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As the sun was just about to fall below the horizon, Lead, Thalia, Selena, and Gallus had all arrived at at the library. The towering building, usually a beacon of knowledge and tranquility, now stood as a daunting challenge before them. The books in the maze of shelves echoed with the whispers of countless tales, each book a silent observer to their unfolding drama.
Lead, with his characteristic determination, led the group through the maze of bookshelves, his eyes scanning for any signs of the hidden trapdoor. Thalia, her instincts honed by her arsenic powers, assisted him, her senses alert to the faintest anomaly.
Meanwhile, Selena and Gallus, still flushed from their shared moment at the observatory, were behind them, trying to search for a clue. As they were searching the furthest corners of the library, Thalia’s sensors suddenly went off, indicating that a spot underneath the reference section was booby-trapped. She stepped away gently as the door opened, about to engulf her.
“There’s the door,” Thalia said, pointing to the opened door a few inches away from her feet.
Lead stared at the door as if it had something on its face for a while, analyzing the situation for the next step ahead. “Selena,” he called, startling the girl out of her own analyses.
“Yeah?” she asked.
“Try using something around to make a metal ladder.”
Selena’s eyes darted around for an object made of metal, before locating a metallic ladder used to reach the highest of the forgotten encyclopedias seated on the shelf. “Well, that’s convenient,” she said, with a small chuckle. “I don’t have to do it myself using my platinum then.”
With a nod of approval, Lead watched as Selena moved towards the ladder. “Good find,” he said, his eyes never leaving the door. As she and Gallus began to drag the ladder towards their obstacle, the room filled with the grating sound of metal against stone.
“Let’s hope this works,” Selena muttered, slowly lowering the ladder through the door. She took a deep breath, then began her descent, each step echoing with her progress. Lead kept a watchful eye on the door, ready for any sign of danger.
As Selena reached the top, she paused, glancing back at Lead with a determined look. “Here goes nothing,” she said, before turning her attention back to the task at hand. The next few moments were filled with uncertainty as they all waited to see if their plan would succeed.
When Selena finally descended, she looked around for any sign of the trapped pair. She walked about for a while in the underground chamber, searching for her friends.
“Aurelia, Nick!” she called out, hoping to hear some sign of comfort in the fact that they were all right. She felt her powers weaken slightly, the X-ray vision she once had slipping her grasp as she tried to use it.
“Wait, is that Selena?” came a faint masculine voice.
“Yeah, it is. Sounds like it’s coming from this way,” a feminine voice echoed in response. “We’re over here!” she called out, as she began to walk toward her friend.
As Selena walked forward, she was met by her friends, who had a look of panic and relief in their eyes. “Come on, let’s go up.” she said, and led the way to the ladder they had set up. The three friends climbed the ladder and made their way up to be greeted by the worried looks on the faces of Gallus, Lead and Thalia.
The sight of their friends safe and sound brought a wave of relief over Gallus, Lead, and Thalia. “You had us worried,” Gallus said, his voice gruff with concern.
Lead stepped forward, clapping a hand on Selena’s shoulder. “Good job,” he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. Thalia, on the other hand, rushed forward to envelop Aurelia and Nick in a tight hug.
As they all caught their breaths, the room filled with a sense of relief. They had faced a challenge, but they had overcome it together. And though they knew more challenges lay ahead, for now, they could take comfort in their victory. “Let’s get out of here,” Lead finally said, leading the way out of the underground chamber. “Thalia and I have one heck of a discovery to share.”
“Oh, so do I,” Gallus chimed in.
“Sure, keep telling yourselves that. But Nicky and I discovered a whole underground chamber.” Aurelia said, a challenging tone in her voice as she floated up, making her height seem an inch taller than everyone else.
“Technically, we got trapped in it… accidentally,” Nickolas deadpanned, an unamused expression on his face.
“Bro, you’re ruining the moment…” Aurelia murmured back, rolling her eyes.
Lead giggled at the sight of the two arguing. It was fun to watch two opposite personalities argue. “Guys, as hilarious as that is, let’s get moving.”
As they left the library, the group made their way towards the cafeteria. The campus was quiet, the only sound being the crunch of gravel under their feet. The moon was high in the sky, casting long shadows that danced around them.
Upon reaching the cafeteria, where the rest of the college was having dinner, they found a secluded corner where they could discuss their findings without being overheard. They pulled up chairs and sat down, each one eager to share their discoveries.
Lead started, “Thalia and I found the classroom where the Alithea explosion happened, and a journal of hers we were too terrified to read. We might have to go there so we can figure out how to read it. It may be dangerous.”
Gallus chimed in, “I saw the storm through the telescope. It seems radioactive, but I have some theories which could be useful.”
Aurelia, still floating an inch above the ground, said, “Well, we discovered that chamber. It was fairly empty, and we could barely see anything. We couldn’t explore further either, because it was really dark… and power-proof.”
“Huh, I guess that’s how dependent we all are on our powers…” Gallus shrugged.
“Indeed,” Thalia agreed, deep in thought. “Our powers have become such an integral part of us that we often forget how much we rely on them.”
Selena, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke up. “Well, it’s not just about the powers, is it? It’s about how we use them, how we combine them to work together. That’s what got us out of that chamber.”
Aurelia nodded, her floating figure bobbing slightly in agreement. “She’s right. Our powers are just tools. It’s our teamwork that make us strong.” The power dynamics seemed to tilt ever so slightly in her favor as she said that, but Lead sensed it quicker than
Lead, who had been listening quietly, smiled at his friends, hiding the fact that he was mostly trying to shift the delicate balance back in his favor. “Well said, everyone. Now, let’s focus on what we’ve discovered and try to put the pieces together. We have a long night ahead of us.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes, but agreed anyway. As much as neither of them would ever dare say it out loud, they needed each other if they wanted to solve the mission. If it weren’t for Aurelia’s vast knowledge of the school, and Lead freezing time for a while, they would have been in worse trouble.
As the group delved deeper into their discussion, the cafeteria around them faded into the background. Their focus was solely on the information they had gathered and the task that lay ahead.
Lead started, “Let’s go over what Thalia and I know. The Alithea explosion happened in the classroom we found. There’s a journal there that we need to read, but it could be dangerous. Maybe it’s radioactive, just like her. Radon is really radioactive, you know? 3.8-day half life.”
“It’s not like the 22-minute half-life of francium is anything better,” Gallus shrugged.
“True, but radon is a gas, meaning it’s harder to control.” Selena explained. “I don’t know, our world is weird like that. Stupid nuke messing up our lives... otherwise we'd probably have much simpler threats to deal with, like a cold-like global pandemic, or Russia battling one of its neighbors, you know?” she started rambling. "Things not directly involving college students who should be focusing on life!!"
"You are talking nonsense, Selena... too much coffee?" Gallus shook his head, cutting her off.
“Yep I agree with Gallus on that one. Anything else you guys got?” Aurelia asked in a challenging way, still hovering over Lead’s eye level.
Thalia rummaged through her bag and scattered its contents, which included her cherished lip gloss, phone, and a notably recognizable small journal. Lead gasped, his eyes widening to be bigger than basketballs. “Thalia, you brought this book here?” he asked, his voice escalating. “You’re aware it could be dangerous, right?!”
“Yeah, but I think it’s time we read it…” she replied.
“I agree with her,” Aurelia remarked, seizing an opportunity. “Gallus, since you’re already radioactive, could you do the honors?” she asked.
Gallus was hesitant at first, but picked up the book anyway and began reading the first page out loud.
“Dear Diary,
Today was my first day at the Elemental University, and let me tell you, it was no ordinary day! I mean, how could it be when you can literally control elements like lithium, radon, and lead? My name is Alithea Radon, and I’m not your typical college freshman out of one of those powerless life TV shows. I can charge up a party like lithium in a battery, sneak around undetected like radon (not that I would, of course), and be as resilient as lead—though hopefully not as toxic!
Walking into Chemistry 101, I was buzzing with excitement, or maybe that was just the lithium talking. Professor Aurelius started the class by making hydrogen balloons explode (talk about an icebreaker!), and I couldn’t help but show off a little by turning my pencil into lead—literally. I guess you could say I made quite the impression, or at least a heavy one.
But the real highlight of the day? Meeting my lab partner, who can manipulate oxygen, and potentially turn off the oxygen. He also wields iron, meaning he’s really resilient, but kinda rusty when it comes to talking with people, get it? He’s pretty cool, though. Together, we’re practically a walking, talking periodic table. I can already tell that college is going to be an elemental blast!
Here’s to the start of an explosive journey,
Alithea”
Gallus chuckled as he signed off as Alithea, in a high-pitched voice. “Wow, I did not know my voice could go so high,” he said, his voice still squeaky. “Wait, why is my voice like this?”
Gallus’ eyes widened as he felt his feet leave the ground. He looked down to see himself floating a few inches above the floor. His voice was still high-pitched, and he realized what was happening. “Aurelia!” he exclaimed, trying to sound stern but only succeeding in sounding like a squeaky toy.
Aurelia, who had been floating in the corner of the room, burst into laughter. She was controlling the helium around Gallus, causing his voice to go high and making him levitate. “Oh, you should see your face, Gallus!” she said between fits of laughter.
Nickolas, their other friend, joined in the laughter. He was leaning against the wall, trying to contain his amusement but failing miserably. “You got him good, Goldie!” he managed to say through his laughter.
Gallus, despite his surprise, couldn’t help but join in the laughter. He knew he would get Aurelia back for this, but for now, he decided to enjoy the levity of the moment. After all, it’s not every day you get to float around the room with a helium voice. “Alright, alright, you got me,” he admitted, still floating. “Now, can someone please get me down?”
Aurelia’s smile broadened as she carefully lowered him back to the earth. “Ah, sweet silicon-abundant earth,” he uttered, his voice deepening to its familiar timbre. “How I missed you…”
“Anyway, go on, continue reading. You’re the only one who can hold it without potentially getting radiation poisoning since you’re already radioactive,” Lead said, an encouraging smile on his face as he tried desperately to shift the power to his side after Aurelia managed to make everyone laugh.
Gallus cleared his throat, adjusting to the normal pitch of his voice again. He opened the journal and continued reading.
“Dear Diary,
Day two at the Elemental University, and things are already heating up—literally! My chemistry professor decided to demonstrate the exothermic reaction of sodium with water. Let’s just say, the front row got a little more than they bargained for!
But the real excitement came after class. My lab partner and I were assigned to study the properties of our respective elements. I never realized how fascinating radon could be! It’s not just about its radioactivity or its gaseous state. There’s so much more to it, like its potential use in cancer treatment.
Speaking of treatment, I had a bit of a scare today. I was practicing my element manipulation when I accidentally released a bit too much radon. I didn’t realize it until I started feeling dizzy. Thankfully, my lab partner was there. He quickly used his oxygen manipulation to clear the air. I really owe him one! I could have died back there!!
I’m learning that controlling elements is not just about power, it’s about responsibility too. We have to be careful with our abilities, not just for our sake, but for those around us as well.
Here’s to more elemental adventures, Alithea”
Gallus closed the journal, looking up at his friends. “That was a good entry,” he said, a serious expression on his face. “We should take Alithea’s words to heart. Our powers are not just tools, they’re a responsibility.”
Lead nodded in agreement, his gaze thoughtful. “You’re right, Gallus. We need to remember that as we continue our investigation. Anyway, go on. Alithea’s interesting, man.”
“I ship her with that oxygen dude so hard,” Aurelia commented.
"Meanwhile Nick..." Selena whispered, only to receive a dual 'Shut up!!' in reply.
Gallus chuckled, before continuing with the third entry, set a week later.
“Dear Diary,
Sorry I haven’t kept you posted. A lot of work… you know how college life is. Well, you’re an inanimate object so probably not, but… it’s hectic, okay?
Nothing major today… [long dramatic pause goes here] except that Ferris Oxide (my lab partner) asked me to the pre-party! I can’t believe it. Hell, the pre-party has not even been announced yet. Don’t tell either of them I said so, but… I think Caeden, my cadmium-wielding friend was right. I think I do like Ferris…
Anyway, that’s pretty much it. But I have to be careful… he saved me once, I don’t know if he’ll do it again. Welp, wish me luck! - A”
Nickolas rolled his eyes. “Just flip to the last entry, man… just before her death, if she was consistent.”
Gallus flipped through the pages until he reached the last entry, dated 17th October, 1999. His voice took on a somber tone as he began to read.
“Dear Diary,
Today’s the day. The big presentation. I’m so nervous, I can barely write. I’ve never been good at public speaking, and the thought of standing up there in front of everyone… it’s terrifying.
But Ferris will be there. He promised he’d stand by my side, and I believe him. He’s always been there for me, ever since that first lab assignment, in 1997. I don’t know what I would do without him.
I just hope I don’t mess this up. Wish me luck, Diary. I’ll need it. - A”
There was silence in the room as Gallus closed the journal, the weight of Alithea’s last words hanging in the air. They all knew what happened next, but reading her words, so full of hope and fear, made it all the more real. It was a stark reminder of the responsibility they held, not just to Alithea, but to everyone affected by their powers.
“Hey, Alithea’s diary. It’s Ferris, her lab partner turned friend turned soon-to-be-boyfriend… Or, I was, until… the explosion happened. Let me explain. See, she had to demonstrate an unconventional use for her powers. She decided to use it to try and cure Dr. A’s slight arthritis. I don’t know how he has arthritis in his early thirties, but he does.
Radon is used in real life to cure arthritis, so it made sense. But releasing her power made him lose his nitrogen power. Not that he ever used it, but it’s still sad. I was standing with her. I lost my hydrogen power. But if I still had it… and her, we could have had a rather fiery friendship.
She’s gone now… and by gone I mean dead. I should have said it to her sooner, and by reading this, I see that it says she does like me… wow. We could have really had something, but… she’s gone.
Anyway, the lab officials are coming as I write, to seal the area off. I’ll leave the diary be. If anyone ever reads it, just know that I always meant the best for Alithea. We were good friends, and could have been more. Welp, life just sucks that way.
Signed, Ferris.
P.S. Miss you, Alithea… and my hydrogen power.”
As the group sat in silence, the weight of Ferris’s words hung heavy in the air. The diary, a testament to a life cut short and a friendship that could have been more, was a stark reminder of the responsibility they all held. It was a moment of reflection, a moment to remember Alithea and the impact she had on their lives.
“Alright,” Lead finally broke the silence, his voice steady despite the somber mood. “We need to figure out what happened to Alithea and how we can prevent it from happening again. We owe it to her.”
Gallus nodded, his gaze focused on the diary. “We should start by investigating the classroom where the explosion happened. There might be some residual radiation or other clues that could help us understand what went wrong.”
Aurelia, slowly descending to the ground, chimed in. “And we should also explore the underground chamber further. It was dark and we couldn’t see much, but there might be something there that we missed.”
Selena agreed, her eyes determined. “We’ll need to be careful, though. If it’s power-proof, we won’t be able to rely on our abilities. We’ll need to rely on our wits and each other.”
Nickolas, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke up. “And we should also look into Dr. A’s arthritis. If Alithea was trying to cure it with her radon powers, there might be something there that could help us understand what happened.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes. “My dad’s joints is improving, for your kind information! Besides, how is the fact that he has arthritis even relevant here?
Lead, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, finally spoke up. “Aurelia, it might be relevant because Alithea was trying to use her radon powers to cure arthritis. If we understand how she was trying to do that, we might get a better understanding of what went wrong during the demonstration.”
Aurelia, her eyes flashing with defiance, retorted, “And who made you the leader, Lead? We all have equal say in this. Besides, if you want to know that, I know the orthopedics professor from the School of Medicine.”
Ignoring the tension, Lead continued, “And Nickolas, you’re right. We should look into Dr. A’s arthritis. But we should also remember that our priority is to figure out what happened to Alithea and how we can prevent it from happening again.”
Aurelia, not backing down, shot back, “And who are you to decide our priorities, Lead?”
Lead, maintaining his composure, addressed the whole group, “We have a lot of leads to follow up on - the classroom, the underground chamber, and Dr. A’s arthritis. Let’s split up and investigate these separately. We can regroup later and share our findings. Aurelia, you’re with me this time. We’ll go talk to your dad. Thalia, Gallus, you two head to the lab and find out more. Selena, Nick, head to the chamber. We’ll do these tomorrow.”
Aurelia, crossing her arms, said, “Fine, but remember guys, this is a team effort, not a dictatorship. Anyway, with that note, it’s time we went to sleep. We have school tomorrow.”
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With a nod of agreement from everyone, they split up, each heading to their separate rooms. As they put a small pause on their investigation, they knew they were not just doing this for themselves, but for Alithea, and for everyone else who might be affected by their powers. They were determined to uncover the truth, no matter what it took. Despite the power struggle, they knew they had to work together for the greater good.
[Damn what a long chap.]
ns 64.252.185.109da2
