now. What made you burrow into the spider? Why do that?"

  "I felt the need to take it out. Like instinct. Where is it? I need it."

  "In a b. Why?"

  "I NEED IT!" I shouted, not sure why. I'm shaking like a junkie, needing a fix.

  "Calm down, no need to get aggressive. Why do you need it?"

  "I don't know! Just give me my crystal!"

  He nods and instructs his staff. "Alright...give her the crystal. We can always get more now that we know that even spiders have them."

  I must have a very satisfied expression right now. And knowing that I'll get my crystal, I feel rexed again.

  "Ann...are you okay?" Mom asked.

  "Yes, mom. But first the crystal. I don't know why...but it's important."

  She nodded, and after that...nobody talked until the crystal arrived. I think that they are a bit scared of me. Emily however keeps petting me, and it really puts me in a better mood. But I need the crystal!

  The crystal is returned to me, now lying on the table inches away from me."There's your crystal, Ann. What are you going to do with it? Is it dangerous to us? Ann? Aaaaan?"

  I ignore him, fully focused on my precious crystal. There it is...the crystal. I take it into my arms and embrace the thing. I'm cuddling it like a plushie, but of course it's not soft. But for some reason it is very, very important to me.

  A few moments ter it begins to glow very brightly.....and then I feel it being absorbed into my body. Just like my stomach decided to eat it the hard way.

  My body is surrounded by a bright green aura for a few moments, and I fly a few circles in the room, leaving green particles behind me. After that....I'm back to being normal.

  "Ann? You're smiling. What happened?" Thompson asked.

  "There's a level indicator next to my Css, but it didn't go up after the level-up message I just got. But the reason for my smile is that I now have the 'fairy dust' skill. No idea what it is for, though."

  "Alright, as strange as it sounds, it seems that these crystals might actually make you stronger. Next time we kill those bugs, we'll recover their crystals for you to use. In any case..I think that we can call this a successful test. And now I understand why you wanted the crystal so desperately. Well done, Ann."

  "Thanks. Sooo......now what? Can we go back home?"

  "Of course. You'll be staying at your home until you're needed at the front. After each mission we'll fly you right back home. Does that sound fair to you?"

  "Like it's too good to be true."

  "And yet, it's exactly the way it sounds. Can we count on you?" He asked.

  I see mom nodding, so I say "yes, sir. We have a deal. You give me crystals and I'll try to kill as many bugs as I can. After each mission, you'll let me return home to recharge."

  "Perfect, then let's make it official, shall we?"

  "Like...what do you have in mind?" I look at the others and they don't seem to understand either.

  "You will have the privilege to meet the President of the Allied States himself. Are you ready?"

  "Ehh.... are you kidding me?!"

  "No, I'm quite serious." He's smiling, and was probably already expecting my confused expression.

  "Wow.....in that case, can we have a break first? I was thinking....maybe coffee and cookies?"

  Rachel leans over to Thompson and whispers loud enough for me to hear "it's how we celebrate things back home, Mr Thomspon." Maybe she's just teasing me, because why would she say it like that? It would expin that mischievous smile on her face as well.

  Mom nods, "that's how we do things back home. Do we have time for that?"

  "I'm afraid not. But let me make a phone call. You'll be having coffee and cookies in the White House, I promise. Is that a fair compromise?"

  I nod. "Sounds fair enough. How long will the flight take?" And no, I'm not caffeine deprived at all.

  "A helicopter is already standing by for us, so just about half an hour I'd say."

  "Alright, let's go!" I shout while raising my right arm into the victory pose. There are cookies with my name on it!

  "Hahaha, alright, follow me!" He replied.

  When we're outside, I see the helicopter waiting already. I take a quick look at the building we just left, and feel a shiver. My god....that was one big ugly spider. And it's supposed to be a small monster....yikes.

  About an hour ter we're waiting in a White House meeting room for the President to arrive. He's te, but I'm already stuffed with the best ever chocote cookies and coffee. I was hoping to see the Oval Office, but that's probably not going to happen.

  While I was listening to Thompson, talking about the test monster news, someone informed us that the President was on his way. But the important part was that he would be accompanied by someone from CNN. I don't know why, but it almost seems like they have a reason to only let CNN do the interviews. Do they have a monopoly in this world? It's so weird!

  That person already informed us about a few things, so that we could make the meeting as short as possible.

  Apparently the President witnessed the footage of me killing the spider, and now wants to give humanity a much needed morale boost. Someone from CNN will be joining me on all missions, sending a Live feed back to the people at home. One of the reasons for that is apparently the growing tension and civil unrest after the whole Florida incident.

  In other words.....I'm to be used as a pawn in a game of politics. Maybe even to show me off to the other nations, who knows?

  I'm not exactly eager to meet the monsters, but I feel the obligation to help. If Thompson is telling the truth, then I might be the only one who can help. I sincerely hope that they won't be disappointed though.

  The meeting room door opens and the man who's apparently the President walks into the room. This is truly another world, where even the President is someone else than I remember.

  Right behind him I see CNN's Lindsey again. She's wearing a combat uniform but again with the "PRESS" text on it. I guess they figured that she and I already have some sort of working retionship and they need to exploit every advantage they can. A mobile camera is once more mounted on top of her helmet, which looks a bit silly to wear inside a safe area.

  When I see someone taking pictures of this meeting, I understand why Lindsey is dressed like that. They will show these pictures on the news and such, so they want the public to see Lindsey's determination to join me on the battlefield.

  "Welcome to the White House everyone." The President said. He took a moment to shake hands and show off the smile he must have practiced a billion times by now. He's probably in his early sixties, and has a certain charm. But the way his eyes are focused on me, tells me not to underestimate him.

  He then approaches me, obviously intending to bend his knees to get a closer look. But before he can do that, I'm already hovering in front of him.

  He seems impressed. "Incredible, you are one special fairy, young dy. Let's shake fingers!" His smile seems genuine this time.

  He offered his index finger and I used my both hands to shake "hands."

  After this formality he offered us to take our seats but I nded right in front of him. He's wearing a dark blue suit, white dress shirt and a red tie. A tiny square button pin near his heart shows a fg, but I don't recognize it. It's solid blue with a single white star in the middle.

  "Is there something wrong with the pin? He asked with an amused expression after seeing me staring at it.

  "Em...no, mister President. What does it represent?"

  "Ah...yes, you are from another Earth, or so you cim."

  "No, sir, I didn't cim anything. I just appeared here. But yes, the generally accepted theory is that I crossed worlds. It also shows in my stats, so it must be true. So...what does it represent?" I pointed at his button.

  "It's our nation's fg."

  "No way.....it's totally different!" I said while shaking my head. This is the ultimate evidence, even the fg is different!

  "May I call you Ann?" He asked.

  "Yes, sir, please do."

  "Very well, Ann. What fg did you expect?"

  I'm surprised that he has the time to talk about this, but I can hardly tell him that."Em....how can I describe it? We call it Stars and Stripes. Em....it's basically alternating horizontal lines of red and white. In the upper left corner there's a blue square with 50 white stars, if I remember correctly."

  "Interesting. I think you just described a union fg from the Civil War. Do you remember who won the war?"

  "Of course I do, my dad almost beat that history lesson into my head. The Union won of course."

  "Well....they didn't in this world."

  "They...didn't?"

  "No, in this world the Confederacy won. The fg you see here is called the Bonny Blue." He pointed at the button.

  "Wow....that probably expins why you don't call this nation the United States, but the Allied States."

  "Perhaps, but let's leave this discussion where it belongs, in our past."

  "Of course."

  He nods. "You just told me that proof of you crossing worlds is mentioned in your stats. Can you show them to me?"

  Wow, he remembered that detail? "Sorry, I can see them, not share them. But if you have the time, I could read them to you? It only takes a minute or two."

  "Alright, please do."

  ===========================================Name: Ann FinleyAge: 17Gender: female

  Family: nature spirits Race: fairyCss: Cn Defender (level 1)

  Mana capacity: 921 / 1200 (current / max)Venom charge: 129 / 1500 (current / max)

  Racial skills:-purification-outfit-transtion-concealment-fairy dust

  Css skills:-attack mode (speed/agility)-shock-stinger-burrow

  Titles/achievements:-crosser of worlds===========================================

  He nods a few times, probably trying to remember a few details for future reference. He then looks at Lindsey and says "miss Bennet, if you would please move closer. You can start the live broadcast now."

  "Of course, mister President." She said, after which she gave a short summary of events to the people at home. The others in the room were guided away from us, so they wouldn't appear on TV.

  I'm waiting for her to finish and am desperately trying to stay calm, because I expect that the whole world is watching this interview. Lindsey is now standing to my left, having a clear shot of our conversation.

  "Mister President, you may now address the nation."

  He then looks into the camera on Lindsey's helmet and says "my fellow Americans, and people all over the world. I want all of you to witness this important moment in history.

  Today Miss Diane Nicholson has joined me, but we all know her as Ann Finley now. You are undoubtedly aware of her transformation into a fairy, and as impusible as it may sound, the evidence is standing right in front of me."

  The President then looks at me. "Ann, let's get to business. I have seen footage of you attacking that spider monster, which of course will be shared with the outside world after this conversation.

  To be frank....I'm impressed. I have been fully briefed about your abilities so I'm aware of your situation. Absorbing monster crystals apparently makes you stronger. We will find those monster crystals for you and in return you will continue to help humanity by fighting those monsters. We will also keep you safe to the best of our abilities and provide you with whatever you need to be successful. Do you agree with that?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Good. Considering the fact that staying with Miss Finley is having a very positive effect on your development, we will respect your intention to return home as often as possible. But in return, we also expect you to help us as often as your abilities allow. That includes training your abilities on live nearby targets. Do you agree with that?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Perfect. As President of the Allied States, I hereby grant you the title of 'Defender' and you will be assigned to the Air Force for the duration of this war."

  "Ehhh....thank you, sir. But...the Air Force?"

  "Of course. I do realize that you are still a minor right now and have a long way to go with your training, but we simply don't have the luxury to wait. You are a civilian, but we need you. It's as simple as it sounds. We will take things step by step, but the time of waiting is over.

  Even though we still have to find a way to penetrate monster shields, I'm certain that you will help us to take back Florida. There are still many civilians there and they won't stand a chance without our combined help. We're gonna make those bugs pay!"

  "Yes, sir!" I saluted, and again in the wrong way, so I quickly corrected it by putting my right fist on my stomach for a moment.

  "Your dedication to this nation has been noted. Congratutions, Defender Finley."

  "Thank you, sir! I'll do my best!"

  "I have no doubts that you will. You will return home now and rest. In a few days you will be brought to the front lines where we'll start the offensive. Until we meet again."

  "Yes, sir!" I nod and immediately fly away, heading to mom.

  I nd in mom's open hands and see White House staff putting their index fingers on their lips, telling me to keep quiet. The President is now talking into the camera, while we're being escorted out of the meeting room.

  When we arrived back home, it was already 6 pm. Mom, Rachel and I enjoyed dinner, while Emily returned home to discuss the events with her family.