Paradigm chuckled as he typed in a sequence that infused the latest formula into the injector needles as his seaviants observed.

"So what is this for?", Repteel asked more than a bit anxious.

Paradigm set the injector needles on a table and gave a smile.

"It's part of phase two of my latest evil plan."

Slash looked annoyed.

"First you play matchmaker and now a formula that only you know about?", he asked skeptically, "What are you planning anyway Doc?"

Paradigm only snapped his fingers and something in the shadows made it's way over to him. The other seaviants didn't see it, but whatever it was, it wasn't friendly.

"You know what to do.", Paradigm said pointing to the needles.

The shadow nodded and came over to the table. Slowly, a black and dark gray tentacle slithered over the table and took up the vials before going back into the darkness. The shadow made it's way to the secret elevator as Paradigm then turned to another door.

"Excuse me gentlemen, I have some loose ends to tie up."

He walked through the door as it opened to reveal Sarah, Harriet, Amber and Diane who all looked more than a bit confused.

"Doc, where are we?", Diane asked more than a bit scared.

Paradigm grinned wickedly.

"Your future."

Sarah frowned.

"I'd rather eat fish eggs creep."

Paradigm frowned.

"And need I remind you ladies that I have personally got you all administered to the Fission University with the understanding that under my instruction, you will be the Street Sharks' end?"

Harriet shuddered.

"Doc, I don't think-"

Paradigm snapped his fingers and a large device nearby hummed loudly getting all four girl's attention.

"What's that?", Diane asked.

"Think of it as extra insurance.", Paradigm stated firmly, "I need a test subject and I already have four candidates."

The girls all gasped realizing what the mad scientist had in mind.

"Doc, don't you dare!", Sarah sneered.

But she spoke too soon as the device fired what seemed like a ray into all four of the girls and they fell to the floor as their skin became shark skin, newly developed muscle developed across their forms and shark teeth filled their mouths as Paradigm cackled maniacally.

"And just in time for the Earth Day dance.", he commented.

/

In the gymnasium, Slammu helped some other students from around the campus put up the decorations while Ripster assisted Jab and Streex with the ground level with Bends.

"Can you believe that this dance is going to be this Friday?", Bends asked.

Slammu finished hanging and came back down only to slip, but luckily for him, he landed on a soft cushion of confetti so he wasn't hurt as he came over.

"By the way guys, think we should ask our dates for the dance?"

Dr. Bolton came out with a bunch of teachers and the principal who were taking in the views.

"Well it looks like your boys are being the little helper bees.", one of the teachers commented.

Dr. Bolton felt a ping of embarrassment, but he kept his posture as a faint splatter of something wet on his cheek from somewhere. The other teachers didn't bother to notice and the principal clearly was on board with everyone.

"Well this is bound to be one of the best Earth Day dance for once."

Dr. Bolton got away from the group and took a feel to the wet spot on his cheek and luckily he had an analyzer which he used. The boys came over when they noticed their dad deep in thought.

"What's up Dad?", Ripster asked.

Dr. Bolton mentioned for them to be behind the bleachers so they could talk normally. Bends helped by keeping lookout.

"This is weird.", Dr. Bolton said narrowing his eyes.

"How weird?", Jab asked.

"Try synthesized genetic material.", Dr. Bolton stated.

"Genetic material?", Streex asked, "Like a clone?"

Dr. Bolton nodded.

"Yes, but is Paradigm using this to get to us or for a cover?"

"Probably another gene washing scheme.", Ripster stated, "I just hope the girls aren't involved."

Dr. Bolton gave his son an assuring smile.

"We can only hope for the best."

Bends then tapped a pole to get their attention.

"Guys, company."

Dr. Bolton put his analyzer away just as the principal looked around the corner.

"Everything okay back here?", he asked.

"Yeah.", Bends said, "Dr. Bolton was just making sure the guys got their studies done for the day."

The principal looked amused.

"Nicely done Dr. Bolton. I should give a little extra in your paycheck this month. Carry on."

He left and the Boltons all sighed in relief.

"Thanks Bends.", Dr. Bolton said with gratitude.

"Anytime.", Bends answered smiling.

/

Sarah staggered to her feet before she noticed the scarlet bra she sported under a black leather jacket and the shark that gazed back at her in the mirror.

"What just happened?!", she gasped.

"You're perfected.", Paradigm said as he came in to admire his work, "The shark DNA samples from the university biology lab proved most effective."

Diane had come to as well as Harriet and Amber who were just as shocked as Sarah was.

"Why are we sharks?!", Amber asked more than a bit confused.

Paradigm then fired up a ray that came off his armor and aimed it, but this time, the girls dived into the floor and were on their way to the elevator.

"Stop them!", Paradigm screamed.

Slobster and Slash both tried to bar the door, but the girls got there first.

"Shark attack!", they screamed as they chomped through the door and were clobbering the seaviants aside.

Repteel and Kilamari tried assisting, but the girls had already left. Paradigm sighed.

"Why must there always be a complication?", he asked before smiling, "No matter, their skill is remarkable and worthy of my cause."

Slash got his nose out of the floor as Repteel looked annoyed.

"Those girls will have the sharks on our tails in no time."

Paradigm chuckled.

"Not to worry, the shark gene slam I used isn't permanent. And in their deteriorating condition, they won't even make it to the surface before it wears off."

He then went to his computer and typed in a sequence that revealed the seaviant he had instructed earlier.

"How goes the installation?"

A tentacle came out and gave a version of a thumbs up which pleased the mad doctor greatly.

"Well I'd better be ready to be the guest of honor for this school's dance.", he said as he got going, "And please fix up that elevator shaft while I'm gone. It's such a mess."

He left out another way as the seaviants got to work.

"I can't believe that Paradigm is not as attached to us like he used to be.", Kilamari griped.

"Can it eel face.", Slobster snapped, "We'll get our chance."

Repteel went to the panel and looked over some data that Paradigm had left on the monitor.

"Sure hope this plan doesn't backfire.", he mumbled.

/

Back above ground, the girls burst out of the ground just as their shark features melted away completely and they collapsed on the ground in pain and out of breath.

"That was...something.", Sarah wheezed.

Amber wiped her still sweating brow.

"Didn't think our deal ment this."

Each girl reflected on how Paradigm had found them. Sarah was working as a waitress to pay off her rent, Amber was a stunt double, Harriet was helping a friend with car trouble, and Diane was prepping for the Sunday service at the local church. Each one was similar, but Paradigm's terms were the same.

"Just follow instructions I give and I'll get you into the most prestige university in Fission City and pay off your debts if you have any."

By now, Sarah saw a water fountain and staggering to her feet, got to it with the others following. After a quick drink, each felt better, but a little embarrassed when they saw their torn clothes hanging on their top halves.

"I think I got something that might work for this.", Harriet stated.

She led the group into the girl's locker room and opened one of the larger ones to reveal several leotards.

"What?", she asked when she saw the other three look her way confused, "Can't a girl look her best?"

After a while, each girl came out wearing a leotard of her choice. Sarah went with dark gray, Amber went with navy blue, Harriet wore red, and Diane wore green.

"You think we should tell?", Diane asked.

Sarah frowned.

"And risk Paradigm cutting us off? We're already in too deep and we don't need to drag those boys into the drama."

"But they seem so nice.", Amber put in.

Sarah still remained in her poise.

"We're only ment to give them a distraction.", she said firmly, "We give in even for a minute, and Paradigm will dump us and we'll be right back where we were. Barely making ends meet and hardly making enough to get by."

As much as the other girls wanted to object, they knew Sarah had a point and they left and headed back to class.

"Remember, not a word about what happened.", Sarah reminded them before they split, "Or we lose everything."

/

In the gym, the Bolton boys were putting the finishing touches on the dance floor as Ripster polished off the final ceiling decorating.

"I got to say that this is pretty fin-tastic.", Streex said proudly.

"I'll say.", Slammu answered, "Too bad we don't have dates."

He then lit up for a minute.

"Hey, why don't we ask those girls to go with us?"

Streex looked on board already.

"I'm game."

Ripster and Jab were also in and they headed to class just as the bell rang to signal the changing of classes. In the hall, each got separated, but got to class on time. Ripster was in History as he noticed Sarah a few seats over.

"Pst!", he hissed.

Sarah flinched and then looked his way confused looking.

"You going to the dance later tonight?", he whispered.

Sarah shrugged and turned aside. Ripster felt down, but then a little folded piece of paper landed on his desk. He unfolded it to see it had writing on it.

"Six o clock on the dot outside gym. Don't be late."

Ripster looked Sarah's way to see her give a wink before turning to her textbook again. After the class ended, the final bell rang and the campus was soon filled with people asking other people to the dance. Ripster met up with his brothers who all looked like they were having the best day ever.

"So, what did each of your girls say?", Ripster asked.

"She said she would.", Jab answered.

"As did mine.", Streex put in.

"Mine too.", Slammu added.

Back at the dorm, Dr. Bolton was finishing the touches on what looked like a new piece of machinery as the boys walked past thinking nothing of it. Bends however was paying attention.

"What's that Doc?", he asked.

"I'm finding this whole thing a bit weird.", Dr. Bolton answered, "Luckily I have this gizmo here to help short out any device that Paradigm might have in the gym. That slime I came across had traces of octopus ink and I'm gonna need back up. Who's available?"

Bends looked at a planner.

"El Swordo is in South America with his circus, Rox is on the east coast at his latest gig, and Mantaman went to go see his family."

Dr. Bolton raised an eyebrow.

"And Moby Lick?"

Bends looked at his schedule and gave a thumbs up.

"Yeah, he's good."

Dr. Bolton then got to the phone and made an important phone call.

"I'll be right there.", Moby answered after Dr. Bolton asked for his aid.

/

A few nights later, the dance was in full swing as couples danced across the floor, nobody could take their eyes off the Bolton boys as they danced in the center with their dates. Up above however, an evil device was adjusted into place by several tentacles as a voice cackled.

"Look at them. So innocent and so unaware of the new age their about to be part of."

A light came on and Dr. Bolton came up with Moby Lick right behind him. The light revealed a large scaled woman with angler fish jaws, webbed claws and strong muscles which gave way to large tentacles from the waist down.

"Whoa, talk about ugly sushi.", Moby flinched not liking what he saw.

The creature grinned.

"Please, call me Diva.", she purred.

Dr. Bolton frowned.

"Okay, care to explain what is going on here?", he asked firmly.

"It's pretty simple.", Diva answered, "Paradigm got a few girls to make your boys heads spin on the false promise that he'll help with their lifestyles. Though to be fair, each girl was my making and after this baby goes off, Paradigm will finally have his best creations under his sway."

"Over my dead body.", Dr. Bolton sneered as he gripped his watch.

With a click, Dr. Bolton shifted to his shark form, but he didn't mind the pain as he was used to it by now. Moby then assaulted Diva with him, though she kept them at bay with ink squirts and her tentacles.

"You should have taken my questionnaire.", she said slyly, "I would've made your sweetest dream."

That whoever got Dr. Bolton to fight harder and before they all knew it, they had fallen to the ground floor with Moby and the device grabbing everyone's attention.

"What the?!", Ripster said in shock with his brothers saying the exact same thing.

Diva rose and pressed a button on the device, but Moby then lifted it up and kicked it out the open gym doors and into the open air where it blew up after hitting a dumpster and landing in another one. Diva then frowned.

"Oh well. Plan B."she said before pressing a button on a wristband she wore.

Instantly Sarah, Diane, Amber and Harriet were on the ground in severe pain as small capsules on their backs blew releasing bright green slime that started eating away at them. Taking the moment, Diva slipped away while Jab manned the hoses with Slammu helping. Moby used his blowhole as well, and revealed that each girl had vanished leaving their ruined dresses behind.

/

A while later, the dance was being repaired as Paradigm was with the principal apologizing for the disturbances. As he passed the Boltons and Moby, he gave a smile, but his eyes were shooting daggers which told them he was angry they had foiled his plan. Dr. Bolton noticed his sons looked pretty down.

"You think they're gonna be okay?", Moby asked him.

Dr. Bolton gave him an assuring smile.

"They found out that the girls they loved were mere fakes programmed to think the way Paradigm wanted them to. Diva used love as a weapon and I'd say she made quite the impact."

He turned back to his sons who seemed like they were getting over the experience.

"Well, it's better to have loved and lost than to never love at all right?", Streex asked.

Slammu gave a shy smile.

"Yeah, I guess."

Ripster put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Hey, there will be other times." he said before turning to Moby, "Thanks for the help."

Moby blushed.

"Glad to be of help. I better get going. There's a nature reserve opening and I'm helping set it up."

He left after diving into the ground and the Boltons met up with Bends and Lena at the dorm.

"So how was your night?", Lena asked.

"We found out our dates were fake, Paradigm tried to gene wash us and has a new seaviant on his side.", Streex answered, "When's dinner?"

Lena smiled and moved aside to reveal the mountain of burgers and fires on the table and the sharks didn't even bother to resist. Soon the whole family was with their friends enjoying the time together.