The midday sun hung high in the sky as Sunset and Twilight approached Ethan's school, its imposing facade casting a long shadow over the bustling courtyard. Students chatted animatedly, their laughter echoing off the weathered brick walls as they enjoyed their lunch break.
Sunset scanned the crowd, her gaze searching for a familiar face amidst the sea of students. And then, she spotted him—a lone figure sitting on a bench beneath a towering oak tree, his gaze fixed on a book in his hands.
"There he is," Sunset murmured to Twilight, her voice tinged with relief. "That's Ethan."
Twilight followed Sunset's gaze, her eyes landing on the solitary figure beneath the tree. Ethan was tall for his age, with tousled brown hair that fell in unruly waves around his face. His eyes, a striking shade of blue, were hidden behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, but even from a distance, Sunset could sense the weight of the world in their depths.
"He looks so...alone," Twilight observed, her voice soft with sympathy.
Sunset nodded in agreement, her heart aching at the sight of Ethan sitting all by himself. Without hesitation, she strode across the courtyard, Twilight at her side, until they stood before him.
"Ethan," Sunset called out, her voice gentle yet firm.
Ethan looked up from his book, surprise flickering across his features as he caught sight of Sunset and Twilight standing before him. For a moment, he seemed uncertain, as if unsure whether to trust the unexpected visitors.
But then, recognition dawned in his eyes, and a tentative smile curved his lips. "Sunset?" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
Sunset returned Ethan's smile, her heart swelling with emotion at the sight of her old friend. "We've come to talk to you, Ethan," she replied, her tone earnest. "There's something important we need to discuss."
Ethan's brow furrowed in curiosity, but he made no move to protest. Instead, he closed his book and set it aside, his attention fully on Sunset and Twilight.
As they settled onto the bench beside him, Sunset took a moment to study Ethan's face, noting the faint lines of worry etched into his features. He had grown since she had last seen him, both physically and emotionally, and yet there was still a vulnerability about him—a sadness that seemed to weigh heavily on his soul.
"Ethan," Sunset began, her voice gentle yet firm, "we need your help."
And as she spoke, she knew that their reunion marked the beginning of a journey—a journey that would test their bonds of friendship and courage, but also one that held the promise of redemption and hope.
For together, they would face the challenges that lay ahead, united in their determination to bring light to the darkness and restore peace to their world once more.