Elements Of Power - Chapter 2

Chapter 2- Search And Seizure

Part 1

July 18, 2015---Downrising Falls, Selenium’s chamber

Oxygen, a light blue element, was the tallest of his family, being a mighty 6’5 by human standards. Selenium, on the other hand, was the shortest. Being the leader of his family, he wore a large helmet and very protective armor. Right now, these elements are busy discussing the possible future.

[Oxygen]: “Have you been thinking of disbanding the alliance?”

[Selenium]: “That’s always been an idea, but we cannot move forward with it yet. We have to wait until the halogens are at a weak point.”

[Oxygen]: “Fluorine is getting impatient with our searches.”

[Selenium]: “I am aware of that. Look, Oxygen, this doesn’t concern you. Leave family matters to me.”

[Oxygen]: “I am still a part of this family. My opinions count.”

[Selenium]: “This discussion is over. Make yourself useful, and help your siblings search.”

Oxygen downheartedly gave up arguing. The gruff tone in Selenium’s voice was a testament to his resolve.

[Oxygen]: “Okay… They left towards the forest, right?

[Selenium]: “Correct. Yesterday night. They are supposed to be out for three days so you will have adequate time to meet up with them.”

[Oxygen]: “I’ll get out there right away.”

[Selenium]: “Good luck.”

Oxygen left, eager to get away from his big brother. Tellurium, the last member of Family 16, appeared from the shadows of the main chamber. He spoke with a quiet voice, almost as if he was whispering.

[Tellurium]: “Problems?”

[Selenium]: “Oxygen is acting strangely again. Hmm… He used to be a strong and capable leader; I don’t know what happened to that part of him.”

[Tellurium]: “I see.”

[Selenium]: “And what have you been doing? You should be helping them find the survivors.”

[Tellurium]: “I’m busy.”

[Selenium]: “Doing?”

[Tellurium]: “Things.”

Selenium shook his head. Tellurium had also changed. He was a mysterious element who took every measure to protect himself by wearing a full body vest, metal boots, gloves, and a helmet that covered every inch of his head. Even his eyes were invisible under his black visor.

[Selenium]: “If you won’t help them, go outside and train.”

[Tellurium]: “Sure.”

He left. Selenium was worried. Ever since he made the alliance with the halogens, his own family had been behaving differently. Tellurium had grown quieter, Polonium was more resentful, and Oxygen was always restless. Sulfur seemed to be the only element who kept her original, cheerful personality.

Selenium was tempted to break the alliance, but that would mean putting his family at the mercy of the halogens who would easily overpower them. Family 17 was, without question, the strongest family in terms of electronegativity. It would be a mistake to make them an enemy. He shook his head and turned to walk outside.

Part 2

Carbon Forest, northern area

Thorns. Thorns everywhere. That was Silver’s impression as he ventured deeper into the forest with his party of elements, Gold, Copper, Carbon, Magnesium, and Rubidium. If it weren’t for his armor, the very same armor he used to wear before being obliterated, he would have no doubt been cut many times.

[Silver]: “Carbon, why don’t you just use your nature power to move these vines and plants out of the way?”

[Carbon]: “I only use my powers in self defense. To manipulate nature for my own comfort would be wrong.”

[Silver]: “Ugh, how about our comfort then?”

[Carbon]: “No, my apologies. Nature is not so bad when you get used to it.”

[Silver]: “I’d rather be cutting down all these annoying vines with my sword. I don’t see how we are supposed to find protons under all this mess.”

[Copper]: “Remember Silver, protons glow a bright purple. The glow gives them away.”

[Silver]: “Ay… Roger that.”

They had been searching for five hours already, and nothing had been found yet. Magnesium did say that the forest had been previously searched dozens of times, but surely there must be one or two protons that were overlooked.

[Gold]: “Let’s take a break at the next clearing. Silver looks like he’s about to pass out.”

[Silver]: “You have no idea.”

[Carbon]: “How is everyone else?”

[Copper]: “I’m fine!”

[Magnesium]: “So am I!”

[Rubidium]: “I’m okay.”

It didn’t take long to find the next clearing. Silver lay down on a fallen log and proceeded to nap while the other elements conversed. Ecks, Wye, and Zee, Axiom’s three stars, blazed a bright blue overhead.

[Copper]: “Phew, this heat is like a tree, sapping up my energy.”

[Carbon]: “Silver seems to not mind.”

[Gold]: “Hah, he’s a heavy sleeper. You should see how groggy he is when he wakes up.”

[Rubidium]: “We should get back to our assignment.”

[Gold]: “Take it easy, Rubi. We’ve been searching all day.”

[Rubidium]: “That’s not my name.”

[Gold]: “Well if you want to get all technical…”

[Rubidium]: “Call me Rubidium. Understood? Yes? Okay.”

[Gold]: “You’re no fun.”

[Carbon]: “That’s enough you two.”

[Magnesium]: “Hate to say it, but he’s right. We should get back to our- what was that?”

[Copper]: “I heard it too. A rustling in the vines. Maybe one of the other search teams?”

Copper couldn’t have been more wrong. From the woods emerged Sulfur, Polonium, and Bromine.

[Sulfur]: “So I was wondering when we get back, we could- oh hello!”

[Polonium]: “Well, well.”

[Bromine]: “It’s the survivors!”

[Gold]: “Darn, we’ve been found! Someone wake up Silver. We’ve gotta bail.”

[Polonium]: “Can’t let you do that, Gold!”

[Bromine]: “Fluorine has ordered us to take you down.”

[Sulfur]: “Magnesium! Long time no see!”

[Magnesium]: “Uh, hello?”

[Gold]: “You’ll be sorry you crossed us! We outnumber you two to one.”

[Polonium]: “Your confidence will be your downfall. I might as well count as ten elements.”

[Sulfur]: “Wait! Can’t we talk this over? We’ll just bring you back to talk with Fluorine.”

[Copper]: “We know how well that works out.”

[Gold]: “No deal.”

[Bromine]: “Hm? Is that Silver I see? So he finally dragged his pathetic self back. I have a few things I’d like to straighten out with him.”

[Gold]: “You won’t be getting anywhere near our brother. I’ll make sure of it, Bromine!”

[Bromine]: “This talk is making me very mad…”

[Sulfur]: “I really don’t want to fight, but I can’t let my big sister down… Get ready to uh, face my power!”

[Carbon]: “Nature always prevails in the end and so shall be my victory.”

Rubidium finally managed to wake up Silver.

[Silver]: “What’s- what’s going on?

[Gold]: “Get your sword ready, little brother. We’re battling these three scoundrels.”

[Silver]: “Huh? Oh, right!”

He scrambled to his feet and pulled out his sword.

Tension was high as these elements stared at each other, trying to anticipate the other side’s first move.

It was Polonium who struck first. She charged at Silver and pulled out her two swords. Silver barely managed to bring up his sword in time to block her attack. Rubidium quickly rushed to his aid.

[Gold]: “Silver! I’m coming!”

He pulled out his double-sided scythe, but as he began to run, a ball of fire blazed right past him.

[Bromine]: “You have me to deal with, Gold.”

[Gold]: “Alright, if you want a fire fight, I’ll give you one!”

The two elements shot streams of fire at each other, both being evenly matched.

Meanwhile, Copper, Carbon, and Magnesium were dealing with Sulfur who possessed the power of creating acid. She sent a wave of the dangerous liquid at the unsuspecting elements. Copper and Magnesium worked together to create a wall of ice that disintegrated as it blocked the acid. Carbon made the grass beneath Sulfur’s feet rise up in an attempt to restrain her, but she saw through his ploy and jumped up in time to send a volley of acid downwards, melting any sign of plant life.

[Magnesium]: “Hold her arms in place, Carbon!”

[Carbon]: “I’m on it.”

Numerous branches from the nearby trees moved in to intercept the acidic element, but she was too quick to be contained. She spun around in a full circle spraying acid in every direction. There was not a single plant close enough for Carbon to manipulate.

[Carbon]: “You unnatural wretch!”

[Copper]: “Um, we need a new strategy now!”

As confident as Gold had been, he found himself losing to his more electronegative adversary. Bromine walked forward while shooting his fire and with each step, Gold could feel his own power waver. His body glowed a bright red aura as he began to overload the energy he had just so he could keep up.

[Bromine]: “Hahaha! What’s wrong?”

[Gold]: “Phew… this situation is getting intense! I’m burning up!”

[Bromine]: “I’m about to turn you into ashes!”

[Gold]: “No way I’m letting you do that!”

Gold quickly jumped to the right as Bromine’s stream of fire shot past him. It instantly ignited a tree and spread to the nearby flora. In no time, a forest fire had been created.

Carbon felt his strength diminish as the plants his power came from died in the fire. Copper pulled him up over her shoulder and began to run.

[Carbon]: “This fire… too strong…”

[Copper]: “Everyone, this way!”

[Gold]: “We’re bailing, Silver!”

Gold ran towards his sister, but upon meeting up with her, discovered their brother was missing.

[Copper]: “Where’s Silver!?”

[Gold]: “I thought you were bringing hi-“

Sulfur ambushed them from the shadows of the smoke and tackled Magnesium to the ground. Gold turned around to fight her, but Bromine walked in and shot more fire in their direction. It was too late to save Magnesium.

[Gold]: “Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot.”

[Copper]: “Come on, Gold! “

Short on options, he decided to follow his sister and they ran away from the burning nightmare.

[Sulfur]: “Now you come with us.”

[Magnesium]: “I don’t think so!”

She threw a small ice crystal straight at Sulfur’s left eye that temporarily blinded her. Magnesium then fled the scene before Bromine could chase after her.

Silver and Rubidium were still engaged in combat with Polonium who had proven capable of keeping her word. Her sword skills were nothing short of remarkable. She slashed at Silver, leaving a cut in his arm. Rubidium, with her more defensively-oriented sword, stepped in to take Polonium’s blows while Silver recovered.

[Polonium]: “Is this supposed to be the legendary Silver? I’m not even trying.”

Rubidium quickly checked behind her. The group had taken their battle near a cliff to avoid the incoming forest fire. That cliff would be the last thing they ever saw if they couldn’t get Polonium on the defensive.

She swung her sword upwards and then down, looking for an opening in her opponent’s attack patterns. To her shock, she found herself making an opening and saw Polonium’s sword coming down on her. Silver came to her aid and blocked the blow with his own sword. Polonium then kicked him and Rubidium back, causing them to fall over the cliff. Silver stuck his sword into the side of the cliff while Rubidium managed to grab onto his feet. If he let go, it would be a long way down. His sword loosened and broke off of the cliff with a chunk of rock. They fell.

[Silver]: “Woooooooaaaaaaah!!!”

[Rubidium]: “Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!”

Polonium peered down over the cliff’s edge. She saw nothing but trees full of thorns.

[Polonium]: “I guess I was just too strong.”

She turned to find her comrades.

Part 3

Carbon forest, southern area

[Copper]: “You left him!??”

[Gold]: “I-I told you! I thought he was with you!”

Crying, she punched her brother in the shoulder. The group had ran as far away from the northern area and were now camped in a clearing. An hour had passed since the incident.

[Carbon]: “I deeply apologize for not being of much help. My biggest weakness is fire and Bromine happens to be an element who can use fire well…”

[Copper]: “But we are in your forest, Carbon! You should be at your best here!”

[Gold]: “Calm down, Copper, it isn’t his fault.”

[Copper]: “Don’t tell me to calm down! We finally had our little brother back and now this happens… Rubidium is missing too, and they have Magnesium...”

[Gold]: “They have to be alright. He… has to be alright. We didn’t work all those months bringing together protons just to lose him now.”

[Copper]: “I don’t want to lose him again…Agggghh, I need something harder to hit… Bring your head over here...”

[Gold]: “Um, no, I kinda need that.”

[Carbon]: “The forest is too large to search by ourselves, especially if those rogue elements are looking for us. It would be better to find Mercury’s search team. They should not be far from here.”

[Gold]: “Let’s get moving again. Are you feeling ready to set out, Copper?”

She wiped the tears from her face.

[Copper]: “Y-yeah, I’m ready… Let’s find them.”

Part 4

Carbon Forest, northern area

Three hours had elapsed now. The three stars of Axiom were glowing a light purple which meant dusk was coming. Silver awoke to find himself in a dark cave, with Rubidium standing guard by the entrance.

[Silver]: “Huh? Wha-?”

[Rubidium]: “So you finally wake up. You really are a heavy sleeper.”

[Silver]: “What happened? The cliff… and the fire… everything seems so blurry…”

[Rubidium]: “We fell into the trees under the cliff. Unfortunately, they were full of thorns so the landing wasn’t so soft. I came out fine. You on the other hand… not so much.”

Silver tried to move, but felt a spasm of pain throughout his body instead.

[Rubidium]: “Hmph. Idiot. You have too many cuts and your matrix is still trying to heal them.”

[Silver]: “Matrix, Copper mentioned that yesterday in education, but I was falling asleep…”

[Rubidium]: “I would expect nothing less from you. Your matrix is like a bunch of threads that hold your body together. When you get a cut, your matrix is exposed so it automatically regenerates the skin.”

[Silver]: “I must be a complete mess right now… and my name is Silver by the way.”

[Rubidium]: “Whatever. Your brother may be a fool, but you… You are an idiot. A waste of time and protons.”

[Silver]: “Then why did you bring me back here?”

[Rubidium]: “You don’t know the amount of work that went into restoring you. The elements who… who were obliterated in order to gather all your protons. It’s for their honor that I will help you survive to fight another day. But do I care about you? No. We should have restored a more powerful element like Nitrogen or Aluminum, but noooo, Gold had to restore his loser brother who ran away.”

[Silver]: “Isn’t it unfair to blame me for all that..?”

[Rubidium]: “Maybe, which is why I blame him too.”

What was this element’s problem? She clearly hated him even though he wasn’t technically responsible for whatever upset her. Or maybe he technically was? He didn’t know. Almost two days had gone by since he had been restored and this world was a far stranger and more dangerous one than he had imagined.

[Silver]: “We need to find the others.”

[Rubidium]: “No, really?”

She made sure her sarcasm was clear.

[Rubidium]: “It’s getting too dark outside. Searching will have to wait until morning.”

[Silver]: “Do you think they’re alright?”

[Rubidium]: “Magnesium and Copper are very capable with their ice abilities and Carbon is at his strongest here in the forest. But with your brother and Bromine burning everything, there won’t be much of a forest left.”

[Silver]: “So what do we do now?”

[Rubidium]: “Wait.”

Silver analyzed the battle from earlier. What more could he have done? He hadn’t been able to concentrate enough to use his electricity not that it would have mattered since Polonium looked like she was ready for anything. Now that he thought about it, Rubidium hadn’t used her power either.

[Silver]: “Why didn’t you use your power earlier?”

[Rubidium]: “Unless my photon beam hit her in the eyes, it wouldn’t have done anything. I’m from Family 1, the Alkali metals, the weakest family there is. The only way I can win is in a sword fight.”

[Silver]: “Ah.”

[Rubidium]: “Any more idiotic questions?”

[Silver]: “I believe I’m done. You can stop with the insults. I understand you don’t like me.”

[Rubidium]: “You’ll never understand, and I’m not going to waste time explaining to you.”

[Silver]: “It may be a very long time before the others find us. I’m willing to listen if it means you will respect me more.”

[Rubidium]: “N-no! I don’t want to respect you!”

She became silent. Silver felt hurt by her comments, but decided not to pursue his questioning any further. Whatever he had to say would probably just make her more upset. He sighed and managed to sit upright. His matrix had healed half of his skin.”

[Silver]: “I’ll take over guard duty. Get some rest, please.”

[Rubidium]: “Okay.”

They switched places. Rubidium lay down on the cold surface of the cave’s interior and promptly fell asleep. Her body began to softly glow as it recharged energy. Silver took a moment to look at her. So that was how an element looked like when it slept. He wasn’t sure if all elements slept in the same manner, but the way she did it was beautiful. He also noticed that even though she said she was fine, there were visible cuts all over her arms.

Turning his attention back to the forest outside the cave, Silver pondered over what he should do next. Somewhere in the forest, his siblings were looking for him. He could leave the safety of the cave to find them. No, he might run into Polonium or the other rogue elements. Besides that, Rubidium would never forgive him if she woke up and saw that he abandoned her. The only logical option was to stay here for the night, right? He shook his head, frustrated at his lack of decisiveness.

The night passed on slowly as Silver listened to the cold, whispers of the wind.

Part 5

July 19, 2015---Carbon Forest, northern area

Morning came. Magnesium was on the run with Polonium, Sulfur, and Bromine chasing after her. She had managed to escape from them during the night, but upon waking up, discovered that Bromine had started burning the forest down again. She had unwittingly run into Sulfur in the fire. Now she was facing the problem of exhaustion as the heat of the fire and her running were using all of her energy.

She paused for a quick break under a tree that hadn’t caught on fire yet.

[Polonium]: “Bad move.”

The rogue element quickly moved in from Magnesium’s blind spot and grabbed her. Sulfur appeared shortly after to help her sister while Bromine decided what to do with their captive.

[Bromine]: “Hmm… nowhere to run now.”

[Magnesium]: “N-no!”

Magnesium struggled and managed to free herself. She quickly formed a spear of ice and thrust it at Bromine’s chest. Despite its sharp point, Bromine was unharmed by the attack. He took a step towards Magnesium, fury in his eyes.

[Bromine]: “Now you’ve made me mad!”

He created a swirling vortex of fire around Magnesium. She couldn’t even try to escape the hellish flames. Polonium and Sulfur stood by in shock as their victim screamed in utter agony.

When the fire petered out, only an electron remained. Bromine reached out to take it, laughing crazily as the power rushed into him.

[Polonium]: “Uh oh, he’s about to lose it. We have to get out of here!”

[Sulfur]: “I’m right behind you!”

In another part of the forest, Silver and Rubidium noticed what seemed to be a tornado made of fire rise into the sky and disappear.

[Rubidium]: “That had to be Bromine. Something big has happened.”

[Silver]: “We need to get movi-”

The ground shook. An explosion of catastrophic proportions erupted from where the vortex once was. Trees, grass, even the bare land were all wiped out as the explosion spread outwards. Silver couldn’t believe what had just happened; half of the forest had been turned into a giant crater.

[Silver]: “Oh dear…”

[Gold]: “Silver!”

Silver couldn’t have been more relieved to hear his brother’s voice. They had been found. Behind Gold came Copper, Carbon, and Mercury.

[Mercury]: “We are reporting back to the village and leaving immediately!”

[Silver]: “What about Magnesium!?”

Mercury gestured towards the crater in the forest.

[Mercury]: “The only way an element could cause an explosion of that size was if they were powered by an electron which means someone must have been obliterated. She’s the only one missing.”

[Rubidium]: “No… Magnesium…”

[Mercury]: “There’s no time to grieve. We’re leaving!”

They ran, leaving the destruction of the forest, their beloved home, behind.

Part 6

Downrising Falls, main chamber

The day had passed and it was now night again. Fluorine stood with Polonium, Sulfur, and Bromine before here. She was busy reprimanding them.

[Fluorine]: “So they got away… Why didn’t you search the rest of the forest!?”

[Polonium]: “We were caught in Bromine’s explosion after he got an electron. Would have been crazy to go after the rest of the elements with prior damage on us.”

[Sulfur]: “And we were so close to bringing Magnesium back…”

Polonium glared at Bromine who was beside her.

[Polonium]: “I knew you were going to slow us down. Can’t send a rookie in to do a pro’s job.”

[Bromine]: “You saw what happens when I get mad, Polonium. Don’t make me do that again.”

[Polonium]: “I don’t even have to get mad to take care of my opponents.”

[Fluorine]: “Enough! In the time it took for you three to get back, the survivors must have already moved to a new place. Still… It may be worthwhile to see if they left anything behind. Get ready to leave within the hour. I need to talk with Selenium.”

Fluorine’s subordinates all left their separate ways. She stood pondering on the recent news. They had mentioned that Silver had returned, but that was impossible. What they saw must have been an element who was wearing Silver’s armor. He couldn’t still be around, could he…? She returned to her chamber.

Polonium exited the cave and went to her usual training spot, a place where she had purposely gathered many large boulders. She grabbed one of the larger boulders and began to bench press it. One… Two… Three… She had done twenty-six when she heard someone approaching. A winged element flew down and landed next to her. This was Iodine, member of Family 17. The element spoke with a voice that was neither male nor female.

[Iodine]: “Hmm… you seem troubled, Polonium. You usually lift with very little effort.”

[Polonium]: “Meh, I’ve had an off day. What does it matter to you, halogen?”

[Iodine]: “I was hoping you would be ready for a duel.”

[Polonium]: “I don’t have time for jokes.”

Iodine unsheathed its two swords. The halogen was also a dual-wielder.

[Iodine]: “I’m not joking.”

Polonium threw the boulder back to its usual place and stood up. Iodine had just made the mistake of challenging her, but there was no backing out. She pulled out her swords.

[Polonium]: “You might not be joking, but I’ll be laughing after this!”

Iodine took flight and rushed forward. Polonium brought up her two swords, and blocked the attack. Her adversary quickly pulled back and kicked her in the chest. She recovered and got back into her attack stance. The enemy wasn’t going to get the best of her!

She slashed forward at Iodine with both swords, but the attack was swiftly blocked. Polonium then spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick to Iodine, knocking the halogen off balance. She tried to disarm her adversary, but Iodine simply flew away. Iodine floated in the air while it considered its next strategy. The halogen flew down for the next round. The two elements continued to battle, their swords cling-ing and clang-ing as they struck each other. Despite Polonium’s powerful blows, she could not overpower her opponent.

Tired of the apparent stalemate, Iodine took to the skies. The halogen tossed a sword at Polonium who quickly hit it to the side. In that moment of distraction, Iodine dived at an incredible speed and crashed down on Polonium’s head. As small as Iodine was, she couldn't manage to lift the halogen off her back.

[Iodine]: “Yield.”

[Polonium]: “No!”

Iodine pressed its foot deeper into Polonium’s back and held its sword to her neck.

[Iodine]: “Yield!”

[Polonium]: “Nghh.. fine!”

She gave up struggling and lay on the ground silently. Iodine stepped off her back and offered to help her back up. She grudgingly accepted it.

[Polonium]: “You got lucky, halogen. Next time will be different.”

[Iodine]: “I can help you prepare for next time if you wish.”

[Polonium]: “Oh? What are you, a teacher? Thanks, but why bother training under someone weak like you?”

[Iodine]: “...I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Your sword skills may be impressive, but they lack a certain aspect: direction. I can help you find that.”

[Polonium]: “If this is some boring riddle, I’d rather get back to lifting.”

[Iodine]: “Do you even lift? You definitely could not lift me.”

[Polonium]: “Don’t be shy about asking for a rematch. I’ll murk you!”

[Iodine]: “Hm… so quick to rush into battle. Consider what I said about helping you. At least give it a chance.”

She thought about the offer for a moment and then answered.

[Polonium]: “Alrigh-“

Before Polonium could finish replying, Fluorine emerged from the cave with the rest of the chalcogens and halogens behind her.

[Fluorine]: “Ready? We’re going now.”

Thus, the unlikely group set off to find the survivors. Above them, the three stars of Axiom glowed a dark purple, oblivious to the events that the next day would bring.