BLJR Are Finding Nemo Chapter One

Chapter One
First Day of School

SPLASH!!! Following a large glowing of light, a crash of water caused nearly the entire ocean to foam due to the unexpected disturbance. A strange figure unlike any this particular ocean has ever had in it’s ecosystem is thrashing about in the water, waving it’s arms in every direction, as if this creature was suddenly in shocked being introduced to this strange environment. This was no ordinary sea creature amongst an entire ecosystem, for it came down in the shape of an anthropomorphic white lion with antlers sticking out at the top of his mane, a chiseled-from-stone chest without any garbs, talons for hands, a blue watch with a red button clasped on his right arm, a black-leather belt around his waist holding his signature sword, and the lower half of his body replaced with a blue fish-like tail, though the figure was too busy thrashing and gasping for air to notice. This was one of the newly appointed members of the Fantasy Adventure Team, Bryce Bandervilt, last surviving heir of the late Bandervilt family.

Just as it appeared that he would soon pass out due to the intense panic, Bryce felt two massive, firm hands grip his shoulders in an attempt to calm down the panicking prince. A muffled voice tries to call out to Bryce, who slowly starts to cease thrashing long enough to hear the faint voice starting to grow…

Male Figure: (Faint voice, grows louder) Bryce… Bryce-- Bryce! It’s okay. Calm down… Everything’s fine! Easy… Easy… Take some deep breathes.

It sounded insane from the way it was said, but Bryce slowly allowed the tension to ease off his body and took some deep breathes… That’s when he noticed something “strange”. Bryce Bandervilt was actually “breathing” under water and he looked down his lower half, surprised to see a long tail, of which it’s blue scales seemed to glitter in the sunlight that pierced through the water. Speechless at this remarkable development, Bryce slowly lifts his head to face his friends and was stunned to see that they had taken on the same fish-like forms in a way that was similar to the MerFolk. For the team, which consisted of their leaders Benny, Leo, Johnny, and Rae, including the El Arca Six (Xiro, Dagnino, Kairel, Teresa Tigress, Bruma, and Panthy), Lion, and Rafiki, had transformed into the same MerFolk appearance back in one of their trips to Atlantica. Only this time, a handful of other members have joined them on this adventure, consisting of:

Palladon (With a purple fin)
Tye (With a green fin)
Aurora Rose (Dark blue/indigo seashell bikini top with crème strips and indigo tail with light brown flipper)
Sunlight (Dark brown seashell bikini top with a tan-colored tail)
Queen Eliza (Light-blue tank top and matching tail with red fins)
Claw (With a lavender tail)
Talon (A navy-green chest plate and blue tail with light-colored fins)
Maggie (Navy-green seashell bikini top with matching tail)

Bryce: Blimey! What magic is this? I can breathe-- Underwater?

Benny: The same magic we used during one of our trips to Atlantica, to offer a chance for you to see what the undersea life is like.

Johnny: Not to mention it saves the trouble of having to pay a fortune on scuba diving trips.

Bryce: Soarin’! So that means we’re going to Atlantica?

Leo: Well… Not exactly. *Looks to the Time Omnitrix* According to the Time Omnitrix, though we haven’t landed in a period within the past or future, we are currently transported off the coast of Australia near the Great Barrier Reef.

Kairel: Considering that it’s the world’s largest coral reef, we’re bound to run into a large diversity of life, including many endangered species of sea creatures.

Dagnino: They definitely sound good enough to eat in my books. (Teresa smacks his head) Ow!

Teresa: Oh Dag, you haven’t changed ever since Atlantic.

Bruma: Too bad we couldn’t get everyone else to come with us to see this exotic place.

Panthy: Unfortunately, not all of them could come along to join us.

Palladon: Considering what happened the last time we were in Australia, I wouldn’t blame them.

Bryce: What do you mean?

Rae: Sometime before we met you, our team was sent to Australia to aid a pair of friends from the Rescue Aid Society to recover a young boy, Cody, who was kidnapped by a wicked poacher.

Bryce: (Gasps) That’s barbaric!

Lion: And very scary too.

Benny: Course, after we eventually rescued our new friend, as well as saving a rare endangered Eagle, there were still some animals that were left in the Poacher’s secret hideout and a few of our teammates had to go back to make sure all the captives were freed and properly cared for.

Rafiki: (To Bryce) But no need to worry about that now, it’s in the past. It wasn’t easy, but it somehow works out in the end.

Bryce: (Looks around) Wow… The ocean, I never knew just how big it truly was. I’ve got to see it all… (Gets carried away)

Aurora Rose: (Holds Bryce back) Hold it, lad!

Queen Eliza: Now Bryce, I know you’re excited about this trip, but you’re not the only one who’s never seen what it’s like under the sea either.

Benny: Mom’s right. Half of us have never gotten the chance to set a fin here and the ocean has it’s dangers as well.

Claw: (Nods his head in agreement)

Sunlight: So from here on out, it would be best if we stayed together as a group. The last thing we want is any trouble.

Bryce: Well all right, sure. Course, how much trouble can we get on the very first day?

Talon: (Whispers to Maggie) More than he thinks.

Maggie: (Whispers to Talon) Take it easy on him.

Leo: Right, well come on then, we’ve got a whole ocean to see.

Nodding in agreement, the Fantasy Adventure Team swam in a close formation with Leo in the lead. It was a bit of a struggle for Bryce, as he had not been used to swimming, as he had trouble using his fin. He felt a firm grip hold his talon and looked up to see Benny with a reassuring look. Bryce gives a small smile and an approving nod, allowing his friend to lead him through the sea while showing him a proper method to control his tailfin. Little did they know, they were in for a set of surprises in store.

<>

Meanwhile, as the sun glimmered along the sea, there lies a large bed of coral somewhere along the sea floor. Not much had changed over the years, except some bits of coral grew greater in size. It was here that two particular clownfish made themselves at home, following a tragic moment in their lives from many years ago. For them it was the dawn of a new day and none was more excited for this day than the tiniest of the two figures.

???: First day of school! First day of school! Wake up, wake up! C’mon, first day of school!

This was Nemo, Marlin’s only son following the events of the Barracuda massacre. It had been years since he was just an egg and he was no more older than an Elementary school child, a very energetic and happy young clownfish. He was hopping along the Sea Anemone, trying to wake up his Dad, Marlin, who had a hard time getting up on this bright sunny day.

Marlin: (Mutters in his sleep) I don’t wanna go to school. Five more minutes.

Nemo: Not you, dad. Me!

Marlin: (Groggy) Okay… Huh?

Nemo, excited for what he sees as a big day, is swimming all around the sea anemone trying to wake up his tired father, who slowly rises from his sleep while attempting to make himself fully awake.

Nemo: (Excitedly) Get up, get up! It’s time for school! It’s time for school! It’s time for school! It’s time for school! Oh boy! Oh boy!

Marlin: (In between sentences) All right, I’m up.

Nemo: Oh boy-- Whoa!

In his excitement to get to school for the first time in his life, Nemo accidentally hurls himself out of his home into the open ocean. Marlin suddenly realizes what happened and a look of instant concern is shown in his eyes.

Marlin: (Shocked) Nemo!

Hurriedly, Marlin rushes out of the sea anemone praying for his life that his son didn’t hurt himself in his excitement. To the father’s relief, Marlin’s son didn’t go very far as Nemo was stuck head-first inside some coral. Nemo clearly wasn’t hurt, as he was too excited to feel any concern, yet he was trying to pull himself out as best as he could.

Nemo: (Muffled shouts) First day of school!

Marlin: (Gasp) Nemo, don’t move! Don’t move! You’ll never get out of there yourself. I’ll do it.

Marlin reaches over to his son and pulls with all his might. With a PLOP, Marlin successfully frees his happy-go-lucky son from out of the sea coral and quickly escorts Nemo back into the sea anemone with every intent to make certain his son wasn’t hurt in the progress. Though seeing how overly-concerned his father was, it didn’t take long for Nemo to be incredibly annoyed with his father’s antics.

Marlin: (Checks his son) All right, where’s the break? You feel a break?

Nemo: No.

Marlin: (Continues) Sometimes you can’t tell ‘cause fluid is rushing to the area. Now, any rushing fluids?

Nemo: No.

Marlin: (Turns his son over) Are you woozy?

Nemo: No.

Marlin: How many stripes do I have?

Nemo: (Groans) I’m fine.

Marlin: Answer the stripe question!

Nemo: (Rolls his eyes) Three.

Marlin: No! See, something’s wrong with you. (Surveys himself) I have one, two, three--- (Surprised) That’s all I have? (Relieved) Oh, you’re okay. How’s the lucky fin?

Nemo: (Shows his right fin) Lucky.

Upon showing his father his fin, it was clear that a complication occurred during Nemo’s growth as he rapidly flipped a fin that was much smaller than the other. For this had started during the tragic attack that took the lives of his mother and siblings, though it was doubtful Marlin ever told him, the night that Nemo’s egg was cracked on that one spot which caused Nemo’s condition to occur. And yet, though it worried his father more, Nemo hardly felt bothered by it and he was clearly as healthy as any happy child in the world.

Marlin: Let’s see.

Though Nemo struggled to reach his father, nonetheless they succeeded in a simple high-five to each other, or in this case a high “fin”, which symbolized this bond between a loving, though overly protective, father and his cheerful son. But even so, Marlin still had his doubts about Nemo’s desire to go to school and see what the ocean is like.

Marlin: (Still concerned) Are you sure you wanna go to school this year? ‘Cause there’s no problem if you don’t. You can wait 5 or 6 years.

Nemo: (Rolls his eyes, ushers his father eagerly) Come on, dad. It’s time for school.

Marlin: Ah-ah-ah! Forgot to brush.

Nemo: (Moans) Ohh…

Marlin: Do you want this anemone to sting you?

Nemo: (Looks at the anemone, turns back) Yes.

Marlin: (Firmly) Brush.

Nemo: (Sighs) Okay. (Quickly brushes himself against the anemone) I’m done. (Heads out)

Marlin: (Pulls his son back) You missed a spot.

Nemo: (Looks around) Where?

Marlin: (Taps his son) There. Ha ha! (Pokes his son) Right there. And here and here and here!

Nemo laughed himself silly upon contact, an innocent act with his father messing with his son. Yet, for how happy his father was for his son, he knew that his son had desperately wanted to go to school and knew he couldn’t hold back any longer.

Slowly, the two Clown Fish poke their heads out of the sea anemone taking a good look at what laid before them outside. Following the events of the barracuda incident, to ensure no further repeats, Marlin moved his house deep below the sea floor that was overly covered with coral, so that way none of the bigger, hungrier fish could eat them. It was clear that the incident scarred the father much more than Nemo, still Marlin was not going to take any chances.

Marlin: (Motivates himself) All right, we’re excited. First day of school, here we go. We’re ready to learn to get some knowledge. (Turns to Nemo) Now, what’s the one thing we have to remember about the ocean?

Nemo: It’s not safe.

Marlin: That’s my boy. (Looks around) So, first we check to see that the coast is clear.

During the process, Marlin demonstrates to Nemo what to do and the son, deciding to go along with it, follows the same steps his father shows which repeats over and over just so they both get the idea. But this had gotten old for Nemo very quickly.

Marlin: (They swim out, then in) We go out and back in. (Repeats) And then we go out, and back in. (Repeats) And then one more time-- Out and back in. And sometimes, if you wanna do it four times--

Nemo: (Annoyed) Dad… (Swims ahead)

Marlin: (Comes out) All right. Come on, boy. (Swims in front of his son)

And so, Marlin and Nemo swim through the sea of coral for Nemo’s first day of school. As usual, Marlin stayed in tight guard over his son as if even the smallest speck that the sea has to offer could be harmful for either clown fish. But Nemo was too optimistic about what this day had to offer and he did his best to not let his father’s attitude ruin this for him.

Nemo: Dad, maybe while I’m at school, I’ll see a shark!

Marlin: I highly doubt that.

Nemo: Have you ever met a shark?

Marlin: (Shakes his head) No, and I don’t plan to.

Nemo: How old are sea turtles?

Marlin: (Confused) Sea turtles? I don’t know.

Nemo: Sandy Plankton from next door, he said that sea turtles, said that they live to be about a hundred years old!

Marlin: (Slight sarcasm)Well, you know what, if I ever meet a sea turtle, I’ll ask him. After I’m done talking to the shark, okay? (Holds his son back) Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on, hold on, wait to cross.

Just in the nick of time, Marlin was able to hold his son back before Nemo swam straight into a line-up of fish of many varieties swimming from one side to another like traffic. The pair of clownfish waited a while until the one fish hovering above them, raised his red fin indicating for all the fish to cross and thus allowing the pair to cross. They barely even left the sea anemone for no more than a few seconds and already Marlin was a nervous wreck.

Marlin: (Attempts to hold his son) Hold my fin, hold my fin.

Nemo: Dad, you’re not gonna freak out like you did at the petting zoo, are you?

Marlin: Hey, that snail was about to charge.

<>

Meanwhile, as Marlin and Nemo looked around an open sea floor which indicated the school, the Fantasy Adventure Team were not to far from that spot as they swam around the ocean. Where they swam, it was just the team hovering over surveying their surroundings. Among those looking around, everything about the sea seemed to fascinate Bryce Bandervilt the most, as he had never had a chance to see what the ocean was like underwater. In the meantime, Rafiki was helping Bryce to learn how to properly use his tail-fin.

Rafiki: Now remember Bryce, every flick of a fin creates movement. So, first start with a caudal fin.

Bryce: (Raises a brow) Huh?

Rafiki: (Chuckles) The tail.

Bryce: Oh, right.

Bryce flickers his tail at a rapid pace, but the movement accidentally thrusted the white lion much farther than intended and crashed slightly into Rafiki.

Rafiki: Oh! (Brushes himself off, clears throat) Anyways, that gives you the forward thrust.

Bryce: (Rubs his head, looks at his tail fin) Not that I don’t know how to swim, I assure you I’m a strong swimming, how is it that you lads already know how to use these bloody things?

Benny: (Swims by) Depending on the places we go to, Bryce, it’s important that we are able to adapt and learn things as quick as possible. Don’t worry, at least half of us are still learning as this is their first time, too. You’ll get it.

Rafiki: Absolutely. (Turns to Bryce) Well, come on. Let’s get a rhythm. (Swishes his tail fin, Bryce follows suite) Right, left. Right, left. One, two--

Suddenly, as Rafiki showed Bryce how to properly use his tail-fins, something swerved past the group nearly sending them spinning. They quickly recovered and looked around in every direction to see what had hit them.

Xiro: Wh-wh-wh-What the heck was that?

Johnny: (Looks around, wide-eyed, tugs Leo’s arm) Uh… Leo?

Leo: What? (Looks in Johnny’s direction, wide-eyed) Oh my God.

Before their very eyes, they saw dozens upon dozens of fish, each one different in their own way, seemingly gathered upon the bed of the ocean floor escorting their young ones somewhere. Under any other circumstance, it wouldn’t seem as much a surprise to any member of the team as they have all seen fish like these type before. But something indeed was strangely off about their appearance. It was only when they saw a bigger fish, a green one with aqua blue spots, pass by and after looking over themselves did they catch on.

Bruma: (Gasps) What happened to us? We’re seven inches tall!

Panthy: Oh fantastic!

Dagnino: (Glares at Leo) Leo, I don’t care what you say, if you had something to do with this--

Teresa: (Holds Dagnino back) Daggy, please!

Leo: Hey, I’m just as confused as you are Dag. I don’t know how we got like this!

Rae: (Examines her brooch) Something possibly went off with the spell; whatever the reason, it made us this way.

Bryce: (Looks over himself) I know I said I wanted to lose weight, but not like this.

Benny: Let’s not get too hysterical about this. Let’s just have a look around and try to blend in as possible.

Palladon: Benny’s right. Let us proceed with caution.

As the Fantasy Adventure Team approached the area, doing their best not to stick out like sore thumbs in this strange alien world, Marlin was busily trying to find where Nemo’s class. As overprotective as usual, Marlin kept very close to his son to make absolutely certain he wouldn’t wander off into any trouble.

Marlin: (Looks around) Hmm, I wonder where we’re supposed to go.

As they looked around, one of the bigger fish approached and opened her mouth wide releasing at least half a dozen of it’s kind to explore the sea floor and join up with their classmates.

Fish Kids: (In unison) Bye, mom! (Swims off)

Fish Mom: (Calls out) I’ll pick you up after school!

Amongst the activity going about around the school, a tiny crab was just walking along minding it’s own business. All of a sudden, a pair of fish swiftly removed the shell that covered the little crab. The crab tried to reach for it, but the two fish just laughed at the little guy’s misfortune and made a game of tossing the shell over the kid like a game of ‘Monkey in the Middle’, or in this case ‘Crab in the Middle’.

Crab Kid: (Reaches out) Come on, you guys. Stop it! Give it back!

By the time the Fantasy Adventure Team were close enough, they were amazed by the vast variety of fish swarming about. Granted most of the team had seen schools of fish before on a previous adventure, but to the rest it was as a unique experience as they could have. Even regardless of the fact that they were much smaller than usual.

Aurora Rose: (Awestruck) Would you look at that? (To Maggie) Have you ever so many breeds of these creatures all in one place?

Maggie: Not this close, that I know for certain.

As they gazed in awe, Leo took note of a pair of clown fish, the oldest trying to lead his son through the crowd. From Leo’s perspective, it seemed that they were lost as if uncertain of where to go.

Marlin: (Looks around) Come on, we’ll try over there.

Leo: (Approaches Marlin from behind) Excuse me, sir--

Marlin: (Gasps, quickly turns around, catches his breath) Don’t sneak up on me like that! (Holds his son back)

Leo: I do apologize, I didn’t mean to frighten you.

Benny: (Approaches with the others) Is there a problem?

Nemo: Whoa! (Tries to approach) Are you guys Merfolk?

Marlin: (Tries to pull his son) What do you think you’re doing? You know better than to talk to strangers?

Teresa: I can assure it’s quite all right; (To Nemo) what made you think we were Merfolk?

Nemo: Sandy Plankton told me! (Looks at them, squints) Though you seem smaller than how he described you.

Tye: Well, we’re “sort’ve” like the Merfolk. Let’s just say we came from an ocean “far” away from here.

Leo: Anyways, my name is Leo. Leo Lionheart. (Motions to the others) And these are Benny, Johnny, Rae, Xiro, Kairel, Dagnino, Teresa, Bruma, Panthy, Lion, Rafiki… (Catches breathe) Palladon, Tye, Aurora, Sunlight, Queen Eliza, Claw, Talon, Maggie… (Motions Bryce last) And that’s Bryce.

Bryce: (Holds a talon out) Pleasure to meet you, chap.

Marlin backs away with a bit of fear, though Nemo is slightly embarrassed by his father’s behavior. Bryce looks down at his talon, realizes it and pulls it back to his mane scratching the back of it.

Bryce: (Blushes with embarrassment) Sorry.

Marlin: (Calms down) It’s fine. I’m Marlin, and this is my son, Nemo. (Motions to Nemo)

Nemo: (Waves his tiny fin) Hi!

Rae: Aw, how cute!

Queen Eliza: So anyways, are you two lost?

Marlin: No, not quite. We’re just trying to meet up with the rest of Nemo‘s class. First Day of School.

Rafiki: Ah… School is good.

Marlin: Yeah… Just not easy.

Johnny: (Turns to a group) Say, maybe those three guys over there might be able to help.

Bryce: Soarin! (Motions to Nemo) Then, we best see this little lad gets to his class safely then. Shall we?

Marlin: I guess it’s all right. Better with a group, I suppose.

With that said, Marlin and Nemo join up with the Fantasy Adventure Team, who follow the clown fish towards three sea creatures, who appeared to be close friends: A seahorse, a flapjack octopus, and a longnose butterfly fish. The three were just hanging around, enjoying a laugh as if they were getting through a joke or just for no particular reason. The group approached the trio, who each turned to face the group.

Marlin: (To the trio) Excuse me, is this where we meet his teacher?

Seahorse: Well, look who’s out of the anemone.

Marlin: Yes. Shocking, I know.

Seahorse: Marty, right?

Marlin: (Corrects the seahorse) Marlin.

Seahorse: Bob.

Octopus: Ted.

Butterfly Fish: Bill. (Notices something) Hey, you’re a clownfish. You’re funny, right? Hey, tell us a joke.

The three seemed intrigued that they were in the presence of a clown fish and were anxious to hear one of it’s jokes. Even Johnny seemed into it.

Johnny: (Gets it) Oh yeah, I get it! Clown fish! (To the others) I wondered why they call them that.

Sunlight: (Pause) I don’t think they meant to be “literal” with that name, Johnny.

Marlin: She’s right, that’s a common misconception. Clownfish are no funnier than any other fish.

Talon: (To Claw) Then clearly, he’s never been around Johnny.

If Claw seemed to get a laugh about it, not a sound came out of his lips and yet he did cover his mouth hiding a smile at that little remark. But of course, the three fish were not going to let Marlin get out of this so easily.

Bill: (Urges Marlin) Aw, come on, clownie.

Ted: Yeah, do something funny.

Bob: Yeah!

Bryce: Well come on, lad. What’ve you got to lose?

Marlin: (Gives in) All right, I know one joke. Um, there’s a mollusk, see? And he walks up to a sea, well he doesn’t walk up, he “swims” up…

As Marlin tries to tell his joke, the fascinating smiles from the three fish slowly faded into a confused glance. Marlin was just getting started with the joke and yet somehow they could tell this wasn’t going to be a funny joke with the way Marlin was doing it. Even his son Nemo seemed embarrassed that his own father couldn’t loosen up just to make a quick laugh. Yet none were more confused than the Fantasy Adventure Team, all of them just trying to get the joke… Wherever it was going.

Marlin: (Continues) Well, actually the mollusk isn’t moving. He’s in one place and then the sea cucumber, well they--- I mixed up. (Tries again) There was a mollusk and a sea cucumber. None of them were walking, so forget that I--

Lion: (To Panthy, in the middle of Marlin’s talk) Am I missing something?

Panthy: (Dryly) Not much.

Bob: (Notices something, shouts) Sheldon! Get out of Mr. Johansen’s yard, now!

Everyone looks behind to see that three children, individually named Pearl, Ted, and Sheldon and each of them identical to their fathers, was messing around in a seemingly empty spot right around the sea floor. When suddenly, a creature emerges from under the sand: Mr. Johansen, who appeared to look like an Eagle Ray of sorts. The kids hid behind the cranky sea creature, who facial features were literally on the other side making up most of it’s frontal features. It swirled all around trying to find the little trespassers, but the kids kept close behind Johansen and giggled at the old fish’s misfortunes. Even several members of the team couldn’t help but laugh at this.

Kids: Whoa! (Hides behind Johansen)

Mr. Johansen: (Emerges through sand, Irritated) All right, you kids! (Looks around) Ooh! Uuh, where’d you go? Where’d you go? Where, where’d you go?

Johnny: (Laughs at this) Now “that” is funny! (Muttley snickers)

Bryce: (Slaps Johnny behind the head)

Johnny: (Holds back of his head, turns to Bryce) Ow! What was that for?

Bryce: It’s not polite to laugh at others misfortunes… (Chuckles) But it “is” funny. (Laughs, Rafiki hits his head with his stick, turns to Rafiki) OW!!!

Nemo: (To his father) Dad, dad… Can I go play too? Can I?

Marlin: (Uncertain, motions to another spot) I would feel better if you go play over on the sponge beds.

Marlin turns Nemo towards the “sponge beds” where two mothers were watching their little ones hopping along the perimeter. But it was not difficult to see that clearly this one particular spot served more as a toddler area, as most of the children were indeed rather young. One of the young ones, one of the three purple fish, bounced too high on one sponge bed and hit the ground. The baby immediately burst into tears as the mother attempted to console her child. The team and Nemo turns back to Marlin with a “really“ stare, the father clearly sheepish.

Marlin: That’s where I would play.

The children, just giggling about what they did with Johansen, soon noticed Nemo, who was struggling to swim above the sea floor with one fin tinier than the other.

Pearl: (Notices Nemo’s tiny fin) What’s wrong with his fin?

Tad: He looks funny!

Sheldon: (Slapped on the head) Ow! (Turns to his father, Bob) Hey, what’d I do? What’d I do?

Bob: (Scolds his son) Be nice. It’s his first time at school.

Benny: He is right. Not everyone is born exactly the same; as a matter of fact, few of us are born different than the other.

Kairel: (Examines Nemo’s fin, to Marlin) Though, if you don’t mind us asking, sir: What did happen to his fin?

Marlin: He was born with it, Kairel. We call it his lucky fin.

Nemo: (Groans) Dad.

Pearl: (Shows Nemo her tentacle) See this tentacle? It’s actually shorter than all my other tentacles, but you can’t really tell. Especially when I twirl them like this. (Shows Nemo)

Sheldon: (To Nemo) I’m H20-intolerant. (Sneezes)

Tad: (In Nemo’s face) I’m obnoxious.

Just as it seemed Nemo was making some new friends on his first day, a man’s singing drew everyone’s attention to above the sea level. Approaching the students singing his own little tune was a big sting ray known simply as “Mr. Ray”, one of the teachers. The kids seemed excited to see him, as he approached the sea floor.

Mr. Ray: (Singing) Oooh,
Let’s name the zones,
The zones, the zones.
Let’s name the zones of the open sea!

Kids: (Shouts) Mr. Ray! (Swims towards Mr. Ray)

Sheldon: (Urges Nemo to follow) Come on, Nemo.

Marlin: (Holds his son back) Whoa, you better stay with me.

Mr. Ray: (Singing continues) … Mesopolagic, bathyal, abyssal pelagic.
All the rest are too deep
For you and me to see.

As Mr. Ray concludes his song and prepares to land, all of the children gathered in a spot where they were all covered by their own school teacher. Mr. Ray had a feeling of where the kids were hiding and yet decided to play along just for their amusement.

Mr. Ray: (Feigns looking around) Huh, I wonder where my class has gone?

Kids: (Emerge from under Ray) We’re under here!

Mr. Ray: Oh, there you are. (Offers a fin) Climb aboard, explorers.
(Sings) Oh, knowledge
Exploring is oh so lyical
When you think thoughts
That are empirical.

As all of the students gather atop of the singing Sting Ray, Nemo notices that Marlin and the others were close by.

Nemo: (To his father) Dad, you can go now.

Mr. Ray: (Notices Nemo and the team) Well, hello. Who are you?

Nemo: I’m Nemo.

Mr. Ray: Well, Nemo, all new explorers must answer a science question.

Nemo: Okay.

Mr. Ray: You live in what kind of home?

Nemo: (Struggles to pronounce) An anemo-none. A nemenem-menome-nememen-nenemone--

Mr. Ray: Okay, okay, don’t hurt yourself. (To the team) What do we call you folks?

Leo: We’re collectively known as the Fantasy Adventure Team, sir. Though I reckon you’ve probably never heard of us from around here.

Mr. Ray: (Thinks) Hmm… I don’t seem to recall; I would’ve remembered. Are you good with science questions?

Johnny: (Shrugs) I was never really good at trivia games.

Rae: But we’ll gladly give it a try.

Mr. Ray: Alrighty: Name a living marine mammal in the scientific name.

Xiro: Ooh… (Scratches mane) That’s a tough one, let’s see--

Sunlight: “Megaptera novaeangliae”, the Humpback Whale.

Mr. Ray: (Impressed) Ah! Good one! (Gets an idea) Say, you look like a group of intelligent adventurers. How would you all like to volunteer and help keep an eye out on the students while we explore the reef?

Bryce: (Eyes lit up) The reef? Explore?? (Turns to Benny) Can we, Benny? Can we? Please, please!

Benny: I don’t know…

Rae: (Points out) We were hoping to meet someone around here.

Johnny: Hey, come on, guys! There’s a whole ocean out there to see; we might as well have some fun while we’re here.

Aurora: It would be nice to see what more of lies just beyond the coral.

Palladon: And we’ll make sure that everyone has a safe journey.

Queen Eliza: I wouldn’t mind it.

Bryce: (Mouths) Please?

Benny: (Sighs) Bryce… I need to know that you’re going to keep an eye on the kids, Nemo especially.

Bryce: They’ll be perfectly fine, I promise.

Queen Eliza: (To Benny) Don’t worry, son, if it makes you feel better we’ll tag along and keep an eye out from trouble. (To the Mutants) Right?

Mutants: (Simultaneously) Right.

Leo: (To Rae) Rae, you and Johnny better go with them too. We’ll meet up with you momentarily.

Rae: Understood. (Follows Johnny)

Palladon: (To Tye) We best tag along in case things get rather hectic.

Tye: (Nods) My thoughts exactly.

Mr. Ray: (Satisfied) Alrighty then. Welcome aboard, explorers!

Nemo made his way onto Mr. Ray to join up with the rest of his class, as Bryce Bandervilt, along with half of the Fantasy Adventure Team, climbed aboard. Before they could depart, Marlin still felt concerned about the trip and approached Mr. Ray.

Marlin: Just so you know, he’s got a little fin. I find if he’s having trouble swimming, let him take a break. Ten, fifteen minutes--

Nemo: (Annoyed) Dad, it’s time for you to go now.

Rae: Don’t you worry, Marlin. We’ll make sure everyone stays together as a group.

Mr. Ray: (Lifts off the seafloor) Okay, class, optical orbits up front. And remember, we keep our supraesophogeal ganglion to ourselves… That means you, Jimmy.

Jimmy: (Off-screen) Aw, man!

As Mr. Ray took off towards the wide blue ocean, singing yet another of his merry little tunes, all of the parents watched from the seafloor as their children were carried off to undergo possibly one of the biggest adventures in their lives. The remaining half of the Fantasy Adventure Team waved a temporary goodbye to their comrades, as Marlin called out for his son.

Marlin: (Calls out) Bye, Nemo!

Nemo: (Waves) Bye, dad!

Marlin: Bye, son! (Watches Mr. Ray fade out, softly) Be safe.

Bob: (To Marlin) Hey, you’re pretty well for a first timer.

Marlin: Well, you can’t hold onto them forever, can you?

Xiro: Of course, not! You wouldn’t really be living if you’re not at least going out into the world and having a little fun with it.

Benny: Though we also understand where you’re coming from Marlin.

Marlin: (To Benny) You do?

Benny: Yes… You obviously love your little boy and it’s hard to let go. I should know, I have a little one back home and I would feel the same when she grows up.

Bill: Yeah, I had a tough time when my oldest went out at the drop off.

Marlin: (Agrees) They just gotta grow up-- (Shocked) The drop off?! (Turns to the trio) They’re going to the drop off?!

Xiro: So “that’s” where they’re going, I was wondering.

Dagnino: So what, Xiro? It’s just a drop-off.

Marlin: (Outraged) Wh-what are you, insane?! Why don’t we fry ‘em up now and serve them with chips!? (Swims off)

Lion: (Raises a brow) “Am” I missing something, now?

Kairel: Whatever it is, Marlin’s making a big deal out of it.

Leo: Unless something must’ve happened that involved the place that scarred him… Wait. If that place means trouble for Marlin, you don’t think--

Benny: (Wide-eyed) Bryce! Our friends! They don’t know! (Swims off)

Teresa: Hey Daddy, wait up! (Follows her father)

Leo: Come on, guys. I gotta bad feeling about this. (Leo swims ahead, the others follow)

Bob: (Calls out) Hey, Marty. Calm down!

Marlin: (Calls out) Don’t tell me to be calm, pony boy! (He and the team disappear)

Bob: (Confused) ‘Pony boy’?

Bill: (To Bob) You know, for a Clownfish, he really isn’t that funny.

Ted: Pity.