It is important to play the video featured in this chapter as you read. It makes things more interesting.

EarthPro had been making some development in Raven Brooks. Everyone had their own anticipations on this new expansion and the last time this town faced such excitement was the day Mr. Peterson had opened the Golden Apple Amusement Park. However, there have been some people who are against having EarthPro take over and cloud in their town's businesses, even though some of them could use massive improvement and more decent people managing them. Now, the shareholders of EarthPro decided that the Golden Apple Amusement Park would be a fresh start for their new development or should I say miniature town. Of course, in order to get things moving, the old rides and damaged amusement park to clear the way for their machines. Now, something important to know is that Maritza, Nicky, Enzo, Finch, Trinity, and Delroy are part of the Inventor's Club called E.M.U. (Engineering Masters of the Universe) so collecting these parts was their mission. They also collaborated with EarthPro to use parts for building contraptions since the company had no use for them. It was definitely a win win for everyone I'll tell you that.

Nicky: "So I was thinking, maybe we should expand a bit. I mean, we have been collecting piles of spare parts and I don't think there is enough room in the school to fit them in."

Enzo: "We'll most likely figure something out. Right now we've got parts to clear out."

Just then the EMU members noticed that Luanne Roth and Jay Roth were mingling with the EarthPro elites. Let's just say that Luanne was the one mostly hitting it off. She really wants to be rubbing elbows with the hot shots.

Lu: "So that's what I believe. Most people think molecules are insignificant, but I believe they're a phenomena."

Jay: "Hey, I think molecules can be cool."

Nicky just shrugs as his friend give him goofy looks. As the small group entered the Golden Apple Factory, Ms. Delphine was hustling and bustling like there was no tomorrow until she noticed the  group of inventors. As she guides them through the facility, she explains the operation.

Ms. Delphine: "Now, since there is lots of dust in some of the sectors, I've already brought in some respiratory masks and goggles ok?"

Maritza (whispering to herself): "Don't know why she didn't leave some out knowing that we would come here?"

Enzo gave Maritza a "calm down before you ruin things for us glare" then focused his attention to the guide.

Ms. Delphine: "My intern will assist you on where to go. Maddie, can you come here?"

A pale looking teen had appeared. She looked a bit nervous and timid, but she seemed friendly. As Ms. Delphine gave a few more instruction, she proceeds to leave her intern to attend to the group.

Maddie Armstrong: "There are some old satellite tower scraps out in the back. It took a lot of hard work to dissemble them. But Im pretty sure our hard work at disassembling them made your task on hauling them away much more easy."

Enzo: "Indeed it did ma'am."

Ivan: "We'll be sure to have this taken care of posthaste."

The focus then changes to Luanne and Jay Roth.

Jay: "Phew, I think that went well. Seriously this socializing can do a number on you. But it will all be worth it."

Lu: "Well I do believe I've had a field day with the board members and the elites."

???: "Well it's good to see two of my favorite buddies doing good in this event.

Both Jay and Luanne had a big smile once they recognize that voice.

Jay: "And judging from the tone in your voice you've gathered a hefty scoop for the Banner huh Miguel?"

Yep, Miguel Esposito was here and had been observing the spectacle. As soon as Miguel reached to Jay the two friend did their special hand shake. As they were finished they caught up on how things were going with their day.

Miguel: "Well it's good to know that Raven Brooks is finally getting the development it deserves."

Jay: "After all that interacting, I could sure use some refreshments.

Lu: "My sentiments exactly."

Miguel: "Superb call my friend."

As the trio went to the refreshment stand, a cloaked man wearing a helmet had been arranging and setting up the table with desserts and entrees. He was handling his job in a very meticulous manner like his life depended on it. The dude was definitely the type to take his job seriously.

Lu: "Does he really have to wear that mask where've he goes?"

Jay: "Well I guess he's trying to make his mark for the business he works for."

Lu: "Yeah, but I have seen him wear that thing in public nonstop."

Miguel: "Well I have seen Mr. Peterson wear his argil like it was a part of him and no one ever stopped the man."

Jay: "Pretty weird if you ask me."

Miguel: "You know, thinking about Mr. Peterson jogged back my memory on the kidnappings that have been going on in Raven Brooks."

Lu: "What does Peterson have to do about the kidnappings?"

Miguel: "Well a long time ago my son and daughter had an encounter with the Forest Protectors. From what my kids told me Peterson was enemies with the Forest Protectors and threatened them. They were able to escape but the fear of those folks still lingers around. In fact I think the kidnapping is connected to some other members of that clan."

Jay: "Other members?"

As the three were conversing, the cloaked catered pretended not to listen to the three.

Miguel: "Well two of the members were arrested and are still in jail right now. One member was Dale Tapps who use to be a detective for the Raven Brooks Police department and the other was Gordon Cleave who was once the station 4 channel news manager."

Lu: "I can't imagine someone from the law enforcement would be that insane."

Miguel: "Yeah, but here in Raven Brooks, everyone has a secret."

The cloak character whispered a chuckle to himself as he was listening to the people's chat. The man felt very confident in himself and was mocking the people in his mind since he's done his profession multiple times.

Lu: "So what happened to the other Forest Protectors?"

Miguel: "From what I can learn there's this strange rumor that after Dale Tapps and Gordon Cleave were arrested the other members must've disbanded. Hopefully they stay that way."

 Meanwhile things were definitely going clockwork for the club. Ivan, Enzo, and Trinity boxed up the materials, Nicky and Maritza loaded the parts into their van.

Trinity: "I still can't believe we were able to construct a vehicle from all those parts."

Ivan: "Well, when you live in a town where people put certain materials to waste, it was pretty much a snap."

Enzo: "Hey the refreshments are here. Let's go before they're all gone."

As the three were leaving, Nicky quickly noticed and turned to his friend Maritza to let her know what was happening.

Nicky: "Hey Mari, the refreshments are open. We better go before Ivan and my dad consumes them all."

Maritza: "I'll join you all in a minute, I just need to check on some things."

Nicky: "Don't worry, I'll make sure I'll save some food for you."

Maritza gave Nicky a kiss on the check and thanked him. After that small moment Nicky headed towards the refreshments. As three minutes passed, Maritza was ready to join her friends until someone called her name.

???: "Hey. Ms. Maritza, over here."

The lass quickly looked around the area to see who called her.

Maritza: "Who said that?"

Seconds passed and someone called her again.

???: "Psst. Out here."

Maritza step toward the voice to find someone not much bigger than her in size and stature. He's small to the point of looking almost frail, with glasses too big for his face on his slender nose. He wears a windbreaker and pants even though it's summer, and though his hair tries to hide underneath a baseball cap, there's only so much unruliness a hat can hide. What she notice most about him, though, is his hands. They're large for his body, with long knobby fingers that curl like they haven't relaxed in some time. The arms and shoulders they're attached to are just as tense. His shoulders form a perfect M behind his head, burying his neck. Maritza was cautious about this person. She didn't know if he was just an innocent fellow or some responsible for the kidnappings.

Maritza: "Who are you?"

???: I am Norman Darby. A friend of Aaron Peterson and the Puzzle Master."

This got Maritza more interested in what the man had to say.

Maritza: "Wait, you're the dude that introduced Aaron to the lore of the Forest Protectors. What brings you here? In fact, why did you call me?"

Norman: "You're one of the few people in this town that is persistent and this is just what I need to solve a problem."

Maritza: "What problem do you mean?"

Norman: "I have something important I need to hand over to you. You see you and Aaron have some similar methods that will be the key to put an end to the Raven Brooks kidnappings."

The Esposito was taken aback by what the man had said. I mean yes, she did play her part on helping Aaron shut down the Forest Protectors, yet things ending with disastrous consequences, plus right now as we're on the topic of Aaron, she is still helping Nicky find him. And yeah, it takes great guts to break into the house of a strange man to find evidence that he had something to do about the disappearance of his son, but this was something big which would lead to even greater disaster.

Maritza: "Look I don't know if I can..."

Before she could say anything else. Norman took a quick look around and handed Maritza a strange pocket sized device. Maritza was taken aback. A wave of realization hit her hard.

Maritza: "This device, it's a part of the Forest Protector's heritage."

Norman: "The one Aaron had was orb shaped, but it turns out there is someone out there building a set of new devices that will lead destruction upon this town and us too."

Maritza: "I don't know if this is a responsibility I can handle."

Norman: "Don't worry, you won't be alone. There will be someone who will guide you on how these devices work. Just be patient. And be very careful not to let this information slip out into the public. Whoever is responsible for these people going missing will do whatever he can to silence and get the town to fall into his reign of terror."

This was still a lot for Maritza, but she's faced these dangerous situations before and even if this is a huge responsibility, she was willing to take on the challenge. And if this would help put a stop to the kidnappings and bring peace to Raven Brooks, even for a short time, she was willing to make that sacrifice."

Maritza: "Ok, I'll do it. I'll do it since this will shut down these kidnappings."

Norman smiled at this response. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together. The scales were tipping in the towns favor at last. Norman and Maritza then parted ways and made sure to watch out for any suspicious characters. As Maritza went to the refreshment stand, she was surprised and relieved to see that there were still some if not more refreshment on the table. There were cookies, cupcakes, donuts, sandwiches and other pastries on the table.

Maritza: "Wow, did these just came here?"

Ivan: "Yep, turns out the caterer was kind enough to offer EarthPro a very generous discount on this food."

Trinity: "Still amazed the dude only charged seventy dollars for all this food."

Nicky: "Eh, I guess he's trying to put a good name for his business."

Maritza took a lot at the man in the mask. She was growing more suspicious about that man each time she sees him.

Enzo: "So sis, where have you been?"

As Maritza was going to answer, she noticed that the man in the weird cloak was lurking around. She remembered that he owned a device similar to the one Norman gave her. So she said that she was just inspecting the merchandise. Suddenly Ms. Delphine had arrived and began asking if the group are enjoying the bits and pieces they've found in the Golden Apple Factory. As the conversation was going on, the cloaked enigma grew bored and decide to lurk around a different part of the area.

Ms. Delphine: "I'll catch you folks later alright? And please make sure you stay away from the areas covered in yellow tape ok."

When Ms. Delphine left the scene, EMU decided to finish up their task and then return to the refreshment stand after they were done. During minutes of sorting out parts, boxing them up, sweating, and inspections the team's efforts were successful.

Trinity: "I'm going to have to take a long bath after this. But anyway, great work team."

Ivan: "We can't thank you enough Ms. Delphine."

Ms. Delphine: "Oh the pleasure was all mine darling." 

Nicky (whispering): "Seriously Ivan, can you please cool it with the impressions? Seriously, it's pretty concerning how you're this well mannered to her."

Ivan (whispering): "I'm just trying to make sure our chances of coming here are strengthened and are not jeopardized."

Trinity: "You folks are something else I'll give you that. Almost like brothers."

Maritza: "Hey guys, I'm going to take walk to my neighbor. And don't worry, I can defend myself."

Enzo, Nicky, Ivan, and Trinity, gave her the ok went their ways.

Nicky: "I sure hope she can take care of herself."

Enzo: "Don't worry, my sister is a strong and brave fighter. She knows how to defend herself with precision and tact."

Trinity: "You know, I'm thinking about training with her so we can both become powerful."

Enzo and Nicky: "Training? What kind?"

The two both looked at each other and then back at Trinity and Ivan.

Trinity: "You know, jogging, stretching, and some isometric exercises here and there."

The scene then changes to the Golden Apple Factory. Maddie was organizing and taking care of some important documents when a stranger approached her. Turns out, it was the cloaked Enigma.

Enigma: "Excuse me ma'am I think I have something for you."

As the woman was going to question what it was and why he was here, the stranger quickly pulled out a needle and injected some serum into his next hostage and captured her. It looks like Raven Brook now had yet another kidnapping to deal with.

Maddie: "What did you....argh..."

That was the last thing she said before she was out cold. The Enigma carried his victim away and made sure to leave the facility without anyone watching or seeing him. He was determined to have his plan set in motion without any glitches or goof ups.

With Maritza, she was admiring the device in her hand. Yes it was a mystery, but she was fond of the colors and how it was assembled.

Maritza: "This might not be so bad. I think this could work."

The curious Esposito then takes a look into the sky. A wave of recollection was happening in her mind.

All sorts of things had happened in her life. First, she lost her mother to cancer, next her friend Lucy passed away in an accident at the Golden Apple Amusement Park, her friends Aaron and Mya went missing, and now there are kidnappings happening in this town.

Maritza: "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to change my luck. it would be nice to have things work out for once."

Little did she realize was that her wish was going to be granted.