Treasure Hunting 101

Chapter VI

Sam

Music: Theme of the Octopus Fortress from Parodius Da! Arcade

When it comes to events such as parties, concerts, or these large trips we have to go on, it's not enough for me to just show up on time. I like to be there as reasonably early as I can be. Especially for these trips, where sometimes it can be useful to have those extra few minutes of planning time or to do last-minute check-ins on everything.

As is the norm with our various escapades, our parents simply believe that we're going on another one of our "weekend trips". Our entire group will people one or two weekends per month to spend an entire day or two flying around the world and sight-seeing and whatnot. Technically, this is another one of those times, but 1) not all of us are going to be flying around, and 2) this is not for sight-seeing purposes.

Anyways, all that unnecessary exposition aside, today is the day that we begin our race for Kaori's Treasure. Elle had spent the night at my place (which she doesn't normally do, yet somehow her parents were perfectly fine with it) the previous night. To get to the clubhouse, which we decided on as our rendezvous point, we fly there on my hovercraft. Heath and Luke had spent the night together at Heath's place, and his mom has just arrived to drop them off by the time Elle and I get there. Skylar, Avery, and Brea all stayed at the clubhouse for the night, and all three of them are sitting on the front porch, awaiting our arrival. Our scheduled arrival time was 9 AM, and it's 8:54 AM. Just about right for me.

"Have a good time, boys, and try not to get killed," Heath's mom says to Heath and Luke as they climb out of her car. She also spots Elle and I as we're landing, and waves to us. We wave back. Despite how dangerous they can be sometimes, most of our parents are unusually supportive of our various trips. My parents describe it as "a way to become an adult and learn independence faster than most children your age". I don't quite understand either.

"We can't make any promises on that one," Luke chuckles. Heath's mom laughs, then blows Heath a kiss from the car. Heath rolls his eyes, then begrudgingly blows a kiss in return. His mom then drives away, and I get to greet them with a smirk.

"Oh, hush it, mama's boy," Heath grumbles. I am not afraid to admit that he's 100% right with that one.

"You're just lucky I didn't get a picture of you," Skylar snorts, as she as the other girls join us.

"I'd have forced you to delete it anyways," Heath grins.

"You wouldn't have been able to do shit." Keep in mind, the two of them are supposed to be a couple.

At that moment, a car horn honks from behind us. Mia, Mackenzie, Sean, and Shanna all hop out of Mia's mom's car, then run up to join us. As expected, the first thing Mia greets us with is a taunt, specifically directed at Brea. "So, you guys ready to lose?"

"Hmph. When pigs fly," Brea fires back.

"Which, if you haven't figured out already, you won't be able to do?" Avery snorts.

"Well, we have something--or someone--that you don't," Mackenzie smirks. Nothing happens for about five seconds after she says that. She repeats herself. "I said, we have someone that you don't!"

A small beam of light appears in the middle of the front lawn. It grows in size until it's about the height of an adult male, then its physical features start to come into view. Once the figure is fully materialized and visible, my entire team gasps.

It's Dr. Scientist.

"Well, shit," Heath murmurs.

"You got HIM to help you?! That's so unfair!" Luke complains.