The morning sun filtered through the curtains of the Elemental University’s common room, where the group had gathered around a large oak table. Papers, books, and laptops were strewn about, each item a testament to the urgency of their mission. Aurelia, with her characteristic precision, had started the creation of a list to ensure nothing was overlooked.
“Okay, everyone,” Aurelia announced, “we need to be thorough. Let’s list out all the loose ends we need to tie up before we can even think about time travel.”
Nickolas, who had been scribbling notes, looked up. “First, we need to make sure Lead is physically ready for this. His recovery is crucial. Man, I feel awful for him. This algorithm rejection, and now he's suddenly bedridden!”
Selena nodded in agreement. “And we have to secure permission from the university to take a leave of absence. We can’t just disappear without explanation.”
Gallus added, “We should also double-check all our research on the historical timeline. We can’t afford to make mistakes about where—or rather, when—we’re going.”
Thalia, who had been quiet, spoke up. “I’ll handle the tech side of things. We need reliable communication devices that can work across time.”
Aurelia began to write down each point on a long notebook:
- Lead’s Recovery - Ensure he’s healthy enough for time travel.
- University Leave - Obtain official leave of absence.
- Historical Research - Verify accuracy of historical events and dates.
- Communication Devices - Finalize and test Thalia’s cross-time communication system.
- Personal Affairs - Settle any personal matters that could be affected by our absence.
- Legal and Ethical Considerations - Review the potential legal and ethical implications of altering the past.
- Emergency Protocols - Establish clear protocols in case of unforeseen circumstances.
- Power Stabilization - Make sure everyone’s elemental powers are under control.
- Temporal Navigation - Practice and perfect the use of C-14 for precise temporal navigation.
- Backup Plans - Create contingency plans for each stage of the mission.
“Looks like we have our work cut out for us,” Nickolas said, scanning the list.
Selena stood up, stretching her arms. “We better get started then. Time isn’t going to wait for us.”
Gallus closed his notebook with a snap. “I’ll get started on the historical research right away.”
Thalia began gathering her gadgets. “I’ll run more tests on the communicators. We need them to be fail-safe.”
Aurelia took a deep breath, looking at each of her friends. “We’re about to embark on the most important journey of our lives. Let’s make sure we’re ready.”
Nickolas’s smile held a hint of mischief. “Aurelia, that missed date is long overdue. I’ve planned something special for us.”
Aurelia’s cheeks flushed. “Nickolas, we have a mission—”
He cut her off gently, holding her hand. “And we’ll accomplish it. But before we dive into the complexities of time travel, let’s steal a moment for ourselves.”
Selena leaned against the table, her eyes dancing. “Aurelia, you deserve this. We all do. Let’s create a memory before we alter the past.”
Gallus, ever the pragmatist, chimed in. “Nickolas, just make sure your romantic gestures don’t cause a paradox. We can’t afford any disruptions.”
Thalia adjusted her communicator, her gaze fixed on the device. “Remember, we’ll need to stay connected across time.”
Aurelia’s resolve wavered. “But what if our actions change everything? What if we return to a world where we’re strangers?”
Nickolas took her hand. “Then we’ll find each other again. Our bond transcends time.”
Selena winked. “And if all else fails, we’ll just blame it on the butterfly effect.”
Gallus raised an eyebrow. “Or the chocolate donuts.”
Thalia’s voice held a note of seriousness. “We’re not just altering history; we’re shaping destiny. Let’s make it count.”
Aurelia looked around at her friends—their quirks, their unwavering support. “Promise me,” she said, “that no matter what happens, we’ll find our way back to each other.”
Nickolas pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I promise, Aurelia. Across time and space.”
“That’s a pretty big promise, Nicky…” came a feminine voice from behind them. The friends turned around to see Alithea, who had just entered the room. “Maybe we should all keep each other’s pictures and stuff, so even if we end up on different corners of the world, we can find each other.”
Aurelia smiled at Alithea’s idea. “That’s brilliant. Let’s do it. Everyone, bring a photo or something meaningful tomorrow. We’ll make a pact.”
The next morning, the common room was filled with laughter and the soft sounds of nostalgia as they shared their chosen item — multiple group photos to keep in each one’s pocket, with all their names written beside their faces.
“Come on, we’ve got to head to the hospital to meet Lead,” Selena said, a determined look in her eyes. “He needs to see what we’ve done so far.”
Everyone unanimously agreed, and exited the common room, with smiles on their faces.
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The hospital room buzzed with a mix of excitement and bittersweet anticipation. The group had gathered once more, each clutching a photograph—a snapshot of their shared past, a talisman against the unknown.
Nickolas held a faded Polaroid, its edges curling. “Remember this?” he asked, showing Aurelia the image of their first encounter with the storm, at the university. “We were so young, so clueless.”
Aurelia laughed, tracing the faces captured in the frame. “And now we’re about to rewrite history. Funny how life works.” Hers was a comic strip she wrote and printed, of the group meeting for the first time, drawn using an app on her phone.
Selena’s photo was a candid shot of them during a late-night study session. “This one’s my favorite group picture. Just before Unit Test 1. Hope you don’t mind I took the liberty to recolor the room.”
Gallus’s choice was a blurry selfie taken after a successful elemental experiment. “We’ve come a long way since then. But our friendship remains constant.”
Thalia’s photograph was unconventional — a black and white photo from one of her security camera gadgets. “The photo may be monochrome, but there was never a dull moment with you guys.”
Lead, still recovering but determined, held a picture of the whole group on the day of the Elemental Ball. “I’ll keep this close. Our faces, our laughter—it’ll anchor me.”
Alithea’s contribution was yet to come — from her new phone, and the printer in the hospital. With a small smile, walked in front of them all, phone in hand.
“Everyone, say cheese!” she called out, beckoning for them to look up and smile for the camera.
The flash of Alithea’s phone camera captured the moment, freezing their collective anticipation and camaraderie in a digital memory. As the image printed from the portable device, the friends gathered around to see the result—a picture that would soon become as precious as the others.
“Alright,” Nickolas said, taking the freshly printed photo, and handing it to Alithea. “I know you don’t know us too well, but I hope you remember us.”
“I will,” she replied with a smile. “But… can I make a request?”
“Of course,” Gallus shrugged. “What’s up?”
Alithea took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a mix of resolve and nostalgia. “Before we attempt to turn back time, I need to see Ferris Oxide. He’s not just a name in my diary; he was my friend, and I never got the chance to say goodbye.”
The group exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of her request. “We’ll help you find him,” Aurelia said, her voice firm. “It’s important to have closure.”
Nickolas nodded. “Do you know where he might be?”
Alithea’s lips curved into a sad smile. “Yes, I have an idea. He always talked about his family’s old estate in the countryside. If he’s anywhere in this world, he’ll be there.”
Gallus stood up, closing the diary. “Then it’s settled. We’ll go to Ferris Oxide’s estate. But how exactly do we find it?”
“Hmm… where would I be if I were a 45-year-old who wielded iron and oxygen…?” Aurelia muttered to herself. “I’m only 18, and have gold and helium, not iron and hydrogen.”
“Wait, Aurelia… you and Ferris wield pretty similar elements. Iron and gold are both transition metals, hydrogen and helium are right next to each other.” Lead started. “Are you and Ferris related? Family members share similar elements. You and your dad both have gold, and a noble gas.”
“Haha, no way!” Aurelia scoffed. But her laughter faded as the implications of Lead’s words sank in. The coincidence of their elemental powers was too striking to ignore. With a pensive look, she excused herself from the group, “I need to check something.”
She made her way to her mother’s office, a place filled with memories and the faint scent of old books and photographs. As she entered, her eyes were drawn to the mahogany desk that had always seemed too large for the room. There, amidst the clutter of papers and artifacts, was a small, locked drawer that had always piqued her curiosity.
With a deep breath, Aurelia reached for the key her mother had given her for ‘when the time was right.’ The key turned with a soft click, and the drawer slid open, revealing its long-kept secrets. Inside, she found a collection of letters, photographs, and a well-worn journal—all addressed to or from Ferris Oxide.
Her hands trembled as she unfolded a letter, the handwriting unmistakably her mother’s.
“
28/12/2004
Dear Ferris,
I know it’s been a while, and you wouldn’t want to be reminded of Ali her any more than I would if I were you. But I felt it was important you heard this from me. In a couple of months, I’ll be marrying someone you know well – your old college professor, Dr. Aurelius. I understand this might come as a surprise, and I hope you can find it in your heart to be happy for me.
I also want to address the elephant in the room – Alithea. Your friendship with her was something I always admired, and I know how deeply her loss affected you. It wasn’t easy for me either. Mentioning her now brings a bittersweet feeling, but I believe she would have wanted us all to find happiness, even in ways we couldn’t have anticipated.
I’m reaching out not only to share this news but to ask for your blessing. You’ve always been the one I looked up to, and having your support means the world to me. Please take your time to process this, and know that I’m here if you want to talk, whenever you’re ready.
Your sister,
Fluora”
The letter was definitely well over eighteen years old, but she wondered why it was lying there, in her mother’s drawer, instead of being sent. Aurelia’s heart raced as she sifted through the contents of the drawer, each item a piece of a puzzle she never knew she was part of. Then, tucked between the pages of the journal, she found another letter, this one with Ferris’s distinctive script.
“ 15/01/2005
Dear Fluora,
Your letter took me by surprise, not just the news of your upcoming marriage, but also the warmth with which you reached out. It’s been a long time since we’ve spoken, and I must admit, I’ve missed our conversations and the family bond we once shared.
I understand your reasons for moving on, and I want you to know that you have my blessing. Dr. Aurelius is a good man, and I believe he will make you happy. As for Alithea, her memory will always be a cherished presence in our lives. I agree, she would have wanted us to find joy, even amidst the sorrow.
I’ve been doing some thinking, and I would like to extend an invitation to you both. I know you declined my last invitation, but I hope you’ll reconsider. It would mean a lot to me to reconnect and introduce you to the quiet life I’ve built here at the estate. It’s a place of peace and reflection, something I believe we could all benefit from.
Please let me know if you can make it. I look forward to the possibility of seeing you all.
With hope, Ferris.”
Aurelia folded the letter, a sense of clarity washing over her. The invitation was more than just a gesture; it was a bridge to a past her mother had left behind. She knew what she had to do. She would keep reading on, and find out more.
“March 21, 2021
Dear Fluora,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As the seasons change and the world around us continues to evolve, I find myself reflecting on the passage of time and the connections that remain steadfast despite the years.
I am writing to you, once again, with an invitation to visit me at our family estate, with your family. I understand that my previous attempts may have seemed persistent, but please know that each invitation is extended with the sincerest of intentions and the hope that one day you will grace this old house with your presence.
The last time you wrote was letting me know about your daughter’s powers, and that was 15 years ago.
I would be honored to host you and share the tranquility of this place. Perhaps we could take a stroll through the gardens, which are now in full bloom, or enjoy a quiet evening by the fireplace, sharing stories and memories.
Please consider this invitation not as an obligation but as an open door to a place that holds many cherished memories of our family. It would bring me great joy to create new memories with you all. If you don’t reply this time either, I won’t press on.
With warm regards and the hope of reunion,
Ferris Oxide.
“Aurelia?” she heard a feminine voice disrupt her thoughts. “What are you doing on this side of the campus?”
“I should ask you that, mom!” Aurelia exclaimed.
“This is my office. See the placard?” Fluora explained with a smirk.
Caught off guard but determined, Aurelia stepped into the office, clutching the letters and journal she had found. The room was a familiar landscape of her mother’s academic life, but now it held secrets that connected their family to a larger story.
“I found these,” Aurelia said, laying the contents on the desk. “They were in the locked drawer.”
Fluora’s expression shifted from amusement to solemn contemplation as she recognized the handwriting on the envelopes. “Ferris,” she whispered, her voice a mixture of nostalgia and regret.
Aurelia waited as her mother sifted through the letters, watching a myriad of emotions play across her face. “Why didn’t you tell me about Uncle Ferris? Why were these letters hidden away?”
Fluora sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before meeting Aurelia’s gaze. “It’s complicated, dear. Ferris and I… we had a falling out after Alithea’s accident. It was a difficult time for all of us. I didn’t want to talk, because, well… I had a life ahead of me, and a lot of college work to attend to.”
“But he’s reached out, again and again,” Aurelia pressed, her curiosity piqued by the unanswered questions. “He’s invited us to the estate, and I think we should go.”
Her mother nodded slowly, the weight of years seeming to lift from her shoulders. “Perhaps it’s time,” Fluora agreed. “Time to mend old bridges and face the past together.”
Aurelia smiled, feeling a sense of purpose. “Then it’s settled. We’ll visit Uncle Ferris. Maybe he can help us understand more about our powers, about everything.”
“Wait, you brought Alithea back, didn’t you? We should take her as well. I’ll take you and all your friends there.” Fluora offered, with a small smile.
Fluora’s offer caught Aurelia off guard. She hadn’t expected her mother to be so open to the idea of reconnecting with Ferris and involving Alithea. The weight of family history pressed upon her, and she realized that this journey was about more than just understanding their elemental powers—it was about healing old wounds and finding closure.
“Thank you, Mom,” Aurelia said, her voice filled with gratitude. “I’ll let the others know. We’ll go together.”
Fluora reached across the desk, her hand covering Aurelia’s. “Family is complicated, my dear. But sometimes, it’s worth unraveling the complications to find the truth.”
As they left the office, Aurelia carried the letters and the promise of reunion. The estate awaited them, its quiet halls echoing with memories. And in the company of her friends and newfound family ties, she stepped into the unknown, ready to face the past and discover the secrets that lay hidden within the estate.
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