Chp. 12: Glimpse into the past

Short story chapter

(BACK TO THE BEGINNING)

This chapter elaborates in depth on what actually happened years ago, after Arlene went through the portal; before 2050.

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After being sent through the portal by the Temporal Guardians, Arlene entered her home and closed the door behind her.

Arlene's eyes sparkled as she carefully unwrapped the rare transfiguration box that held the celestial energy orb inside, it's luminous powers emanating an otherworldly aura. She couldn't wait to share it with her husband, Arnold.

She waltzed through the house straight down the hallway and took a turn to the right which revealed a stairway to the basement. She excitedly walked towards the downstairs laboratory door, clutching the Celestial Orb box in her hand.

She knew she'd find Arnold down there, as soon as she entered the room, he looked up from his work, his eyes widening with excitement. "Arlene, you're home sweetheart. What is that?" he asked, pointing towards the orb in her hands, his voice filled with wonder.

Arlene smiled, handing him the box. "I found it on the trip I took back to those caves we didn't get the chance to explore when we met. I thought I'd surprise you, that's why I just told you I'm going on a research adventure. I think it might be the key to unlocking the secrets of The New Arcadia City you hope to build."

Arnold's eyes lit up as he carefully examined the box. After hours of research, he finally discovered its true potential. "Arlene, this box has the power to unlock all the possibilities we've been dreaming of! We can use it to create a new Arcadia city, just as you suspected! A utopia where everyone can live in harmony!"

Arlene's face glowed with excitement. I have to tell you about the experience I had in the caves, she pulled a chair close to him and proceeded to tell her husband about the Temporal Guardians and how they warned her of taking care of the Celestial orb and the consequences. Arnold listened intently to her story and concluded the conversation by saying they need to call Pedro over and tell him about this everything.

Arlene was aware they've been working towards this goal for years together and Pedro was a close friend to the Maximus family. She felt no need to disagree with her husband.

Arnold called Pedro over without hesitation, and filled him in on what transpired but as Arnold shared the news with Pedro, he noticed a flicker of something sinister in his friend's eyes. Pedro's smile seemed to hide a darker intent, and Arnold's instincts began to stir.

Arnold decided to tell his friend that his wife needed to rest and they would catch up tomorrow, whilst gesturing Pedro needs to leave and gently placing his hand on Pedro's back escorting him towards the front door. Pedro looked over his shoulder at the orb one last time and left the Maximus home without a word.

Arnold wanted to make sure his wife's life wouldn't be at risk with whatever he sensed from Pedro even if it was merely for a moment. He knew his friend had a hunger for change no matter the consequences but he has always been hopeful that it's not true. That he wasn't a ruthless monster deep down inside. He didn't want to accept the possibility of the truth.

Arnold told his wife about the concerns he had; something didn't feel right, and he needed to extract the essence of the orb and hide it. However, his wife reassured him that everything was fine and that nothing bad would happen to her. Otherwise, why would the Temporal Guardians have trusted her to fulfill some kind of prophecy they mentioned? She stated that she trusted Pedro, and this made Arnold feel guilty for even worrying about that possibility for a second.

Arnold let it go and spent the rest of the night curled up with his wife after putting their son to sleep.

That night, as the Maximus family slept, Pedro snuck into their laboratory, his eyes fixed on the transfiguration box. With a calculating gaze, Pedro carefully removed the box from its pedestal, a sly smile spreading across his face.

As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of himself in a nearby mirror wearing his favorite pink tshirt. His eyes seemed to gleam with a malevolent intensity, and for a moment, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

But the feeling was fleeting, replaced by an overwhelming sense of ambition. He would stop at nothing to claim the power of the celestial orb for himself, no matter the cost to his friends because he believed it was the only way to save humanity.

Arlene's eyes fluttered open, and she sat up, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. She threw off the covers and padded softly to the laboratory, her heart beating with a growing sense of trepidation.

As she entered the lab, she was met with a sight that made her blood run cold. Pedro was standing over a lifeless body, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent intensity. The transfiguration box lay open on the nearby workbench, its luminous powers pulsating with an eerie energy.

Arlene's mind reeled as she took in the horror before her. "Pedro, what have you done?" she whispered, her voice trembling with shock.

Pedro's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes flashing with a sinister light. "You shouldn't have come here, Arlene," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice.

Arlene's eyes widened as Pedro began to move towards her, his movements swift and deadly. She tried to scream, but her voice was frozen in her throat.

In a desperate bid to escape, Arlene turned to flee, but Pedro was too quick. He caught her by the arm, his grip like a vice.

As Arlene struggled to break free, Pedro's eyes seemed to burn with an unholy intensity. "You'll never tell anyone what you saw here tonight," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

And with that, everything went black.

When Arlene came to, she was lying on the floor, her head throbbing with pain. The laboratory was in disarray, equipment smashed and papers scattered everywhere.

But of Pedro, there was no sign.

Arlene stumbled to her feet, her mind reeling with shock and horror, Pedro must have knocked her out she thought, touching her hand to her head. She felt pounding in the back of her head and felt dizzy but she knew she had to wake Arnold and tell him what had happened, he was a heavy sleeper and wouldn't have heard the racket.

She stumbled out of the laboratory, into the hallway. She decided to search the house anxiously; in and out the doors, under the tables behind the curtains. She grabbed a pan from the kitchen whilst investigating there and decided to lock up the front door.

As she opened the door to check if it's locked, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Without thinking she ran outside holding the pan in the air, on high alert turning in every direction to see if he was there.

In the shadows, Pedro Abstinence smiled to himself, knowing that he had the orb in his possession but thinking how he needed to get rid of Arlene.

Pedro's eyes gleamed with cunning as he watched Arlene stumble out of the house, believing him to be long gone. But in reality, he had been waiting for the perfect moment to strike. With a swift and silent movement, he snatched Arlene from behind, covering her mouth to stifle her screams but at this point a light went on in the house. Arnold was awake he must have heard the screams.

Pedro had other plans for Arnold so he wasted no time and dragged Arlene deeper into the darkness away from the house, her struggles grew weaker, her body limp in Pedro's grasp as he suffocated her and crushed her limbs in his grasp. The last thing she saw was the face of her murderer, his eyes blazing with an unholy intensity.

Meanwhile, Arnold was frantically searching for his wife, scouring the streets and questioning the neighbors. But Pedro had covered his tracks too well, leaving no trail, no clue, no hint of what had really happened to Arlene.

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Arnold's hope began to dwindle. He became withdrawn, his eyes sunken, his spirit crushed. His mind kept replaying what his wife told him about the Temporal Guardians warnings and the state the laboratory was in. He beat himself up for not waking up sooner and has hardly slept since. He neglected his son Emerson more than before and isolated himself from the world.

Pedro, on the other hand, was a picture of sympathy throughout this time, offering words of comfort to Arnold, and even putting together a search party to find Arlene.

Among the patrol was his own daughter, Meriella Abstinence, trained as of young to be a skilled and dedicated scout, who was oblivious to her father's sinister deeds.

As Meriella and the patrol combed the streets, searching for any sign of Arlene, Pedro watched from the shadows, a calculating glint in his eye. He knew that he had gotten away with the perfect crime, and that no one would ever suspect him of Arlene's disappearance.

With the Celestial orb secure in his possession, Pedro began to weave a web of deceit and manipulation, using his charisma and influence to shape the future of Arcadia. He raised up in the ranks and recruited the Arcadia patrols. Whilst working along side Arcadia's finest innovators and skilled elites.

The city began to flourish under his guidance, Pedro's grip on power grew tighter, his ambition and greed consuming him whole. Arnold was to lost in his pain to question the sudden rise in Arcadia and assumed it was due to Pedro's leadership skills and generous donations from alliances he must have recently encountered. His subconscious knew something wasn't right but he was too grieved and didn't want to face reality.

Amidst the shadows, a spark of justice still flickered, waiting to be fanned into a flame as the City of Arcadia separated into two parts. The undergrid and the New Arcadia City. For it was clear in a world where the strong preyed on the weak, there were still those who dared to resist, to fight against the darkness, and to bring the truth to light.

Meriella was one of those with a strong sense of justice and a soft heart.

One Sunday Afternoon she walked past her Father's office and overheard a discussion her father was having on the phone. He revealed his plans for the city. He wanted to use the technology to create a neuro link that would control the feelings and decisions of the people, ensuring total submission. However, he needed Arnold to work for him to succeed, but Arnold had just lost his wife, so Pedro planned to wait for the perfect opportunity. Her father explained in depth the source of the power he obtained. He asked the person on the phone if they were sure Arnold was the only one who could succeed in what needed to be done.

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A month passed by. In this time Meriella was made head of her father's elite patrols as a scout, the city evolved into a the high-tech city as we know it to be.

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Meriella Abstinence walked the streets of Arcadia, her eyes scanning the crowds with a mix of curiosity and concern. As a member of the Arcadian patrol, she had dedicated herself to upholding justice and protecting the innocent. But lately, she had begun to feel a growing sense of unease, a nagging doubt that something was not quite right.

As she walked, Meriella's thoughts turned to her father, Pedro Abstinence. She had always admired his strength and vision, but lately, she had started to notice a change in him. He seemed more distant, more calculating, and his words were laced with a subtle menace.

Meriella's unease deepened as she overheard her father's conversation with one of his advisors again, this time they set in stone the plan to get Arnold on board because they knew he was the only one who could create the neruo-link, a technology that would allow Pedro to control the feelings and decisions of the people. Giving him full control of Arcadia.

Meriella's heart sank as she realized the true extent of her father's ambition. He wanted to create a city where people were nothing more than puppets, controlled by his every whim. The worst part is he believes that what he wants to do, is the right thing to do.

But there was more. Arnold Maximus, was the best scientist in Arcadia but he was like family to Meriella. He has been around since she was born but the way her father spoke about him was like he no longer saw Arnold as his best friend. He was consumed by what he could use him for and didn't care if it would break their bond.

Meriella knew Arnold who had lost his wife and has recently called off the search. When she heard her father state that he planned to wait until the anniversary of Arlene's disappearance, and then he would approach Arnold with a proposal. He would offer Arnold a chance to work on the neuro link, to use his skills to create a technology that would change the course of human history. Meriella felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew that she had, to stop her father before it was too late. But she was just one person, and Pedro's power seemed absolute.

All she knew was she would not stand idly by while her father destroyed the city and its people. She would find a way to stop him, no matter the cost.

The Secret Alliance

Meriella's heart raced as she navigated the winding tunnels of the undergrid, the transfiguration box clutched tightly in her hand. She had stolen it from her father's laboratory, knowing that she was taking a huge risk. But she couldn't just stand by and watch as her father's sinister plans came to fruition.

As she reached Arnold's home she knew he would be in his makeshift laboratory, she knocked softly on the door. Arnold's eyes widened in surprise as he saw Meriella standing before him, the box in her hand.

"What are you doing here, Meriella?" Arnold asked, his voice low and cautious.

Meriella took a deep breath, telling Arnold everything - about her father's plans, about the neuro link, and about her own role in stealing the box. Arnold listened intently, his eyes growing darker with each passing moment.

When Meriella finished speaking, Arnold's face was etched with grief and pain. "I'm so sorry, Meriella," he said, his voice cracking. "I know how hard this must be for you. But we can't let your father succeed. We have to stop him."

Meriella nodded, determination burning within her. "I know. But we need to be careful. My father will kill me if he finds out I'm standing in his way."

Arnold's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "I think I know how we can stop him," he said, a hint of a plan forming in his mind. "Arlene had a vault, a safe place where she kept her most important findings. If we can locate it, we might be able to extract enough energy from the source to make it weaker. We can then hide the rest away for safekeeping."

Meriella's eyes lit up with hope. "That's perfect! If we can weaken the source, my father won't be able to use it to create the neuro link."

Arnold nodded, a determined look on his face. "Let's do it. We'll find Arlene's vault, extract the energy, and hide it away. And when your father calls me to work for him, I'll make sure I'm not able to deliver. The source will be too weak, and his plans will fail." They knew this was the only way because if Pedro found out of Meriellas involvement there would be danger.

Together, Meriella and Arnold formed a secret alliance, determined to stop Pedro's sinister plans and bring hope back to the city of Arcadia.

The Solo Mission

Arnold's hands moved with precision as he carefully extracted the energy from the source. He had to be careful, as the energy was volatile and could easily get out of control.

As he worked, Meriella waited anxiously, her eyes fixed on the transfiguration box. She knew that she had to get back to New Arcadia City as soon as possible, before her father realized what was happening.

Finally, Arnold finished extracting the energy. He handed Meriella a small device that contained the remaining energy. "This is all I could extract," he said. "You need to get this back to the city and hide it somewhere safe. Your father can't know what we're planning."

Meriella nodded, tucking the device into her pocket. "I'll take care of it," she said. "But what about you? What's your plan?"

Arnold's expression turned grim. "I need to go to the vault and destroy the rest of the energy. It's the only way to make sure your father can't use it."

Meriella's eyes widened in alarm. "But that's too dangerous," she said. "You can't go alone."

Arnold's face set in determination. "I have to," he said. "I'll be fine. I just need to get this done."

Meriella hesitated, but she knew that Arnold was resolute. She nodded, turning to leave. "Be careful," she said.

Arnold watched her go, his heart heavy with worry. He knew that he was taking a huge risk, but he also knew that it was necessary. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of his son, Emerson, sitting alone in the living room. Arnold's heart ached with guilt, knowing that he was leaving his son behind once again, this seemee to be their life now. But he pushed the feeling aside, knowing that he had to do this.

With a determined stride, Arnold set off towards the vault, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.

The Confrontation

Meriella's heart pounded in her chest as she crept back into the laboratory, the transfiguration box clutched in her hand. She had managed to sneak it back into its hiding place, but as she turned to leave, she was caught in the act.

Pedro's voice was like a whip, cracking through the air. "Meriella, where have you been? And why do you have my prize in your possession?"

Meriella's eyes flashed with defiance. "I know what you're planning, Father. I know about the neuro link and how you plan to use it to control the city."

Pedro's face twisted with rage. "How dare you question my intentions! I am doing this for the good of Arcadia, for the good of humanity!"

Meriella stood tall, her voice unwavering. "You're not doing it for the good of anyone but yourself. You've become a monster, Father. A monster who will stop at nothing to achieve your own twisted goals."

Pedro's face turned red with fury, his eyes bulging with rage. He raised his hand, and Meriella felt a searing pain as he slapped her across the face. She stumbled backwards, her head spinning, and fell to the floor with a sickening crunch.

As Meriella lay there, her vision fading to black, Pedro stood over her, his chest heaving with exertion. For a moment, he seemed to snap back to reality, his eyes widening in horror at what he had done.

But then, his expression hardened, and he turned away, leaving Meriella lying on the floor. "It's her own fault," he muttered to himself. "She should have stayed out of my way."

As the days passed, Meriella lay in a coma, her father's actions sparking outrage and fear among the people of Arcadia. They began to question Pedro's intentions, wondering if he was truly working for the good of the city, or if he was just using his power to further his own agenda.

The people of Arcadia whispered among themselves, wondering if Meriella would ever wake up, and if President Pedro's promises of a utopian city were nothing more than a distant dream.

President Pedro Abstinence becomes desperate to fulfill his plans using the Celestial orb energy and grows weary of waiting for the perfect opportunity to get Arnold on board, so he calls Arnold to come work for him.

To which Arnold declines knowing Pedro is deceiving him stating everything is for the good will of Arcadia but luckily thanks to Meriella, he knew better but when President Pedro Abstinence noticed Arnold was not budging he switched his tactics to emotionally manipulate Arnold; knowing his friends weakness for helping the frail and innocent. He convinced Arnold to do it for Meriellas sake; in order to use the energy orb to wake her.

Arnold knowing she risked her life trying to save millions and is now in a coma caused him to take the job.

Emerson and him moved to The New City of Arcadia that same day where they lived in a bachelor cube Z3 on Addison street.

Emerson felt more lonely than before. The move put a strain on the relationship of Emerson and his father and Emerson grew up alone on a daily with his father spending days and nights working at the Arcadian patrol headquarters Laboratory to both find new was to innovate the city developing equipment and robots whilst researching ways to save Meriellas life. Arnold ended up doing way more than what he initially agreed upon but he carried out every task he was given, driven by his own curiosity and love for his job.

After researching the Celestial energy orb for some time, he found a way to draw the source out of it and create a robotic body enhanced body suit for meriella but this meant she would never age or be able to function as a normal human again. He explained this to Pedro but Pedro didn't care about the risk as long as his reputation would be saved and Arnold would still complete his research for the neuro-link development.

Arnold soon felt relief that Meriella and Him extracted a portion of the Celestial orb energy to store in Arlene's vault because if President Pedro Abstinence had his hands on the full source who knows what he'd be capable of.

The Intervention

Arnold's hands trembled with excitement as he prepared to transfer Meriella's consciousness into the robotic body suit. He had worked tirelessly for months, pouring all his energy into this project. Finally, the moment of truth had arrived.

But just as he was about to initiate the transfer, a blinding light filled the laboratory. Arnold shielded his eyes, and when he opened them again, he saw a figure standing before him.

It was Leghorn, a being from The Light Realm. His eyes shone with an otherworldly intensity, and his presence seemed to command the very air around him.

"You have something that belongs to us," Leghorn said, his voice like thunder. "A piece of a star that fell from the Light Realm many years ago. It has been cultivated and transformed into a relic, but it is still a part of our realm. You must return it to us."

Arnold's mind reeled as he tried to comprehend the magnitude of what Leghorn was saying. He had never imagined that the relic was a piece of a star from the Light Realm.

But Leghorn's words were laced with a warning. "If you persist on this path, you will be attempting to take Godly matters into your own hands. You will be playing with forces beyond your control."

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