The Smartphone Portal

The Beautiful Alice White

Alice White lived in the city of Goldenshade, She had a lovely apartment on the East side and her life was good. She was well known for her love of technology, her smartphone and her pet white rabbit. Goldenshade city was modern, with promising advancements in the innovation of New Technology. Everyone wanted to be the next big tech guru which had caused conflict with a rival neighbouring city, which was not as advanced. Alice did not care about all that, she spent hours scrolling through social media, chatting with friends, and capturing every moment of her life on her old smartphone. The online life she had created helped her to escape reality.

THE PORTAL

It was Alice's day off she liked to walk along the canal, scrolling, tweeting, posting and filming on her phone, exiting the canal path and standing at the entrance to the park. Her imagination was running wild today. She noticed something she hadn’t seen before, the elegant arched iron entrance above the park's gates. Impressed by the craftsmanship she wanted to capture the archway for her socials.

As she reached her phone towards the gate she noticed a strange symbol imprinted into the brick pillar. She thought she had seen this symbol before either. Actually, She had, it was the AI branding of her Smartphone program. Little did Alice know that her beloved smartphone held a secret just waiting to be discovered. Strange, she thought, why would that symbol be on this random gate?

Alice decided to take a picture to show her dad, he would know what it was he had lived in the area all his life and used to play in the park as a boy. Suddenly, as she took the picture her phone went mad, it started to glow an ethereal light. The same symbol flashed frantically on the screen, it was welcoming Alice to press the screen. She was mesmerised, feeling compelled to act and she touched the screen. The phone flew out of her hand, She Screamed, as it transformed into a magical portal.

Alice looked around, everyone was frozen, Time had stopped. ‘ENTER HERE’ appeared in the Portal, Surprised, but strangely, without hesitation, she walked towards the portal and boldly into the amazing energy. A massive surge rushed around her she transformed first double in size, then small like an ant. In a flash, as quick as it started it was over, she had crossed through.

Alice stood silent, her eyes clenched tightly shut, it crossed her mind that she had been vaporised by the portal. Was she dead, is this heaven, was she going to find out? What's the worst that could happen now she thought, opening her eyes.

WORLDS APART

Alice was very much alive, she was standing on a path by a pretty cobbled road. Behind her beyond a waist-height brick wall was a beautiful park with lush green grass and beautiful red roses everywhere. Families were playing Croquet, and the birds sang out happily.

On the wall, back to normal, was her phone. Where was the Portal? She grabbed it, switching it on, to call home. As it booted up, She noticed the symbol appeared, like normal, the phone was operating as normal apart from no signal. She would try and find a signal.

What had happened to me, thought Alice, Where am I? She started to look for the symbol on the wall, tracking along the path, but she couldn’t find anything. Alice realised that she must have been transported to a different place some futuristic-looking city that resembled her Goldenshade. She decided to find her house in this city. Maybe this world's Alice could help her get home, as Alice rushed down the road distracted by her phone she bumped into a woman, they both fell to the floor, as they got up apologising they laughed and hugged checking each was ok. The woman introduced herself as Ella had noticed Alice was distressed. Ella was kind she wanted to help. They started to walk and talk before they realised they were deep in conversation. Ella confirmed that Alice was in a different version of her Goldenshade.

Ella, short for Cinderella, was a successful Business woman. She owned AMORSOLE which made footwear made of glass imprinted with an AI dating app that 'Make Hearts and Soles Connect' described Ella. Alice noticed people all around were wearing these glass shoes they were tapping their feet as they walked pasted other shoe wearers. Strange glows inside the glass responded to a toe tap action. Ella explained she had found a magical way to use Glass and imprint AI technology into the shoes, her late stepmother, Cruella developed a prototype, in secret, to locate wealthy husbands for her 2 ugly daughters. Thankfully Cruella was found guilty of Tax fraud and disappeared with the girls, never to be seen again.

Ella worked day and night on the AI dating platform. It was a massive hit she's now working on more features in her new upgrade. Currently, the user can tap the shoe. Right to accept or Left to reject another user's request for a date. Alice laughed, looking around a lot of the women were tapping their left foot and the guys tapped their right foot. It reminded Alice of her world's app called Tinlder.

Unfortunately, without realising time had flown by, Ella had to go on her way. They were outside Ella's Flagship store. Giving Alice a quick tour Ella handed Alice a luxury leather box. Inside was an exclusive new prototype pair of glass shoes. Alice was so grateful, hugging Ella and thanking her for such kindness. Alice left to find a place and try on the shoes.

DETECTIVE HOOD

Alice found a fountain to sit at quickly getting her phone out to start an unboxing video for youtube. No one at home was going to believe her if these things worked. She needed proof and this one was sure to go viral. The shoes sparkled on her feet, such beauty. But disaster, they didn't fit. Upset she felt like bursting into tears. She now felt quite lost and alone. With that, the shoes started to glow a pinkish-red colour, inside she could feel tingling. She had no idea what was happening. A person sat down next to her, their face not visible under the hood of a bright red hoody. “Hey, you gonna activate those slippers, I've tried connecting twice.”

Startled Alice looked under the hood a woman lifted her head and said "Hey, need some help with ya new slippers?" "Here let me show you” She grabbed the toes of the shoes together and told Alice to gently tap the heels together 5 times and on the 5th tap Alice should think of the word ‘INITIATE’. So Alice proceeded to tap the shoes, after each tap the shoes changed colour and vibrated, on the 5th and final tap the shoes jumped into life and Instantly changed shape to mould to Alice's feet, They were the most comfortable shoes Alice had ever worn.

In Alice's head, she heard a voice. “Welcome Miss White, Pleased to meet you. I am the built-in AI for your luxury slippers, what would you like to call me?” Alice had no idea the shoes were able to connect with her in this way, how amazing, She said to the woman. “I think the shoes are talking to me?" The woman was shocked to hear this, this was not normally what happened. Now she wanted to know where Alice got these shoes. When she saw the boxes crest the woman realised and went on to explain how lucky Alice must be, she revealed Alice was now a member of a secret owners club she now had her very own personal AI shoes integrated with her DNA via Nanobots that read her brain waves. She told Alice to be very careful what she thought about and wanted as the AI would be working hard to complete all tasks quickly to satisfy the user.

Alice was a bit freaked out now. "Who Are You?" She asked, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Detective Riding Hood of the Red Hood Detective Agency Ma’am”. Suddenly the detective's red hoody lit up red. Hood quietly explain about the tech inside the shoes and that the red Hoody were similar AI inside, she knew Ella, they had worked on the hoody design together. Detective Hood had fused her hoody with technology her late Grandmother created called "Reality Weave." Mixing nanobot tech with Ella’s AI to create a unique work tool. She used the Tech to do all kinds of cool tricks in the execution of her duties. “It provides invisibility and can manipulate elements of the environment based on my thoughts” she described. Hood could create illusions that appeared real.

“Watch over there” and she pointed across the street. With that, she put the red hood up over her head and projected a very realistic, vivid image of a wolf wearing a dog collar and lead, tied up outside a shop waiting for its owner to come out. This Hoody had made Detective Hood a master of her craft.

Impressed Alice told the detective everything that had happened to her hoping the detective could help her. They decided to link the shoes and Hoody to see if the powerful AIs could help Alice. This proved hopeless the AI had nothing after 1 hour. The fact was, Alice was an unknown entity to them, there was no data on her or the Portal to analyse. Hood decided to separate the AIs link, but the core dating programming somehow kicked in joining the AI as one inside Alice's shoes. Alice now had a backed-up copy of Hoods AI mixed with Ellas' Core version. The shoes were going crazy upgrading and improving each other's AI code.

The detective was so angry she tried to arrest Alice and take her to the sheriff. Evil Rumpelstiltskin, As soon as the AI detected this threat it re-linked with the Hoody and took control of it. The unsuspecting detective was being spun around like a rag doll and after a few minutes, she was on the floor, sitting up against the fountain, her arms zipped inside the top and the sleeves wrapped around her like a straight jacket. The detective was now snoring.

Shoe AI said, “You are now safe ma’am, but i strongly suggest we leave this area NOW! and activate my disguise mode" Alice shouted “Hell Yeah, disguise mode on” and with that, from her feet up, Alice's clothes were transformed by a hologram force field into a different colour, shape and style, it was like she had walked through a department store changing rooms whilst at a drive-thru. Alice decided to call her new AI companion ‘Swift’.

Meet Swift

Alice had run far enough and turning a corner she was thrust into a bustling tech convention in a huge market square. She couldn't believe her eyes, all this innovative new tech around. Folks back home would be going wild right now. This reminded Alice of her old Smartphone and how she needed an upgrade so she started looking.

JACK STALKBEANS FANCY ARRIVAL

Alice was standing at pod 21 the rep was chatting away but Alice was distracted by a magnificent-looking Flute. Sensing an opportunity to speak about his favourite product the Rep went into full Sales mode. “This sleek, futuristic flute was created by a music legend in Goldenshade. Mr Peiter Piper”. Alice learned that until his invention, most wind instruments here were used as pest control devices. Mr Piper had Tweaked the humble flute and transformed it into an intercity language translator Powered with AI. Alice could see a pattern emerging in this parallel world. AI was not just a new introduction it was Everywhere. When played, the flute captured spoken words, in any language and used the AI tech to transform the words into a harmonious symphony, The new music would be played out as communication between individuals Mr Piper had used it to bridge peace talks between rival cities.

Suddenly the main stage exploded into a show of flames, fireworks and lasers. A special guest had arrived. Alice looked over to see the blue flames of a jetpack, a man descended from the sky and landed smartly on the stage. The crowd went wild and rushed forward sweeping Alice up with them. The MC boomed down the mike “AND NOW I PRESENT TO YOU… Mr Jack Stalkbean” Alice had never heard such a roar of excitement.

Mr Stalkbean started to present his new product ‘Regen Beans' described as Nature's Stemcell Elixir. Jelly bean gummies infused with advanced stem cell technology and natural ingredients, that grew wild on his mother's old farm. Next to Alice, a man whispered. “Some say they're made from eggs”. “Eggs!” Alice replied. Glancing at Alice sideways He said, “Yes his golden eggs, you know, from the goose he found on his mother's farm". "They say he sells the gold to fund his tech products and uses the contents to create these health products, he is minted.”

Alice had no idea what the man was on about. He stared at Alice like she was mad not knowing this information. Swift interrupted and suggested they move on quickly. Alice needed to get moving and get home. Swift asked, “Didn’t this all start with your handheld device ma’am?” She suddenly remembered he was right, her smartphone, the symbol on the wall. That's it, that’s the plan. Activate the Smartphone and get Swift to analyse the symbol. I must reactivate that portal.

WICKEDNESS IN PARADISE

On the other side of the city The sheriff and his evil deputy Incey Wincey, aka ‘The Spider’, were jealous of the happiness and success all around them they planned to destroy Goldenshade and its Queen, They terrorised the people Stiltskin used his skills and position, manipulating people who went to him for help. He wrote them unwinnable challenges into Contracts which bonded the victims. They always lost, only to suffer the consequences of his small print. These contracts had become so successful the sheriff had become Rich and powerful. However, there was one thing he wanted most of all.

Many years ago, The Spider found a magical talisman that revealed a travel portal. He used it wanting more power over the sheriff. But the portal rejected evil. Instead, it began travelling around drawing good people in via some strange symbol. The sheriff and Spider now gather up all these people, if they find them and put them to work in the diamond mines in neighbouring evil cities. Alice better watch out.

As Swift was finishing a scan of the old Phone a huge burst of energy surged through Alice from the shoes, up her body, down her arm and onto the phone's screen. Swift appeared on the screen he was now in the phone. “Hello Ma’am” he smiled. He confirmed That the phone was the Portal and controlled by the symbol of an ancient talisman. He warned her about the sheriff. Alice was shocked to hear that her simple phone was this magical portal. How was any of this even possible? Her Dad had given her this phone last year in her city. The phone couldn't possibly have anything to do with this world. Had her Dad been here? Did he know about the portal? Whatever the reason, it was clear now that Alice was in great danger from the sheriff.

Swift’s scan results showed only one possible sighting of the symbol ever recorded, it was located on an old village house in the ancient forest region which had been destroyed by a half-man, half Wolf creature who had blown it up and eaten the occupants like a pig. "Take me there now”. Alice Barked at Swift and the duo rushed to catch the bullet train.

ALONG CAME A SPIDER

As the high-speed train arrived at Forest Gate station Alice saw a beautiful lush forest, full of wild animals emerge in the distance. Exiting the station Alice seemed to be the only person turning left and heading down towards the forest path. Everyone else was too engrossed in each other's shoes. A sign pointed Right and read

'Grab a pale, Grab your partner and head on up the hill to fetch your lover's water”.

Alice entered the Forest through a magnificent arched iron gateway. The Sound in the forest was amazing birds and animals singing and chatting all around. As Alice started to lose her focus on the wonders around she was unaware that the forest had fallen silent. She followed a white rabbit into a small clearing and was instantly grabbed from behind. She Screamed at him “Get off me you Pig” His deep voice replied, “A Pig, No, Everyone calls me The Spider." Her worst fear was upon her. What would become of her now? Alice felt a shape scratch on her upper arm, The Spider had Bit her and feeling strange she passed out.

HOSTAGE

The Air was thick with the taste of sweet tobacco, dazed and feeling sick Alice slowly came around from her sleep. The room was dark and cold. Her hands and ankles were tied up. Looking around she saw the animal that grabbed her standing by the fireplace smoking a pipe, just staring into the flames of a fire. She could also just make out a person sitting in a rocking chair, in the shadows.

“Well, What have we here then Spider?" That voice made her want to vomit, the classic chalkboard scratching noise. “This me lordy is that girly you wanted, I finds her where the old pig farmer had them three houses, The places you tells me to go and Wait."

“SHUT IT FOOL” scratched the voice.

Alice notice the man was up and on his way over towards her. The fire's Light travelled slowly up his legs as he got closer. "Swift Can you hear me", Alice couldn't reach her protector. A sharp sudden cold ran up Alice's legs from her feet. The cold bare stone floor revealed that Alice didn't have her shoes on. Swift was gone. Alice Screamed and squeezed her eyes shut tightly. She was frozen in her seat. After four more steps, the room went silent.

“Look at me my dear, it's ok I'm a lawman. I am the honourable sheriff, Rumpelstiltskin.” Alice opened her eyes. What horrors awaited her?

Where is he? She could only see Spider giggling to himself. They locked eyes. He nodded his big square head at Alice. Confused she noticed him nod again but this time more downwards towards her feet. As she looked down, she shrieked with surprise and then burst out with uncontrollable laughter. “STOP IT” Ordered the sheriff. He was a funny-looking man, Alice couldn't stop laughing she thought he looked like a small child with a middle-aged man's head. “I'm warning you girl” and with that, he rushed back into the shadows.

“How do you open the Portal, Tell me or ill have The Spider dispose of you.” Alice wasn't scared anymore the sheriff had revealed he was nothing without The Spider. Alice decided to tell Rumpelstiltskin what had happened to her and how much she, didn't know, about what was going on. He had her shoes and phone, she hoped her honesty would make him realise he didn't really need her and might just let her go. Alice stopped she Could hear a beeping noise, Stiltskin leapt out of the chair, his tiny legs shuffling along a side room door. When the door opened Alice saw a control room, there were Seven little dwarf men sitting at computers. One of them approached Stiltskin handing him Alice's Smartphone, he looked very pleased while explaining something to the sheriff. The room door closed. Alice was alone with The Spider and his Rank smelly pipe. This was the real Threat.

A short time went by when someone knocked at the front door. The Spider moved out of Alice's sight. The sun's light beamed into the room and a beautiful whoosh of fresh clean air filled her lungs as he opened the door. There was a sudden rumble under her feet then a big thud sound. “Hello," she cried out. What had The Spider done, Alice needed help badly.

FEAR OF THE SPIDER

The smokey air was clearing. All around her light was beaming into the room casting out the shadows. Someone was opening windows. It must be The Spider. Alice Pleaded “Mr Spider come on please tell me what's happening you're scaring me”.

“Spider? Excuse me I don't think so". It was Detective Hood, appearing in front of Alice and cutting her free. “Quick Detective the sheriff he's in there with some other strange little guys, we should leave Now!” Hood started laughing “Little guys” She mocked. With that, the side room door shot open, and Rumpelstiltskin came out, hurtling towards Alice. There was loud Cracking noise followed by angry buzzing. Stiltskin went Stiff and face-planted the floor like a plank of wood. Looking at the computer room doorway Alice saw Ella, she was tasering the sheriff and laughing so much she couldn't catch her breath, Hood was cracking up too, tears streaming down her face, she cried out “Did you hear him scream. Ella hit him again please”

“WHAT'S GOING ON” screamed Alice.

Ella stopped zapping Stiltskin, she said, "Sorry Hun I got all caught up in the moment zapping old little legs". In Sudden Panic, Alice spun round to see where the spider was, by the front door he had been covered in a sticky mushy, gloopy liquid that smelt like curds and whey. Hood had immobilised him, Ella had zapped the computer room and Stiltskin when he tried to make a run for it. The rescuers started to explain what had happened.

- THE RESCUE PLAN

Hood went to confront Ella regarding the AI in Alice's shoes, When Ella connected the hoody to her mainframe they found Swift's programming hidden. They extracted his distress signal and Ella installed him on a new handheld device to reactivate him. Linking up to Ella’s satellites Swift's Upload revealed Alices Kidnap and last location. Swift infiltrated the computer room and fried the system and distracted the Dwarfs. He also sent clearance codes to Hood, at the front door and Ella around the back. While the Heroes made the rescue Swift uploaded the sheriff's whole data network to the Queen's Guard. The sheriff had incriminated himself in a web of nasty crimes against the people, he would be going down for a long time once they stopped zapping him.

Alice was so happy to be with her new friends again.

ROYAL BLESSING

The three heroes attended a celebration at Her Royal Highness The Queen of Diamonds, grand palace. The whole city was there. The Queen was explaining how Stiltskin managed to also trick her under his control via one of his nasty contracts, she was powerless to act against him unless she cracked the clause and revealed his true identity. Now arrested all his contracts were all void. The bonds that tied the people to his will were all gone.

No one could ever reveal his true identity until now. Swift had uploaded everything on Stiltskin which revealed his true identity. He is called Professor Ben Wolf aka 'Ben The Big Bad Wolf'. When News of this broke, people everywhere shouted his name and crushed his contract network. Stiltskin created the story of a big bad wolf in the forest that had destroyed a village and eaten the occupants of three houses after he got in a huff and knocked them down. People stayed out of the forest. This enabled him to create 'The Pale of Water' Theme Park on the Jack and Jill hill just outside the train station which also drew people away. He had a nasty network of hidden buildings monitoring the city's population, including a house made of gingerbread, because it's soundproof, where he would torture people into signing these contracts. He called his network 'Tweetler' and used it to find weaknesses to manipulating with his contracts. He needed the portal to expand into the neighbouring cities.

Swift interrupted, speaking from the device in Ellas' hand he said "I know The Portal's location". Shocked and excited Alice pleaded to the Queen for help getting to the portal. “Alice dear, you do not need to beg me, we all owe you so much for freeing us, you will have everything you need from me to return home”. Alice shrieked with excitement. “IM GOING HOME” she shouted towards the crowds. The people all cheered and clapped for her.

HOME TIME

Ella handed Alice a small device thin as glass. “Unfold it” she instructed Alice. Afraid even to handle the device she asked “What is it?” as she flipped it open. It started to beep, it was like see-through glass, the top popped into place and suddenly the portal symbol appeared on the screen. Swift's voice read out in a robotic tune “PORTAL”.

“It's my version of your world’s communication device, Swift mentioned you call it a Smartphone". Ella went on to explain that as The Spider had connected Alice's Phone to the Tweetler network, Swift was able to escape and imprint back into Hood’s red Hoody While she was backing up some work. He then shot over an AI-inspired new design for this smartphone to Jack Stalkbean’s Ultra fast 3D printer farm and got out this first edition, he used the top Fairy package from the Godmother postal service and flashed it over to me this morning. "It's your New phone, Alice, unfortunately, your old one got fried by the Dwarf's computers in the cottage". Explained Ella Swift recovered everything onto this new one. The phone started going crazy, beeping and vibrating. The portal symbol was flashing on the screen again “LOOK ELLA, IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN, STAND BACK” Alice was ready to go home she waited and waited, The glass phone became very hot sparks flew out of the screen. Then BANG the phone flew from Alice's hand and shattered on the floor.

“No”

cried Alice that was my last chance, Alice fell into the Queen's arms sobbing. “Come now Alice no tears, everything is under control my dear, the Queen said quietly. “Look” and she pointed out into the crowd. They had started creating a pathway. Royal guards in holographic, glowing armour slow marched along with the Magic Mirror, it had been confiscated during her rescue. Coming to a sharp Halt in front of the Queen the head guard approached and saluted. He Barked “Your Royal Highness, I present to you, The Magic Mirror of Goldenshade” Everyone clapped and cheered wildly the rest of the bearer party brought forth the elegant mirror.

“Alice this magic mirror is the Portal's source of power, before it was cloned and upgraded from this analogue version it was a Royal Travel Portal. My family used it to travel from city to city. Each Royal Family from Each City had a mirror. My mirror had been lost to my family for generations. Once i knew it was captured i then always knew you were going home.”

With a snap of her fingers the Queen Acitvaed the Magic mirror.

Energy surged all around the grand palace, the mirror built up its hidden secret after hundreds of years, it was a spectacular display of colours and power. “Ok Alice time to go, the Mirror is ready” called the Queen. Alice could see the park gates and the entrance to the Canal in the mirror, she rushed to Ella and Hood hugging them tightly, thanking them. She would never forget any of them. As she turned to the Queen a bright Blue bolt of energy shot out of the Mirror and attached to Alice's leg, it started to pull her towards the mirror. Alice Scream in surprise. She looked at the Queen and called out… “YOUR MAJESTY” The Queen held up her fingers and...

SNAP!

Everything went dark

Everything was silent.

After a short while, Alice opened her eyes and the sunlight rushed in blurring her vision, as she tried focusing, she looked down at her legs. A small cute puppy was playing he tugged on the leg of her trousers. She was on the floor leaning against a large oak tree, back in her park. As she rose to her feet, scooping up the puppy, she wondered who he belonged to. With that two little girls, in pretty summer dresses, raced towards her giggling they called out "Rumple", "Rumple". Alice felt quite dizzy and disoriented. One politely asked, “Hey Miss, could we have our puppy back please”. Alice mumbled, “Sorry, Whats Rumple, That word you were shouting?”

The other little girl laughed excitedly “Not Rumple silly, It's RUMBLE! Our puppy he's called Rumble, Mum said he ran over here to the tree." She had this big infectious smile and beautiful eyes. She reminded Alice of someone but she couldn't quite get her brain in gear to remember. Handing the feisty puppy to the girls, Alice asked her their names. But the girl's mother was calling after them, she was a short distance away playing Croquet. Waving and Calling something out Alice noticed she was wearing a Red hooded top, confused Alice waved back.

As the girls ran away giggling one of them turned round and called out to Alice…

“MISS” "My Name...

*

*

... It's ELLA, Nice to meet you."

** Disclaimer** This Story features AI-generated images which are meant to highlight the power of today's Tech advancement the same as the character's lives.