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”Wait a minute, you’re being told to do reports about him?”
“Uhmmm, for Stinger Flynn? Yeah, y’know I’m a bit excited! I heard from the other scientists say that he’s HUGE. Bigger than Jumbo Josh I believe.” Vince laughs slyly, turning his attention from BanBan to find his necessities for the report. “Hopefully he’s not a chatter box. I want this to be quick. Today would’ve been my day off but they love to surprise me.”
”But why Stinger Flynn? He’s…very different than the others.” BanBan confesses with worry, watching the scientist scatter throughout his office to look for to meet the aquatic creature, his brows furrowed in concentration, dark, brown eyes scanning through his desk and drawers.
Vince stops his pace to turn his head at BanBan’s direction, standing straight as he raises an eyebrow. “You’re one to talk, Ban. I’m sure he’s not as bad as BanBaleena or Jumbo Josh. Certainly he has to be at your emotional level. A little hostile but overall, a great friend.” He smiles warmly, patting a hand over BanBan’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. He’s a jellyfish after all, he’ll probably have his stingers chained or something.”
”…well, if anything happens, just know it won’t be good. With that being said, call it off and make another scientist do it. You’re too fr—” the red mascot gets cut off by a frustrated growl.
”Ban, come on. This is my first ever case where I won’t be working with you. Don’t get me wrong, you’re very interesting to work with, but doing reports on a new case? I’ll obviously be excited to do it. I can do this, I won’t mess up.” Vince uttered, a hint of determination showing at the end of his sentence. As the short male thinks about the upcoming ‘event’ with the tangerine jellyfish, Vince cautiously asks BanBan, “…is he like NabNab? Will he…?”
”…I don’t think so.”
”That’s all I need to hear. If you want, you can stay here in my office before you go back to your principal duties. I know that role is tiring.” The scientist fixes his tie, eyeing BanBan. “I’ll make you cake if you turn out to be right about Stinger Flynn, how does that sound?”
”Deal.”
”Great, chocolate as always, right?”
”It’s my favorite.”
Vince scoffs softly, a smile appearing on his lips.
“He’s still being chained up, it won’t take long though.”
Vince nods understandly, looking at the brunette. He tenses when she makes eye contact with him. “Whatever you want to say, spit it out. You’re a scientist, ask your questions.
“Right, very sorry, uh, is Stinger Flynn actually huge? Is that why it’s taking so long?” The boy nervously asks, waiting for a response.
”Very. Don’t be intimidated, just because of his height, he's not quite harmful in any way. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t try anything. So, if he even escapes his chains and tries to hurt you in any way, we'll do our best to control him. It's very unlikely for it to happen, though. No scientist has reported any physical violence from what we’ve gather throughout the week." The woman says with a stern voice, crossing her arms around her chest as she clears her throat, looking rather…hesitant.
“Well, hopefully it stays like that. I would very much find it appreciating to have a mascot that isn’t violent. God knows we’ve had to deal with it daily.”
“I agree.”
Their conversation ends when workers, appeared to be equipped with body armor, come out of the Jellyfish’s domain in sync.
”Ma’am, we’ve chained Case #13, the scientist may see him now.”
”Good.” The lady turns her head over to Vince, eyes sharp, eyebrows furrowed. “Alright…I never got your name.”
”Ah, it’s Vince. I should’ve introduced myself, sorry.”
”No need for apologies. I should’ve asked in the first place. You’ll be reporting any insights about the specimen; behavior, powers, strength, status, something that you think will be liable information. Don’t be afraid to speak with him, do not keep in any questions, we’ll like to know more about this creature, we’re far from knowing his abilities. He can be a threat for all we know, look at how Jumbo Josh turned out.” She straightforwardly explains to the short scientist.
”Again, if he tries to do anything to you physically, we’ll get you out and isolate Case #13.”
“Of course. Do I…go in now?”
”Yes, Vince, you can go ahead.”
Vince clenches his clipboard, slowly walking up to the door, wincing when he hears the familiar creak of the doors sliding open. Taking a deep breath, the black haired male enters the Jellyfish’s room. As he descends into the narrow steps, each step feels deliberate, the space confining. The air grows cooler and damper, and the steps seem to disappear into darkness below. His hand grazes along the rough wall to feel the texture. a faint, echoing sound accompanies each step, creating a sense of loneliness in the jellyfish’s domain. His nerves start to spike, it’s a bit frightening to meet a Case that isn’t one of his regulars.
As he takes the last step of the stairs, his eyes get hit with the bright lights on the ceiling, filtered with the dusty air, casting muted rays that show the swirling particles. The light barely infiltrate the room's corners, pockets of shadow appearing in them.
In the middle of the large domain, stood the large jellyfish, the light above him erasing the features of Stinger Flynn with a gloomy umbral.
Vince’s eyes widened as he stood perfectly still, his gaze fixed upon the tangerine jellyfish. ‘He is huge! Thought I was being tricked.’ His lips slightly part in awe. His eyebrows lifted, a subtle arch that pinpointed their shock. His posture leaned slightly forward, his body language in an intense engagement of Case 13.
Shaking his head to rid of his trance, he looks around the large space to find a keycard to wake the jellyfish.
Vince moved with purpose around the room, his steps echoed. He scans his surroundings, searching for any sign of the keycard. Why do the always hide it? While he navigates the space, his head swiveled from side to side, taking in every corner and surface. He pauses on a spot that he thinks would contain the keycard, crouching down to inspect, only to find nothing. At last, Vince tiredly whispers a ‘thank God’ underneath his breath when he finds the orange keycard, taking it into his hand.
Vince strides over to the card reader. The keycard glided smoothly into the slot with a satisfying click, he held it there for a moment, watching the reader's display light up in color. As the device ringed a confirming beep, the scientist turns his body to Stinger Flynn, waiting for the Case to awaken.
A loud rumble can be heard coming from the creature. Stinger Flynn slowly cracked open his one eye, he squints them to adjust to the light. The eye's movement was cautious, as if he was examining the environment they were in.
Stinger Flynn’s eye lands on the human standing in front of him. “You humans really enjoy putting me to sleep, just to awaken me the next second. It’s very frustrating for me.”
Vince visibly shudders from the deep voice, not really expecting it from the jellyfish, but then again, most of the mascot’s voices don’t fit their hosts.
”Ah, uh, I truly apologize for the inconveniences. I wish it could be handled better, you mascots are emotionally conscious after all.” The boy frowns slightly, tapping his pen on the clipboard, feeling it bounce from the contact. A hum tunes from the orange mascot, “Not one of you has ever apologized, nor has one held information on our…’emotional’ consciousness, as you said. You’re…a caring being, hm?”
Vince raised his eyebrow at what Stinger Flynn had said, “I’m sure the other scientists have at least kept that in mind. And I am not different, I just treat you mascot’s with respect…well, I try.” He chuckles nervously, fixing his glasses with on hand as a way to keep it busy.
The scientist nervously stands in his spot, feeling tiny from being looked down on by the orange jellyfish.
”I doubt that untruthful hypothesis. If they had that in mind, they would treat me with care. Not inject my head with several syringes just to keep me from being threatening.” The jellyfish argued, his large eye piercing into Vince’s soul.
“You wouldn’t like that either, would you, human?”
”…no. I don’t think I would—“
A subtle sensation of dizziness began to wash over the young male. The effort to maintain focus became a struggle, causing him to lose balance, dropping onto his knees with a harsh thump.
”What’s going on?” Vince stutters, afraid, feeling everything close in on him.
“Don’t worry. You’re not dying. This is an opportunity for me to practice my advantages, my abilities, my powers.” The orange jellyfish explains the situation, his deep voice echoed in the scientist’s ears.
Vince falls on his back, his limbs splayed out momentarily; his clipboard and pen sliding against the cold floor. The boy's chest rose and fell rhythmically, each breath as gentle than the last. The sound of his inhales and exhales were soft, like a calm ocean breeze rustling through the sand. He was surely deep in sleep.
The jellyfish breaks out of the chains with little to no effort, wiggling them out from being stiff by the harsh grasp of the chains. Slowly, Stinger Flynn presses his stingers against the unconscious male, putting pressure on his ribs, just a bit, to feel the heartbeat of the boy.
“Take him out!” A female voice roars through the speakers
A gentle stream of consciousness began to trickle into the scientist. The rhythmic symphony of crashing waves became distinct, a soothing feel to his senses. The gentle caress of sand beneath him hit his vision to the sea. Colors slowly saturating, conversing a vibrant sight of the blue sea and sky.
”Hey, he’s awake.”
The familiar, tired voice caused Vince to sharply turn his head to its direction, his eyes widening to see BanBan.
”Ban? What…what is going on? Why are we in a beach?”
”Don’t be afraid, human. This is my home.”
Vince breath hitches, side eyeing the orange jellyfish that’s beside him. His tendrils sprawled like threads, glistening with beads of the bright sun. “You’re home? This can’t be…”
”It is. Well, it was supposed to be.”
Vince cautiously stares at the orange mascot, trying to take in the environment around him. Looking away, he sees what appears to be a giant, ripped apart specimen, its eyes non-existent, yet he can feel their cold, almost sad stare. “What is that—“
”Stop questioning what’s around you.”
That being said, Vince lays where he was in silence, glancing at each mascot with confusion.
“I come here to then be reminded of what I'm fighting for is worth all of this pain and suffering.” Stinger Flynn pauses, looking over at the scientist before continuing his monologue, “I have never had actual sun rays touch my skin, it’s always those ceiling lights, can you imagine how isolating that must feel? I yearn for the day to see the glow of my arms glisten under the sun. Oh, to live the simple life of a completely brainless jellyfish; just munching on shrimp and avoiding getting eaten by turtles all day…” his deep voice drifts into nothing, his eyes still on Vince.
“You sound so bleak, it hurts. Lighten the mood, we’re in the beach! Why don’t we take that car for a ride?” BanBan exclaims, pointing at the green vehicle that’s questionably by them. “We can listen to music and be a happy family!”
”We’re not a family. Besides, there’s barely land here. We’re in the middle of the ocean. We’ll just be going in circles. Watching the ocean is way fun either ways.”
”Oh yeah? List the oh-so fun things of watching the same, boring blue water.”
”I will not be condoning into your silly games. It’s very cheap for my taste.”
”I’m sure this guy will partake in it then! You seem like you’d like my games.” BanBan smiles at the tensed scientist, leaning in a bit towards him as he waits for a response.
”…do you know my name?” Vince asks BanBan, absolutely dreading what comes next.
”No, I don’t think so? I will if you give it to me, though. That’s how introductions work, am I right?”
“Right. It’s Vince.” He murmurs, staring at the delighted devil. “Vince, copy that.” BanBan chuckles, looking away to admire the ocean.
The scientist glances at the quiet jellyfish, his brown bruise glistening under the imaginary sun that shines over them. Pursing his lips, he finally gets the courage to ask.
”Why did you bring me here? I remember not one report saying you like, mess with people’s minds. So why did you decide now?”
”…”
Stinger Flynn tilts his body to face the scientist, wrapping a stinger around the boy’s shoulder. “You were the right human I could test on. The others never brother to show feelings, to show weakness. They’re like…bowling pins. Standing there, waiting for the bowling ball to hit them. But you, oh, you’re the bowling pin to get hit by the bowling ball. I had to use you.”
Vince’s breath hitch, “You’re telling me that I’m weak?”
”I guess I didn’t have to break it to you. You seem to know. So does he.” His eye moves to BanBan, who was still taking in the ocean into perspective. “We can see weakness. You have it.”
“You’re wrong. I am not weak. You’re just playing with my head—“
”—playing with your head, yeah, I expected you to say that.” Stinger Flynn mocks.
…
Realization hit fast like a bullet.
”If I weren’t to have met you, your powers would’ve been kept hidden…”
”You took the words right out of my mouth.”
Vince's eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting to the soft light of the room he was in. His surroundings felt unfamiliar, the steady hum of machines providing to his consciousness. He registers the sterile scent in the air and the crisp sheets beneath him. Where was he?
“You’re awake.”
The short male turned his head sharply at the voice, relief washing over him as he recognized his friend.“Saul? What are you doing here, what’s going on?”
Saul shifted awkwardly, his concern evident. ”Seems like you forgot…Stinger Flynn had physically attacked you, he broke your ribs while you weirdly fell unconscious. How are you feeling?”
Vince pursed his lips, the events jogging back into his memory. “I don’t know...I really thought I could do it. I thought it would be easy.” He mumbled under his breath, staring into his friend’s eyes, pouting.
“Guess I’ll be making chocolate cake for Ban when I get better…”
Saul's eyebrows furrowed, his tone slightly exasperated. “You really need to stop making deals with that Devil. You always turn out to be wrong.”