The Missing Honor Student

No incidents, no crimson alerts... Elzion is at peace. This might be an appropriate moment to put my feet up.

Something is ringing. Do you know what that is?

It's my pocket phone's ringtone.

Pocket phone? Ringtone? Please explain.

Oh I remember, you're not from this era, so some technology I take for granted might seem very curious to you. Anyway, this thing... is a thing that lets you communicate instantly with people anywhere! And do other things besides.

So you don't need to wait weeks or months for letters from distant friends? That's super cool.

Hello, Moyna speaking. Ah, hi, sir.

Oh my word. That's astounding...no, unbelievable. Honestly? Really? Yes. My word...

Hey, what's got you all in a fluster?

It's my classmate, Aldo. He skipped class!

Huh... People do that sometimes, no?

Regular people, yes, but not an elite Elzion Guards' cadet. Mr. Aldo, I appreciate your efforts to ease my mind... But I know an emergency when I see one. This is someone who'd sooner give up Omnipop for life than miss class without notice.

Assuming he hadn't given up Omnipop for life and run out of audacious things to do, maybe something bad has happened to him?

That's what I fear.

Let's go and look for him, shall we?

Do you have any ideas where he might be?

He quite likes going to the Armory and gazing at all the shiny, pointy things they have there.

Ah, Za'ol's place. Hopefully he can illuminate us about what's going on, or at least point us in the right direction.

What do you need today, Aldo? Something sharp? Something shiny? You can bet your bottom Git I've got what you need.

Not here to stock up on weapons today. We were wondering if you might have seen a friend of my friend Moyna here.

He's a cadet in the Elzion Guards. He visits your store often. Usually to browse rather than buy, apparently.

Oh, I think I know the kid. Quite a reserved fellow isn't he? He loves his laser swords though. Now and then he'll ask me about one that catches his eye, and we'll end up chatting about other things besides.

He hasn't been responding to anyone's messages. Have you heard anything from him?

I've got a vague idea what this might be about.

We're desperate for info here. Please tell us.

All right, so it seems the kid was having some trouble. Last time we spoke he looked like he was in hot water.

How hot are we talking exactly? Boiling point? Please, sir, if you have any info that could lead us to him, you must tell us.

All right, miss, all right. I don't have the details as to the nature of his worries... The kid always seemed a tad on the gloomy side, I noticed that much. One day though... I overheard him say to himself: "I can't deal with this anymore" or somethin' like that.

Maybe he couldn't deal with pressure at school?

That's possible. Don't know any more than what I heard, mind.

If emotional distress is the cause of his disappearance, your oratory skills will be invaluable in making him see sense, Mr. Aldo.

Erm, I'll try my best. We still don't know where he is though, do we?

I have a feeling he might be at the airport.

Why is that, sir?

He said once the scenery there helps him relax after a hard day.

Then what are we waiting for! To the airport, post haste!

Excuse me, ma'am, have you seen an Elzion Guards' cadet in this area today?

There is one boy who comes here often. We usually have a chat when we see each other.

My word! And did you meet him today, might I enquire?

Not today. It's usually about this time that he comes here though.

Oh...

He just loves the scenery here you know. I think that's one of his biggest motivations to become an Elzion Guard: He wants to defend this city and its wonderful views for everyone to enjoy.

What a splendid motivation!

It really is. But to actually get into a position where he can fulfil his dream takes some serious work. I could tell he hasn't been having an easy time recently, just the other day he was tearful, mumbling some silliness about lacking talent.

Oh dear... Ma'am, your co-operation could well lead to the resolution of this matter. We thank you.

Do you think he's the kind of person that would worry about lacking talent?

I'm not entirely sure. His academic excellence must have been supported by lots of hard work. Perhaps he felt the amount was excessive, and had become a strain. We shall have to ask him.

Oh, that jingle means I've got an email, by the way.

It's from him, Mr. Aldo!

What did he say?

"I want to meet you before the end. I'll be on Route 99."

"The end"? This sounds dire.

My word, could it be that he intends to end his life? To think that his academic struggles would push him so far...How could I have overlooked this!

Moyna, thanks for coming. If you hadn't shown up... *sigh* I don't even want to think about it.

Of course I came, my dear friend. I would never abandon you in your time of need. Please, allow me to do whatever I can to assuage the worries that have plagued you so.

That's not something you can do, sorry. You simply lack the ability to understand my situation. Seeing as you're someone with enviable talent, and I'm not. So obviously, I have no hope of fulfilling my dream of protecting Elzion. All my efforts have been a joke.

So all those As, all those correct answers, insightful responses, well-remembered facts... They were all worthless?

How could you think I'm more talented, when your grades have always been... You don't really think that do you?

At the end of the day, I don't have the talent to back up the grades. It's been a constant struggle... One I can't keep going any longer.

Th-That is absolutely not what you should do! You know I have always held your abilities in very high regard!

Don't make me laugh! You say that, but deep down you know I'm as thick as a brick. Anyone would.

N-No! Not in the slightest! Whenever did I give you that impression?

It's over. I'm done. I've had it with school. The dream of becoming an Elzion Guard was just a whim or whatever.

You're talking nonsense, my friend. That dream means so much to you, I know it does!

Ah forget it, it was a mistake asking you to come here. Leave please.

W-Wait! Please be calm! If you destroy everything you care about out of frustration, you'll regret it!

Moyna, calm down!

I'll screech if I have to, Mr. Aldo! It would be too terrible to give up on someone who's about to give up on their dream! I can't let him do this!

Okay, I get it. Just don't get so overly emotional yourself or you'll exacerbate the situation.

...See, this is exactly what I meant: you're the perfect person to have along when I need someone to talk some sense.

...Aghhhhhhhhhhh!

Oh Gnome, what's this!

Moyna, quick!

Damn it, damn it, damn it. This is... no, I can do it!

This doesn't look good!

I won't let them lay a finger on my dear friend! To battle with us, Mr. Aldo!

Are you all right? I see no injuries... Good stuff.

Urgh, and now I'm getting saved by you guys. This is beyond a joke; this is tragic.

We heard from the old lady you often talk about your love of Elzion. You want to protect the city so people can continue enjoying the wonderful views, no?

......

Why do you have to have flawless grades to do that? What's more important is dedication and earnestness, both of which you have in spades.

Okay, I appreciate your kindness Moyna. Just, it doesn't make my situation any less dire.

It's not so dire if we're in it together, is it! We'll support each other along the road to our common dream!

O-Okay, don't get so excited...

...Hm? Oh my! You WERE injured in the battle just now! Your face has gone an unhealthy shade of blood red!

That's just because...I like you. There I said it: I like you.

Excellent! That makes two of us. We both like each other, I mean. Good stuff.

Y-You mean you return my affection? For real?!

Affection? Why yes, mutual affection is the basis of a friendship, is it not? Even more so for a comrade-in-arms!

Oh, friendship...

Yes, that most wonderful of things! Strong camaraderie is essential in any successful military unit.

Ha, haha, friendship is...great isn't it, haha...ha.

All that laughter was at odds with the look on the guy's face...

Well how strange. I believe we just gave him a fine pep talk, did we not?

I'm quite proud of what we've done today. My friend was able to get his worries off his chest, and even confess his affe...

...Oh! Oh my word! Hold on just one little moment!

C'mon Moyna, give your vocal chords a rest...

Could it be? Could it have been? His "affection" was THAT type of affection? Gosh, I must be denser than Adamantine not to have realized!

My word, no wonder he went away looking so miserable. What to do? What should I do?!

W-Well, the first thing you should do is not get so panicked...

Nay, Mr. Aldo! Panicking is the call to action! And action I must take! But...what action do I take? What do I dooo?!