Here's a round of fist bumps for AlienGhostWizard14, Lady Cougar-Trombone, and LRW for getting one of the questions right. Tasha and Bree did go to Greece, which was probably an awesome vacation in comparison!

Here's another one for EmeraldTulip for getting both of them right. The planet was called Lithios.

Great job, you guys!

Alright. Last one. I'm trying my best to keep it together. As always, please pardon mistakes you'll find. I'm kind of under pressure.

Episode Tag to: The Vanishing

Chronicle #070

"Overdrive"

03/03/16

8:01 PM

It's been weeks since Bree and Chase left. I thought I would be used to it by now, but I'm not. Usually, at this time of the night, the Living Quarters would be filled with our chatter about the students' grades or the next day's activities. Sometimes there would be arguments about serious matters, though mostly it's about silly things. Tonight, there's none of that. I'm the only one here because the other person left with me, Adam, is out with Douglas visiting the base Daniel is assigned to. I would invite my friends over, but they're not here. They're probably busy getting acquainted with their new homes.

I can't really say it's all bittersweet because I don't really see much sweetness in the events that have taken place these past few weeks. We've all gotten so used to how everything works that this shakeup is a bit hard to handle. But, it has to happen.

This is just a part of growing up.

It seemed like it was just yesterday when Big D and Douglas started bragging about their new upgrade system that's supposed to revolutionize everything. Who would have thought that it would bring us all here today? It's funny how one thing and a few weeks can affect people. Those take you to things that you expect the least.

I guess I should mention what exactly (relatively) happened, just for old time's sake. And, it also needs to go on record, because one day I may forget about certain details. Scientists say that when you remember something, you don't remember the event itself but the memory of the event. Overtime, it begins to fade away, so what better way to ensure that I don't forget than to write it down, right?

As I said, it all started when Big D and Douglas introduced the upgrade system. It hiked up everybody's abilities, except for Adam's, Bree's, Chase's, and, of course, mine. We were trying it out for a bit, and the next thing we knew the students started vanishing into thin air. It was freaky. I mean, how would you feel if one moment you see your best friend walking down the hall and the next, she's gone? It's so weird. Watching Daniel just evaporate like smoke in front of us, too, only caused more panic.

We thought it was a glitch at first, but then the truth came out: psycho ex Giselle kidnapped all of the students so she could kill them.

Here's what happened next in a nutshell: we got ready for a rescue mission, went to Giselle's lab; we found Daniel, walked into a trap. Daniel wasn't Daniel. Care to guess who it was? Yep. My life decided to deliver one of the biggest plot twists that day: Marcus. My old archenemy was not dead and was, in fact, alive. And he brilliantly lured us into a cage match to the finish.

Of course, we tried to fight him, but Giselle's upgrade made him impossible to defeat. We got thrown into that four-walled death room where Giselle later fried everyone's bionic chips because, come on, she's evil and selfish. She wasn't counting on me still having my abilities, though, and that small detail that she overlooked just brought down her whole plan.

I don't know about these scientists. First Gao, then Giselle. Hamartia is just strong with those two.

Then again, as Miles brought up later, it probably wasn't as much as their pride causing their downfall as it is their inability to see what I can bring to the table. You know what? I agree. Maybe that's really what it was. It had always been like that since the beginning. People just don't think much of me, and that's my advantage. As Storm said, I'm the wildcard in the deck.

After we broke out, everything started going in our favor. Though they didn't have bionics anymore, Adam, Bree, and Chase defeated Giselle – or, to be more precise, she defeated herself. It was a horrible death, too, but I guess it was fitting. She was so cruel and greedy. It was an ugly death for an ugly person.

Marcus was also defeated, but I didn't have anything to do with it. I'm still a bit mad about that. I had two chances to show Marcus that I'm not afraid of him anymore and that I can very much defend myself if I need to, but of course it didn't happen. Daniel beat me to it on the first opportunity, and Douglas took the other one. I know he did it to save me, but come on!

Anyways, Big D and Douglas managed to restore everyone's chips, and even the older sibs' chips were upgraded. We thought that would be it, but there were still a few more surprises in store. First, Mom told us that she was pregnant. I'm happy for her. She's always wanted to have another kid, but the doctors told her years ago that it wouldn't be safe for her health-wise. I guess she can handle it now. I can see it makes her and Big D very happy and excited, and hey - that's always good.

I know Bree's excited about it, too. She said that the changing the diapers thing was a deal breaker, but I know it isn't. I can tell that she's stoked that she would get to have a girl to bond with for once. Our little sister would probably very much like that, too. Bree can teach her many things as she grows up.

Another surprise was the effect of the upgrade. Because it also comes with full mastery of their abilities, the students don't need to be mentored anymore. They're ready to go out in the field.

The last one was and still is admittedly the hardest to accept: our team had to break up. Big D has a new project, and he could only take two of us. The other two had to stay and oversee the activity here in the academy. Adam volunteered. I did, too, because I needed to be here and be with my friends and Amaranth before they leave. I had to stay.

So, Bree and Chase left.

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that they're not here anymore. There's no Bree telling me about this cute dress that she wants to buy or this new show that she wants to watch. There's no Chase correcting me when I get a fact wrong or helping me out when I get stuck with a detail in the paperwork. It's just…me and Adam. We're good hanging out with each other, don't get me wrong, but we can't deny that something is missing.

It makes me sad, too, that I had to say goodbye to my friends. Last week, Big D finally gave them an outline of where they would be going. He stood with his decision of separating me from Taylor and Logan. Instead, Taylor would be assigned with Donovan, Kate, and Logan on a base up in Michigan, with Donovan being the mission leader. Miles asked Big D if she can supervise Spin and Bob since they're still young, and he allowed her to. There would be a team of five at their base in Louisiana, consisting of her, the two boys, and also Daniel and Charlie. She would be the designated team leader, and Douglas will be coming with them to help her. Miller will be assigned to New York with Era and Cameron. Rocket will be with Heather and Alex in Florida, and Storm will be with Crimson and Amaranth in California.

We all talked about it before they left, and man was that difficult. I can't say I didn't tear up a bit, but I'm gonna blame it on Era. She was crying, and I just cannot not get affected by that. What really got me was what she told me when it was just the two of us. She told me that she was scared that we will slowly drift away from each other. She said she doesn't want to lose me as a friend, so she asked me to call frequently because she said that even if she had fun playing the Game of Life with me, it would be so much better if she get to go through real life together as best friends. Then, she hugged me.

It wasn't easy discussing with Amaranth how we're going to handle this, either. We're not gonna breakup, no. Because of her geo-leaping ability, she can always come visit me. But we also know that it's gonna be a bit different because we won't see each other as frequently as we used to. I told her that after everything is said and done, if I'm not given a different assignment, I will ask Big D to put me on a base close to her team. She told me she'd like that.

She's only been gone for four days, but I miss her already. I miss all of them.

But, they're all on their new adventures. After all that Krane has put them through, taking away many good things from them, I'm happy that they get to turn another page and build up the good life that they're meant to have, the good life that he ripped away from them. They're some of the best people I know, and they deserve to be happy.

Adam and I were starting to wonder if there is something in store for us, too, after we sent off everybody four days ago. Everybody gets to go on a new journey, and here we were in the island, just taking care of paperwork and occasionally going out on missions. There must be something more for us out there.

And, well, there was.

Last night, we received a call from Mr. President telling us of a meeting he'd like for us to go to. He said Big D already updated him with the changes, and he said he thinks he found a really good opportunity for the two of us. We told him that Big D never said anything to us about it yet, but he said it's because he didn't tell him anything. No one in our family is to know about it.

"What is it?" Adam asked.

"You're gonna have to come and see," he said. "I highly recommended you two because I know you would be great assets to them. They're looking forward to talking to you more about this. We'll have the time and the place sent to you."

It was a little odd, but we decided to go anyways. We've got nothing to lose.

The place we went to earlier was secluded and wasn't what we were expecting. We didn't think anybody would be there, but when we came in, there was a group of people in suits in there, led by a man and a woman. They looked pleased to see us. We introduced ourselves as they shook our hands, and they said they know us. We asked them for their names, but they said it wasn't important. "What's important is the agency we represent," the man said.

"And what agency is that?" I asked.

"It's called The Organization." He smiled. "I think you'll both find the…career opportunities we can offer very interesting. Young men such as you two would really do well in it. Would you like to sit down so we can discuss this at length?"

And that was what we did. They talked, we asked questions, and, well, that's all I can tell at the moment.

The information that was given to us is classified.

Thinking over these things now, I realize how much has changed and how much things can change. I still remember that night when Big D gave me the journal after Marcus attacked me. I recall feeling pathetic and sorry for myself, and now, I'm on the verge of being fastlaned into a new life.

Where I'm going I cannot take my journals with me, so I guess this means that chronicling ends tonight. But I'm going to keep these notebooks somewhere safe because I want my little sister to know everything that had happened to me these past two years (would've been three, but Douglas totally corrupted the first one).

Mom said I can choose your name, so Sophia, if you're reading this, just know that first, I love you, and second, although our family is out of this world crazy sometimes, it's the best family you will ever find. I want you to have the same great adventures as we did. Fill your life with happy memories because in the end, it's what counts.

And so the story goes – of the billionaire who loves himself a little too much at times but loves his family more; of the news reporter who worried and cared so much about the people that surrounded her; of the rogue inventor who, though he started on a bad path, decided to leave the past in favor of a better future; of the boy with the strength to bring down buildings and who always choose to take life in stride; of the girl with the ability to run at the speed of sound and who's learning that she doesn't have to change herself to earn the respect of others; of the boy who's got the brilliant brain to match his kind heart.

Of the non-bionic boy who once felt like he's out of place but who now knows where he belongs and, well, is not a-bionic anymore.

All of these stories are ever moving ahead, and bigger chapters are just around the next corner.

Exciting, right? I can't wait to see what's in store.

Signing off for the last time,

Leo Francis Dooley

03/03/16

11:58 PM

The Chase Chronicles

Wow, you guys. Three years. Seventy chapters. How nuts is that? I've got all of you to thank for it. It's because of your enthusiasm and support that made this whole experience so mindblowing. I mean, in 2013 I wouldn't have thought that I would have a story that would have 700+ reviews in it. That's crazy. I'm so used to having one or two, so having that many just amazes me. Thank you all for being so kind and for loving this show as much as I did. Seriously. Thank you.

It'd be remiss of me not to mention the guys and the gals that has stuck with the Chronicles almost since the beginning: Lady Cougar-Trombone, raenbc, Rodrigo, LabGirl2001, LRW. Like, do y'all know how awesome you are?

Thank you, too, to Dirtkid123, humannuscriptor, EmeraldTulip and ereader12. You're wonderful people. Thanks for your kindness.

Special thanks to 88Keys. You know why. ;)

To everyone I forgot to name, thank you also.

Okay, now that I've thanked everyone and realized that I sound like I'm giving a speech at the Oscars, I just want to tell you guys to please share your stories with us here at the archives if you have any! You never know what it can bring you.

- Shaine