Polaris: Origins

The Search

Team 1: Immanuel, Terrance and Tracy Masters

*Immanuel Masters*

We rush to the campsite.

"Our old campsite!" Terrance remarked.

"Yup, this is where we were before you came along" I replied.

"You both scout the camp, I'll survey from the air. I'll also check the cliffs"

With that I flew off.

After about fifteen minutes of reconnaissance I met with them shading beneath the tree, near the pond.

"Anything, Manny?" Tracy asked, hopefully.

"Nope, not a trace. I'm guessing no luck here either"

"Correct, my voice is going to be hoarse if I keep up this shouting" Terrance replied.

Suddenly, I caught movement at the corner of my eye and spun around.

"Oh, it's you" I replied.

The old man who was peeking at us from some nearby bushes revealed himself.

"You're the Masters' boys. I saw you a few days ago" he nodded at me.

"And you, I haven't seen you in a while. How've you been?" He looked at Terrance.

"I've been alright" he offered a half- smile.

"I should've known all this ruckus was you two back at it again" the old man continued.

"I've been fuming all day to go down there and smack whoever was destroying my trees"

"Wait, ruckus? Trees?" I interjected.

"What are you talking about?

"Yeah, someone has been fighting in the valley since today.

Destroying my precious trees with their powers.

I only decided to come out because someone smashed one of my trees in half and they're smashing more as we speak"

"Is Nathaniel strong enough to do that?" Tracy asked me.

"No, Nate has no powers. Devin?"

"Definitely not" was the reply.

"This is bad" Terrance remarked.

"Old man, can you tell us where in the valley this is happening?"

"The grove of trees near the waterfall, by the cliffs"

"Thank you so much!"

Suddenly, a voice came over the radio.

"Manny, we found their stuff by the waterfall, but there's no trace of them anywhere" my wife called out.

"They're not answering when we call and I don't know what to do.

"Did they get carried downstream?"

"No, Mel. They're in the forest, near the cliffs. We're on our way" I called out over the talkie.

"Okay, we're on it. Out"

With no hesitation, we took off towards the cliffs in the valley.

*****
Team 2: Melissa and Johnathan Masters

*****

Melissa Masters

"We could have flown, you know?" I told my father-in-law.

"I know, but there are a lot of trees and foliage covering the path.

We could miss them as they are returning to the house, as we fly by" he responds, optimistically.

"Didn't you say there was a large power surge nearby?" I asked.

"Yes, but I'm still hoping that they are not involved in that.

Just some hero fighting some villain and getting in some good combo attacks"

"I like your optimism" I replied.

"But?" He raised his brow.

"But... I can't shake the feeling that Nate is in danger and needs my help.

I'm hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst"

"I can't think of the worst right now," he said, the pain in his voice.

"I've already lost too much"

He looked up curiously.

"We're here" he half-shouted as he lurched forward around a grove of trees.

"They're here!" he yelled.

"Nate! Devin!" He yelled at the top of his voice as I sprinted towards him.

True enough, Nate's bag was on the ground and food was prepared, but untouched.

"Nate! Devin!" we both shouted at the top of our lungs, pausing for a moment, yearning, straining to hear even the faintest sound.

I ran to the waterfall and looked around.

Crossed to the other side.

All while shouting their names.

"Where did they go?"

"Why did they just leave their food open?"

"Did something happen?"

Innumerable questions plagued my mind.

Questions I couldn't answer.

I wish Manny was here.

Wait, Manny.

I reached in my pack and pulled out my talkie.

"Manny!"

No answer.

"It's off" Jonathan called out to me.

"Oh," was all I could say.

I felt embarrassed but there was no time for that.

I quickly turned it on
 
"Manny, can you hear me?"

"We found their stuff by the waterfall, but there's no trace of them anywhere"

He then told me that they were in the forest, near the cliffs.

I looked across at my father-in-law.

He was already looking at me, "Let's fly"