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Part 11

Origin southern hemisphere, underground tunnel

[Samarium]: “Look out, Silver!”

Silver’s arms were too weak to continue fighting against his grass clone. Samarium ran to his side and blocked a fatal attack while also blocking against her own clone’s attacks. She was essentially fighting two opponents at once.

[Silver]: “Phew…”

[Samarium]: “Stay behind me, please!”

She continued to block their enemies’ attacks as best as she could. Ununoctium saw her protector in trouble and fired an arrow at Silver’s copy before she fired another arrow at her own copy’s forehead. It fell back, dead. Now that she was free, she rushed to Silver’s side to help Samarium. Together, they were able to kill the imposters with a series of slashes and arrows.

Meanwhile, Gallium saw his clone try to attack from behind. He ducked underneath the attack while Copper froze its arms solid. With his enemy disarmed, Gallium punched it once in the chest and then reached his other hand under the Original’s head and crushed its neck, killing it. By this point, the other elements had disposed of their clones as well.

[Silver]: “Phew… phew…”

[Oxygen]: “We have to go before more come.”

[Samarium]: “Lean on me, Silver. We’re almost there.”

[Silver]: “Thanks…”

Thirty more minutes passed by the time the elements saw light at the end of the tunnel. They walked into the end of the corridor and were awestruck by what they saw next.

The core of Origin was a massive dome-shaped chasm. In the ceiling, thousands of tiny rivers of green liquid poured downwards into the massive lake of purple goo at the chasm floor. It mixed into a lighter purple substance that bubbled and popped threateningly. If they didn’t know they were underground, they would have thought this was a never-ending ocean.

The elements saw a thin strip of land that led from the tunnel to a tiny circle-shaped platform at the center of the underground lake.

[Oxygen]: “I see Hydrogen! Hurry!!”

All of the elements ran as fast as they could over the narrow piece of land that kept them away from the toxic fluids underneath. Hydrogen was a mess when they finally got close. Her body was stuck to a large pulsating flower, much like the one Ununoctium had been swallowed by. Vines grew from the flower and penetrated Hydrogen’s skin, draining her very life force from her.

[Oxygen]: “Hydrogen…”

[Hydrogen]: “O-Oxy… stay… away…”

[Oxygen]: “I’m so sorry I couldn’t do anything, Hydrogen. You’re coming home now. I promise everything’s going to be okay.”

[Hydrogen]: “Oxy… y…”

[Silver]: “Careful with the vines. They’re close to her core.”

[Oxygen]: “I see them.”

Oxygen took his swords and applied a series of swift cuts that freed Hydrogen from her captor. The plant shook and swayed side to side before slowly opening its petals. A green figure revealed itself from the inside of the bulb.

[Gold]: “Woah…”

[Copper]: “Is that-?”

[Oxygen]: “No way.”

The green figure took three steps out of the bulb and onto dry ground.

[Ununoctium]: “It’s… Hydrogen…”

The element were shocked to see the plant was a perfect copy of Hydrogen, down to the same style of dress and hair strands, all made of grass. Like most Originals, it had piercing yellow eyes.

Terra slowly approached the strange new being. The Hydrogen Original stood quietly awaiting the Ununoctium one.

Both Originals stared at each other. Then Hydrogen’s moved. It pointed its index finger at Ununoctium and Silver. Terra used her right arm to bring the new Original’s arm down as if it was offending her friends. The new Original ended up taking offense and punched down Terra with its other hand.

[Silver, Ununoctium]: “TERRA!”

They ran to her aid. The new Original saw the two elements approaching and turned around. It walked away down the side of the land into the lake. Its body disappeared in a few seconds.

[Silver]: “I wonder what that was all about. Let’s go, Terra. Just a punch. You’ll be alright.”

[Ununoctium]: “Silver!”

Bubbles started popping where the Hydrogen Original had let its body be consumed by the liquid. Waves started forming, getting bigger and louder by the second.

[Silver]: “Something’s coming!”

[Oxygen]: “Are you done watching!?”

[Silver]: “Just about!”

The elements took off in a sprint. Large chunks of rocks fell from the ceiling. Waves splashed violently across the group’s footpath, threatening to instantly melt them. They were almost at the tunnel entrance when something emerged from beneath the lake. It was a wooden sail that quickly grew in size, the more of it revealed itself. Silver turned around long enough to see what was coming…

[Silver]: “IT’S GAIA!!!! And she’s bigger than ever!!”

[Samarium]: “Guess you were right about the acid immunity!”

[Copper]: “If we’re lucky, we’ll get out before she sees us!”

[Ununoctium]: “Uhhhhh…”

Ununoctium took a quick look back and saw Gaia’s monstrous eyes, each as big as a house, breach the lake surface.

[Ununoctium]: “I think she sees us!”

[Silver]: “Oh dear…”

Behind them, they heard a mighty roar whose wind was so powerful, it pushed all of the elements frontwards, tumbling into the tunnel.

[Gold]: “RUN RUN RUN!”

[Copper]: “This isn’t good! She’s bigger than a mountain!”

The tunnel started collapsing in on itself. Terra saw the danger and jumped into the ground. She quickly emerged, but back in her Tyrant form, ready to lift the elements. She charged up the tunnel at her fastest speed. The tunnel’s exit was still a long way off. Could they make it?

Part 12

Euclid Tower, Floor 99,999

Without access to the main elevator, Plutonium’s group of elements had to use their own superscripts to propel themselves upwards once they were past Axiom’s atmosphere. Plutonium landed on one of the tower walls. Just ahead were the branches of Origin’s space-breaching stalk.

[Plutonium]: “In positions!”

[Lawrencium]: “I have to hand it to you, Plutonium. I never thought I’d see the day you would wear armor again.”

[Plutonium]: “And I thought I’d never see you get out of that dusty basement. I guess we’re even?”

[Lawrencium]: “Heh, you know I wouldn’t miss the chance to serve by your side again. We’ve been researching for what, ten years?”

[Plutonium]: “We had a good run. I’d gladly spend the rest of my life researching if it would mean a peaceful life. But I digress.”

[Lawrencium]: “Tell you what, if we survive this, I’ll move all my stuff out of the basement.”

[Plutonium]: “Finally? You weren’t kidding when you said it’d be the end of the world.”

[Lawrencium]: “I’m an element of my word! But seriously, Plutonium. It has been a good run. I’ll have your back to the end.”

[Plutonium]: “As will I, Lawrencium.”

[Uranium]: “H-Hey, don’t forget us, your lieutenants!”

[Neptunium]: “Let them be, Uranium. It is not our time or place to be between two generals.”

[Uranium]: “Well we could use orders or something…”

[Neptunium]: “The orders are simple. We hold the line until Promethium returns.”

[Uranium]: “So simple and yet… not so easy…”

[Neptunium]: “It will be okay as long as Miss Plutonium is leading the way.”

On the opposite side of the tower, Family 1’s remaining members talked with each other.

[Rubidium]: “You ready for this?”

[Molybdenum]: “A-As ready as I’ll ever be!”

[Rubidium]: “You’re shaking.”

[Molybdenum]: “So are you!”

[Rubidium]: “N-No, I’m not!”

[Palladium]: “Thy journey ahead is a dark one. Let us make proper preparations.”

[Rubidium]: “And then there’s Palladium… and those things.”

Rubidium looked at the three Units, Alpha, Epsilon, and Omega quietly waiting by their side.

[Rubidium]: “Lawrencium said they’re good in a fight, but I’m not so sure.”

[Molybdenum]: “We need all the help we can get. I just wish they’d talk to us.”

[Rubidium]: “I doubt they can even understand us. Oh well.”

[Molybdenum]: “Hey, Rubi, can I ask something?”

[Rubidium]: “Sure.”

[Molybdenum]: “What did you think about Silver’s journal?”

[Rubidium]: “It blew me away. Didn’t you read it?”

[Molybdenum]: “No, I wouldn’t dare violate his privacy. It was very tempting, don’t get me wrong.”

[Rubidium]: “I wish I had been as trustworthy as you. What I read can’t be unseen. I can’t take it back.”

[Molybdenum]: “Was it really that bad?”

[Rubidium]: “It was craaaaaazyyy.”

[Molybdenum]: “When I see Silver again, I want it to be with a clean conscious. I’m hoping we can put aside our pasts and start over.”

[Rubidium]: “Goodluck. This might sound weird, but I’m really pulling for you.”

[Molybdenum]: “Aw, thanks, Rubi.”

[Rubidium: “Hey don’t get all touchy-feely with me.”

[Molybdenum]: “Tee hee, I’ll save the hug for later then. I see something up ahead.”

Dozens of Originals were crawling their way down Origin’s stalk. They stopped to take a look at the small line of elements that were determined to hold them back. Then they each dug into the stalk’s branches. In just a few seconds, the Originals emerged from the branches, but instead of having a generic element-shape, they now closely resembled either Oxygen, Gallium, Silver, Gold, Copper, or Samarium.

[Molybdenum]: “Oh nooooooo…”

[Rubidium]: “Hey, I don’t remember signing up for this!”

[Plutonium]: “We can’t let the tower fall. Until I get word back from Promethium, we will hold this line! Elements! Comrades! Follow my lead! CHAAAAAARGE!!!”

The seven elements and three Units set their superscripts to full power and flew upwards to make their last stand against Origin’s impending army.

Part 13

Origin southern hemisphere, mysterious formation

Terra was exhausted by the time she got outside the cave. Her Tyrant form came down to its knees and broke down into hundreds of little bits of bush and wood until only Terra was left lying down, asleep. Gallium stooped down and held the unconscious being in his arms.

[Silver]: “Keep under the trees! We need to get to the east peak before Gaia-”

The ground shook violently. Cracks formed, trees fell, large waves crashed from the nearby Dead Sea. Gaia was already at the surface. With a roar that shook the cosmos, she burst forth from underneath Origin and crushed an entire forest with a single swipe of her gargantuan claw.

[Gaia]: “RWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

[Gold]: “That thing’s gotta be at least 6 miles long!”

[Silver]: “Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot-!”

[Oxygen]: “Silver! There’s no sneaking past her or defeating her!”

[Silver]: “I know!! Just… stay close! She can’t retain that kind of size forever!”

Gaia took a single step to her left, destroying dozens of trees under her foot.

[Oxygen]: “Silver!”

[Silver]: “Darn it! Retreat! Head south!”

[Oxygen: “But we’ll miss the elevator!”

[Silver]: “One thing at a time, Oxygen!!”

Gaia took three more colossal steps to the left. By this point she was facing in the elements’ direction. Her head hung over them like a god about to sentence its subjects to death. The end was near.

Then the elements heard several explosions from above Gaia’s ahead. It was Polonium, Iodine, and Promethium. They had spotted the Colossal Original and opened fire.

[Polonium]: “Found you, little dickens!”

[Iodine]: “Polonium, the stranded elements are below!”

[Polonium]: “You and Promethium take them to the elevator! I’ve got a score to settle!”

[Promethium]: “But you can’t beat her!”

[Polonium]: “I know that! I’m not going to make the same mistake again. But I know I can buy you some time! Now GO!”

Polonium continued firing from her double photon cannons on her shoulders.

[Polonium]: “It’s just you and me!”

[Gaia]: “RWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!”

Promethium and Iodine met up with the other elements.

[Samarium]: “Promethium!”

[Promethium]: “We’re not out of the woods yet, Sam! There’s an army of Originals blocking the elevator. Get on my back. Gallium, I’ll lift you while you hold Copper, Gold, and um, whats-her-name. Iodine, you take Silver, Oxygen, Hydrogen, and Uno!”

The other elements loaded up while Polonium continued to distract the mountainous predator above. She fired a round of missiles straight into Gaia’s left eye. The explosions temporarily blinded her, but failed to do any significant damage.

[Polonium]: “Alright, try this!”

She single-handedly pulled out a heavy machine gun-like weapon from her superscript and proceeded to unload all of her ammunition. Gaia swung her head and opened her jaws wide. Polonium had to drop her heavy artillery to fly fast enough and avoid being swallowed. She flew under Gaia’s head, past her neck, and in between her fingers. For now, Polonium’s plan was working.

Meanwhile, Promethium and Iodine had dropped off their loads at the elevator door. In front of the elements were dozens of Originals that were crawling up the tower.

[Promethium]: “Iodine and I are going back for Polonium! Clear out the Originals and get the elevator back up!”

[Silver]: “Roger that!”

[Samarium]: “Good luck, Promethium!”

Promethium and Iodine took off towards Gaia’s location. The Colossal Original was furious in not being able to crush her fly-sized prey. She slammed both her claws together, creating a shockwave that launched Polonium out of her flight pattern. Her back hit against Gaia’s torso. Iodine caught its apprentice and helped her regain her balance. Gaia saw the elements underneath her and opened her mouth wide. This time instead of biting, she charged up energy from within, and shot her flamethrower attack down at the elements. All three were caught in it.

[Polonium]: “It breathes fire!!!??? RGH!!”

[Promethium]: “AGGGGGH!!!”

[Iodine]: “URGH!”

With their superscripts heavily damaged, the three elements crashed near Gaia’s feet. She brought a massive claw down to crush them.

[Promethium]: “MOVE! HURRY!!”

Polonium ran and fired beams of light from her left hand to try and blind Gaia, anything that could buy them time. Gaia missed with her first claw and then her second. She roared, triggering Promethium’s visions again. The element stopped running and clutched its head in pain. A third claw attack missed Polonium, and Iodine, but hit Promethium, crushing its torso and both of its legs. Hardly anything was left of the unfortunate element.

[Polonium]: “PROMETHIUM!!”

[Promethium]: “Polonium, my electron… I trust you.”

Gaia brought down her right claw down once more and crushed what was left of Promethium. The once-proud Navigator of the Actinides and Lanthanides disappeared in a flash of white light. An electron was all that was left of the element.

[Polonium]: “NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!”

[Iodine]: “The electron, Polonium!”

[Polonium]: “GRRR, NOW IT’S PERSONAL!! With me, Iodine!”

[Iodine]: “As always!”

The two elements ran to retrieve Promethium’s electron before Gaia’s next claw attack could obliterate them. They reached it just in time and both put their hands on it, activating the electron’s power. Both elements fused together much like Silver and Gold had before. Their wounds were instantly healed and armors combined into a single white and black set. Polonium grew two wings from her back and her hair color changed to mix in with Iodine’s. In just a split-second, Polonium Iodide had been born.

The new element raised its hands up to catch Gaia’s claw which pushed it deep into the ground. For a moment, it seemed as if Polonium Iodide had been obliterated too. Then, it emerged from the ground, impossibly lifting up the Colossal Original’s hand.

[Gaia]: “RWAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!”

[Polonium Iodide]: “You’re finished!!”

Polonium Iodide flew at Mach speeds into Origin’s atmosphere and then came crashing down from orbit with a super-powered punch.

[Polonium Iodide]: “HEAVEN’S!!! BLOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!”

They punched Gaia straight in the head with such immense force, the creature was drilled down deep into Origin’s core from whence it came. With its work done, the combined element flew back to regroup with the other elements.

[Oxygen]: “Quick, load them in!”

[Samarium]: “Where’s Promethium!?”

[Polonium Iodide]: “Didn’t make it.”

[Samarium]: “No! We have to go back!”

[Polonium Iodide]: “Promethium’s obliterated!”

[Samarium]: “It can’t… be…”

[Silver]: “I’m so sorry, Sam…”

[Gold]: “Punch it!”

Oxygen slammed his fist down at the button to start the elevator. He reached into the control panel and pulled out a remote.

[Oxygen]: “Plutonium! We’re on our way back!”

[Plutonium]: “Oxygen! Hurry! We’re losing ground on the tower!”

The elements felt the elevator shake. Then to their horror, Origin’s surface broke again. Gaia was back, except this time, from her sides, six wings had sprouted. The Colossal Original was determined to not let her prey escape. She flapped her newly-made wings and propelled herself up in a jump straight across the ground and onto the tower. The elevator continued moving up while Gaia climbed her way, ten floors at a time, to follow it.

[Ununoctium]: “She’s getting closer!”

[Silver]: “Can’t this thing go any faster!? Wait a second…”

Silver ripped off the control panel and saw the generator inside. He reached both hands over it and poured electricity from his body, speeding up the elevator’s motors and increasing their speed.

[Samarium]: “I’ll help you!”

Samarium held his hands and added her own energy. With both elements putting their cores in overload, the elevator was finally gaining ground from Gaia. That is, until. she flapped her wings and gave herself extra lift. In less than a minute her claws would be within range of the elements.

[Silver]: “Put more into it!”

[Copper]: “You can’t push yourself more, Brother!”

[Oxygen]: “LOOK OUT!!!”

The very tip of Gaia’s claw swiped the left wall off the elevator, opening a large hole. Gold immediately fell through and was sucked back into Origin by its gravitational pull.

[Copper, Silver]: “BROTHER!!”

Polonium Iodide took a look down and saw their old nemesis swiping its claws up. There was no out-speeding her.

[Polonium Iodide]: “We’re up.”

Copper saw Polonium Iodide about to leave the elevator, but before she could stop them, the combined element shoved her to the opposite wall.

[Silver]: “What’re you doing!?”

[Polonium]: “What does it look like!?”

[Oxygen]: “Sister, don’t!”

[Polonium]: “Don’t stop us, Oxygen! You know we’re all finished if we keep standing around! And Silver… sorry.”

Polonium Iodide jumped out the hole and used its wings to control their descent back to Origin’s atmosphere.

[Polonium Iodide]: “You’ve been a thorn in my side for the last time!”

Polonium Iodide pulled back their right arm and then brought it forth to do their finishing maneuver one last time.

[Polonium Iodide]: “THE RAW POWERRRRRRRRR!!!!!!”

They hit Gaia’s head one final time and pushed her back to Origin. The Colossal Original destroyed Origin’s east peak upon impact. It was the last the elements would see of the massive beast and her conqueror.

[Silver]: “Polonium…”

[Oxygen]: “We’re almost at the checkpoint. Plutonium, set the timer!”

[Plutonium]: “Set! Everyone, fall back to the safe zone!”

Part 14

Euclid Tower, Floor 99,999

Plutonium’s forces were fighting a losing battle for the tower. Already they had been pushed back a hundred or so floors behind the safe zone. They had less than a minute before Plutonium would detonate the explosives.

[Lawrencium]: “All subscripts switch to sentry position!”

What was left of the subscript fleet arranged themselves into a line while all the elements turned to flee. Several stray Element Originals made it through the subscripts’ defense. One of them extended its arm into a long rope that gripped onto Molybdenum’s superscript. Four more Originals did the same until they were dragged her to them. It tore away at her superscript jetpack with its sharpened claws

[Rubidium]: “Moly! Hold on, I’m coming back!”

Before Rubidium could fire a beam of light, another Original got her from behind. Then three more. She was stuck. Palladium and Plutonium were caught in the same predicament.

[Lawrencium]: “We’re… losing subscripts fast! There’s too many!”

[Plutonium]: “Eject from your superscripts! Use your sabers!”

One of the Units, Epsilon, saw Rubidium in danger and rushed to her aid. Molybdenum meanwhile was getting even more Originals pinning her from behind. She couldn’t even reach for her photon saber.

[Rubidium]: “Forget me! Save her!”

Epsilon ignored Rubidium’s pleas and continued slicing off the Originals from her back. By this point, all of Molybdenum’s superscript armor had been ripped off her.

[Rubidium]: “HER! SAVE HER!!!”

[Molybdenum]: “RUBI-!”

Molybdenum muttered a few words that Rubidium barely heard. Then an Original in the shape of Silver reached its claw and pierced Molybdenum from behind. Rubidium overloaded herself and created a blast of light that repelled everything from of her. By the time she restarted her superscript’s engines, she was too late. The Original’s attack had touched Molybdenum’s core.

Eyes wide in surprise, the last thing Molybdenum saw was the elevator that Silver’s group was in as it whirred back to Axiom. He was safe. Molybdenum closed her eyes in relief and disappeared in a flash of white light.

[Rubidium]: “MOLY!!!”

[Neptunium]: “MISS!!”

Plutonium saw a similar incident happen to her beloved assistant, Neptunium. He had been attempting to free his leader from the Originals when another stray struck him from behind. The unsuspecting victim was obliterated in front of her eyes.

[Plutonium]: “NOO!!! GRAH! ENOUGH!!”

Plutonium pulled out her remote and slammed on the red button. Hundreds of floors filled with explosives suddenly lit up space. To an outsider, it would have looked like a new star had been born between Origin and Axiom. Originals of every kind met their quick and sudden ends at the fiery power of the elements’ strongest bombs. The remaining Originals on Axiom’s side moved their heads back to look at Origin. It was enough of a distraction for the elements to kill off what remained of their attackers. Plutonium fought harder than before to annihilate every last one of them. She sliced away at the last Original’s head furiously even after it was dead. Her surviving assistant had to approach her to stop.

[Uranium]: “Miss Plutonium! Miss Plutonium!!”

[Plutonium]: “WHAT!???”

[Uranium]: “Miss… it’s dead…”

Uranium gently lowered Plutonium’s hands which clenched her photon saber. The element’s rage slowly faded into sadness. Plutonium dropped her saber and held onto Uranium while she cried.

[Uranium]: “It’s okay, Miss… It’s over…”

Part 15

Euclid Tower, Floor 81 main laboratory

It was only noon when the elements had all returned to the safe zone. At Plutonium’s request, they met at her laboratory to debrief over the events that had just transpired.

Plutonium, Uranium, and Lawrencium stood in front of Silver’s group who told them what had happened during their last seconds on Origin.

[Plutonium]: “So we have an Original ally named Terra… but Promethium is gone… Molybdenum and Neptunium were obliterated too… Polonium, Iodine, and Gold are missing…”

[Ununoctium]: “Moly…”

[Silver]: “Not her… are you sure?”

[Plutonium]: “Why would I lie?”

[Samarium]: “I’m sorry, Silver…”

[Silver]: “But… I still had to-”

He shook his head. There would be a time to let the emotions out. Now wasn’t that time.

[Silver]: “Miss Plutonium, we have to go back.”

[Plutonium]: “Hush. The last time I heard those words, a dear friend of mine was running to its obliteration. Oh what I should have done differently. More elements would be here today.”

[Samarium]: “So you’re leaving them behind? That’s not what Promethium would do.”

[Plutonium]: “You’re right, Sam. You know better than anyone that Promethium wouldn’t have wanted it that way. So I’ve prepared a different course of actions. Lawrencium, escort them to the launch area.”

[Copper]: “Launch?”

[Lawrencium]: “Follow me.”

[Plutonium]: “Everyone is dismissed.”

The five elements exited the room, followed by Terra.

[Plutonium]: “Uranium, prepare the medical observance room on Floor 20. We have a surgery to attend to.”

[Uranium]: “Yes, Miss.”

Down in the basement, Lawrencium walked the elements through his underground lab. Alpha, Epsilon, and Omega were standing in the room, all turned off.

[Copper]: “What are those?”

[Lawrencium]: “Units. New beings Promethium and I designed to take element’s place in battle. They helped us defend the tower.”

Silver stopped in front of Epsilon.

[Silver]: “This one looks awfully familiar. So does the white one.”

[Copper]: “They look like you and Polonium.”

[Lawrencium]: “Eheh, they’re all original designs, I promise!”

[Gold]: “Why are they turned off?”

[Lawrencium]: “I’m removing their memories from the last day.”

[Silver]: “You said they were intended for battle. Don’t you think the experience will help them?”

[Lawrencium]: “They were intended, yes. Promethium and I decided to go back on the original plan so they could become autonomous. To do that, we designed Units to be as naïve as a newly-restored element when activated for the first time. All violence does is kill innocence. I want them to have better.”

[Silver]: “If only elements could be so lucky…”

[Lawrencium]: “Ah, here we are.”

[Samarium]: “I don’t see anything.”

The elements had walked up to a large black wall. Lawrencium pressed a button on his remote which prompted the wall to split into two sliding doors. Silver walked in first and was shocked by what he saw. In front of him were two massive space shuttles leaning upright against a large metal support structure.

[Lawrencium]: “These are how we will go back to Origin.”

[Silver]: “We?”

[Lawrencium]: “Oh yes, Plutonium and I are coming too. Our days as being scientists only are at an end. I have maxed out the weaponry space in the design. Those Originals will be in for a surprise when we show up!”

[Samarium]: “I wouldn’t bet on it. Origin has a habit of throwing surprises our way.”

[Copper]: “When are we leaving?”

[Lawrencium]: “Tomorrow at noon. The shuttles are charging up. Remember if these go down, there is no other way to return to Axiom.”

[Silver]: “I’m well aware.”

[Lawrencium]: “That’s all for the big presentation. Invite whoever you think will help us the most and meet me in this room tomorrow morning.”

[Silver]: “Roger that. Come on, guys. Let’s go see how Hydrogen’s doing.”

[Lawrencium]: “She’ll be on Floor 20, but you can still talk to her family.”

Silver, Copper, Samarium, and Ununoctium nodded before leaving. Terra stayed a second to look at the large piece of machinery that would take her back to her home world.

[Ununoctium]: “Follow me, Terra!”

Terra snapped out of her daze and walked back to join her caretaker.

Part 16

Euclid Tower, Floor 20 medical observation room

Hydrogen lay on a long bed over a soft blanket. Around her were various machines with beeping lights, showing her vitals like temperature, energy, and even electricity output. Plutonium had taken great care to attach as many nodes as she could to Hydrogen’s body so she could make sure the little element was safe.

[Plutonium]: “Uranium, scissors.”

[Uranium]: “Here, Miss.”

[Plutonium]: “Hold the light.”

Plutonium readied her instrument and began making the first of many cuts to extract the vines that were still stuck under Hydrogen’s skin.

Oxygen, Gallium, Rubidium, Sodium, and Palladium were sitting just outside the room, waiting for any sign of good news. Copper, Samarium, Silver, Ununoctium, and Terra met them.

[Silver]: “How is she?”

[Oxygen]: “We don’t know yet. Plutonium said we could be waiting for a few hours.”

[Copper]: “Poor Hydrogen, she’s too small and cute to go through this…”

[Silver]: “Oxygen, I know this isn’t the best time to bring this up, but Lawrencium showed us a new invention. It can fly us back to Origin to get the others-”

[Rubidium]: “You really have the core to bring that up right now!?”

Rubidium started thinking about the battle she had just fought in until Molybdenum made her last stand.

[Rubidium]: “What about everyone who was obliterated? Show some respect!”

[Oxygen]: “That’s enough, Rubi! If it wasn’t for Silver, Hydrogen might not have made it back in the first place! He knows she isn’t in the best state, but he’s right. Our work isn’t over. Did Lawrencium say this new invention is safe?”

[Silver]: “He’s very sure it can not only get us to Origin, but keep us protected too.”

[Copper]: “You should see the shuttles. They’re huuuuuge.”

[Oxygen]: “When are we leaving?”

[Silver]: “Tomorrow. Noon.”

[Oxygen]: “Alright.”

[Rubidium]: “But you just got back, Oxygen!”

[Oxygen]: “It’s a personal favor, Rubi. Let me be.”

[Samarium]: “You’re more than welcome to join us if you want.”

The thought of seeing more Originals made Rubidium shudder.

[Rubidium]: “I’ll pass.”

[Oxygen]: “Gallium, are you coming?”

Gallium nodded his head to show he was.

[Oxygen]: “It’s settled.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, Oxygen. Meet us in the basement tomorrow.”

[Oxygen]: “We’ll be there.”

The non-Family 1 elements got up and left to their floor.

[Rubidium]: “Wait, Silver.”

Rubidium thought again to Molybdenum’s last moments. Before the unfortunate element was obliterated, she had made one last request to Rubidium.

[Molybdenum]: “Tell Silver…-!”

But could she do what Molybdenum told her to do? Did she have it in her after reading Silver’s journal and knowing how Molybdenum felt about him?

[Rubidium]: “Did you hear about what happened to Moly?”

[Silver]: “I have. Selfish as it is, I’m trying to not think about it. I feel like I’m about to break down. She was such a hopeful element and a good friend of mine even if we couldn’t see eye to eye on everything. I’ll miss her so much.”

[Rubidium]: “Sorry for bringing her up then. Good luck tomorrow.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, Rubi.”

Rubidium sat back down, defeated. The flashback of Molybdenum appeared one more time.

[Molybdenum]: “Tell Silver… I love him!”

It was thanks to Silver’s journal that Rubidium knew the pain he had gone through to get over his first failed romance. Rubidium had been partly responsible for his pain when she was fully restored. If she told him about Molybdenum’s last words, he would just feel more pain and regret. Rubidium whispered to herself.

[Rubidium]: “He’s been through too much already, Moly… I’m sorry. Maybe another day.”

Part 17

Euclid Tower, Floor 17 Room “A”

Silver was in for a big shock when he opened the door to Family 11’s residence. There on Gold’s bed was Cadmium except she was wide awake! She ran to Silver.

[Cadmium]: “Silver! Where is Gold?”

[Silver]: “CADMIUM! How did you wake up!? When did you wake up?”

[Cadmium]: “I don’t know. What time is it? There was something like a scream I heard in my dreams. It was so loud, it woke me up. How long have I been gone? Where am I? Who’s that?”

She pointed to Terra.

[Cadmium]: “And most importantly, where is Gold???”

[Copper]: “Cadmium… Gold isn’t here.”

[Cadmium]: “Don’t tell me he’s…?”

[Silver]: “We don’t know. Sit down, Cadmium. We have a lot to catch you up on.”

Over the next half hour, Silver brought Cadmium back to speed on everything she missed- how the elements found Actlanthum, how the Radioactives were defeated, how Mercury got his revenge, how Silver and Ununoctium were stranded on Origin, and everything that happened after that.

[Cadmium]: “My Gold… I’ve been asleep for far too long. He needed me, and I wasn’t there. You’re saying if we board the machine tomorrow, we can rescue him?”

[Samarium]: “That’s what we were promised.”

[Cadmium]: “I’m going too.”

[Copper]: “Do you still remember how to fight and use your powers?”

Cadmium clenched her right hand in a fist in front of her face. It glowed a bright white color.

[Cadmium]: “I’ll be fine. Heck, I’ll train all night if I have to. But I’m going, and you can’t stop me.”

[Silver]: “I won’t try to.”

[Ununoctium]: “She’s scary.”

[Samarium]: “The more the merrier, right?”

[Silver]: “In the meantime, don’t do anything crazy, okay Cadmium?”

[Cadmium]: “Crazy, why would I do something crazy?”

[Silver]: “You weren’t exactly sane when you kidnapped Gold that one time.”

[Cadmium]: “Oh yeah. Gosh, it’s so long ago I thought I dreamt it up too. Sorry about that.”

[Silver]: “No worries. Let’s just focus on tomorrow.”

Up above the elements on the 20th floor, Plutonium stepped outside of the medical room.

[Oxygen]: “How is she?”

[Plutonium]: “She’ll live. But she is badly wounded from the incisions we needed to make. For now, she will rest in a healing tube until her vitals are high enough. Uranium will watch her while I am away tomorrow. Ask her for any updates.”

[Oxygen]: “Tell her to keep Rubidium posted. I’m leaving tomorrow too.”

[Plutonium]: “Oh, so you are joining us. Very well. I’ll do that.”

[Rubidium]: “Can we see her?”

[Plutonium]: “You’ll have to wait. Her condition is still under close management. Sorry. With all the work we did, she looks like an old sewn doll at the moment.

[Rubidium]: “Ouch…”

[Palladium]: “How disturbing…”

[Oxygen]: “I don’t care how she looks as long as she is alive. Thanks, Miss Plutonium.”

[Plutonium]: “You’re welcome.”

Plutonium entered the room again and locked the door behind her.

Part 17

Euclid Tower, Floor 20 medical observation room

Dusk came. In the universe of humans, this time would be have been around 8pm. Uranium and Plutonium had passed out from sheer exhaustion at the foot of the bed Hydrogen was once in. They slept soundly until Plutonium’s remote beeped. She woke up wide-eyed and answered it. The small screen display said she was awaiting a message at her laboratory. Plutonium slowly got to her feet and left the room, but not before catching the sleepy Uranium’s attention.

[Uranium]: “M-Miss?”

[Plutonium]: “Stay here.”

She closed the door and made for the elevator.

Her laboratory was a dark, eery place when she entered the room. A single monitor showed a notification alert in red letters across the screen.

[SYSTEM]: “1 message”

[Plutonium]: “A message? From who?”

Plutonium opened the message and saw video of Promethium sitting in its room.

[Plutonium]: “Promethium! No, this is a recorded message…”

[Promethium]: “Hello, Plutonium. This is a pre-recorded video message that I’ve set on an automatic timer. If you’re seeing this, it’s because I haven’t disabled the timer which means… I’m probably obliterated by now. If that’s the way it is, I hope we were able to save as many elements as we could.”

[Plutonium]: “If you only knew…”

[Promethium]: “Regret is a powerful thing. Even in my weakened state, I can feel it clawing at me, pushing me to make up for my mistakes. So I will. As soon as I finish this recording, I’m getting a superscript and going to Origin. I tried talking to Polonium, but it looks like her regret has gotten the best of her. I’m on my own which is why I’m positive I won’t survive the coming battle. So be it. I shouldn’t have left Samarium by herself. I shouldn’t have let the elements go so easily. One thing I know for sure is I cannot live my last moments in regret. As long as I possess power, I will not leave any elements behind.”

Promethium stood up from its bed and walked off camera. When it came back, it was holding a sword in its hands

[Promethium]: “Miss Plutonium, you and I go a long way back. If my last mission as General hadn’t gone the way it did, you would have been the element I took under my wing, er, wings. Hehe… Ah well, you turned into a fine leader all the same. It’s probably better things worked out this way. I haven’t seen an element so passionately throw themself into their work the way you have. No matter what sacrifice had to be made, you did it for the sake of the elements. You deserve this, and I’m sure you know it’s the truth too. It’s time you made your own legacy. Just don’t make the same mistake I did. There’s-”

Promethium’s remote beeped loudly. It answered the call. Plutonium heard her own voice in the recording when she talked to Promethium.

[Plutonium]: “Promethium, where are you? We have an update on the stalk’s growth. Please come back to the laboratory ASAP.”

[Promethium]: “I’ll be there.”

When Promethium hung up the remote, it looked at the camera one last time.

[Promethium]: “Out of time… This is my official resignation as Actlanthum’s Navigator. I am appointing you as my successor, Miss Plutonium. I wish you the best of luck. Remember, I believe in you now as I always have. Goodbye my friend.”

[SYSTEM]: “End Of Message”

Tears came down Plutonium’s cheeks. She put her head on the keyboard and sobbed to herself.

[Plutonium]: “I’m sorry I didn’t go with you… I’m sorry, Promethium…”

She wiped away her tears and stood up.

[Plutonium]: “I’ll be the element you would have wanted me to be. I hereby swear on my skill and pride as an element to uphold the power of Navigator.”

Plutonium saved the message to her personal inbox and powered down the monitor.

[Plutonium]: “And that starts tomorrow.”

When midnight came, a mysterious element knocked several times at Family 11’s door. Silver answered it.

[Silver]: “Hello?”

[Samarium]: “Hey, Silver. Mind if I come in?”

[Silver]: “The others are asleep. If you wanna talk, let’s stay outside.”

[Samarium]: “Oh. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

[Silver]: “You didn’t. I’ve been trying to fall asleep all night, but I just can’t. Too many things to think about.”

[Samarium]: “You mean, Moly, right?”

[Silver]: “Yeah. And my brother, but he’s probably safe with Polonium right now. I can’t say the same about Moly.”

[Samarium]: “I know how you feel. Promethium was my closest friend, and now it’s suddenly gone. I couldn’t believe it until I tried sleeping in my room and realized I was alone.”

[Silver]: “You have my condolences, Sam. I’m the reason you guys were on Origin in the first place.”

[Samarium]: “I was wrong to blame you. Helping others is what Promethium did. This is the way it wanted. I wish we could have saved your friend.”

[Silver]: “We left on such bad terms. I think what kills me the most is I never got to tell her I’m sorry.”

[Samarium]: “I’m sure she knew, Silver, even if you didn’t say it. She cared enough about you to risk her life defending the tower until you came back.”

Silver felt a tear come as he realized Samarium’s words were true.

[Silver]: “Yeah… she did.”

[Samarium]: “You’re a good element, Silver. Don’t change. No matter what. Elements like you and Promethium don’t come around often. Believe me, I would know. Your family is lucky.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, Sam. I feel a lot better.”

[Samarium]: “If you ever need anything, I’ll be there. I made a promise to protect you.”

[Silver]: “What about you? Was there a reason you came so late at night?”

[Samarium]: “I was uh actually… kinda hoping to ask you something.”

[Silver]: “Go for it.”

[Samarium]: “Is it okay if I spend the night? It’s not the same without Promethium.”

[Silver]: “Sure, just be careful not to wake up the others.”

[Samarium]: “Thank you, Silver!”

[Silver]: “Shhhhh…!”

[Samarium]: “Oh, hehe, oops.”

[Silver]: “Haha. Easy there. Come on.”

The two elements quietly made their way back into the room while being careful not to wake up anyone. Silver was so involved in being quiet that he didn’t notice someone was missing from the room. A certain green plant-like being…

Part 18

December 23, 2016 ---Euclid Tower, Floor 17 Room “A”

[Copper]: “Brother! Brother, wake up!”

[Silver]: “Huh? Five more minutes…”

[Copper]: “BROTHER! LOOK!”

Silver was violently shaken out of his peaceful sleep. He stood straight up in his bed.

[Silver]: “What, what, what?”

Then he saw four Element Originals looking at him from the corner of his bed.

[Silver]: “WOAH WHAT, GET AWAY!”

[Ununoctium]: “Wait, Silver! They’re Terra’s!”

Samarium heard Silver’s screams in her sleep and woke up to quickly rush to his side.

[Samarium]: “I’ll protect you, Silver!”

[Silver]: “Am I still dreaming? What’s going on?”

[Ununoctium]: “You aren’t. Look.”

Ununoctium pointed to a corner of the room. A large bulb had once been there, pulsating a bright green color. All that was left was a withering corpse of a flower.

[Silver]: “So that’s what they came from.”

[Samarium]: “They’re not dangerous?”

Samarium pulled back her sword while Silver took a closer look at the Originals. They were all of an element shape, but unlike Terra, they didn’t resemble any specific element. Their skin was a dark brown color with bodies covered in leaves for “clothing.” Each of them curiously looked back at Silver. Cadmium woke up in her bed across the room.

[Cadmium]: “What’s with all the shout-ING, WHAT ARE THOSE!?”

[Silver]: “Relax, it looks like they were formed from Terra. Somehow. I’ll call Plutonium and ask her to meet us in the basement. Maybe she’ll have a better idea.”

[Cadmium]: “Oh yeah, what time is it?”

[Silver]: “An hour before noon. I must have overslept.”

[Ununoctium]: “It was sooo nice sleeping in a bed again. He couldn’t help it.”

[Silver]: “Haha, I barely realized that. It’s time to get going.”

The elements all left for the basement.

Part 19

Euclid Tower, Floor B1 Launch Area

Family 11 were the last elements to arrive at the launch area.

[Plutonium]: “Finally, he arrives! I thought you would be more eager to save your brother!”

[Silver]: “My bad, I overslept.”

[Plutonium]: “Hmm… so these are the things you told me about.”

Plutonium observed the four Originals.

[Plutonium]: “If what you’re telling me is true, Terra is undergoing some form of procreation process. Though if just one Original can make four in one night, imagine how many four can produce. It’s a worrisome phenomenon.”

[Silver]: “What should we do?”

[Plutonium]: “They’re coming with us. I have to see how they react to being on their home world.”

[Ununoctium]: “Won’t it be dangerous?”

[Plutonium]: “I’ll have them ride in the first shuttle with the Units. That shuttle leaves first. We’ll follow after.”

[Cadmium]: “Can I go in the first shuttle?”

[Plutonium]: “Why does it matter?”

[Cadmium]: “I want to be the first to Origin. It’s for Gold’s sake.”

[Plutonium]: “Sure, if it helps you feel better. Grab your superscripts, everyone! We’re launching in ten!”

It only took five minutes for the elements to load into the two shuttles. Everyone anxiously sat down in their seats. Lawrencium had promised that his invention would work, but simulations could only prove so much. Flying in a vehicle was unheard of on Axiom.

[SYSTEM]: “10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Lift-off.”

Shuttle 1’s engines powered on, shooting down with incredible thrust. The elements saw it leave through the front window of their own shuttle.

[Lawrencium]: “Now it’s our turn.”

Shuttle 2 powered on in the same way the first had. Palladium, Sodium, Uranium, and Rubidium waved their hands while watching them depart. In less than a minute, both shuttles were in space and quickly approaching Origin’s atmosphere. Plutonium turned on her communicator.

[Plutonium]: “So far so good. Cadmium, how are things in your shuttle?”

[Cadmium]: “Everyone’s quiet and looking straight ahead. These Originals are kinda creepy to be honest. Same for the Units. Can no one here talk?”

[Lawrencium]: “The Units’ communication modules are turned off until we land. They aren’t meant to remember this next battle.”

[Cadmium]: “I guess that’s fiiiiiiiine.”

Shuttle 1 took a sudden turn to the left and started flying away from Axiom.

[Plutonium]: “Cadmium, what are you doing? Correct course now!”

[Cadmium]: “I-I didn’t touch anything!”

[Plutonium]: “Grab the handles and manually steer yourself to the right!”

[Cadmium]: “Nggh! They’re stuck in place!”

[Lawrencium]: “Open the panel underneath the controls and-”

[Cadmium]: “Hold on, I hear something.”

The engines in her shuttle were making a deep rumbling sound.

[Cadmium]: “Uh oh.”

Without warning, they went into full throttle and pushed the shuttle 10 times faster than they had before. Every second the shuttle traveled faster and faster until it disappeared entirely from the second shuttle’s view.

[Silver]: “Cadmium! CADMIUM!!!”

[Ununoctium]: “They’re gone…”

[Oxygen]: “What do we do now?”

Plutonium wondered what Promethium would do. Hesitating was not an option. It would mean delaying their current mission. She had to do what the most responsible thing was.

[Plutonium]: “We’ll recover the shuttle after we rescue the elements on Origin! Continue the mission!”

[Everyone]: “Yes, Miss!”

Epilogue

For She so hated the world,

She gave her only daughter

who learned to believe in herself

and decided to save them

from her Mother’s wrath

Despite all the precautions Lawrencium had taken and the worries Plutonium felt, rescuing the elements ended up being easier than they had hoped. After their shuttle had broken through Origin’s atmosphere, it stopped at west peak where Polonium’s group had first landed. High on top of the mountain, all three elements were already waiting for their ride home. They had never once faced any Originals. It was as if nature had given up her fight against the elements.

Polonium got aboard and handed a sword to Plutonium. It was Promethium’s. Gold was horrified to find out Cadmium had finally woken up only to blast off to oblivion the next day. His family did the best they could do to comfort him. Silver and Samarium could empathize because they knew the pain of losing a loved one. Terra, who never again procreated, would be left as the only Original to reside on Axiom. Family 11 would adopt her to show the Original their gratitude for her help. Meanwhile, Rubidium had kept quiet on Molybdenum’s last words to spare him any more pain. It was a decision that would haunt her for the rest of her days.

December 23, 2016 ---Euclid Tower, Floor 20 medical observation room

Once the elements returned to Axiom, Uranium notified them that Hydrogen was fully healed. They all rushed from the shuttle to the 20th floor and crowded around her bed.

[Oxygen]: “Hydrogen? Hydrogen?”

Hydrogen slowly opened her eyes.

[Hydrogen]: “Oxy? Silvy?”

[Oxygen]: “Hydrogen!!”

He stooped down and hugged the little element. Both of them cried in each other’s arms.

All of Family 1 looked at each other, please, but still saddened over the events they had gone through to save that single element in bed. Polonium and Iodine were the first elements to leave. Silver motioned to stop her.

[Silver]: “Leaving already?”

[Polonium]: “I’m not the type for mushy scenes. There’s stuff I have to take care of.”

[Silver]: “Like?”

[Polonium]: “I’m going on a long trip. Next time you see me, I’ll be stronger, strong enough to lead the elements and take down anything that comes our way. Until then, you take care of them. Got it?”

Polonium held out her right hand which Silver shook with his own.

[Silver]: “Heh, got it, General. I hate to see you go, but I understand why. Hopefully, we see each other again someday.”

[Polonium]: “Oh don’t worry, I’m looking forward to beating you down soon. You be careful what you wish for!”

With that said, she and her teacher left.

[Silver]: “Ah that Polonium…”

[Samarium]: “Hmph, if she wants to get to you, she’ll have to go through me.”

[Ununoctium]: “A-And me! I’m strong now!”

[Copper]: “Hey, I’m his sister! Get in line!”

Silver saw his family members start to have some friendly tension. Terra tilted her head curiously.

[Silver]: “Now, now, calm down! I can take care of myself!”

[Gold]: “Hehe, you know us. We’ll always have your back.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, guys. That’s why I love my family.”

He took one more look at Hydrogen who was smiling happily as she embraced Oxygen.

[Silver]: “It’s the things we do for family.”

Outside the front of Euclid Tower, Plutonium and Lawrencium stood in front of a large object covered in cloth. Snow fell around them.

[Plutonium]: “You think Promethium would appreciate this?”

[Lawrencium]: “It’s the thought that counts!”

[Plutonium]: “True.”

[Lawrencium]: “By the way, I looked into some security footage of the launch area last night. Either our cameras went down or someone or something disabled them for five minutes.”

[Plutonium]: “Any leads?”

[Lawrencium]: “None.”

[Plutonium]: “Hm, so it could be one of those new Originals. Or our own Units? I doubt Cadmium would go so far as to sabotage the shuttle she wanted to be in, especially when she was so close to seeing Gold.”

[Lawrencium]: “Who then?”

[Plutonium]: “I can only imagine the culprit was aboard that shuttle. We’ll keep our eyes open just in case. For now, I want production of Units stopped. We have enough of them out there. Somewhere. Once Shuttle 2 is repowered, we can do a proper search to retrieve Shuttle 1.”

[Lawrencium]: “Good idea. I must say, you’re getting comfortable as our Navigator.”

[Plutonium]: “Thanks. I’m not going to run away from who I am anymore. I was a general once, and while I’m not proud to have served in war, I have no regrets looking out for my elements. I can only hope I am as good as my predecessor.”

[Lawrencium]: “I’m sure Promethium would be proud.”

Lawrencium patted Plutonium’s shoulder and smiled. She blushed for a second.

[Plutonium]: “Ahem… well then. Let’s do it.”

She pulled down the cloth in front of her, revealing a large diamond statue of Promethium holding its sword high into the sky.

[Plutonium]: “Let’s work for a future Promethium would be proud of.”

They admired the statue and then walked away together to play in the snow.

On the statue was a plaque with a small paragraph engraved into it. It read:

We elements have always been a race to sacrifice for each other.

But why do we sacrifice?

It’s so that we can see our loved ones smile.

Young elements can realize their futures.

We can enjoy our leisure times together.

Indeed, even when it comes to sacrificing everything for just one element

We do it

Because sometimes a smile is what keeps us alive

Our futures give us purpose

Leisure times help us find joy in each other

We will go to the ends of the world for the ones we love

That is what we live for

For even the weak possess power

And we will take on nature itself

To prove just that

We are one

We are elements of power

With love to the future,

Plutonium

The End

Description

Part 11

Origin southern hemisphere, underground tunnel

[Samarium]: “Look out, Silver!”

Silver’s arms were too weak to continue fighting against his grass clone. Samarium ran to his side and blocked a fatal attack while also blocking against her own clone’s attacks. She was essentially fighting two opponents at once.

[Silver]: “Phew…”

[Samarium]: “Stay behind me, please!”

She continued to block their enemies’ attacks as best as she could. Ununoctium saw her protector in trouble and fired an arrow at Silver’s copy before she fired another arrow at her own copy’s forehead. It fell back, dead. Now that she was free, she rushed to Silver’s side to help Samarium. Together, they were able to kill the imposters with a series of slashes and arrows.

Meanwhile, Gallium saw his clone try to attack from behind. He ducked underneath the attack while Copper froze its arms solid. With his enemy disarmed, Gallium punched it once in the chest and then reached his other hand under the Original’s head and crushed its neck, killing it. By this point, the other elements had disposed of their clones as well.

[Silver]: “Phew… phew…”

[Oxygen]: “We have to go before more come.”

[Samarium]: “Lean on me, Silver. We’re almost there.”

[Silver]: “Thanks…”

Thirty more minutes passed by the time the elements saw light at the end of the tunnel. They walked into the end of the corridor and were awestruck by what they saw next.

The core of Origin was a massive dome-shaped chasm. In the ceiling, thousands of tiny rivers of green liquid poured downwards into the massive lake of purple goo at the chasm floor. It mixed into a lighter purple substance that bubbled and popped threateningly. If they didn’t know they were underground, they would have thought this was a never-ending ocean.

The elements saw a thin strip of land that led from the tunnel to a tiny circle-shaped platform at the center of the underground lake.

[Oxygen]: “I see Hydrogen! Hurry!!”

All of the elements ran as fast as they could over the narrow piece of land that kept them away from the toxic fluids underneath. Hydrogen was a mess when they finally got close. Her body was stuck to a large pulsating flower, much like the one Ununoctium had been swallowed by. Vines grew from the flower and penetrated Hydrogen’s skin, draining her very life force from her.

[Oxygen]: “Hydrogen…”

[Hydrogen]: “O-Oxy… stay… away…”

[Oxygen]: “I’m so sorry I couldn’t do anything, Hydrogen. You’re coming home now. I promise everything’s going to be okay.”

[Hydrogen]: “Oxy… y…”

[Silver]: “Careful with the vines. They’re close to her core.”

[Oxygen]: “I see them.”

Oxygen took his swords and applied a series of swift cuts that freed Hydrogen from her captor. The plant shook and swayed side to side before slowly opening its petals. A green figure revealed itself from the inside of the bulb.

[Gold]: “Woah…”

[Copper]: “Is that-?”

[Oxygen]: “No way.”

The green figure took three steps out of the bulb and onto dry ground.

[Ununoctium]: “It’s… Hydrogen…”

The element were shocked to see the plant was a perfect copy of Hydrogen, down to the same style of dress and hair strands, all made of grass. Like most Originals, it had piercing yellow eyes.

Terra slowly approached the strange new being. The Hydrogen Original stood quietly awaiting the Ununoctium one.

Both Originals stared at each other. Then Hydrogen’s moved. It pointed its index finger at Ununoctium and Silver. Terra used her right arm to bring the new Original’s arm down as if it was offending her friends. The new Original ended up taking offense and punched down Terra with its other hand.

[Silver, Ununoctium]: “TERRA!”

They ran to her aid. The new Original saw the two elements approaching and turned around. It walked away down the side of the land into the lake. Its body disappeared in a few seconds.

[Silver]: “I wonder what that was all about. Let’s go, Terra. Just a punch. You’ll be alright.”

[Ununoctium]: “Silver!”

Bubbles started popping where the Hydrogen Original had let its body be consumed by the liquid. Waves started forming, getting bigger and louder by the second.

[Silver]: “Something’s coming!”

[Oxygen]: “Are you done watching!?”

[Silver]: “Just about!”

The elements took off in a sprint. Large chunks of rocks fell from the ceiling. Waves splashed violently across the group’s footpath, threatening to instantly melt them. They were almost at the tunnel entrance when something emerged from beneath the lake. It was a wooden sail that quickly grew in size, the more of it revealed itself. Silver turned around long enough to see what was coming…

[Silver]: “IT’S GAIA!!!! And she’s bigger than ever!!”

[Samarium]: “Guess you were right about the acid immunity!”

[Copper]: “If we’re lucky, we’ll get out before she sees us!”

[Ununoctium]: “Uhhhhh…”

Ununoctium took a quick look back and saw Gaia’s monstrous eyes, each as big as a house, breach the lake surface.

[Ununoctium]: “I think she sees us!”

[Silver]: “Oh dear…”

Behind them, they heard a mighty roar whose wind was so powerful, it pushed all of the elements frontwards, tumbling into the tunnel.

[Gold]: “RUN RUN RUN!”

[Copper]: “This isn’t good! She’s bigger than a mountain!”

The tunnel started collapsing in on itself. Terra saw the danger and jumped into the ground. She quickly emerged, but back in her Tyrant form, ready to lift the elements. She charged up the tunnel at her fastest speed. The tunnel’s exit was still a long way off. Could they make it?

Part 12

Euclid Tower, Floor 99,999

Without access to the main elevator, Plutonium’s group of elements had to use their own superscripts to propel themselves upwards once they were past Axiom’s atmosphere. Plutonium landed on one of the tower walls. Just ahead were the branches of Origin’s space-breaching stalk.

[Plutonium]: “In positions!”

[Lawrencium]: “I have to hand it to you, Plutonium. I never thought I’d see the day you would wear armor again.”

[Plutonium]: “And I thought I’d never see you get out of that dusty basement. I guess we’re even?”

[Lawrencium]: “Heh, you know I wouldn’t miss the chance to serve by your side again. We’ve been researching for what, ten years?”

[Plutonium]: “We had a good run. I’d gladly spend the rest of my life researching if it would mean a peaceful life. But I digress.”

[Lawrencium]: “Tell you what, if we survive this, I’ll move all my stuff out of the basement.”

[Plutonium]: “Finally? You weren’t kidding when you said it’d be the end of the world.”

[Lawrencium]: “I’m an element of my word! But seriously, Plutonium. It has been a good run. I’ll have your back to the end.”

[Plutonium]: “As will I, Lawrencium.”

[Uranium]: “H-Hey, don’t forget us, your lieutenants!”

[Neptunium]: “Let them be, Uranium. It is not our time or place to be between two generals.”

[Uranium]: “Well we could use orders or something…”

[Neptunium]: “The orders are simple. We hold the line until Promethium returns.”

[Uranium]: “So simple and yet… not so easy…”

[Neptunium]: “It will be okay as long as Miss Plutonium is leading the way.”

On the opposite side of the tower, Family 1’s remaining members talked with each other.

[Rubidium]: “You ready for this?”

[Molybdenum]: “A-As ready as I’ll ever be!”

[Rubidium]: “You’re shaking.”

[Molybdenum]: “So are you!”

[Rubidium]: “N-No, I’m not!”

[Palladium]: “Thy journey ahead is a dark one. Let us make proper preparations.”

[Rubidium]: “And then there’s Palladium… and those things.”

Rubidium looked at the three Units, Alpha, Epsilon, and Omega quietly waiting by their side.

[Rubidium]: “Lawrencium said they’re good in a fight, but I’m not so sure.”

[Molybdenum]: “We need all the help we can get. I just wish they’d talk to us.”

[Rubidium]: “I doubt they can even understand us. Oh well.”

[Molybdenum]: “Hey, Rubi, can I ask something?”

[Rubidium]: “Sure.”

[Molybdenum]: “What did you think about Silver’s journal?”

[Rubidium]: “It blew me away. Didn’t you read it?”

[Molybdenum]: “No, I wouldn’t dare violate his privacy. It was very tempting, don’t get me wrong.”

[Rubidium]: “I wish I had been as trustworthy as you. What I read can’t be unseen. I can’t take it back.”

[Molybdenum]: “Was it really that bad?”

[Rubidium]: “It was craaaaaazyyy.”

[Molybdenum]: “When I see Silver again, I want it to be with a clean conscious. I’m hoping we can put aside our pasts and start over.”

[Rubidium]: “Goodluck. This might sound weird, but I’m really pulling for you.”

[Molybdenum]: “Aw, thanks, Rubi.”

[Rubidium: “Hey don’t get all touchy-feely with me.”

[Molybdenum]: “Tee hee, I’ll save the hug for later then. I see something up ahead.”

Dozens of Originals were crawling their way down Origin’s stalk. They stopped to take a look at the small line of elements that were determined to hold them back. Then they each dug into the stalk’s branches. In just a few seconds, the Originals emerged from the branches, but instead of having a generic element-shape, they now closely resembled either Oxygen, Gallium, Silver, Gold, Copper, or Samarium.

[Molybdenum]: “Oh nooooooo…”

[Rubidium]: “Hey, I don’t remember signing up for this!”

[Plutonium]: “We can’t let the tower fall. Until I get word back from Promethium, we will hold this line! Elements! Comrades! Follow my lead! CHAAAAAARGE!!!”

The seven elements and three Units set their superscripts to full power and flew upwards to make their last stand against Origin’s impending army.

Part 13

Origin southern hemisphere, mysterious formation

Terra was exhausted by the time she got outside the cave. Her Tyrant form came down to its knees and broke down into hundreds of little bits of bush and wood until only Terra was left lying down, asleep. Gallium stooped down and held the unconscious being in his arms.

[Silver]: “Keep under the trees! We need to get to the east peak before Gaia-”

The ground shook violently. Cracks formed, trees fell, large waves crashed from the nearby Dead Sea. Gaia was already at the surface. With a roar that shook the cosmos, she burst forth from underneath Origin and crushed an entire forest with a single swipe of her gargantuan claw.

[Gaia]: “RWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

[Gold]: “That thing’s gotta be at least 6 miles long!”

[Silver]: “Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot-!”

[Oxygen]: “Silver! There’s no sneaking past her or defeating her!”

[Silver]: “I know!! Just… stay close! She can’t retain that kind of size forever!”

Gaia took a single step to her left, destroying dozens of trees under her foot.

[Oxygen]: “Silver!”

[Silver]: “Darn it! Retreat! Head south!”

[Oxygen: “But we’ll miss the elevator!”

[Silver]: “One thing at a time, Oxygen!!”

Gaia took three more colossal steps to the left. By this point she was facing in the elements’ direction. Her head hung over them like a god about to sentence its subjects to death. The end was near.

Then the elements heard several explosions from above Gaia’s ahead. It was Polonium, Iodine, and Promethium. They had spotted the Colossal Original and opened fire.

[Polonium]: “Found you, little dickens!”

[Iodine]: “Polonium, the stranded elements are below!”

[Polonium]: “You and Promethium take them to the elevator! I’ve got a score to settle!”

[Promethium]: “But you can’t beat her!”

[Polonium]: “I know that! I’m not going to make the same mistake again. But I know I can buy you some time! Now GO!”

Polonium continued firing from her double photon cannons on her shoulders.

[Polonium]: “It’s just you and me!”

[Gaia]: “RWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!”

Promethium and Iodine met up with the other elements.

[Samarium]: “Promethium!”

[Promethium]: “We’re not out of the woods yet, Sam! There’s an army of Originals blocking the elevator. Get on my back. Gallium, I’ll lift you while you hold Copper, Gold, and um, whats-her-name. Iodine, you take Silver, Oxygen, Hydrogen, and Uno!”

The other elements loaded up while Polonium continued to distract the mountainous predator above. She fired a round of missiles straight into Gaia’s left eye. The explosions temporarily blinded her, but failed to do any significant damage.

[Polonium]: “Alright, try this!”

She single-handedly pulled out a heavy machine gun-like weapon from her superscript and proceeded to unload all of her ammunition. Gaia swung her head and opened her jaws wide. Polonium had to drop her heavy artillery to fly fast enough and avoid being swallowed. She flew under Gaia’s head, past her neck, and in between her fingers. For now, Polonium’s plan was working.

Meanwhile, Promethium and Iodine had dropped off their loads at the elevator door. In front of the elements were dozens of Originals that were crawling up the tower.

[Promethium]: “Iodine and I are going back for Polonium! Clear out the Originals and get the elevator back up!”

[Silver]: “Roger that!”

[Samarium]: “Good luck, Promethium!”

Promethium and Iodine took off towards Gaia’s location. The Colossal Original was furious in not being able to crush her fly-sized prey. She slammed both her claws together, creating a shockwave that launched Polonium out of her flight pattern. Her back hit against Gaia’s torso. Iodine caught its apprentice and helped her regain her balance. Gaia saw the elements underneath her and opened her mouth wide. This time instead of biting, she charged up energy from within, and shot her flamethrower attack down at the elements. All three were caught in it.

[Polonium]: “It breathes fire!!!??? RGH!!”

[Promethium]: “AGGGGGH!!!”

[Iodine]: “URGH!”

With their superscripts heavily damaged, the three elements crashed near Gaia’s feet. She brought a massive claw down to crush them.

[Promethium]: “MOVE! HURRY!!”

Polonium ran and fired beams of light from her left hand to try and blind Gaia, anything that could buy them time. Gaia missed with her first claw and then her second. She roared, triggering Promethium’s visions again. The element stopped running and clutched its head in pain. A third claw attack missed Polonium, and Iodine, but hit Promethium, crushing its torso and both of its legs. Hardly anything was left of the unfortunate element.

[Polonium]: “PROMETHIUM!!”

[Promethium]: “Polonium, my electron… I trust you.”

Gaia brought down her right claw down once more and crushed what was left of Promethium. The once-proud Navigator of the Actinides and Lanthanides disappeared in a flash of white light. An electron was all that was left of the element.

[Polonium]: “NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!”

[Iodine]: “The electron, Polonium!”

[Polonium]: “GRRR, NOW IT’S PERSONAL!! With me, Iodine!”

[Iodine]: “As always!”

The two elements ran to retrieve Promethium’s electron before Gaia’s next claw attack could obliterate them. They reached it just in time and both put their hands on it, activating the electron’s power. Both elements fused together much like Silver and Gold had before. Their wounds were instantly healed and armors combined into a single white and black set. Polonium grew two wings from her back and her hair color changed to mix in with Iodine’s. In just a split-second, Polonium Iodide had been born.

The new element raised its hands up to catch Gaia’s claw which pushed it deep into the ground. For a moment, it seemed as if Polonium Iodide had been obliterated too. Then, it emerged from the ground, impossibly lifting up the Colossal Original’s hand.

[Gaia]: “RWAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!”

[Polonium Iodide]: “You’re finished!!”

Polonium Iodide flew at Mach speeds into Origin’s atmosphere and then came crashing down from orbit with a super-powered punch.

[Polonium Iodide]: “HEAVEN’S!!! BLOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!”

They punched Gaia straight in the head with such immense force, the creature was drilled down deep into Origin’s core from whence it came. With its work done, the combined element flew back to regroup with the other elements.

[Oxygen]: “Quick, load them in!”

[Samarium]: “Where’s Promethium!?”

[Polonium Iodide]: “Didn’t make it.”

[Samarium]: “No! We have to go back!”

[Polonium Iodide]: “Promethium’s obliterated!”

[Samarium]: “It can’t… be…”

[Silver]: “I’m so sorry, Sam…”

[Gold]: “Punch it!”

Oxygen slammed his fist down at the button to start the elevator. He reached into the control panel and pulled out a remote.

[Oxygen]: “Plutonium! We’re on our way back!”

[Plutonium]: “Oxygen! Hurry! We’re losing ground on the tower!”

The elements felt the elevator shake. Then to their horror, Origin’s surface broke again. Gaia was back, except this time, from her sides, six wings had sprouted. The Colossal Original was determined to not let her prey escape. She flapped her newly-made wings and propelled herself up in a jump straight across the ground and onto the tower. The elevator continued moving up while Gaia climbed her way, ten floors at a time, to follow it.

[Ununoctium]: “She’s getting closer!”

[Silver]: “Can’t this thing go any faster!? Wait a second…”

Silver ripped off the control panel and saw the generator inside. He reached both hands over it and poured electricity from his body, speeding up the elevator’s motors and increasing their speed.

[Samarium]: “I’ll help you!”

Samarium held his hands and added her own energy. With both elements putting their cores in overload, the elevator was finally gaining ground from Gaia. That is, until. she flapped her wings and gave herself extra lift. In less than a minute her claws would be within range of the elements.

[Silver]: “Put more into it!”

[Copper]: “You can’t push yourself more, Brother!”

[Oxygen]: “LOOK OUT!!!”

The very tip of Gaia’s claw swiped the left wall off the elevator, opening a large hole. Gold immediately fell through and was sucked back into Origin by its gravitational pull.

[Copper, Silver]: “BROTHER!!”

Polonium Iodide took a look down and saw their old nemesis swiping its claws up. There was no out-speeding her.

[Polonium Iodide]: “We’re up.”

Copper saw Polonium Iodide about to leave the elevator, but before she could stop them, the combined element shoved her to the opposite wall.

[Silver]: “What’re you doing!?”

[Polonium]: “What does it look like!?”

[Oxygen]: “Sister, don’t!”

[Polonium]: “Don’t stop us, Oxygen! You know we’re all finished if we keep standing around! And Silver… sorry.”

Polonium Iodide jumped out the hole and used its wings to control their descent back to Origin’s atmosphere.

[Polonium Iodide]: “You’ve been a thorn in my side for the last time!”

Polonium Iodide pulled back their right arm and then brought it forth to do their finishing maneuver one last time.

[Polonium Iodide]: “THE RAW POWERRRRRRRRR!!!!!!”

They hit Gaia’s head one final time and pushed her back to Origin. The Colossal Original destroyed Origin’s east peak upon impact. It was the last the elements would see of the massive beast and her conqueror.

[Silver]: “Polonium…”

[Oxygen]: “We’re almost at the checkpoint. Plutonium, set the timer!”

[Plutonium]: “Set! Everyone, fall back to the safe zone!”

Part 14

Euclid Tower, Floor 99,999

Plutonium’s forces were fighting a losing battle for the tower. Already they had been pushed back a hundred or so floors behind the safe zone. They had less than a minute before Plutonium would detonate the explosives.

[Lawrencium]: “All subscripts switch to sentry position!”

What was left of the subscript fleet arranged themselves into a line while all the elements turned to flee. Several stray Element Originals made it through the subscripts’ defense. One of them extended its arm into a long rope that gripped onto Molybdenum’s superscript. Four more Originals did the same until they were dragged her to them. It tore away at her superscript jetpack with its sharpened claws

[Rubidium]: “Moly! Hold on, I’m coming back!”

Before Rubidium could fire a beam of light, another Original got her from behind. Then three more. She was stuck. Palladium and Plutonium were caught in the same predicament.

[Lawrencium]: “We’re… losing subscripts fast! There’s too many!”

[Plutonium]: “Eject from your superscripts! Use your sabers!”

One of the Units, Epsilon, saw Rubidium in danger and rushed to her aid. Molybdenum meanwhile was getting even more Originals pinning her from behind. She couldn’t even reach for her photon saber.

[Rubidium]: “Forget me! Save her!”

Epsilon ignored Rubidium’s pleas and continued slicing off the Originals from her back. By this point, all of Molybdenum’s superscript armor had been ripped off her.

[Rubidium]: “HER! SAVE HER!!!”

[Molybdenum]: “RUBI-!”

Molybdenum muttered a few words that Rubidium barely heard. Then an Original in the shape of Silver reached its claw and pierced Molybdenum from behind. Rubidium overloaded herself and created a blast of light that repelled everything from of her. By the time she restarted her superscript’s engines, she was too late. The Original’s attack had touched Molybdenum’s core.

Eyes wide in surprise, the last thing Molybdenum saw was the elevator that Silver’s group was in as it whirred back to Axiom. He was safe. Molybdenum closed her eyes in relief and disappeared in a flash of white light.

[Rubidium]: “MOLY!!!”

[Neptunium]: “MISS!!”

Plutonium saw a similar incident happen to her beloved assistant, Neptunium. He had been attempting to free his leader from the Originals when another stray struck him from behind. The unsuspecting victim was obliterated in front of her eyes.

[Plutonium]: “NOO!!! GRAH! ENOUGH!!”

Plutonium pulled out her remote and slammed on the red button. Hundreds of floors filled with explosives suddenly lit up space. To an outsider, it would have looked like a new star had been born between Origin and Axiom. Originals of every kind met their quick and sudden ends at the fiery power of the elements’ strongest bombs. The remaining Originals on Axiom’s side moved their heads back to look at Origin. It was enough of a distraction for the elements to kill off what remained of their attackers. Plutonium fought harder than before to annihilate every last one of them. She sliced away at the last Original’s head furiously even after it was dead. Her surviving assistant had to approach her to stop.

[Uranium]: “Miss Plutonium! Miss Plutonium!!”

[Plutonium]: “WHAT!???”

[Uranium]: “Miss… it’s dead…”

Uranium gently lowered Plutonium’s hands which clenched her photon saber. The element’s rage slowly faded into sadness. Plutonium dropped her saber and held onto Uranium while she cried.

[Uranium]: “It’s okay, Miss… It’s over…”

Part 15

Euclid Tower, Floor 81 main laboratory

It was only noon when the elements had all returned to the safe zone. At Plutonium’s request, they met at her laboratory to debrief over the events that had just transpired.

Plutonium, Uranium, and Lawrencium stood in front of Silver’s group who told them what had happened during their last seconds on Origin.

[Plutonium]: “So we have an Original ally named Terra… but Promethium is gone… Molybdenum and Neptunium were obliterated too… Polonium, Iodine, and Gold are missing…”

[Ununoctium]: “Moly…”

[Silver]: “Not her… are you sure?”

[Plutonium]: “Why would I lie?”

[Samarium]: “I’m sorry, Silver…”

[Silver]: “But… I still had to-”

He shook his head. There would be a time to let the emotions out. Now wasn’t that time.

[Silver]: “Miss Plutonium, we have to go back.”

[Plutonium]: “Hush. The last time I heard those words, a dear friend of mine was running to its obliteration. Oh what I should have done differently. More elements would be here today.”

[Samarium]: “So you’re leaving them behind? That’s not what Promethium would do.”

[Plutonium]: “You’re right, Sam. You know better than anyone that Promethium wouldn’t have wanted it that way. So I’ve prepared a different course of actions. Lawrencium, escort them to the launch area.”

[Copper]: “Launch?”

[Lawrencium]: “Follow me.”

[Plutonium]: “Everyone is dismissed.”

The five elements exited the room, followed by Terra.

[Plutonium]: “Uranium, prepare the medical observance room on Floor 20. We have a surgery to attend to.”

[Uranium]: “Yes, Miss.”

Down in the basement, Lawrencium walked the elements through his underground lab. Alpha, Epsilon, and Omega were standing in the room, all turned off.

[Copper]: “What are those?”

[Lawrencium]: “Units. New beings Promethium and I designed to take element’s place in battle. They helped us defend the tower.”

Silver stopped in front of Epsilon.

[Silver]: “This one looks awfully familiar. So does the white one.”

[Copper]: “They look like you and Polonium.”

[Lawrencium]: “Eheh, they’re all original designs, I promise!”

[Gold]: “Why are they turned off?”

[Lawrencium]: “I’m removing their memories from the last day.”

[Silver]: “You said they were intended for battle. Don’t you think the experience will help them?”

[Lawrencium]: “They were intended, yes. Promethium and I decided to go back on the original plan so they could become autonomous. To do that, we designed Units to be as naïve as a newly-restored element when activated for the first time. All violence does is kill innocence. I want them to have better.”

[Silver]: “If only elements could be so lucky…”

[Lawrencium]: “Ah, here we are.”

[Samarium]: “I don’t see anything.”

The elements had walked up to a large black wall. Lawrencium pressed a button on his remote which prompted the wall to split into two sliding doors. Silver walked in first and was shocked by what he saw. In front of him were two massive space shuttles leaning upright against a large metal support structure.

[Lawrencium]: “These are how we will go back to Origin.”

[Silver]: “We?”

[Lawrencium]: “Oh yes, Plutonium and I are coming too. Our days as being scientists only are at an end. I have maxed out the weaponry space in the design. Those Originals will be in for a surprise when we show up!”

[Samarium]: “I wouldn’t bet on it. Origin has a habit of throwing surprises our way.”

[Copper]: “When are we leaving?”

[Lawrencium]: “Tomorrow at noon. The shuttles are charging up. Remember if these go down, there is no other way to return to Axiom.”

[Silver]: “I’m well aware.”

[Lawrencium]: “That’s all for the big presentation. Invite whoever you think will help us the most and meet me in this room tomorrow morning.”

[Silver]: “Roger that. Come on, guys. Let’s go see how Hydrogen’s doing.”

[Lawrencium]: “She’ll be on Floor 20, but you can still talk to her family.”

Silver, Copper, Samarium, and Ununoctium nodded before leaving. Terra stayed a second to look at the large piece of machinery that would take her back to her home world.

[Ununoctium]: “Follow me, Terra!”

Terra snapped out of her daze and walked back to join her caretaker.

Part 16

Euclid Tower, Floor 20 medical observation room

Hydrogen lay on a long bed over a soft blanket. Around her were various machines with beeping lights, showing her vitals like temperature, energy, and even electricity output. Plutonium had taken great care to attach as many nodes as she could to Hydrogen’s body so she could make sure the little element was safe.

[Plutonium]: “Uranium, scissors.”

[Uranium]: “Here, Miss.”

[Plutonium]: “Hold the light.”

Plutonium readied her instrument and began making the first of many cuts to extract the vines that were still stuck under Hydrogen’s skin.

Oxygen, Gallium, Rubidium, Sodium, and Palladium were sitting just outside the room, waiting for any sign of good news. Copper, Samarium, Silver, Ununoctium, and Terra met them.

[Silver]: “How is she?”

[Oxygen]: “We don’t know yet. Plutonium said we could be waiting for a few hours.”

[Copper]: “Poor Hydrogen, she’s too small and cute to go through this…”

[Silver]: “Oxygen, I know this isn’t the best time to bring this up, but Lawrencium showed us a new invention. It can fly us back to Origin to get the others-”

[Rubidium]: “You really have the core to bring that up right now!?”

Rubidium started thinking about the battle she had just fought in until Molybdenum made her last stand.

[Rubidium]: “What about everyone who was obliterated? Show some respect!”

[Oxygen]: “That’s enough, Rubi! If it wasn’t for Silver, Hydrogen might not have made it back in the first place! He knows she isn’t in the best state, but he’s right. Our work isn’t over. Did Lawrencium say this new invention is safe?”

[Silver]: “He’s very sure it can not only get us to Origin, but keep us protected too.”

[Copper]: “You should see the shuttles. They’re huuuuuge.”

[Oxygen]: “When are we leaving?”

[Silver]: “Tomorrow. Noon.”

[Oxygen]: “Alright.”

[Rubidium]: “But you just got back, Oxygen!”

[Oxygen]: “It’s a personal favor, Rubi. Let me be.”

[Samarium]: “You’re more than welcome to join us if you want.”

The thought of seeing more Originals made Rubidium shudder.

[Rubidium]: “I’ll pass.”

[Oxygen]: “Gallium, are you coming?”

Gallium nodded his head to show he was.

[Oxygen]: “It’s settled.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, Oxygen. Meet us in the basement tomorrow.”

[Oxygen]: “We’ll be there.”

The non-Family 1 elements got up and left to their floor.

[Rubidium]: “Wait, Silver.”

Rubidium thought again to Molybdenum’s last moments. Before the unfortunate element was obliterated, she had made one last request to Rubidium.

[Molybdenum]: “Tell Silver…-!”

But could she do what Molybdenum told her to do? Did she have it in her after reading Silver’s journal and knowing how Molybdenum felt about him?

[Rubidium]: “Did you hear about what happened to Moly?”

[Silver]: “I have. Selfish as it is, I’m trying to not think about it. I feel like I’m about to break down. She was such a hopeful element and a good friend of mine even if we couldn’t see eye to eye on everything. I’ll miss her so much.”

[Rubidium]: “Sorry for bringing her up then. Good luck tomorrow.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, Rubi.”

Rubidium sat back down, defeated. The flashback of Molybdenum appeared one more time.

[Molybdenum]: “Tell Silver… I love him!”

It was thanks to Silver’s journal that Rubidium knew the pain he had gone through to get over his first failed romance. Rubidium had been partly responsible for his pain when she was fully restored. If she told him about Molybdenum’s last words, he would just feel more pain and regret. Rubidium whispered to herself.

[Rubidium]: “He’s been through too much already, Moly… I’m sorry. Maybe another day.”

Part 17

Euclid Tower, Floor 17 Room “A”

Silver was in for a big shock when he opened the door to Family 11’s residence. There on Gold’s bed was Cadmium except she was wide awake! She ran to Silver.

[Cadmium]: “Silver! Where is Gold?”

[Silver]: “CADMIUM! How did you wake up!? When did you wake up?”

[Cadmium]: “I don’t know. What time is it? There was something like a scream I heard in my dreams. It was so loud, it woke me up. How long have I been gone? Where am I? Who’s that?”

She pointed to Terra.

[Cadmium]: “And most importantly, where is Gold???”

[Copper]: “Cadmium… Gold isn’t here.”

[Cadmium]: “Don’t tell me he’s…?”

[Silver]: “We don’t know. Sit down, Cadmium. We have a lot to catch you up on.”

Over the next half hour, Silver brought Cadmium back to speed on everything she missed- how the elements found Actlanthum, how the Radioactives were defeated, how Mercury got his revenge, how Silver and Ununoctium were stranded on Origin, and everything that happened after that.

[Cadmium]: “My Gold… I’ve been asleep for far too long. He needed me, and I wasn’t there. You’re saying if we board the machine tomorrow, we can rescue him?”

[Samarium]: “That’s what we were promised.”

[Cadmium]: “I’m going too.”

[Copper]: “Do you still remember how to fight and use your powers?”

Cadmium clenched her right hand in a fist in front of her face. It glowed a bright white color.

[Cadmium]: “I’ll be fine. Heck, I’ll train all night if I have to. But I’m going, and you can’t stop me.”

[Silver]: “I won’t try to.”

[Ununoctium]: “She’s scary.”

[Samarium]: “The more the merrier, right?”

[Silver]: “In the meantime, don’t do anything crazy, okay Cadmium?”

[Cadmium]: “Crazy, why would I do something crazy?”

[Silver]: “You weren’t exactly sane when you kidnapped Gold that one time.”

[Cadmium]: “Oh yeah. Gosh, it’s so long ago I thought I dreamt it up too. Sorry about that.”

[Silver]: “No worries. Let’s just focus on tomorrow.”

Up above the elements on the 20th floor, Plutonium stepped outside of the medical room.

[Oxygen]: “How is she?”

[Plutonium]: “She’ll live. But she is badly wounded from the incisions we needed to make. For now, she will rest in a healing tube until her vitals are high enough. Uranium will watch her while I am away tomorrow. Ask her for any updates.”

[Oxygen]: “Tell her to keep Rubidium posted. I’m leaving tomorrow too.”

[Plutonium]: “Oh, so you are joining us. Very well. I’ll do that.”

[Rubidium]: “Can we see her?”

[Plutonium]: “You’ll have to wait. Her condition is still under close management. Sorry. With all the work we did, she looks like an old sewn doll at the moment.

[Rubidium]: “Ouch…”

[Palladium]: “How disturbing…”

[Oxygen]: “I don’t care how she looks as long as she is alive. Thanks, Miss Plutonium.”

[Plutonium]: “You’re welcome.”

Plutonium entered the room again and locked the door behind her.

Part 17

Euclid Tower, Floor 20 medical observation room

Dusk came. In the universe of humans, this time would be have been around 8pm. Uranium and Plutonium had passed out from sheer exhaustion at the foot of the bed Hydrogen was once in. They slept soundly until Plutonium’s remote beeped. She woke up wide-eyed and answered it. The small screen display said she was awaiting a message at her laboratory. Plutonium slowly got to her feet and left the room, but not before catching the sleepy Uranium’s attention.

[Uranium]: “M-Miss?”

[Plutonium]: “Stay here.”

She closed the door and made for the elevator.

Her laboratory was a dark, eery place when she entered the room. A single monitor showed a notification alert in red letters across the screen.

[SYSTEM]: “1 message”

[Plutonium]: “A message? From who?”

Plutonium opened the message and saw video of Promethium sitting in its room.

[Plutonium]: “Promethium! No, this is a recorded message…”

[Promethium]: “Hello, Plutonium. This is a pre-recorded video message that I’ve set on an automatic timer. If you’re seeing this, it’s because I haven’t disabled the timer which means… I’m probably obliterated by now. If that’s the way it is, I hope we were able to save as many elements as we could.”

[Plutonium]: “If you only knew…”

[Promethium]: “Regret is a powerful thing. Even in my weakened state, I can feel it clawing at me, pushing me to make up for my mistakes. So I will. As soon as I finish this recording, I’m getting a superscript and going to Origin. I tried talking to Polonium, but it looks like her regret has gotten the best of her. I’m on my own which is why I’m positive I won’t survive the coming battle. So be it. I shouldn’t have left Samarium by herself. I shouldn’t have let the elements go so easily. One thing I know for sure is I cannot live my last moments in regret. As long as I possess power, I will not leave any elements behind.”

Promethium stood up from its bed and walked off camera. When it came back, it was holding a sword in its hands

[Promethium]: “Miss Plutonium, you and I go a long way back. If my last mission as General hadn’t gone the way it did, you would have been the element I took under my wing, er, wings. Hehe… Ah well, you turned into a fine leader all the same. It’s probably better things worked out this way. I haven’t seen an element so passionately throw themself into their work the way you have. No matter what sacrifice had to be made, you did it for the sake of the elements. You deserve this, and I’m sure you know it’s the truth too. It’s time you made your own legacy. Just don’t make the same mistake I did. There’s-”

Promethium’s remote beeped loudly. It answered the call. Plutonium heard her own voice in the recording when she talked to Promethium.

[Plutonium]: “Promethium, where are you? We have an update on the stalk’s growth. Please come back to the laboratory ASAP.”

[Promethium]: “I’ll be there.”

When Promethium hung up the remote, it looked at the camera one last time.

[Promethium]: “Out of time… This is my official resignation as Actlanthum’s Navigator. I am appointing you as my successor, Miss Plutonium. I wish you the best of luck. Remember, I believe in you now as I always have. Goodbye my friend.”

[SYSTEM]: “End Of Message”

Tears came down Plutonium’s cheeks. She put her head on the keyboard and sobbed to herself.

[Plutonium]: “I’m sorry I didn’t go with you… I’m sorry, Promethium…”

She wiped away her tears and stood up.

[Plutonium]: “I’ll be the element you would have wanted me to be. I hereby swear on my skill and pride as an element to uphold the power of Navigator.”

Plutonium saved the message to her personal inbox and powered down the monitor.

[Plutonium]: “And that starts tomorrow.”

When midnight came, a mysterious element knocked several times at Family 11’s door. Silver answered it.

[Silver]: “Hello?”

[Samarium]: “Hey, Silver. Mind if I come in?”

[Silver]: “The others are asleep. If you wanna talk, let’s stay outside.”

[Samarium]: “Oh. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

[Silver]: “You didn’t. I’ve been trying to fall asleep all night, but I just can’t. Too many things to think about.”

[Samarium]: “You mean, Moly, right?”

[Silver]: “Yeah. And my brother, but he’s probably safe with Polonium right now. I can’t say the same about Moly.”

[Samarium]: “I know how you feel. Promethium was my closest friend, and now it’s suddenly gone. I couldn’t believe it until I tried sleeping in my room and realized I was alone.”

[Silver]: “You have my condolences, Sam. I’m the reason you guys were on Origin in the first place.”

[Samarium]: “I was wrong to blame you. Helping others is what Promethium did. This is the way it wanted. I wish we could have saved your friend.”

[Silver]: “We left on such bad terms. I think what kills me the most is I never got to tell her I’m sorry.”

[Samarium]: “I’m sure she knew, Silver, even if you didn’t say it. She cared enough about you to risk her life defending the tower until you came back.”

Silver felt a tear come as he realized Samarium’s words were true.

[Silver]: “Yeah… she did.”

[Samarium]: “You’re a good element, Silver. Don’t change. No matter what. Elements like you and Promethium don’t come around often. Believe me, I would know. Your family is lucky.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, Sam. I feel a lot better.”

[Samarium]: “If you ever need anything, I’ll be there. I made a promise to protect you.”

[Silver]: “What about you? Was there a reason you came so late at night?”

[Samarium]: “I was uh actually… kinda hoping to ask you something.”

[Silver]: “Go for it.”

[Samarium]: “Is it okay if I spend the night? It’s not the same without Promethium.”

[Silver]: “Sure, just be careful not to wake up the others.”

[Samarium]: “Thank you, Silver!”

[Silver]: “Shhhhh…!”

[Samarium]: “Oh, hehe, oops.”

[Silver]: “Haha. Easy there. Come on.”

The two elements quietly made their way back into the room while being careful not to wake up anyone. Silver was so involved in being quiet that he didn’t notice someone was missing from the room. A certain green plant-like being…

Part 18

December 23, 2016 ---Euclid Tower, Floor 17 Room “A”

[Copper]: “Brother! Brother, wake up!”

[Silver]: “Huh? Five more minutes…”

[Copper]: “BROTHER! LOOK!”

Silver was violently shaken out of his peaceful sleep. He stood straight up in his bed.

[Silver]: “What, what, what?”

Then he saw four Element Originals looking at him from the corner of his bed.

[Silver]: “WOAH WHAT, GET AWAY!”

[Ununoctium]: “Wait, Silver! They’re Terra’s!”

Samarium heard Silver’s screams in her sleep and woke up to quickly rush to his side.

[Samarium]: “I’ll protect you, Silver!”

[Silver]: “Am I still dreaming? What’s going on?”

[Ununoctium]: “You aren’t. Look.”

Ununoctium pointed to a corner of the room. A large bulb had once been there, pulsating a bright green color. All that was left was a withering corpse of a flower.

[Silver]: “So that’s what they came from.”

[Samarium]: “They’re not dangerous?”

Samarium pulled back her sword while Silver took a closer look at the Originals. They were all of an element shape, but unlike Terra, they didn’t resemble any specific element. Their skin was a dark brown color with bodies covered in leaves for “clothing.” Each of them curiously looked back at Silver. Cadmium woke up in her bed across the room.

[Cadmium]: “What’s with all the shout-ING, WHAT ARE THOSE!?”

[Silver]: “Relax, it looks like they were formed from Terra. Somehow. I’ll call Plutonium and ask her to meet us in the basement. Maybe she’ll have a better idea.”

[Cadmium]: “Oh yeah, what time is it?”

[Silver]: “An hour before noon. I must have overslept.”

[Ununoctium]: “It was sooo nice sleeping in a bed again. He couldn’t help it.”

[Silver]: “Haha, I barely realized that. It’s time to get going.”

The elements all left for the basement.

Part 19

Euclid Tower, Floor B1 Launch Area

Family 11 were the last elements to arrive at the launch area.

[Plutonium]: “Finally, he arrives! I thought you would be more eager to save your brother!”

[Silver]: “My bad, I overslept.”

[Plutonium]: “Hmm… so these are the things you told me about.”

Plutonium observed the four Originals.

[Plutonium]: “If what you’re telling me is true, Terra is undergoing some form of procreation process. Though if just one Original can make four in one night, imagine how many four can produce. It’s a worrisome phenomenon.”

[Silver]: “What should we do?”

[Plutonium]: “They’re coming with us. I have to see how they react to being on their home world.”

[Ununoctium]: “Won’t it be dangerous?”

[Plutonium]: “I’ll have them ride in the first shuttle with the Units. That shuttle leaves first. We’ll follow after.”

[Cadmium]: “Can I go in the first shuttle?”

[Plutonium]: “Why does it matter?”

[Cadmium]: “I want to be the first to Origin. It’s for Gold’s sake.”

[Plutonium]: “Sure, if it helps you feel better. Grab your superscripts, everyone! We’re launching in ten!”

It only took five minutes for the elements to load into the two shuttles. Everyone anxiously sat down in their seats. Lawrencium had promised that his invention would work, but simulations could only prove so much. Flying in a vehicle was unheard of on Axiom.

[SYSTEM]: “10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Lift-off.”

Shuttle 1’s engines powered on, shooting down with incredible thrust. The elements saw it leave through the front window of their own shuttle.

[Lawrencium]: “Now it’s our turn.”

Shuttle 2 powered on in the same way the first had. Palladium, Sodium, Uranium, and Rubidium waved their hands while watching them depart. In less than a minute, both shuttles were in space and quickly approaching Origin’s atmosphere. Plutonium turned on her communicator.

[Plutonium]: “So far so good. Cadmium, how are things in your shuttle?”

[Cadmium]: “Everyone’s quiet and looking straight ahead. These Originals are kinda creepy to be honest. Same for the Units. Can no one here talk?”

[Lawrencium]: “The Units’ communication modules are turned off until we land. They aren’t meant to remember this next battle.”

[Cadmium]: “I guess that’s fiiiiiiiine.”

Shuttle 1 took a sudden turn to the left and started flying away from Axiom.

[Plutonium]: “Cadmium, what are you doing? Correct course now!”

[Cadmium]: “I-I didn’t touch anything!”

[Plutonium]: “Grab the handles and manually steer yourself to the right!”

[Cadmium]: “Nggh! They’re stuck in place!”

[Lawrencium]: “Open the panel underneath the controls and-”

[Cadmium]: “Hold on, I hear something.”

The engines in her shuttle were making a deep rumbling sound.

[Cadmium]: “Uh oh.”

Without warning, they went into full throttle and pushed the shuttle 10 times faster than they had before. Every second the shuttle traveled faster and faster until it disappeared entirely from the second shuttle’s view.

[Silver]: “Cadmium! CADMIUM!!!”

[Ununoctium]: “They’re gone…”

[Oxygen]: “What do we do now?”

Plutonium wondered what Promethium would do. Hesitating was not an option. It would mean delaying their current mission. She had to do what the most responsible thing was.

[Plutonium]: “We’ll recover the shuttle after we rescue the elements on Origin! Continue the mission!”

[Everyone]: “Yes, Miss!”

Epilogue

For She so hated the world,

She gave her only daughter

who learned to believe in herself

and decided to save them

from her Mother’s wrath

Despite all the precautions Lawrencium had taken and the worries Plutonium felt, rescuing the elements ended up being easier than they had hoped. After their shuttle had broken through Origin’s atmosphere, it stopped at west peak where Polonium’s group had first landed. High on top of the mountain, all three elements were already waiting for their ride home. They had never once faced any Originals. It was as if nature had given up her fight against the elements.

Polonium got aboard and handed a sword to Plutonium. It was Promethium’s. Gold was horrified to find out Cadmium had finally woken up only to blast off to oblivion the next day. His family did the best they could do to comfort him. Silver and Samarium could empathize because they knew the pain of losing a loved one. Terra, who never again procreated, would be left as the only Original to reside on Axiom. Family 11 would adopt her to show the Original their gratitude for her help. Meanwhile, Rubidium had kept quiet on Molybdenum’s last words to spare him any more pain. It was a decision that would haunt her for the rest of her days.

December 23, 2016 ---Euclid Tower, Floor 20 medical observation room

Once the elements returned to Axiom, Uranium notified them that Hydrogen was fully healed. They all rushed from the shuttle to the 20th floor and crowded around her bed.

[Oxygen]: “Hydrogen? Hydrogen?”

Hydrogen slowly opened her eyes.

[Hydrogen]: “Oxy? Silvy?”

[Oxygen]: “Hydrogen!!”

He stooped down and hugged the little element. Both of them cried in each other’s arms.

All of Family 1 looked at each other, please, but still saddened over the events they had gone through to save that single element in bed. Polonium and Iodine were the first elements to leave. Silver motioned to stop her.

[Silver]: “Leaving already?”

[Polonium]: “I’m not the type for mushy scenes. There’s stuff I have to take care of.”

[Silver]: “Like?”

[Polonium]: “I’m going on a long trip. Next time you see me, I’ll be stronger, strong enough to lead the elements and take down anything that comes our way. Until then, you take care of them. Got it?”

Polonium held out her right hand which Silver shook with his own.

[Silver]: “Heh, got it, General. I hate to see you go, but I understand why. Hopefully, we see each other again someday.”

[Polonium]: “Oh don’t worry, I’m looking forward to beating you down soon. You be careful what you wish for!”

With that said, she and her teacher left.

[Silver]: “Ah that Polonium…”

[Samarium]: “Hmph, if she wants to get to you, she’ll have to go through me.”

[Ununoctium]: “A-And me! I’m strong now!”

[Copper]: “Hey, I’m his sister! Get in line!”

Silver saw his family members start to have some friendly tension. Terra tilted her head curiously.

[Silver]: “Now, now, calm down! I can take care of myself!”

[Gold]: “Hehe, you know us. We’ll always have your back.”

[Silver]: “Thanks, guys. That’s why I love my family.”

He took one more look at Hydrogen who was smiling happily as she embraced Oxygen.

[Silver]: “It’s the things we do for family.”

Outside the front of Euclid Tower, Plutonium and Lawrencium stood in front of a large object covered in cloth. Snow fell around them.

[Plutonium]: “You think Promethium would appreciate this?”

[Lawrencium]: “It’s the thought that counts!”

[Plutonium]: “True.”

[Lawrencium]: “By the way, I looked into some security footage of the launch area last night. Either our cameras went down or someone or something disabled them for five minutes.”

[Plutonium]: “Any leads?”

[Lawrencium]: “None.”

[Plutonium]: “Hm, so it could be one of those new Originals. Or our own Units? I doubt Cadmium would go so far as to sabotage the shuttle she wanted to be in, especially when she was so close to seeing Gold.”

[Lawrencium]: “Who then?”

[Plutonium]: “I can only imagine the culprit was aboard that shuttle. We’ll keep our eyes open just in case. For now, I want production of Units stopped. We have enough of them out there. Somewhere. Once Shuttle 2 is repowered, we can do a proper search to retrieve Shuttle 1.”

[Lawrencium]: “Good idea. I must say, you’re getting comfortable as our Navigator.”

[Plutonium]: “Thanks. I’m not going to run away from who I am anymore. I was a general once, and while I’m not proud to have served in war, I have no regrets looking out for my elements. I can only hope I am as good as my predecessor.”

[Lawrencium]: “I’m sure Promethium would be proud.”

Lawrencium patted Plutonium’s shoulder and smiled. She blushed for a second.

[Plutonium]: “Ahem… well then. Let’s do it.”

She pulled down the cloth in front of her, revealing a large diamond statue of Promethium holding its sword high into the sky.

[Plutonium]: “Let’s work for a future Promethium would be proud of.”

They admired the statue and then walked away together to play in the snow.

On the statue was a plaque with a small paragraph engraved into it. It read:

We elements have always been a race to sacrifice for each other.

But why do we sacrifice?

It’s so that we can see our loved ones smile.

Young elements can realize their futures.

We can enjoy our leisure times together.

Indeed, even when it comes to sacrificing everything for just one element

We do it

Because sometimes a smile is what keeps us alive

Our futures give us purpose

Leisure times help us find joy in each other

We will go to the ends of the world for the ones we love

That is what we live for

For even the weak possess power

And we will take on nature itself

To prove just that

We are one

We are elements of power

With love to the future,

Plutonium

The End