.
.
.
"I didn't expect there is such a place like this."
The group of five was gathered under a large tree with large leaves. They had just finished setting up their tents and now, they are cooking foods. After setting up their tents, they took a few minutes to take pictures on the peak of the mountain.
"So what's the name of this mountain?" Mark asked while putting down some of the firewoods.
Xander and Mardez briefly made eye contact and laughed for a while. The trio just stared at them.
"Honestly, we don't know. We also realized just now that we don't what they call this mountain range." Xander said while scratching his cheek.
The trio just nodded their heads repeatedly.
"Listen up kids." Mardez called for the attention of the trio.
"We will begin your training tommorow morning. Just sleep well when night falls and wake up before five in the morning. Understood?"
The trio nodded their heads.
"So how are you going to train us?" Jay asked.
"Just wait until tomorrow and you'll find out."
.
.
.
Next morning.
After the five woke up at dawn before 5am, Mardez told them to wear loose clothes and do any kinds of stretching exercises first before their main thing training.
After a few minutes, Mardez ordered the trio to sit with at least a couple of meters apart each other in a comfortable position.
"Actually kids, this, is the day of your recollection."
The words said by Mardez made the trio confused.
"First, I want all of you to close your eyes. Don't open your eyes until I say so."
The trio obeyed and closed their eyes.
"Mark, Jay, and Natalie..... I want the three of you, to remember the day you had become a phenomenal...."
The words of Mardez made the trio almost open their eyes. But instead, scenes of their pasts struck their mind as they remember those days.
"Remember the days and think of it like it happened just yesterday." The voice of Mardez became firmer.
The trio continued to remain silent.
"Imagine that day, the day you became someone different." Mardez continued speaking while Xander just stood behind him silently watching the trio.
This time, strangely, scenes of their dark pasts replayed in their mind. It feels like they are swimming in their memories trying to get to the other side of the shore.
.
.
.
.
(NATALIE'S RECOLLECTION OF HER PAST)
The young Natalie is currently sneaking away from their home just to go watch the festival. Their home is quite far from the place where the festival is held.
Her parents told her to wait until tomorrow so they can all go together, but the young Natalie is really excited.
Natalie just finished her fifth grade, and now, they have their vacation.
There was a visitor being entertained by her parents in their house today, so she took that chance to go see the festival.
After several minutes of walking, Natalie arrived at the place.
"Woah."
Seeing all the decorations and displays, she was amazed. She took the chance to wander around.
Watching entertainment shows, buying sweet foods from the stalls, and greeting other people, Natalie is naturally happy.
'I wish Mark is here.' Natalie suddenly thought of the boy who had a huge crush on her. Thinking of that handsome boy made her smile. She wished she could spend time with him today.
As she was wondering around, she noticed a clown far from the crowd doing magic tricks to a little girl. Fascinated by what she saw, Natalie also approached the little girl and they both watched the clown doing some juggling, magic tricks and comedy acts.
Done with his antics, Natalie and the little girl clapped their hands in appreciation.
The clown is clearly a man, and due to his makeup and his hat, no one can recognize who he is.
"So, did you have fun watching?" The clown asked the two little girls.
"Mm." Natalie and the other young girl nodded their heads while beaming with smiles.
"I can also do some other things. Do you want to see it?" The clown asked the two girls.
The two naturally agreed happily while the clown just led them somewhere else.
"What's your name little cutie?" The clown asked the girl who is with Natalie.
"I'm Mai." The young girl replied enthusiastically.
"I'll be doing a little show, but I need a partner. Can you help me little cutie?"
Feeling happy, Mai agreed.
"And you are?"... The clown turned to Natalie.
"I'm Natalie, what can I help you with?"
"For you, you just had to watch us. Is that alright?" The clown smiled.
"Of course, Mr. Clown. Just make sure to make me happy, hehe." And so, the clown led them to an isolated tent not too far and not too close to the crowd.
"Is this your magical place Mr. Clown?" Natalie and Mai had their eyes shining bright while seeing the beautiful pictures and toys inside the tent. The tent is wide enough to accommodate more people and a long table was placed in the middle.
"So what show are we going to do?" Mai asked the clown.
"Don't worry little cutie. All you have to do is stay calm and silent, okay?" The clown then turned to face Natalie.
"I'll be covering your eyes with a handkerchief for a while so we will prepare our show." The clown then proceeds to cover Natalie's eyes.
Natalie then heard some strange sounds, but she thought they were preparing for the so-called show.
After several seconds, the clown removed the handkerchief from Natalie's eyes. She slowly opened her eyes and the first thing she saw is the smiley face of the clown.
"Alright little girl, the show...
....
....... begins........"