vol:SPECIAL1 chap:1. The Fluff and Mysterious Labtech

[yoshidurempirate]

Table of contents
+story discussion

Next chapter >>

Halloween nears in the towns of Gaia once again. While many other places love the fun shenanigans of the holiday, the towns of Barton, Aekea, Durem, and Gambino were all in a state of unease. The holiday seemed to always bring bad luck with various disasters. This year was going to be no different.

The Gaian Seas: SPECIAL
Jack’O Rot’s Plague

~ Ch. 1: The Fluff and Mysterious Labtech.


Onboard the Grand Crimson, the Durem Pirate crew was docking into the Gambino Harbor. "Alright, as great as the seas are, it's always great to be back home." Neko said with a stretch as he and the others disembarked. "Yeah, even if it's just to pick up supplies." Remmy reminded. The group made their way out of the harbor to the town itself. On their way out into the gold beach area, a rustling was heard from the trees of Bass'ken Lake. Before anyone could react, a small pumpkin fluff darted out. "... umm, what is that?" Remmy asked a bit baffled. "What? You've never seen a pumpkin fluff before Remmy?" Yoshi asked. "That's not a pumpkin fluff." The zurg and Diesel stated. This time Yoshi was the one confused. "Of course this thing’s a pumpkin fluff. What else can it be?" Neko said happily as he approached it. "Neko... I don't think it's a good idea. That... thing, is giving off a sinister energy." Ethan warned. "You guys are being paranoid. What could it possib- YIPES!" Neko recoiled back as the fluff tried biting him. It then began growling as it's face contorted and formed into a snarl. "Ok then... what is it?" Neko asked as he hid behind Diesel. The fluff let out another growl before lunging at the group. Before it could strike, a stream of light hit it away. "Stay back!" Shouted a man in a brown and orange lab coat. As the fluff began getting up, he shot another stream of light from a ring on his hand. The fluff disappeared in orange and black smoke when the light hit.


The man was panting from obvious exhaustion. He was probably chasing the fluff for a while. He turned to the group with a serious look. "Is anyone hurt?" He asked, although his voice sounded uncaring. "Nope, although I almost lost my paw." Neko stated. The man rushed over before grabbing Neko's paws and inspecting them. "You're lucky. No damage." The man said. "No damage! I'm gonna be fearing Fluffs and pumpkins for years due to that thing!" Neko hissed with his fur standing on end. The man just gave a glare. "So what was that thing?" Nina asked. The man just glared at the group and began walking away. "Classified info. I suggest you return to your ship and sail back to where ever you came from. Yoshi then grabbed the man by the collar of his coat and made him turn around. "Listen, that thing nearly bit off my friend’s hand. We want answers. And if there's more of those things running around then the towns are in trouble." The pirate demanded. The man let out a grunt as he shoved Yoshi's hand away. "Fine then, if you want to throw your life away, you can help."


It began a few days ago, an experiment at J-Corp. Only the higher ups knew what the experiment was, but we knew it had to do with pumpkin fluffs in some way. Then, just yesterday, something went wrong. Alarms rang throughout the lab. One of the fluffs got loose and destruction was left by it. We managed to corner it before it escaped... but... the thing had spawned smaller minions and sent them at us. It then escaped while we were distracted.


"J-corp is now in high alert until we find the experiment and capture it. It is unclear what all the thing is capable of either as in its escape it thrashed through various labs with chemicals, potions, and other experiments. It is also a notable fact that it has grown greatly in size, probably from a growth formula or something." The man stated. "So basically, super powered monster fluff?" Neko asked. "Pretty much." The man said mildly annoyed at the over simplification. The man then looked at the mech. "Yo, tin can, are you able to scan for the experiment?" He asked. "Hey! Diesel is not a tin can!" Remmy shouted. The man ignored him and waited for the mech to answer. "I could, if I knew its energy signature. Although, I could also use the signature of the fluff I scanned to find any of the small ones." The mech stated. "Good enough. Since you were all eager to be involved, I leave it to you." The man said before making a swift exit. "Hey!" Yoshi shouted as he made chase but the man was quickly out of sight. "So are we hunting fluffs now?" Nina asked. Yoshi thought for a second. "That man, he used a ring to damage the fluff, I’m guessing they are like most animated and can only be damaged by rings, other animated or other strong creatures." The pirate thought aloud. He then turned to his crew. "Ethan, Wendy, I want you two to wait on the ship." Yoshi ordered. "Wha- why?" Wendy asked. "Because, only Neko and I have rings and experience fighting animated. Diesel is needed to scan and locate the experiments plus he is an animated. And Nina's a nightfright which is one of the strongest creatures around." Yoshi explained as he and Neko pulled out some rings from their pockets and put them on. "... Ok." Wendy reluctantly agreed with a defeated sigh as she and Ethan made their way back to the ship. "But I’m not being left out of the next adventure!" The little mage shouted. "I suggest we move. There are more of them out there." Diesel stated as he turned to the forest around Bass'ken Lake.


The man from earlier watched as the group made their way into Bass'ken Lake. He took out a phone and made a call. "Doctor Skull, this is Labtech Nine. We have a situation." The man informed. "What is the situation? Has the experiment been found?" Said a raspy voice from the phone. "Negative. I'm afraid the situation has gotten complicated. A small group has gotten involved and knows of the experiment." The labtech stated. "What! How could you be so foolish?!" The voice went from raspy to outraged before letting out several coughs. "Sir... I also recognized one of them. It was the bot from the E-10 incident." The man stated in a serious tone. The doctor was silent for a few seconds. "You mean the robot that stole our early artificial Jack claw experiment? The one who set us back on years of research! ... Keep your eyes on him. When you see an opportunity, strike and get the information on what it did with our experiment. If you can't handle it... or if they find our fluff and stir up trouble... I shall step in." The voice stated before the line went dead. Labtech Nine was stunned silent. If the doctor was planning on getting involved, things could get bad. The labtech made haste in catching up with the group, keeping to the cover of the trees.