Elements
A1C1

"Martin, you're growing to be a fine person. I'm proud to be your grandfather. Thank you."

"No! Please, don't go!"

Martin was roused from his slumber. Tears streaming from his eyes. "If only you said that when you were alive." he stated, half choking on his words.

Before he could compose himself the ambience was shattered with the ringing of an alarm. "Not important right now. I need to get ready." Rubbing the tears away from his eyes and stopping the alarm, he rose from the bed and proceeded to the mirror.

Reflected was a young bearish man with cream fur, short hair that to the untrained eye is hard to distinguish against his fur and piercing yellow eyes all set within a broad boxy frame. "Same as yesterday. Maybe it's time for a change?"  he pondered. Sighing he went on to think "Pretty sure I thought about that yesterday as well". 

Prying himself away from the mirror he proceeded to go about the morning routine. First a round in the fog cycle shower, Secondly getting dressed for the day, settling on his tried and tested combo of a short sleeved polo shirt along with blue work pants help up by a belt laden with tools. Thirdly was breakfast, taking some leftovers out of the fridge Martin sat down at the table. 

It was too big for a single person. There were plenty of spaces at the table that were left empty. Though at the head of the table was a picture frame, lovingly maintained, with the image of an elderly  gentleman. At the base of the frame the name "Igor" is beautifully engraved.

Finishing up the meal Martin gathered up his bag and made his way out. "Thank you for the food." 

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It was a beautiful day outside. The sky was clear with the sun bearing down. The last of the spring blossoms had fallen and the trees were all brilliantly verdant. The flower beds along the side of the pavement were abloom with foliage

Martin paid his surroundings little notice, he was in a hurry. Today was a school day and a rather unique one at that.

It wasn't too far between his home and the school. He didn't need to take any sort of transport. The town was arranged in such a way so that the residential buildings are on the outside while the commercial and government buildings, including the school, are in the town centre. 

Before long he had arrived at the school building and made his way inside. 

"Martin! Good morning!" These were the words that greeted him into the building. Waiting right by the door was a taupe mouse girl with a prominent figure and even more prominent ears. She was dressed in a slightly worn maroon blouse with matching dress and black leggings. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, giving full view of her glistening baby blue eyes.

"Good morning Laura!" he exclaimed mid walk "How are you doing today?" 
  
Laura gave a quick smile "I'm doing well, though it's a pain having to sit through this lecture again. " She sighed with exasperation "I would have thought that everything there was to know about this town would have been drilled in to us by now"

"You're not wrong there, but in any case its more or less a day off from school." Martin grinned "Are you going to be at the hangout later?"

"Of course!" Laura beamed in response. "Although, I need your help with something first. It's... well..." she started to stammer dragging out the sentence.

"You and your family need me to fix something." Martin already knew what she was going to ask of him "I keep telling you it's not a problem. There's no need to be so nervous about asking."

"But, you help out so much already, it's hard not to feel like we're taking advantage. And... well..." The bell suddenly rang out. "Anyway, we need to get going. I'll let the others know afterward." finishing her sentence the pair walked into the auditorium.

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The auditorium was filled with students on chairs, though there were not nearly enough people there to fill up the seats placed out there, at best one fifths of the available space was taken. The school Principal Mrs. Sanders, a no nonsense Sloth woman, was giving the lecture

"Good Morning Pupils. Today I will be giving a lecture on our Town of Marston's Wood." The authority in her voice rang out over the students.

"Marston's Wood is what is referred to as a "Satellite City" though "Satellite Town" would be a more apt name given our fair home's size and populace. It was founded by David Marston in the Neo-Victorian era, after leaving his home of Harbington and settling here, in the Glas Valley, after his travels. 

"It's amazing that she never changes this speech." Laura whispered.

"Much like our domed neighbour the land we have settled on is well suited for agriculture, though we focus more on orchard fruits than Harbington's larger range of produce.  

In more recent years however there has been a bid amongst the town's people to promote Marston's Wood as a tourist destination. The tourist seasons revolve around two annual events here. The first being the "Spring Blossom" where after Winter the trees, as part of their life cycle, begin to break out in magnificent pink blossoms before forming new leaves. As you surely are aware, this event has not long finished.

"We know all of this already" Martin whispered.

"Ahem!" Mrs. Sanders shouted, her eyebrows twitching. "Martin! I won't tolerate interruptions! One more disturbance and I'll be informing Mr. Erikson of your behaviour!" 

"Yes, Principal Sanders! My Apologies!" Martin responded, springing up from his seat "Though my father isn't called Mr. Erikson." he mumbled under his breath as he sat back down.

"Now where was I? Ah, yes." as Mrs. Sanders gathered her thoughts.

"The second event in the Marston's Wood calendar is what is known as the "Golden Autumn" which, like the "Spring Blossom", revolves around the life cycle of the trees. Specifically when the leaves change colors to shades of red, yellow and orange before ultimately being falling, at which point the tree itself enters a period of hibernation."

"Finally there is one more feature of our town that needs to be mentioned. Looking up from the town down here in the valley, you can see on the plateau above us a rather old building. From what we can gather, it would appear to be a pre-splice era space facility.  While there is significant history we can learn from it, the building itself is ultimately redundant as nowadays there are space elevators leading up to The Ring from where we can push off into space."

"The Ring. That's where your family is living isn't it?" Laura whispered.

"While there is a proposal to convert the facility into a museum, for the time being it is abandoned and I would recommend to each and every one of you not to venture inside. Anything could happen within those walls."

Mrs. Sanders took in a deep breath after her speech "You are dismissed!"  and stated the school's motto "Cogitant Smert"

With her final statement the students in the auditorium all stood up, repeated the motto and started to filter outside.

"We're finally free from that tedious lecture" Laura started stretching "I'm glad that's all we needed to do here today."

"Right then. I suppose I should take a look at... What did you need fixing anyway? asked Martin as he left the building

"You'll see. I'll let H and S know we'll meet up with them later." Typing into her PET as they walked on.

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Walking back from the centre of town Martin and Laura had passed by the Mayor's office, over the Glas river and past the town's small shops to head back into the residential areas. The pair looked onwards at the edge of the valley where efforts were being made to expand the town's woodland.

Before long the pair had arrived at Laura's home. It was a modest abode standing detached from the other buildings. The garden was kept neat and the lone apple tree was encumbered with fruit, to the point of dragging the branches down low. On the gate was a sign reading "Birch" making it apparent which family lived here.

"I'm home everybody!" Laura shouted to her family "and I've brought company!"

It was not long before they were greeted by Mrs. Birch a woman who looked youthful despite her age, this paired with her height made her look more like Laura's sister instead of her mother. "Welcome home my baby." as she hugged her daughter.

"Is Abigail not here?" Laura asked, looking around.

"Did you forget dear?" her mother inquired "She's off to start her job today. Though I am worried about her going to Harbington. But she's a grown woman now and I need to respect that." 

As she finished her sentence she noticed the guest "Martin, hello. It's always a pleasure." as she leaned to give him a hug as well"

"Hi Mrs. Birch." as Martin broke off from the hug "I understand you've got something that needs looking at?" 

"Please Martin, you're here so often that you may as well be family. You can call me Beatrice or, if you'd prefer, Bea.

"Ok Mrs. Bir..." he paused as she shot a stern look at him "...Bea."

"That's better." she giggled. "Now as for what needs looking at, with it getting closer and closer to Summer we thought it be the right time to set the home climate control lower. But it's not sending out any cool air."

"Alright, I'll go take a look at it." The polar bear made his further into the house "it shouldn't take long to see what's what."

Mrs. Birch waited for him to leave the room "He's such a good boy that one. It must be hard for him living in that house by himself and even harder having left his home, friends and family behind." The elder mouse expressed some concern. "I hope you realize how much your friendship is helping him."

"What's with this all of a sudden Mom?" the statement had caught Laura by surprise.

"It's plain to see. Nearly every day he's with you and your other friends. If he didn't have you who knows how he would have ended up." she fired a quick glance to her daughter. "I'm sure he appreciates you being there for him. Not mention the rest of you."

At this point Laura started blushing and stammering with embarrassment "I... well... he's just a good friend."

"Ok Mrs. Bea, I've got news." as Martin made his way back into the hallway. "Now fortunately for you, nothing is actually broken. The problem is that you are empty on coolant and that's not something I can help with."

"That's a cost we could do without. But still thank you for taking a look at it." Mrs. Birch sighed.

"That's sucks. Sorry to be in and out but we'd best be going. The others are waiting for us. See you later Mom!" As Laura hugged her Mother.

"Sorry I couldn't have been of more help Mrs. Bea." As Martin hugged her as well.

"That's quite alright dear. Remember you are always welcome here. It's as I said, you are practically family."

Having bid the mother mouse goodbye, Martin and Laura proceeded out into the street and headed further outwards, even further than the residential districts.

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Martin and Laura had made their way towards the edge of town, to the cliffs that were below the plateau.

"Looks like they're already up there." Noticing the cargo elevator was already at the top. "We'd better not keep them waiting any longer than we have to." as he called it back down.

Before long the elevator had descended down into the valley and lifted back up to the cliff top. It was nothing short of a miracle that this ancient technology was still functioning. 

Greeting the duo as they reached the top was the old space facility. Time had left its mark on the building, the colors were heavily bleached by the sun, to the point of being little more than shades of white. Surprisingly the structure still stood strong and showed no signs of imminent collapse.

Not long after they ventured inside into the reception a voice called out. "It's quite rude to keep me waiting like this." The voice came from a figure which in the darkness was hard to make out. Laura reached for the light switch and flicked it on. Upon turning on the lights the figure was revealed to be a green eyed Squirrel lad with wavy blonde hair and a green one piece suit.  

"Terribly sorry Hector." as Laura proceeded inside and took her place, sitting on the reception desk. "There was an issue we had to sort out at home."

Another voice called out "Oho? Did this issue involve Understickers and oral codes, perhaps~?" This voice belonged to the rather tall silver haired mare with a single teal eye on display, dressed in a sports bra and yoga pants, her bare feet placed on a chair as she reclined on a sofa. "Because you know we'd be more than happy to help with that."

"No Sandra. It was just a favor." was Martin's irritated response "And could you please move your feet?"

"Why? Are my bare sweaty soles getting you all hot and bothered Mar-Mar?" wiggling her feet to emphasize her statement.

"No. They're just in my way." The deadpan response annoyed Sandra slightly.

"Fine."

"Ahem." Hector cleared his throat after everyone had taken their places "Now then, Summer is getting closer and closer and I feel that we, as a pack, should go out have a nice vacation. I don't want it to be a last minute rush so we should plan for it now." 

The other pack mates all agreed with him "Yeah, there's not much we can really do here for Summer. Where did you have in mind?"

Hector continued "I feel it would be a wonderful time if we were to spend a week in Harbington and see the sights."

Sandra interjected "Really? You want to go from a Satellite Town with agriculture to a Domed City known for its agriculture? Not taking a big leap here Hec."

Hector was riled by Sandra's claim "O-Oh yeah? And where do you suggest we go?" 

"It'll be Summer and there's only one place to be at that time. The Beach." This got the attention of everyone. "I propose that we should spend a week of our vacation at Locksmouth. It's got a beach, a large commercial sector for shopping..."

"Yay, Shopping~!" as Laura voiced her approval

"It's the site of significant recent events. I know how much of an Inkaphile you are Mar."

"Oh Man. Imagine if we were to see an Inkling! I can't begin to imagine how it must be like to be bonded with one!" Martin excitedly added

"And we'll have to pass through Harbington to get there anyway so we can still take a look around. That's a fair compromise, right Hec?

"I suppose." Hector was trying, and failing, to contain his excitement. Though he wouldn't admit it this was a great idea.

"Alright then it's decided! We are going to go relax in the surf and sand of Locksmouth!" Sandra exclaimed " We can go over the dates tomorrow, for now I'm famished. Let's go grab a bite at Oswald's Store." With all parties nodding in agreement the pack started to leave.

"Don't forget to turn the lights off Martin." as Hector tapped his shoulder. "Don't want people to know we've been here." 
 
"Of course. Mrs. Sanders already drilled it in to my head that we shouldn't be here." As Martin reached for the light switch he went on to sniff  "Though they may be able to smell the sweaty OC here."

"Click"

"Curious? Why's the light still on?" he said puzzled.

The pack knew something was not quite right. A collective chill went down their backs. They turned around and looked back inside. There was a luminescent pool of gel moving within the room.

"... When did that get here?" Hector asked, taking a big gulp

"... Martin?" Laura expressed with some nervousness

"... Yeah?"

"... I don't suppose that would be one of those, Inklings, would it?" 

Before anything else could be said, the light from the amorphous goo grew in intensity. The light quickly overwhelmed the pack.

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"Martin, you're growing to be a fine person. I'm proud to be your grandfather. Thank you"

"W-What's going on? What happened to me?" Martin knew that something wasn't right, he should not be asleep. As far as he could remember it was only around lunchtime and he certainly wasn't feeling sleepy a moment ago.

Before he could work out his situation the figure of his grandfather changed. The color seemed to be drained from him. Not long after the color drained the features of his grandfather disappeared. Leaving only an black silhouette which slowly filled in with a myriad of colours.

The figure motioned towards Martin. "Gee."

"Gee?" Martin questioned the figure

After a slight pause the figure continued "Are" 

Martin was confused. "Gee? Are? What do you mean?"

"Ee"

"Ee"

"Tee"

"Eye"

"En"

"Gee"

"Ess"

Despite his earlier confusion it did not take long for Martin to figure out what the creature was doing. It was spelling out a word.

"G-Greetings? Are you trying the speak to me?"

The figure nodded. But before Martin could question it anymore his surroundings turned to black.

"No! Wait! Who are you?!"

Martin lurched forward in his bed. He is was in a panic and cold sweat was running down his body. Before he could gather his thoughts the alarm clock started blaring again

"What happened? Why am I back home? Are the others Ok?"

Without thinking Martin leapt out of bed, hurried to dress himself and ran back out into the world, to the old facility.

End of Chapter