Pre-Chapter Note: Hello, nothing much to say here. Other than, I hope you enjoy what I can only assume is to be the pre-climax.

Oh, and language warning again. Don't say I didn't warn you!

As always, please watch Elemental before reading (I got to watch it a third time this past weekend (July 15, 2023) as of me writing this, still a fucking awesome movie, though Spider-Verse will STILL be the best animated move from June 2023)

7:15 PM the next day

I had what I could only describe as another boring day. I loved the fact that I had another day off. Unbeknownst to me at the time, that shift I had 2 days ago be my very last shift with them. I seriously had more thoughts about leaving my City Inspector job and beginning my supervisor job with Max, especially after what he said to Ember last night before she became slightly moody about it. Over the course of today, she basically thought about the internship she was offered.

Okay okay, let's switch POV's for a minute, since I only did it once.

Ember's POV, all beginning from earlier that day

I was kind of trapped. On one hand, I was finally taking over my ashfa, but on the other... I really wanted to go about that internship, thinking about everything Sam's friend was saying to me. I was weighing all my options, even looking back at the vivisteria ball I made that Sam saved for me. My options included:

1. I confess to my parents tonight and try and cancel the takeover/re-opening. I couldn't go with this because they'd go under the assumption that Sam would be the reason for this and I'd never be allowed to see him again. I knew I didn't want this to happen.

2. I'd end things with him temporarily, just to make my parents happy. I didn't want to do this since I wasn't one to be a heartbreaker. After the re-opening, I'd take him back. This would be simple, I'd need to tell my parents the truth about me dating him, however. I don't think my mom would like this either, given I tried dating about 2 other times before, but they never made me feel the way Sam did. And my mom KNEW whenever someone was in love, so I couldn't just hide it from them... given I was nearly busted last night, but thanks to his quick thinking, made it work during the smoke reading.

3. Same as the first option but with Sam present. I'd have to bait him though, since he was still banned from here, I still believed this was wrongful and that he didn't deserve to be banned. However... I knew this wouldn't be such a good idea, since he knew when I was lying to him, as proven several other times before.

4. Just leave him... this would be proven impossible, even if I wanted to, for obvious reasons. I deeply loved him at this point, more or less.

I kept having 3 of these 4 options circling in my head. Being super emotional with myself in the process. I kept having several thoughts rushing into my head such as what my ashfa would think, what Sam would think... it was all too much.

Because of this, I felt mentally sick that afternoon because I couldn't focus on my responsibilities, instead, feeling heavy, unable to stand fit for myself. I knew I couldn't keep lying to my parents... I knew I had to share the news with them at some point, how I was the one that caused the pipe burst that got Sam in my life in the first place, how I nearly got the business shut down, everything. There had to be a way to tell them without them being pissed at me. Since ashfa hated water of any kind.

In the end, however, I just decided to attempt and make things right with him. I found my vivisteria ball and just decided to reluctantly move on with their dream... however, I started to get an idea. During the speech I'd give at the grand re-opening in 2 days, I'd start off normally, but then just let the news slip that I was dating a water guy and will be moving on with him. That's how bad I couldn't let him go. While they were closing up, despite several attempts from my parents to stop me (I'd told them I wasn't feeling too well that afternoon), I went up to Sam's place, I didn't want to upset him though.

Back to Sam now...

I was relaxing with Reid, watching a form of Impractical Jokers on the TV in my bedroom, we loved watching this and the equivalent of The Price Is Right together, in fact, we were game show buffs, even been to one for Reid's birthday a few years ago!

We were the only ones home, JoAnne & mom were out at Cyclone Stadium for a concert of sorts, and Lola was out shopping with her friends. One thing no one notices at the front door was the doorbell. For the first time in 5 years, I heard that doorbell go off. Maybe it was someone in our family pressing it for some reason? "I'll get it. Don't spoil anything for me!" I said.

Nope, it was Ember. This was her safe way of getting someone to open the door here without putting herself at risk.

"Ember! Nice surprise to see you here." I said. However, even I knew something was off.

"Is... is now a bad time?" Ember asked.

"No, never. What brought you here?" I asked, before Ember held up her box that had something for me in it.

"Look... I've been thinking about everything all day today since the smoke reading last night... I have something for you. You'll need it more than I do." Ember said, her voice slightly breaking in that statement.

"Ember... what's wrong?" I asked. "It's way too much to explain, just take the box." Ember said. So I did, it was her vivisteria ball she made at the beach a few days back.

"And I have your..." I started before I realized what was happening. I think she was trying to let me go without any harm done whatsoever. "Oh god..." I muttered. Before I got an idea, something I should've thought about a while back... or many years ago!

I decided I'd just take her to see the vivisteria myself!

"You know what Ember... I've a better idea! Wait here, and give me about 5 minutes!" I said. I got myself ready in this time, I'd call Gayle to help us out in this regard. All the while, I didn't tell Ember what we were doing or where we were going. Just wanted to keep this a surprise.

15 minutes later

"So where exactly are we going?" Ember asked, looking all confused. She later knew we were headed to Garden Central Station, but the reason was undisclosed to her yet. "Can't exactly share what we're doing here, but I promise it'll be life changing." I said to her, then added onto this a quiet mutter to myself "for me as well". There were a gate to protect anyone from coming in. However, with water & fire people, this was too easy to get by.

We could just morph through the gate like nothing ever happened. So we did. "Remind me again why this was ever put up?" I asked almost sarcastically. "Meh, who knows..." Ember responded. I think it was beginning to become clear to her what we were doing, but not quite yet. I knocked over the sign that denied Ember her opportunity as a kid. It read "No fire allowed!"

Ember sort of perked up a little when she saw me knock the sign over. I think it was beginning to become clear to her that we were seeing a vivisteria. She just didn't have that in mind yet. Her mental numbness was going away. I mean, that's what I saw in her earlier. I just didn't want to say anything so as to not have her make something up again. A short time passes before we walk through the front entrance of Garden Central Station. And man, this wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I knew the place flooded but I didn't think it wouldn't be 100% of the building, it was mostly just the bottom part (the train station) that was flooded. Gayle was there waiting for us. "Right Gayle! Open 'er up!" I commanded her in a (obviously) friendly way. I knew Gayle well to know that her and I had a single thing in common, how much we loved to kill time in our spare time. So, she made an air bubble specifically for Ember to be in.

That's when I broke the news to her... "You still want to see a vivisteria, right?" I asked her, mostly pumped up.

The second Ember heard this, and remembered her denied chance to go and see one, she enthusiastically jumped in to the air bubble. "Now just be aware this'll only last about 20 minutes, so make it count!" Gayle warned me in this sense, she's seen fire being disintegrated this way before. "Alright, thanks so much!" I quickly responded before jumping in to the flooded waters below, being her guide the whole time. Now this took a grueling 10 minutes, but we finally get to the vivisteria.

And holy crap, my mind was the first to get blown! This was everything we'd expected it to be! Even for my first time as well! Mind you, I was this close to seeing but was separated just before I was able to see it.

Our emotions said it all. But truthfully, this was way too much to explain with words, try all I want.

Another 10 minutes later

I was still exasperated, this had truly been something I really wish Paul were here for. I was going to tell him all about it in the near future. However, the air started to loosen. "Clearly the air bubble is expiring! We have to get you out of here, now!" I said, not wanting Ember to be extinguished into nothingness. The exit was extremely closeby, so, up the exit the went. The whole time, the air was going away, Ember worrying the whole time that it'd be the end for her. How would I break the news if that did happen to her?

Luckily, we made it out on time. I was sort of like "What just happened!?" when I regained myself. I found Ember shortly after, then said "That probably was crazy and all, but...", well, that's what I started with before Ember cut me off and said "What do you mean that was crazy? THAT WAS AMAZING! I FINALLY GOT TO SEE A VIVISTERIA!"

Ember was more excited than I was. I mentally was talking to myself during this time, "Well Dad, I did it! I got to see the vivisteria tree, just like we always talked about. I wish you were there to see my reaction to it, that... and my girlfriend's as well..."

Somehow Ember heard me and responded "I'm sure your dad would've been proud to know you got to fulfil one of your dreams."

Ember knew I got denied my opportunity as well, but never said anything about it. It was something we kept from each other, as I did her denied chance to see the vivisteria, I didn't think either one of us would forgive each other if we let the word slip out about theses denied chances.

"Ember, I know I hid that from you, and I'm sorry. I just don't like sharing this because even you knew what happened 2 days after that." I said back to her, then followed it up with "But that doesn't matter tonight, what matters is just the two of us. It was the most awe-inspiring thing I've ever seen, even from you." I wanted to cry after that in tears of joy.

Now, remember a few parts ago I had thoughts of touching her despite us being dangerous for one another? Well, those thoughts immediately came back to me, and I knew I couldn't hold back anymore, so held my hand out for her. As expected, Ember refused.

"Sam... n, no!" She stated. 'Ember, I can't hold back, I... I seriously been thinking for a while... what would actually happen if we mixed." I said, I wasn't attempting to be pushy unlike my sister, but still had that instinct in me. "No! You know why we can't!" Ember said back, being extremely resistant, instead offering me to walk her back to The Fireplace or even my place for that matter.

"Oh that's what they want us to think! But what if we can? This is basically a chance to prove it." I said back.

"Prove what!?" Ember responded, still adamant about the whole thing. She was one to follow the "Fire can't mix" rule, no matter what!

"Ember, I totally get it, okay?" I said, holding out my hand once more. "Let's start small... if this ends well, then, great. If not, then... we'll know that this could never work." I responded back.

"But this could end in a disaster! I could vaporize you! You could extinguish me!" Ember was not having any of it.

"Ember! Ember! Please?" I tried once more. And without another word, Ember finally gave in. This took a good bit of convincing on her end, but started to get damn near panicky when she came in close contact, my waters were boiling too, as expected.

"Okay, okay!" I said, then had her take a deep breath. "Let's try that again." I said.

And again, it took her a minute to do so, but finally got the courage to do it.

We officially mixed.

Now what usually happens is that one of us would instantly get put out or vaporized, however... not this time.

Ember looked genuinely shocked. We could mix without harming each other! I too was dumbfounded. "No fucking way!" I thought. This truly was impossible by normal means. And with this, we shared a good romantic moment that I never thought I'd get to live in my life!

This was purely going to be awesome, I could go about my plan I had some time ago. We just went around being all lovey-dovey on each other. Her head slowly resting on my chest. This was something that, again, I was only dreaming of. Life was fucking awesome going forward from this point.

But, unfortunately, as it was once said, all good things had to come to an end... and I didn't know this would happen when I said in a quiet manner, "I'm so lucky I found you in the first place..."

I must've given her a reality check of some kind, I didn't know what, but she quickly tore herself apart from me, then said, "I have to go!"

All the while, I was still in pure shock about this discovery, I didn't even realize she tore away from me. However, made a vow that I'd never tell a single person that I mixed with Ember except for those I deeply trusted, I've seen people of my kind get bashed upon for less than that of what I just did.

"Ember! Where are you going!?" I asked, being all dumbfounded at this situation. Before I heard something I was BEYOND not ready to hear. "Back to my life at the shop!"

Yup... I was pissed off when I heard this. "WHAT THE FUCK!? You even said it yourself, YOU DIDN'T WANT THIS!" I was trying my absolute hardest. Before Ember chimed in again. "Yeah, right! NOBODY would believe me anyway! Plus, I take over in 2 days!"

I forgot this was happening. "Ember, I honestly think you need to reconsider at this point! YOU and you alone have an opportunity to prove that!" I said, still upset. But Ember wasn't having it, clearly still acting in some way she was forced to act upon. "Yeah right! That may for you in some rich kid "follow your heart" type dream, but being able to do what you want is A LUXURY! And NOT for people like me!" I could even see her purple flames again.

"Wow! And here I thought I met someone that'd change my life for the better. But clearly this isn't so... you're nothing more than a coward. And even I knew that with EVERYTHING you hid from me!" I said, getting a slight bit more angry than Ember. Ember must've took this the wrong way, but either way, this was of no use.

"DON'T YOU DARE JUDGE ME FOR ANYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT ME! I'M FIRE, YOU'RE WATER! THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CHANGE THAT, EVEN YOU KNOW THIS! I'M NOT JUST ABOUT TO THROW MY WHOLE LIFE AWAY SIMPLY FOR YOU!" Ember snapped at me. I'll admit, I kind of deserved this. "Statement withdrawn..." I said. "But what I'm trying to say is..." I started before I got rudely cut off, again. "Sam, honestly... just save it! Okay? I hope that out of all people, you understand why this could never work in the first place!" Ember said, more calmly, but still not happy.

This was followed up with something I half expected to hear as well... "It's over Sam!"

And with this, she got on the train that'd take her back to The Fireplace, and took off shortly after. The whole while still being mad at this whole thing. Even then, Ember still found it hard to let me go.

If it wasn't obvious enough... she just attempted to break up with me! After EVERYTHING I did, after we finally mixed!? THIS WAS THE THANKS I GOT!? I was more pissed off than ever before.

"No!" I started. I wasn't just about to let this slide.

"Ember fucking Lumen... you dare try and break my heart right there and then, all because of your goddamn parents turning you into something you know you're not!? Welp, you failed ABSOLUTELY miserably! IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL I SAY IT IS!" I snapped to myself, this clearly being directed toward Ember, but she was nowhere to be found anymore after this. This was all before I made the craziest idea of my life, combining this & the grand re-opening in 2 days.

"We'll just see how you like it! Come 2 days time... I'm crashing your grand re-opening, LIKE IT OR NOT! And there'll be NOTHING you can do to stop me!" I said to myself.

Oh boy... the next 2 days would be a massacre of the mind. I started wondering how I was even going to do it.

Even if she hated my guts, I clearly wasn't about to cut my losses, this was more or less the best solution at this point to see her again...

YES YES YES! I finally reached my favorite part of the story! The grand re-opening gone wrong! Y'all have no idea how excited I am to write this part!

Anyway, that'll conclude part 7. We're also nearing the end as well. Which, again... I do have a future state of this project after all of this passes by. A few in-betweener's or one-shot type stories for y'all! Can't wait to write those ones as well!

Have a great day/night! See y'all for my favorite part of Elemental!