Elements Of Power - Chapter 4

Chapter 4- No Place Like Home

Part 1

July 28, 2015---Silicon Valley, storehouse

It was a windy day as Gold and Silver were finishing a training session. Gold’s double scythe, Vivi, flashed brightly as the golden metal worked to counter Silver’s own sword.

[Gold]: “Focus on both edges! Pay attention to your surroundings. You aren’t outside, you know! Not bad!”

[Silver]: “I still feel awkward in my motions.”

[Gold]: “You’re still learning. It will become more natural as you train.”

[Silver]: “Alrighty.”

[Gold]: “Hmm... That should be enough for now. Let’s break.”

The two elements returned back to their house, a small metal dome-shaped building,

[Silver]: “It sure gets boring around here.”

[Gold]: “That’s probably because all you’ve put your time into is training. You should find a hobby!”

[Silver]: “Hobby? What’s that?”

[Gold]: “It’s something you do for fun!”

[Silver]: “Fun… I enjoy training so shouldn’t that count?”

[Gold]: “Eheh, something else then for fun.”

[Silver]: “Examples please.”

[Gold]: “Well, I sculpt metal with my fire. That might not exactly be up your alley though. Carbon is an expert in gardening and Copper draws. You should try that! Here, lemme get one of her sketchbooks.”

Gold reached up and pulled a book from one of the shelves in the house and gave it to his brother. The book was a mass of papers held together by a metal spiral.

[Silver]: “So many drawings here.”

[Gold]: “Most of them are for elements who were obliterated. Copper likes to keep their memories close to her by keeping them in her book.”

[Silver]: “I see.”

He continued to flip through the pages of the book and stopped at what appeared to be multiple images interlaced into one complete drawing.

[Silver]: “Interesting. What is this?”

[Gold]: “That’s, what Copper calls, a comic.”

[Silver]: “These drawings feel more engaging than the previous ones. I like this character’s pose.”

He pointed to the drawing of an element holding its left hand in a thumbs-up position.

[Gold]: “Well then! And you thought it was weird that I named my scythe!”

[Silver]: “Oh it still is. But anyways, this looks very interesting. How can I draw too?”

[Gold]: “Just ask Carbon, he knows how to make drawing utensils and the materials to draw on.”

Silver imitated the drawing he just saw by also holding a thumbs-up.

[Silver]: “Roger that.”

[Gold]: “Haha! Oh if only our crazy sister was here to see that! I have to go meet Cadmium right now so have fun drawing.”

[Silver]: “I’ll go see Carbon right now then.”

The two brothers parted ways to take care of their leisurely business.

Part 2

Downrising Falls, main chamber entrance

What might have been a long journey for the survivors in finding the halogens’ now former base had been made much shorter thanks to Oxygen’s power to control the wind and Palladium’s power of flight. Palladium’s wings flapped gently as he landed in front of the entrance to the cave. The roar of waterfalls could be heard.

Mercury, Copper, Oxygen, and Palladium slowly entered the cave, wary that the enemy could be just around the corner. What they found instead was a deserted cavern with physics-defying water that flowed upwards to the ceiling.

[Copper]: “Wow, such an usually beautiful place. Carbon would have loved to see this.”

[Oxygen]: “This is… weird. Where did everyone go?”

[Mercury]: “Palladium, Copper, search the rooms in the cave. I need to talk with Oxygen.”

[Palladium]: “Thy request is my command!”

[Copper]: “You’ve got it!”

[Mercury]: “Oxygen, do you mind explaining this? How do I know this is their base?”

[Oxygen]: “I promise this is it! Everyone must be out searching.”

[Mercury]: “That's fortunate for us.”

Palladium and Copper emerged from the rooms they had inspected.

[Palladium]: “Nothing to report, my liege!”

[Copper]: “Same here!”

Mercury rubbed his forehead as he thought over what to do.

[Mercury]: “If there is nothing to be found here, we should leave back.”

[Oxygen]: “I’m really sorry. Please believe me. This is the place…”

[Mercury]: “Stop worrying. I believe y- what was that?”

He heard footsteps coming from the entrance. It was Selenium and Tellurium!

[Tellurium]: “How surprising.”

[Copper]: “Woah, it’s Selenium! And… Tellurium???”

[Tellurium]: “....”

[Selenium]: “Oxygen, I knew there was no way you could have just vanished, but this… this is unexpected! Tell me, are you working with them now?”

[Oxygen]: “Th-they just wanted to look around, Selenium, and I didn’t see any harm in showing them the base…”

[Selenium]: “It’s a good thing we weren’t here then or they may have done something regrettable!”

[Oxygen]: “It’s not like that!”

[Mercury]: “Let’s calm down here. You were once a respectable element, Selenium, one whose natural leadership I admired greater than our old navigator. Why don’t you help us too? We only want to survive and stay away from Fluorine’s grasp. Surely, you don’t believe her side of the feud.”

[Selenium]: “You make it sound so easy. She can obliterate us all! I made the alliance to save my family and help us find time while we hone our sword skills to match those of the halogens. Although with the recent reappearance of Silver, it appears they were right all along about what happened.”

[Mercury]: “The situation is not as simple as you think. We know that Silver was indeed obliterated. If you plan to fight back, your interests align with ours! Join us and we can help your family survive!”

[Selenium]: “As much as you may ever try, your elements are all sword fodder. Only my family stands a chance. We’ve built up an alliance that has let us observe the halogens’ strengths and weaknesses. It’s only a matter of time before they are at a weak point and we can take over! I won’t risk a year-old alliance on the blind hope that a small group of survivors can be of any help to us!”

[Oxygen]: “Is that really your view, Selenium? What about… our family’s honor?”

[Selenium]: “I have kept as much of it intact as possible. You could say keeping our honor is why I haven’t obliterated the halogens while they are vulnerable. If it will be an outright contest of strength, I need you, Oxygen. I need you back if our family can ever hope to survive.”

[Oxygen]: “I did want us to disband the alliance… Now I don’t know what I want… You treated me like an outcast when I gave leadership to you! I can’t go back to a family like that…”

[Selenium]: “There is more to this situation than you, Oxygen. Sulfur has been obliterated.”

[Oxygen]: “She’s what!!??

[Selenium]: “Gone. We had an accident, a very unfortunate accident in the forest… Now can you see why we need you back so much?”

[Oxygen]: “Believe me, I feel terrible… She was always so happy… I… don’t know what to do…”

[Selenium]: “Regardless of what you choose, your newfound friends’ fates have already been decided. Tellurium!”

[Tellurium]: “Got it.”

Tellurium pulled out an impressive, curved sword from the back of his vest while Selenium unclipped his armor’s long spear.

[Copper]: “Can’t we talk this out..? We don’t have to fight…”

[Mercury]: “Negotiations have failed. Get your weapons ready. Palladium, you’re with me. Copper and Oxygen, take Tellurium!”

[Palladium]: “Thy enemy shall feel my wrath. Have at thee!”

The elements rushed into battle. Mercury and Palladium slashed downwards at Selenium, but their opponent would not be overpowered so easily. Selenium pushed the two elements off of him and began his counterattack, spinning his spear in front of him.

Copper was not so fortunate in receiving battle support from her partner. Oxygen held his head in confusion while she battled her electric enemy. Tellurium’s attacks came viciously and she found herself getting cut down at an alarming rate.

[Copper]: “I could use some help here, Oxygen!”

[Oxygen]: “But they’re my family!”

[Copper]: “Will you please be useful and help me!?”

[Oxygen]: “I… I can’t…”

Copper, running low on options, jumped into the water that was surrounding the cave. Tellurium blasted a bolt of lightning towards the water which was swiftly blocked by a large block of ice that emerged from beneath the water’s surface. The block continued on its path and hit him square in the chest. Numerous pillars of ice then emerged from the water to crush Tellurium. He managed to dodge and cut them all to pieces. Annoyed with his opponent’s hiding, Tellurium held up both hands and generated a surge of electricity that covered the entirety of the water in the cave, electrocuting Copper in the process. She jumped out of the electric trap as quickly as she could.

[Copper]: “Is that how it’s going to be?”

[Tellurium]: “…”

[Copper]: “Fine… I won’t hold back.”

Tellurium unleashed a barrage of bolts that Copper blocked with her ice as she went in with her sword. The two elements continued to battle amidst the roar of the waterfalls.

Mercury and Palladium were having a trickier time against the determined Selenium. Walls of crystal sprouted from the ground to block any attacks and to give their master a place to hide.

[Mercury]: “Palladium, stay in the air and watch for any openings.”

Selenium saw Palladium fly over the maze of crystal and began creating pillars under the winged element in an effort to crush him. Mercury managed to find Selenium and, using his shape-shifting power went in from behind to slice at him. Selenium avoided the attack and engaged his ground opponent. Seeing that Selenium was distracted, Palladium came soaring down at an incredible speed. Selenium dodged the aerial attack and threw Palladium into Mercury. This was followed by several strikes of his spear. Mercury and Palladium got back on their feet. Any chance of winning the battle was now gone as the two elements were critically injured.

[Mercury]: “Copper, regroup!”

[Copper]: “What do we do now?”

[Mercury]: “This cave’s ceiling is full of water. Freeze it and bring it down once we’re outside.”

[Copper]: “Give me a few seconds. I have to focus.”

She ran towards the cave’s entrance while her allies prepared for one last counterattack. Tellurium attempted to shoot lightning at Copper, but Palladium intercepted him

[Palladium]: “Thou hath me to deal with!”

Overhead, the ceiling began to freeze as Copper did her work. She fought to keep control of the large mass of ice or else her friends would be crushed.

[Copper]: “It’s r-ready, Mercury! Get out of there!”

[Mercury]: “Retreat!”

[Selenium]: “Stop them, Tellurium!”

Tellurium lifted his hands to fire another bolt, but was distracted by a chunk of ice that nearly fell on him. The frozen ceiling began to crack and break apart as Copper struggled to keep it together. Selenium was battling an elongated Mercury who quickly pulled back to his normal size once he and Palladium were out of the cave.

[Mercury]: “Now!”

The ceiling of ice collapsed. Selenium struggled to make a barrier of crystal in time before he and his brother could be crushed. Tellurium looked up and closed his eyes as the end came crashing down on him.

Outside, the survivors took flight as they left the scene of the battle. A voice cried out for help from the ground below.

[Oxygen]: “W-Wait! What about me!?”

[Palladium]: “What doth thou say, my liege?”

[Copper]: “That sorry element left me to be obliterated!”

[Mercury]: “As unreliable as he is, we can’t leave him wandering around to find Fluorine again. Go ahead.”

The trio returned to pick up Oxygen who gratefully provided the fast wind currents that Palladium would need to get them home.

Part 4

Silicon Valley, Family 11 Residence

Night had arrived in the village of the survivors. Silver was reading comics in his room when Gold emerged from the front door.

[Gold]: “I’m back!”

[Silver]: “Hello, Gold. How was your meeting with Cadmium?”

[Gold]: “Eheh, it could have been better I guess.”

[Silver]: “Why do you say that?”

[Gold]: “It’s like whenever I’m around her, I get this nervous feeling. I can’t act like myself!”

[Silver]: “If this element has some sort of emotion-control power, we should do something about that.”

He reached underneath the table and pulled out his sword.

[Gold]: “No, no, it’s not like that!”

[Silver]: “Oh? I was kidding anyways. Clarify then as to why you behave differently.”

[Gold]: “You see, I… uh… Has Copper told you what love is?”

[Silver]: “Love… That word doesn’t register.”

[Gold]: “Well, uhhh… It’s l-like… like…”

[Silver]: “Calm down, Gold, your face is turning redder than usual!”

[Gold]: “Ahhhh, sorry! This is how I get when I’m with her too!”

Gold shook his head and tried talking again.

[Gold]: “I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s like a kind of admiration. And a lot of respect.”

[Silver]: “Our family has love then.”

[Gold]: “Of course! This is a different kind of love though. Like you’d do whatever you can to protect someone who may not have a familiar relation with you. Ahh… My thoughts are getting all piled up on top of each other again.”

[Silver]: “That is unfortunate. I think I understand what you mean. There were two characters in Copper’s comics who had a close relationship of some sort. You should approach Cadmium about your emotions in a sincere fashion. That seemed to work out in the comic.”

[Gold]: “Haha, that’s just a comic, little brother. I have no way of telling how Cadmium will react. She’s Mercury’s sister so that can get awkward fast.”

[Silver]: “Oh dear. While that could be potentially disastrous, I still believe you should let her know. That may help you with your nervousness since you are no longer hiding something.”

[Gold]: “I’ll think about doing that next time we’re searching for protons in the forest. You should go exploring sometime by the way. Nitrogen Forest is much better than Carbon Forest.”

[Silver]: “Are there any thorns?”

[Gold]: “Not that I’ve seen.”

[Silver]: “Then I like it already.”

[Gold]: “That’s the spirit!”

Footsteps could be heard outside the house.

[Silver]: “Hm, someone approaches.”

[Gold]: “It must be Copper!”

His guess was confirmed as Copper entered the residence. She tiredly limped herself over to the closest bed, Gold’s, and fell down on it.

[Gold]: “Copper! What happened!?”

[Copper]: “That assignment… turned out to be rougher than we expected.”

She proceeded to fill them in on what happened at the falls.

[Gold]: “Gee, what a big help Oxygen was. Those chalcogens are no pushovers. I’m pretty sure if he had helped, things would have been different. Nonetheless, I’m relieved that you came back okay.”

[Silver]: “As am I. It’s good to have you back, Copper.”

[Copper]: “It does feel good to be relaxing in my own bed at last.”

[Gold]: “Actually, that’s my-“

Silver nudged him to the side.

[Copper]: “What was that?”

[Gold]: “Oh nothing.”

[Copper]: “What have you two been up to?”

[Gold]: “I’ve been out exploring and Silver’s been working on his sword and drawing skills. I showed him your sketchbook.”

[Copper]: “So you showed him my works… Gold, I feel so weak… come closer…”

[Gold]: “W-What’s wrong, little sister!?”

She smacked him on the shoulder.

[Copper]: “Don’t be going through my stuff! That’s not cool!”

[Gold]: “Ouch, that wasn’t necessary you know. Not after you took my be-”

Silver nudged his brother once again before he could complete his sentence.

[Copper]: “There you go again! Mumbling! Never look through my things again without my permission, got it?”

[Gold]: “Aye…”

Copper raised her fist up menacingly.

[Gold]: “Okay, I get it! I get it! I was just trying to help Silver learn how to draw.”

[Copper]: “Oh? Have you drawn anything, little brother?”

Silver presented his work, a drawing of his own sword, to her.”

[Copper]: “Wow! Very good for your first drawing! My tip to you would be to work on your shading. Hee, but that’s the little stuff so don’t worry too much about it.”

[Silver]: “Thank you, Copper. I have a question though, slightly unrelated.”

[Copper]: “Ask away!”

[Silver]: “Those two characters in your romance comic about… love, do they ever end up together?”

[Copper]: “…It’s an unfinished story I guess. Maybe one day I’ll finish it.”

[Silver]: “Ah, okay.”

[Copper]: “I think I’m going to sleep now. My body aches with exhaustion.”

[Gold]: “We’ll get out of your way then. Have a goodnight, little sister!”

[Silver]: “Goodnight, Copper.”

They departed. Copper rolled around in her bed, troubled.

[Copper]: “Yeah… I should finish that story…”

She closed her eyes and fell asleep shortly after.

Part 4

Silicon Valley, main hall

While Family 11 was being reacquainted, Mercury was reporting the news of what happened earlier to his superiors.

[Argon]: “See? I knew we should have obliterated that chalcogen earlier!”

[Xenon]: “Oxygen had a chance to complete his betrayal and did not take it. That deserves some recognition.”

[Helium]: “Are you really going to overlook the fact that he deserted?”

[Xenon]: “I know full well that he could have been more helpful. Understand that whether we like it or not, we are stuck with Oxygen indefinitely. We can’t make an alliance with him if we are already forming grudges.”

[Argon]: “It’s still not too late to get rid of him quietly.”

[Xenon]: “That was always out of the question, and you know it. We are not needlessly obliterating elements.”

[Argon]: “You may be the leader of the nobles, but we have our voices too!”

[Radon]: “He isn’t alone in his view, Argon. I agree with him.”

[Argon]: “Bah! Two out of six think that we should turn a blind eye to this pathetic element’s actions.”

[Neon]: “Remember what we stand for. I, too, side with Xenon. However, we do have to implement some sort of action towards Oxygen. This… confusion he is experiencing may backfire if he isn’t kept under watch.”

[Krypton]: “Surveillance? We could have an element watch over him and guide his thoughts to align more with our interests.”

[Helium]: “But who would that be?”

[Mercury]: “I propose it be Palladium. Oxygen’s power to control wind currents compliments Palladium’s power of flight. The two could be a powerful pair.”

[Neon]: “Palladium’s loyalty is also unquestionable. His morals should eventually pervade Oxygen’s thoughts.”

[Argon]: “Will someone remind me why we are treating Oxygen like a newly restored element? This is an element with a dangerous past. Can we really forgive him for that?”

[Xenon]: “If we cannot bring ourselves to forgive the mistakes of others, we will forever be at a state of conflict.”

[Argon]: “…As if our enemies deserve forgiveness.”

[Neon]: “Even we Nobles cannot decide that. There are too many factors to take into consideration, especially Oxygen’s past. From what Mercury has told us, Oxygen did not have a good environment at home.”

[Argon]: “Excuses, excuses!”

[Xenon]: “Enough. This council will turn its attention back to the original matter. Our current proposal is to have Oxygen put under surveillance by Palladium. Raise your hands all consenting Nobles!”

All but one of the Nobles raised their hands. Argon sighed and reluctantly raised her hand to make the vote unanimous.

[Xenon]: “Have it done, Mercury, and make sure to remind him he is not to leave Silicon Valley for any reason.”

[Mercury]: “Understood.”

[Xenon]: “One last thing before you go. You saw the ice collapse in that cave so I want your opinion. Do you really believe Selenium and Tellurium were obliterated in the aftermath?”

[Mercury]: “If I had to decide… No. Selenium is too determined to let himself be obliterated so easily.”

[Xenon]: “We will continue to act then as if we have eight enemies. You may go now, Mercury.”

Mercury left to tell Oxygen the council’s decision.

Much to Mercury’s surprise, Oxygen reacted with relief. The nervous element hadn’t expected to be given another chance.

[Oxygen]: “Why would the Nobles want to keep around a failure like me..?”

[Mercury]: “This is their way of showing that they are fair and that we mean peace. We will become your new family.”

[Oxygen]: “A new family… That sounds… good. Too good to be true almost. Are you doing this to take advantage of my power?”

[Mercury]: “I won’t lie. Your power is one of the motives behind their decision. I long to see the day where you will use it while fighting on our side. Until a time like that comes, you will have an element supervising you. Palladium.”

[Oxygen]: “The winged element from earlier?”

[Mercury]: “Correct. He will help you adjust to life in our village. You are not to go anywhere without his supervision.”

[Oxygen]: “You can’t treat me like-like some prisoner!”

[Mercury]: “The Nobles agreed this is best after today’s incident. Think of it as another way to earn their trust while you make yourself at home.”

[Oxygen]: “Home…”

[Mercury]: “Yes. I must be off to my own now. Palladium will arrive at your residence shortly to get settled in. Goodnight, Oxygen.”

Mercury walked back towards his metal house, leaving Oxygen standing alone in the dark of the night.

[Oxygen]: “Home… without my family… Is this place really home?”

Part 5

July 29, 2015---Lattice Palace, Selenium’s chamber

As it turned out, Mercury’s opinion was right.

Selenium’s crystal barrier had barely been created in time to save him and Tellurium from certain obliteration. Fluorine, of course, had merely been told that the search for Oxygen had yielded no results. Selenium had made sure to wait until the halogens were asleep to hold a meeting with his family members concerning what had really happened the previous day.

[Polonium]: “So Oxygen deserted? How amusing.”

[Selenium]: “You should be more upset than that. Our brother has abandoned us!”

[Polonium]: “Not like there was much for him to do around here anyways.”

[Selenium]: “Hmph! What a disappointing reaction.”

[Polonium]: “Meh.”

[Tellurium]: “Selenium, orders.”

[Selenium]: “Ah, yes. Well, there are officially only three of us left in this family so we know we will never be able to beat the halogens now. I wanted to consider the idea of leaving the halogens. It could mean a fresh start for us which is something I feel we need.”

[Polonium]: “I’m staying. I don’t run from a fight.”

[Selenium]: “Whatever personal grudge you might have, it isn’t worth risking your own existence for.”

[Polonium]: “My, my, you talk as if I can be defeated so easily!”

[Selenium]: “Do you really want to keep this alliance up? I thought you hated the halogens.”

[Polonium]: “I don’t hate my enemies, I just beat them. You remember how you told us about honor when you first became leader? Where is the honor in running from a fight? Or was that just talk?”

[Selenium]: “I have enough honor to not slay my enemy without a clean fight, but I won’t put my family at risk either.”

[Tellurium]: “Honor… Something even the weak can have.”

[Selenium]: “You two are impossible.”

Selenium sighed and decided to quit his argument. The only way to convince Polonium was to beat her in combat, and he didn’t have the time for that.

[Selenium]: “We’ll stay and continue to train when we aren’t searching for the remaining elements. You’d better not disappoint me, Polonium.”

[Polonium]: “Psh, please! I have this.”

[Selenium]: “You had better. I’ll let you two return to your sleep now.”

The three elements retired for the night. Outside the palace, the wind blew quietly, solemnly as if sympathizing with the plight of Family 16.