A Dazzling New Life: High School

The sun had just started to dip on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the beach as the Dazzlings and Dawnshine continued to look around the beach. What was an ideal day for relaxing, the girl's plans shifted when they found out about the missing boy and the distraught family. While looking around the beach and talking to a few more people to get any clues, they overheard people whispering about the missing boy last seen near the cliffs.

"And you're sure that's where you last saw him?" Adagio asked the man who had mentioned seeing the missing boy.

"Yep. That's the same kid in the picture." The man pointed to the picture of the boy in question. "I was going surfing and saw the little man hanging around the cliff. I was going to say something to him but the wave pulled him away and I lost him. I let the lifeguards know about it but they came back and said they couldn't find him so I assumed he went back to wherever he came from. But that was about an hour ago, so who knows where he is now."

“He could've gone anywhere in that amount of time,” Dawnshine suggested, her face serious. “He could be in real trouble if he was last seen near the cliffs. It's too dangerous being over there, especially as a little kid like himself.”

Aria and Sonata exchanged determined glances. “We’ll have to find him soon and fast,” Aria said as she looked at the horizon and saw the sun beginning to set for the day. “We're losing time and before long, it'll be nighttime and that'll make looking for him almost impossible. Let’s split up and cover more ground.”

Sonata looked over at the father with a small smile. "We'll help you look for your son, but with the time that's left I recommend calling the police before it becomes nighttime." The father nodded and started to phone the police.

"Dawnshine and I will take to the water and go look around the cliff. Aria and Nata, you walk around the beach. Maybe the boy did come back to shore and got lost in the crowd of people. It's easy for little kids to feel overwhelmed in large crowded areas like this." The girl nodded as the four went their separate ways, intent on finding the missing boy.

Sonata and Aria took off down the beach, scanning the sand and nearby areas for any sign of the boy. However, that was going to be a daunting task to accomplish with the amount of people on the beach that day. If Aria and Sonata were to find the boy through the crowd it would be almost impossible. The good thing, however, was that people were starting to leave since it was getting late but even with people leaving the beach was still packed.

"Even if this kid is here, how are we going to find him?" Sonata asked Aria, about ready to give up.

"I'm not sure but we have to at least try finding him." Aria continued to look around. "As long as we stay focused we'll have a chance at locating him." Aria then looked over at the cliff. "Maybe if we got on some high ground we could find him whether he's in the water or on the beach. What do you think, Sonata?" Aria was met with silence making her turn her head. "Nata?" Sonata was looking over at the parking lot where there was an ice cream truck where the two of them had gotten ice cream earlier. Aria went over and karate-chopped Sonata's head.

"Ow!" Sonata rubbed her head, turning her head over to Aria. "What was that for, Ari?"

Aria folded her arms, glaring at Sonata. "What did I say about being focused? We got ice cream earlier, we can get some more later if you still want some. In case you forgot, we have a lost kid to be looking for."

Sonata pouted. "I wasn't looking at the ice cream truck because I want ice cream. Think about it, what little kid doesn't like ice cream and sugar? What if he wanted some ice cream on his hot day?"

Aria was about to retort on Sonata's claim but stopped after thinking it over. "You know, that's actually a great idea! Come on Sonata! Let's go see if the kid wanted some ice cream." Sonata nodded as the two raced over toward the ice cream truck.

Meanwhile, Adagio and Dawnshine entered the water, swimming along the coastline and calling out his name, hoping he was nearby.

"River! Are you there? Your mom is worried about you?" Adagio called out looking as she swam around some rocks.

Dawnshine looked above at the cliff edge, curious if the boy had climbed up, and became scared to climb back down after climbing too high. "River! We're here to help you! I promise there's nothing to be afraid of! We only want to help return you to your mother!"

The duo swam past a cluster of rocks, and there, near a jagged cliff edge, they spotted a small figure perched on some rocks. The figure in question was the very same missing boy and he looked to be holding his ankle, wincing in pain.

“There he is!” Adagio pointed.

The two swam over as fast as they could, navigating the slippery rocks and waves that splashed against the cliff. Dawnshine got onto the rocks and knelt beside him, gently placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Are you hurt?”

He nodded, wincing as he shifted. “My foot… I tried to climb up, but I slipped and fell.”

“You have to be more careful, okay?" Adagio gently said as the boy nodded with tears in his eyes. "Don't worry, we’re going to get you out of here,” Adagio assured him before glancing over at Dawnshine. “If it isn't too much trouble, do you mind carrying him on your back and swimming him back to the beach? You're stronger than me, Dawnshine, so it'll be easier if you do it rather than me."

Dawnshine nodded and carefully lifted the boy onto her back, and then started to make their way back. Just as they moved from the rocks, a sudden crack sounded above them. They looked up just as a loose rock from the cliff edge tumbled down, striking Dawnshine’s ankle and causing her to lose her footing. She stumbled and fell into the water, the boy’s weight pulling her down as she struggled to stay afloat.

“Dawnshine!” Adagio cried, moving to help but finding herself barely able to support the weight of both her friend and the boy. They were all too far from the shore, and the waves were rougher this close to the rocks. Panic set in as Adagio struggled, her own strength beginning to wane. It was now them who were in need of saving and quick!

Adagio looked around trying to find a solution to save them all because if things didn't get better and soon... well, she didn't want to think about that. The kid held onto Dawnshine as he started to sob. "Hey, it's okay. I'm sure someone will come and save us... I hope."

Meanwhile, on the beach, Aria and Sonata had come back down to the beach after coming back from the ice cream truck with no boy to be found.

"I thought for sure he would be there." Sonata slumped her shoulders. "I guess my idea wasn't so smart after all. All we did was waste precious time."

Aria smiled and patted Sonata on the back. "Hey, it was a good idea. Don't beat yourself up. And there's still time to spare. Plus, at least we know for sure he isn't by the ice cream truck or in the parking lot."

Sonata looked at Aria and smiled. Her eyes wandered over to the water and her eyes widened as she spotted the trio struggling in the water. “They’re in trouble!” Sonata gasped.

Without a second thought, Aria and Sonata sprinted into the water, diving in and swimming toward their friends with everything they had. By the time they reached them, the lifeguards had also noticed the commotion and were heading over as well.

"Dawnshine's ankle got hit by a rock! She can't swim without help!" She yelled as Aria and Sonata got near the three of them.

"That's going to make things even harder..." Aria looked at Dawnshine's injury. "Is there any way you can move it at all? Even just a little bit?"

Dawnshine tried to move her foot but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't move it even an inch. "I'm sorry, I can't. I'm a sitting duck."

"Dagi! Help me out here!" Thanks to Aria’s help, both she and Adagio managed to hold onto Dawnshine and keep her from sinking underneath the water.

"It's okay! I've got you!" Sonata took the boy from Dawnshine and steadied him onto her back. River clung tightly to her as they all swam toward the lifeguards.

Together, the lifeguards and the girls worked to bring everyone safely back to shore. The lifeguards made sure to bandage both River and Dawnshine's injuries. As they finally reached the sand, the boy ran over and reunited with his anxious family. "River!" The boy ran into his mom's arms and hugged her. "Oh, I've missed you so much! I thought I had lost you forever!" The girls watched and smiled, happy that the family was reunited.

The father patted his son on the head. "Now don't you go wandering off by yourself ever again, you understand?" The boy could only nod his head as he cried into his mother's arms.

The mother got up and went over to the four girls shaking their hands and hugging them each, thanking them profusely. "Oh, thank you so much! How can I ever repay you?"

"There's no need ma'am, really. We're all just glad that River is back with his family." Adagio smiled at the woman as she helped Dawnshine stand up straight.

"Yeah! Seeing you all happy as one big family is all the reward we need." Sonata smiled brightly with Aria nodding in agreement.

"I'm just glad we were able to help and find him before it got dark." Aria smiled as she watched as the boy rubbed his eyes, walked over to Dawnshine, and hugged her.

Dawnshine, still breathing heavily, managed a smile as the boy hugged her in gratitude. "And I'm glad that you're not too hurt. You must've been scared beyond belief. Make sure to listen to your parents and stay by their side at all times."

River smiled at Dawnshine. "I will! Thank you for saving me."

Dawnshine patted his head. "You're very welcome."

The family waved at the girls as they walked away, most likely back home. The girls waved back as the family eventually were out of sight.

"Well girls, I would say this was a very successful day. A fun day at the beach and a successful rescue mission returning a boy to his family!" Adagio looked over to his sisters and Dawnshine with a smile on her face. The girls could only agree with her. "Let's head home, it's been quite a day and I don't know about you but I'm tired."

Dawnshine nodded her head. "Yeah, and I need to check out my foot." Dawnshine looked down at her foot. "Sucks that this had to happen, and right before playoffs too." Dawnshine looked down upset. "You think your mom could pick us help and take me to my place?"

"I'm sure our mom will be fine with that," Aria said as she went over and put a hand on Dawnshine's shoulder. "And don't worry about your foot, I'm sure it'll be better in time for the playoffs. And if it's not, we'll do our best for you." Dawnshine looked at Aria as the two smiled at each other. The two hugged each other, with Adagio and Sonata joining in the group hug.

As the girls stood together on the beach, grateful that everyone was safe, the four friends exchanged tired but happy smiles, proud of the lives they had just saved.